MAY, Judge.
Jeffrey Archer appeals his convictions of Class A felony child molesting
We affirm.
Archer is the paternal step-grandfather of L.B., born June 2, 2003. L.B. lives with her maternal grandparents, Michael and Cindy Tollar, who have had full custody of L.B. since December 5, 2008. The Tollars allowed L.B. to visit with her paternal grandmother, Patricia, who is married to Archer, every other weekend from Friday night to Sunday after dinner. L.B. did not
Sometime in early 2011, Cindy noticed L.B.'s demeanor would be different after she returned from visits with the Archers. On May 2, 2011, L.B. told her school's student services advisor that Archer had touched her multiple times on the bottom, vagina, back, and chest. L.B. also reported Archer touched her inside her underwear and once put his fingers in her genitalia. The advisor contacted the Department of Child Services.
After detectives and service providers interviewed L.B., the State charged Archer with one count of Class A felony child molesting and two counts of Class C felony child molesting. On July 16, 2012, a jury found Archer guilty as charged. The trial court entered a conviction of Class A felony child molesting and merged the two counts of Class C felony child molesting. The trial court sentenced Archer to twenty-five years for Class A felony child molesting and two years for Class C felony child molesting, to be served concurrently.
Indiana Evidence Rule 601 provides, in relevant part, "[e]very person is competent to be a witness except as otherwise provided in these rules or by the act of the Indiana General Assembly." Prior to 1990, children under ten years old were presumed incompetent to testify, but children are not explicitly excluded as competent witnesses under the current version of Evid. R. 601. Aldridge v. State, 779 N.E.2d 607, 609 (Ind.Ct.App.2002), trans. denied. The determination of witness competency lies within the sound discretion of the trial court. Harrington v. State, 755 N.E.2d 1176, 1181 (Ind.Ct.App. 2001). To determine whether a child is competent to testify, the trial court considers whether the child "(1) understands the difference between telling a lie and telling the truth, (2) knows she is under a compulsion to tell the truth, and (3) knows what a true statement actually is." Id.
The trial court spoke with L.B. to determine her competency:
(Tr. at 93.) The court then stated: "Okay. Very good. I'm very satisfied that this witness understands the oath and that she is competent, understands the difference between the truth and a lie and understands the consequences of telling a lie." (Id.)
Archer argues "[t]he trial court vouched for the testimony of L.B. by being `very satisfied' L.B. was competent to testify, and knew the difference between the truth and a lie in front of the jury." (Appellant's Br. at 22.) We first note Archer did not object to the court's statement. Failing to object to the admission of evidence at trial normally results in waiver and precludes appellate review unless its admission is fundamental error. Konopasek v. State, 946 N.E.2d 23, 27 (Ind.2011). Fundamental error is an error "so prejudicial
The trial court's statement did not vouch for L.B.'s credibility. Whether a witness is competent and whether a witness is credible are different questions, the former for the trial court and the latter for the jury. Kien v. State, 866 N.E.2d 377, 385 (Ind.Ct.App.2007), trans. denied. The trial court's statement addresses L.B.'s competency; it almost directly recites the factors set forth in Harrington for determining the competency of a child witness. The trial court's statement did not amount to fundamental error.
We generally review admission of evidence under an abuse of discretion standard. Joyner v. State, 678 N.E.2d 386, 390 (Ind.1997), reh'g denied. "[W]itnesses may not testify to opinions concerning intent, guilt, or innocence in a criminal case; the truth or falsity of allegations; whether a witness has testified truthfully; or legal conclusions." Evid. R. 704(b). Our Indiana Supreme Court has addressed the admissibility of testimony from adults regarding whether a child witness testified truthfully:
Head v. State, 519 N.E.2d 151, 152 (Ind. 1988). Archer argues the trial court allowed three witnesses to vouch for L.B.'s credibility as a witness.
Archer alleges Michael Tollar, L.B.'s maternal grandfather vouched for L.B.'s testimony when asked about L.B.'s behavior after her visits with Archer stopped:
(Tr. at 179-80.) Archer does not explain how Tollar's testimony regarding L.B.'s changed demeanor amounts to vouching testimony. Therefore, we cannot say the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted Tollar's testimony.
Archer argues Diane Bowers, a forensic investigator who interviewed L.B., vouched for L.B.'s truthfulness:
(Tr. at 298-301.)
In Kindred v. State, 973 N.E.2d 1245, 1257 (Ind.Ct.App.2012), we discussed the general prohibition against vouching for the credibility of a child witness in a molestation case:
Id. (emphasis added).
Bowers described the indicators she looks for to determine whether a child has been coached to report untrue allegations of molestation. The State did not ask Bowers whether she thought L.B. had been coached; instead, the State asked Bowers if she observed any of those indicators in L.B. Therefore, based on Kindred, we cannot say the trial court abused its discretion by admitting Bowers' testimony.
Archer also argues Detective McAllister, who investigated the case and interviewed L.B. about the alleged incidents of molestation, vouched for L.B.'s truthfulness:
(Tr. at 346-49.) Detective McAllister's statements regarding L.B.'s interview with Bowers did not vouch for L.B.'s truthfulness. He expressed no opinion "concerning intent, guilt, or innocence in a criminal case; the truth or falsity of allegations; whether a witness has testified truthfully; or legal conclusion." Evid. R. 704(b). Instead, Detective McAllister testified there were parts of L.B.'s interview with Bowers
Archer sought to admit counseling records regarding L.B.'s post-allegation behavior, including an incident which happened at her school and the therapist concluded was a result of something L.B. experienced when visiting her mother sometime after the incidents with Archer occurred. The trial court denied the request because the evidence was hearsay, irrelevant, and "[t]he probative value is far outweighed — far outweighed by the prejudicial effect because the mother's background had nothing to do with, in this Court's opinion, with these allegations." (Tr. at 288.) Archer concedes the evidence from the counseling records might not have been admissible initially, due to its prejudicial nature, but the State opened the door to such evidence when it questioned Cindy Tollar about L.B.'s post-allegation demeanor. We disagree.
Whether the State opened the door to this evidence is irrelevant, because the evidence was inadmissible. Archer indicated he did not intend to have the social worker who created the records testify, and the records presumably contained statements by L.B. See Evid. R. 801 (hearsay is a statement, "other than one made by the declarant while testifying at trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted."); see also Evid. R. 802 ("Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by law or by these rules."); and see Evid. R. 805 ("Hearsay included within hearsay is not excluded under the hearsay rule if each part of the combined statements conforms with an exception to the hearsay rule provided in these rules."). As Archer has not demonstrated the records were not hearsay or that an exception applies, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Archer's request to admit L.B.'s counseling records.
Instructing the jury is a matter assigned to the sound discretion of the trial court, and we review such decisions only for abuse of discretion. Hubbard v. State, 742 N.E.2d 919, 921 (Ind.2001), cert. denied 534 U.S. 869, 122 S.Ct. 160, 151 L.Ed.2d 109 (2001). An improper instruction will merit reversal only if it so affects the entire charge that the jury is misled as to the law in the case. Id. In reviewing a challenge to a jury instruction, we consider whether the instruction correctly states the law, whether there was evidence in the record to support giving the instruction, and whether the substance of the tendered instruction is covered by other instructions. Id. "[A]n instruction directed to the testimony of one witness erroneously invades the province of the jury when the instruction intimates an opinion on the credibility of a witness or the weight to be given to his testimony." Pope v. State, 737 N.E.2d 374, 378 (Ind.2000).
Archer takes issue with Final Instruction 6, which reads: "Proof of the slightest penetration is sufficient to sustain a conviction for child molesting based upon penetration of the female sex organ or anus by the male sex organ or an object." (App. at 161.) Archer argues the instruction "unfairly highlights the testimony of L.B. ... presents the appellate standard of review which [sic] is not relevant to the jury's function as a fact-finder.... [and] the jury was possibly confused or lead [sic] to a verdict of conviction [sic] by the term `slightest.'" (Appellant's Br. at 24.)
Such is not the case here. Jury Instruction 6 is a correct statement of law. See Spurlock v. State, 675 N.E.2d 312, 315 (Ind.1996) ("Proof of the slightest penetration is sufficient to sustain convictions for child molesting."). L.B. testified penetration occurred, and Archer does not argue the information in Jury Instruction 6 is duplicative of another instruction. Final Instruction 6 was not error.
When reviewing sufficiency of evidence to support a conviction, we consider only the probative evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the decision. Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144, 146 (Ind. 2007). It is the fact-finder's role, and not ours, to assess witness credibility and weigh the evidence to determine whether it is sufficient to support a conviction. Id. To preserve this structure, when we are confronted with conflicting evidence, we consider it most favorably to the ruling. Id. We affirm a conviction unless no reasonable fact-finder could find the elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. It is therefore not necessary that the evidence overcome every reasonable hypothesis of innocence; rather, the evidence is sufficient if an inference reasonably may be drawn from it to support the decision. Id. at 147.
To prove Archer committed Class A felony child molesting, the State had to present evidence Archer "perform[ed] or submit[ed] to sexual intercourse or deviate sexual conduct" with a child under the age of fourteen, when Archer was over twenty-one years old. Ind.Code 35-42-4-3(a)(1). Archer argues L.B.'s testimony was incredibly dubious and there was no circumstantial evidence to support it. We disagree.
Under the "incredible dubiosity rule" we may "impinge on the jury's responsibility to judge the credibility of the witness only when it has confronted `inherently improbable testimony or coerced, equivocal, wholly uncorroborated testimony of incredible dubiosity.'" Rodgers v. State, 422 N.E.2d 1211, 1213 (Ind. 1981). We will reverse a conviction if the sole witness presents inherently improbable testimony and there is no circumstantial evidence of the defendant's guilt. White v. State, 706 N.E.2d 1078, 1079-80 (Ind.1999).
Archer argues inconsistencies between L.B.'s testimony at trial and during a deposition make her testimony incredibly dubious. A conviction of child molesting may rest on the uncorroborated testimony of the victim. Barger v. State, 587 N.E.2d 1304, 1308 (Ind.1992), reh'g denied. L.B. testified Archer touched her genitalia inside of her underwear, he put up to three fingers inside of her vagina and she knew he put his fingers inside of her vagina because it hurt. Archer does not point to any of L.B.'s testimony that is "inherently improbable." Archer has not demonstrated L.B.'s testimony was incredibly dubious,
To convict Archer of Class C felony child molesting, the State had to prove Archer, with a child under age fourteen, "perform[ed] or submit[ted] to any fondling or touching, of either the child or the older person, with intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the older person." Ind.Code § 35-42-4-3(b). Archer argues the State's evidence was insufficient because "[t]here was no direct or circumstantial evidence to infer that the alleged touches were to satisfy or arouse the sexual desires of Archer." (Appellant's Br. at 21.) We disagree.
Evidence of mere touching is not sufficient to prove Class C felony child molesting. Bass v. State, 947 N.E.2d 456, 460 (Ind.Ct.App.2011), trans. denied. The State must prove the "act of touching was accompanied by the specific intent to arouse or satisfy sexual desires." Id. That intent "may be established by circumstantial evidence and may be inferred from the actor's conduct and the natural and usual sequence to which such conduct usually points." Id.
L.B. testified Archer touched her chest and stomach on top of and underneath her shirt multiple times and the touching occurred while L.B. was in bed with Archer and L.B.'s grandmother. Further, L.B. testified Archer touched her vagina, and once put his fingers inside her vagina. It is reasonable to infer from that evidence Archer intended to arouse or satisfy his sexual desires. See Altes v. State, 822 N.E.2d 1116, 1122 (Ind.Ct.App.2005) (evidence sufficient to prove Class C felony child molesting when Altes touched areas not associated with sex organs under the victim's clothing), trans. denied.
We begin our review of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel with a strong presumption "that counsel rendered adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment." Ward v. State, 969 N.E.2d 46, 51 (Ind.2012) (citation omitted). Counsel has wide latitude in selecting trial strategy and tactics, which will be subjected to deferential review. Id. "[A] defendant must offer strong and convincing evidence to overcome this presumption." Saylor v. State, 765 N.E.2d 535, 549 (Ind. 2002).
An ineffective assistance challenge requires a defendant to establish both deficient performance and resulting prejudice. Pontius v. State, 930 N.E.2d 1212, 1219 (Ind.Ct.App.2010), trans. denied. Performance is deficient when trial counsel's representation falls below an objective standard of reasonableness causing errors sufficiently serious to amount to a denial of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Wesley v. State, 788 N.E.2d 1247, 1252 (Ind.2003). Prejudice is established when "there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would be different." Id. If defendant does not establish prejudice, we need not evaluate trial counsel's performance. Pontius, 930 N.E.2d at 1219.
Archer argues trial counsel was ineffective because (1) defense counsel did not object to alleged attacks against defense counsel; (2) counsel did not object to allegations of name-calling by Archer and his wife; (3) counsel did not submit any proposed final instructions; and (4) counsel did not "require the trial court to read or submit the preliminary instructions on the
To demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to object, a defendant must "prove that his objections would have been sustained, that the failure to object was unreasonable, and that he was prejudiced." Potter v. State, 684 N.E.2d 1127, 1134 (Ind.1997). Archer claims his defense counsel should have objected to the State's comment regarding defense counsel's diagram, which included a person with six instead of five toes, and its criticism of defense counsel's questions during L.B.'s deposition. Archer does not indicate what objections could have been made. He argues the alleged attacks were "nothing more than tactics to garnish sympathy for L.B., and to unfairly prejudice Archer," (Appellant's Br. at 26), but he does not explain how these comments prejudiced him. Because he has not demonstrated prejudice he has not demonstrated defense counsel was ineffective when he did not object to comments disparaging defense counsel.
Archer claims his defense counsel should have objected when the State asked Archer if he ever called Cindy Tollar a "bitch." (Tr. at 372.) Defense counsel did object, and the objection was overruled. We cannot find counsel was ineffective for failing to object when counsel objected to the statement in question.
Archer also claims counsel should have objected when the State asked Archer and his wife, whether Archer's wife called L.B. a "little heifer." (Id. at 376.) Archer does not indicate what objection defense counsel should have made, and the State introduced evidence of the statement through refreshed recollection of a telephone call between Archer and his wife wherein his wife called L.B. a "little heifer." (Id. at 524.) However, Archer has not demonstrated how this testimony resulted in prejudice against him, and thus he has not demonstrated trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to this particular line of questioning.
An instruction that "advises the jury that the presumption of innocence prevails until the close of the trial, and that it is the duty of the jury to reconcile the evidence upon the theory of the defendant's innocence if they could do so, must be given if requested." Robey v. State, 454 N.E.2d 1221, 1222 (Ind.1983). Archer argues his defense counsel was ineffective because he did not tender an instruction regarding the presumption Archer was innocent. However, the jury was so instructed. Final Instruction 7 reads: "Under the law of this State, a person charged with a crime is presumed to be innocent. To overcome the presumption of innocence, the State must prove the defendant guilty of each element of the crime charged, beyond a reasonable doubt." (App. at 162.) Archer has not demonstrated his counsel was ineffective for failing to tender an instruction to the same effect.
Archer contends his defense counsel should have required the trial court "to read or submit the preliminary instructions on the elements of the charges against Archer." (Appellant's Br. at 26.) The trial court provided the jury with a copy of the preliminary instructions. Those instructions included the elements of the crimes with which Archer was charged. The trial court twice told the
The trial court did not make an impermissible vouching statement when it indicated L.B. was competent to testify. Nor were statements made by Michael Tollar, Diane Bowers, and Detective MacAllister impermissible vouching statements. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it declined to admit L.B.'s post-allegation counseling records because the records were hearsay within hearsay. Final Instruction 6 did not prejudice Archer, and the State presented sufficient evidence he committed Class A felony child molesting and Class C felony child molesting. Finally, Archer has not demonstrated his defense counsel was ineffective. Accordingly, we affirm.
Affirmed.
BAKER, J., and MATHIAS, J., concur.
