Henry Stanley Abrams v. Commonwealth of Kentucky

• Court: Kentucky Supreme Court
• Decided: June 13, 2024
• Docket: 2023-SC-0200
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

IMPORTANT NOTICE NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OPINION

THIS OPINION IS DESIGNATED “NOT TO BE PUBLISHED.” PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE PROMULGATED BY THE SUPREME COURT, RAP 40(D), THIS OPINION IS NOT TO BE PUBLISHED AND SHALL NOT BE CITED OR USED AS BINDING PRECEDENT IN ANY OTHER CASE IN ANY COURT OF THIS STATE; HOWEVER, UNPUBLISHED KENTUCKY APPELLATE DECISIONS, RENDERED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2003, MAY BE CITED FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COURT IF THERE IS NO PUBLISHED OPINION THAT WOULD ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE ISSUE BEFORE THE COURT. OPINIONS CITED FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COURT SHALL BE SET OUT AS AN UNPUBLISHED DECISION IN THE FILED DOCUMENT AND A COPY OF THE ENTIRE DECISION SHALL BE TENDERED ALONG WITH THE DOCUMENT TO THE COURT AND ALL PARTIES TO THE ACTION. RENDERED: JUNE 13, 2024 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

Supreme Court of Kentucky 2023-SC-0200-MR

HENRY STANLEY ABRAMS APPELLANT

ON APPEAL FROM KENTON CIRCUIT COURT V. HONORABLE KATHLEEN LAPE, JUDGE NO. 22-CR-00671

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE

MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT

AFFIRMING

A Kenton Circuit Court jury found Henry Stanley Abrams guilty of being

a felon in possession of a handgun and a persistent felony offender (PFO) in the

first degree. The jury recommended a sentence of twenty years in prison which

the trial court imposed. Abrams appeals as a matter of right. 1 Abrams argues

the following: the trial court’s errors and the Commonwealth’s misconduct

during the sentencing phase requires reversal; the trial court erred by striking

a juror; and Abrams was unduly prejudiced by impermissible hearsay

testimony. Upon review we find no reversable error and thus affirm the

judgment of the Kenton Circuit Court.

1 Ky. Const. § 110(2)(b). I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Damien Dolan testified at trial that on May 13, 2022, he was waiting

with his girlfriend and brother near his mother’s apartment in Covington,

Kentucky. They were waiting for his mother and had planned to go out to

dinner. As they were waiting Abrams pulled up in a black Ford truck and

asked if they knew where to find some marijuana. Dolan and his brother

responded that they did not know and told Abrams to move on. Abrams

replied, “I wasn’t talking you two, I was talking to the girl.” Again, he asked her

if she knew where to find marijuana. Dolan’s girlfriend replied that she did not

know where to buy marijuana and told Abrams to leave. Dolan’s brother

interjected, “Hey man, f**k you!” Abrams then answered, “F**k me? All right.”

Abrams then reached down and grabbed what Dolan thought was a handgun

and racked it and said, “F**k me?” Dolan called 911 and told the operator the

license plate number from the truck Abrams was driving as he pulled away.

Dolan gave a description of Abrams to the 911 operator, describing him as an

older white man in a dark shirt, driving a black ford pickup truck with a dog

inside.

Covington police officer Jacob McBee was dispatched to find the vehicle.

After searching for approximately an hour he located the vehicle and conducted

a traffic stop. As he approached the vehicle Officer McBee smelled the odor of

alcohol and testified Abrams appeared disoriented, slurred his speech and had

glassy blood-shot eyes. Abrams appeared to have defecated on himself as well.

Officer McBee asked Abrams to exit the vehicle and waited for backup to

2 conduct a DUI investigation. McBee asked Abrams if there was gun in the

truck to which Abrams replied that he did not know because the truck was his

wife’s. Instead of waiting for the arrival of another officer, McBee decided to

handcuff Abrams and place him in the back seat of his cruiser because Abrams

was yelling and being combative.

Officer James Donaldson arrived on the scene and approached the truck.

As he peered into the vehicle, he located a gun underneath the center

console/armrest. Officer Donaldson waited for Monica Abrams, appellant’s

wife, to come retrieve the dog from the vehicle. Officer Alex Vancini collected

the weapon and placed it into evidence. Vancini also testified he found an

unspent round on the floorboard and another loose round in the glove box.

Monica Abrams testified that the handgun was hers and she had bought

it for protection. Monica testified that she kept the gun with her in the truck

when she was by herself but never had it when Abrams was in the vehicle with

her. She further testified that she stored the gun at home in a safe but did not

tell her husband about it and she was not sure if she told Abrams about her

purchase of the gun at all. She testified that she took a nap that day because

she was recovering from a medical treatment and was feeling tired. Abrams

apparently took her vehicle while she was sleeping, and she testified she

probably left the gun in her car after grocery shopping earlier that morning.

After the jury convicted Abrams of possession of a handgun by a

convicted felon, Officer Munson from the Department of Probation and Parole

testified during the penalty phase. Through Officer Munson’s testimony the

3 Commonwealth introduced evidence of Abrams’ three prior felony convictions

he received in Kentucky. Then Monica took the stand to testify about her

husband’s medical problems. She testified that he had post-traumatic-stress-

disorder, anxiety, and dementia. She testified that he required the use of a

cane but was denied its use while he was in the jail and was experiencing pain

as a result. She added that she made a mistake leaving the gun in the car that

day. Monica expressed skepticism that Abrams had indeed racked the

handgun and chambered a round, because it was found in the same position

that she usually stored the handgun in the vehicle.

At this point, the Commonwealth began its cross-examination by asking

her, “You don’t want to believe that your husband did this because you don’t

want your husband to go to prison, right?” To which she replied, “My husband

makes mistakes.” Next, the Commonwealth began a series of questions about

his prior felony convictions he received in Kentucky, insinuating that his

multiple health issues had not prevented him from committing numerous

felonies. The Commonwealth then asked if Abrams had been to jail in any

other state, to which Monica answered Ohio. When he inquired further as to

why Abrams was incarcerated in Ohio, defense counsel raised an objection

based on hearsay. The Commonwealth retorted that her statements qualified

for admission under the statements against interest exception to the hearsay

rule. The trial court’s ruling is inaudible but as the Commonwealth was

allowed to finish its questioning, one can only surmise the trial court overruled

the defense’s objection. The Commonwealth finished this line of questioning by

4 eliciting that Abrams went to prison in Ohio for armed robbery and by asking

whether he told her how many banks he had robbed.

The jury came back with a recommendation for a twenty-year sentence,

which the trial court imposed. This appeal followed, so we now address the

merits of the appeal.

II. ANALYSIS

Abrams argues first that the cumulative effect of the errors and the

Commonwealth’s purported prosecutorial misconduct mandate reversal on the

penalty phase. 2 Secondly, he claims that the trial court erred by striking a

juror for cause when she could have been fair and impartial. Lastly, Abrams

avers that the trial court erred by allowing hearsay testimony through Damian

Dolan.

A. Commonwealth’s questioning of witness was not prosecutorial misconduct.

First, we must address Abrams’ characterization of the Commonwealth’s

cross-examination of Monica during the sentencing phase as prosecutorial

misconduct. “Prosecutorial misconduct is ‘[a] prosecutor's improper or illegal

act ... involving an attempt to ... persuade the jury to wrongly convict a

defendant or assess an unjustified punishment.’” Noakes v. Commonwealth,

354 S.W.3d 116, 121 (Ky. 2011) (citing Black's Law Dictionary (9th ed. 2009)).

This Court has held improper questioning or comments during closing can 2 Abrams’ posture here is perplexing to say the least. He alleges “cumulative impact of

the errors and the Commonwealth’s misconduct” as the basis for relief, yet only focuses on the Commonwealth’s purported misconduct during Monica Abrams cross-examination. The other “errors” are not specified, though the admission of this evidence through his wife was timely objected to based on hearsay. While this alleged error, at least, is preserved at the trial court, it seems as if Abrams has abandoned it on appeal.

5 constitute prosecutorial misconduct. Duncan v. Commonwealth, 322 S.W.3d

81, 87 (Ky. 2010) (citing Brown v. Commonwealth, 313 S.W.3d 577 (Ky. 2010)).

However, this Court has also held that:

There has developed a recent tendency in criminal appeals to characterize unpreserved issues as ‘prosecutorial misconduct’ for the purpose of raising them on appeal.’ Davis v. Commonwealth, 967 S.W.2d 574, 579 (Ky. 1998). Despite a defendant's characterization, ‘[i]ssues involving the admission of evidence or testimony, when ruled upon by the trial court, do not constitute prosecutorial misconduct.’ Stopher v. Commonwealth, 57 S.W.3d 787, 806 (Ky. 2001). “[U]npreserved claims of error cannot be resuscitated by labeling them cumulatively as ‘prosecutorial misconduct.’ Young v. Commonwealth, 50 S.W.3d 148, 172 (Ky. 2001).

Noakes at 122. When defense counsel objected, on the basis of hearsay, to the

line of questioning regarding out-of-state criminal convictions, the trial court

allowed it to continue after the Commonwealth insisted it fell within the scope

of permissible hearsay exceptions. On appeal, the appellant has abandoned the

argument that the trial court’s ruling on the hearsay question was wrong, in

favor of an argument for prosecutorial misconduct. As to Abrams insistence

that such questioning constitutes a “prosecutor's improper or illegal act ...

involving an attempt to ... persuade the jury to wrongly convict a defendant or

assess an unjustified punishment[,]” it is worth noting that this questioning

took place in the sentencing phase of the trial. Id. at 121. And during

sentencing the Commonwealth may introduce the following evidence:

1. Minimum parole eligibility, prior convictions of the defendant, both felony and misdemeanor;

2. The nature of prior offenses for which he was convicted;

6 3. The date of the commission, date of sentencing, and date of release from confinement or supervision from all prior offenses;

4. The maximum expiration of sentence as determined by the division of probation and parole for all such current and prior offenses;

5. The defendant's status if on probation, parole, postincarceration supervision, conditional discharge, or any other form of legal release[.]

KRS 3 532.055(2)(a). In short, the Commonwealth is permitted to introduce

evidence of prior criminal convictions and the nature of prior convictions

whether they were committed in Kentucky or not. Now, this Court has never

granted the Commonwealth carte blanche in the manner in which it seeks to

introduce evidence of prior convictions. See Robinson v. Commonwealth,

926 S.W.2d 853, 855 (Ky. 1996); Cuzick v. Commonwealth, 276 S.W.3d 260,

263 (Ky. 2009). But Abrams did not make that argument at trial, nor does he

make it now on appeal. And as noted above, “[i]ssues involving the admission

of evidence or testimony, when ruled upon by the trial court, do not constitute

prosecutorial misconduct.” Stopher at 806. Abrams objected to this line of

inquiry, and the trial court ruled on the basis that objection. As such, this

Court will not countenance any legal alchemy that seeks to transmute what is

essentially an argument over the proper boundaries of Kentucky’s truth in

sentencing law, into a claim of prosecutorial misconduct. Therefore, we find

Abrams’ argument that the Commonwealth committed prosecutorial

misconduct without merit.

3 Kentucky Revised Statutes.

7 B. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it excused Juror S. 4

Abrams argues that the trial court erred by striking a juror for cause

upon the Commonwealth’s motion. This issue is preserved. The Kentucky

Rules of Criminal Procedure provide that “[w]hen there is reasonable ground to

believe that a prospective juror cannot render a fair and impartial verdict on

the evidence, that juror shall be excused as not qualified.” RCr 9.36(1). A trial

court’s decision on whether to strike a juror for cause lies within the sound

discretion of the trial court. Ordway v. Commonwealth, 391 S.W.3d 762, 781

(Ky. 2013). Upon review, an appellate court will not reverse the trial court’s

decision unless it is an abuse of discretion or clearly erroneous. Id. The trial

court’s decision on whether to strike a juror should be made “on the totality of

the circumstances, not on a response to any one question.” Fugett v.

Commonwealth, 250 S.W.3d 604, 613 (Ky. 2008).

During voir dire, in response to the trial court’s question whether

anyone, or their relatives, or close friends have ever been accused of a crime,

Juror S. came forward and informed the court that she had been arrested four

years ago in Kenton County for public intoxication. The trial court then asked

whether she felt like she was treated fairly and she responded in the negative.

When the trial court asked Juror S. if she could be fair and impartial if she

served as a juror she answered, “Possibly.” The trial court asked her to

elaborate, and she said, “I’m not exactly sure how I can explain that.” Defense

counsel pointed out that Juror S.’s experience took place in Erlanger while the

4 Juror S. is a pseudonym both parties employ in their briefs.

8 police in this case were from Covington. Then he asked her if she could listen

to their testimony and give it, “As much credence as you will any other

witnesses . . . .” She said she could and a short while later, defense counsel

went on to ask, “Okay, so even with what’s happened to you, the unfortunate

traumatic experience, you could still listen to officers and still hold their

testimony?” Juror S. responded: “I mean I know there’s good cops and bad

cops. I clearly had a bad cop that night. I think it was his first arrest, actually.

Yeah.” Counsel went on, “And that’s something you could determine based

upon the questions during the trial and what you think about the officer and

whether you believe what they’re saying, correct? To which the juror said,

“Correct.” The trial court granted the Commonwealth’s motion to strike for

cause.

Abrams argues the trial court committed reversable error by striking

Juror S. He cites three cases in his argument to buttress his claim. Only one of

the cases he cites supports his argument that a juror struck for cause, who did

not sit on the jury, should be grounds for reversal. Gray v. Mississippi was a

capital case where the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed the necessity of

the Whitherspoon doctrine when a defendant faces the death penalty. 481 U.S.

648, 668 (1987). The United States Supreme Court summarized the logic

underpinning the Whitherspoon line of cases as:

This Court held that a capital defendant's right, under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments, to an impartial jury prohibited the exclusion of venire members “simply because they voiced general objections to the death penalty or expressed conscientious or religious scruples against its infliction.” 391 U.S., at 522, 88 S.Ct., at 1776. It reasoned that the exclusion of venire members must be 9 limited to those who were “irrevocably committed ... to vote against the penalty of death regardless of the facts and circumstances that might emerge in the course of the proceedings,” and to those whose views would prevent them from making an impartial decision on the question of guilt. Id. at 522.

Gray at 657–58. Gray is, of course, readily distinguishable from the case at

bar, as Abrams was not tried on a capital charge. Since Abrams has cited no

relevant authority, this Court is not disposed to rule in his favor. But, even if

Abrams had cited legal authority to mandate reversal in this specific instance,

this Court would not hold that the trial court abused its discretion by striking

for cause Juror S.

This Court has recently reiterated that when there is a reasonable

ground to believe that a prospective juror cannot render a fair and impartial

verdict then she must be excused. Moulder v. Commonwealth, 681 S.W.3d 49,

52 (Ky. 2023). Once Juror S. replied that she could only “possibly” be fair and

impartial, the trial court had a sound basis to strike her for cause. As for

defense counsel’s attempt to rehabilitate her, this Court, in Moulder, once more

rejected that approach:

We have several times declared that rehabilitation of a juror who has given a reasonable ground to doubt their impartiality is not merely inappropriate, but impossible. Rehabilitation is “[o]ne of the myths arising from the folklore surrounding jury selection ....” Gabbard v. Commonwealth, 297 S.W.3d 844, 853 (Ky. 2009) (quoting Montgomery v. Commonwealth, 819 S.W.2d 713, 717-18 (Ky. 1991)). Once the reasonable ground has been established to doubt impartiality, the juror cannot be “asked whether he can put aside his personal knowledge, his views, or those sentiments and opinions he has already, and decide the case instead based solely on the evidence presented in court and the court's instructions.” Id. (quoting Montgomery, 819 S.W.2d at 718).

10 Id. at 55. As such, the decision of the trial court to strike Juror S. was well

within the discretion of its authority.

C. Dolan’s hearsay testimony about his Brother’s statement is not palpable error.

Finally, Abrams argues the trial court erred by allowing Dolan to testify

that his brother saw Abrams holding the gun during the encounter. At trial,

after the prosecutor asked, “Could you see the gun that he racked a round on?”

Dolan answered, “I could not from the position I was standing in. But my

brother said that he seen it. And I just know the motion and heard the gun.”

Abrams concedes this issue is unpreserved and thus requests palpable error

review under RCr 5 10.26. 6

For an error to be palpable it must be “easily perceptible, plain, obvious

and readily noticeable.” Brewer v. Commonwealth, 206 S.W.3d 343, 349 (Ky.

2006) (quoting Burns v. Level, 957 S.W.2d 218, 222 (Ky. 1997)). An

unpreserved error may be corrected on appeal if failure to do so would cause a

manifest injustice. Commonwealth v. Goss, 428 S.W.3d 619, 626-27 (Ky. 2014).

This is an error that if it remained uncorrected, there would be a likelihood of a

different result, or it would call into question the defendant’s right to due

process. Id. at 627.

The Kentucky Rules of Evidence define hearsay as, “A statement, other

than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered

5 Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure. 6 “A palpable error which affects the substantial rights of a party may be

considered by the court on motion for a new trial or by an appellate court on appeal, even though insufficiently raised or preserved for review, and appropriate relief may be granted upon a determination that manifest injustice has resulted from the error.” 11 in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” KRE 7 801(c). This Court

concedes that this statement from Dolan’s brother is hearsay and if properly

objected to should have been excluded from evidence. This Court need not

delve into the minutiae of any possible exceptions of the hearsay rule that this

statement may fall under. Nor will we quibble whether this error is “easily

perceptible, plain, obvious and readily noticeable.” Brewer, 206 S.W.3d at 349.

For even if this Court should concede that Abrams is correct on both, we

cannot hold that this error rises to the level of an error that had it not occurred

would have led to a different result. Nor does it implicate Abrams’ fundamental

right to due process.

Abrams argues Dolan’s brother hearsay statement that he saw Abrams

holding the gun is the only evidence the Commonwealth had to show that

Abrams knowingly possessed the handgun. This is not true, for Dolan also

testified that although he did not see it, he heard Abrams ‘rack’ it and that he,

“Knows the motion.” Abrams was also found by the police in the same truck,

with the same license plate, with a gun right beside him. And although Abrams

certainly is free to believe the exculpatory testimony of his wife, the jury was

not required to do so. Thus, the jury, even without the hearsay statement from

Dolan’s brother, would have had more than sufficient evidence with which to

convict Abrams. Therefore, this Court will not hold this error rises to the level

of palpable error.

7 Kentucky Rules of Evidence.

12 III. CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, we find the trial court committed no error,

palpable or otherwise. We now affirm the judgment of the Kenton Circuit Court.

All sitting. All concur.

COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT:

Molly Mattingly Assistant Public Advocate

COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE:

Russell M. Coleman Attorney General of Kentucky

Jenny L. Sanders Assistant Attorney General