Court Opinion

ID: 9579265
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:53:10.491236+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:34:11.356925
License: Public Domain

HARRIS, Justice.
This appeal is from a second-degree murder conviction. Bernice Hahn (defendant) was convicted for the shooting death of her husband at the couple’s home January 10, 1975. Because of private communications between the trial judge and a juror we reverse and remand the case for a new trial.
It is not disputed defendant’s husband, Donald Hahn, died as the result of a gunshot blast fired by defendant. Neither is it disputed that defendant had been severely beaten by her husband just prior to the shooting. The record clearly reveals during the couple’s 30 year marriage defendant was increasingly a prisoner of her husband’s violent rages during which she frequently had been severely beaten. She had been hospitalized at least once as the result of a beating and a number of times for emotional and mental illnesses. Decedent had a drinking problem. The severity and frequency of the beatings, defendant’s emotional problems, and decedent’s drinking problem all worsened with the passage of time.
At the time of the shooting the couple resided in an apartment in Cedar Falls. Their children had grown up and moved away. Defendant had held employment out of the home only briefly during the marriage. She quit outside employment to satisfy the wishes of decedent. Because defendant did not know how to drive an automobile the couple customarily arranged to do the weekly wash at a coin-operated laundry each Friday morning.
Before leaving for the laundry at 8:00 a. m. decedent drank an alcoholic beverage in the apartment. Also before leaving defendant prepared decedent’s dinner so it would be ready for him when they returned. Thereafter decedent drove defendant to the laundry and left her to attend the cleaning and folding of the clothes while he went to a bar. After completing her work she waited until decedent returned.
The couple then together went to two bars where they each consumed several drinks. Thereafter they shopped at a local grocery store and later went to a liquor store where decedent purchased the two half gallons of whiskey he expected to consume during the week. At decedent’s direction defendant mixed him a drink in the car as they drove back to the apartment.
When the couple returned home defendant immediately continued her preparation of decedent’s dinner. She continued the preparation even while conversing by phone with a daughter-in-law. The couple’s son had planned to visit. Such visits, for some reason, habitually caused decedent to become violently irritable. The call seemed to infuriate decedent and he began to complain about the meal. When the complaints continued defendant told him he should get one of his other women to work for him. Decedent flew into a rage and threw his tray of food at defendant and started beating her.
He beat her head against the wall and threw her to the floor. Repeatedly, when defendant tried to use the telephone, decedent continued the beating and eventually threw her down on the couch in the living room. Several times she tried to bolt for the front door but he threw her down.
After a period of a few minutes defendant asked if she could get a washcloth and wash her swelling lip. Decedent allowed her to do so. After washing her lip defendant went to the bedroom, took her shotgun out of its case, loaded it, and then cocked it *756loudly enough so decedent knew what she was doing.
She returned to the living room where decedent was sitting in a reclining chair and pointed the gun at him and stated, “You threatened to kill me, now I will you.” At this show of force decedent sneered and said, “You haven’t got the guts.”
The only serious factual dispute is whether decedent at this point started to get up in a threatening manner. At trial defendant testified he did. The State’s showing that decedent remained seated was based on a statement to that effect defendant gave officers immediately after the shooting. Of course we are bound to take the evidence in the light most consistent with the verdict and conclude decedent remained seated.
There is no dispute defendant then shot her husband and thereafter ran to the neighbors who called the police and summoned an ambulance. She explained to investigating officers, “He beat me so I shot him.” As indicated, decedent died from internal injuries caused by the gunshot wound.
Defendant was tried for murder in violation of § 690.1, The Code, and was convicted of second-degree murder (§ 690.3, The Code). In her appeal she raises 12 assignments of error. For reasons which will appear it is unnecessary to consider all 12.
I. Two of defendant’s assignments of error relate to private judge-juror conversations and the claimed effect of such conversations on jury deliberations. Taken together the assignments require reversal and a new trial.
During a trial recess a conversation took place between the trial judge and Craig Caslavka, a juror who later served as foreman. The conversation was initiated by the judge at a time when Caslavka was seated with other jurors in the jury box. The judge asked Caslavka to step aside for a moment. Other jurors seated in the jury box apparently saw and heard the request.
The judge and Caslavka then stepped out into the hall where the private conversation took place. The judge’s purpose in initiating the conversation was to learn whether Caslavka was related to another person named Caslavka who was then on trial for murder in Linn County, Iowa. The judge was interested in learning from Caslavka whether or not he could be a fair and impartial juror in this case if he were indeed so related.
Apparently Caslavka told the judge he was a brother of the defendant in the Linn County case but this fact would not impair his ability to be fair and impartial as a juror in the instant case.
Counsel for the State and for the defendant were not invited to participate in this private conversation and were not aware of it at any time during the trial. The conversation was not reported.
Another conversation, perhaps two more, between the trial judge and Caslavka took place in the Elk’s Club in Waterloo, where both took their meals. Apparently conversations at the Elk’s Club consisted only of the exchange of pleasantries. But another juror testified Caslavka reported to the jurors that he had had a nice chat with the judge but not about the case. One of the jurors believed the judge and foreman had taken their meal together.
During the second day of deliberations the jury went to lunch and resumed deliberations at 1:00 p. m. During the process of deliberations Caslavka told the other jurors, “I know Judge Degnan and he hates hung juries. He will let you hang for days if you don’t make a decision.”
The State believes error on these assignments was not preserved because not raised until after trial. In overruling the motion for new trial the trial court did not indicate such conversations did not occur. Rather, it noted discussions with counsel about Cas-lavka’s brother and the latter’s trial for murder. The trial court noted there had been no request for a record or for substitution of jurors.
Pursuant to § 786.4, The Code, defendant filed an unsigned bill of exceptions noting the informal discussion referred to by the *757trial court. But the bill of exceptions further noted defendant had not been advised at any time during the trial that the trial judge had conversed with the juror Craig Caslavka. The trial court refused to sign defendant’s bill of exceptions.
Such a refusal would ordinarily-render the bill insufficient to show what transpired. State v. Horsey, 180 N.W.2d 459, 461 (Iowa 1970) and authorities. However we are unable to find from the trial court’s holding that counsel were advised of the judge’s private conversation prior to the end of trial. Because we are as concerned with the fact of any judge-juror conversation as with the content of any such conversation we conclude the assignments should be entertained. See State v. Blackwell, 238 N.W.2d 131, 134-136 (Iowa 1976); State v. Cowman, 212 N.W.2d 420, 425-426 (Iowa 1973).
Section 777.19, The Code, provides: “If a felony is charged, the defendant must be personally present at the trial * * *.’ In Blackwell, supra, 238 N.W.2d at 134-136, we held a defendant has a constitutionally protected right to be present whenever the court communicates with a juror as to his impartiality. See also Illinois v. Allen, 397 U.S. 337, 338, 90 S.Ct. 1057, 1058, 25 L.Ed.2d 353, 356 (1970); Shields v. United States, 273 U.S. 583, 587-588, 47 S.Ct. 478, 479, 71 L.Ed. 787, 789 (1927). In Maier v. Illinois Central Railroad Company, 234 N.W.2d 388, 395 (Iowa 1975) we said:
“ * * * Few occurrences during trial or deliberations are quite so likely to cause reversal as a private communication between anyone, including a judge, and a juror. State v. Register, 253 Iowa 495, 504-505, 112 N.W.2d 648, 653 (1962); Daniels v. Bloomquist, 258 Iowa 301, 306-307, 138 N.W.2d 868, 872 (1965); State v. Grady, 183 N.W.2d 707 (Iowa 1971); State v. Snyder, 223 N.W.2d 217, 221-222 (Iowa 1974); 75 Am.Jur.2d, Trial, § 1001, pages 842-844; 89 C.J.S. Trial § 473, pages 115-117.” (Emphasis added.)
In Blackwell we held the complete record made of the judge-juror communications revealed there was no reasonable possibility of prejudice and, hence, defendant’s absence during the communications was harmless error. It is urged we should reach the same conclusion in the instant case. But here we cannot say there was no possibility of prejudice.
We are obliged to ignore statements or affidavits of jurors as to whether the communications influenced their verdict. The principle is well settled a juror may not by affidavit or testimony state what influenced the jury in reaching its verdict. State v. Berch, 222 N.W.2d 741, 747-748 (Iowa 1974).
Evidence of defendant’s guilt was not overwhelming. There was a conflict between defendant’s trial testimony and the taped statement she gave to arresting officers. But the two statements differed only in one important respect: whether decedent remained seated when shot. If the jury accepted defendant’s trial testimony they might well have acquitted her. This is especially true in view of the testimony of neighbors who heard the altercation. The jury might well have believed defendant secured the weapon in question only in order to escape another beating from decedent.
In any event the improper judge-juror conversations may well have caused vacillating jurors to accede to a conviction of second-degree murder rather than to a conviction of the lesser included offense of manslaughter.
Although the exchange of pleasantries between judge and juror is not necessarily error, see commentary ABA Standards Relating to the Function of the Trial Judge, § 5.2(b), the Elk’s Club conversations, taken together with the courthouse conversation, were error. Because it is impossible for us to find there was no reasonable possibility prejudice resulted from the conversations the judgment of the trial court must be reversed.
II. Among defendant’s other assignments are various other questions which may recur upon retrial. Defendant contends the statements taken in the tape-*758recorded interview should have been suppressed and not admitted at trial. She believes the statements were taken in violation of her “Miranda” rights. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). Defendant freely concedes she was given her Miranda warnings but argues she lacked mental capacity to understand their meaning. She believes she was unable to make a knowing waiver of her right to remain silent because her lack of mental capacity rendered the statements involuntary and inadmissible.
The burden is upon the State to prove by a preponderance of evidence defendant’s waiver was made knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently. State v. Conner, 241 N.W.2d 447, 454 (Iowa 1976); Lego v. Twomey, 404 U.S. 477, 489, 92 S.Ct. 619, 627, 30 L.Ed.2d 618, 627 (1972). We are obliged to make an independent evaluation of the totality of circumstances and determine whether defendant knowingly and intentionally relinquished her right to remain silent. In this evaluation we review the evidence de novo. State v. Snethen, 245 N.W.2d 308, 311 (Iowa 1976). Mental weakness, standing alone, does not render defendant’s statement inadmissible but is a fact to be considered with all other circumstances shown on the question of admissibility. State v. Fetters, 202 N.W.2d 84, 89 (Iowa 1972).
Loras Jaeger, a lieutenant with the Cedar Falls police department, took defendant’s statement. Jaeger testified in the suppression hearing that he advised defendant of her constitutional rights at the apartment. At that time defendant told Jaeger she understood those rights. The taped statement was taken at the police station. At the beginning of the 20 minute statement defendant demonstrated an ability to listen and comprehend the questions. She told her name and address, phone number, birth date, and place of birth. She was again given the Miranda warnings and again indicated she understood them. Defendant clearly detailed the events surrounding the shooting. In some respects those details were verified by police investigation. Defendant agreed to sign a patient waiver for her husband’s operation.
Defendant testified she was especially confused over the meaning of her right against self-incrimination. She supported her testimony with that of Dr. Gerald Strag, a clinical psychologist from Waterloo, who testified of defendant’s long history of mental illness. Defendant had been treated by Dr. Strag continually from the day after the shooting. It was Dr. Strag’s opinion defendant was unable to appreciate or understand the Miranda warnings.
From our de novo review we conclude the State showed by a preponderance of the evidence defendant voluntarily and intelligently waived her right against self-incrimination. We believe it was shown defendant’s mental condition did not deprive her of the essential capacity to understand the meaning of the Miranda warnings. The taped statement was voluntary and admissible.
III. In another assignment defendant claims she was entitled to a directed verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial court determined a jury question existed on this defense and instructed the jury of the State’s burden to show defendant’s sanity beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Thomas, 219 N.W.2d 3, 5 (Iowa 1974).
Defendant’s witness, Dr. Strag, testified defendant did not know what she was doing. Dr. Strag believed defendant was not in contact with reality and was suffering from a blackout. On the other hand the State offered testimony of Dr. Lloyd Spencer who also examined defendant. Dr. Spencer testified defendant recognized the difference between right and wrong at the time of the shooting. Sanity was clearly an issue for the jury to decide. State v. Snethen, supra, 245 N.W.2d at 316. Defendant’s contention to the contrary is without merit.
IV. Defendant contends her motion for directed verdict should have been sustained because the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt she acted with malice aforethought. Malice aforethought *759is an element of second-degree murder under § 690.3, The Code. However it may be inferred when an accused uses a deadly weapon. State v. Smith, 242 N.W.2d 320, 326 (Iowa 1976). Defendant’s motion for directed verdict was properly overruled on this ground.
V. Defendant separately complains of trial court rulings excluding direct evidence of two psychiatrists regarding the defenses of insanity and diminished responsibility. However there was no offer of proof of what any testimony would be in answer to questions to which objections were sustained. In the absence of an offer of proof we lack an adequate record to review the ruling. State v. Ritchison, 223 N.W.2d 207, 213 (Iowa 1974). The ruling of the trial court should also be affirmed because the subject was apparently established by other admitted evidence. State v. Hicks, 245 N.W.2d 319, 321 (Iowa 1976). Both of the psychiatrists otherwise expressed an opinion defendant did not know the difference between right or wrong when she shot her husband.
VI. Defendant also complains of a trial court ruling which limited her cross-examination of Dr. Lloyd Spencer who was called as a rebuttal witness for the State. On cross-examination the witness was asked two questions to which objections were sustained. On appeal defendant contends she should have been allowed to ask the witness whether he had an opinion, based on reasonable medical certainty, as to whether or not defendant was frightened of the decedent. On appeal defendant urges the question should have been allowed as a part of her constitutional right to confront witnesses. She cites various authorities including Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 39 L.Ed.2d 347 (1974).
However the constitutional right of confrontation was not a ground urged at trial. The objection considered and sustained by the trial court was that the question was not a proper subject for expert testimony. The constitutional basis for the objection was not urged until defendant’s motion for a new trial. It was therefore too late. See State v. Pelelo, 247 N.W.2d 221, 225-226 (Iowa 1976).
Defendant also challenges the trial court ruling limiting Dr. Spencer’s cross-examination on the same basis urged at trial. Defendant argues the answer sought by the two questions were a proper subject for expert testimony and that it was an abuse of the trial court’s discretion to sustain the objections. The witness’s opinion was sought on whether defendant acted out of malice. Another question, as indicated, sought the witness’s opinion as to whether defendant acted out of fear.
As to the question inquiring of the witness’s opinion of whether malice existed the offer of proof discloses the witness had no such opinion. As to the inquiry of whether the witness believed defendant acted out of fear the record is clear such testimony would have been repetitious of the witness’s other testimony in which he answered the question in the affirmative.
On this record there was no prejudice to defendant in the sustaining of the trial court’s rulings.
VII. Other assignments urged by defendant are not likely to recur upon the retrial. To discuss them in detail would unduly extend this opinion.
By reason of the matters discussed in division I hereof the judgment of the trial court is reversed and the case remanded for a new trial.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
All Justices concur except MOORE, C. J., who dissents.