Court Opinion

ID: 4461169
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-12-04 16:03:46.550881+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:03.736917
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                             Dec 04 2019, 8:48 am

                                                                                  CLERK
                                                                              Indiana Supreme Court
                                                                                 Court of Appeals
                                                                                   and Tax Court

      ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                    ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
      Yvette M. LaPlante                                        Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
      LaPlante LLP                                              Attorney General of Indiana
      Evansville, Indiana
                                                                Courtney Staton
                                                                Deputy Attorney General
                                                                Indianapolis, Indiana

                                                  IN THE
          COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

      Jon L. Norton, Jr.,                                       December 4, 2019
      Appellant-Defendant,                                      Court of Appeals Case No.
                                                                19A-CR-872
              v.                                                Appeal from the Vanderburgh
                                                                Superior Court
      State of Indiana,                                         The Honorable Robert J. Pigman,
      Appellee-Plaintiff.                                       Judge
                                                                Trial Court Cause No.
                                                                82D03-1611-F4-6794

      Najam, Judge.

                                        Statement of the Case
[1]   Jon L. Norton, Jr. appeals his convictions and sentence for one count of sexual

      misconduct with a minor, as a Level 4 felony, and three counts of sexual

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019                             Page 1 of 26
      misconduct with a minor, as Level 5 felonies, following a jury trial. Norton

      presents seven issues for our review, which we revise and restate as follows:

              1.       Whether the trial court committed fundamental error
                       when it did not sever his trial.

              2.       Whether the trial court committed fundamental error
                       when it allowed one of the victims to testify about an
                       alleged offense that had occurred in Kentucky.

              3.       Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it did
                       not allow one of the victims’ sisters to testify about specific
                       instances in which the victim had been dishonest.

              4.       Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it did
                       not allow Norton to review mental health records for one
                       of the victims.

              5.       Whether the trial court erred when it failed to remove a
                       juror.

              6.       Whether the State presented sufficient evidence to support
                       his conviction for one count of sexual misconduct with a
                       minor, as a Level 5 felony.

              7.       Whether his sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature
                       of the offenses and his character.

[2]   We affirm.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019            Page 2 of 26
                                     Facts and Procedural History
[3]   In mid-2016, fourteen-year-old A.J. was living with her mother, L.D. 1 During

      that summer, Norton, who was thirty-two years old, was dating M.K., one of

      A.J.’s sisters. When Norton first began to spend time with M.K. and her

      family, he “wrestled around” and “played” with A.J. and the other children “a

      lot.” Tr. Vol. III at 18. At first, A.J. thought that “it was normal because he

      did it with everybody else.” Id. However, at some point, the interaction

      between A.J. and Norton “changed.” Id.

[4]   In mid-November, A.J. got in trouble at school, which caused her to get in

      trouble at home. A.J. “got mad,” and she ran away from L.D.’s house. Id. at

      166. L.D. and some other family members began to look for A.J., and they

      called the police. While they were looking for A.J., L.D. learned that A.J. “was

      having relationships” with Norton. Id. at 167. Police officers eventually found

      A.J. and returned her to L.D.

[5]   The next day, L.D. asked A.J. about Norton. At first, A.J. was not “fully

      forthcoming.” Id. at 168. But A.J. ultimately informed L.D. that she and

      Norton had a “sexual relationship” and that she had performed oral sex on him

      “one time.” Id. at 174. Based on A.J.’s statements, L.D. organized a family

      meeting. At the family meeting, A.J. told the family that her relationship with

      Norton had been “an ongoing thing.” Id. at 175. A.J. ultimately told her

      1
          L.D. is A.J.’s biological sister who adopted A.J.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019      Page 3 of 26
      family that Norton had engaged in sexual intercourse with her on one occasion,

      that she had performed oral sex on Norton “two or three times,” and that

      Norton had placed her hand on his penis on three occasions. Id. at 32

[6]   During that same summer, Norton and M.K. would spend “a lot” of time with

      another one of A.J.’s sisters, M.C., and M.C.’s fourteen-year-old stepdaughter,

      A.G. Id. at 116. They were “constantly doing family stuff together.” Id.

      Norton was “like an uncle” to A.G. Id. at 117. He would “always wrestle”

      with the kids and “just goof around.” Id. at 118. But Norton’s behavior toward

      A.G. changed, and he paid more “physical attention” to her. Id. A.G. felt as

      though the roughhousing was “directed toward [her] and not so much with the

      other kids.” Id.

[7]   On October 31, A.G. and the rest of the family were outside of Norton’s house

      preparing to go trick or treating. A.G. went into Norton’s house to look for

      bags for the kids, and Norton followed her. While A.G. was walking back

      toward the door to the house, Norton “nudg[ed]” her from her back, and he

      “pushed” her “down on the couch.” Id. at 119, 120. He then put his forehead

      against A.G.’s forehead, and he put his hands between her thighs and rubbed

      her “private part.” Id. at 121. At that point, M.K. walked in, and Norton

      “jumped backwards.” Id. at 119. The family proceeded to go trick or treating.

      Later that night, everyone went to M.C.’s house for pizza. At one point, A.G.

      went to the kitchen to get drinks for all of the kids. Norton followed A.G. into

      the kitchen, and he started “smacking [her] butt.” Id. at 121. A.G. first thought

      Norton was “trying to be goofy,” but then he started “roughhousing” with her,

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019     Page 4 of 26
       which made her “uncomfortable.” Id. at 121, 122. A.G. ultimately informed

       her family that Norton “had tried to do things with her.” Id. at 188.

[8]    As a result of A.J.’s and A.G.’s allegations to the family, the family called the

       police. The family also contacted the Indiana Department of Child Services

       and arranged to have A.J. and A.G. interviewed by a forensic interviewer.

       Shortly after the events with Norton had occurred, A.G. stayed for a brief

       period of time at Deaconess Cross Pointe (“Deaconess”), which is a mental

       health facility.

[9]    On November 22, the State charged Norton with eight counts of sexual

       misconduct with a minor, as Level 4 felonies (Counts 1 through 8), and four

       counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, as Level 5 felonies (Counts 9-12). 2

       The trial court scheduled a jury trial for February 11 through February 14,

       2019. On February 6, five days before the start of the trial, Norton issued a

       subpoena to Deaconess for A.G.’s mental health records. At a hearing on

       February 8, Deaconess moved to quash the subpoena based on its belief that it

       could not issue A.G.’s medical records because Norton had not complied with

       two statutory requirements. The court took the matter under advisement.

[10]   During Norton’s jury trial, the State presented A.J.’s testimony as evidence.

       A.J. testified that she had performed oral sex on Norton on multiple occasions.

       2
        Count 1 alleged that Norton had engaged in sexual intercourse with A.J. Counts 2 through 8 alleged that
       Norton had submitted to other sexual conduct with A.J. Counts 9 and 10 alleged that Norton had fondled
       A.J. And Counts 11 and 12 alleged that Norton had fondled A.G.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019                           Page 5 of 26
       The State asked A.J. about the first time that she had performed oral sex on

       Norton, and A.J. stated that it had happened at Norton’s brother’s house in

       Kentucky. The State then informed A.J. that “[w]e need to stick mostly to

       what you remember happening here in Evansville[.]” Id. at 28.

[11]   After the State had concluded its direct examination of A.J., Juror Number Six

       advised the court that he recognized A.J. Specifically, Juror Number Six stated

       that A.J. was a “friend of his daughter’s” and that he would “sometimes” pick

       A.J. and his daughter up from skating. Id. at 41. He then told the court that he

       had not seen A.J. “in two years.” Id. at 42. At that point, the court asked Juror

       Number Six if his recognition of A.J. “would impact [his] ability to be an

       impartial juror.” Id. In response, Juror Number Six said: “No.” Id. The court

       also asked if Juror Number Six felt “any different about [his] ability to be

       impartial now that [he’s] seen her,” and Juror Number Six replied: “No, no.”

       Id. at 43. Norton moved to strike that juror, but the court denied his motion.

[12]   Norton then cross-examined A.J. and questioned her about the events that had

       allegedly occurred in Kentucky. Norton stated that A.J. could talk about those

       allegations “because it helps us get a big picture.” Id. at 74. Norton proceeded

       to question A.J. about the number of offenses that had allegedly occurred in

       Kentucky. When A.J. responded that there were “three or four” instances,

       Norton asked her to describe those events. Id. at 84.

[13]   The State also presented the testimony of L.D. as evidence. During his cross-

       examination of L.D., Norton questioned her about A.J.’s reputation.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019       Page 6 of 26
       Specifically, Norton asked L.D. if A.J. had a reputation for being dishonest.

       L.D. responded that she and A.J. have “had personal issues.” Id. at 176.

       Norton also asked L.D. if A.J. had a reputation at school for being dishonest.

       L.D. replied that she did not know. Norton then asked if A.J. had a reputation

       in their family for being dishonest. L.D. responded: “Like I said[,] we had

       personal issues.” Id. at 177. At that point, Norton attempted to question L.D.

       about specific instances in which A.J. was dishonest. The State objected, and

       the trial court sustained that objection.

[14]   Prior to the start of the third day of trial, the court held a hearing on Deaconess’

       motion to quash Norton’s subpoena for A.G.’s mental health records. At that

       hearing, A.G.’s father objected to the release of A.G.’s mental health records to

       Norton. A.G.’s father stated that A.G.’s stay at Deaconess was due to a

       “teenager thing” that had “nothing to do” with the allegations against Norton.

       Id. at 200. Deaconess and A.G.’s father then waived the statutory requirement

       for a written petition for release of records and the requirement for a fifteen-day

       notice of the hearing on the written petition. However, A.G.’s father reiterated

       his objection to the release of the records to Norton but agreed to allow the trial

       court to review them in camera to determine if they were relevant. The court

       reviewed those records and ultimately determined that they were “not related to

       this event.” Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 45. Accordingly, the court did not

       allow Norton to review A.G.’s mental health records.

[15]   At the conclusion of the State’s case-in-chief, Norton moved for a directed

       verdict on Counts 4 through 8. The trial court granted Norton’s motion in part

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019       Page 7 of 26
       and entered a directed verdict on Counts 7 and 8, but the court denied Norton’s

       motion as to Counts 4 through 6. Norton then proceeded to present evidence.

       After Norton had called two witnesses, Juror Number Six informed the court

       that he recognized an individual observing the trial. 3 Juror Number Six told the

       court that the observer, Brittney, was his stepbrother’s daughter. He then

       informed the court that he had only seen Brittney “five times in her life.” Tr.

       Vol. IV at 151. The court proceeded to ask Juror Number Six if there was

       anything about knowing Brittney that would “make it difficult” for him to

       perform his duties. Id. at 150. Juror Number Six responded: “No.” Id. The

       court then asked if Juror Number Six felt like he “can live up to [his] oath and

       make an impartial decision based on the evidence and the law.” Id. at 151.

       The juror responded affirmatively. Norton did not move to strike Juror

       Number Six at that time.

[16]   At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Norton guilty of Count 2, sexual

       misconduct with a minor, as a Level 4 felony, and Counts 10, 11, and 12,

       sexual misconduct with a minor, as Level 5 felonies. The jury found Norton

       not guilty of Counts 1, 3 through 6, and 9. The trial court entered judgment of

       conviction accordingly. Following a hearing, the court sentenced Norton to

       eleven years on Count 2 and to four years each for Counts 10 through 12. The

       3
         The State contends that “there is nothing in the record” to support the conclusion that the juror who
       recognized a spectator was the same juror who knew A.J. Appellee’s Br. at 17, n.3. But Norton included in
       his supplemental appendix affidavits from the Bailiff and the Court Reporter in which both individuals
       affirmed that “the juror involved in both instances was Juror Number 6[.]” Supp. App. Vol. II at 5.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019                           Page 8 of 26
       court then ordered the sentence for Count 2 to run concurrent with Count 10

       but consecutive to the sentences for Counts 11 and 12, for an aggregate sentence

       of fifteen years in the Department of Correction. This appeal ensued.

                                       Discussion and Decision
                                       Issue One: Severance of Trial

[17]   Norton first contends that the trial court committed fundamental error when it

       did not sua sponte sever the charges against him based on A.J.’s allegations from

       his charges based on A.G.’s allegations. As our Supreme Court has explained:

               The fundamental error exception is extremely narrow, and
               applies only when the error constitutes a blatant violation of
               basic principles, the harm or potential for harm is substantial,
               and the resulting error denies the defendant fundamental due
               process. The error claimed must either make a fair trial
               impossible or constitute clearly blatant violations of basic and
               elementary principles of due process. This exception is available
               only in egregious circumstances.

       Brown v. State, 929 N.E.2d 204, 207 (Ind. 2010) (quotation marks and citations

       omitted). To prove fundamental error, the appellant must show “that the trial

       court should have raised the issue sua sponte . . . .” Taylor v. State, 86 N.E.3d
157, 162 (Ind. 2017).

[18]   Norton acknowledges that he did not file a motion to sever his charges.

       However, he maintains that the trial court was required to sua sponte sever the

       charges against him because the potential prejudice to him that resulted from

       the joinder of the offenses was so great that it made a fair trial impossible. To

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019        Page 9 of 26
       support his assertion that the trial court was obligated to sua sponte sever his

       charges, Norton relies on Indiana Code Section 35-34-1-11(a) (2019), which

       provides in relevant part:

               Whenever two (2) or more offenses have been joined for trial in
               the same indictment or information solely on the ground that
               they are of the same or similar character, the defendant shall have a
               right to a severance of the offenses. In all other cases the court, upon
               motion of the defendant or the prosecutor, shall grant a severance
               of offenses whenever the court determines that severance is
               appropriate to promote a fair determination of the defendant’s
               guilt or innocence of each offense[.]

       (Emphasis added). Based on the language of that statute, Norton contends that

       he was not required to file a motion for severance but, rather, that he had an

       absolute right to a severance of the charges against him, which right did not

       require his motion to exercise.

[19]   Our Supreme Court addressed a similar issue in Muse v. State, 419 N.E.2d 1302,

       1305 (Ind. 1981). In Muse, the defendant did not file a motion to have the

       charges against him severed. On appeal, he asserted that the trial court had

       committed fundamental error when it did not sever his charges despite his

       failure to file a motion because “the potential prejudice to defendants from the

       joinder of unrelated offenses is so great that they should not even be put in a

       position of having to request a separation.” Id. The Indiana Supreme Court

       disagreed and stated that a defendant “has an automatic right to have the

       counts be tried separately if he makes a timely motion for severance.” Id.

       (emphasis added). The Court further stated that, while the trial court “has no

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019          Page 10 of 26
       discretion” to deny a motion for severance if the offenses had been joined solely

       because they are of the same or similar character, the “burden is on the

       defendant to make a timely motion for severance.” Id. Accordingly, the Court

       held that a trial court does not commit fundamental error when it does not sua

       sponte sever charges against a defendant. Id.

[20]   Similarly, here, Norton failed to file a motion to sever the charges against him.

       But he contends that the court was required to sua sponte sever the charges

       because the potential for harm is “substantial” and because he had a statutory

       right to have the charges severed since the offenses were joined solely on the

       ground that they were of the same or similar character. Appellant’s Br. at 35

       (emphasis removed). However, as in Muse, Norton only had an automatic right

       to have the charges against him severed if he had made a timely motion. The

       burden was on him to make the motion, not on the trial court to take action sua

       sponte. Muse, 419 N.E.2d at 1305. Accordingly, the trial court did not commit

       fundamental error when it did not sua sponte sever the charges against him.

                      Issue Two: Testimony Regarding Kentucky Allegations

[21]   Norton next asserts that the trial court committed fundamental error when it

       allowed A.J. to testify about an instance in which Norton allegedly had her

       perform oral sex on him while in Kentucky, which testimony Norton contends

       violated Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b). Norton acknowledges that he did not

       object to that testimony. But Norton contends that the “trial court certainly

       should have[,] at a minimum, provided an admonishment sua sponte once the

       testimony had been placed before the jury.” Appellant’s Br. at 27.
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019     Page 11 of 26
[22]   However, “[o]ur case law has long required the parties to request an

       admonishment from the court—not to have the court act sua sponte—if the

       parties think such an admonishment might be appropriate.” Merritt v. State, 99
N.E.3d 706, 710 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018), trans. denied. The reason for putting that

       burden on the parties and not on the trial court is obvious: “admonishments

       are double-edged swords. On the one hand, they can help focus the jury on the

       proper considerations for admitted evidence. On the other hand, they can draw

       unnecessary attention to unfavorable aspects of the evidence.” Id. (citation

       omitted). “The risk calculus inherent in a request for an admonishment is an

       assessment that is nearly always best made by the parties and their attorneys

       and not sua sponte by our trial courts.” Id. Accordingly, Norton’s argument on

       this issue must fail.

                   Issue Three: L.D.’s Testimony Regarding A.J.’s Reputation

[23]   Norton also contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it precluded

       him from questioning L.D. about specific instances in which A.J. was

       untruthful. As the Indiana Supreme Court has stated:

               Generally, a trial court’s ruling on the admission of evidence is
               accorded “a great deal of deference” on appeal. Tynes v. State,
               650 N.E.2d 685, 687 (Ind. 1995). “Because the trial court is best
               able to weigh the evidence and assess witness credibility, we
               review its ruling on admissibility for abuse of discretion” and we
               only reverse “if a ruling is ‘clearly against the logic and effect of
               the facts and circumstances and the error affects a party’s
               substantial rights.’” Carpenter v. State, 18 N.E.3d 998, 1001 (Ind.
               2014) (quoting Clark v. State, 994 N.E.2d 252, 260 (Ind. 2013)).

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019         Page 12 of 26
       Hall v. State, 36 N.E.3d 459, 466 (Ind. 2015). But a trial court’s interpretation of

       a rule of evidence or a statute presents an issue of law that we review de novo.

       Tyler v. State, 903 N.E.2d 463, 467 n.4 (Ind. 2009).

[24]   On appeal, Norton contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it did

       not allow him to question L.D. about times when A.J. had lied because he

       maintains that that testimony was admissible pursuant to Indiana Evidence

       Rule 608(b). That rule provides:

               Except for a criminal conviction under Rule 609, extrinsic
               evidence is not admissible to prove specific instances of a
               witness’s conduct in order to attack or support the witness’s
               character for truthfulness. But the court may, on cross-
               examination, allow them to be inquired into if they are probative
               of the character for truthfulness or untruthfulness of another
               witness whose character the witness being cross-examined has
               testified about.

       Ind. Evidence Rule 608(b).

[25]   Here, when Norton attempted to ask L.D. about specific occasions in which

       A.J. had been dishonest, the State objected, and the trial court sustained that

       objection. At that point, Norton made an offer of proof and asserted that L.D.

       would testify that A.J. had “made accusations” that L.D. had been involved in

       “physical altercation[s]” with A.J., which accusations L.D. would testify were

       “false.” Tr. Vol. III at 180. On appeal, Norton maintains that that testimony

       was admissible because those “specific instances of dishonesty” would rebut

       L.D.’s “failure to provide a candid answer about [A.J.’s] reputation for

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019      Page 13 of 26
       dishonesty” with “reliable evidence of A.J.’s untruthfulness that also supports

       the defense’s theory that A.J. had a motive to make false allegations.”

       Appellant’s Br. at 29.

[26]   However, we need not decide whether the trial court erred when it precluded

       L.D. from testifying about specific instances of A.J.’s dishonesty because any

       error in the exclusion of that evidence was harmless. As our Supreme Court

       has recently stated:

               An error excluding evidence is harmless if “its probable impact
               on the jury, in light of all the evidence in the case, is sufficiently
               minor so as not to affect the defendant’s substantial rights.” Rohr
               v. State, 866 N.E.2d 242, 246 (Ind. 2007) (quoting Williams v.
               State, 714 N.E.2d 644, 652 (Ind. 1999)); see also App. R. 66(A);
               Ind. Trial Rule 61. When making this determination, we
               consider the evidence’s likely impact on a reasonable, average
               jury. See Bonner v. State, 650 N.E.2d 1139, 1141-42 (Ind. 1995).

       Tunstall v. Manning, 124 N.E.3d 1193, 1200 (Ind. 2019).

[27]   Here, while the trial court excluded L.D.’s testimony about specific instances in

       which A.J. was dishonest, Norton questioned multiple witnesses about A.J.’s

       reputation for dishonesty. Indeed, Norton asked L.D. if A.J. “has a reputation

       for being dishonest.” Tr. Vol. III at 176. In response, L.D. stated that she and

       A.J. have “had personal issues.” Id. Norton then asked L.D. if A.J. has a

       reputation at school for being dishonest. L.D. responded: “I don’t know. Not

       that I’m aware of.” Id. at 177. And Norton again asked L.D. if A.J. has a

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019         Page 14 of 26
       reputation in her family for being dishonest. L.D. replied: “Like I said, we had

       personal issues.” Id.

[28]   In addition to questioning L.D., Norton also questioned M.K. about A.J.’s

       reputation. Specifically, Norton asked M.K. if A.J. has “a reputation for

       dishonesty” in the community. Tr. Vol. IV at 38. M.K. responded in the

       affirmative. Norton also asked M.K. if A.J.’s reputation for dishonesty was

       “present among the family,” to which M.K. responded: “Yes.” Id. Norton

       then asked M.K. if A.J.’s reputation for dishonesty is one that she “holds in the

       neighborhood.” Id. M.K. again responded affirmatively. And Norton asked

       M.K. if that reputation for lying is one that A.J. holds at church. M.K. stated

       that it was. Further, Norton questioned another witness, Denise Wolf, about

       A.J.’s reputation. Wolf testified that A.J. has a reputation in the community for

       being dishonest and that she believed A.J. to be dishonest.

[29]   In essence, while Norton was unable to question L.D. about specific instances

       in which A.J. was dishonest, Norton was still able to elicit testimony from three

       different witnesses, one of whom is A.J.’s mother and one of whom is A.J.’s

       sister, that A.J. has a reputation for lying. Further, during his closing

       arguments, Norton repeatedly stated that A.J. has a reputation for lying.

       Accordingly, Norton was still able to place evidence of A.J.’s reputation for

       dishonesty before the jury. As such, any error in the exclusion of L.D.’s

       testimony regarding specific instances of dishonesty is sufficiently minor in light

       of all of the other evidence of her reputation for dishonesty such that it did not

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019         Page 15 of 26
       affect Norton’s substantial rights. See Tunstall, 124 N.E.3d at 1200. Norton has

       not demonstrated that the trial court committed reversible error on this issue.

                               Issue Four: A.G.’s Mental Health Records

[30]   Norton next asserts that the trial court abused its discretion when it did not

       allow him to review A.G.’s mental health records from Deaconess. This Court

       previously provided that

               [o]ur standard of review in discovery matters is abuse of
               discretion. Thus, we will reverse only where the trial court has
               reached an erroneous conclusion which is clearly against the
               logic and effect of the facts of the case. . . . Moreover, due to the
               fact-sensitive nature of discovery matters, the ruling of the trial
               court is cloaked in a strong presumption of correctness on appeal.
               We may affirm the trial court’s ruling if it is sustainable on any
               legal basis in the record, even though this was not the reason
               enunciated by the trial court.

       Williams v. State, 819 N.E.2d 381, 384-85 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). Pursuant to

       statute, “[a] patient’s mental health record is confidential and shall be disclosed

       only with the consent of the patient unless otherwise provided[.]” Ind. Code. §

       16-39-2-3. Further, “[e]xcept as provided in section 8 of this chapter, the

       mental health record is not discoverable or admissible in any legal proceeding

       without the consent of the patient.” I.C. § 16-39-2-7.

[31]   Here, there is no dispute that A.G.’s father did not give consent for Norton to

       review A.G.’s mental health records. Accordingly, Norton had to seek release

       of the records pursuant to Indiana Code Section 16-39-2-8, which provides that

       the court “may order the release of the patient’s mental health record without
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019        Page 16 of 26
       the patient’s consent upon the showing of good cause following a hearing under

       IC 16-39-3[.]” That chapter of the Indiana Code allows the trial court to release

       mental health records if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that:

       “(1) other reasonable methods of obtaining the information are not available or

       would not be effective; and (2) the need for disclosure outweighs the potential

       harm to the patient.” I.C. § 16-39-3-7. 4

[32]   In support of his request for access to A.G.’s records, Norton asserted to the

       trial court that he should be allowed to review those records because they were

       material to his defense. In essence, Norton alleged that the need for disclosure

       of A.G.’s mental health records outweighed the potential harm to A.G.

       However, Norton made no showing to the trial court, and makes no contention

       on appeal, that “other reasonable methods of obtaining the information [we]re

       not available or would not be effective.” I.C. § 16-39-3-7(1). Indeed, Norton

       does not allege that he was denied an opportunity to question A.G., either

       before or during trial, about whether she had discussed the alleged molestation

       with her mental health provider.

[33]   After the court denied Norton access to A.G.’s mental health records, Norton

       could have recalled A.G. as a witness and asked her, while she was under oath,

       4
          Generally, a person seeking access to a patient’s mental health records without the patient’s consent must
       file a petition with the trial court, I.C. § 16-39-3-3, and provide notice of a hearing to be conducted at least
       fifteen days prior to the hearing to the patient’s guardian if the patient is a minor, as is the case here, and to
       the provider that maintains the records. I.C. § 16-39-3-4. There is no dispute that Norton did not comply
       with either of those statutory requirements. However, at the hearing on Deaconess’ motion to quash
       Norton’s subpoena, both Deaconess and A.G.’s father waived those two requirements.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019                                   Page 17 of 26
       if she had received inpatient treatment from Deaconess approximately one

       month after she had made the allegations against Norton and if she had

       disclosed to her service providers that she had been the victim of intimate

       crime. That is the same information he asserts he would have learned from her

       mental health records. Because Norton could have obtained the same

       information from A.G. that he could have obtained from a review of her mental

       health records, the trial court properly declined to release the records to him. 5

       See I.C. § 16-39-3-7 (providing that a court may release mental health records if

       the court finds that other reasonable methods of obtaining the information are

       not available). 6

                                     Issue Five: Failure to Remove Juror

[34]   Norton next contends that the trial court erred when it failed to remove Juror

       Number Six during the trial. It is well settled that the “right to a fair trial before

       an impartial jury is a cornerstone of our criminal justice system.” Whiting v.

       State, 969 N.E.2d 24, 28 (Ind. 2012). As this Court has recently stated:

                Article 1, § 13, of the Indiana Constitution guarantees a
                defendant’s right to an impartial jury; therefore, a biased juror
                must be dismissed. . . . Trial courts have broad discretion in

       5
         To the extent Norton contends that the trial court erred when it failed to make a “particularized finding”
       under Indiana Code 16-39-3-7, Norton has not directed us to any authority to support his position. Reply Br.
       at 14. Rather, the plain language of that statute allows a court to either release mental health records or not.
       That statute does not contain any requirement for the court to issue a finding that explains its reasoning.
       6
         We note that the trial court denied Norton access to the records based on its conclusion that they were “not
       related to this event.” Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 45. However, we may affirm the trial court’s ruling if it is
       sustainable on any legal basis in the record, even though this was not the reason enunciated by the trial court.
       Williams, 819 N.E.2d at 384-85.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019                               Page 18 of 26
                determining whether to replace a juror with an alternate, and we
                will only reverse such determinations where we find them to be
                arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion. As the trial court
                is in the best position to assess the juror and the juror’s ability to
                perform his or her duties, our review of the trial court’s decisions
                in these matters is highly deferential.

       Gridley v. State, 121 N.E.3d 1071, 1076 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019) (cleaned up).

       Further, as the trial court is in the best position to assess the juror and the

       juror’s ability to perform his or her duties, “‘our review of the trial court’s

       decision in these matters is highly deferential.’” Id. (quoting May v. State, 716
N.E.2d 419, 421 (Ind. 1999)).

[35]   We first address Norton’s contention that the trial court abused its discretion

       when it denied his motion to strike Juror Number Six even though that juror

       knew A.J. 7 Norton maintains that the trial court abused its discretion because

       the juror could not remain unbiased given his familiarity with one of the

       victims. However, the trial court was in the best position to assess the honesty

       and integrity of Juror Number Six and his ability to perform as an impartial

       juror despite his prior encounters with A.J. When the juror informed the court

       that he knew one of the victims, the court questioned him about his ability to

       remain impartial. In response, Juror Number Six twice unequivocally stated

       7
          In his brief on appeal, Norton makes one argument that the trial court abused its discretion when it did not
       strike Juror Number Six based on that juror’s knowledge of both A.J. and Brittney. However, we will
       separately address whether the court abused its discretion when it denied Norton’s motion to strike the juror
       based on his knowledge of A.J. and whether the court erred when it did not remove that juror based on his
       knowledge of both individuals.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019                               Page 19 of 26
       that he could remain impartial. Accordingly, we cannot say that the trial court

       abused its discretion when it denied Norton’s motion to strike Juror Number

       Six based on his knowledge of A.J.

[36]   Norton also contends that the trial court erred when it failed to remove Juror

       Number Six after he had informed the trial court that Brittney, a spectator, was

       his stepbrother’s daughter. 8 Specifically, Norton contends that the trial court

       should have removed that juror after he recognized a second individual

       involved with the trial because it would be “impossible” for that juror to be so

       closely related to multiple individuals without having an “unconscious bias”

       toward them, which bias was a “threat” to his right to an impartial jury.

       Appellant’s Br. at 24. In essence, Norton maintains that the trial court should

       have removed Juror Number Six based on the cumulative effect of his

       knowledge of A.J. and Brittney.

[37]   But Norton did not move to strike that juror after the juror had informed the

       court of his familial relationship with Brittney. Because Norton did not raise

       this issue to the trial court, he has not preserved it for our review. And Norton

       8
         Brittney is also Norton’s ex-wife and the mother of one of Norton’s children. That child was a witness for
       the defense at trial.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019                             Page 20 of 26
       does not argue fundamental error in his principal brief on appeal. 9 Accordingly,

       Norton has waived this argument, and we do not consider it.

                                     Issue Six: Sufficiency of the Evidence

[38]   Norton next alleges that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to support

       one of his convictions for sexual misconduct with a minor, as a Level 5 felony,

       which relates to an allegation involving A.G. 10 Norton contends that the State

       failed to present sufficient evidence to support his conviction based on the

       instance in which Norton was “smacking [A.G.’s] butt.” Tr. Vol. III at 121.

       Our standard of review on a claim of insufficient evidence is well settled:

                For a sufficiency of the evidence claim, we look only at the
                probative evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the
                verdict. Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144, 146 (Ind. 2007). We do
                not assess the credibility of witnesses or reweigh the evidence.
                Id. We will affirm the conviction unless no reasonable fact-finder
                could find the elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable
                doubt. Id.

       Love v. State, 73 N.E.3d 693, 696 (Ind. 2017).

[39]   To prove that Norton committed sexual misconduct with a minor, as a Level 5

       felony, the State was required to show that Norton was at least twenty-one

       9
          Norton instead raised fundamental error for the first time in his reply brief, which is prohibited. See Curtis
       v. State, 948 N.E.2d 1143, 1149 (Ind. 2011).
       10
          Norton does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction based on this instance
       in which he rubbed A.G.’s vagina. Neither does he challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support either
       of his convictions that relate to A.J.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019                                 Page 21 of 26
       years old and that he fondled A.G., who was at least fourteen years of age but

       less than sixteen years of age, with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual

       desires of either Norton or A.G. I.C. § 35-42-4-9(b)(1) (2016). On appeal,

       Norton contends that the State presented insufficient evidence “to prove that

       there was any inappropriate touching or intent by Norton to arouse his sexual

       desires or the sexual desires of A.G.” Appellant’s Br. at 21. Specifically,

       Norton contends that the State failed to present sufficient evidence because

       A.G. initially interpreted Norton’s actions as “goofy” and because A.G. did not

       indicate that “Norton was aroused or doing things that one would expect an

       individual trying to become aroused would do.” Id. at 22.

[40]   It is well settled that the “element of intent of child molesting may be

       established by circumstantial evidence and inferred from the actor’s conduct

       and the natural and usual sequence to which such conduct usually points.”

       Wise v. State, 763 N.E.2d 472, 475 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002). Further, it is

       reasonable for the jury to infer that the intent existed even without a direct

       showing of that intent. See Altes v. State, 822 N.E.2d 1116, 1121 (Ind. Ct. App.

       2005).

[41]   Here, the evidence most favorable to the verdict shows that, after the family had

       returned from trick or treating, Norton followed A.G. into the kitchen and

       started “smacking [her] butt.” Tr. Vol. III at 121. And the evidence

       demonstrates that that event occurred on the “same night” that Norton had

       pushed A.G. onto the couch and rubbed her vagina, which Norton does not

       dispute he did with the intent to arouse either his or A.G.’s sexual desires. Id.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019        Page 22 of 26
[42]   As discussed above, we will affirm a conviction unless no reasonable fact-finder

       could find the elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Love,
73 N.E.3d at 696. Here, given the fact that Norton had smacked A.G.’s butt

       only a short while after he had engaged in other inappropriate behavior with

       her with the intent to arouse either his or A.G.’s sexual desires, a reasonable

       jury could infer that he had also “smack[ed her] butt” with the intent to arouse

       sexual desires. Id. Because a reasonable jury could find the elements of the

       crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt, we conclude that the State presented

       sufficient evidence to support Norton’s conviction for sexual misconduct with a

       minor, as a Level 5 felony. See, e.g., Meehan v. State, 7 N.E.3d 255, 258-59 (Ind.

       2014).

                                Issue Seven: Appropriateness of Sentence

[43]   Finally, Norton contends that his sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature

       of the offenses and his character. Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B) provides that

       “[t]he Court may revise a sentence authorized by statute if, after due

       consideration of the trial court’s decision, the Court finds that the sentence is

       inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and the character of the

       offender.” This court has recently held that “[t]he advisory sentence is the

       starting point the legislature has selected as an appropriate sentence for the

       crime committed.” Sanders v. State, 71 N.E.3d 839, 844 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017).

       And the Indiana Supreme Court has recently explained that:

                The principal role of appellate review should be to attempt to
                leaven the outliers . . . but not achieve a perceived “correct”

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019        Page 23 of 26
               result in each case. Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1225 (Ind.
               2008). Defendant has the burden to persuade us that the
               sentence imposed by the trial court is inappropriate. Anglemyer v.
               State, 868 N.E.2d 482, 494 (Ind.), as amended (July 10, 2007),
               decision clarified on reh’g, 875 N.E.2d 218 (Ind. 2007).

       Shoun v. State, 67 N.E.3d 635, 642 (Ind. 2017) (omission in original).

[44]   Indiana’s flexible sentencing scheme allows trial courts to tailor an appropriate

       sentence to the circumstances presented, and the trial court’s judgment “should

       receive considerable deference.” Cardwell, 895 N.E.2d at 1222. Whether we

       regard a sentence as inappropriate at the end of the day turns on “our sense of

       the culpability of the defendant, the severity of the crime, the damage done to

       others, and myriad other facts that come to light in a given case.” Id. at 1224.

       The question is not whether another sentence is more appropriate, but rather

       whether the sentence imposed is inappropriate. King v. State, 894 N.E.2d 265,

       268 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). Deference to the trial court “prevail[s] unless

       overcome by compelling evidence portraying in a positive light the nature of the

       offense (such as accompanied by restraint, regard, and lack of brutality) and the

       defendant’s character (such as substantial virtuous traits or persistent examples

       of good character).” Stephenson v. State, 29 N.E.3d 111, 122 (Ind. 2015).

[45]   The sentencing range for a Level 4 felony is two years to twelve years, with an

       advisory sentence of six years. I.C. § 35-50-2-5.5 (2019). And the sentencing

       range for a Level 5 felony is one year to six years, with an advisory sentence of

       three years. I.C. § 35-50-2-6(b). Here, the trial court identified as aggravating

       factors Norton’s criminal history, the fact that Norton was under court
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019      Page 24 of 26
       supervision when he committed the instant offenses, the fact that Norton has

       had multiple petitions to revoke his probation filed in previous cases, and that

       he had committed another offense while out on bond for the instant offense.

       And the court did not identify any mitigating factors. Accordingly, the court

       sentenced Norton to eleven years on the Level 4 felony conviction and to four

       years on each of the Level 5 felony convictions. The court then ordered one of

       the four-year sentences to run consecutive to the eleven-year sentence, for an

       aggregate sentence of fifteen years.

[46]   On appeal, Norton contends that his sentence is inappropriate in light of the

       nature of the offenses because the “evidence does not show that these particular

       crimes were any more egregious than other crimes of this type.” Appellant’s

       Br. at 37. And Norton contends that his sentence is inappropriate in light of his

       character because he “is a good father to two young children” and because “he

       had become sober.” Id.

[47]   However, Norton has not met his burden on appeal to demonstrate that his

       sentence is inappropriate. With respect to the nature of the offenses, Norton

       twice engaged in sexual misconduct with two victims, A.J. and A.G., both of

       whom were related to Norton’s girlfriend. And A.G. considered Norton to be

       part of her family. As a result of the offenses against A.J., A.J. was “bullied”

       by members of Norton’s family who attended the same school as A.J., and she

       had to attend counseling. Tr. Vol. IV at 209. Norton has not presented

       compelling evidence portraying the nature of the offenses in a positive light. See

       Stephenson, 29 N.E.2d at 122.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019     Page 25 of 26
[48]   As to his character, Norton has a lengthy criminal history that includes three

       prior felony convictions and eighteen prior misdemeanor convictions. Further,

       Norton was under court supervision when he committed the instant offense.

       Moreover, Norton has been given numerous opportunities to avoid

       incarceration in the past through alternative sentences, but he continues to

       commit crimes. We cannot say that Norton’s sentence is inappropriate in light

       of his character. We affirm Norton’s sentence.

                                                    Conclusion

[49]   In sum, we hold that: the trial court did not commit fundamental error when it

       did not sua sponte sever Norton’s trial or when it did not sua sponte admonish the

       jury regarding A.J.’s testimony of an event that had allegedly occurred in

       Kentucky; the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it did not allow

       Norton to question L.D. about specific instances in which A.J. was untruthful;

       the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it did not allow Norton to view

       A.G.’s mental health records; the trial court did not err when it did not remove

       Juror Number Six; the State presented sufficient evidence to support Norton’s

       conviction for sexual misconduct with a minor, as a Level 5 felony; and

       Norton’s sentence is not inappropriate in light of the nature of the offenses or

       his character. We therefore affirm Norton’s convictions and sentence.

[50]   Affirmed.

       Vaidik, C.J., and Tavitas, J., concur.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-872 | December 4, 2019     Page 26 of 26