Court Opinion

ID: 9947849
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-05 19:09:43.324763+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:38.059320
License: Public Domain

This opinion is nonprecedential except as provided by
                         Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 136.01, subd. 1(c).

                               STATE OF MINNESOTA
                               IN COURT OF APPEALS
                                     A23-0587

                                   State of Minnesota,
                                      Respondent,

                                            vs.

                                 Reginald Scott Hubbard,
                                        Appellant.

                                   Filed March 4, 2024
                                         Affirmed
                                      Florey, Judge *

                         Yellow Medicine County District Court
                                File No. 87-CR-22-418

Keith Ellison, Attorney General, Lisa Lodin, Assistant Attorney General, St. Paul,
Minnesota; and

Mark Gruenes, Yellow Medicine County Attorney, Granite Falls, Minnesota (for
respondent)

Cathryn Middlebrook Chief Appellate Public Defender, Gina D. Schultz, Assistant Public
Defender, St. Paul, Minnesota (for appellant)

         Considered and decided by Reyes, Presiding Judge; Larson, Judge; and Florey,

Judge.

* Retired judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, serving by appointment pursuant to

Minn. Const. art. VI, § 10.
                           NONPRECEDENTIAL OPINION

FLOREY, Judge

       On appeal from his conviction of felony domestic assault–harm, appellant requests

a new trial because (1) the prosecutor committed prejudicial misconduct during closing

argument and (2) the district court abused its discretion by excluding relevant evidence.

Appellant also raises several issues in a pro se supplemental brief. We affirm.

                                          FACTS

       In September 2022, respondent State of Minnesota charged appellant Reginald Scott

Hubbard with one count of felony domestic assault–harm in violation of Minnesota

Statutes section 609.2242, subdivision 4 (2022), and one count of felony domestic assault–

fear, also in violation of Minnesota Statutes section 609.2242, subdivision 4. The charges

concern appellant’s involvement in the assault of his girlfriend, T.E., on September 1, 2022.

Trial proceedings

       During voir dire, appellant’s counsel asked the prospective jurors about implicit and

unconscious bias and then said, “To me it’s clear that all of us . . . everybody in this room

except for Mr. Hubbard is white. Mr. Hubbard is the only black person in the room.” After

the jury had been sworn in, the court instructed the jury on implicit bias and told the jury

that “[n]othing the attorneys [said] during the trial, including opening and closing

arguments [was] evidence.”

       The state called T.E. as its first witness. T.E. testified that, on the night of the

incident, she was getting ready to take a shower when appellant appeared in the bathroom

doorway and dragged her by her hair and arm to the bedroom. T.E. remembers appellant

                                             2
yelling that she set him up, but she was unsure what he was talking about. Then appellant

took an ashtray and hit T.E. in the leg. T.E. believes that appellant punched her and then

put his hands around her neck. T.E.’s roommate, D.B., came into the room, removed

appellant from on top of T.E. and called the police. The altercation resulted in a cut between

T.E.’s eyebrows and blood on T.E.’s face and leg. The state offered into evidence a

photograph showing T.E.’s leg and the ashtray.

       The responding officer testified that he was advised by dispatch of a domestic

disturbance at T.E.’s home. Once he arrived at the residence, he noticed bruising on T.E.’s

body and a mark on her lower leg. T.E. told the officer that she was about to take a shower

when appellant chased her out of the bathroom. T.E. and appellant went into her bedroom

and appellant became upset and attacked her. The state offered into evidence two more

photographs of T.E. that depicted bruising on her body.

       Appellant testified that on September 1, he received text messages from T.E.

Defense counsel showed appellant photographs of the text messages on appellant’s phone

and appellant testified that he recognized the messages and that they were from T.E.

because her number appeared at the top of the screen. Defense counsel offered the

photographs of appellant’s text messages into evidence. Before the district court ruled on

the exhibits, the state requested to voir dire the witness. The state asked appellant if he had

photographs in front of him. Appellant responded: “No, it’s my text from my phone. It’s

my call logs and my text message between me and [T.E.].” Appellant testified that an

investigator took the photographs of his phone. And after appellant expressed some

confusion, the prosecutor said, “I’m just trying to figure out where these came from.”

                                              3
Appellant responded, “Okay, well, I don’t know what you’re trying to ask me because for

the simple fact that—I say she took the pictures of my phone, my call logs—and my texts.”

The state made no objection to the exhibits and the court received both.

       Appellant also testified that on September 1, he told officers how long he had been

downstairs in the home: “I told the officer exactly how long I had been down there. Like,

I said—I told him—when I told him that I got hit on the head with a lighter or something.

I told him that I had been down there like two hours.” When defense counsel asked for

clarification, appellant stated that “she threw” something at his head. Appellant also noted

that the object left a mark.

       Defense counsel then called the jailer who was present when appellant was booked

into jail. After the jailer was sworn in, the parties had a sidebar conference. The state said,

“[I]t’s my understanding that . . . there’s not going to be an assertion of self-defense.” The

state continued, “It’s my understanding that this witness is being called to say that upon his

arrest, he noted like a little scratch or injury on Mr. Hubbard’s forehead. I would submit

that that’s not relevant to . . . really anything here in the trial.” Defense counsel responded

that it would be relevant only to credibility: “[I]t’s [T.E.]’s credibility against Mr.

Hubbard’s. Mr. Hubbard testified that he had been struck by something thrown at him and

[the jailer] observed a mark at the approximate location.” The court found that the witness’s

proposed testimony was not relevant and did not allow the witness to testify.

       In its closing argument, the state outlined the elements of each charge and the

evidence that supported each element. The state also discussed how the jury was allowed

to assess appellant’s credibility and that the jurors should ask themselves if appellant had

                                              4
“a motive to lie.” The state continued: “I would submit to you that he does. And just ask

and consider his demeanor and way of discussing these events. Frankly, most of it was

rambling nonsense.” The state then discussed T.E.’s testimony. During defense counsel’s

closing argument, counsel discussed appellant’s text messages. Defense counsel argued

that the text messages indicated that T.E. was upset with appellant and suspicious of him.

       In its rebuttal argument, the state encouraged the jury to be skeptical of the text

messages that defense counsel introduced into evidence. The state argued that it was

unreasonable to glean from the messages that T.E. would fabricate an assault on herself.

And the state questioned the authenticity of the messages by suggesting, without evidence,

that the messages could have been altered by appellant. Appellant did not object to the

state’s closing arguments. The district court again instructed the jury that the attorney’s

arguments and remarks are not evidence. The jury found appellant guilty of both counts.

The district court adjudicated appellant guilty of count one, felony domestic assault–harm

and dismissed count two, felony domestic assault–fear.

       This appeal followed.

                                       DECISION

       Appellant requests a new trial because (1) the prosecutor committed prosecutorial

misconduct on two occasions during closing argument, and (2) the district court abused its

discretion by excluding relevant evidence.

I.     The prosecutor did not commit prosecutorial misconduct in closing argument.

       We ordinarily review an unobjected-to error under the “plain error test[,]” under

which “a criminal defendant must show that (1) there was an error, (2) the error was plain,

                                             5
and (3) the error affected the defendant’s substantial rights.” State v. Myhre, 875 N.W.2d

799, 804 (Minn. 2016) (citing State v. Griller, 583 N.W.2d 736, 740 (Minn. 1998)).

       When a defendant does not object to alleged prosecutorial misconduct during

closing arguments, “[w]e review the prosecutor’s statements under a modified plain-error

analysis.” State v. Davis, 982 N.W.2d 716, 726 (Minn. 2022). “Under this approach, the

defendant must establish the existence of an error that was plain . . . .” State v. Epps, 964

N.W.2d 419, 423 (Minn. 2021) (citing State v. Ramey, 721 N.W.2d 294, 302 (Minn. 2006)).

“An error is plain if it is clear or obvious, which is typically established if the error

contravenes case law, a rule, or a standard of conduct.” State v. Webster, 894 N.W.2d 782,

787 (Minn. 2017) (quotation omitted).

       If the defendant establishes plain error, “then the burden shifts to the State to

establish that the plain error did not affect the defendant’s substantial rights.” Epps, 964

N.W.2d at 423 (citation omitted). “Notably, a negative answer to any one of the three parts

of the plain error doctrine may end our analysis and a defendant’s quest for relief.” Id. at

423 (citing State v. Jones, 753 N.W.2d 677, 689 (Minn. 2008) (granting no relief for the

defendant because the alleged error could not have been plain) (other citations omitted)).

       A.     Prosecutor’s initial closing argument

       Appellant argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct by calling appellant’s

testimony “rambling nonsense.” Specifically, appellant contends that the prosecutor

“signaled to the jury that it could disregard anything about [appellant’s] testimony that did

not immediately make sense to them.”

                                             6
       “When assessing alleged prosecutorial misconduct during a closing argument, we

look to the closing argument as a whole, rather than to selected phrases and remarks.” State

v. Graham, 764 N.W.2d 340, 356 (Minn. 2009) (quotation omitted). It is “improper for a

prosecutor to give her own opinion about the credibility of a witness in closing argument.”

State v. Mayhorn, 720 N.W.2d 776, 786 (Minn. 2006). It is not misconduct, however, “for

the state to analyze the evidence and argue that particular witnesses were or were not

credible.” State v. Wright, 719 N.W.2d 910, 918-19 (Minn. 2006).

       Here, the prosecutor told the jurors that they were allowed to assess appellant’s

credibility because he took the stand and that they should ask themselves if appellant had

a motive to lie. The prosecutor continued: “I would submit to you that he does. And just

ask and consider his demeanor and way of discussing these events. Frankly, most of it was

rambling nonsense.”

       Appellant contends that the prosecutor and judge should have been aware of the

“effect such disparaging comments could have in the context of this particular

courtroom[,]” i.e., everyone in the courtroom was white except for appellant. Appellant

points out that he clearly comes from a different background than the jury, and therefore

the jury had to listen carefully to his testimony to ensure that they did not miss anything

due to cultural differences. Appellant argues that instead of being mindful of this, the

prosecutor told the jurors that they could ignore whatever they did not immediately

understand. Appellant’s argument is unpersuasive.

       First, the prosecutor did not tell the jurors that they should ignore anything about

appellant’s testimony they did not understand. The prosecutor told the jury to think about

                                             7
whether appellant had a motive to lie. The prosecutor offered that appellant did have a

motive to lie and noted appellant’s testimony as support. Second, appellant fails to cite any

legal authority in which this court or the supreme court have found error in similar

situations. And third, the court instructed the jury on implicit bias, and we assume that the

jury followed the district court’s instructions. See State v. Vang, 774 N.W.2d 566, 578

(Minn. 2009).

       And even if the prosecutor interjected their personal opinion about the appellant’s

credibility, plain error does not exist. In State v. Powers, the prosecutor said during closing

argument, “Well I’m not sure I have the energy to dignify and talk to you about Vernon

Powers’ testimony in here. I just don’t think I can do that, and I’m not going to.” 654

N.W.2d 667, 678-79 (Minn. 2003). The supreme court concluded that it did seem like the

prosecutor expressed an opinion on the defendant’s credibility but held that the statement

did not amount to misconduct because it was only two sentences in an argument that

“amounted to over 20 transcribed pages.” Id. at 679. In State v. Starkey, 516 N.W.2d 918,

928 (Minn. 1994), the prosecutor said during closing, “I mean, I find that impossible to

believe that, if that is in fact the fact.” The court held that “[a]lthough the prosecutor’s

statement was inappropriate, [the court did] not believe it was prejudicial.” Id.

       Here, the prosecutor did not go as far as saying that appellant’s testimony was a lie.

Nor did the prosecutor say that appellant’s testimony was impossible to believe. And even

though the prosecutor’s closing argument was not 20 transcribed pages, the prosecutor’s

statement was one sentence in six transcribed pages and immediately following the

                                              8
prosecutor’s statement, the prosecutor discussed T.E.’s testimony. Overall, when taking

the prosecutor’s argument as a whole, we conclude that no plain error exists.

       Even if we were to assume without deciding that the prosecutor’s argument was

plain error, any such error did not affect the appellant’s substantial rights.

       If a defendant establishes plain error, the burden shifts to the state to show that “the

plain error did not affect the defendant’s substantial rights.” Epps, 964 N.W.2d at 423

(citation omitted). To meet this burden, the state must show that there is “no reasonable

likelihood” that the misconduct significantly affected the verdict. State v. Dye, 871 N.W.2d

916, 925 (Minn. App. 2015). Relevant factors include “‘the strength of the evidence against

the defendant, the pervasiveness of the improper suggestions, and whether the defendant

had an opportunity to (or made efforts to) rebut the improper suggestions.’” Id. (quoting

State v. Davis, 735 N.W.2d 674, 682 (Minn. 2007)).

       As to the prosecutor’s statement in their initial closing argument, there is no

reasonable likelihood that the misconduct significantly affected the verdict. First, there was

strong evidence of appellant’s guilt. Appellant’s testimony places him at the home at the

time of the incident. The responding officer testified that he was advised by dispatch of a

domestic disturbance at T.E.’s home. And after he arrived at the residence and spoke with

T.E., he noticed bruising on T.E.’s body and a mark on her lower leg. The officer testified

that T.E. told him that appellant got upset and attacked her. T.E. testified that on the night

of the incident she remembers that appellant was yelling that she set him up, and then

appellant took an ashtray and hit her in the leg. Moreover, through both the testimony of

                                               9
T.E. and the officer, the state offered several photographs of T.E.’s injuries and a

photograph of the ashtray to corroborate their testimony.

       Second, the prosecutor’s suggestion was not pervasive. Instead, the prosecutor’s

statement was one sentence in the initial closing argument and was directly followed by an

argument about T.E.’s testimony. And third, defense counsel did have the opportunity to

address the prosecutor’s statement but did not make efforts to do so.

       B.     Prosecutor’s rebuttal closing argument

       Appellant argues that the state committed misconduct in its rebuttal closing

argument by speculating that appellant “might have altered or manufactured evidence.”

Specifically, appellant argues that there was no basis in the record to speculate that

appellant altered or falsified the text messages between him and T.E.

       A lawyer for the state “may present all legitimate arguments on the evidence and all

proper inferences that can be drawn from that evidence in its closing argument.” State v.

Peltier, 874 N.W.2d 792, 804 (Minn. 2016) (quotation omitted) (first alteration in original).

But “a lawyer may not speculate without a factual basis.” Id. Nor may a lawyer “misstate

the evidence or mislead the jury as to the inferences it may draw.” State v. Smith, 876

N.W.2d 310, 335 (Minn. 2016) (quotation omitted). An argument is permissible and based

on “a reasonable inference” if “some evidence” supports it. See State v. Bobo, 770 N.W.2d

129, 142 (Minn. 2009).

       Even if we assume without deciding that the prosecutor’s argument was

unsupported by evidence and therefore plain error, any such error did not affect the

appellant’s substantial rights.

                                             10
       As noted above, once a defendant establishes plain error, the burden shifts to the

state to show that “the plain error did not affect the defendant’s substantial rights.” Epps,

964 N.W.2d at 423 (citation omitted). To show that a plain error did not affect a defendant’s

substantial rights, the state must show that there is “no reasonable likelihood” that the

misconduct significantly affected the verdict. Dye, 871 N.W.2d at 925. Relevant factors

include “‘the strength of the evidence against the defendant, the pervasiveness of the

improper suggestions, and whether the defendant had an opportunity to (or made efforts

to) rebut the improper suggestions.’” Id. (quoting Davis, 735 N.W.2d at 682).

       The state contends that there is no reasonable likelihood that the absence of the

misconduct would have had a significant effect on the verdict because (1) the state’s

evidence was strong, (2) it was unlikely that the prosecutor’s statement had a significant

impact on the jury because it occurred during the rebuttal, and (3) the court fully instructed

the jury on all relevant matters, including that closing arguments were not evidence. 1

Appellant counters that the state cannot prove that the prosecutor’s misconduct did not

affect his substantial rights because the evidence against him was “far from

1 The state, relying on State v. Ives, 568 N.W.2d 710, 713 (Minn. 1997), also argues that

defense counsel’s failure to object to the closing argument indicates that the state’s conduct
was not prejudicial. The Minnesota Supreme Court, however, recently rejected this
argument in State v. Portillo, __ N.W.2d __, 2023 WL 8610196, at *8 n. 9 (Minn. Dec. 13,
2023). The supreme court stated that “[b]ecause the modified plain-error test that we
articulated in Ramey applies precisely to unobjected-to allegations of prosecutorial error,
we decline to again consider the lack of an objection by defense counsel as a factor
suggesting a lack of prejudice to the defendant.” Id. Based on Portillo, we decline to
consider defense counsel’s lack of objection as a factor suggesting lack of prejudice.

                                             11
overwhelming[,]” the errors were pervasive, and appellant could not effectively rebut the

misconduct. We are not persuaded by appellant’s argument.

         First, as mentioned above, the record contains strong evidence of appellant’s guilt.

Second, the prosecutor’s statement about the text messages was couched between an

argument about the limited value of the text messages and a plea that the jury look at the

texts carefully. And third, even though defense counsel was not able to address the text

message comments because these statements were made in the state’s rebuttal, the district

court instructed the jury twice that the arguments and remarks of the attorneys are not

evidence, and we assume that the jury followed the district court’s instructions. See Vang,

774 N.W.2d at 578. Therefore, even if there was plain error, there was no reasonable

likelihood that the misconduct significantly affected the verdict.

         Appellant maintains that the cumulative effect of the prosecutor’s errors deprived

him of a fair trial. “An appellant may be entitled to a new trial in rare cases where the

errors, taken cumulatively, have the effect of denying [the] appellant a fair trial.” State v.

Fraga, 898 N.W.2d 263, 278 (Minn. 2017) (quotation omitted). Appellant, however, failed

to establish that more than one error existed.

   II.      The district court did not abuse its discretion by excluding evidence.

         Generally, “[a]ll relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided” by

law. Minn. R. Evid. 402. Evidence is relevant if it tends to make the existence of any fact

that is of consequence more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. Minn.

R. Evid. 401. “Evidentiary rulings rest within the sound discretion of the district court.”

State v. Ali, 855 N.W.2d 235, 249 (Minn. 2014). “We will reverse evidentiary rulings only

                                              12
if the district court clearly abused its discretion and the defendant was thereby prejudiced.”

State v. Miller, 754 N.W.2d 686, 700 (Minn. 2008) (quotation omitted). “A defendant is

prejudiced by an evidentiary ruling when there is a reasonable probability that without the

error the verdict might have been more favorable to the defendant.” Id. (quotation omitted).

“The defendant has the burden to establish both that the district court abused its discretion

and that the error was prejudicial.” Id.

       Appellant contends that the district court violated his constitutional right to present

a complete defense by excluding the jailer’s testimony about the mark on appellant’s head.

According to appellant, the jailer’s testimony corroborated his claim that T.E. assaulted

him earlier that day and would demonstrate “the strained relationship between him and

T.E., which in turn provided a possible motive for her to lie.” Relying on State v. Loving,

appellant characterizes this evidence as relationship evidence “that may be offered to show

the strained relationship between the accused and the victim and is relevant to establishing

motive and intent and is therefore admissible.” 775 N.W.2d 872, 880 (Minn. 2009)

(quotation omitted).

       Although appellant characterizes the jailer’s testimony as relationship evidence,

appellant’s purpose for offering the evidence was to attack T.E.’s credibility by showing

T.E.’s bias against appellant. Under Minnesota Rule of Evidence 616, a party may

introduce evidence of bias, prejudice, or interest of the witness for or against any party, to

attack the witness’s credibility. Evidence of bias, prejudice, or interest can be established

by extrinsic evidence. Minn. R. Evid. 616 1989 comm. cmt. Even if the jailer’s testimony

had a permissible purpose under Minnesota Rule of Evidence 616, his testimony was not

                                             13
relevant because it was not probative of the fact that appellant was assaulted, i.e., the jailer

did not have personal knowledge of how appellant received the mark. Therefore, the district

court did not abuse its discretion by excluding the jailer’s testimony.

    III.      Appellant is not entitled to relief on his pro se arguments.

         In a pro se supplemental brief, appellant raises several issues. Appellant argues that

the district court lacked jurisdiction, that there was insufficient evidence, that he received

ineffective assistance of trial counsel, that the majority of T.E.’s testimony was

inadmissible Spreigl 2 evidence, and that these errors in the aggregate severely prejudiced

him.

           First, appellant appears to argue that the district court lacked subject matter

jurisdiction. But “[o]ur state constitution provides a broad grant of subject matter

jurisdiction to the district court, providing that ‘[t]he district court has original jurisdiction

in all civil and criminal cases.’” In re Civil Commitment of Giem, 742 N.W.2d 422, 429

(Minn. 2007) (quoting Minn. Const. art. VI, § 3). Here, the complaint charged a criminal

offense. Therefore, the court had jurisdiction over the matter and appellant’s first argument

fails.

           Second, appellant appears to argue that there was insufficient evidence because his

conduct did not violate the felony domestic assault statute. In a criminal case, due process

requires the prosecution to “prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable

doubt.” State v. Culver, 941 N.W.2d 134, 142 (Minn. 2020). Here, the state was required

2 State v. Spreigl, 139 N.W.2d 167, 167 (Minn. 1965).

                                               14
to prove that appellant intentionally inflicted bodily harm on T.E. and T.E. was a member

of appellant’s household.

       The standard of review differs when a conviction was supported by direct evidence

versus circumstantial evidence. See State v. Horst, 880 N.W.2d 24, 39 (Minn. 2016). Direct

evidence is evidence that is “based on personal knowledge or observation and that, if true,

proves a fact without inference or presumption.” State v. Harris, 895 N.W.2d 592, 599

(Minn. 2017) (quotation omitted). When the elements of an offense are supported by direct

evidence, “we limit our review to a painstaking analysis of the record to determine whether

the evidence, when viewed in a light most favorable to the conviction, was sufficient to

permit the jurors to reach the verdict which they did.” Horst, 880 N.W.2d at 40 (quotation

omitted). The direct evidence based on the testimony of T.E. and the officer, who testified

about what they saw, and the exhibits introduced through their testimony, was sufficient to

allow the jury to find that appellant’s conduct violated the felony domestic assault statute.

See State v. Hohenwald, 815 N.W.2d 823, 832 (Minn. 2012) (explaining that when we

consider a claim of insufficient evidence, we review the record to determine “whether the

evidence and reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, viewed in the light most favorable to

the verdict, were sufficient to allow the jury to reach its verdict.” (quotation omitted)).

       Third, appellant argues that the vast majority of T.E.’s testimony was inadmissible

Spreigl evidence, and the prosecutor failed to give appellant notice that it was offering such

evidence. “Spreigl evidence is evidence of a defendant’s prior crimes, wrongs, or acts[.]”

State v. Asfeld, 662 N.W.2d 534, 542 (Minn. 2003). T.E. did not testify about appellant’s

                                              15
prior crimes, wrongs, or acts. Therefore, T.E.’s testimony was not Spreigl evidence, and

the state was not required to provide appellant with such notice.

       Fourth, appellant argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because

counsel failed to call T.E.’s roommate as a witness. “Generally, an ineffective assistance

of counsel claim should be raised in a postconviction petition for relief, rather than on direct

appeal.” State v. Gustafson, 610 N.W.2d 314, 321 (Minn. 2000). “A postconviction hearing

provides the court with additional facts to explain the attorney’s decisions, so as to properly

consider whether a defense counsel’s performance was deficient.” Id. (quotation omitted).

Accordingly, an appellate court may decline to address the merits of an ineffective

assistance of counsel claim if the record is insufficient. See id. The record before us is

devoid of information needed to explain defense counsel’s decisions.

       Lastly, appellant argues that these errors in the aggregate severely prejudiced him.

But “[c]umulative error exists when the cumulative effect of the errors and indiscretions,

none of which alone might have been enough to tip the scales, operate to the defendant’s

prejudice by producing a biased jury.” State v. Penkaty, 708 N.W.2d 185, 200 (Minn. 2006)

(quotation omitted). Appellant has failed to establish the presence of multiple errors.

       Affirmed.

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