State v. Beaver

[Cite as State v. Beaver, 2018-Ohio-2438.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
MARION COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,
CASE NO. 9-17-37
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,

v.

DAVID A. BEAVER, OPINION

DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 17-CR-056

Judgment Affirmed

Date of Decision: June 25, 2018

APPEARANCES:

Robert C. Nemo for Appellant

Kevin P. Collins for Appellee
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WILLAMOWSKI, P.J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant David A. Beaver (“Beaver”) appeals the judgment

of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas. For the reasons set forth below, the

judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Facts and Procedural History

{¶2} T.B. was born to Beaver and Kristina Beaver (“Kristina”) in 2012. Doc.

60. Kristina and Beaver divorced in 2015. Ex. 15. Following this divorce, Beaver

had visitation with T.B. every other weekend. Trial Tr. 427. On April 24, 2016,

after one of these weekend visits, Beaver drove T.B. to the designated drop off

location where Kristina was waiting in her car. Id. at 409, 413. When T.B. got into

the car, she told Kristina that Beaver had inappropriately touched her. Id. at 323,

446. This led Kristina to take T.B. to the Adena Regional Medical Center

(“ARMC”) where T.B. was examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner. Id. at

137-139. The nurse took T.B.’s panties as forensic evidence and noted that T.B.

had some redness on her labia. Id. at 143-144.

{¶3} The ARMC referred Kristina to the Child Protection Center in Ross

County (“CPC”) for further consultation. Doc. 90. On May 4, 2016, Kristina took

T.B. to the CPC. Doc. 90. Ashley Muse (“Muse”), a child abuse specialist,

interviewed T.B. while a physician, Dr. Jetty, observed T.B. from another room.

Doc. 90. Trial Tr. 280. During this interview, T.B. explained what her father had

done to her. Ex. 13. The CPC made a video recording of this interview. Ex. 13.

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After the initial interview with Muse, Dr. Jetty had a further interview with T.B.

Trial Tr. 283. The video of this interview was later admitted into evidence. Id. at

474. T.B.’s panties were then tested by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations

(“BCI”). Id. at 208. The investigators found Beaver’s saliva on the front interior

panel of T.B.’s panties. Id. at 211, 259-260. No semen was found on the panties.

Id.

{¶4} On February 9, 2017, Beaver was charged with one count of gross

sexual imposition in violation of R.C. 2907.05(A)(4) and one count of rape in

violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b). Doc. 1. On May 31, 2017, the trial court held

a hearing to determine whether T.B. was competent to testify at a trial. Competency

Hearing Tr. 2. During this hearing, T.B. had difficulty focusing and sitting still.

Doc. 60. The trial court gave the State an opportunity to present additional evidence

as to T.B.’s competency at a later evidentiary hearing. Doc. 60. On June 30, 2017,

the trial court interviewed T.B. again and determined that she was competent to

testify. Evidentiary Hearing Tr. 2, 69-70. Doc. 89. At this evidentiary hearing, the

trial court also considered the admissibility of the videotaped CPC interview. Id.

The trial court denied Beaver’s motion in limine as to the video interview. Doc. 90,

149.

{¶5} On August 17, 2017, the jury found Beaver guilty of both charges. Doc.

154, 155. Beaver was sentenced on August 23, 2017. Doc. 169. Appellant then

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filed his notice of appeal on September 14, 2017. Doc. 175. On appeal, appellant

raises the following seven assignments of error:

First Assignment of Error

The trial court erred to the prejudice of appellant by finding T.B.
competent to testify.

Second Assignment of Error

The trial court committed prejudicial error by allowing the jury
to hear the videotape interview of T.B.

Third Assignment of Error

The trial court committed prejudicial error by denying
appellant’s motion for mistrial.

Fourth Assignment of Error

Appellant was denied his constitutional right to effective
assistance of counsel.

Fifth Assignment of Error

The trial court erred when it failed to sustain appellant’s Rule 29
motion for acquittal.

Sixth Assignment of Error

Appellant’s conviction was against the manifest weight of the
evidence.

Seventh Assignment of Error

The combination of the aforementioned errors are sufficient to
call into question the validity of the verdict, preventing appellant
from obtaining a fair trial.

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First Assignment of Error

{¶6} In his first assignment of error, Beaver argues that the trial court erred

when it found that T.B. was competent to testify. Beaver alleges that T.B. was

unable to focus, could not recollect impressions or observations, gave inconsistent

answers, and was not able to appreciate the importance of truthfulness in this

proceeding.

Legal Standard

{¶7} As a general rule, a child under the age of ten is incompetent to testify

if he or she “appear[s] incapable of receiving just impressions of the facts and

transactions respecting which they are examined, or of relating them truly.” Evid.R.

601(A). Before a child under the age of ten is permitted to testify, the trial court has

a “duty * * * to conduct a voir dire examination of [the] child * * * to determine the

child’s competency to testify.” State v. Frazier, 61 Ohio St.3d 247, 250-251, 574

N.E.2d 483 (1991). In making this determination,

the trial court must take into consideration (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. at 250-251. “Thus, the responsibility of the trial judge is to determine through

questioning whether the child of tender years is capable of receiving just

impressions of facts and events and to accurately relate them.” Id. The

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determination of a child’s competency to testify is left within the discretion of the

trial court as the “trial judge has the opportunity to observe the child’s appearance,

his or her manner of responding to the questions, general demeanor and any indicia

of ability to relate the facts accurately and truthfully.” Id.

Legal Analysis

{¶8} On May 31, 2017, the trial court held its first interview of T.B.

Competency Hearing Tr. 2. After the interview, the trial court, in its judgment entry,

noted that T.B. had difficulty focusing and sitting still. Doc. 60. The trial court

permitted a second interview with T.B. at the evidentiary hearing scheduled for June

30, 2017. Evidentiary Hearing Tr. 2. At the second interview, the trial judge asked

T.B. a number of questions that addressed the relevant factors for determining

competency. The following exchanges from both interviews demonstrate T.B.’s

ability to receive accurate impressions of fact, her ability to recollect observations,

and her ability to communicate:

The Court: Okay. And has anybody touched you in that area
that—that shouldn’t have?

[T.B.]: My daddy did.

The Court: Your dad did?

[T.B.]: (No audible response).

The Court: And where did he do that?

[T.B.]: When I was visiting him. We were in an apartment and
he did it.

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Competency Hearing Tr. 45.

The Court: Okay. Do you remember talking about your dad
touching you with his bump?

[T.B.]: (No audible response).

The Court: What would be his bump?

[T.B.] Where milk comes out of.

The Court: Where milk comes out of? Where—where is that on
his body?

[T.B.]: (No audible response).

The Court: Okay. And do you remember who you told that to?

[T.B.]: Mom.

The Court: Hmm?

[T.B.]: Mom.

The Court: Your mom? And did you tell anyone else?

[T.B.]: Amber and Courtney.

The Court: Okay. And—

[T.B.]: Inaudible.

The Court: —where did he touch you with his bump at?

[T.B.]: Right here.

The Court: Okay. And you pointed to a place on your body?

[T.B.]: Uh-huh.

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Evidentiary Hearing Tr. 61-62. T.B. also answered questions about what memories

she had about her last birthday party and prior visits with Beaver. Evidentiary

Hearing Tr. 59-60, 64-65.

{¶9} T.B. was then questioned about her understanding of truth and falsity:

The Court: Okay. Is it better to tell the truth or a lie?

[T.B.]: Better to tell the truth.

The Court: Okay. What color is my robe?

[T.B.]: Black.

The Court: Okay. If I said my robe was red, would that be the
truth?

[T.B.]: (No audible response).

The Court: That would not be? Okay. If I said my robe was
black, would that be the truth?

[T.B.]: (No audible response).

The Court: You’re nodding your head yes. Now, what happens
if you don’t tell the truth?

[T.B.]: You accidentally get in trouble.

The Court: Okay. And what happens to you if you get caught
telling a lie?

[T.B.]: I—she makes—my mommy makes me go to my room.

The Court: Okay. Now, if you—if you said a friend of yours—do
you have friends?

[T.B.]: (No audible response).

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The Court: If you said that a friend of yours hit you and the
friend didn’t really hit you, would—

[T.B.]: That would be a lie.

The Court: —the truth or a lie?

[T.B.]: A lie.

Evidentiary Hearing Tr. 55-56. The trial court asked T.B. questions about her

responsibility to be truthful:

The Court: Now, did you talk to anyone today about, you know,
coming in here to talk with me?

[T.B.]: My mommy said this is very important.

The Court: Okay. What did she tell you?

[T.B.]: She tell me I got to do this. ‘[T.B.], you got to do this.’

The Court: Okay. What did she tell you you had to do?

[T.B.]: I gotta answer every one of your questions so we can go to
a different mart. We was at Walmart—McDonald’s parked
and—

The Court: Okay.

[T.B.]: —there was a big slide, and I’m scared. So I just took
deep breaths so I could calm down; and then I decided to go down
one of them, and I did it completely.

The Court: And when she told you to answer my questions, do
you know if it’s important when you answer my questions to tell
me what really happened?

[T.B.]: Yes.

The Court: And why would that be important?

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[T.B.]: Because if you tell a lie, you’re supposed to not keep it.
You’re supposed to tell it to you if it actually really happens.

The Court: Okay. What happens if you tell a lie?

[T.B.]: You get in trouble.

Evidentiary Hearing Tr. 63-64.

{¶10} At the conclusion of T.B.’s second interview at the court, the trial

judge stated the following:

I mean, I think it’s a fairly close question, you know. Her focus
isn’t very good, but I don’t know if focus is the primary issue. I—
I mean, it does appear she understands the difference between a
truth and a lie. She does tend to understand that she has a
responsibility to be truthful, and she did that both today and at
the prior voir dire.

***

But both when I interviewed her a month ago and interviewed her
today, she did recall and was able to relate, you know, what her—
she says her father had done to her, and she had—and in a fairly
consistent manner and fairly consistent with the interview as well.

Evidentiary Hearing Tr. 69-70. The record contains evidence that the trial court

considered all of the required factors in making this determination. The transcripts

of T.B.’s two interviews provide evidence that she was competent to testify.

Further, we do not find evidence in the record that indicates that the trial court

abused its discretion. Thus, Beaver’s first assignment of error is overruled.

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Second Assignment of Error

{¶11} In his second assignment of error, Beaver asserts that the trial court

erred by allowing the jury to listen to a recording of T.B. being interviewed by a

child abuse specialist. Beaver argues that this video recording was made as part of

an investigation, making Evid.R. 803(4) inapplicable.

Legal Standard

{¶12} “‘Hearsay’ is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while

testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter

asserted.” Evid.R. 801(C). Hearsay may be admissible if the statement falls within

an exception to the general rule prohibiting hearsay statements. Evid.R. 802.

Evid.R. 803(4) establishes an exception for statements made for the purpose of

medical treatment and reads as follows:

Statements 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.

Evid.R. 803(4). Under this exception, “[t]he salient inquiry is whether the child’s

statements were made for purposes of diagnosis and treatment rather than for some

other purpose.” State v. Gutierrez, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-10-14, 2011-Ohio-3126,

¶ 52. Trial courts

‘must look to the function of the particular social worker to
determine whether or not it was permissible for the social worker
to testify concerning statements under Evid.R. 803(4).’ ‘The trial

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court’s consideration of the purpose of the child’s statements will
depend on the facts of the particular case.’ ‘At a minimum, * * *
a nonexhaustive list of considerations includes[:] (1) whether the
child was questioned in a leading or suggestive manner; (2)
whether a motive to fabricate, such as a custody battle, existed;
(3) whether the child understood the need to tell medical
personnel the truth; (4) the child’s age; and (5) the consistency of
the child’s declarations.’

(Citations omitted.) In re S.L., 2016-Ohio-5000, 56 N.E.3d 1026, ¶ 26 (3d Dist.).

“The admission or exclusion of relevant evidence rests within the sound discretion

of the trial court.” State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173, 510 N.E.2d 343 (1987), second

paragraph of the syllabus. “An appellate court’s review of the admission of

evidence is limited to a determination as to whether the trial court abused its

discretion.” State v. Hawkey, 2016-Ohio-1292, 62 N.E.3d 721, ¶ 63 (3d Dist.),

quoting Rigby v. Lake Cty., 58 Ohio St.3d 269, 271, 569 N.E.2d 1056 (1991).

{¶13} Statements admissible under the Ohio Rules of Evidence may still be

inadmissible under the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause. State v. Dever,

64 Ohio St.3d 401, 415, 596 N.E.2d 436 (1992). The United States Constitution

guarantees the right of defendants in criminal cases ‘to be
confronted with the witnesses against him.’ Since a witness is a
person who ‘bear[s] testimony,’ ‘the Confrontation Clause
applies only to testimonial statements.’

(Citations omitted.) State v. Little, 2016-Ohio-8398, 78 N.E.3d 323, ¶ 17 (3d Dist.).

‘Testimony,’ in turn, is typically ‘[a] solemn declaration or affirmation made for the

purpose of establishing or proving some fact.’” Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S.

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36, 51, 124 S.Ct. 1354, 158 L.Ed.2d 177 (2004), quoting 2 N. Webster, An

American Dictionary of the English Language (1828).

{¶14} The Ohio Supreme Court has “adopted the ‘objective-witness test’ for

out-of-court statements made to a person who is not law enforcement.” State v.

Jones, 135 Ohio St.3d 10, 2012-Ohio-5677, 984 N.E.2d 948, ¶ 161, citing State v.

Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d 186, 2006-Ohio-5482, 855 N.E.2d 834, ¶ 36. Under this test,

testimonial statements are those

made ‘under circumstances which would lead an objective
witness reasonably to believe that the statement would be
available for use at a later trial.’ In determining whether a
statement is testimonial for Confrontation Clause purposes,
courts should focus on the expectation of the declarant at the time
of making the statement; the intent of a questioner is relevant only
if it could affect a reasonable declarant’s expectations.

Stahl at ¶ 36. Statements to persons outside of law enforcement are “much less

likely to be testimonial than statements to law enforcement officers.” Ohio v. Clark,

135 S.Ct. 2173, 2180, 192 L.Ed.2d 306 (2015). Further, “[s]tatements by very

young children will rarely, if ever, implicate the Confrontation Clause.” State v.

Saltz, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-14-33, 2015-Ohio-3097, ¶ 34, quoting Clark at 2182.

{¶15} For testimonial hearsay to be admissible at trial, the witness must be

“unavailable to testify, and the defendant [must have] had a prior opportunity for

cross-examination.” Crawford at 54. With nontestimonial hearsay, however, “the

States [have] flexibility in the development of hearsay law.” Id. at 68. “[W]e review

de novo evidentiary rulings that implicate the Confrontation Clause.” State v.

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McKelton, 148 Ohio St.3d 261, 2016-Ohio-5735, 70 N.E.3d 508, ¶ 97, citing United

States v. Henderson, 626 F.3d 326, 333 (6th Cir. 2010).

Legal Analysis

{¶16} We begin this analysis by determining the admissibility of this video

under the Ohio Rules of Evidence. In this case, the CPC interview with T.B. was

conducted within two weeks of Kristina taking T.B. to the ARMC for a sexual abuse

examination. Trial Tr. 281-282. Kristina sought an appointment with the CPC

pursuant to a referral from the ARMC for T.B.’s further medical treatment. Doc.

90. Prior to introduction of the videotape at trial, Muse testified that the purpose of

this interview was “[m]edical diagnosis and mental health treatment.” Trial Tr. at

283. Kristina was not present for the CPC interview, but Dr. Jetty, a physician,

observed T.B. from another room during the interview. Id. Muse explained that

“the physician will—will observe in the other room so they don’t have to ask as in-

depth questions as we do.” Id. After the interview, Dr. Jetty examined T.B.,

building off of the content of Muse’s interview. Id. Muse also testified that the

purpose of the interview was not to collect information for prosecution. Id.

{¶17} We turn now to the factors under which the child being interviewed is

examined. First, after examining the content of the video, we do not find that T.B.

was asked questions in a leading or suggestive manner. Second, T.B. was not aware

that the interview was being recorded and did not appear to have a motive to

fabricate allegations. Third, T.B. indicated that she understood the importance of

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telling the truth in this interview. Fourth, T.B. was almost four at the time of this

interview at the CPC. Fifth, the trial court heard allegations against Beaver from

T.B. in a competency hearing, an evidentiary hearing, on the video, and at trial. The

trial court determined that T.B.’s statements were largely consistent. After

reviewing these materials, we do not find evidence in the record indicating that the

trial court abused its discretion in reaching this conclusion. For these reasons, we

find these statements were given for the purpose of medical treatment and were,

therefore, admissible under Evid.R. 803(4).

{¶18} We turn now to the Confrontation Clause analysis. We begin by

noting that, as a three-year-old child, T.B. was likely unaware of the workings of

our criminal justice system or that her statements could be used subsequently in a

trial. Given the expectations of a child her age, T.B.’s statements were not

testimonial. For these reasons, we find that the statements in this video were

admissible under the Ohio Rules of Evidence and did not run afoul of the

Confrontation Clause of the United States Constitution. Thus, Beaver’s second

assignment of error is overruled.

Third Assignment of Error

{¶19} In his third assignment of error, Beaver argues that the trial court erred

in denying his motion for a mistrial, which was made in response to allegedly

improper comments made by the prosecution during opening arguments.

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Legal Standard

{¶20} “During opening statements, counsel is accorded latitude and allowed

‘fair comment’ on the facts to be presented at trial.” State v. Diar, 120 Ohio St.3d

460, 2008-Ohio-6266, 900 N.E.2d 565, ¶ 145. “In these cases, the standard of

review ‘is [1] whether remarks are improper and, if so, [2] whether they

prejudicially affected substantial rights of the accused.’” State v. Davis, 3d Dist.

Seneca No. 13-16-30, 2017-Ohio-2916, ¶ 17, quoting State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d

160, 165, 555 N.E.2d 293 (1990).

An improper comment does not affect a substantial right of the
accused if it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the jury
would have found the defendant guilty even without the improper
comments. ‘To establish prejudice, a defendant must show that a
reasonable probability exists that, but for the prosecutor’s
improper remarks, the result of the proceeding would have been
different.’

(Citations omitted.) Little, supra, at ¶ 30. “The comments under scrutiny must be

examined ‘in the context of the entire trial.’” State v. Thompson, 2017-Ohio-792,

85 N.E.3d 1108, ¶ 26 (3d Dist.), quoting State v. Potts, 2016-Ohio-5555, 69 N.E.3d

1227, ¶ 83 (3d Dist.).

{¶21} “Where the defendant has submitted a motion for a new trial in

response to an allegedly inappropriate comment * * *, we consider the provisions

of Crim.R. 33.” State v. McDowell, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-17-01, 2017-Ohio-

9249, ¶ 21. Under Crim.R. 33,

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(A) A new trial may be granted on motion of the defendant for
any of the following causes affecting materially his substantial
rights:

(1) Irregularity in the proceedings, or in any order or ruling of the
court, or abuse of discretion by the court, because of which the
defendant was prevented from having a fair trial;

Crim.R. 33(A)(1). “Mistrials are necessary ‘only when the ends of justice so require

and a fair trial is no longer possible.’” State v. Welch, 3d Dist. Wyandot No. 16-06-

02, 2006-Ohio-6684, ¶ 9, quoting State v. Drummond, 111 Ohio St.3d 14, 2006-

Ohio-5084, 854 N.E.2d 1038, at ¶ 131. “[A] mistrial should not be ordered merely

because some error or irregularity had intervened.” State v. Carter, 3d Dist. Allen

No. 1-15-62, 2017-Ohio-1233, ¶ 71. The decision regarding whether to declare a

mistrial is left within the discretion of the trial court. State v. Glover, 35 Ohio St.3d

18, 517 N.E.2d 900 (1988). Thus, on appeal, a trial court’s decision not to declare

a mistrial will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. McDowell at ¶ 22.

Legal Analysis

{¶22} On appeal, Beaver alleges that the following comment was improper:

April 24, 2016, [T.B.], * * * was coming home. You see, on—every
other weekend, when Mr. Beaver chose to exercise his right to do
so, there would be a visitation. * * *. That day, [T.B.] was carrying
her stuff toy Jaden * * * as she was riding in mommy’s car, and
then she said something. What she said was what a mother never
wants to hear, a mother’s worst nightmare. Mom immediately
drove to the Adena Health Center in Chillicothe.

Tr. 124-125. Beaver argued that this statement improperly referenced statements

made by T.B. to Kristina. We begin by noting that this comment was made during

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the State’s opening statement. The trial court instructed the jurors that the content

of opening arguments was not evidence. Tr. 124.

{¶23} Further, while the trial court denied Beaver’s motion for a mistrial, the

trial court did issue the following curative instruction:

During the State’s opening statement, there was a reference to the
April 22-24, 2016, visitation * * *. There was a reference made to
allegations made following that visitation. Just to be clear, we do
not anticipate evidence being presented at trial regarding any
statements [T.B.] may have made to her mother following the
April 22-24 visitation. So you should not draw any inference as
to what statements she may or may not have made to her mother
following that visitation.

Tr. 169. “[I]f the trial court issues curative instructions regarding a comment

mentioning the silence of the defendant, we presume that the jury adhered to the

trial court’s instructions.” McDowell at ¶ 20. The arguments of the Defense on

appeal have not given us a reason to dispense with this presumption.

{¶24} Even if the prosecutor’s remark was improper, we do not see how this

one sentence, uttered in the context of a three-day-long proceeding, had a prejudicial

impact on Beaver’s substantial rights or could, by itself, deprive Beaver of a fair

trial. Further, Beaver has not demonstrated how the outcome of his trial would have

been different in the absence of this statement. Based on this evidence, we conclude

that this verdict would have been the same with or without this comment in the

State’s opening arguments. For this reason, we find that the trial court did not abuse

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its discretion in denying Beaver’s motion for a mistrial. Thus, the appellant’s third

assignment of error is overruled.

Fourth Assignment of Error

{¶25} In his fourth assignment of error, Beaver points to seven situations in

which he alleges his trial counsel proved to be ineffective.

Legal Standard

{¶26} Under Ohio law, “a properly licensed attorney is presumed to carry

out his duties in a competent manner.” State v. Gee, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-92-9,

1993 WL 270995 (July 22, 1993). Thus, the petitioner has the burden of proving the

ineffective assistance of counsel claim. State v. Mayse, 88 N.E.3d 1208, 2017-Ohio-

1483, ¶ 22 (3d Dist.), quoting State v. Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d 279, 289, 714 N.E.2d

905 (1999). Under the test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, the petitioner must

establish two elements. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct.

2052, 2064, 80 L.Ed.2d 674, 693 (1984). If the petitioner cannot prove one of these

elements, “it [is] unnecessary for a court to consider the other prong of the test.”

State v. Walker, 2016-Ohio-3499, 66 N.E.3d 349, ¶ 20 (3d Dist.).

{¶27} First, the petitioner must establish that “counsel’s performance was

deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel

was not functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth

Amendment.” Strickland at 687. “In order to show deficient performance, the

defendant must prove that counsel’s performance fell below an objective level of

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reasonable representation.” State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815,

848 N.E.2d 810, ¶ 95, citing Strickland at 687. “Counsel need not raise meritless

issues or even all arguably meritorious issues.” Mayse at ¶ 24, citing State v. Jones,

91 Ohio St.3d 335, 354, 744 N.E.2d 1163 (2001). “Debatable trial tactics do not

constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.” State v. McNeill, 83 Ohio St.3d 438,

449, 700 N.E.2d 596 (1998). Further, “[t]he failure to make objections alone is not

enough to sustain a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.” State v. Conway,

108 Ohio St.3d 214, 2006-Ohio-791, 842 N.E.2d 996, ¶ 168.

{¶28} Second, the petitioner needs to establish “that the deficient

performance prejudiced the defense. This requires showing that counsel’s errors

were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is

reliable.” Strickland at 687. “To show prejudice, the defendant must show a

reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding

would have been different.” Conway at ¶ 95, citing Strickland at 687; State v.

Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 143, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989). “Appellate courts

examine the record to determine “whether the accused, under all the circumstances,

* * * had a fair trial and substantial justice was done.” State v. Rodriquez, 3d Dist.

Defiance No. 4-16-16, 2017-Ohio-1318, ¶ 9, quoting State v. Hester, 45 Ohio St.2d

71, 341 N.E.2d 304 (1976), paragraph four of the syllabus.

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Legal Analysis

{¶29} Failure to Object During Voir Dire: Beaver claims that his counsel

should have objected during voir dire after the prosecutor stated:

So a mom—when you hear that term, ‘A mom knows her child,’
you get what I’m saying? You may not be able to hear that child
verbalize it, but you know something. Does anyone not have an
understanding of that concept? Does that make sense to you?

Trial Tr. 60. However, “[f]ew decisions at trial are as subjective or prone to

individual attorney strategy as juror voir dire, where decisions are often made on

the basis of intangible factors.” State v. Mundt, 115 Ohio St.3d 22, 2007-Ohio-

4836, 873 N.E.2d 828, ¶ 64. Further, Beaver has not demonstrated how this

objection would have changed the outcome of his trial.

{¶30} Failure to Object to the Officer Hildreth’s Testimony: Beaver argues

that his trial counsel should have objected to Officer Hildreth’s statements that

indicated he obtained a search warrant as part of his investigation into Beaver’s

conduct. However, he has not demonstrated how the absence of these statements

would have changed the outcome of his trial. See also Bradley, supra.

{¶31} Failure to Object to Leading Questions: Beaver argues that his trial

counsel failed to object when the prosecutor asked T.B. leading questions.

However, the decision to object falls squarely in the ambit of trial strategy,

especially in a situation where the witness was a five-year-old, alleged victim of

sexual abuse. See State v. Jackson, 92 Ohio St.3d 436, 446, 751 N.E.2d 946 (2001).

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{¶32} Failure to Object to the Admission of an Exhibit: Beaver argues that

his trial counsel should have objected to the admission of the videotape of T.B.’s

CPC interview as an exhibit. However, Beaver’s trial counsel had already objected

to the admission of the videotape before the jury viewed it. The trial court overruled

this earlier objection. Beaver has not shown how admission of this video as an

exhibit was improper or how an objection would have changed the outcome of the

trial. See State v. Were, 118 Ohio St.3d 448, 2008-Ohio-2762, 890 N.E.2d 263, ¶

231.

{¶33} Failure to Object to Kristina’s Testimony: Beaver argues that his trial

counsel should have objected to Kristina’s testimony regarding T.B.’s veracity on

the grounds that this asked for speculation and her statement that a lawyer wanted

$2,000.00 to represent her on the grounds that this was hearsay. However, Beaver

has not even demonstrated that these statements were, respectively, speculative or

hearsay. Further, he has not established how an objection to these statements would

have changed the outcome of his trial. See State v. Carruth, 2d Dist. Montgomery

No. 19997, 2004-Ohio-2317, ¶ 40, 50-51; Conway, supra, at ¶ 103-105.

{¶34} Failure to Inquire: Kristina stated at trial that Beaver undertook an

action in 2013 that violated a court order. Trial Tr. 450-452. In fact, Beaver’s action

was undertaken before the relevant court order was issued in 2015. Id. at 463-464.

Beaver argues that his trial counsel should have questioned Kristina on this matter.

However, Beaver cannot establish that he was prejudiced by his trial counsel’s

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decision because the trial judge asked a clarifying question that corrected this

inaccuracy in the presence of the jury. Id.

{¶35} Failure to Object to Prior Bad Acts Evidence: Beaver argues that his

trial counsel failed to object to the videotape of the T.B.’s CPC interview on the

grounds that it allegedly contained prior bad acts evidence. On the video, T.B. said

that Beaver “tickled her all the time” “in her private area.” Ex. 13. However, even

if this statement is inadmissible as a prior bad act, Beaver cannot demonstrate how

removing this challenged statement from the videotape would have changed the

outcome of his trial. Thus, he cannot establish that he was prejudiced.

{¶36} On appeal, Beaver points to seven situations in which he alleges his

trial counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced him. However, he has not

demonstrated how different actions by his trial counsel in these situations would

have changed the outcome of his trial. Thus, Beaver has not carried the burden of

establishing that he was denied his right to the effective assistance of counsel. For

this reason, Beaver’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.

Fifth Assignment of Error

{¶37} In his fifth assignment of error, Beaver asserts that the trial court erred

in denying his Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal.

Legal Standard

{¶38} Crim.R. 29 reads, in its relevant part, as follows:

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(A) Motion for Judgment of Acquittal. The court on motion of a
defendant or on its own motion, after the evidence on either side
is closed, shall order the entry of a judgment of acquittal of one or
more offenses charged in the indictment, information, or
complaint, if the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction of
such offense or offenses.

Crim.R. 29(A). “An appellate court reviews a denial of a Crim.R. 29 motion for

judgment of acquittal using the same standard that is used to review a sufficiency of

the evidence claim.” State v. Sullivan, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-17-09, 2017-Ohio-

8937, ¶ 38, quoting State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 553, 651 N.E.2d 965 (1995).

{¶39} “A challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a

conviction requires a court to determine whether the state has met its burden of

production at trial.” State v. Brentlinger, 2017-Ohio-2588, 90 N.E.3d 200, ¶ 21 (3d

Dist.), quoting In re Swift, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 79610, 2002 WL 451226, *3

(March 21, 2002). “The sufficiency of the evidence analysis addresses the question

of whether adequate evidence was produced for the case to be considered by the

trier of fact and, thus, whether the evidence was ‘legally sufficient to support the

verdict * * *.’” State v. Campbell, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-17-23, 2017-Ohio-9251, ¶

13, quoting State v. Worthington, 3d Dist. Hardin No. 6-15-04, 2016-Ohio-530, ¶

12.

{¶40} “An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the

evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at

trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average

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mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Pierce, 3d Dist.

Seneca No. 13-16-36, 2017-Ohio-4223, ¶ 6, quoting State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d

259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus, superseded by state

constitutional amendment on other grounds, State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 684

N.E.2d 668 (1997), fn. 4. “This analysis does not attempt to ‘resolve evidentiary

conflicts nor assess the credibility of witnesses, as both are functions reserved for

the trier of fact.’” Davis, supra, at ¶ 13, quoting State v. Eckard, 3d Dist. Marion

No. 9-15-45, 2016-Ohio-5174, ¶ 9. Thus, sufficiency of the evidence is a question

of law and a “test of adequacy rather than credibility or weight of the evidence.”

State v. Berry, 3d Dist. Defiance No. 4-12-03, 2013-Ohio-2380, ¶ 19.

The standard for sufficiency of the evidence ‘is whether, after
viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found that the
essential elements of the crime were proven beyond a reasonable
doubt.’

State v. Brown, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-17-19, 2018-Ohio-899, ¶ 8, quoting State

v. Plott, 2017-Ohio-38, 80 N.E.3d 1108, ¶ 73 (3d Dist.).

{¶41} To obtain a conviction for gross sexual imposition in violation of R.C.

2907.05(A)(4), the State had to establish that Beaver (1) had sexual contact (2) with

a person less than thirteen years of age. R.C. 2907.05(A)(4). To obtain a conviction

for rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b), the State had to establish that Beaver

(1) engaged in sexual conduct (2) with another person who was less than thirteen

years of age. R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b).

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Legal Analysis

{¶42} At trial, Brittany Puckett (“Puckett”), a sexual assault nurse examiner

testified that she was on duty on April 24, 2016, and examined T.B. for signs of

sexual assault. Trial Tr. 139-140. She stated that she observed redness on T.B.’s

labia but saw no other visible, physical injuries. Id. at 143. Puckett also testified

that she collected T.B.’s panties for further analysis. Id. at 144. Alex Thiel

(“Thiel”), a forensic scientist at BCI, testified that he examined T.B.’s panties for

the presence of bodily fluids. Id. at 205. Thiel stated that the panties did not contain

semen. However, his tests did reveal the presence of amylase in T.B.’s panties. Id.

at 211. He further testified that amylase is found in high concentrations in saliva;

that the panties had not been washed before he tested them; and that the panties were

not likely to have gotten this amylase by transfer during the process of laundering

clothing. Id. at 211-213.

{¶43} Detective Nate Hildreth (“Hildreth”) testified that he collected a DNA

sample from Beaver. Id. at 192. The State called Logan Schepeler (“Schepeler”),

a forensic scientist at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as a witness. Id.

at 248. Schepeler testified that he used the sample that Hildreth had taken and

compared it to a sample from T.B.’s panties. Id. at 259-260, 271, 277. These tests

showed that the amylase contained Beaver’s DNA. Id. Hildreth testified that, after

the test results showed a DNA match, he contacted Beaver and that Beaver did not

have an explanation for the presence of the amylase on T.B.’s panties. Id. at 195.

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{¶44} Muse was called to testify at trial and, in the process, the State

introduced the videotape of her CPC interview with T.B. Id. at 279. During the

course of the interview, T.B. stated that Beaver “tickles her all the time * * * in her

private area.” Ex. 13. Muse then had T.B. show her, on a diagram, what areas

Beaver touched. The diagram was marked by Muse and later admitted into

evidence. Ex. 14. T.B. also stated that Beaver tickled her with his finger, tongue,

and “bump.” Ex. 13. When asked by Muse, T.B. identified the body part she

referred to as a “bump” on a diagram, pointing to the male genitalia. Ex. 13, 14.

She also stated that Beaver moved his bump up and down against her while she was

unclothed. Ex. 13. T.B. then said that “water” came out of Beaver’s bump and

demonstrated with gestures how Beaver moved up and down. Ex. 13.

{¶45} T.B. was then called as a witness at trial. Trial Tr. 313. She testified

that she was five years old at the time of the trial, placing her under the age of

thirteen at the time of the alleged incident in 2016. Id. at 314. T.B. said she

understood what a “bad touch” was and demonstrated where and how her father

touched her. Id. at 315. She testified that Beaver touched her with his “bump.” Id.

at 316. She further testified that Beaver tickled her “[i]n my private parts, on my

private parts” while she was at his house. Id. at 317. The prosecutor asked T.B.,

“When daddy tickled you, did you want him to do that?” Id. at 318. T.B. replied,

“He just kept doing it all by himself.” Id.

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{¶46} Since we do not consider the weight or credibility of this evidence as

part of this analysis, the evidence presented by the State at trial provided a legally

adequate basis for both convictions. After viewing all of the evidence in a light

most favorable to the prosecution, we find that the State provided sufficient

evidence to substantiate each of the essential elements these crimes. For these

reasons, Beaver’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.

Sixth Assignment of Error

{¶47} In his sixth assignment of error, Beaver argues that his convictions

were against the manifest weight of the evidence. He bases this argument on the

alleged inconsistencies in T.B.’s testimony.

Legal Standard

{¶48} “When ‘deciding whether a conviction is against the manifest weight

of the evidence, an appellate court determines whether the state has appropriately

carried its burden of persuasion.’” Brown, supra, at ¶ 8, quoting State v. Blanton,

121 Ohio App.3d 162, 169, 699 N.E.2d 136 (3d Dist.1997). “Unlike our review of

the sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court’s function when reviewing the

weight of the evidence is to determine whether the greater amount of credible

evidence supports the verdict.” Plott, supra, at ¶ 73. “In a manifest weight analysis,

‘the appellate court sits as a ‘thirteenth juror’ * * *.” Davis, supra, ¶ 17, quoting

State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997).

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{¶49} On appeal, courts “must review the entire record, weigh the evidence

and all of the reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses, and

determine whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the factfinder ‘clearly lost

its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must

be reversed and a new trial ordered.’” Brentlinger, supra, at ¶ 36, quoting

Thompkins at 387. “A reviewing court must, however, allow the trier of fact

appropriate discretion on matters relating to the weight of the evidence and the

credibility of the witnesses.” Sullivan, supra, at ¶ 38, quoting State v. Coleman, 3d

Dist. Allen No. 1-13-53, 2014-Ohio-5320, ¶ 7. “Only in exceptional cases, where

the evidence ‘weighs heavily against the conviction,’ should an appellate court

overturn the trial court’s judgment.” Little, supra, at ¶ 27, quoting State v. Hunter,

131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, 960 N.E.2d 955, ¶ 119.

Legal Analysis

{¶50} In this analysis, we reincorporate the evidence that was presented in

the sufficiency analysis above and now turn to considering the credibility and

weight of the evidence presented at trial. Much of Beaver’s defense involved

scrutinizing the reliability of T.B. as a witness. On cross examination, Muse

testified that T.B. did identify a body part incorrectly on the diagram, pointing to

the female genitalia and referring to it as a “butt.” Trial Tr. at 305. Ex. 14.

However, Muse noted that T.B. correctly identified the rest of the body parts on the

diagram. Trial Tr. at 305-306. Ex. 14. Muse also testified that T.B. initially stated

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that Beaver improperly touched her at her “mommy’s” house but then stated that

the improper touching occurred at her “daddy’s” house. Trial Tr. at 307-308.

{¶51} During her testimony, T.B. was able to give her address but could not

remember her phone number and said that she did not want to tell the prosecutor her

last name. Trial Tr. 315. T.B. stated that her mother instructed her to “answer

questions, sit here quietly, and not lie.” When asked whether her mother told her

what to say at trial, T.B. replied, “I don’t know.” Id. She also stated that she was

going to tell the truth to the court. Id. at 319. She was also able to recollect details

about the cards she got for her birthday, which was shortly before trial. Id. at 317.

On cross examination, she was asked the age of her siblings. Id. at 320. In response,

she said that her brother was fifty and that her sister was seventy. Id. Defense

counsel asked T.B. whether the prosecutor told her what to say at trial, she replied,

“No. My mommy did.” Id. at 321.

{¶52} The Defense called Beaver to testify. He testified that “there were

always problems” with the exchange of T.B. for visitation, especially if he was late

to pick up T.B. or drop her off. Id. at 405, 408. He also testified about the marital

problems and disputes that led to their divorce. Id. at 434. He denied the allegations

raised against him. Id. at 423. He also stated that he was unaware of why the police

wanted a DNA sample at the time Hildreth contacted him. Id. at 419. He also

pointed to the fact that visitation continued until February of 2017 even though the

allegations were first made by T.B. to her mother in April of 2016. Id. at 421.

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{¶53} On rebuttal, Kristina testified that T.B. continued to have visitation

with Beaver until February 2017—when criminal charges were filed against

Beaver—because their divorce decree required visitation to be altered only by

judicial modification and because Kristina could not afford the fee her attorney

required to change the visitation schedule. Id. at 452-453. Ex. 15. She said that

she was afraid that she would lose custody of her daughter if she stopped allowing

Beaver to have visitation with T.B. in the absence of a modification order. Id.

Kristina also testified that she did not coach T.B. as to what her trial testimony

should be. Id. During her testimony, Kristina also admitted that she had been

charged with domestic violence after she slapped Beaver across the face. Id. at 447-

448.

{¶54} After considering the evidence on the basis of its weight and

credibility, we do not find that the scales moved manifestly against a finding of

guilty. On review of the record, we find that the jury could have reasonably

concluded from the evidence presented at trial that Beaver was guilty of the charges

against him. Further, we do not see any indication that the jury lost its way and

returned a verdict against the manifest weight of the evidence. For these reasons,

Beaver’s sixth assignment of error is overruled.

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Seventh Assignment of Error

{¶55} In his seventh assignment of error, Beaver asserts that the cumulative

effect of the trial court’s numerous errors deprived him of a fair trial. He refers to

the errors set forth in the prior six assignments of error as grounds to reverse his

convictions under the doctrine of cumulative error.

Legal Standard

{¶56} “The constitutional ‘guarantee of a fair trial does not mean an error-

free or perfect trial * * *.’” Davis, supra, at ¶ 44, quoting City of Columbus v.

Forest, 36 Ohio App.3d 169, 171, 522 N.E.2d 52, (10th Dist.1987). Under the

doctrine of cumulative error, “a conviction will be reversed where the cumulative

effect of errors in a trial deprives a defendant of the constitutional right to a fair trial

even though each of numerous instances of trial court error does not individually

constitute cause for reversal.” State v. Garner, 74 Ohio St.3d 49, 64, 656 N.E.2d

623 (1995). “To find cumulative error, a court must first find multiple errors

committed at trial and determine that there is a reasonable probability that the

outcome below would have been different but for the combination of the harmless

errors.” State v. Stober, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-13-13, 2014-Ohio-5629, ¶ 15,

quoting In re J.M., 3d. Dist. Putnam No. 12-11-06, 2012-Ohio-1467, ¶ 36.

Legal Analysis

{¶57} Beaver points to his six prior assignments of error as evidence that he

was deprived of the opportunity to have a fair trial. However, we have found that

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these six prior assignments of error are without merit. Since Beaver has not

identified any errors in this appeal, there are no grounds for reversal on the basis of

cumulative error. See State v. Markley, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-14-39, 2015-Ohio-

1890, ¶ 56. Beaver’s seventh assignment of error is overruled.

Conclusion

{¶58} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant in the particulars

assigned and argued, the judgment of Marion County Court of Common Pleas is

affirmed.

Judgment Affirmed

ZIMMERMAN and SHAW, J.J., concur.

/hls

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