Cory J. Brightharp v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: September 14, 2020
• Docket: 20A-CR-649
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED regarded as precedent or cited before any Sep 14 2020, 8:48 am

court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK Indiana Supreme Court the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals and Tax Court estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE David A. Felts Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Locke & Witte Attorney General of Indiana Fort Wayne, Indiana Tiffany A. McCoy Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Cory J. Brightharp, September 14, 2020 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 20A-CR-649 v. Appeal from the Allen Superior Court State of Indiana, The Honorable Wendy Davis, Appellee-Plaintiff. Judge Trial Court Cause No. 02D06-1912-F6-1527

Bailey, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 1 of 12 Case Summary [1] Cory J. Brightharp (“Brightharp”) challenges his convictions and sentence for

Intimidation1 and Criminal Recklessness,2 as Level 6 felonies. We affirm.

Issues [2] Brightharp presents three issues for review:

I. Whether sufficient evidence supports his conviction for Intimidation;

II. Whether his sentence is inappropriate; and

III. Whether he was denied the effective assistance of trial counsel.

Facts and Procedural History [3] During the fall of 2019, Timothy Hardy (“Hardy”) was living in a Fort Wayne

residence with his daughters and his fiancée, Candice Bibs (“Bibs”). Hardy

observed that Brightharp sometimes slept in a chair in an alley across the street

from Hardy’s residence. One day, Brightharp showed up outside Hardy’s

house and began to confront Hardy about “the woman in his house” and an

alleged debt she owed Brightharp. (Tr. at 81.) Thereafter, Brightharp

1 Ind. Code § 35-45-2-1(a). 2 I.C. § 35-42-2-2(a).

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 2 of 12 continued to confront Hardy at least weekly, with the common themes that

Bibs owed Brightharp money, Hardy should intervene, and it was unfair that

Bibs was living with Hardy while Brightharp had been left homeless. Hardy

and Bibs frequently called the police after these encounters.

[4] In November, Hardy and Brightharp were at a Phillips 66 convenience store on

Wayne Trace Road when Brightharp again confronted Hardy. On this

occasion, an employee of Phillips 66 called for police assistance and Brightharp

left the premises.

[5] During the early morning hours of December 1, 2019, Hardy returned to the

same Phillips 66 store to purchase a lottery ticket. He sat down to fill out the

form and noticed that Brightharp sat down nearby. Brightharp expressed his

desire to “talk about the woman in [Hardy’s] house” and questioned why “she

had not paid the money” and Brightharp had “lost the house.” (Id. at 85.)

Hardy got up and moved toward the cash register, telling Brightharp that “he

had a personal problem and probably needs to go to small claims.” (Id.)

[6] As Hardy paid for his purchases and walked to his truck, Brightharp followed,

calling Hardy names such as “punk” and “bitch.” (Id. at 86.) He claimed that

Hardy “hid behind his truck and the police.” (Id.) As Hardy prepared to drive

away, he saw his friend, Dave Cotton (“Cotton”), arrive at the store. Hardy

decided to get out of his truck and warn Cotton about Brightharp.

[7] When Hardy and Cotton began to talk, they saw Brightharp approach and pull

out a long-blade knife. Brightharp got within two or three feet of Hardy and

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 3 of 12 pointed the knife directly at Hardy, saying: “it’s going to be your day.” (Id.)

Hardy raised his hands and moved his body sideways in an attempt to protect

an artery if Brighton lunged. Brightharp repeated such phrases as “I’ve got

nothing to lose” and “I’ve got something for you” until Hardy persuaded him

to “fight like men with [only] their hands.” (Id. at 90, 91, 128.) Brightharp then

dropped his knife, reached into his pocket and retrieved a second knife, and

placed them both on the ground. He began to remove his outer clothing, as if

preparing for a fight.

[8] Police officers, summoned by employee Priscilla Guerrero (“Guerrero”),

arrived and interviewed those present. They placed Brightharp under arrest.

On December 5, 2019, Brightharp was charged with Intimidation and Criminal

Recklessness. On February 19, 2020, a jury convicted Brightharp as charged.

[9] At the sentencing hearing, conducted on March 12, 2020, Brightharp confirmed

the accuracy of the Presentence Investigation Report (“PSI”). When

interviewed, Brightharp had denied any history of mental illness. His counsel

interjected that he believed the PSI inaccurately portrayed the state of

Brightharp’s mental health. According to defense counsel, Brightharp was

competent and able to assist in his defense, but counsel asked that the trial court

“take into consideration for sentencing purposes [Brightharp’s] mental health

issues.” (Id. at 223.) The trial court imposed upon Brightharp concurrent

sentences of two years and 183 days for Criminal Recklessness, with one year

suspended, and two years, with one year suspended, for Intimidation.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 4 of 12 Additionally, the trial court ordered that Brightharp be given a psychological

assessment. Brightharp now appeals.

Discussion and Decision [10] Pursuant to Indiana Code Section 35-45-2-1(a), “A person who communicates

a threat with the intent: . . . that another person engage in conduct against the

other person’s will; [or] that another person be placed in fear of retaliation for a

prior lawful act . . . commits intimidation, a Class A misdemeanor.” The

offense is elevated to a Level 6 felony if the threat is to commit a forcible felony.

Id. Here, the Information alleged that Brightharp communicated a threat to

Hardy, with the intent that Hardy engage in conduct against his will or be

placed in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act, and the threat was to commit

a forcible felony. In closing argument, the State contended that Hardy was

goaded into a fight and that he had engaged in prior lawful acts of having a

relationship with Bibs and calling for police assistance.

[11] On appeal, Brightharp argues that the State presented insufficient evidence to

show he intended that Hardy engage in conduct against Hardy’s will or be

placed in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act. Brightharp argues that Hardy

voluntarily “tried to engage Brightharp in a fight” and had verbally accosted

Brightharp in an unlawful manner. Appellant’s Brief at 12. For the purposes of

the crime of Intimidation, a threat is defined, in relevant part, as “an

expression, by words or action, of an intention to ... unlawfully injure the

person threatened or another person, or damage property ... [or] commit a

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 5 of 12 crime.” I.C. § 35–45–2–1(d). “A defendant’s intent may be proven by

circumstantial evidence alone, and knowledge and intent may be inferred from

the facts and circumstances of each case.” Chastain v. State, 58 N.E.3d 235, 240

(Ind. Ct. App. 2016), trans. denied.

[12] Our standard of review for sufficiency is clear: we will consider only the

evidence most favorable to the verdicts and the reasonable inferences to be

drawn therefrom. Leonard v. State, 73 N.E.3d 155, 160 (Ind. 2017). We will

affirm a conviction if there is probative evidence from which a reasonable jury

could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. We will

neither reweigh the evidence nor reassess the credibility of witnesses. Id.

[13] Hardy testified to having some history with Brightharp with the latter

repeatedly insisting that Hardy’s fiancée owed Brightharp money and Hardy

should answer for that debt. Hardy had responded by calling police. Hardy

testified further that, on December 1, 2019, Brightharp approached Hardy,

accused him of hiding behind the police, pointed a knife directly at him, and

announced “it’s going to be your day.” (Tr. at 90.) Cotton testified that

Brightharp was yelling and screaming such phrases as “I’ve got something for

you” and confirmed that Brightharp pulled out a knife and pointed it directly at

Hardy. (Id. at 128.) Brightharp persisted in pointing the knife at Hardy and

continuing his diatribe even after Guerrero came outside the convenience store

and tried to reason with Brightharp. Brightharp disarmed himself only after

being challenged to a fight without weapons. Police officers recovered two

knives in proximity to Brightharp.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 6 of 12 [14] Indiana Code Section 35-45-2-1(a), setting forth the elements of the crime of

Intimidation, is written in the disjunctive. The State was required to establish

beyond a reasonable doubt that Brightharp intended that Hardy engage in

conduct against his will or intended to place Hardy in fear of retaliation for a

prior lawful act. The eyewitness testimony and physical evidence is sufficient

to permit the factfinder to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Brightharp

intended to place Hardy in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act. Brightharp’s

argument that Hardy openly expressed a desire to fight, and thus Brightharp did

not intend that Hardy commit an act against Hardy’s will, is at bottom an

invitation to reweigh the evidence. This we cannot do. Leonard, 73 N.E.3d at

160. Sufficient evidence supports Brightharp’s conviction of Intimidation.

Sentencing [15] Article 7, Sections 4 and 6 of the Indiana Constitution authorize independent

appellate review and revision of a sentence imposed by a trial court. Sanders v.

State, 71 N.E.3d 839, 843 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017), trans. denied. This appellate

authority is embodied in Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B). Id. Under 7(B), the

appellant must demonstrate that his sentence is inappropriate in light of the

nature of his offense and his character. Id. (citing Ind. Appellate Rule 7(B)). In

these instances, deference to the trial courts “should prevail unless overcome by

compelling evidence portraying in a positive light the nature of the offense (such

as accompanied by restraint, regard, and lack of brutality) and the defendant’s

character (such as substantial virtuous traits or persistent examples of good

character).” Stephenson v. State, 29 N.E.3d 111, 122 (Ind. 2015).

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 7 of 12 [16] The Indiana Supreme Court has explained that the principal role of appellate

review is an attempt to leaven the outliers, “not to achieve a perceived ‘correct’

result in each case.” Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1225 (Ind. 2008). The

question is not whether another sentence is more appropriate, but whether the

sentence imposed is inappropriate. King v. State, 894 N.E.2d 265, 268 (Ind. Ct.

App. 2008).

[17] A defendant convicted of a Level 6 felony is subject to a sentencing range of six

months to two and one-half years, with one year as the advisory sentence. I.C.

§ 35-50-2-7(b). Brightharp received concurrent sentences of two and one-half

years and two years, with one year of each suspended to probation. He

contends that the nature of the offenses and his character do not support his

aggregate sentence. In particular, he emphasizes that there were indications of

his mental instability and that the most serious offenses in his criminal history

are remote in time.

[18] First, we look to the nature of the offenses. Brightharp followed a patron of a

convenience store through the store and into the parking lot, yelling insults and

obscenities. Cotton heard the yelling and screaming and became concerned.

After he moved into very close proximity to Hardy, Brightharp pulled out a

long-blade knife and announced, “It’s going to be somebody’s day. I have

nothing to lose.” (Tr. at 90.) Guerrero, fearful for her safety and that of her

customers, encouraged Brightharp to drop the knife. He refused to do so until

challenged to a fistfight. Nothing in the nature of the offenses, involving several

individuals, militates toward a lesser sentence.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 8 of 12 [19] Next, we consider the defendant’s character. Brightharp has an extensive

criminal history consisting of four prior felony convictions and two

misdemeanor convictions. As the trial court observed, the most serious of these

convictions (for Gross Sexual Battery and Drug Trafficking in the State of

Ohio) were remote in time. However, Brightharp was serving a suspended

sentence for Criminal Trespass when arrested in this case. Brightharp’s

attorney stated at the sentencing hearing that Brightharp may have received

mental health treatment at some time but discontinued prescribed medication.

When interviewed for the PSI, Brightharp denied that he suffered from a mental

illness.3

[20] In sum, Brightharp has not presented compelling evidence that portrays in a

positive light the nature of the offenses or his character. Absent such evidence,

we are unpersuaded that his sentence is inappropriate.

3 To the extent that Brightharp suggests that the trial court did not accord proper weight to the remoteness of some of his criminal history or to the defense attorney’s suggestion that Brightharp suffers from a mental illness, the contentions are not available for review. Our Indiana Supreme Court has succinctly summarized the sentencing review framework: The imposition of sentence and the review of sentences on appeal should proceed as follows: 1. The trial court must enter a statement including reasonably detailed reasons or circumstances for imposing a particular sentence. 2. The reasons given, and the omission of reasons arguably supported by the record, are reviewable on appeal for abuse of discretion. 3. The relative weight or value assignable to reasons properly found or those which should have been found is not subject to review for abuse. 4. Appellate review of the merits of a sentence may be sought on the grounds outlined in Appellate Rule 7(B). Anglemyer v. State, 868 N.E.2d 482, 491 (Ind. 2007), clarified on reh’g, 875 N.E.2d 218.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 9 of 12 Effectiveness of Counsel [21] Finally, Brightharp claims that he was denied the effective assistance of trial

counsel because counsel did not tender a jury instruction relative to mental

illness. We review ineffectiveness claims as follows:

Ineffective assistance of counsel claims are evaluated under the two-part test articulated in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). To prevail, [the appellant] must show: 1) that counsel’s performance was deficient based on prevailing professional norms; and 2) that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. Ward v. State, 969 N.E.2d 46, 51 (Ind. 2012) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052).

In analyzing whether counsel’s performance was deficient, the Court first asks whether, “‘considering all the circumstances,’ counsel’s actions were ‘reasonable [ ] under prevailing professional norms.’” Wilkes, 984 N.E.2d at 1240 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052). Counsel is afforded considerable discretion in choosing strategy and tactics, and judicial scrutiny of counsel’s performance is highly deferential. Id.

To demonstrate prejudice, “the defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052.

There is a strong presumption that counsel rendered adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. Stevens, 770 N.E.2d at 746.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 10 of 12 Counsel is afforded considerable discretion in choosing strategy and tactics and these decisions are entitled to deferential review. Id. at 746-47 (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052). Furthermore, isolated mistakes, poor strategy, inexperience and instances of bad judgment do not necessarily render representation ineffective. Id. at 747 (citations omitted).

Weisheit v. State, 109 N.E.3d 978, 983-84 (Ind. 2018).

[22] Brightharp argues that counsel should have tendered a jury instruction on

mental illness so that (1) the jury could have concluded that he lacked the

requisite criminal intent and (2) he could have avoided placement in the

Department of Correction and instead been given “a proper alternative

sentence.” Appellant’s Brief at 16.

[23] Had Brightharp raised and supported an insanity defense, he could have

avoided criminal liability and incarceration. Even where the State meets its

burden to prove the elements of a criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt, a

defendant in Indiana can avoid criminal responsibility by successfully raising

and establishing the “insanity defense.” Galloway v. State, 938 N.E.2d 699, 708

(Ind. 2010) (citing I.C. § 35–41–3–6(a)). “A successful insanity defense results

in the defendant being found not responsible by reason of insanity.” Id. The

defendant bears the burden of establishing the insanity defense by a

preponderance of the evidence and must establish both (1) that he or she suffers

from a mental illness and (2) that the mental illness rendered him or her unable

to appreciate the wrongfulness of his or her conduct at the time of the offense.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 11 of 12 Id. “Thus, mental illness alone is not sufficient to relieve criminal

responsibility.” Id.

[24] But although he obliquely asserts that he lacked criminal intent, Brightharp

does not argue that defense counsel should have raised an insanity defense, nor

does he point to evidence that would have supported the defense. At bottom,

Brightharp does not provide us with either the text or context of the desired

instruction. In these circumstances, we readily conclude that Brightharp has

not shown that he was prejudiced by defense counsel’s failure to tender an

instruction.

Conclusion [25] Sufficient evidence supports Brightharp’s conviction for Intimidation. His

sentence is not inappropriate. He has not shown that he was denied the

effective assistance of trial counsel.

[26] Affirmed.

Vaidik, J., and Baker, Sr. J., concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-CR-649 | September 14, 2020 Page 12 of 12