R. E. R. v. State of Alabama

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REL: 08/24/2012 Notice: T h i s o p i n i o n i s s u b j e c t t o formal r e v i s i o n b e f o r e p u b l i c a t i o n i n t h e advance s h e e t s o f Southern R e p o r t e r . R e a d e r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o n o t i f y t h e R e p o r t e r o f D e c i s i o n s , Alabama A p p e l l a t e C o u r t s , 300 D e x t e r A v e n u e , M o n t g o m e r y , A l a b a m a 3 6 1 0 4 - 3 7 4 1 ((334) 2 2 9 - 0 6 4 9 ) , o f a n y t y p o g r a p h i c a l o r o t h e r e r r o r s , i n o r d e r t h a t c o r r e c t i o n s may b e made b e f o r e t h e o p i n i o n i s p r i n t e d i n Southern R e p o r t e r . ALABAMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OCTOBER TERM, 2011-2012 CR-10-1249 R.E.R. v. S t a t e o f Alabama Appeal from Cullman C i r c u i t (CC-10-86) JOINER, Judge. AFFIRMED Windom, Kellum, Court BY UNPUBLISHED MEMORANDUM. P . J . , and Burke, J . , dissent, Kellum, J . with J . , concur. Welch, J . , and w r i t i n g by Welch, J . , j o i n e d by CR-10-1249 WELCH, J u d g e , The dissenting. majority, i n i t s unpublished R.E.R.'s c o n v i c t i o n f o r f i r s t - d e g r e e rape. on a p p e a l t h a t t h e t r i a l c o u r t c o m m i t t e d the c o u r t a l l o w e d p r e j u d i c i a l hearsay jury. The admitting majority the hearsay held that memorandum, affirms R.E.R. 1 contends r e v e r s i b l e e r r o r when t o be p r e s e n t e d t o t h e the t r i a l was n o t r e v e r s i b l e court's error ruling because t h e e v i d e n c e was c u m u l a t i v e t o o t h e r s i m i l a r e v i d e n c e , a n d , t h u s , its admission conclusion that respectfully The was rape harmless this error. error was alleged i n this case I disagree harmless; with the therefore, I dissent. y e a r s ago i n C u l l m a n . o c c u r r e d a p p r o x i m a t e l y 25 M.D., t h e v i c t i m , r e p o r t e d t h a t R.E.R. 2 s e x u a l l y a s s a u l t e d h e r o v e r a number o f y e a r s b e g i n n i n g when she was a young c h i l d She a n d e n d i n g when she was 14 y e a r s o l d . r e p o r t e d R.E.R.'s c o n d u c t i n May 2009 a f t e r h e r h u s b a n d R.E.R. was c o n v i c t e d u n d e r § 13A-6-61, A l a . Code 1975, was s e n t e n c e d t o 75 y e a r s i n p r i s o n , was o r d e r e d t o p a y a $60,000 f i n e , c o u r t c o s t s , a n d a $10,000 c r i m e - v i c t i m s compensation assessment. The c i r c u i t c o u r t a l s o o r d e r e d R.E.R. t o r e g i s t e r as a s e x o f f e n d e r . 1 A t the time o f the a l l e g e d crimes, the v i c t i m ' s i n i t i a l s were S.M.L. She h a s s i n c e m a r r i e d a n d was i n t r o d u c e d a t t r i a l by h e r m a r r i e d name, h e r i n i t i a l s now b e i n g M.D. 2 2 CR-10-1249 e n c o u r a g e d h e r t o do s o . M.D. was 34 y e a r s o l d a t t h e t i m e o f R.E.R.'s trial. When M.D. was approximately R.E.R. became h e r s t e p f a t h e r . two o r t h r e e years o l d , R.E.R. was i n t h e Army a n d was d e p l o y e d t o Germany when M.D. was s i x o r s e v e n y e a r s o l d . that time, R.E.R., h e r m o t h e r , h e r o l d e r b r o t h e r , younger s i s t e r s moved t o Germany. raped her the f i r s t She At a n d h e r two M.D. t e s t i f i e d t h a t R.E.R. t i m e when h e r f a m i l y lived i n Germany. g u e s s e d t h a t she was i n t h e s e c o n d g r a d e a t t h e t i m e . She s t a t e d t h a t he s e x u a l l y a s s a u l t e d h e r s o o f t e n t h a t " t h e y a l l kind of run together." made up a game c a l l e d said the rules (R. 88.) "hide of this (R. 88.) M.D. R.E.R. made h e r b r o t h e r , made h e r b r o t h e r presence. "pull a n d go g e t i t . " game were " w o u l d have t o h i d e f r o m him, with." M.D. remembered t h a t R.E.R. that she and h e r mother a n d w h o e v e r he f o u n d , he h a s s e x testified t h a t , as p a r t o f t h e game, D.R., have s e x w i t h h e r , have s e x w i t h t h e i r a n d R.E.R. m o t h e r , K.R., i n M.D.'s M.D. t e s t i f i e d t h a t on o t h e r o c c a s i o n s [her] into ( R . 8 8 . ) She R.E.R. w o u l d t h e bedroom w i t h h i m a n d [ h e r ] m o t h e r " a n d h e r m o t h e r w o u l d h o l d M.D. down w h i l e R.E.R. h a d s e x w i t h h e r . (R. 89.) M.D. t e s t i f i e d t h a t R.E.R. i n s t r u c t e d them n e v e r t o 3 CR-10-1249 talk She about t h e s e x u a l conduct or they w o u l d be i n t r o u b l e . t e s t i f i e d t h a t R.E.R.'s s p a n k i n g s c o n s i s t e d o f h i t t i n g h e r w i t h a b e l t f r o m h e r f e e t t o h e r n e c k a n d t h a t she was a f r a i d o f h i m . R.E.R. a l s o t o l d h e r t h a t no one w o u l d b e l i e v e h e r i f she d i dt e l l . her two y o u n g e r Cullman She n e v e r saw R.E.R. have s e x u a l c o n t a c t sisters. and t h e n , The f a m i l y moved f r o m Germany t o except f o r her b r o t h e r , t o Kansas. b r o t h e r s t a y e d i n C u l l m a n a n d l i v e d w i t h an u n c l e . was i n the seventh Cullman. continued c o n t i n u e d t o be i n v o l v e d . i n Cullman. On one o c c a s i o n , when M.D. was 14 y e a r s R.E.R. a n d h e r m o t h e r a r g u i n g hardest M.D.'s M.D. mother assaults after o l d , she sex w i t h o c c a s i o n , h e r m o t h e r made R.E.R. s t o p . more s e x u a l When H e r m o t h e r d r e s s e d M.D. i n l i n g e r i e b e g a n t o c r y a n d t a l k h e r way o u t o f h a v i n g On t h a t Her g r a d e h e r f a m i l y moved f r o m K a n s a s b a c k t o The r a p e s f o r R.E.R. with M.D. afterward, but there that. M.D. R.E.R. testified heard were no that "the t h i n g t h a t [she has h a d ] t o d e a l w i t h i s t h e f a c t t h a t [ h e r ] m o t h e r d i d n o t p r o t e c t [ h e r ] f r o m [R.E.R. M.D., b]eing a m o t h e r o f two k i d s , ... c o u l d n o t i m a g i n e l e t t i n g someone do t h a t t o [her] children." (R. 97.) 4 CR-10-1249 On c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i o n , M.D. t e s t i f i e d t h a t , o t h e r t h a n t h e sexual a c t i v i t y , her parents was g r o w i n g up. t o o k good c a r e o f h e r when s h e A s a young a d u l t , M.D. l i v e d w i t h h e r p a r e n t s w h e n e v e r s h e n e e d e d t o . M.D. l e f t h e r two young d a u g h t e r s a t R.E.R.'s h o u s e when s h e w o r k e d . H e r o l d e s t d a u g h t e r , who was born i n 2 0 0 1 , has spent t h e n i g h t paid h e r mother t o come t o M.D.'s h o u s e w h i l e M.D. w o r k e d . worked a t R.E.M.'s h o u s e . M.D. t o watch h e r g i r l s M.D. a n d R.E.R. t r a v e l e d t o g e t h e r when s h e f o r h i m as an " e s c o r t homes f o r a l i v i n g . driver" when he moved mobile (R. 109.) She s a i d s h e was n o t " u n e a s y " about t r a v e l i n g alone w i t h h e r s t e p f a t h e r because t h e s e x u a l abuse h a d s t o p p e d when s h e was 14 y e a r s K.R. i s R.E.R.'s R.E.R.'s c o d e f e n d a n t . a witness. claimed wife old. a n d M.D.'s (R. 109.) mother. She was S h e was s u b p o e n a e d b y t h e S t a t e t o be She f i l e d a m o t i o n t o q u a s h t h e s u b p o e n a a n d s h e her F i f t h Amendment right under Constitution not to t e s t i f y . The t r i a l was " u n a v a i l a b l e f o r t r i a l . " the United States (R. 113.) Phillip Sheriff's Bray is a Department a g a i n s t R.E.R. lieutenant who c o u r t r u l e d t h a t she i n t h e Cullman investigated M.D.'s County accusations He t e s t i f i e d t h a t d u r i n g h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f 5 CR-10-1249 M.D.'s a c c u s a t i o n , he s p o k e w i t h w i t n e s s e s what M.D. s a i d R.E.R. h a d done t o h e r . of certain interview accusations, with L t . Bray M.D.'s m o t h e r , who corroborated Because o f t h e nature attempted t o schedule K.R., a t a t i m e an he b e l i e v e d R.E.R. w o u l d be o u t o f town. However, R.E.R. a r r i v e d a t t h e i n t e r v i e w l o c a t i o n w i t h K.R. According "tried t o prevent stating that present with her." [K.R.] she w a s n ' t from coming going According t o L t . B r a y , R.E.R., i n f o r an i n t e r v i e w anywhere without him being t o L t . B r a y , when he informed R.E.R. t h a t K.R. was g o i n g t o be i n t e r v i e w e d o u t s i d e R.E.R.'s p r e s e n c e , R.E.R. "began y e l l i n g , started don't yelling [he] became v e r y i r a t e , [he] a t [K.R., t e l l i n g do a n y t h i n g , don't b e c a u s e K.R. i n v o k e d tell her] don't them." say anything, (R. 119.) her right t o counsel, However, t h e i n t e r v i e w was p o s t p o n e d u n t i l t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y . K.R. was i n t e r v i e w e d a t a later t i m e o u t s i d e R.E.R.'s p r e s e n c e . Before sister, having L t . Bray S.B., a s k e d began t o speak w i t h the conversation conversation, the interview, recorded. M.D.'s younger K.R. S.B. c o n s e n t e d t o After about a 15-minute S.B. l e f t a n d L t . B r a y i n t e r v i e w e d K.R. K.R.'s i n t e r v i e w w i t h L t . B r a y c o n c l u d e d , 6 When S.B. r e t u r n e d t o t h e CR-10-1249 room and spoke with h e r mother for a second time. The i n t e r v i e w b e t w e e n L t . B r a y a n d K.R. a n d t h e two c o n v e r s a t i o n s b e t w e e n K.R. a n d S.B. were v i d e o - r e c o r d e d what became the State's admitted i n t o evidence Exhibit 2-A. on compact d i s c i n This 3 exhibit o v e r R.E.R.'s o b j e c t i o n t h a t t h e v i d e o r e c o r d i n g c o n t a i n e d K.R.'s i n a d m i s s i b l e h e a r s a y "an o u t - o f - c o u r t s t a t e m e n t asserted." The -¬ o f f e r e d f o r the t r u t h of the matter r e c o r d i n g was p l a y e d f o r the j u r y . i n very emotional apparent states. I t showed the circumstances S.B. r e p e a t e d l y m o t h e r how much she l o v e d h e r , how much h e r m o t h e r wanted and needed a t home, how S.B. K.R.'s d i s p l a y o f shame, a n d r e m o r s e o v e r and h e r f e a r o f R.E.R. was c o m p e l l i n g . her testimony (R. 125.) and h e r m o t h e r anguish, was S.B. a n d t h e o t h e r told was children knew t h a t K.R. b o r e no blame b e c a u s e t h e y knew how c o n t r o l l i n g R.E.R. was, how K.R. was a v i c t i m c h i l d r e n w e r e , a n d how M.D. M.D. knew R.E.R. R.E.R. w o u l d k i l l pleaded o f R.E.R.'s j u s t as t h e h a d a l r e a d y f o r g i v e n K.R. b e c a u s e was t o b l a m e . K.R. clearly believed that h e r i f she t a l k e d t o t h e p o l i c e , w i t h K.R. n o t t o be a f r a i d a n d t o t e l l T h i s e x h i b i t was o r i g i n a l l y numbered E x h i b i t 2, b u t l a t e r c h a n g e d t o 2-A. 3 7 as a n d S.B. L t . Bray the the State's CR-10-1249 truth. in When L t . B r a y d i d b e g i n q u e s t i o n i n g K.R. she c u r l e d up a f e t a l p o s i t i o n i n h e r c h a i r a n d a t t i m e s h e r hands were visibly caused shaking. A t t i m e s she s t a t e d t h a t h e r memory remember fail and at everything, wrongdoing. happened to that other she times an o p e r a t i o n could she no had longer acknowledged L t . B r a y a s k e d K.R. how she knew b a d t h i n g s h a d to her c h i l d r e n i f she c o u l d n o t remember. r e p l i e d t h a t s h e d i d n o t b e l i e v e t h a t M.D. would l i e . K.R. K.R. b e g g e d L t . B r a y n o t t o t e l l R.E.R. t h a t she h a d t a l k e d t o h i m . She t o l d L t . Bray to leave want R.E.R. t o do a n y t h i n g h e r i n j a i l b e c a u s e she d i d n o t bad t o her c h i l d r e n or to her. K.R. was so u p s e t a t t h i s p o i n t t h a t she was p h y s i c a l l y u n a b l e to speak, moments. some p o i n t and L t . B r a y had t o stop K.R. stated i n her l i f e that the interview she h a d b e e n f o r a few s e x u a l l y abused a t b u t she was t o o e m o t i o n a l t o d i s c u s s t h i s with L t . Bray. When L t . B r a y c o n c l u d e d t h e i n t e r v i e w , he l e f t and t h e room S.B. r e t u r n e d . she knew At this time S.B. s t a t e d that t h a t R.E.R. h a d f o r c e d K.R. t o have s e x w i t h h i m a t t i m e s when she d i d n o t want t o , a n d t h i s , rape. S.B. s t a t e d , was t h e same as S.B. t o l d h e r m o t h e r t h a t M.D.'s h u s b a n d h a d n o t w a n t e d 8 CR-10-1249 his c h i l d r e n (K.R.'s molester" i n reference different K.R. grandchildren) to R.E.R., i f R.E.R. was n o t t h e r e . stated that R.E.R. t o l d " t o be a r o u n d but things (State's her that a child would Exhibit be 2-A.) he h a d c h a n g e d . In r e s p o n s e t o t h i s , S.B. s t a t e d " [ I ] t d o n ' t m a t t e r , mama, he d i d it," t o w h i c h K.R. s t a t e d , " I know i t . " A.) Following this ( S t a t e ' s E x h i b i t 2- comment S.B. made a r e f e r e n c e s e e n p h o t o g r a p h s on R.E.R.'s c e l l phone. t o having The i m p l i c a t i o n was t h a t t h e p h o t o g r a p h s were i n some f a s h i o n unwholesome. a l s o t o l d K.R. t h a t K.R. was g o i n g t o be g i v e n b e f o r e K.R. h a d a n e r v o u s b r e a k d o w n . that S.B. was g o i n g to t e l l S.B. some m e d i c i n e S.B. a s s u r e d the t r u t h but that h e r mother she " d i d n ' t know n o t h i n g was g o i n g o n . " ( S t a t e ' s E x h i b i t 2-A.) S.B. t h e n repeated t h a t M.D. arrested; S.B., M.D. arrested. and she w a n t e d s h e d i d n o t want h e r m o t h e r R.E.R. t o be a r r e s t e d . According to s a i d t h a t " s h e d i d n o t want [ h e r m o t h e r ] t o g e t She w a n t e d d a d d y t o . you are, done i t . " s a i d -- t h a t She s a i d y o u were a v i c t i m , t h a t d a d d y made y o u do i t o r y o u w o u l d n ' t have ( S t a t e ' s E x h i b i t 2-A.) K.R. r e p l i e d , " I s t i l l have t o p a y l i k e y o u r d a d d y does c a u s e I was i n on i t ( i n a u d i b l e ) . " ( S t a t e ' s E x h i b i t 2-A.) 9 CR-10-1249 After the recording was p l a y e d f o r the jury, R.E.R. renewed h i s o b j e c t i o n t o t h e a d m i s s i b i l i t y o f t h e r e c o r d i n g . He a r g u e d on t h i s Confrontation objection occasion that i t s admission v i o l a t e d the Clause of the United was o v e r r u l e d . R.E.R. States C o n s t i t u t i o n . argued d e n i e d h i s r i g h t t o c r o s s - e x a m i n e K.R. that he was The t r i a l court This being told R.E.R. t h a t he was " f r e e t o c a l l [ K . R . ] as a w i t n e s s i f [ h e ] would l i k e . " On (R. 130.) cross-examination, L t . Bray was a s k e d whom he h a d s p o k e n t o a s p a r t o f h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n . He s t a t e d t h a t he h a d spoken w i t h then R.E.R.'s d a u g h t e r stated, before being "who r e l a t e d from a p r e v i o u s that marriage. He sexually -- " she h a d b e e n c u t o f f by defense counsel. (R. 133.) T h e r e was no m o t i o n t o s t r i k e . M.D.'s o l d e r brother, D.R., t e s t i f i e d that he h a d b e e n e m p l o y e d i n l a w e n f o r c e m e n t f o r t h e p a s t 14 y e a r s a n d t h a t he was currently Hanceville employed Police as a Department. m a r r i e d and t h e f a t h e r patrol He lieutenant testified of s i x children. with that the he was K.R. i s h i s m o t h e r and R.E.R. i s a c t u a l l y h i s s t e p f a t h e r , b u t R.E.R. h a d a d o p t e d D.R. D.R. t e s t i f i e d t h a t he was s i x o r s e v e n y e a r s o l d when 10 CR-10-1249 h i s m o t h e r m a r r i e d R.E.R. four of f i v e years o l d . At this t i m e M.D. w o u l d have b e e n D.R. s t a t e d t h a t w h i l e t h e f a m i l y was l i v i n g i n Germany, when he was a b o u t 10 y e a r s o l d a n d M.D. was about 7 or 8 years o l d , R.E.R. i n t e r c o u r s e w i t h M.D. w h i l e the same room. made him have sexual h i s m o t h e r a n d R.E.R. h a d s e x i n D.R. a l s o t e s t i f i e d t h a t R.E.R. made h i m have sex w i t h h i s m o t h e r . D.R. s t a t e d t h a t on one o c c a s i o n he was h a v i n g s e x w i t h M.D. a n d R.E.R. was h a v i n g s e x w i t h K.R., a n d R.E.R. made them s w i t c h sexual partners. D.R. t h a t , more t h a n o n c e , he saw R.E.R. have an e n c o u n t e r w i t h M.D. very (R. 145.) "authoritative discipline." "inappropriate" person" and was "strict in his (R. 145.) I f M.D. o r D.R. m i s b e h a v e d o r d e f i e d up t o t h e i r n e c k s . bruises. stated D.R. s t a t e d t h a t R.E.R. was a R.E.R. t h e y w o u l d " g e t b e a t e n " w i t h and also a belt from t h e i r (R. 145.) The b e a t i n g w o u l d l e a v e R.E.R. t o l d D.R. not to talk ankles stripes about t h e s e x u a l a c t i v i t y i n t h e h o u s e b e c a u s e R.E.R. a n d h i s m o t h e r w o u l d g e t into trouble. returned D.R. was a f r a i d o f h i s f a t h e r . t o the s t a t e s , they l i v e d i n Cullman, but e v e n t u a l l y a l l b u t D.R. moved t o K a n s a s . uncle. When t h e f a m i l y D.R. s t a y e d D.R. was 12 o r 13 a t t h e t i m e , 11 i n Cullman with h i s a n d he w a n t e d t o g e t CR-10-1249 away f r o m R.E.R. a n d t o p l a y not a b u s e d b y R.E.R. a f t e r Cullman after a couple football that. i n Cullman. D.R. was The f a m i l y moved b a c k t o of years. D.R. d i d n o t have c o n s i s t e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h h i s f a m i l y a f t e r they D.R. stated contacted that he came by L t . Bray. t o be D.R. a witness testified returned. because he was t h a t he h a d no d o u b t a b o u t a n y o f M.D.'s a l l e g a t i o n s b e c a u s e he a l s o h a d l i v e d On family cross-examination, was i n Germany D.R. testified he was g i v e n a that a tent. sexual a c t i v i t y associated with the tent. while There it. the was no D.R. s t a t e d t h a t he r e c a l l e d e n g a g i n g i n s e x u a l a c t i v i t y w i t h M.D. one t i m e apart from t h e presence o f h i s p a r e n t s , b u t they d i d n o t g e t caught. He n e v e r had sex w i t h present. He s t a t e d t h a t he d i d n o t g e t i n t o t r o u b l e sex h i s mother w i t h o u t w i t h anyone o u t s i d e happening i n t h e house. before already the t r i a l the family. being regarding He n e v e r t o l d what was D.R. t o l d h i s w i f e a b o u t f o u r but only t a l k e d about h i s father because i twhile h i s wife years a n d M.D. he was a s o l d i e r had deployed t o Afghanistan. The State rested judgment o f a c q u i t t a l i t s case, a n d R.E.R. moved on t h e g r o u n d s t h a t t h e S t a t e 12 for a d i d not CR-10-1249 make a p r i m a f a c i e the case. The m o t i o n was o v e r r u l e d . Before d e f e n s e b e g a n i t s c a s e , R.E.R. r e n e w e d h i s m o t i o n f o r a judgment of acquittal, establish j u r i s d i c t i o n b e c a u s e n e i t h e r M.D. n o r D.R. t e s t i f i e d t o any s e x u a l arguing acts having m o t i o n was d e n i e d . occurred that the State d i d not i n Cullman County. R.E.R. t h e n o b j e c t e d This t o the admission of t h e v i d e o r e c o r d i n g o f K.R. on t h e g r o u n d s t h a t t h e c o n t e n t o f the video r e c o r d i n g was " t e s t i m o n i a l e v i d e n c e " violated h i s right violation o f C r a w f o r d v. W a s h i n g t o n , 541 U.S. 36 ( 2 0 0 4 ) , a n d Melendez-Diaz Moreover, R.E.R. admitting value the v. to confront Massachusetts, continued, the video to the State. the declarant, 557 U.S. the prejudice recording a n d , as s u c h , f a r outweighed K.R., 305 to a (2009). R.E.R. in the probative The r e n e w e d m o t i o n was o v e r r u l e d , a n d d e f e n s e began i t s c a s e . M.D.'s y o u n g e r s i s t e r , S.B., was 28 y e a r s o l d when she testified. father. small K.R. i s h e r m o t h e r a n d R.E.R. i s h e r b i o l o g i c a l S.B. t e s t i f i e d t h a t room i n a d e t e c t i v e ' s statement t o L t . Bray. recorded. S.B. e x p l a i n e d she s p o k e w i t h h e r m o t h e r i n a office before h e r m o t h e r gave a She knew t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n was being t h a t she s a i d b a d t h i n g s a b o u t h e r 13 CR-10-1249 f a t h e r on t h a t o c c a s i o n fight with b e c a u s e she a n d h e r f a t h e r were i n a one a n o t h e r c o n c e r n i n g t h e a c t i o n she s h o u l d i n h e r own c h i l d c u s t o d y c a s e . 4 Therefore, before her parents went t o t h e d e t e c t i v e ' s o f f i c e she a n d h e r " d a d d y were k i n d o f on t h e o u t s . " (R. 177.) take already S.B. t e s t i f i e d t h a t she d i d n o t remember t e l l i n g h e r m o t h e r " t h a t she n e e d e d t o a d m i t t h a t anything 177.) and that she d i d was n o t o f h e r own f r e e She s t a t e d t h a t D.R. "couldn't had s a i d that think straight. her parents were guilty (R. 177.) that h e r mother t r i e d didn't S.B. s a i d t h a t K.R. t o l d h e r t h a t R.E.R. h a d f o r c e d h e r t o do t h i n g s said M.D. a n d she I t hurt [ h e r ] because [ s h e ] 5 S.B. (R. L t . Bray had j u s t t o l d her that think that they[ ] did that." had will." t o M.D. t o s h o o t h e r s e l f when M.D. f i r s t a l l e g e d t h a t R.E.R. was " s u p p o s e d l y " d o i n g s t u f f t o h e r . S.B. s t a t e d t h a t she " d i d n ' t know i f he d i d . " testified that inappropriate R.E.R. way." never touched (R. 178.) (R. 178.) her " i n a S.B. sexually- She s a i d , " I t h o u g h t I h a d a S . B . ' s c h i l d was removed f r o m h e r p r i m a r y c a r e b a s e d on a c o m p l a i n t f i l e d a f t e r R.E.R.'s a r r e s t c l a i m i n g t h a t t h e c h i l d was b e i n g s e x u a l l y a b u s e d b y R.E.R. However, S.B. c o n t e n d s t h a t i t was t h e c h i l d ' s f a t h e r who a b u s e d t h e c h i l d . 4 I t i s u n c l e a r t o whom she was r e f e r r i n g b y " t h e y " -- M.D. D.R. o r R.E.R. a n d K.R. 5 and 14 CR-10-1249 normal f a m i l y . her I h a d a happy f a m i l y . " (R. 178.) said f a t h e r was s t r i c t a n d when she m i s b e h a v e d he s p a n k e d h e r with a belt. She s a i d he a i m e d f o r h e r " b u t t , " b u t b e c a u s e she j u m p e d a r o u n d he s o m e t i m e s s t r u c k h e r b a c k . only t i m e she was b r u i s e d D. s p a n k e d h e r . and S.B. S.B. s a i d t h e f r o m a s p a n k i n g was when h e r U n c l e S.B. s t a t e d t h a t a f t e r M.D. was grown, h e r two d a u g h t e r s moved b a c k i n t o R.E.R.'s h o u s e of t i m e s . " (R. 181.) S.B. s t a t e d t h a t when M.D. M.D. "plenty was living a t t h e i r p a r e n t s ' h o u s e , she w o u l d l e a v e h e r d a u g h t e r s i n t h e care o f h e r mother and f a t h e r . According M.D. was n o t l i v i n g w i t h h e r p a r e n t s , M.D.'s f i r s t H.D. born, H.D., spent the n i g h t there there." (R. 182.) grandparents. at their t o S.B., e v e n when her parents would watch house w h i l e M.D. worked. a l o t and " l o v e d s t a y i n g t h e n i g h t S.B. b e l i e v e s t h a t H.D. S.B.'s p a r e n t s were a u t h o r i z e d loves both her t o p i c k H.D. up f r o m day c a r e , a n d t h e y d i d p i c k h e r up f r o m t i m e t o t i m e when M.D. had t o work o v e r t i m e . parents mistreat their son "loves has n o t spoken w i t h these S.B. h a s n e v e r s e e n e i t h e r o f h e r grandchildren. h i s papa," a r e f e r e n c e M.D. t o R.E.R. f o r 16 months accusations. 15 S.B. s t a t e d t h a t h e r (R. 182.) -- s i n c e M.D. S.B. made CR-10-1249 On cross-examination, always helped S.B. s t a t e d her f i n a n c i a l l y . that her f a t h e r had On t h e v i d e o recording, t o l d h e r m o t h e r t h a t " [ h e r m o t h e r ] was a v i c t i m said i t was stated, not [ h e r mother's] f a u l t . " "Daddy 186. ) At t r i a l , based on what has always been c o n t r o l l i n g too. [S.B.] (R. 186.) S.B. over you." (R. S.B. e x p l a i n e d t h a t she made t h o s e s t a t e m e n t s she h a d b e e n told. She t e s t i f i e d t h a t h e r m o t h e r h a d a l w a y s t o l d h e r t h a t R.E.R. was c o n t r o l l i n g . t e s t i f i e d t h a t she d i d n o t know t h i s as a f a c t . questioned S.B. about her video s c a r e d o f my daddy." statement, (R. 186.) "my S.B. S.B. was a l s o momma's deathly S.B. e x p l a i n e d a t t r i a l that she made t h i s comment b e c a u s e h e r m o t h e r h a d t o l d h e r t h a t h e r daddy was mean a n d t h a t h e r m o t h e r was a f r a i d o f h i m ; S.B. t e s t i f i e d t h a t " I a i n ' t never seen i t . " t e s t i f i e d that however, (R. 186.) S.B. " [ s h e ] d i d n ' t know why" h e r m o t h e r was a f r a i d o f R.E.R. b e c a u s e S.B. h a d n e v e r s e e n a n y r e a s o n t o b e . 187. ) S.B. t e s t i f i e d t h a t R.E.R. (R. 187.) R.E.R. S.B. s t a t e d t h a t s h e was " n o t r e a l l y " a f r a i d of S.B. named h e r c h i l d R., J r . , i n p a r t she h a d h e a r d t h a t mother had m o l e s t e d h e r b r o t h e r , after R.E.R. a n d h e r D.R.; h o w e v e r , she t e s t i f i e d t h a t " I d o n ' t know i f i t ' s t r u e o r n o t b e c a u s e n o t h i n g ' s 16 (R. ever CR-10-1249 h a p p e n e d t o me. She testified doing I a i n ' t seen n o t h i n g that "things" claims only attention. she made c l a i m s when she was that a n d D.R. whipped (R. 189.) fighting that with she made R.E.R. those and t o g e t (R. 189.) o l d a t the time the charges stated that while M.D. that." i n t h e p a s t a b o u t R.E.R. t o h e r , b u t she a s s e r t e d R.E.R. was 60 y e a r s testified like against h i m were t h e f a m i l y was l i v i n g having sex. them h a r d e r c h i l d r e n by spanking than of h i s t r i a l . not true. He He i n Germany he c a u g h t He s a i d i t made h i m a n g r y a n d he normal. He s a i d he p u n i s h e d t h e t h e i r b o t t o m s w i t h a b e l t , b u t he n e v e r w h i p p e d them f r o m t h e n e c k t o t h e a n k l e s . R.E.R. s t a t e d t h a t D.R. was g i v e n neighborhood c h i l d r e n played with a t e n t as a g i f t . The h i s c h i l d r e n i n the tent. One d a y h i s w i f e t o l d h i m t h a t M.D. h a d t o l d h e r t h a t t h e b o y s play "hide a n d go g e t i t " w i t h t h e g i r l s . that meant t h a t the g i r l s hide " g e t [ s ] i t , " r e f e r r i n g t o sex. took the tent G e r m a n y , D.R. away. t o M.D., and whatever boy f i n d s (R. 206.) A l s o , while was g o i n g According them A f t e r t h a t , R.E.R. the family was l i v i n g i n around the neighborhood t e l l i n g h i s f r i e n d s t h a t he a n d h i s m o t h e r h a d s e x . 17 According t o R.E.R., CR-10-1249 K.R. a d m i t t e d t o h i m t h a t she h a d h a d s e x w i t h D.R. t w i c e a n d t h a t she p r o m i s e d t o s t o p . R.E.M. s t a t e d t h a t D.R. d i d n o t go to Kansas w i t h the f a m i l y , b u t s t a y e d w i t h h i s u n c l e because R.E.R. w a n t e d t o s e p a r a t e h i m f r o m h i s m o t h e r a n d b e c a u s e D.R. wanted t o s t a y i n Cullman and p l a y R.E.R. t e s t i f i e d t h a t he a n d K.R. d i d have s e x o u t s i d e t h e i r m a r r i a g e -- as " s w i n g e r s " but they football. were i n t h e i r -- on two d i f f e r e n t occasions 20s a n d c h i l d r e n were n o t i n v o l v e d . (R. 238.) R.E.R. s t a t e d t h a t M.D. d r o v e an e s c o r t v e h i c l e f o r him when h i s j o b was m o v i n g m o b i l e homes. extended p e r i o d s and shared never any i n a p p r o p r i a t e complaints from h e r . a room on t h e s e They were trips. together T h e r e was c o n t a c t , a n d he n e v e r h e a r d R.E.R. s t a t e d t h a t M.D. o f any probably has l i v e d w i t h R.E.R. a n d K.R. most o f h e r a d u l t l i f e -- more t h a n she has l i v e d by h e r s e l f . He a n d h i s w i f e have b a b y s a t f o r M.D.'s d a u g h t e r , H.D., on many o c c a s i o n s , a n d she h a s s p e n t t h e n i g h t a t t h e i r h o u s e many t i m e s . home up to five years o l d " he said. "[H.D.] grew up i n o u r (R. 224.) M.D.'s y o u n g e s t d a u g h t e r , B.D., h a s a l s o s t a y e d w i t h them a n d s p e n t the n i g h t . H i s s o n ' s c h i l d r e n have a l s o s t a y e d a n d s p e n t t h e 18 CR-10-1249 night. R.E.R. s t a t e d t h a t he h a s a l w a y s p r o v i d e d financial assistance to a l l h i s children. On cross-examination, brother-in-law a letter R.E.R. written R.E.R. r e a d t h e l e t t e r i n c o u r t . that as l o n g as n e i t h e r stated letter that K.R. sent h i s was in jail. I n t h e l e t t e r R.E.R. s t a t e s he n o r K.R. o t h e r , t h e y c o u l d n o t be c o n v i c t e d . the he R.E.R. while that testified against the R.E.R. b a s i c a l l y s a y s i n i s innocent. However, by e x p l a n a t i o n , R.E.R. s t a t e d t h a t he was n o t b e i n g himself honest with a b o u t K.R. when he w r o t e t h e l e t t e r . The d e f e n s e r e s t e d and renewed i t s m o t i o n f o r a judgment of a c q u i t t a l . The m o t i o n was R.E.R. a p p e a l e d . denied. I agree w i t h t h e m a j o r i t y ' s r u l i n g R.E.R. d i d n o t t i m e l y p r e s e r v e Confrontation Clause was not r e v e r s i b l e cumulative error violated. I because disagree recording does not appear contained statements 19 the were similar evidence, and, error. t o be a d i s p u t e statements with r e c o r d i n g o f K.R. K.R.'s t o other properly admitted t h u s , t h e a d m i s s i o n was h a r m l e s s There that h i s c l a i m on a p p e a l t h a t t h e majority's holding that admitting the video was way o f of K.R., that who the video was a CR-10-1249 n o n t e s t i f y i n g c o d e f e n d a n t , a s s e r t i n g t h a t R.E.R. was g u i l t y . As R.E.R. c o r r e c t l y a r g u e d i n h i s b r i e f : "[I]t i s well settled that a nontestifying codefendant's statement t o p o l i c e i m p l i c a t i n g the accused i n the crime i s i n a d m i s s i b l e a g a i n s t the a c c u s e d ; i t does n o t f a l l w i t h i n a n y r e c o g n i z e d e x c e p t i o n t o t h e hearsay r u l e and, absent showing o f r e l i a b i l i t y , i t s i n t r o d u c t i o n v i o l a t e s the accused's confrontation rights." J a c k s o n v. S t a t e , 791 So. 2d 979, 1024 ( A l a . C r i m . App. 2000) (citations omitted); (Ala. H i l l a r d v. S t a t e , C r i m . App. 2 0 1 0 ) . On a p p e a l , o u t t h a t , on t h e r e c o r d i n g 53 So. 3d 165, 168-69 R.E.R. s p e c i f i c a l l y points K.R., "acknowledged t h a t Deputy B r a y had been t e l l i n g t h e t r u t h when he was d i s c u s s i n g t h e f a c t s u n d e r l y i n g t h e c h a r g e s a g a i n s t R.E.R. Moreover, d u r i n g her c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h S.B., when S.B. s a i d , ' I t d o n ' t m a t t e r , mama, he d i d i t ' , K.R. r e p l i e d , ' I know it.'" (R.E.R.'s statements brief, a t p. are weighty 17.) R.E.R. statements and i n c u l p a t e R.E.R. a l o n e . argues against that "[t]hese R.E.R.'s i n t e r e s t As s u c h , p u r s u a n t t o J a c k s o n , t h e i n c u l p a t o r y s t a t e m e n t s o f K.R. do n o t f a l l w i t h i n an e x c e p t i o n to hearsay." (R.E.R.'s b r i e f a t p. 17.) "'"The standard f o r determining whether c o n s t i t u t i o n a l e r r o r i s harmless i s whether t h e c o u r t c a n ' d e c l a r e a b e l i e f t h a t i t was h a r m l e s s beyond a r e a s o n a b l e doubt.' Chapman v. C a l i f o r n i a , 20 CR-10-1249 386 U.S. 18, 24, 87 S.Ct. 824, 17 L.Ed.2d 705 623, 649-650 (1967)."'" Lewis v. State, 889 So.2d ( A l a . C r i m . A p p . , 2 0 0 3 ) ( q u o t i n g B a k e r v. (Ala. C r i m . App. B a k e r , 906 In So. 2005), 2d 277 determining reversed on State, other 906 So. g r o u n d s Ex whether constitutional hearsay parte Furthermore, " ' [ i ] t i s w e l l s e t t l e d that "testimony t h a t may be i n a d m i s s i b l e may be r e n d e r e d h a r m l e s s by p r i o r o r s u b s e q u e n t l a w f u l 21 So. 2d 2d 217 ( A l a . the Alabama " ' [ T ] h e f a c t o r s t o be c o n s i d e r e d include " ' " ' [ 1 ] the importance of the [ d e c l a r a n t ' s ] t e s t i m o n y i n the p r o s e c u t i o n ' s case, [ 2 ] w h e t h e r t h e t e s t i m o n y was c u m u l a t i v e , [3] the presence or absence of evidence corroborating or contradicting the t e s t i m o n y o f t h e [ d e c l a r a n t ] on m a t e r i a l p o i n t s , ... and [ 4 ] t h e o v e r a l l s t r e n g t h o f t h e p r o s e c u t i o n ' s c a s e . B a k e r v. S t a t e , [Ms. CR-95-0292, J a n u a r y 12, 2001] So. 2d ___ , ___ ( A l a . C r i m . App. 2 0 0 1 ) ( q u o t i n g James v. S t a t e , 723 So. 2d 776, 782 ( A l a . C:rim. App. 1998) ( i n t u r n q u o t i n g T-> i a w a r e rim. Del TT-,^ T\ ^ ^ ^ 1 1 /ITC /no /TO/ U.S. 673, 684, 106 S v. Van A r s d a l l , 475 TT n C t . 1431, 89 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1986))).' 2d a t 222. error v. S t a t e , 849 " I n F e a t h e r s t o n v. S t a t e , 849 So. ), 2 0 0 2 ) , i n aasssseessssiinngg h a r m l e s s e r r o r , Supreme C o u r t s t a t e d : So. 292, (Ala. 2004)). h a r m l e s s , the m a j o r i t y c i t e s F e a t h e r s t o n 217 ( A l a . 2 0 0 2 ) . "849 2d is 2d CR-10-1249 t e s t i m o n y t o t h e same e f f e c t o r f r o m w h i c h t h e same f a c t s c a n be i n f e r r e d . " W h i t e v . S t a t e , 650 So. 2d 538, 541 ( A l a . C r i m . App. 1994) , o v e r r u l e d on o t h e r g r o u n d s , E x p a r t e R i v e r s , 669 So. 2 d 239 ( A l a . C r i m . App. 1995) . See a l s o Dawson v . S t a t e , 675 So. 2d 897, 900 ( A l a . C r i m . App. 1 9 9 5 ) , a f f ' d , 675 So. 2d 905 ( A l a . 1 9 9 6 ) ( " T h e erroneous admission of evidence that i s merely c u m u l a t i v e i s h a r m l e s s e r r o r . " ) ; Thompson v. S t a t e , 527 So. 2d 777, 780 ( A l a . C r i m . App. 1988)("Testimony which may be a p p a r e n t l y i l l e g a l upon a d m i s s i o n may be rendered prejudicially innocuous by subsequent o r p r i o r l a w f u l t e s t i m o n y t o t h e same e f f e c t o r f r o m w h i c h t h e same f a c t s can be i n f e r r e d . " ) . ' " J a c k s o n v. S t a t e , C r i m . App. 2 0 0 0 ) . " The majority 791 So. 2d 979, 1013-14 ( A l a . found statements specifically cumulative t o M.D.'s the two inadmissible hearsay c h a l l e n g e d i n R.E.R.'s b r i e f testimony that R.E.R. had t o be sexually a s s a u l t e d h e r w h i l e the f a m i l y l i v e d i n Cullman and c u m u l a t i v e t o S.B.'s t e s t i m o n y t h a t K.R. s t a t e d t h a t R.E.R. h a d f o r c e d K.R. t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n r a p i n g M.D. S.B. and L t . Bray majority The m a j o r i t y a s s e r t s c o r r o b o r a t e d M.D.'s does n o t s p e c i f i c a l l y butthe whether K.R.'s ( t h e d e c l a r a n t ) h e a r s a y t e s t i m o n y , was c o r r o b o r a t e d . Thus, h a v i n g f o u n d K.R.'s h e a r s a y statements address testimony, that t o be c u m u l a t i v e t o M.D.'s t e s t i m o n y a n d M.D.'s t e s t i m o n y c o r r o b o r a t e d b y o t h e r e v i d e n c e , 22 CR-10-1249 the m a j o r i t y concludes that "any e r r o r recorded statement was h a r m l e s s not the appear that error error. i n a d m i t t i n g K.R.'s A c c o r d i n g l y , i t does complained of has probably i n j u r i o u s l y a f f e c t e d R.E.R.'s s u b s t a n t i a l r i g h t s , a n d t h u s we f i n d no r e v e r s i b l e error." I do n o t b e l i e v e t h a t c u m u l a t i v e e v i d e n c e for finding not a l l cumulative listed harmless e r r o r because, evidence i n Featherston i s a talisman as F e a t h e r s t o n i s harmless. suggest, A l l the factors must be e v a l u a t e d b e f o r e determining t h a t i t i s b e y o n d a r e a s o n a b l e d o u b t t h a t R.E.R.'s s u b s t a n t i a l r i g h t s were n o t i n j u r i o u s l y a f f e c t e d b y t h e a d m i s s i o n o f t h i s hearsay evidence. I b e l i e v e t h a t K.R.'s t e s t i m o n y was v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o t h e State's case a g a i n s t R.E.R. (the f i r s t Featherston factor). K.R. was a l l e g e d l y a p a r t i c i p a n t i n t h e c r i m e s a g a i n s t M.D., and, about thus, a l o n g w i t h R.E.R. what h a d t r a n s p i r e d further to the l i s t between a n d M.D., these knew t h e t r u t h individuals. K.R. added o f R.E.R.'s a l l e g e d b a d a c t s o r c r i m e s b y c o n f i r m i n g S.B.'s a s s e s s m e n t t h a t R.E.R. h a d e s s e n t i a l l y K.R. w h e n e v e r he w a n t e d t o . blame on R.E.R. She and p r e s e n t e d 23 raped e s s e n t i a l l y placed a l l the herself as another of h i s CR-10-1249 victims. Moreover, i t must be n o t e d t h a t i t was i n K.R.'s p e n a l i n t e r e s t t o e s t a b l i s h t h a t s h e was a l s o R.E.M.'s v i c t i m because i t lessened K.R.'s c u l p a b i l i t y f o r t h e crimes and p l a c e d more c u l p a b i l i t y upon R.E.R. K.R.'s s t a t e m e n t s were c o r r o b o r a t e d (the t h i r d F e a t h e r s t o n factor). b y M.D. However, t h e i r t e s t i m o n y , as d i s c u s s e d b e l o w , was n o t b e y o n d q u e s t i o n . contradicting K.R.'s t e s t i m o n y d e n i e d the c r i m i n a l a c c u s a t i o n s t h a t he d i d n o t r a p e M.D. having sex w i t h sex w i t h D.R. M.D. a g a i n s t him. R.E.R. R.E.R. t e s t i f i e d He s t a t e d t h a t he h a d c a u g h t D.R. t h a t K.R. was h a v i n g He f u r t h e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e game " h i d e a n d go testified inappropriate and h i s f r i e n d s p l a y e d sexual at t r i a l that activity p h y s i c a l abuse i n R.E.R.'s h o u s e . 178.) points. that had t o do w i t h R.E.R. S.B. had T h e r e was e v i d e n c e on m a t e r i a l R.E.R. t e s t i f i e d s e e k " was a s e x game D.R. nothing a n d b y D.R. she h a d n o t seen i n R.E.R.'s house o r any She t e s t i f i e d t h a t R.E.R. n e v e r t o u c h e d h e r " i n a s e x u a l l y - i n a p p r o p r i a t e way." She s a i d , " I t h o u g h t I h a d a n o r m a l f a m i l y . happy f a m i l y . " (R. 178.) S.B. t e s t i f i e d 24 any at t r i a l (R. I had a t h a t she CR-10-1249 d i d n o t know why h e r m o t h e r was a f r a i d o f R.E.R. b e c a u s e S.B. had n e v e r s e e n any r e a s o n t o be a f r a i d o f h i m . M.D. u n d e r m i n e d h e r own t e s t i m o n y when she t e s t i f i e d that what h u r t h e r t h e most was t h a t h e r m o t h e r , K.R., h a d a l l o w e d R.E.R. t o abuse h e r . about h o u s e h o l d w i t h R.E.R., a n d h e r c h i l d r e n were a l l o w e d t o spend D.R. sister, I daughters to i n R.E.R.'s h o u s e . testified that he h a d h a d c o n s e n s u a l sex with h i s M.D. cannot prosecution's This young reservations i n the night h e r two M.D. h a d no stay the allowing Nevertheless, case find case was that the overall strength (the f o u r t h F e a t h e r s t o n entirely dependent on of the f a c t o r ) was g r e a t . who the jury found credible. T h e r e was c u m u l a t i v e t e s t i m o n y p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s c a s e i n t h e s e n s e t h a t t h e S t a t e p r e s e n t e d t h e t e s t i m o n y o f M.D., stated that R.E.R. had had sex with h e r , and t h e p r e s e n t e d t h e t e s t i m o n y o f L t . B r a y a n d D.R., who State testified t h a t t h e y b e l i e v e d t h a t R.E.R. h a d h a d s e x w i t h M.D., was but i t n o t an e s t a b l i s h e d f a c t t h a t R.E.R. h a d h a d s e x w i t h Thus, because the alleged cumulative 25 testimony who was M.D. not CR-10-1249 cumulative t o an e s t a b l i s h e d f a c t , f a c t o r i n determining harmless Here, the jury R.E.R.'s g u i l t . weight given verdict. the heard I b e l i e v e i t i s a weak error. conflicting testimony regarding choices, i . e . , the The j u r y ' s c r e d i b i l i t y to the evidence, was the key t o r e a c h i n g i t s B e c a u s e t h e j u d g m e n t d e p e n d e d on t h e c r e d i b i l i t y o f witnesses, admitting K.R.'s hearsay testimony, e s s e n t i a l l y p o r t r a y e d R.E.R. as a b a d t e m p e r e d , sexual predator, State's witnesses. to tended to bolster controlling, the c r e d i b i l i t y of the I do n o t b e l i e v e t h i s p e r m i t s t h e e v i d e n c e be d e f i n e d as h a r m l e s s error. dissent. Kellum, which J . , concurs. 26 Therefore, I respectfully

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