Court Opinion

ID: 4410274
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-06-26 15:44:42.71381+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:51:46.336144
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Biven, 2019-Ohio-2551.]

                                        COURT OF APPEALS
                                      LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO                                      JUDGES:
                                                   Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P. J.
        Plaintiff-Appellee                         Hon. John W. Wise, J.
                                                   Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
-vs-
                                                   Case No. 2018 CA 0082
JAMES BIVEN

        Defendant-Appellant                        OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                       Criminal Appeal from the Court of Common
                                               Pleas, Case No. 2017 CR 00801

JUDGMENT:                                      Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                         June 24, 2019

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                         For Defendant-Appellant

WILLIAM C. HAYES                               STEPHEN E. PALMER
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY                           YAVITCH & PALMER CO., LPA
PAULA M. SAWYERS                               511 South High Street
ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR                           Columbus, Ohio 43215
20 South Second Street
Newark, Ohio 43724
«Court» County, Case No. «Case_No»                                                       2

Wise, J.

       {¶1}    Defendant-Appellant James Biven appeals his conviction and sentence

entered in the Licking County Common Pleas Court on two counts of sexual imposition

following a jury trial.

       {¶2}    Plaintiff-Appellee is the State of Ohio.

                          STATEMENT OF THE CASE AND FACTS

       {¶3}     This case stemmed from an incident on or about September 8, 2017,

between Appellant James Biven and his former daughter-in-law, the victim in this case.

That evening, Appellant entered the victim’s bedroom and engaged in sexual activity with

the victim.

       {¶4}    As a result, on September 21, 2017, Appellant James Biven was indicted

on one count of Rape, in violation of R.C. §2907.02(A)(1)(c), a felony of the first degree,

and one count of Sexual Battery, in violation of R.C. §2907.03(A)(3), a felony of the third

degree.

       {¶5}    On August 21, 2018, the case proceeded to a trial by jury.

       {¶6}    At trial, the victim testified that she had known the Appellant since 2002,

and that he was her former father-in-law. (T. at 127). She and her family lived in a home

in Johnstown that she rented from Appellant. (T. at 128-129). She also worked with

Appellant. Id. The home she lived in was within walking distance of Appellant's home. (T.

at 129). On the night in question, the victim awoke to someone touching her breasts over

her clothing. (T. at 145-146). She testified that the person then began rubbing his hand

on her vagina under her pants and then began performing oral sex on her. (T. at 146).

She stated that she believed at that time that it was her boyfriend, Mike Compton,
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                   3

because she had been expecting him to come back later that evening. (T. at 146-147,

151, 176, 187). She stated at that time she tapped the person on the shoulder to come

up and kiss her and that Appellant froze, and then she saw his bald head as he left her

bedroom. (T. at 147). At that point she realized it was Appellant. (T. at 148). She stated

that she did not consent to sexual activity with Appellant, and that it made her feel

disgusted and gross. (T. at 149, 151, 153, 157).

       {¶7}   The victim told her brother Bobby what had happened with Appellant. (T. at

199). Bobby testified that he then went and confronted Appellant, pushing him and telling

him that he had better stay away from his sister. Id. Bobby recalled that when he went

back to his sister’s house, her boyfriend Mike showed up and that he told him what had

happened. (T. at 200). Bobby stated that Mike became angry and then they both went

back up to Appellant’s house. Id. Bobby says he then saw Mike run into Appellant’s barn

followed by Appellant chasing Mike outside swinging a fire poker at him. Id. Bobby stated

that he could not clearly recall what happened next other than rocks were thrown and dirt

rake was swung around by someone. (T. at 201). He stated that Appellant then stated

he was going inside to get a gun, and he and Mike then both ran back to the victim’s

house. Id. Bobby stated that Mike left and then the police arrived. Id. Bobby stated that

he did not call 9-1-1 but that he believed Mike made the call. Id.

       {¶8}   Deputy Andrew Clary with the Licking County Sheriff’s Department testified

that he was dispatched to the scene on a rape and/or sex crime call, and that upon arrival

he spoke with the victim. (T. at 213, 220-221). Deputy Clary then contacted the Detective

Bureau. Id. Deputy Clary also testified that he photographed evidence in the victim’s

bedroom and collected and marked said evidence, including the victim’s shorts and
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                      4

panties. (T. at 214-215). Deputy Clary also took pictures of text messages that the victim

had received on her phone. (T. at 215-216, 228). Deputy Clary stated that when Detective

Wallace arrived on the scene, he turned the investigation over to her. (T. at 217).

       {¶9}   Det. Wallace testified that she arrived on the scene at approximately 4:00

a.m. on September 9, 2017, and interviewed the victim. (T. at 274-275). She stated that

she also took possession of the evidence collected by Deputy Clary. (T. at 277). Det.

Wallace stated that she had the victim accompany her to the Detective Bureau where

they attempted to place a controlled phone call and controlled text messages to Appellant.

(T. at 279). She recalled that while the victim did not receive a reply while she was at the

sheriff’s office, she did receive a reply later and that those were forwarded to her. (T. at

279-280).

       {¶10} Lieutenant Brock Harmon testified that he was contacted to assist in the

investigation of Appellant. (T. at 239). Lt. Harmon testified that he conducted an interview

of Appellant on September 10, 2017, at the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. (T. at 240).

       {¶11} Appellant's interview to police was played for the jury. (T. at 241). In the

interview, Appellant admitted that he put his hand on the victim’s leg and that he didn't

remember how far his finger penetrated her vagina. He admitted it wasn't the victim's

fault, and that she probably thought he was somebody else. He then stated that he moved

her panties over to the side and performed oral sex on her. Appellant stated that she then

said “Mike” and he left. He stated that he was ashamed of what he did.

       {¶12} Upon Appellant’s request, the trial court instructed the jury on two lesser

included offenses of Sexual Imposition as set forth in R.C. §2907.06.
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                       5

       {¶13} On August 22, 2018, the jury returned verdicts of not guilty on the charges

of Rape and Sexual Battery but found Appellant guilty on the two lesser included offenses

of Sexual Imposition.

       {¶14} The trial court sentenced Appellant to sixty (60) days on each count of

Sexual Imposition to be served consecutively for an aggregate sentence of 120 days. The

trial court also ordered Appellant to register as a Tier I sex offender pursuant to R.C. 2950,

et seq.

       {¶15} Appellant now appeals, assigning the following errors for review:

                               ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

       {¶16} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AND DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF HIS

RIGHT TO PRESENT A COMPLETE DEFENSE BY EXCLUDING KEY EXCULPATORY

EVIDENCE ON THE BASIS OF IMPROPER EVIDENTIARY RULINGS, THEREBY

VIOLATING APPELLANT'S RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS OF LAW UNDER THE

FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND

COMPARABLE PROVISIONS OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

       {¶17} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY IMPOSING CONSECUTIVE

SENTENCES ON TWO OFFENSES THAT SHOULD HAVE MERGED, THEREBY

VIOLATING THE JEOPARDY CLAUSE AND APPELLANT'S RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS

OF LAW UNDER THE FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED

STATES CONSTITUTION AND COMPARABLE PROVISIONS OF THE OHIO

CONSTITUTION.

       {¶18} “III. THE CONVICTIONS DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF DUE PROCESS OF

LAW AS GUARANTEED BY THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                       6

STATES CONSTITUTION AND COMPARABLE PROVISIONS OF THE OHIO

CONSTITUTION, AS THE STATE FAILED TO OFFER SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO

PROVE EACH AND EVERY ELEMENT OF THE CHARGES BEYOND A REASONABLE

DOUBT AND THE CONVICTIONS ARE AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE

EVIDENCE.”

                                              I.

       {¶19} In Appellant’s first assignment of error, Appellant argues that the trial court

violated his Fourteenth Amendment right to Due Process by excluding certain evidence.

We disagree.

       {¶20} The admission or exclusion of relevant evidence rests in the sound

discretion of the trial court. State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St. 3d 173, 180, 510 N.E.2d 343 (1987).

As a general rule, all relevant evidence is admissible. Evid.R. 402; cf. Evid.R. 802. The

term “abuse of discretion” connotes more than an error of law or judgment; it implies that

the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Wilmington Steel

Products, Inc. v. Cleveland Elec. Illum. Co., 60 Ohio St. 3d 120, 122, 573 N.E.2d 622

(1991). Absent an abuse of discretion resulting in material prejudice to the defendant, a

reviewing court should be reluctant to interfere with a trial court's decision in this regard.

Sage, 31 Ohio St. 3d 173.

       {¶21} At trial, the court excluded the recorded 9-1-1 call to the Sheriff’s Office and

a text message from Mike Compton to Nash Ours. Appellant argues that the exclusion of

these pieces of evidence deprived him of his opportunity to put forth the defense that Mike

Compton had a motive to exaggerate or fabricate a false claim against Appellant.
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                      7

                                            9-1-1 Call

       {¶22} The State objected to the introduction of the 9-1-1 call as inadmissible

hearsay and the trial court sustained the objection.

       {¶23} “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). “The hearsay rule ... is premised on the theory that out-of-court

statements are subject to particular hazards. The declarant might be lying; he might have

misperceived the events which he relates; he might have faulty memory; his words might

be misunderstood or taken out of context by the listener. And the ways in which these

dangers are minimized for in-court statements - the oath, the witness' awareness of the

gravity of the proceedings, the jury's ability to observe the witness' demeanor, and, most

importantly, the right of the opponent to cross-examine - are generally absent for things

said out of court.” Williamson v. United States, 512 U.S. 594, 598, 114 S. Ct. 2431, 2434,

129 L. Ed. 2d 476 (1994). Here we find that the 9-1-1 call was made by Mike Compton

hours after the incident occurred. Mike Compton did not testify at trial. His statements

during the call were therefore out-of-court statements. Such statements were being

offered to show that the caller was male and further to let the jury hear the actual language

said to the 9-1-1 operator. The purpose of this was to support Appellant’s theory of the

case, that being that Mike Compton had a motive to make a false claim. We find the

statements were therefore being offered for the truth of the matter asserted and were

inadmissible hearsay.
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                  8

       {¶24} Hearsay is generally not admissible unless it falls within one of the

recognized exceptions. Evid.R. 802; State v. Steffen, 31 Ohio St. 3d 111, 119, 509 N.E.2d
383 (1987).

       {¶25} Evid.R. 803 Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial

provides,

       {¶26} The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the

declarant is available as a witness:

              (1) Present sense impression. A statement describing or

       explaining an event or condition made while the declarant was perceiving

       the event or condition, or immediately thereafter unless circumstances

       indicate lack of trustworthiness.

              (2) Excited utterance. A statement relating to a startling event or

       condition made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement

       caused by the event or condition.

              (3) Then existing, mental, emotional, or physical condition.

              ***

              (4) Statements for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment.

              ***

       {¶27} 9-1-1 calls are generally admissible as excited utterances or under the

present sense impression exception to the hearsay rule. Navarette v. California, 572 U.S.
393, 134 S. Ct. 1683, 1689. In this instance, however, we find that no exceptions apply as

Mike Compton was not present when the incident occurred, was not a “party opponent”,

and was not emotional during the telephone call.
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                      9

       {¶28} Furthermore, Appellant played the 9-1-1 call to the jury during his opening

statements, so the jury knew of the call, that it was made by a man, and also heard the

content of the call.

       {¶29} We therefore find the trial court did not err in sustaining the objection to the

admission of the 9-1-1 call.

                                          Text Message

       {¶30} The trial court also sustained an objection to the admission of a text

message from Mike Compton to Nash Ours on the night of the incident. The text message

read as follows:

             Jim’s going [sic] jail my dude
             Gross sexual imposition
             Fucking mother fuckers going down yes finally it took me along [sic]
       time bug [sic] he finally fucked up like I knew he would. (T. at 408-410).

       {¶31} Appellant again argues that the message was not being offered for the truth

of the matter asserted, but rather to show Mike Compton’s motive to lie, his demeanor,

and his animus toward Appellant.

       {¶32} Again, we find that Mike Compton did not testify at trial and his statement

was an out-of-court statement under Evid.R. 801(C). We further find that it was hearsay

as it was being offered to show that Compton had a motive to get Appellant in trouble,

which again was the truth of the matter for which it was being asserted.

       {¶33} Further, even if we were to determine that such evidence was admissible,

we find beyond a reasonable doubt that it did not affect the outcome of the trial. State v.

Williams, 55 Ohio App. 3d 212, 215, 563 N.E.2d 346 (8th. 1988).
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                    10

       {¶34} Based upon the record before us, we conclude that any error in excluding

such evidence was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt as the state offered ample

evidence of Appellant's guilt.

       {¶35} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.

                                                II.

       {¶36} In his second assignment of error, Appellant agues the trial court erred in

imposing consecutive sentences.

       {¶37} Appellant herein was found guilty of the two lesser included offenses on

which Appellant had requested the jury be instructed: sexual imposition, which provides:

       R.C. § 2907.06 Sexual Imposition

              (A) No person shall have sexual contact with another, not the spouse

       of the offender; cause another, not the spouse of the offender, to have

       sexual contact with the offender; or cause two or more other persons to

       have sexual contact when any of the following applies:

              (1) The offender knows that the sexual contact is offensive to the

       other person, or one of the other persons, or is reckless in that regard.

              (2) The offender knows that the other person's, or one of the other

       person's, ability to appraise the nature of or control the offender's or

       touching person's conduct is substantially impaired.

              (3) The offender knows that the other person, or one of the other

       persons, submits because of being unaware of the sexual contact.

       {¶38} “Sexual contact” is defined as “any touching of an erogenous zone of

another, including without limitation the thigh, genitals, buttock, pubic region, or, if the
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                     11

person is a female, a breast, for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying either

person.” R.C. §2907.01(B).

       {¶39} The trial court sentenced Appellant to sixty (60) days on each count and

ordered the sentences be served consecutively. Appellant argues that the two charges

should have merged for purposes of sentencing because the charges were allied offenses

of similar import.

       {¶40} R.C. §2941.25, Ohio's allied offense statute, provides:

              (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 to

       each, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such offenses,

       and the defendant may be convicted of all of them.

       {¶41} In State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio St. 3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d 892, the

Supreme Court of Ohio explained that “the same conduct can be separately punished if

that conduct constitutes offenses of dissimilar import.” Id. at ¶ 20, citing R.C. 2941.25(B).

Offenses are dissimilar in import “when the defendant's conduct constitutes offenses

involving separate victims or if the harm that results from each offense is separate and

identifiable.” Ruff at paragraph two of the syllabus.
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                  12

      {¶42} Here, the testimony established that Appellant 1) touched the victim’s

breasts while she was asleep, 2) rubbed the victim’s vaginal area with his hand, and 3)

performed oral sex on the victim.

      {¶43} Initially, we note that this Court, as well as other Ohio Courts of Appeals,

have held that sleep qualifies as a mental impairment under the law. As for the element

of substantial impairment, this Court has repeatedly held that “sleep constitutes a mental

or physical condition that substantially impairs a person from resisting or consenting to

sexual conduct.” State v. Jones, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98151, 2012-Ohio–5737, ¶ 30,

citing State v. Clark, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 90148, 2008-Ohio-3358, ¶ 21; State v.

Brown, 5th Dist. Richland No. 2016 CA 0043, 2017-Ohio-1114, ¶ 46.

      {¶44} Intimate sexual contacts with a victim that constitute the offense of gross

sexual imposition may be treated as separate offenses for the purposes of R.C.

§2941.25(B) in at least two instances: (1) where the evidence demonstrates either the

passage of time or intervening conduct by the defendant between each incident; and (2)

where the evidence demonstrates the defendant's touching of two different areas of the

victim's body occurred in an interrupted sequence. State v. Tate (2000), Cuyahoga App.

No. 77462.

      {¶45} In State v. Moralevitz (1980), 70 Ohio App. 2d 20, 433 N.E.2d 1280, an

appellate court found that a defendant's “act of placing his finger between the victim's

legs; [the defendant's] act of putting his hand upon the victim's chest; and [the

defendant's] act of putting his tongue between the victim's legs” constituted three

separate gross sexual imposition offenses. Id. at 28, 433 N.E.2d 1280. The court found

that the acts did not occur at the same time, but instead occurred consecutively and
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                    13

“[t]hus, these offenses constituted offenses of ‘similar kind committed separately’ within

the terms of R.C. 2941.25(B).

       {¶46} Similarly, in State v. Washington, 10th Dist. No. 01AP–727, 2002–Ohio–

2086, ¶11, the victim testified that the defendant touched her vagina and anus with his

penis and fingers several times. The court found that the instances of contact, although

occurring in close proximity, constituted multiple offenses rather than a single,

simultaneous act. Id. See also State v. Brindley, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 01AP-926, 2002-

Ohio-2425, (defendant's touching of victim's breasts, sucking on victim's nipples, and

touching of victim's vagina constituted separate instances of gross sexual imposition,

such that defendant could be convicted of and punished for each).

       {¶47} Under the specific facts in this particular case, we find that Appellant’s

conduct in touching the victim’s breasts while she was under the impairment of sleep was

a separate punishable offense from his subsequent actions of touching her vagina with

his hand and then performing oral sex on her which occurred after she was awake.

       {¶48} Therefore, the trial court did not err by not merging Appellant's two

convictions for sexual imposition based on those acts.

       {¶49} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.

                                                III.

       {¶50} In his third assignment of error, Appellant argues that his convictions are

against the manifest weight and sufficiency of the evidence. We disagree.

       {¶51} In determining whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the

evidence, the court of appeals functions as the “thirteenth juror,” and after “reviewing the

entire record, weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers the credibility
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                    14

of witnesses and determines 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 overturned and a new trial ordered.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 678
N.E.2d 541 (1997). Reversing a conviction as being against the manifest weight of the

evidence and ordering a new trial should be reserved for only the “exceptional case in

which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.” Id.

       {¶52} We note the weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the

witnesses are issues for the trier of fact. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St. 2d 230, 227 N.E.2d
212 (1967). The trier of fact “has the best opportunity to view the demeanor, attitude, and

credibility of each witness, something that does not translate well on the written page.”

Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St. 3d 415, 418, 674 N.E.2d 1159 (1997).

       {¶53} The legal concepts of sufficiency of the evidence and weight of the evidence

are both quantitatively and qualitatively different. State v. Thompkins, supra, paragraph

two of the syllabus. The standard of review for a challenge to the sufficiency of the

evidence is set forth in State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991) at

paragraph two of the syllabus, in which the Ohio Supreme Court held as follows: “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 mind of the defendant's guilt beyond a

reasonable doubt. The relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light

most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential

elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                                     15

        {¶54} Appellant herein was convicted of Sexual Imposition, in violation of R.C.

§2907.06(A)(1)(2) or (3), a third degree misdemeanor, as set forth above.

        {¶55} At trial, the jury was presented with testimony and evidence from the victim

who testified the she awoke to Appellant touching her breasts, that he then rubbed her

vaginal area and then performed oral sex on her. (T. at 145-146). She testified that she

thought it was her boyfriend in her bed with her, and that she did not consent to sexual

contact with Appellant, and that afterwards she felt disgusted by the incident. (T. at 146-

157).

        {¶56} The jury also heard Appellant’s taped interview with the police. In the

interview, the jury heard Appellant admit that he put his hand on the victim’s leg and that

he may have digitally penetrated her vagina. He also admitted that he performed oral sex

on the victim and that she probably thought he was someone else. He stated that he was

ashamed of his actions.

        {¶57} Appellant attempts to discredit the victim with references to inconsistencies

in her statements and testimony, but any contradictions are for the fact finder, in this case

the jury, to resolve within its determination of the credibility of the witnesses.

        {¶58} We find that after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the

prosecution, “any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime

proven beyond a reasonable doubt”. Further, we cannot find that this is a case in which

“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,” Thompkins, supra, so we must hold

that the conviction is not against the manifest weight of the evidence or the sufficiency of

the evidence.
Licking County, Case No. 2018 CA 0082                                           16

      {¶59} Appellant’s third assignment of error is overruled.

      {¶60} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of

Licking County, Ohio, is affirmed.

By: Wise, J.

Gwin, P. J., and

Delaney, J., concur.

JWW/d 0611
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