MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Apr 01 2020, 10:05 am
court except for the purpose of establishing
CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Bruce W. Graham Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Graham Law Firm P.C. Attorney General of Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Tyler G. Banks
Supervising Deputy Attorney
General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Garrett Bridges Chaffin, April 1, 2020
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
19A-CR-1286
v. Appeal from the Tippecanoe
Circuit Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Sean M. Persin,
Appellee-Plaintiff. Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
79C01-1903-F1-4
Barteau, Senior Judge.
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Statement of the Case
1
[1] Garrett Chaffin appeals his convictions of attempted murder, a Level 1 felony,
2
and two counts of invasion of privacy, both Class A misdemeanors. We
affirm.
Issues
[2] Chaffin presents three issues for our review, which we restate as:
I. Whether the trial court violated Chaffin’s right to a speedy
trial.
II. Whether the trial court erred in allowing the State to
amend the charging information to add counts of
aggravated battery, attempted murder, and rape.
III. Whether the trial court erred in allowing testimony from
an expert witness on domestic violence.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] In early April 2018, Cassandra Davis allowed Chaffin to move into her
residence. She had known him since they were children. They had previously
dated, and when Chaffin moved in, the two resumed their relationship.
1
Ind. Code §§ 35-42-1-1 (2017) (murder), 35-41-5-1 (2014) (attempt).
2
Ind. Code § 35-46-1-15.1 (2017).
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[4] Chaffin became controlling and violent toward Davis “immediately” after
moving in, and his behavior escalated in the weeks that followed. Tr. Vol. 2, p.
119. He monitored her use of social media websites and accused her of talking
to other people. Eventually, Chaffin took Davis’ phone and broke it. After he
broke her phone, he repeatedly claimed that she had another phone and
searched her residence for it.
[5] Chaffin also regularly struck Davis. He hit her in the face and on the top of her
head, her legs, and her ribs. In addition, Chaffin repeatedly manually strangled
Davis on her neck or put his hand over her nose and mouth, thus preventing
her from breathing, until she lost consciousness.
[6] During one three-day period prior to April 14, Chaffin suffocated Davis until
she lost consciousness “over and over again,” approximately ten times. Id. at
123. During one incident, Chaffin wrapped his hands around her neck and
lifted her off the floor until she lost consciousness. This lengthy period of
beatings and suffocations resulted in Davis feeling pain all over her body, but
especially her head and her neck. She also felt exhausted and terrified. At one
point, Chaffin forced Davis to make a statement, which he recorded, in which
he directed her to falsely state that another person had beaten her.
[7] Davis was reluctant to try to leave her residence because she feared that Chaffin
would not let her go. Finally, after Chaffin fell asleep one day, she crawled out
of a bathroom window and went to a neighbor’s house, where she called 911.
Officer Zachary Johnson was dispatched to the scene, along with Paramedic
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Douglas Maish and other personnel. Officer Johnson noted Davis had bruises
on her neck and face. She appeared to be exhausted and had trouble standing.
Maish observed that Davis was “very upset” and had multiple bruises all over
her body. Tr. Vol. 3, p. 59. Davis told Maish that she hurt all over and had
been kicked and struck repeatedly. Maish and his partner took Davis to a
hospital.
[8] Davis told the police and the emergency room doctor that Chaffin had attacked
her. She had to return to the hospital several times over the next few days
because she continued to have dizzy spells and headaches. A nurse examined
Davis six days after she had called 911. Davis still had a hoarse voice and
multiple bruises on her neck, chin, arms, legs, and behind an ear.
[9] On April 18, 2018, the State charged Chaffin with various offenses, plus an
habitual offender enhancement, arising out of his attacks on Davis. That same
day, the State sought and obtained from the trial court an order of protection
barring Chaffin from contacting Davis.
[10] On April 23, 2018, Chaffin’s mother arrived at Davis’ residence. Chaffin’s
mother had Chaffin on her telephone, calling from jail, and asked Davis to
speak with him. Davis initially refused to talk with him, noting she had a
restraining order against him, but she stated she could hear him speak. Chaffin
told her she needed to fix the situation and warned her not to “f**k with” him.
State’s Ex. 25 at 13:15. In the weeks that followed, Chaffin’s mother and Davis
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had many conversations by telephone. We discuss their conversations in more
detail below.
[11] Meanwhile, on June 22, 2018, the State dismissed the case and refiled charges
under a new cause number. The trial court, by a magistrate, held an initial
hearing in the refiled case on June 26. Chaffin, who did not yet have counsel,
orally requested a speedy trial. The magistrate denied his request, stating as
follows:
Alright on the fast and speedy trial you do have the right to
request that but the court is going to require those requests to be
made in writing so I’m going to deny the oral request but that is
not saying that you cannot file a written request with Judge
Persin on this cause number. You can write into court the judge
will then deal with the written request once that’s filed.
Supp. Tr. p. 13. The court also appointed counsel to represent Chaffin.
[12] After the initial hearing, the trial court issued an order that stated, in relevant
part: “The defendant orally requests a fast and speedy trial, the Court denies
defendant's oral request. The Court further advises the defendant that for the
Court to consider such motions they must be made appropriately in writing.”
Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 60.
[13] On June 28, 2018, an attorney filed an appearance on behalf of Chaffin. On
July 2, Chaffin filed a pro se letter requesting a fast and speedy trial. On July 5,
the trial court issued an order denying Chaffin’s pro se request, noting that
Chaffin was represented by counsel and all motions “shall be made through
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counsel.” Id. at 74. Chaffin’s counsel did not subsequently file a request for a
speedy trial.
[14] On September 17, 2018, the State filed with the court a supplemental discovery
disclosure, indicating that the prosecutor reserved the right to call Caryn
Burton, a domestic violence expert, to testify at trial. On September 19, Chaffin
filed a motion to strike Burton as a witness. That same day, the trial court
issued an order stating the following:
The Court receives Motion to Strike State’s Witness. If this case
proceeds to trial on October 9, 2018, the State may not call Caryn
Burton, who was not disclosed prior to the final Pre-Trial
Conference. If the case is congested, the State may call Ms.
Burton.
To the extent Defendant moves to strike any witness who
provide [sic] general testimony regarding victims of domestic
violence, said motion is denied. Defendant must make specific
and timely objections with regard to any such testimony at trial.
Id. at 95. The court subsequently rescheduled the trial due to calendar
congestion.
[15] On January 29, 2019, the State filed a motion to amend the information by
adding a new count: aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony. Chaffin filed an
objection. The court granted the State’s motion after a hearing.
[16] On February 15, the State filed another motion to amend the information, this
time to add two more counts, specifically attempted murder, a Level 1 felony,
and rape, a Level 3 felony. Chaffin objected to the State’s motion. After
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several hearings, the court granted the State’s request and offered Chaffin a
continuance of the trial to allow him more time to prepare. Chaffin, by counsel
and in his own direct statement, rejected the court’s offer. After the
amendment, the trial court clerk assigned a new cause number to the case:
79C01-1903-F1-4.
[17] On April 8, 2019, the State filed a final motion to amend the charging
information as to a count of invasion of privacy. Chaffin did not object, and
the court granted the motion. At that point, the case was scheduled for trial,
and the State’s charges against Chaffin were as follows:
Count l: Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury
(Level 5 felony)
Count 2: Strangulation (Level 6 felony)
Count 3: Intimidation (Level 6 felony)
Count 4: Criminal Confinement (Level 6 felony)
Count 5: Domestic Battery (Class A misdemeanor)
Count 6: Invasion of Privacy (Class A misdemeanor)
Count 7: Invasion of Privacy (Class A misdemeanor)
Count 8: Aggravated Battery (Level 3 felony)
Count 9: Attempted Murder (Level l felony)
Count 10: Rape (Level 3 felony)
Id. at 164. The State had also filed a habitual offender enhancement, to be tried
in a separate phase.
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[18] The trial court presided over a jury trial on April 9, 10, and 11, 2019. Burton
testified on behalf of the State, over Chaffin’s objection. After the State rested,
the prosecutor asked the court to dismiss the charges of intimidation and rape.
The court granted the State’s motion.
[19] The jury determined Chaffin was guilty of Level 5 domestic battery,
strangulation, criminal confinement, Class A misdemeanor domestic battery,
both counts of invasion of privacy, aggravated battery, and attempted murder.
Next, the court presided over a bench trial as to the habitual offender
enhancement. The Court determined Chaffin was an habitual offender.
[20] The trial court held a sentencing hearing on May 22, 2019. The court vacated
all convictions except for the two counts of invasion of privacy and the count of
attempted murder, citing double jeopardy concerns. The court vacated the
habitual offender determination for the same reason. Next, the court imposed a
sentence upon the three convictions, and this appeal followed.
Discussion and Decision
I. Speedy Trial and Discharge
[21] Chaffin argues that he is entitled to reversal of his convictions because he
requested a speedy trial orally and in writing, and the trial court failed to hold
the trial within seventy days of his requests. The right of an accused to a speedy
trial is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution
and by article I, section 12 of the Indiana Constitution. Clark v. State, 659
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N.E.2d 548, 551 (Ind. 1995). An incarcerated defendant’s speedy trial right is
implemented by Indiana Criminal Rule 4(B)(1), which provides:
If any defendant held in jail on an indictment or an affidavit shall
move for an early trial, he shall be discharged if not brought to
trial within seventy (70) calendar days from the date of such
motion, except where a continuance within said period is had on
his motion, or the delay is otherwise caused by his act, or where
there was not sufficient time to try him during such seventy (70)
calendar days because of the congestion of the court calendar.
Provided, however, that in the last-mentioned circumstance, the
prosecuting attorney shall file a timely motion for continuance as
set forth in subdivision (A) of this rule. Provided further, that a
trial court may take note of congestion or an emergency without
the necessity of a motion, and upon so finding may order a
continuance. Any continuance granted due to a congested
calendar or emergency shall be reduced to an order, which order
shall also set the case for trial within a reasonable time.
[22] Our standard of review is as follows:
When we review Criminal Rule 4 claims, we review questions of
law de novo, and we review factual findings of congestion or
emergency for clear error. Under this standard, we consider the
probative evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the
judgment, without reweighing the evidence or assessing witness
credibility, and reverse only if we are left with a firm conviction
that a mistake was made.
Roper v. State, 79 N.E.3d 907, 910 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017) (citations omitted).
[23] In McGowan v. State, 599 N.E.2d 589, 591 (Ind. 1992), McGowan orally
requested a speedy trial during an arraignment hearing, and the magistrate
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required him to file a written motion. The Indiana Supreme Court determined
the magistrate was authorized to require a written submission, citing Indiana
Trial Rule 7(B), which allows a court to order an oral request for relief to be
submitted by written motion. The Court further determined the seventy-day
period set forth in Criminal Rule 4(B) did not begin to run until McGowan, by
counsel, later filed a written request for a speedy trial.
[24] In this case, the trial court clerk assigned Chaffin’s case a new cause number
after the State filed additional charges, and a magistrate held a new initial
hearing. During the hearing, Chaffin orally requested a speedy trial. The
magistrate acknowledged Chaffin’s right to request a speedy trial but required
him to submit the request via a written motion. Pursuant to the Indiana
Supreme Court’s holding in McGowan, the magistrate’s instruction to file a
written motion did not violate Chaffin’s right to a speedy trial. Further,
Chaffin’s oral request did not begin the seventy-day period set forth in Criminal
Rule 4(B).
[25] Next, Chaffin submitted a pro se written motion for speedy trial after his
attorney had filed an appearance. In Jenkins v. State, 809 N.E.2d 361, 366 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied, Jenkins filed a pro se motion for a speedy trial. At
the time of filing, the trial court had appointed counsel for Jenkins, but counsel
had not yet filed an appearance. The Jenkins court concluded that the trial court
was not required to act upon Jenkins’ pro se motion because he was represented
by counsel.
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[26] The circumstances in this case are even stronger than the circumstances in
Jenkins, because Chaffin’s counsel had been appointed and had filed an
appearance when Chaffin filed his pro se request for a speedy trial. Per the
holding in Jenkins, the trial court was not obligated to act upon Chaffin’s pro se
motion, and his filing of the motion did not begin the seventy-day speedy trial
period.
[27] As a result, it was Chaffin’s counsel’s decision whether to request a speedy trial.
During a February 22, 2019 pretrial hearing, Chaffin’s counsel told the court he
“strategically decided not to push speedy trial in this case because [he] wanted
to see where the alleged victim was going to be.” Tr. Vol. 2, p. 26.
[28] Even if Chaffin’s pro se verbal and written requests for a speedy trial were valid
and caused Rule 4(B)’s seventy-day period to begin running, he has failed to
demonstrate reversible error. It is well established that a defendant must
maintain a position reasonably consistent with the request for a speedy trial and
must object, at the earliest opportunity, to a trial setting that is beyond the
seventy-day time period. Hill v. State, 777 N.E.2d 795, 797-98 (Ind. Ct. App.
2002), on reh’g. If a defendant seeks or acquiesces in a delay that results in a
later trial date, the time limitations set by Criminal Rule 4 are extended by the
length of such delays. Vermillion v. State, 719 N.E.2d 1201, 1204 (Ind. 1999).
[29] If Chaffin’s oral request for a speedy trial had been valid, the seventy-day period
would have elapsed on September 4, 2018. If Chaffin’s written request for a
speedy trial had been valid, the seventy-day period would have elapsed on
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September 10, 2018. The trial court held a pretrial hearing on August 10,
3
2018, and, on August 14, 2018, the court issued an order scheduling the jury
trial for October 9, 2018, well outside either seventy-day period. There is no
evidence that Chaffin objected to the trial setting. Subsequently, the trial court
issued a series of orders repeatedly rescheduling the trial due to congestion.
Chaffin did not object to those orders, either. Chaffin’s failure to object resulted
in waiver of any right to a speedy trial, and he has failed to demonstrate error
on this issue.
II. Amendment of Charging Information
[30] Chaffin argues the trial court erred in allowing the State to amend the charging
information to add charges of aggravated battery, attempted murder, and rape.
He claims the State’s amendments were late and being forced to defend himself
against the amendments deprived him of due process of law under the federal
constitution.
[31] In general, the State may amend an indictment in matters of substance “at any
time . . . before the commencement of trial . . . if the amendment does not
prejudice the substantial rights of the defendant.” Ind. Code § 35-34-1-5(b)
(2014). A defendant’s substantial rights include “a right to sufficient notice and
3
A transcript of that hearing has not been included in the record.
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an opportunity to be heard regarding the charge.” Gaby v. State, 949 N.E.2d
870, 874 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011).
[32] The State argues Chaffin waived this issue for appellate review by failing to
request continuances after the trial court overruled his objections to the State’s
amendments. We agree. When a trial court permits a late amendment to the
charging information, “the court shall, upon motion by the defendant, order
any continuance of the proceedings which may be necessary to accord the
defendant adequate opportunity to prepare the defendant’s defense.” Ind. Code
§ 35-34-1-5(d). The Indiana Supreme Court has determined that once a
defendant’s objection to an amendment has been overruled, the defendant must
request a continuance to preserve the issue for appeal. See Haymaker v. State,
667 N.E.2d 1113, 1114 (Ind. 1996). The continuance requirement applies even
if a defendant has requested a speedy trial. See id. (explaining that a defendant’s
motion for a speedy trial “does not negate waiver”).
[33] In this case, Chaffin filed an objection after the State moved to amend the
information to add a charge of aggravated battery. On February 8, 2019, the
trial court held a hearing on the issue. The court determined that it would
permit the amendment. Chaffin did not request a continuance.
[34] The State subsequently moved to add the charges of rape and attempted
murder. On February 22, 2019, the court held a hearing on the State’s motion.
Chaffin again objected, claiming the amendment “completely and substantially
changes not only the defense strategy but also how everything interplays.” Tr.
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Vol. 2, p. 23. The trial court noted that if it granted the motion to amend, it
could grant a continuance to Chaffin. Chaffin, by counsel, specifically stated,
“we do not want a continuance.” Id. at 31. To the contrary, Chaffin stated he
would object to a continuance.
[35] On February 26, 2019, the trial court issued an order granting the State’s
motion to amend. The order further stated that the court would grant a
continuance of the trial if Chaffin filed a motion prior to March 15, 2019.
Chaffin did not file a motion for continuance.
[36] The court addressed the State’s amendments again at a March 15 hearing,
emphasizing that it would continue the trial if Chaffin asked. Chaffin, by
counsel, declined. Later in the hearing, the judge asked Chaffin directly if he
wanted a continuance, and Chaffin declined.
[37] Under these circumstances, Chaffin not only failed to request a continuance, he
affirmatively rejected the court’s repeated offers of a continuance. He has failed
to preserve for appellate review his challenges to the amendments. See
Haymaker, 667 N.E.2d at 1114 (defendant waived amendment of information;
he did not request a continuance because he wanted to proceed with trial).
[38] Waiver notwithstanding, Chaffin would not have prevailed on his challenge to
the State’s amendments of the charging information to add charges of
aggravated battery, rape, and attempted murder. “The substantial rights of the
defendant are not prejudiced if: (1) a defense under the original information
would be equally available after the amendment, and (2) the defendant’s
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evidence would apply equally to the information in either form.” Gaby, 949
N.E.2d at 874.
[39] As to the charge of aggravated battery, Chaffin argued in passing that the
addition of that charge affected “defense preparation,” Tr. Vol. 2, p. 11, but his
argument focused in substance on the unfairness of the State seeking to add the
charge after plea negotiations failed. He did not explain how the new charge
prejudiced his defenses or any evidence he intended to present.
[40] As to the charges of rape and attempted murder, during the February 22, 2019
hearing, Chaffin claimed without explanation that those charges, if allowed,
would alter his defense strategy. He again complained that the State presented
the additional charges only after plea agreements failed.
[41] In any event, at the March 15, 2019 hearing, Chaffin’s counsel abandoned any
claim that the amendments hindered his defense strategy. Instead, Chaffin told
the Court, “I believe that we have the information that we need to put on an
appropriate defense and my client, Mr. Chaffin, has indicated that he does not
desire a continuance and he and I have talked and we believe that we are
prepared and he wants to move forward.” Id. at 39. In addition, Chaffin
directly told the court he thought he would be ready for trial on the scheduled
date. Under these circumstances, even if Chaffin had not waived his challenge
to the State’s amendments of the information, he failed to demonstrate that his
defense or proposed evidence would have been harmed by the amendments.
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III. Admission of Expert Witness Testimony
[42] Chaffin claims the trial court erred in admitting portions of expert witness
Caryn Burton’s testimony. He does not dispute that she was qualified to testify
as an expert on domestic violence issues. Instead, Chaffin claims portions of
her testimony were irrelevant.
[43] The trial court is accorded wide discretion in ruling on the admissibility and
relevance of evidence. Smith v. State, 730 N.E.2d 705, 708 (Ind. 2000). An
abuse of discretion occurs when a decision is clearly against the logic and effect
of the facts and circumstances before the trial court. Paul v. State, 971 N.E.2d
172, 175 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). In reviewing the admissibility of evidence, we
consider only the evidence in favor of the trial court’s ruling and any unrefuted
evidence in the appellant’s favor. Id.
[44] In general, relevant evidence is admissible, and irrelevant evidence is not
admissible. Ind. Evid. Rule 402. Evidence is relevant “if . . . it has any
tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the
evidence; and . . . the fact is of consequence in determining the action." Ind.
Evid. Rule 401. “Even if proffered evidence or testimony is only marginally
relevant, it is within the sound discretion of the trial court to admit it.” Smith,
730 N.E.2d at 708.
[45] In Odom v. State, 711 N.E.2d 71, 73-74 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied, the
State charged Odom after he grabbed his wife, placed a knife to her neck, and
threatened to kill her. She had reported Odom’s conduct to the police, but
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while the case was pending, she wrote Odom a letter indicating her
incriminating statements were untrue. At trial, Odom’s wife testified about
Odom’s attack in a manner consistent with her original report to the police, and
she claimed she wrote the letter only because Odom told her to, and she hoped
he would be released from jail to provide support to their family.
[46] The State also offered the testimony of a psychologist, who explained why
victims of domestic violence may recant prior statements. The trial court
allowed the testimony over Odom’s objection, and Odom was convicted of
intimidation.
[47] On appeal, Odom argued the psychologist’s testimony was irrelevant because
Odom’s wife had already testified as to why she had recanted in the letter. A
panel of this Court determined that because Odom’s wife had provided
inconsistent statements, the expert witness’s testimony would help the jury to
determine which statement was more credible. The Court further stated that
expert testimony that “tends to explain the witness’ recantation” may still be
relevant even if the witness “provides an explanation for her recantation.” Id.
at 76. The expert witness’s testimony remains relevant in such a circumstance
because “the reactions and behaviors of domestic violence victims are not
commonly understood by laypersons,” id. at 75, and an expert may help the
jury understand the circumstances and reasons for a victim’s changing story.
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[48] In Chaffin’s case, Davis told a police officer and an emergency room doctor
that Chaffin had attacked her. She also told a 911 dispatcher that Chaffin
would not leave her apartment.
[49] After the State filed charges against Chaffin, Davis was arrested for violating
the terms of her probation. She called Chaffin’s mother from jail several times.
During one call, Davis expressed a willingness to talk to Chaffin and stated she
would “back him up in court,” State’s Ex. 15R at 1:41, and that she “felt bad.”
Id. at 2:44. During a later call, Chaffin’s mother told Davis that Chaffin said he
could not talk to her until she “fixed” the situation. State’s Ex. 16R at 2:10.
Davis reiterated she would like to talk with him and volunteered to call the
prosecutor. Chaffin’s mother encouraged Davis to call Chaffin’s attorney and
tell him that she “messed up” and did not really know what had happened. Id.
at 4:29.
[50] In a subsequent call, Chaffin’s mother told Davis she had discussed with
Chaffin’s attorney whether Davis would “recant[ ]” her testimony. State’s Ex.
17R at 1:38. Davis indicated she was willing to talk with Chaffin’s attorney.
Chaffin’s mother stated Chaffin would speak with Davis after the charges were
dropped. In another telephone conversation, Davis told Chaffin’s mother to tell
Chaffin that she would do whatever she had to do to get the charges dropped.
Chaffin’s mother continued to refer to Davis as “recanting” her prior
statements. State’s Ex. 19R at 6:10 (July 27, 2018 phone call).
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[51] In yet another phone call, Chaffin’s mother explained to Davis that Chaffin’s
lawyer advised that Davis would need to sign a statement “retracting” what she
had said. State’s Ex. 21R at 2:17. Davis agreed she would do so, although she
explained that her own lawyer had stated she potentially faced criminal
penalties for contradicting her prior statement.
[52] Throughout these calls, Chaffin’s mother repeatedly told Davis that Chaffin
said he loved her. Davis and Chaffin’s mother also discussed whether Chaffin’s
mother could deposit money in Davis’ jail account and whether Chaffin’s
mother could bond Davis out of jail.
[53] At trial, Davis testified consistently with her original discussions with the police
and an emergency room doctor, specifically that Chaffin had repeatedly
attacked her. Recordings of Davis’ phone calls with Chaffin’s mother were
admitted into evidence. She explained that she felt “a lot of pressure” from
Chaffin’s mother, Tr. Vol. 2, pp.154-55, but that she ultimately did not contact
anyone to retract her story because the retraction would have been a lie.
[54] The facts of this case resemble those of Odom’s case. Davis talked with
Chaffin’s mother several times about the case, and Davis repeatedly agreed to
recant or retract what she had told police officers. Under these circumstances,
as in Odom, Burton’s expert testimony was admissible to assist the jury in
weighing the credibility of Davis’ various statements.
[55] Next, Chaffin claims that even if Burton’s testimony was generally relevant, his
objections to her testimony should have been sustained because the prosecutor’s
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questions to Burton were general in nature rather than hypotheticals based on
evidence set forth in the record. The Odom court determined that when an
expert witness has no personal knowledge of a case and has not examined or
counseled a victim, the witness’s testimony is not relevant unless it is “based
upon some fact presented in the hypothetical or some reasonable inference
drawn therefrom.” 711 N.E.2d at 77.
[56] In the current case, Burton was not involved in the underlying circumstances of
the case and did not meet Davis afterwards. On direct examination, the
prosecutor asked Burton, “And are you familiar with maybe a—how society
perceives individuals who experience domestic violence?” Tr. Vol. III, p. 43.
The State further asked, “Okay and what are some of those common myths and
misconceptions?” Id. at 44. Later, the State asked, “Have you—could you
describe what the word minimizing is and what that means in the context of
domestic violence?” Id. at 45. Finally, the State asked Burton to define
“recanting” in the context of domestic violence and whether she had experience
with individuals who had discussed recanting reports of such violence. Id. at
46.
[57] These questions were not hypotheticals, and they did not include facts from the
record in this case. In any event, we conclude that any error in allowing the
State to present those questions was harmless. An error will be deemed
harmless if its probable impact on the jury, considering all the evidence in the
case, is sufficiently minor so as not to affect the substantial rights of the parties.
Farmer v. State, 908 N.E.2d 1192, 1199 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).
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[58] In the recorded telephone calls between Davis and Chaffin’s mother, Davis at
times minimized Chaffin’s attacks on her and further discussed recanting her
police report. Thus, although the State may not have referred to facts in the
record when questioning Burton, there is ample evidence to justify the State’s
questions about victims minimizing domestic violence and recanting reports of
such violence.
[59] Further, Davis testified at length about Chaffin’s extensive attacks upon her and
his attempts to contact her after his arrest, despite the protective order. Davis’
testimony was supported by Officer Johnson, Paramedic Maish, the emergency
room doctor who treated Davis, and a nurse who examined Davis six days
later. Considering this extensive evidence, any errors in failing to require the
State to ask Burton hypothetical questions were harmless.
Conclusion
[60] For the reasons stated above, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
[61] Affirmed.
Kirsch, J., and Pyle, J., concur.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1286 | April 1, 2020 Page 21 of 21