State of WV v. Miller
Annotate this Case
September 1995 Term
_____________
No. 22716
_____________
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Plaintiff Below, Appellee
v.
CECIL M. MILLER,
Defendant Below, Appellant
__________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Pendleton County
Honorable Donald H. Cookman, Judge
Criminal Case 94-F-6
AFFIRMED
_________________________________________________________________
Submitted: September 26, 1995
Filed: December 13, 1995
Darrell V. McGraw, Jr., Esq. Lary D. Garrett, Esq.
Attorney General Garrett & Garrett
Dawn E. Warfield, Esq. William H. Bean, Esq.
Deputy Attorney General Bean & Bean
Charleston, West Virginia Moorefield, West Virginia
Attorneys for the Appellee Attorney for the Appellant
The Opinion of the Court was delivered PER CURIAM.
RETIRED JUSTICE MILLER sitting by temporary assignment.
JUSTICE ALBRIGHT did not participate.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. "The function of an appellate court when reviewing the sufficiency of
the evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to
determine whether such evidence, if believed, is sufficient to convince a reasonable person
of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, the relevant inquiry is whether,
after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rationale trier
of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proved beyond a reasonable
doubt." Syllabus Point 1, State v. Guthrie, ___ W. Va. ___, 461 S.E.2d 163 (1995).
2. "A criminal defendant challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to
support a conviction takes on a heavy burden. An appellate court must review all of the
evidence, whether direct or circumstantial, in the light most favorable to the prosecution and
must credit all inferences and credibility assessments that the jury might have drawn in favor
of the prosecution. The evidence need not be inconsistent with every conclusion save that
of guilt so long as the jury can find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Credibility
determinations are for a jury and not an appellate court. Finally, a jury verdict should be set
aside only when the record contains no evidence, regardless of how it is weighed, from
which the jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. To the extent that our prior cases
are inconsistent, they are expressly overruled." Syllabus Point 3, State v. Guthrie, ___ W.
Va. ___, 461 S.E.2d 163 (1995).
3. "'A judgment of conviction will not be reversed because of improper
remarks made by a prosecuting attorney in his opening statement to a jury which do not
clearly prejudice the accused or result in manifest injustice.' Syl. pt. 1, State v. Dunn, 162
W. Va. 63, 246 S.E.2d 245 (1978)."
4. "Subject to certain exceptions, pretrial discovery in a criminal case is
within the sound discretion of the trial court." Syllabus Point 8, State v. Audia, 171 W. Va.
568, 301 S.E.2d 199, cert. denied, 464 U.S. 934, 104 S. Ct. 338, 78 L. Ed. 2d 307 (1983).
5. "The traditional appellate standard for determining prejudice for
discovery violation under Rule 16 of the West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure involves
a two-pronged analysis: (1) did the non-disclosure surprise the defendant on a material fact,
and (2) did it hamper the preparation and presentation of the defendant's case." Syllabus
Point 2, State ex rel. Rusen v. Hill, 193 W. Va. 133, 454 S.E.2d 427 (1994).
6. "'Sentences imposed by the trial court, if within statutory limits and if
not based on some [im]permissible factor, are not subject to appellate review.' Syl. pt. 4,
State v. Goodnight, 169 W. Va. 366, 287 S.E.2d 504 (1982)." Syllabus Point 9, State v.
Hays, 185 W. Va. 664, 408 S.E.2d 614 (1991).
Per Curiam:
Cecil M. Miller appeals his two convictions of sexual assault in the second
degree and his two convictions of sexual assault in the third degree based on a jury verdict
in the Circuit Court of Pendleton County. On appeal, Mr. Miller alleges that several errors
by the circuit court including the court's failure to direct a verdict of acquittal on the second
degree sexual assault charges because of a lack of evidence of any coercion or intimidation
of the victim and the court's imposition of consecutive sentences for the second degree sexual
assault convictions. Because we find no merit in Mr. Miller's assignments of error, we affirm
his convictions and his sentences.
I.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
The victim, M. A.See footnote 1, testified that the defendant had sexual intercourse with her
on two occasions when she was about thirteen years old. The defendant was twenty-eight
or twenty-nine years old when the alleged assaults occurred. The first assault occurred in
late August 1990 or 1991, when M.A. was left alone with the defendant and George Miller
(the victim's stepfather and the defendant's brother) at the victim's home. George Miller told
M. A. that "Cecil [the defendant] wanted to do it." Without any discussion between M.A.
and the defendant, George Miller announced in front of the defendant that he would stand watch at the front door in case M.A.' s mother or siblings returned. M.A. and the defendant
then went to her mother's bedroom where they disrobed and had sexual intercourse after the
defendant had M.A. get on her hands and knees on the floor.
M.A. testified that she did not want to have sexual intercourse but did so
"because if I didn't, he [George Miller] would beat me." M.A. said that she had been forced
by George Miller into sexual intercourse with him since she was eleven years old and that
she was often beaten during these encounters.
The second assault occurred when M.A., the defendant and M.A.'s mother
were riding in a car along dirt road. M.A. thought the second assault occurred in the Fall
because the weather "was warm and the leaves were starting to fall off the trees." M. A.
thought the second assault may had occurred the same year as the first assault but was not
certain. Earlier that day George Miller had told M.A. that the defendant "wanted to make
love to me." After driving some distance, the defendant stopped the car, and M.A.'s mother
got out and walked down the road. M.A. said the defendant turned to her and said that "he
wanted to make love to me." Thereafter the defendant and M.A. had sexual intercourse in
the car. M.A. said that she did not want to have relations with the defendant but was
compelled because "if I didn't . . . he [George Miller] would always hit me."
The defendant denied that either assault occurred. The defendant said that
although his family had contact with his brother's family, including M.A., he and George
Miller, his brother, did not speak and had a poor relationship. The defendant also said that
in January 1989, he moved to Braxton County, in 1990 "[r]ight before school started" he moved to Craigsville and in 1992 he and his family moved to Ohio. Except for noting that
his move to Craigsville occurred in December 1990, several family members corroborated
the dates of the defendant's moves.
During the March 1994 term, the grand jury of Pendleton County returned
felony indictments against the defendant charging him with crimes of sexual assault in the
second and third degree against M.A. The first count charged the defendant with sexual
assault in the second and third degree based on a single incident that occurred on "the ___
day of ____, 1990." The second count charged the defendant with sexual assault in the
second and third degree based on another single incident that occurred on "the ___ day of
____, 1991." On March 24, 1994, the circuit court denied the defendant's request to have
his attorney interview M.A. On May 5, 1994, the defendant moved that the circuit court
direct the State to elect which counts of the indictment it would proceed upon. At the
hearing on the defendant's motion to elect, the prosecuting attorney noted that although there
was some confusion about the dates, both incidents probably occurred in 1990. The State
moved to amend the indictment. The circuit court also refused to amend the indictment or
to dismiss the indictment because an exact date was not specified.
After a jury returned guilty verdicts on all four counts, the circuit court
sentenced the defendant to serve the second degree sexual assault counts (not less that ten
(10) nor more than twenty-five (25) years in the penitentiary) consecutively and to serve the
third degree sexual assault counts (not less than one (1) nor more than five (5) years in the penitentiary) concurrently with each other and the second degree sexual assault sentences.
In other words, the defendant must serve a minimum sentence of twenty (20) years.
II.
DISCUSSION
In his appeal, Mr. Miller raises several assignments of error: (1) whether the
evidence of the victim's fear, coercion or intimidation was sufficient to support the verdict
of guilty of second degree sexual assault; (2) whether the circuit court erred in failing to
grant a dismissal because the State's failure to provide the defendant with the exact dates of
the alleged assaults; (3) whether the circuit court erred in failing to grant the defendant's
motion for the State to elect; (4) whether the circuit court erred in not granting a mistrial
because improper statements made by the prosecuting attorney; (5) whether the circuit court
improperly commented upon the defendant's testimony; (6) whether the circuit court erred
in failing to exclude statements made to the victim by her mother or her stepfather; (7)
whether the circuit court erred in failing to allow the defendant's attorney to interview the
victim; (8) whether the circuit court should have allowed an undisclosed rebuttal witness for
the State to testify; and (9) whether the circuit court erred in imposing consecutive sentences
for the two convictions of second degree sexual assault.
A.
Sufficiency of the Evidence
The defendant alleges that no evidence was presented to show that he was
aware of or responsible for any of the victim's fear, coercion or intimidation, and thus, his
convictions for second degree sexual assault should be reversed. Recently in State v. Guthrie, ___ W. Va. ___, 461 S.E.2d 163 (1995), we discussed the criminal standard of
review concerning the sufficiency of evidence. After reviewing the Supreme Court's
holdings in Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560, rehearing
denied, 444 U.S. 890, 100 S. Ct. 195, 62 L. Ed. 2d 126 (1979) and its progeny, we noted that
as an appellate court, our function was, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable
to the prosecution, to determine if any rationale trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the crime proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Syl. pt. 1 of Guthrie, supra, states:
The function of an appellate court when reviewing the
sufficiency of the evidence to support a criminal conviction is
to examine the evidence admitted at trial to determine whether
such evidence, if believed, is sufficient to convince a reasonable
person of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Thus, the relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence
in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rationale trier
of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
We then said that the defendant has a heavy burden when challenging the
sufficiency of the evidence and that "a jury verdict should be set aside only when the record
contains no evidence. . . from which the jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."
Syl. pt. 3, in part, Guthrie. In its entirety, Syl. pt. 3 of Guthrie provides:
A criminal defendant challenging the sufficiency of the
evidence to support a conviction takes on a heavy burden. An
appellate court must review all of the evidence, whether direct
or circumstantial, in the light most favorable to the prosecution
and must credit all inferences and credibility assessments that
the jury might have drawn in favor of the prosecution. The
evidence need not be inconsistent with every conclusion save
that of guilt so long as the jury can find guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt. Credibility determinations are for a jury and not an appellate court. Finally, a jury verdict should be set aside
only when the record contains no evidence, regardless of how
it is weighed, from which the jury could find guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt. To the extent that our prior cases are
inconsistent, they are expressly overruled.
When we review a conviction, we "may accept any adequate evidence,
including circumstantial evidence, as support for the conviction" (State v. Guthrie, ___ W.
Va. at ___, 461 S.E.2d at 174) because circumstantial evidence "'is intrinsically no different
from testimonial evidence.'" State v. Guthrie, ___ W. Va. at ___, 461 S.E.2d at 174, quoting
Holland v. U.S., 348 U.S. 121, 139-40, 75 S. Ct. 127, 137-38, 99 L. Ed. 150, 166 (1954),
rehearing denied, 348 U.S. 932, 75 S. Ct. 334, 99 L. Ed. 731 (1955). Syl. pt. 2 of State v.
Guthrie states:
There should be only one standard of proof in criminal cases
and that is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Once a proper
instruction is given advising the jury as to the State's heavy
burden under the guilt beyond a reasonable doubt standard, an
additional instruction on circumstantial evidence is no longer
required even if the State relies wholly on circumstantial
evidence.
Considering that scope of review and bearing in mind that "our review is
conducted from a cold appellate transcript and record. . . [,and] we must assume that the jury
credited all witnesses whose testimony supports the verdict" (Guthrie, ___ W. Va. at ____,
461 S.E.2d at 176), we look to the essential facts of the case at bar. W. Va. Code 61-8B-4(a)
(1991) states, in pertinent part, that "[a] person is guilty of sexual assault in the second
degree when: (1) Such person engages in sexual intercourse or sexual intrusion with another person without the person's consent, and the lack of consent results from forcible
compulsion. . . ."See footnote 2
In this case, the State alleged that the defendant did not forcibly compel M.A.
to have sexual intercourse; rather the forcible compulsion was came from George Miller, the
victim's step-father and the defendant's brother, and that the defendant was aware that this
compulsion intimidated M.A., who was younger than sixteen years old into having sexual
relations with the defendant, who was more than four years older than the victim.See footnote 3
The evidence in this case shows that the jury was entitled to find: (1) The
defendant had sexual intercourse with M.A. (2) The defendant knew in the first assault that
George Miller was forcibly compelling M.A. because, without any discussion between M.A.
and the defendant, George Miller told the defendant that he was going to watch for family
members when the defendant took M.A. went to the bedroom for the assault and because
M.A. testified that George Miller, who beat her to force her to have relations with him,
earlier told her to perform the act. (3) The defendant knew in the second assault that George
Miller, although not physically present, was forcibly compelling M.A. because of: (a) the
similar nature of the two instances, (b) the details of the car trip, including the car stopping
in a isolated area and the unexplained departure of M.A.'s mother from the scene, and (c)
M.A.'s testimony that George Miller told her to do it. See infra section II. D. discussing the
admissibility of statements by co-conspirators.
Based on our review of all the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, with all reasonable and credibility choices to be made in support of the jury's
verdict, we find sufficient evidence to support this conviction because any rational trier of
fact could find the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. In this case, we find that the prosecution established beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant
was aware of the forcible compulsion by a third party, which coerced the victim. We,
therefore, find the defendant's assignment of error alleging an insufficiency of evidence to
support a verdict of guilty of second degree sexual assault is without merit.
B.
Failure to Provide the Defense with Exact Dates
The defendant's second assignment of error is that he was prejudiced because
of the State failed to provide exact dates for the alleged assaults. Because of the State's
failure, the defense alleges an inability "to form an alibi defense because he did not know
exactly what the dates [of the crimes were] with which he was being charged." The grand
jury's indictment charged the first assault occurred "on or about the __ day of ___, 1990,"
and the second assault occurred "on or about the __ day of ___, 1991." On April 20, 1994,
the defense filed a Motion to Elect, requesting the State to specify the dates of the assaults.
The State responded by filing a motion to amend the indictment to allege that both assaults
"occurred on the __ day of ___, 1990 or 1991." At a hearing held on May 5, 1994, the
State, noting the victim's tender age and the existence of "some confusion, because these
events occurred several years ago", stated they had furnished the best information they had
on the dates. The State also noted that "time is not of the essence in this case."
The circuit court denied the State's motion to amend the indictment and the
defense's motions to elect and to dismiss. At trial, M.A. testified that the assaults occurred
in either 1990 or 1991, with the first assault taking place in late August and the second sometime in the Fall. However, she could not be certain whether the assaults took place in
the same or different years.
Recently in State v. Adams, 193 W. Va. 277, ___, 456 S.E.2d 4, 7 (1995), we
noted "that a defendant has a right under the Grand Jury Clause of Section 4 of Article III
of the West Virginia Constitution to be tried only on felony offenses for which a grand jury
has returned an indictment." Given M.A.'s testimony concerning the dates of the incidents,
we find that the grand jury indictment specifically related to the counts on which a guilty
verdict was returned. In State v. Scarberry, 187 W. Va. 251, 255, 418 S.E.2d 361, 365
(1992), we recognized that "an immaterial variance [in the person's name who owned the
stolen property] may be disregarded in the absence of prejudice to the accused;" however,
in State v. Scarberry, we found the variance in the alleged owner's name to be material
requiring a reversal. Our holding in State v. Scarberry, was based on State v. Crowder, 146
W. Va. 810, 836, 123 S.E.2d 42, 57 (1961), which noted that a "variance between the
indictment and the proof is considered material only where the variance misleads the
defendant in making his defense and exposes him to the danger of being put in jeopardy
again for the same offense."
In this case, the State provided the defense with all the information it had
concerning when the alleged assaults occurred. The information was provided in advance,
and the circuit court refused to grant the defense a continuance because determining the
"exact dates or even the exact years" was difficult in this case and that the defense had "just
as much information at this time as the State does. . . ." Given the circumstances of this case, we find that the indictment gave the defendant "fair notice of criminal charges to be brought
against him." State v. Adams, 193 W. Va. at ___ n.3, 456 S.E.2d at 7 n.3.
Because time is not an element of the crime of sexual assault, the alleged
variances concerning when the assaults occurred did not alter the substance of the charges
against the defendant. In State v. Chaffin, 156 W. Va. 264, 268, 192 S.E.2d 728, 731
(1972)(affirming a robbery conviction in which there was a variance concerning the time of
the commission of the crime), we found "[t]ime is not of the essence of the crime of armed
robbery. The date does not even have to be stated in the indictment. . . . Proof as to time is
not material where no statute of limitation is involved. (Citation omitted.)" See also U.S.
v. Kimberlin, 18 F.3d 1156, 1158-59 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, sub nom., Cockrell v. U.S., ___
U.S. ___, 114 S. Ct. 1857, 128 L. Ed. 2d 480 (1994)(quoting U.S. v. Morris, 700 F.2d 427, 429
(1st Cir.), cert. denied, sub. nom., Graham v. U.S., 461 U.S. 947, 103 S. Ct. 2128, 77 L. Ed. 2d 1306 (1983)("Where a particular date is not a substantive element of the crime charged, strict
chronological specificity or accuracy is not required."); Ronnie R. v. Trent, ___ W. Va. ___,
___, 460 S.E.2d 499, 506 (1995)(per curiam); State v. Hensler, 187 W. Va. 81, 84 n.1, 415 S.E.2d 885, 888 n.1 (1992); W. Va. Code 62-2-10 (1923)("No indictment or other accusation
shall be quashed or deemed invalid for omitting . . . the time at which the offense was
committed, when time is not of the essence of the offense. . .)."
Because time is not an essential element of the charged offenses, the alleged
variances did not substantially alter the offenses charged, the defense was not prejudiced by
any alleged variances, and the defendant was not exposed to the danger of being put in jeopardy to the same offenses, we find that the defendant's second assignment of error is
without merit. We find that the circuit court did not err in denying the defense's motion to
elect and to dismiss.
C.
Allegations of Improper Statements
The defendant alleges that improper statements were made by both the
prosecuting attorney and the circuit court. In his opening statement, the prosecuting attorney
alluded to the jury hearing from the defendant in this case. The following exchange
occurred:
MR. MOORE (prosecuting attorney): Now, ladies and
gentlemen, there's not going to be a great deal of evidence
presented in this case, because there's [sic] two people who
knows [sic] what happened in this situation -- that's [M.A.],
who's going to testify --
MR. BEAN (defense counsel): Objection at this point, Your
Honor. he's getting into argument now.
MR. MOORE: I'm just about through.
BY THE COURT: You may proceed.
MR. MOORE: Two witnesses, ladies and gentlemen of the
jury -- you're going to hear [M.A.]; you're going to hear the
defendant in this case --
MR. BEAN: Objection, Your Honor. He knows that's
objectionable. He said the defendant --
BY THE COURT: Mr. Moore, is that all?
MR. MOORE: Yes -- ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we
believe that after you hear the evidence in this case, that you will find that there's no question beyond a reasonable doubt that
this defendant is guilty. Thank you. (Emphasis added.)
Thereafter the defense moved for a mistrial, which was denied by the circuit
court based on its finding that any prejudice to the defendant could be cured by instructions.
Immediately following the above quoted exchange and the brief bench conference
concerning the motion for a mistrial, the defense in its opening statement indicated several
different times that the defendant would testify.See footnote 4
Syl. pt. 1 of State v. Dunn, 162 W. Va. 63, 246 S.E.2d 245 (1978), states:
A judgment of conviction will not be reversed because of
improper remarks made by a prosecuting attorney in his opening
statement to a jury which do not clearly prejudice the accused
or result in manifest injustice.
See State v. Guthrie, ___ W. Va. ___, 461 S.E.2d at 190; State v. Leadingham, 190 W. Va.
482, 438 S.E.2d 825 (1993); State v. Hobbs, 178 W. Va. 128, 358 S.E.2d 212 (1987)(per
curiam).
In State v. Clark, 170 W. Va. 224, 227, 292 S.E.2d 643, 647 (1982), we stated:
In West Virginia it has long been held that Article 3, § 5 of the
West Virginia Constitution and W. Va. Code, 57-3-6, make it is
reversible error for the prosecuting attorney to expressly
comment before the jury upon the failure of the defendant to
testify in his own behalf. E.g., syl. pt. 1, State v. Nuckolls, W. Va., 273 S.E.2d 87 (1980); State v. Green, W. Va., 260 S.E.2d 257 (1979); State v. Jones, 108 W. Va. 264, 150 S.E. 728 (1929).
In State v. Clark, 170 W. Va. at 228, 292 S.E.2d at 648, we also examined the prosecuting
attorney's remark to determine if "the jury would naturally and necessarily take it to be a
comment on the failure of the accused to testify."
A similar charge with made in a habeas corpus proceeding before the Eleventh
Circuit Court of Appeals in Routly v. Singletary, 33 F.3d 1279 (11th Cir. 1994), cert. denied,
___ U.S. ___, 115 S. Ct. 2627, 132 L. Ed. 2d 867 (1995). In that case, the prosecutor during
voir dire "made repeated and direct references to Routly's 'right to take the witness stand'
thereby [allegedly] insinuating to the jury that his constitutional right to remain silent, if
exercised, would suggest guilt." Routly v. Singletary, 33 F.3d at 1290. The appeals court
based on the defendant's election to testify "to exculpate himself" found no prejudice to the
defendant. Routly v. Singletary, 33 F.3d at 1290-91.
In this case, the defendant also elected to testify and the record indicates that
his testimony was planned before the prosecution's inappropriate comment.See footnote 5 There is no
showing that the defendant was prejudiced by his testimony and the circuit court was aware
of the potential problem and offered to give curative instructions, which were not needed because of the defendant's voluntary testimony. In State v. Leadingham, 190 W. Va. at 492,
438 S.E.2d at 835, we said that "in light of the judge's curative instruction to the jury, we
cannot say that the statement of the prosecuting attorney in closing argument clearly
prejudiced [the defendant] or resulted in manifest injustice. (Citation omitted.)"
The defendant also maintains that the circuit court improperly commented upon
the defendant's testimony. The allegedly improper comment occurred when the judge was
overruling an objection by the prosecution to the defendant's testimony about conflicting
statements given by M.A. to the police regarding the dates of the assaults. The comment
arose during the following exchange:
MR. MOORE: Your Honor, I'm going to object. This has
been covered. It was asked of [M.A.] on direct examination --
MR. BEAN: Why can't I and my client, when he testifies, be
allowed to present his case?
BY THE COURT: You may proceed, but keep in mind -- I
believe that these questions -- all this has been covered
previously, has it not?
MR. BEAN: But not by him. She had her chance to testify; he
should have his chance. What three dates do they say -- (Court's
comment emphasized.)
In State v. McGee, 160 W. Va. 1, 6, 239 S.E.2d 832, 835-36 (1976), we noted:
This Court has consistently required trial judges not to intimate
an opinion on any fact in issue in any manner. In criminal
cases, we have frequently held that conduct of the trial judge
which indicates his opinion on any material matter will result in
a guilty verdict being set aside and a new trial awarded.
(Citations omitted.)
We also give considerable latitude to the trial judge to intervene in order to
conduct an orderly trial: provided such intervention does not operate to prejudice the
defendant's case. Syl. pt. 8 of State v. Massey, 178 W. Va. 427, 359 S.E.2d 865 (1987).
"A trial judge in a criminal case has a right to control the
orderly process of a trial and may intervene into the trial process
for such purpose, so long as such intervention does not operate
to prejudice the defendant's case. With regard to evidence
bearing on any material issue, including the credibility of
witnesses, the trial judge should not intimate any opinion, as
these matters are within the exclusive province of the jury."
Syllabus Point 4, State v. Burton, 163 W. Va. 40, 254 S.E.2d 129 (1979).
See State v. Ferrell, 186 W. Va. 307, 309-10, 412 S.E.2d 501, 503-4 (1991) (per curiam).
In this case, the trial judge's remark did not intimate his opinion concerning the
weight to be given to the defendant's testimony. When the remark is viewed in context, the
trial judge was simply asking how the defense's line of questioning was relevant. We note
that the defense was allowed to proceed with questions and the remark did not pertain to a
"material fact," which according to W.Va.R.Evid., Rule 401 (1985) is "any fact that is of
consequence to the determination of the action. . . ."
D.
Admissibility of Statements by Co-conspirators
The defendant also assigns error to the circuit court's failure to exclude
statements made to M.A. by her mother or her stepfather.See footnote 6 The defense made a motion in limine to exclude statements by Martha or George Miller to M.A. The circuit court denied
the motion because the "forcible compulsion, if there was any, came from George Miller and
possibly even Martha Miller." During the trial, although the defense objected as hearsay to
George Miller's statement in the second assault, no objection was raised to the statement in
the first assault that just before the incident M.A. was told by George Miller "that Cecil [the
defendant] wanted to do it."
Rule 801(d)(2) (1994) of the W.Va.R.Evid. provides that a "statement is not
hearsay if . . .[t]he statement is offered against a party and is . . .(E) a statement by a co-
conspirator of a party during the course and in furtherance of the conspiracy." According
to State v. Fairchild, 171 W. Va. 137, 144, 298 S.E.2d 110, 117 (1982), "evidence of acts or
declarations of co-conspirators or co-actors is admissible only if a proper foundation, or
prima facie case, is established. . . . The required foundation consists of: (1) proof of a
conspiracy existing between the declarant and the defendant; and (2) proof that the act or
declaration was made during and in pursuance of the conspiracy or joint enterprise. (Citation
omitted.)" See footnote 7 See Bourjaily v. U.S., 483 U.S. 171, 176-81, 107 S. Ct. 2775, 2779-82, 97 L. Ed. 2d 144, 153-56 (1987)( holding the Fed.R.Evid. 801(d)(2)(E) requires proof of the
conspiracy by a preponderance of the evidence and allows consideration of the offered
declaration as part of the proof of the conspiracy); State v. Nixon, 178 W. Va. 338, 359 S.E.2d 566, 570 (1987).
In this case, the circuit court, without considering the offered declarations,
found sufficient circumstantial proof from the descriptions of both instances to conclude that
a conspiracy existed. In State v. Farley, 192 W. Va. 247, 252, 452 S.E.2d 50, 55 (1994), we
"accord[ed] the trial court's ruling [concerning the admissibility of a voluntariness of a
confession] appropriate weight," and did not disturb a trial court's decision "unless it is
plainly wrong or clearly against the weight of the evidence." Syl. pt. 1, in part, State v.
Farley. Accord Syl. pt. 2, State v. Stewart, 180 W. Va. 173, 375 S.E.2d 805 (1988); Syl. pt.
7, State v. Hickman, 175 W. Va. 709, 338 S.E.2d 188 (1985); Syl. pt. 3, State v. Vance, 162
W. Va. 467, 250 S.E.2d 146 (1978). See State v. Lilly, ___ W. Va. ___, ___, 461 S.E.2d 101, 106 (1995).
We find that the circuit court's ruling admitting the statements as an exception
to the hearsay rule was not plainly wrong or clearly against the weight of the evidence.
E.
Interview of Victim
The defendant alleges that the circuit court erred in failing to allow the defense
to interview the victim.See footnote 8 Apparently, the defendant's lawyer wanted to interview M.A. to
"pin her down [to] some [dates]. . . to show that it would have been impossible for him [the
defendant] to have been" there. After noting that M.A. would be available for cross-
examination at trial, the circuit court ruled that it would not require M.A. to submit to special
interviews. The circuit court, mindful of M.A.'s tender years, held an in camera meeting with
her guardian ad litem to assure that she would not "feel in any way intimidated" to talk to the
defense. Following her meeting with the circuit court, M.A. chose not to be interviewed.
As part of pretrial discovery, the State provided the defense with M.A.'s statements.
On appeal, the defense acknowledges that there is no direct authority for such
an interview and cites the following authority to support requiring a victim to be interviewed:
(1) W. Va. Code 61-8b-14 (1986)("the court may provide by rule for reasonable limits on
the number of interviews to which a victim who is a child who is eleven years old or less
must submit for law enforcement or discovery purposes"); Burdette v. Lobban, 174 W. Va.
120, 323 S.E.2d 601(1984)(requiring the presence of the child's court-appointed lawyer
during an interview); State v. Delaney, 187 W. Va. 212, 417 S.E.2d 903 (1992)(requiring a court to consider many factors in determining whether to grant examinations of a child
victim).
Although the defense had a right to confront an adverse witness, "pretrial
discovery is generally within the discretion of the trial court." State v. Delaney, 187 W. Va.
at 215, 417 S.E.2d at 906. Syl. pt. 8 of State v. Audia, 171 W. Va. 568, 301 S.E.2d 199,
cert. denied, 464 U.S. 934, 104 S. Ct. 338, 78 L. Ed. 2d 307 (1983), states:
Subject to certain exceptions, pretrial discovery in a criminal
case is within the sound discretion of the trial court.
See State v. Roy, ___ W. Va. ___, ___, 460 S.E.2d 277, 282-83 (1995); State v. Fortner, 182
W. Va. 345, 387 S.E.2d 812 (1989).
Rule 15(a)(1988) of the W.Va.R.Crim.P. discussed when a deposition of a
prospective witness may be taken. Rule 15(a) provides, in pertinent part:
Whenever due to exceptional circumstances of the case it is in
the interest of justice that the testimony of a prospective witness
of a party be taken and preserved for use at trial, the court may
upon motion of such party and notice to the parties order that
testimony of such witness be taken by deposition . . . .(Emphasis
added.)
In State v. Judy, 179 W. Va. 734, 739, 372 S.E.2d 796, 801(1988), we said that Rule 15 "is
not designed as a discovery rule, and. . . it may be invoked only under exceptional
circumstances." We further noted that "'the rule contemplates a party taking the deposition
of only his own witness, a requirement that comports with the purpose of preserving
testimony.' (Emphasis added.)" State v. Judy, 179 W. Va. at 739, 372 S.E.2d at 802, quoting,
State v. Ferrell, 174 W. Va. 697, 698-99, 329 S.E.2d at 62, 64 (1985). In State v. Judy, we said that the "right to a deposition arises only in 'exceptional circumstances' which are
'strictly limited. . . to criminal cases where the defendant's witness is unable to attend the
trial. . . .' [State v. Ferrell, 174] W. Va. at [698], 329 S.E.2d at 64. (Emphasis added.)" State
v. Judy, 179 W. Va. at 739, 372 S.E.2d at 802.
Syl. pts. 1 and 2 of State ex rel. Spaulding v. Watt, 186 W. Va. 125, 411 S.E.2d 450 (1991) state:
Rule 15 of the West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure
permits a deposition to be compelled in a criminal case only
under very limited conditions, i.e., where, due to exceptional
circumstances, the deposition is necessary, in the interest of
justice, to preserve the deponent's testimony for use at trial.
Rule 15 of the West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure
authorizes a court to order a deposition only when the witness
is unavailable for trial and the deposition is needed to preserve
the testimony for trial. It is to be read in conjunction with W.
Va. Code, 62-3-1 (1981).
The authority cited by the defendant does not justify requiring a child victim
to submit to an interview by defendant's counsel. Although W. Va. Code 61-8B-14 (1986)
specifically applies to victims eleven years or less, the "reasonable limits" standard section
does not indicate that unreasonable limits on interviews with older child victims should be
allowed. In Burdette v. Lobban, 174 W. Va. at 121-22, 323 S.E.2d at 603, we recognized
the child victim needs "protection" by saying:
A parent accused of sexual abuse by his minor child has a
constitutional right to know of what his child accuses him in
order to prepare his defense. But certainly the child victim has
a concurrent right to be protected against unrestrained private
examination by adverse interests. Child victims of sexual abuse doubtless have undergone a horrifying experience. For that
reason it is necessary to assure the child a modicum of
protection. See generally, Parker J., "The Rights of Child
Witnesses: Is the Court a Protector or Perpetrator?" 17 New
Eng. L.J. 3 (1982); Note, "Evidentiary Problems in Criminal
Child Abuse Prosecutions," 73 Geo. L.J. 257 (1974).
Finally, in State v. Delaney, which concerned physical and psychological
evaluations for seven and eight year old victims, this Court required that the party requesting
the examinations "present the judge with evidence he has a compelling need or reason for
the additional . . . examinations." Syl. pt. 3, in part, State v. Delaney.
In this case, we find that the circuit court did not abuse his discretion in
refusing to require M.A. to submit to an interview. The defense was able to cross-examine
M.A. during trial, and during that examination, the defense failed to obtain any more specific
information about dates than the State disclosed to the defense before trial.
F.
Failure to Disclose
The defense's next assignment of error concerns the prosecution's failure to
disclosed the rebuttal witness. The defense maintains that Rule 16 of the W.Va.R.Crim.P
requires such disclosure. In this case, various witnesses for the defense testified that the
defendant moved from Pendleton County in late 1988 or early 1989.See footnote 9 At the close of the defense's case in chief, the prosecution called an employee of the Pendleton County Bd. of
Education who testified that the defendant's children were withdrawn from Pendleton County
schools on March 13, 1990. On appeal, the defendant alleges that he was prejudiced because
with proper notice he could have shown through the Dept. of Human Services' records that
he was living in Braxton County in March 1990 and thus removed any question concerning
the veracity of him or his alibi witnesses.
Rule 16(a)(1)(C) (1985) of the W.Va.R.Crim.P. states, in pertinent part:
Upon request of the defendant, the state shall permit the
defendant to inspect and copy or photograph books, papers,
documents, photographs, tangible objects, buildings or places,
or copies or portions thereof, which are within the possession,
custody and control of the state, and which are material to the
preparation of his defense or are intended for use by the state as
evidence in chief at the trial, or where obtained from or
belonging to the defendant.
Rule 16 (c) requires that when "a party discovers additional evidence. . . which is subject to
discover. . ., he shall promptly notify the other party. . . of the additional evidence or
material." If a party fails to comply with Rule 16, "the court may order such party to permit
the discovery or inspection, grant a continuance, or prohibit the party from introducing
evident not disclosed, or it may enter such other order as it deems just under the
circumstances." Rule 16(d)(2).
The following exchange occurred in a conference between the trial judge, the
prosecuting attorney and defense counsel:
MR. BEAN: I may want to object -- I want to have a
conference outside of the jury so we can talk about it. I don't
know enough yet of what he's talking about to --
MR. MOORE: The only thing I'm going to qualify and ask
her, if she knows Cecil's -- Cecil Miller's children and when
they ceased to be enrolled in school in Pendleton County.
That's all it is. Be about three questions.
MR. BEAN: When was that?
MR. MORE: 3/13/90. We've had two witnesses testify he left
in '88, and he says '89, and now it's 90, just to show everybody
gets confused --
BY THE COURT: You would be allowed to do that;
objection is saved --
MR. BEAN: That's another thing he didn't disclose to us --
BY THE COURT: This is rebuttal, and things have not been
disclosed to the State until today --
The standard for determining when non-compliance with a discovery request
constitutes reversible error is stated in Syl. pt. 2 of State ex rel. Rusen v. Hill, 193 W. Va.
133, 454 S.E.2d 427 (1994):
The traditional appellate standard for determining prejudice for
discovery violation under Rule 16 of the West Virginia Rules of
Criminal Procedure involves a two-pronged analysis: (1) did the
non-disclosure surprise the defendant on a material fact, and (2)
did it hamper the preparation and presentation of the defendant's
case.
See State v. Ray, ___ W. Va. at ___, 460 S.E.2d at 282 (listing purposes of pre-trial
discovery).
Syl. pt. 2 of State v. Gary F., 189 W. Va. 523, 432 S.E.2d 793 (1993), states:
"Our traditional appellate standard for determining whether the
failure to comply with court[-]ordered pretrial discovery is
prejudicial is contained in Syllabus Point 2 of State v. Grimm,
165 W. Va. 547, 270 S.E.2d 173 (1980), and is applicable to
discovery under Rule 16 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure. It
is summarized: The non-disclosure is prejudicial where the
defense is surprised on a material issue and where the failure to
make the disclosure hampers the preparation and presentation of
the defendant's case." Syl. Pt. 1, State v. Johnson, 179 W. Va.
619, 371 S.E.2d 340 (1988).
In State v. Miller, 178 W. Va. 618, 363 S.E.2d 504 (1987)(Miller I)See footnote 10, we set forth the steps
of our inquiry by explaining that "[t]he threshold inquiry is to 'take into account the reason
why disclosure was not made, the extent of the prejudice, if any, to the opposing party, the feasibility of rectifying that prejudice by a continuance [or recess if the trial has begun], and
any other relevant circumstances.'" State v. Miller, 178 W. Va. at 625, 363 S.E.2d at 511,
quoting, 2 Charles A. Wright, Federal Practice and Procedure § 260 (1982) and footnote
omitted.) See, Syl. pt. 4, State v. Massey, supra ("admissibility of evidence as rebuttal is
within the sound discretion of the trial court, and the exercise of such discretion does not
constitute ground for reversal unless it is prejudicial to the defendant").
Turning to the reason why the State failed to disclose its rebuttal witness, the
State argues that it did not realize until after the testimony of the defense's witnesses that
rebuttal testimony would be needed. According to the defense, the prejudice arose because
the veracity of the defendant and his witnesses was questioned because of an inconsequential
date and the defense was unable to subpoena other records. We note that at trial, the defense
did not request any delay, and, only on appeal, does the defense indicate the need for
additional materials. In State v. Gary F., 189 W. Va. at 528, 432 S.E.2d at 798, we found
that defense's failure to seek a recess or a continuance important because first, it
"demonstrates an omission to attempt to remedy the alleged prejudice and second, it raises
a question as to whether the Appellant was in fact surprised. . . ."
In this case, the defense raised the issue of the defendant's residence at various
times, and thus, should not have been surprised by the State's attempt to address that same
issue.
Given the nature of the testimony of the State's rebuttal witness and the failure
of the defense to request a recess or continuance, we find that the circuit court did not abuse
its discretion err in allowing the testimony of the State's rebuttal witness.
G.
Impermissible Sentence
The defendant's final assignment of error concerns that imposition of
consecutive sentences for the two convictions of second degree sexual assault.See footnote 11 The
defendant, after comparing his sentence (twenty to fifty years) to the sentences imposed on
co-defendants (one to five years) who did not request a jury trial, argues that the consecutive
sentences "essentially punish . . . [him] for exercising his right to a trial by jury."
We have long held that "'[s]entences imposed by the trial court, if within
statutory limits and if not based on some [im]permissible factor, are not subject to appellate
review.' Syl. pt. 4, State v. Goodnight, 169 W. Va. 366, 287 S.E.2d 504 (1982)." Syl. pt. 9,
State v. Hays, 185 W. Va. 664, 408 S.E.2d 614 (1991). Accord Syl. pt. 7, State v. Layton,
189 W. Va. 470, 492, 432 S.E.2d 740, 762 (1993).
W. Va. Code 61-8B-4 (b)(1991) provides that a person who is found guilty of
second degree sexual assault "shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than ten nor
more than twenty-five years, or fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars and imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than ten nor more than twenty-
five years."
The mere difference in sentences between this defendant and other defendants,
who were originally charged with crimes against the same victim, is not sufficient evidence
to conclude that the defendant was punished for exercising a constitutional right. The record
contains no evidence that the circuit court's sentencing order impermissible sought to punish
the defendant for electing to have a jury trial. Other jurisdictions have refused to find such
sentence disparity as sufficient evidence of punishment of a defendant who sought a jury
trial. See Drinkwater v. State, 73 Wis.2d 674, ___, 245 N.W.2d 664, 667 (1976)("a mere
disparity between a sentence imposed on a defendant who pleads guilty and on another who
is convicted after trial is not enough to establish that the latter has been punished for
exercising a constitutional right"); U.S. v. Wilson, 506 F.2d 1252, 1259-60 (7th Cir. 1974);
Williams v. State, 631 N.E.2d 485, 488 (Ind. 1994)(requiring "significant indicia that the
defendant's exercise of his jury trial right may have contributed to the severity of his resulting
sentence"); State v. Layton, supra (co-defendant's participation in the crime charged resulted
in different but permissible sentences).
In this case, similar to our holding in State v. Layton, 189 W. Va. at 492, 432 S.E.2d at 762, we reject the final assignment of error because "the sentence imposed on the
defendant was within the limits set by statute, and overall, the Court cannot conclude that
there is any showing that the sentence imposed was based on some impermissible factor."
For the above stated reasons, the judgment of the Circuit Court of Pendleton
County is affirmed.
Affirmed.
Footnote: 1
Consistent with our practice in cases involving sensitive matters, we use the victim's
initials. See State v. Edward Charles L., 183 W. Va. 641, 645 n.1, 398 S.E.2d 123, 127 n.
1 (1990); Benjamin R. v. Orkin Exterminating Co., Inc., 182 W. Va. 615 n.1, 390 S.E.2d 814
n. 1 (1990).Footnote: 2
This assignment of error directly relates to the "forcible compulsion" requirement of
W. Va. Code 61-8B-4(a). "Forcible compulsion" is not a requirement for third degree sexual
assault, which obviously is why the defendant does not appeal his third degree sexual assault
conviction in this assignment of error.
W. Va. Code 61-8B-5 (1984), the third degree sexual assault provision, states:
(a) A person is guilty of sexual assault in the third degree
when:
(1) Such person engages in sexual intercourse or sexual
intrusion with another person who is mentally defective or
mentally incapacitated; or
(2) Such person, being sixteen years old or more, engages in
sexual intercourse or sexual intrusion with another person who
is less than sixteen years old and who is at least four years
younger than the defendant.
(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this section
shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be
imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one year nor more
than five years, or fined not more than ten thousand dollars and
imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one year nor more
than five years.Footnote: 3
On appeal, the defendant does not assert that forcible compulsion cannot arise from
a person other than the person committing the sexual assault pursuant to W. Va. Code 61-8B-4 (1991). Therefore, we will not address whether or not sexual assault pursuant to W. Va.
Code 61-8B-4 (1991) must be proven to have come from the defendant. See State v.
Hottinger, ___ W. Va. ___, ___ n. 4, 461 S.E.2d 462, 468-469 n. 4 (1995)(per curiam).
"Assignment of error that are not argued in the appellant's brief may be deemed by this Court
to be waived." Syl. pt. 3, Higginbotham v. City of Charleston, 157 W. Va. 724, 204 S.E.2d 1 (1974), overruled on other grounds, O'Neil v. City of Parkersburg, 160 W. Va. 694, 237 S.E.2d 504 (1977). The defense did not object to the following instruction given by the
circuit court:
Forcible compulsion is defined as fear by a child under 16
years of age caused by intimidation, expressed or implied, by
another person four years older than the victim and the existence
of said forcible compulsion was known by the defendant.
Under the law of the State of West Virginia, a person is
deemed incapable of consent when such person is less than 16
years of age.
Before Cecil Miller can be convicted of Sexual Assault in the
Second Degree, the State must over come the presumption that
he is innocent and prove to the satisfaction of the jury beyond
a reasonable doubt
UNDER COUNTS ONE AND THREE OF THE
INDICTMENT THAT:
1. The Defendant, Cecil Miller
2. in Pendleton County, West Virginia
3. did engage in sexual intercourse
4. with [M.A.]
5. without her consent
6. and the lack of consent was the result of forcible
compulsion by George Miller and the existence of said
forcible compulsion was known by the defendant.
(Emphasis added.)
In State v. Hottinger, supra, we noted that at least one court recognized that a
defendant may be guilty of rape when the victim submits because of fear from a person other
that the defendant: provided, the defendant has knowledge that the victim is submitting
because of such fear. See State v. Pierson, 610 S.W.2d 86 (Mo.App. 1980); State v. Gray,
497 S.W.2d 545 (Mo.App 1973).Footnote: 4
The defense's opening statement began by saying in the second sentence: "I will tell
you from the very beginning that he [he defendant] denies the charges that are against him
right now. He has denied the charges throughout." The defense, which relied on alibi
witnesses, later said, "the evidence will show through my client's testimony. . ." and
"defendant, who will testify as to where he was in January of 1990, January of 1991 and
August of 1990. . . ."Footnote: 5
Routly v. Singleton notes that a "challenged" defendant who accepts the challenge
under protest and incriminates himself in some way might present "a case of constitutional
infringement." Routhy v. Singleton, 33 F.3d at 1291. But no such challenge occurred in
this case and this defendant did not incriminate himself but sought to exculpate himself.Footnote: 6
On appeal, the defendant failed to cite any authority for this assignment of error and
simply argued that the statements were hearsay and therefore inadmissible.Footnote: 7
Because State v. Fairchild was decided before the codification of the W.Va.R.Evid.,
we find it is not dispositive of any evidentiary issue embraced within the Rules. However,
since its holding is not contrary to Rule 801(d), we find that State v. Fairchild remains as a
"source of guidance." Reed v. Wimmer, ___ W. Va. ___, ___ S.E.2d ___ (No. 22705 Oct.
27, 1995).
We take this opportunity once again to remind that "'[t]he West Virginia Rules of
Evidence remain the paramount authority in determining the admissibility of evidence in
circuit courts. These rules constitute more than a mere refinement of common law
evidentiary rules, they are a comprehensive reformulation of them.' Syllabus Point 7, State
v. Derr, 192 W. Va. 165, 451 S.E.2d 731 (1994)." Syl. pt. 1, Reed v. Wimmer, supra.Footnote: 8
Although we are only concerned with the defendant's case in this appeal, we note that
a total of eight individuals were charged with second degree sexual abuse of M.A. and all
eight of their lawyers, including this defendant's lawyer, wanted to interview this fifteen-
year-old girl.Footnote: 9
On direct examination, the defendant gave the following testimony:
Q. Where did you live in 1988?
A. Ft. Seybert and the trailer park over in Brandywine.
Q. When did you leave?
A. If I'm not mistaken, it was in '89.
Q. You're sure it wouldn't have been in 1990? Right?
A. I'm sure.
Q. Did you ever live for a short period of time in 1990 or '91
in Pendleton County, West Virginia?
A. No.Footnote: 10 Miller I concerned Michael Dean Miller who, we believe, is unrelated to the present defendant. Footnote: 11 Although the defendant's brief indicated that consecutive sentences were imposed for the two convictions of third degree sexual assault, given the sentencing order, we believe that the alleged error concerned the consecutive sentences imposed for the two convictions of second degree sexual assault because the two convictions of third degree sexual assault were concurrent sentences. See supra p. 4 for the sentencing order.
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