[Cite as State v. Marcum, 2016-Ohio-263.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
PREBLE COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
CASE NO. CA2015-04-011
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
OPINION
: 1/25/2016
- vs -
:
RICKY L. MARCUM, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM PREBLE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Case No. 14CR11487
Martin P. Votel, Preble County Prosecuting Attorney, Kathryn M. West, Preble County
Courthouse, 101 East Main Street, Eaton, Ohio 45320, for plaintiff-appellee
McNamee Law Office, LLC, Matthew J. Barbato, 2625 Commons Boulevard, Suite A,
Beavercreek, Ohio 45431, for defendant-appellant
M. POWELL, P.J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Ricky L. Marcum, appeals his convictions in the Preble
County Court of Common Pleas upon multiple sex offenses. For the reasons discussed
below, the judgment is affirmed with the exception of Marcum's sentence, which is reversed,
and the matter remanded for resentencing.
{¶ 2} The charges stem from allegations made by Marcum's stepson, R.C., and his
Preble CA2015-04-011
son, J.M., that Marcum forced the boys to suck his penis, play with his penis, and play with
each other's penis while Marcum watched. Additionally, Marcum threatened to hurt the boys
or someone they knew if they did not comply. This occurred when the boys were less than
13 years of age.
{¶ 3} Marcum was indicted by a grand jury on March 4, 2014, on 12 charges. Based
upon allegations that Marcum engaged in sexual conduct with R.C., Marcum was charged in
Counts 1 and 2 with rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b) and 2907.02(A)(2),
respectively, and in Count 3 with sexual battery in violation of R.C. 2907.03(A)(5). Based
upon allegations that Marcum had sexual contact with R.C., Marcum was charged in Counts
4 and 5 with gross sexual imposition in violation of R.C. 2907.05(A)(1) and 2907.05(A)(4),
respectively. Based upon allegations that Marcum solicited R.C. to engage in sexual activity
with him, Marcum was charged in Count 6 with importuning in violation of R.C. 2907.07(A).
Based upon allegations that Marcum engaged in sexual conduct with J.M., Marcum was
charged in Counts 7 and 8 with rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b) and 2907.02(A)(2),
respectively, and in Count 9 with sexual battery in violation of R.C. 2907.03(A)(5). Based
upon allegations that Marcum had sexual contact with J.M., Marcum was charged in Counts
10 and 11 with gross sexual imposition in violation of R.C. 2907.05(A)(1) and 2907.05(A)(4),
respectively. Based upon allegations that Marcum solicited J.M. to engage in sexual activity
with him, Marcum was charged in Count 12 with importuning in violation of R.C. 2907.07(A).
{¶ 4} On March 30 and 31, 2015, a jury trial was held. At the end of the
prosecution's case, Marcum's counsel made a Crim.R. 29 motion, asserting the prosecution
failed to present sufficient evidence that Marcum had engaged in sexual conduct with J.M. as
alleged in Counts 7 through 9 of the indictment. Neither J.M. nor the forensic interviewer who
interviewed J.M. testified as to any oral to genital contact between J.M. and Marcum. As
such, the trial court granted the Crim.R. 29 motion regarding the sexual conduct charges
-2-
Preble CA2015-04-011
relating to J.M. and dismissed Counts 7 through 9. The defense presented its case and the
remaining counts went to the jury. After deliberation, the jury found Marcum guilty of all
remaining counts.
{¶ 5} At sentencing, the trial court merged the Count 4 gross sexual imposition, the
Count 5 gross sexual imposition, and the Count 6 importuning charges with the Count 3
sexual battery charge, relating to R.C. The trial court also merged the Count 11 gross sexual
imposition and the Count 12 importuning charges with the Count 10 gross sexual imposition
charge, relating to J.M. The trial court did not merge the rape and sexual battery charges
relating to R.C. contained in Counts 1, 2, and 3. The sentencing entry provides that Marcum
was sentenced upon the Counts 1 and 2 rape charges, the Count 3 sexual battery charge,
and the Count 10 gross sexual imposition charge. In addition, despite its order that the
Count 4 gross sexual imposition charge had merged into Count 3, the sentencing entry
imposed a separate sentence upon Count 4. Specifically, the trial court sentenced Marcum
to 15 years to life in prison on Count 1, 25 years to life in prison on Count 2, 8 years in prison
on Count 3, 5 years in prison on Count 4, and 5 years in prison on Count 10. All sentences
were ordered to be served concurrently with one another.
{¶ 6} Marcum now appeals, asserting two assignments of error for review.
{¶ 7} Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 8} A REASONABLE JURY COULD NOT REACH A VERDICT OF GUILTY
BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.
{¶ 9} In his first assignment of error, Marcum argues his convictions were against the
manifest weight of the evidence and the jury clearly lost its way because the child victims'
testimony lacked the specificity necessary to identify distinguishable incidents of sexual
conduct or sexual contact initiated by Marcum.
{¶ 10} Considering whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence
-3-
Preble CA2015-04-011
a reviewing 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 jury 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. Thompkins, 78
Ohio St.3d 380, 387 (1997). When reviewing a jury verdict, the verdict may be reversed as
against the manifest weight of the evidence only when there is unanimous disagreement with
the verdict. State v. Gibbs, 134 Ohio App.3d 247, 255 (12th Dist.1999). "In either a criminal
or civil case the weight to be given the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses are
primarily for the trier of the facts." State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 231 (1967).
{¶ 11} Child victims are not expected to remember the exact dates of when
psychologically traumatic abuse occurred, especially when abuse is spread over an extended
period of time. State v. Rogers, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2006-03-055, 2007-Ohio-1890, ¶ 25.
Furthermore, charges involving sexual conduct or sexual contact may be proven solely
through witness testimony. In re D.T.W., 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2014-09-198, 2015-Ohio-
2317, fn. 1; State v. Flores, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2004-L-030, 2005-Ohio-5277, ¶ 43-44.
{¶ 12} In asserting his convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence,
Marcum relies on State v. Warren, 168 Ohio App.3d 288, 2006-Ohio-4104 (8th Dist.), where
the Eighth District found multiple convictions of rape were not supported by the evidence
because the victim did not present specific details of individual, multiple rapes and only
testified that she was raped eight or nine times. In line with Valentine v. Konteh, 395 F.3d
626 (6th Cir.2005), the Eighth District held that it could not "accept the numerical estimate
which is unconnected to individual, distinguishable incidents." Warren at ¶ 20. However,
while the victim's testimony did not support multiple counts of rape, the Eighth District found
the testimony of the victim was sufficient to support one count of rape. Id. at ¶ 19. Unlike in
Warren, Marcum was not charged with committing separate acts constituting multiple
-4-
Preble CA2015-04-011
offenses, but was rather charged with the offenses in the alternative.
{¶ 13} Marcum was convicted of rape involving R.C. in violation of R.C.
2907.02(A)(1)(b) and 2907.02(A)(2) which provide:
(A)(1) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another
who is not the spouse of the offender or who is the spouse of the
offender but is living separate and apart from the offender, when
any of the following applies:
***
(b) The other person is less than thirteen years of age, whether
or not the offender knows the age of the other person.
***
(2) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another when
the offender purposely compels the other person to submit by
force or threat of force.
{¶ 14} Marcum was also convicted of sexual battery involving R.C. pursuant to R.C.
2907.03(A)(5) which provides:
(A) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another, not
the spouse of the offender, when any of the following apply:
***
(5) The offender is the other person's natural or adoptive parent,
or a stepparent, or guardian, custodian, or person in loco
parentis of the other person.
{¶ 15} Rape and sexual battery each require that the offender engage in "sexual
conduct" with the victim. However, the above sections differ depending upon the means
used to commit the offense (i.e., force or threat of force), the age of the victim (i.e., less than
thirteen years of age), or the status of the offender (i.e., parent or stepparent of the victim).
{¶ 16} Marcum was also convicted of two counts of gross sexual imposition involving
each victim pursuant to R.C. 2907.05(A)(1) and (4). Gross sexual imposition differs from
rape in that it involves "sexual contact" as opposed to "sexual conduct." These sections
-5-
Preble CA2015-04-011
otherwise mirror the "force or threat of force" and age of the victim elements of rape in R.C.
2907.02(A)(1)(b) and (2), respectively, and are differentiated in the same respect as set forth
in the discussion involving the rape convictions above.
{¶ 17} Finally, Marcum was convicted of importuning in violation of R.C. 2907.07(A),
which provides:
No person shall solicit a person who is less than thirteen years of
age to engage in sexual activity with the offender, whether or not
the offender knows the age of such person.
This section involves a solicitation to engage in "sexual activity" which may be "sexual
conduct or sexual contact, or both." R.C. 2907.01(C).
{¶ 18} The rape charges relating to R.C. alleged a single offense. However, the rape
of R.C. was alternatively charged in separate counts based upon the fact that R.C. was less
than thirteen years of age at the time of the offense (Count 1), and because Marcum used
force or threat of force in the commission of the offense (Count 2). The sexual battery
charge relating to R.C. was also an alternative charge to the rape counts but was based upon
Marcum having the status of R.C.'s stepparent. Similarly, the gross sexual imposition
charges involved a single offense with each child, alternatively charged and differentiated by
the fact that R.C. and J.M. were less than thirteen years of age at the time of the offense
(Count 5 as to R.C. and Count 11 as to J.M.) and because Marcum used force or threat of
force in the commission of the offenses (Count 4 as to R.C. and Count 10 as to J.M.).
Finally, the importuning charges also involved the same conduct as the rapes and sexual
battery charges involving R.C. and the gross sexual imposition charges involving both
children, but were based upon Marcum's solicitation of the children to engage in the sexual
activity.
{¶ 19} In this instance, the testimony of the victims supported the jury's guilty verdict.
R.C. testified that Marcum made him "suck [Marcum's] penis" on more than one occasion in
-6-
Preble CA2015-04-011
Marcum's bedroom during the time he lived with Marcum. R.C. also testified Marcum made
R.C. and J.M. watch movies about sex and play with their penises. R.C. testified Marcum
threatened to hurt them or someone they cared about if they ever told anyone. J.M. testified
Marcum made him lie down on the bed and play with Marcum's penis using his hands. J.M.
testified that it was "mushy," "like if you're touching slim or something." J.M. testified this
happened on more than one occasion. J.M. also testified Marcum would throw him across
the room and spank him.
{¶ 20} The victims' testimony was supported by two different experts in forensic
interviewing who agreed the children gave a detailed history of inappropriate sexual behavior.
J.M.'s foster father and R.C.'s stepmother testified to the boys' demeanor when talking about
Marcum and confirmed the boys had been living separate and apart from each other for more
than a year when the allegations of abuse surfaced. Additionally, Marcum recalled telling his
brother that "it could have happened, it might have f'ing happened," and he did not think the
boys would lie about abuse. In light of the foregoing, we find the jury did not clearly lose its
way and Marcum's convictions were not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 21} While we find the lack of specificity regarding multiple instances of abuse did
not render Marcum's convictions against the manifest weight of the evidence, we find the trial
court erred when it did not merge the rape and sexual battery charges relating to R.C. When
a failure to merge allied offenses is obvious, it rises to the level of plain error. State v.
Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, ¶ 14; State v. Underwood, 124 Ohio St.3d
365, 2010-Ohio-1, ¶ 31. This is true whether sentences are imposed consecutively or
concurrently. Underwood at ¶ 31.
{¶ 22} Pursuant to R.C. 2941.25, Ohio's multiple-count statute, the imposition of
multiple punishments for the same criminal conduct is prohibited. State v. Brown, 186 Ohio
App.3d 437, 2010-Ohio-324, ¶ 7 (12th Dist.). Specifically, R.C. 2941.25 states:
-7-
Preble CA2015-04-011
(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to
constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the
indictment or information may contain counts for all such
offenses, but the defendant may be convicted of only one.
(B) Where the defendant's conduct constitutes two or more
offenses of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two
or more offenses of the same or similar kind committed
separately or with a separate animus as to each, the indictment
or information may contain counts for all such offenses, and the
defendant may be convicted of all of them.
As R.C. 2941.25(A)'s mandate is a protection against multiple sentences, a defendant is not
convicted for purposes of this statute until a sentence is imposed. Rogers at ¶ 18.
{¶ 23} In order to determine which offenses are of dissimilar import that cannot be
merged, the Ohio Supreme Court recently clarified the test to employ in State v. Ruff, 143
Ohio St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995. When conducting the analysis, if any of the following is true,
a defendant may be convicted and sentenced for multiple offenses as the offenses cannot
merge: (1) the offenses are of dissimilar import with separate, identifiable harm, (2) the
offenses were separately committed, or (3) a separate animus or motivation was used to
commit the offenses. Ruff at ¶ 25. Two or more offenses of dissimilar import exist "when the
defendant's conduct constitutes offenses involving separate victims or if the harm that results
from each offense is separate and identifiable." Id. at ¶ 23.
{¶ 24} In this instance, it is obvious that the rape and sexual battery charges related to
R.C. are allied offenses. As discussed above, these offenses were charged in the
alternative, and as argued by Marcum, there were not specific instances of multiple sexual
conduct testified to by R.C. The indictment and bill of particulars rely on the same conduct
for Counts 1 through 3. There was no distinguishing evidence presented at trial to establish
that the offenses were separately committed, resulted in separate identifiable harm, or were
committed with a separate motivation in order to be of dissimilar import. As the sexual
conduct offenses related to R.C. are clearly allied, Marcum's multiple sentences for the rape
-8-
Preble CA2015-04-011
and sexual battery offenses violate R.C. 2941.25(A).
{¶ 25} We find the trial court committed plain error by failing to merge Counts 1
through 3. As such, the sentence must be vacated and the matter remanded for
resentencing. Upon remand, the state can elect which allied offense to pursue, which the
trial court must accept and then merge for resentencing.
{¶ 26} Furthermore, we note the trial court stated in the body of the sentencing entry
that "Counts 4, 5 and 6 merge with Count 3 for purposes of sentencing," yet imposed a
separate sentence for Count 4. As a trial court speaks through its entries, upon remand for
resentencing, the trial court must address this inconsistency. Marcum's first assignment of
error is sustained in part and overruled in part.
{¶ 27} Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 28} THE DEFENDANT RECEIVED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
WHEN DEFENSE COUNSEL FAILED TO REQUEST A HEARING ON THE ADMISSIBILITY
OF A POLYGRAPH EXAM RESULTS.
{¶ 29} In his second assignment of error, Marcum argues his trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to request the introduction of results of a computerized voice stress
analyzer (CVSA) given by a police officer to Marcum and by failing to question the officer at
trial.
{¶ 30} To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show his trial
counsel's performance was both deficient and prejudicial. Strickland v. Washington, 466
U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052 (1984); State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 141-142 (1989).
With respect to deficiency, appellant must show his counsel's performance "fell below an
objective standard of reasonableness." Strickland at 688. There is a "strong presumption
that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance," and
as a result, "judicial scrutiny of counsel's performance must be highly deferential." Id. at 689.
-9-
Preble CA2015-04-011
"An error by counsel, even if professionally unreasonable, does not warrant setting aside the
judgment of a criminal proceeding if the error had no effect on the judgment." Id. at 691.
{¶ 31} Previously, we analogized the admissibility of the results of a CVSA with results
of a polygraph test. State v. Homer, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2003-12-117, 2006-Ohio-
1432, ¶ 7. Regarding admissibility, the results of a polygraph test cannot be admitted simply
at an accused's request. State v. Bell, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2008-05-044, 2009-Ohio-
2335, ¶ 47. Rather, there must be a written stipulation between the prosecuting attorney, the
defendant's counsel, and the defendant providing that the polygraph results are admissible.
State v. Souel, 53 Ohio St.2d 123 (1978), paragraph two of the syllabus. Even if there is
such a stipulation, the admissibility of polygraph results rests within the discretion of the trial
court. Id. at paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶ 32} In this instance, there was no stipulation between the prosecution and the
defense allowing the admission of the CVSA's results. Additionally, it was unnecessary for
Marcum's attorney to separately seek the admission of the CVSA results because the issue
of its admissibility was before the court upon the prosecuting attorney's motion in limine to
exclude the CVSA's results, which Marcum's attorney opposed. Furthermore, Marcum's
counsel preserved the record for appeal by proffering the CVSA's results at trial. The
conduct of Marcum's attorney did not fall below a professional standard of reasonableness,
and was thus not ineffective. Marcum's second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 33} Judgment affirmed in part and reversed only to the extent the sentence is
vacated, and the matter is remanded for resentencing.
RINGLAND and HENDRICKSON, JJ., concur.
- 10 -