Court Opinion

ID: 2745775
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-10-27 20:03:55.113536+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:54:19.931316
License: Public Domain

This opinion will be unpublished and
                         may not be cited except as provided by
                         Minn. Stat. § 480A.08, subd. 3 (2012).

                              STATE OF MINNESOTA
                              IN COURT OF APPEALS
                                    A13-2013

                                  State of Minnesota,
                                     Respondent,

                                          vs.

                                 Paul Ronny Barsness,
                                      Appellant.

                                Filed October 27, 2014
                                       Affirmed
                                    Chutich, Judge

                            Otter Tail County District Court
                                File No. 56-CR-12-1983

Lori Swanson, Attorney General, Michael Everson, Assistant Attorney General, St. Paul,
Minnesota; and

David J. Hauser, Otter Tail County Attorney, Fergus Falls, Minnesota (for respondent)

Cathryn Middlebrook, Chief Appellate Public Defender, Jenna Yauch-Erickson,
Assistant Public Defender, St. Paul, Minnesota (for appellant)

      Considered and decided by Chutich, Presiding Judge; Ross, Judge; and

Stoneburner, Judge.


 Retired judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, serving by appointment pursuant to
Minn. Const. art. VI, § 10.
                         UNPUBLISHED OPINION

CHUTICH, Judge

       Appellant Paul Barsness appeals his conviction of second-degree criminal sexual

conduct, alleging that the prosecutor committed three acts of misconduct. Because two

of the challenged acts are not misconduct, and the third does not affect Barsness’s

substantial rights, we affirm. Barsness also raises a pro se claim of ineffective assistance

of counsel, which we reject.

                                         FACTS

       Paul Barsness was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct for his

actions involving A.N., the ten year-old daughter of a co-worker. In late December 2011,

Barsness moved into the house of the co-worker and her family; he stayed in an upstairs

bedroom across from A.N.

       Shortly after Barsness moved out of the house in March 2012, a neighbor observed

Barsness grab A.N.’s arm and take her into the house. The neighbor thought Barsness’s

treatment of A.N. looked suspicious, so he followed them into the house.             A.N.’s

stepfather then came upstairs from the basement and asked Barsness to leave, which he

did.

       The neighbor told the stepfather that he was concerned about A.N. and was going

to contact the authorities. That night, A.N. told her stepfather that Barsness used to touch

her inappropriately when he lived with them. Although the stepfather did not report these

allegations, the neighbor contacted the sheriff and child protection and gave a full

statement of his concerns.

                                             2
       Fergus Falls Police Officer Kevin Sonstebo and a social worker met with A.N. a

few days later. Officer Sonstebo told A.N. they were meeting because he had received a

neglect report. Before he mentioned Barsness, A.N. volunteered that Barsness had been

touching her inappropriately. A.N. exclaimed that she “[couldn’t] take this anymore.”

When Officer Sonstebo asked what she meant, A.N. referred to Barsness. Sonstebo

arranged for a CornerHouse interview,1 and a Clay County social services worker drove

to Fergus Falls to conduct the interview later that same day.

       Based on A.N.’s CornerHouse interview, the Otter Tail County Attorney charged

Barsness with first-degree criminal sexual conduct—sexual penetration or contact with a

victim under 13 years old, and second-degree criminal sexual conduct—sexual contact

with a victim under 13 years old. See Minn. Stat. §§ 609.342, subd. 1(a), .343, subd. 1(a)

(2012). Before trial, the state gave no Spreigl notice.

       A.N. testified at the trial. She said that Barsness used his hand to touch her vagina

under her clothes. She also testified that Barsness carried her out of her bed and into his

room and, while both were clothed, repeatedly pushed his penis against her buttocks. She

said that on one occasion she tried to run away, but Barsness grabbed her and would not

let her leave. A.N. further testified that after Barsness returned to the house and spoke to

her, she told her stepfather about Barsness touching her. She also recounted meeting with

Officer Sonstebo and giving the CornerHouse interview.

1
  A CornerHouse interview is a protocol for questioning young children and involves,
among other things, the use of open-ended questions and anatomically correct drawings.

                                             3
       A.N.’s mother testified that although she never witnessed any inappropriate

behavior between Barsness and A.N., she had concerns about their “flirty” relationship

and considered asking Barsness to leave the house several times. The mother also stated

that, after moving out, Barsness twice returned to the house to bring her drugs. A.N.’s

mother said that the first time Barsness returned he told her, “I hope [A.N.] doesn’t say

anything.” On the second visit, he questioned the believability of A.N.

       Barsness’s counsel cross-examined the mother about Barsness’s girlfriend, asking

how often she stayed overnight at the house.          Counsel also asked if there was an

investigation into Barsness’s relationship with his girlfriend and if A.N. was questioned

by police about that investigation. On redirect, the state asked if there were issues with

the girlfriend. When the mother affirmed that there were, the prosecutor asked how old

the girlfriend was, to which the mother responded that she believed the girlfriend was 16.

She also stated that the girlfriend lived with her parents.

       A.N.’s stepfather also testified at trial.     He recounted the day that Barsness

returned to the house in April, and that immediately following his return, the neighbor

said he was calling the authorities. The stepfather also testified that after he asked

Barsness to leave that day, A.N. came to him in tears and said that Barsness came into her

room at night, carried her into his room, and touched her. He further testified that while

Barsness lived in the house, he was uncomfortable with Barsness’s interactions with A.N.

       On cross-examination of the stepfather, Barsness’s counsel again asked how often

Barsness’s girlfriend stayed at the house. On redirect, the state asked him about the age

of the girlfriend, which he also stated was 16.

                                              4
       Officer Sonstebo and the social services worker who conducted the CornerHouse

interview testified.   Officer Sonstebo detailed his relationship with A.N., and his

involvement with the case, including his meeting with A.N. about Barsness. The social

services worker explained CornerHouse interviews and discussed A.N.’s CornerHouse

interview.

       A video of the CornerHouse interview with A.N. was played for the jury. In the

interview, A.N. said that Barsness touched her vagina, breasts, and buttocks. She said

that on occasion Barsness laid next to her in bed fully clothed and that she could feel his

penis. She said that Barsness entered her room and carried her to his bedroom. She said

that most touching was over her clothes, but on one occasion he took off her underwear

and touched her vagina.

       Barsness testified in his defense and denied touching A.N. inappropriately.

During cross-examination, the state inquired as to the investigation about his relationship

with his girlfriend. The state asked Barsness if he was aware that the investigation

included the fact that he was providing methamphetamine to his girlfriend in exchange

for sex. Barsness said he was not aware.

       The jury acquitted Barsness of first-degree criminal sexual conduct but convicted

him of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The district court sentenced Barsness to

72 months in prison. This appeal followed.

                                             5
                                     DECISION

                            I.     Prosecutorial Misconduct

       On appeal, Barsness argues that the prosecutor committed three acts of

misconduct: (1) eliciting character evidence in the form of the girlfriend’s age,

(2) improperly shifting the burden of proof during closing argument, and (3) eliciting

Spreigl evidence without previously providing notice by asking Barsness about

exchanging methamphetamine for sex with his girlfriend. We address each in turn.

       Allegations of unobjected-to prosecutorial misconduct are reviewed under a

modified plain-error test. State v. Carridine, 812 N.W.2d 130, 146 (Minn. 2012) (citing

State v. Ramey, 721 N.W.2d 294, 302 (Minn. 2006)). The defendant must establish that

the misconduct was plain error. Id. An error is plain if it contravenes case law, a rule, or

a standard of conduct. Ramey, 721 N.W.2d at 302.

       Upon making this showing, the burden then shifts to the state to show that the

error did not affect the defendant’s substantial rights. Carridine, 812 N.W.2d at 146. A

plain error does not affect the defendant’s substantial rights if “there is no reasonable

likelihood that the absence of the misconduct in question would have had a significant

effect on the verdict.”    State v. Hohenwald, 815 N.W.2d 823, 834 (Minn. 2012)

(quotation omitted). Factors to consider include the strength of the evidence against the

defendant, the pervasiveness of the misconduct, and whether the defendant had the

opportunity or made efforts to rebut the impropriety. Id. at 835 (quoting State v. Davis,

735 N.W.2d 674, 682 (Minn. 2007)). Misconduct is examined both individually and

cumulatively to determine if it denied a defendant a fair trial. State v. Dobbins, 725

                                             6
N.W.2d 492, 506 (Minn. 2006). If the state does not meet this burden of showing the

errors did not affect a defendant’s substantial rights, this court will then assess “whether

it should address the error to ensure fairness and the integrity of the judicial

proceedings.” Davis, 735 N.W.2d at 682 (quotation omitted).

       A.     Character Evidence

       Barsness first claims that the prosecutor committed misconduct by eliciting

improper character evidence in the form of his girlfriend’s age. We disagree.

       A prosecutor may commit misconduct by attempting to elicit or actually eliciting

clearly inadmissible evidence, even if the district court does not rule on the admissibility

of the evidence. State v. Fields, 730 N.W.2d 777, 782 & n.1 (Minn. 2007). In general,

evidence of a person’s character or trait is not admissible to prove action in conformity

therewith on a particular occasion. Minn. R. Evid. 404(a). But rule 404(a) applies “only

when character evidence is used to show that a person acted in conformity with his

character. When character evidence is used for some other purpose, Rule 404(a) does not

apply . . . .” State v. Blair, 402 N.W.2d 154, 157 (Minn. App. 1987) (citation omitted).

       On cross-examination, Barsness questioned both the mother and stepfather about

how often his girlfriend stayed overnight. These questions were presumably to establish

that Barsness did not have the opportunity to commit the crimes charged. On redirect,

the prosecutor inquired into the girlfriend’s age to establish that not only did the

girlfriend live with her parents, but that she was 16 years old.

       We conclude that this line of questioning did not elicit impermissible character

evidence. The purpose of this questioning was to rebut the inference—first raised by

                                              7
defense counsel—that Barsness lacked the opportunity to commit his crime. Barsness

claims that the state could have established this point merely by asking if the girlfriend

permanently resided with him. But a 16 year-old who lives with her parents is far less

likely to spend time away from her residence than an adult, especially overnight. This

evidence was not used to show “action in conformity” with Barsness’s character. Minn.

R. Evid. 404(a). Because this evidence was used “to provide a factual background for the

jury’s understanding,” see Blair, 402 N.W.2d at 157, we cannot conclude that it was

misconduct.

       B.     Closing Argument

       Barsness’s next claim of prosecutorial misconduct regards the prosecution’s

rebuttal closing argument. Specifically, Barsness claims that the prosecution improperly

shifted the burden of proof by saying “I don’t care if there’s a lot of doubt; it can be bits

and pieces that don’t necessarily fit in the puzzle, but you can still see that picture of the

puzzle if there’s three, four, five, six pieces missing when there’s a hundred, or there’s

50, or 25.”

       This court reviews closing arguments in their entirety in determining whether

prosecutorial misconduct occurred. State v. Vue, 797 N.W.2d 5, 15 (Minn. 2011); see

also State v. Walsh, 495 N.W.2d 602, 607 (Minn. 1993) (“We look . . . at the closing

argument as a whole, rather than just selective phrases or remarks that may be taken out

of context or given undue prominence.”). Although the state has the burden to prove all

elements of the offense, State v. Race, 383 N.W.2d 656, 664 (Minn. 1986), the

                                              8
prosecution is not required to make a colorless argument, State v. Williams, 586 N.W.2d
123, 127 (Minn. 1998).

       Barsness relies on State v. Trimble, 371 N.W.2d 921 (Minn. App. 1985), review

denied (Minn. Oct. 11, 1985), to support his argument that the prosecutor improperly

suggested that the burden of proof depended on the quantity of evidence. In Trimble, the

prosecutor likened the presumption of innocence to a chalkboard, stating that as more

evidence is written on the chalkboard, the presumption of innocence gradually

disappears. Id. at 926. This court disapproved of this argument as it suggested that

reasonable doubt depended on the quantity of evidence. Id.

       Here, the prosecutor did use numbers in her closing argument. And, with her use

of “I,” she did inappropriately refer to her thoughts in the lead-in sentence to the puzzle

metaphor. But the puzzle metaphor itself was not used to quantify the presumption of

innocence or the burden of proof. Instead, the prosecutor likened reasonable doubt to a

puzzle, suggesting that even with a few pieces missing, the picture could still be seen.

She gave this example to rebut Barsness’s argument that reasonable doubt existed and to

contend that key pieces of evidence supported the charges.

       An examination of the closing argument in its entirety shows that the argument

appropriately focused on the facts elicited at trial. The statement at issue was but two

sentences in an argument totaling 47 transcript pages, and it was made to rebut

suggestions by Barsness regarding reasonable doubt. This statement was not misconduct.

       Nor do we conclude that this metaphor was an attempt to shift the burden of proof.

The prosecutor properly stated the burden of proof in her argument. In addition, the

                                            9
district court here informed the jury of the state’s burden of proof and gave a proper

definition of reasonable doubt. See State v. McDonough, 631 N.W.2d 373, 389 n.2

(Minn. 2001) (“[A] prosecutor’s attempts to shift the burden of proof are often

nonprejudicial and harmless where, as here, the district court clearly and thoroughly

instructed the jury regarding the burden of proof.”)

         C.    Spreigl Evidence

         Barsness further asserts that the prosecutor committed plain error by asking him if

he was aware the investigation involving his girlfriend included an allegation that he was

trading methamphetamine for sex.           Barsness argues that this improper question

referenced Spreigl evidence without following the required procedural protections. We

agree.

         “Evidence of another crime, wrong, or act is not admissible to prove the character

of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith.” Minn. R. Evid. 404(b).

This evidence may be used for other purposes, such as “proof of motive, opportunity,

intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident.”2 Id.

The danger of this evidence is that the jury may convict the defendant because of the

other bad acts and not because of the defendant’s guilt of the charged crime. State v.

Ness, 707 N.W.2d 676, 685 (Minn. 2006).             To use this evidence in a criminal

prosecution, “the prosecutor gives notice of its intent to admit the evidence consistent

with the Rules of Criminal Procedure . . . .” Minn. R. Evid. 404(b); see also State v.

2
 This evidence is referred to in Minnesota as Spreigl evidence after State v. Spreigl, 272
Minn. 488, 139 N.W.2d 167 (1965).

                                             10
Coonrod, 652 N.W.2d 715, 720 (Minn. App. 2002) (“The state must provide the defense

with written pretrial notice of any evidence of other crimes or bad acts that it intends to

present at trial . . . .”), review denied (Minn. Jan. 21, 2003).

       Minnesota Rule of Criminal Procedure 7.02 sets forth the requirements for

introducing evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or act. The prosecutor must notify the

defendant in writing of any bad act that may be offered at trial under Minnesota Rule of

Evidence 404(b). Minn. R. Crim. P. 7.02, subd. 1. No notice is required if the bad act

was previously prosecuted, is offered to rebut the defendant’s character evidence, or

arises out of the same episode as the charged offense. Id. In felony cases, this notice

must be given at or before the Omnibus hearing, or as soon as the other bad act becomes

known to the prosecutor. Id., subd. 4(a).

       The question about the nature of the state’s investigation of Barsness’s

relationship with his girlfriend referenced evidence of a bad act otherwise prohibited by

rule 404(b). And the parties do not dispute that no Spreigl notice was given. Failure to

give notice of Spreigl evidence contravenes Minnesota Rule of Criminal Procedure 7.02

and is error. Cf. Coonrod, 652 N.W.2d at 720-21 (holding that failure to provide Spreigl

notice was not harmless error). Accordingly, Barsness has met his burden of showing

error that was plain. See Ramey, 721 N.W.2d at 302.

       Rule 7.02, subdivision 1 does provide an exception to the notice requirement,

however; if the defendant opens the door, the state may then offer evidence of other bad

acts without notice to rebut the defendant’s character evidence. Minn. R. Crim. P. 7.02,

subd. 1(b); see also State v. Bailey, 732 N.W.2d 612, 622 (Minn. 2007) (discussing the

                                               11
“opening the door” doctrine). Here, Barsness did not open the door to inquiry into the

substance of the investigation by eliciting testimony that there was an investigation.

Because Barsness did not present character evidence for the state to rebut, this exception

does not apply.

      Furthermore, Barsness’s questions about the investigation were to support his

claim about the substance of his conversation with A.N. in April 2012. He claims that

when he asked A.N. if she talked to the police, he meant this investigation and not the

criminal sexual conduct at issue here. These questions did not open the door to inquiry

about the substance of the investigation. See Minn. R. Crim. P. 7.02, subd. 1(b).

      D.     Substantial Rights

      Once a defendant establishes plain error, the burden then shifts to the state to show

that the error did not affect the defendant’s substantial rights. Ramey, 721 N.W.2d at

302. This burden requires a showing that “there is no reasonable likelihood that the

absence of the misconduct in question would have had a significant effect on the verdict

of the jury.” Id. (quotation omitted). In assessing this showing, we consider the strength

of the evidence against the defendant, the pervasiveness of the misconduct, and the

defendant’s opportunity and efforts to rebut the impropriety. Davis, 735 N.W.2d at 682.

We examine misconduct both individually and cumulatively to determine if it denied a

defendant a fair trial. Dobbins, 725 N.W.2d at 506.

      Applying these principles, we conclude that the isolated error did not have a

significant effect on the verdict. First, the state’s case was strong. A.N. gave testimony

detailing the sexual contact between herself and Barsness largely consistent with her

                                            12
CornerHouse interview, while the jury heard and received a transcript of that recording.

Officer Sonstebo testified that A.N. brought up the sexual contacts without him first

telling her why she was being interviewed. The mother and the stepfather testified about

their concerns over the nature of Barsness’s relationship with A.N. And a neighbor

noticed inappropriate behavior by Barsness toward A.N. that caused him to contact the

authorities.

       Second, the misconduct was not pervasive: the sole plain error—the question

regarding the nature of the state’s investigation—was limited to a single question.

Although the prosecutor referenced in closing that A.N. saw Barsness do drugs with his

girlfriend, she did not reference an exchange of drugs for sex. Furthermore, the effect of

this question was lessened because the jury was properly informed that an attorney’s

questions are not evidence. This single error did not affect Barsness’s substantial rights.3

       Finally, the jury acquitted Barsness of the more serious charge. Acquittal suggests

that alleged misconduct did not play a substantial role in a conviction.            State v.

Fitzgerald, 382 N.W.2d 892, 896 (Minn. App. 1986), review denied (Minn. Apr. 24,

1986); cf. Davis, 735 N.W.2d at 682 (reasoning that misconduct did not affect substantial

rights because of an acquittal of one charge). Upon this record, “there is no reasonable

likelihood that the absence of the misconduct in question would have had a significant

effect on the verdict.” Hohenwald, 815 N.W.2d at 834 (quotation omitted).

3
   Even cumulatively, the errors alleged by Barsness were not pervasive. The inquiries
into the girlfriend’s age and the prosecutor’s statement in closing make up little more
than one page of the transcript in a trial that ran for three days.

                                             13
                         II.    Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

       In a pro se supplemental brief, Barsness argues that he was denied effective

assistance of counsel. Barsness bases this claim on three aspects of his trial counsel’s

performance: (1) trial counsel’s failure to object to the above-discussed instances of

alleged prosecutorial misconduct, (2) communication difficulties with trial counsel, and

(3) trial counsel’s failure to present certain evidence and call witnesses in his defense.

       A defendant has the right to effective assistance of trial counsel, which we

examine under a two-prong analysis. State v. Bobo, 770 N.W.2d 129, 137 (Minn. 2009)

(citing Strickland v. Washington, 446 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064 (1984)).

Under the first prong, a defendant must show that counsel’s performance was deficient,

meaning it “fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.” Id. at 138 (quotation

omitted). Under the second prong, a defendant must show that the errors so prejudiced

the defendant that a different outcome would have resulted but for the error. Id. (citing

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068).

       We reject Barsness’s contention that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to

object to the alleged prosecutorial misconduct.       As we discussed above, Barsness’s

substantial rights were not prejudiced by the plain error the prosecutor committed in

asking one question. If prosecutorial misconduct does not affect the outcome of a trial,

then a defendant is not prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure to object to the misconduct.

Dobbins, 725 N.W.2d at 513.

       To the extent that Barsness’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel relates to

communication issues and evidence not presented, it cannot be determined on the record

                                             14
before us. A postconviction hearing is necessary if the trial court record is insufficient to

allow proper appellate review of these claims. Voorhees v. State, 627 N.W.2d 642, 649

(Minn. 2001). We therefore reject these aspects of Barsness’s claim without prejudice to

his right to attempt to develop and present this claim in postconviction proceedings. See

State v. Barnes, 713 N.W.2d 325, 335 (Minn. 2006).

       Affirmed.

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