State v. Rosa-DeJesus

2024 Ohio 2472

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 28, 2024
• Docket: 22CA011843
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Rosa-DeJesus, 2024-Ohio-2472.]

STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS )ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COUNTY OF LORAIN )

STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 22CA011843

Appellee

v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT ENTERED IN THE GEOVANNI ROSA-DEJESUS COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO Appellant CASE No. 21CR104658

DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY

Dated: June 28, 2024

CARR, Judge.

{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Geovanni Rosa-DeJesus appeals the judgment of the Lorain

County Court of Common Pleas. This Court affirms.

I.

{¶2} In June 2021, an indictment was filed charging Rosa-DeJesus with five counts of

rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b), (B) and three counts of gross sexual imposition in

violation of R.C. 2907.05(A)(4), (C)(2). Three of the rape counts included the allegation that the

victim was under the age of ten years old at the time of the offenses. The offenses took place

between March 2012 and December 2020. The victim was Rosa-DeJesus’ niece.

{¶3} Prior to trial, the State filed a motion seeking to allow a trained facility dog to be

present in the courtroom when the victim testified at trial. Rosa-DeJesus filed an objection to the

State’s motion. A brief hearing was held on the motion at which the dog’s handler testified. The

trial court ruled that the dog could accompany the victim during her testimony at trial. 2

{¶4} A jury trial was held. The jury found Rosa-DeJesus guilty of one count of rape and

made a finding that the victim was under ten years of age at the time of the offense. The jury also

found Rosa-DeJesus guilty of the three counts of gross sexual imposition. The jury found Rosa-

DeJesus not guilty of the remaining charges. The trial court sentenced Rosa-DeJesus to a term of

life in prison without the possibility of parole.

{¶5} Rosa-DeJesus has appealed, raising three assignments of error for our review.

II.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY ALLOWING THE ALLEGED VICTIM TO HAVE A DOG WITH HER AS SHE TESTIFIED ON THE WITNESS STAND.

{¶6} In his first assignment of error, Rosa-DeJesus argues that the trial court erred in

allowing a facility dog to accompany the victim while she testified at trial.

{¶7} “The trial court is vested with broad discretion as to how to control and order the

interrogation of witnesses at trial.” State v. Williams, 9th Dist. Summit No. 29547, 2021-Ohio-

2491, ¶ 21, quoting State v. Hasenyager, 9th Dist. Summit No. 27756, 2016-Ohio-3540, ¶ 8.

Pursuant to Evid.R. 611(A) the trial court has the authority to

exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to (1) make the interrogation and presentation effective for the ascertainment of truth; (2) avoid needless consumption of time, and (3) protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.

{¶8} “When applying Evid.R. 611(A) in the context of a criminal prosecution for alleged

sexual abuse of a minor child, courts should recognize that the protection of child victims of sexual

abuse forms an important public policy goal in this state and across the nation.” Hasenyager at ¶

9, quoting State v. Eastham, 39 Ohio St.3d 307, 310 (1988); see also Ohio Constitution, Article I,

Section 10a(A)(1) (“To secure for victims justice and due process throughout the criminal and 3

juvenile justice systems, a victim shall have the following rights, which shall be protected in a

manner no less vigorous than the rights afforded to the accused: (1) to be treated with fairness and

respect for the victim’s safety, dignity and privacy * * *.) “Due to this recognition, [s]pecial

accommodations * * * are often allowed for child victims of sexual abuse to minimize the

emotional trauma and stress of having to testify in a courtroom full of strangers, along with the

accused.” (Internal quotations and citations omitted.) Hasenyager at ¶ 9. This Court has

concluded that “Evid.R. 611(A) authorizes trial courts to allow an alleged victim to testify with a

companion dog present under particular circumstances.” Hasenyager at ¶ 10.

{¶9} Here, the State moved to permit a trained facility dog to accompany the 13-year-

old victim during her testimony. The State asserted that the purpose of the facility dog was for

therapeutic purposes so that the victim would be able to testify in front of Rosa-DeJesus, her uncle,

with less stress and more accuracy. The State cited this Court’s case law and several studies in

support of its position. The State noted that the facility dog was trained by an organization that

trains dogs to be various types of service and facility dogs. The State indicated that facility dogs

have the same skills as service dogs in addition to skills that are relevant to whatever type of facility

the dogs will end up working in. The facility dog at issue was trained not to vocalize, would not

disrupt proceedings, and would lie down by the victim as she testified. At the time of the motion,

the victim had met with the facility dog twice and expressed that she would feel more comfortable

testifying with the facility dog present.

{¶10} Rosa-DeJesus objected to the use of a facility dog. Rosa-DeJesus argued that the

use of the dog did not meet the standard set forth in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals,

Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993). In addition, Rosa-DeJesus asserted that the organization that trained

the facility dog lacked credentialing or certification to establish it was qualified to train service or 4

facility dogs. Rosa-DeJesus also argued that the State did not demonstrate that the dog’s handler

was certified. Rosa-DeJesus maintained that the presence of the facility dog would distract and

unduly influence the jury. Rosa-DeJesus requested that, if the dog was permitted to be present,

the jury be given a specific instruction pertaining to its presence, which was set forth in Rosa-

DeJesus’ objection.

{¶11} Prior to voir dire, the trial court held a brief hearing on the State’s motion to permit

the presence of the facility dog. The dog’s handler testified that she was a victim’s advocate and

worked for the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office. The dog’s handler indicated that the facility

dog was in training for two years with the training organization and then she went to the

organization for a week of training with the dog. The dog’s handler stated that, after that, there

was a monthly follow up with organization for six months, yearly follow ups for three years, and

then one every three years thereafter. The dog’s handler asserted that the facility dog had appeared

in court before, and he lies quietly on the floor with the handler nearby in a position that would

not be disruptive. The dog’s handler acknowledged that the organization that trained the dog was

not accredited, but also indicated that the organizations are not required to be.

{¶12} The trial court permitted the facility dog to accompany the victim during her

testimony and declined to give a jury instruction about the presence of the dog.

{¶13} On appeal, Rosa-DeJesus asserts that the trial court erred in failing to hold a

Daubert hearing. However, Rosa-DeJesus has offered no explanation as to how Daubert would

apply to allowing a facility dog to accompany a victim during trial. “In Daubert, the United States

Supreme Court held that under Fed.R.Evid. 702, the trial judge has a special obligation to ensure

that scientific testimony is not only relevant but reliable.” (Emphasis added.) State v. Drummond,

111 Ohio St.3d 14, 2006-Ohio-5084, ¶ 118, citing Daubert, 509 U.S. at 589-590, 597. In Kumho 5

Tire Co., Ltd. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 147, (1999), “the United States Supreme Court

extended this gate-keeping obligation to include all expert testimony—i.e., testimony based on

technical and other specialized knowledge.” (Emphasis added.) Drummond at ¶ 118. This matter

did not involve expert testimony.

{¶14} Rosa-DeJesus additionally argues that the trial court erred in failing to establish a

standard for when a facility dog can accompany a victim, in failing to provide a jury instruction

about the facility dog’s presence, in allowing the facility dog’s presence when the State failed to

demonstrate the dog’s presence was necessary for this particular victim or that the victim could

not testify truthfully without the presence of the dog. Rosa-DeJesus maintained that the presence

of the dog was prejudicial because “many people love dogs” and the facility dog “inevitably

invoke[d] emotions among jurors in favor of the dog and the persons associated with the dog.”

{¶15} Even if we were to agree that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the

facility dog to accompany the victim in this matter, we must conclude that any error in allowing

the presence of the facility dog was harmless or did not amount to plain error because it did not

affect Rosa-DeJesus’ substantial rights. See Crim.R. 52.

{¶16} First, the jury found Rosa-DeJesus not guilty of four out of the five counts of rape,

despite the victim’s testimony which provided evidence in support of all five counts, if believed,

and notwithstanding the presence of the facility dog. Thus, it cannot be said upon this record that

the presence of the facility dog created so much sympathy or support for the victim that the jury

was unable to carefully consider and weigh the evidence and follow the law presented to it.

{¶17} Moreover, nothing in this Court’s record evidences that the facility dog caused any

disruption in the course of the proceedings. In fact, there is no mention of the dog during the

victim’s testimony. 6

{¶18} In addition, at trial, Rosa-DeJesus’ police interview was discussed and the video of

it was played for the jury and admitted into evidence. While in that video, Rosa-DeJesus

repeatedly denied conduct that would constitute rape, Rosa-DeJesus did admit to inappropriately

touching the victim over articles of clothing, such as underwear and bathing suits. Initially he only

indicated he touched the victim’s buttocks, but later in the interview he described touching the area

of the victim’s crotch and breasts. Rosa-DeJesus stated that he did so because the victim’s father

was touching another one of Rosa-DeJesus’ nieces and, essentially, Rosa-DeJesus wanted to get

back at the victim’s father. Rosa-DeJesus also told the detective that he had pulled his pants down

while in the shower area and in the presence of the victim. Rosa-DeJesus acknowledged that the

inappropriate touching occurred on several occasions when the victim was eight or nine years old.

Accordingly, Rosa-DeJesus himself admitted to sexually inappropriate conduct with the victim.

{¶19} Given the totality of the record before this Court, we cannot say that the presence

of the facility dog during the victim’s testimony affected Rosa-DeJesus’ substantial rights. The

record supports that the jury did not simply just accept all of the victim’s testimony, and, instead,

weighed the evidence and made credibility determinations; it further appears that some of those

credibility determinations were in favor of Rosa-DeJesus. See State v. Cross, 9th Dist. Summit

No. 25487, 2011-Ohio-3250, ¶ 35 (noting that a jury is free to believe all, part, or none of the

testimony of each witness).

{¶20} Rosa-DeJesus’ first assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

TRIAL COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE BY FAILING TO EFFECTIVELY CROSS EXAMINE THE DOG’S HANDLER, ESPECIALLY ABOUT ISSUES RAISED IN HIS WRITTEN OBJECTION. 7

{¶21} Rosa-DeJesus argues in his second assignment of error that his trial counsel was

ineffective in failing to effectively cross-examine the dog’s handler at the hearing.

{¶22} In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Rosa-DeJesus

must show that trial “counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness

and that prejudice arose from counsel’s performance.” State v. Reynolds, 80 Ohio St.3d 670, 674

(1998), citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). First, Rosa-DeJesus must show

that counsel’s performance was objectively deficient by producing evidence that counsel acted

unreasonably. State v. Keith, 79 Ohio St.3d 514, 534 (1997), citing Strickland at 687. Second,

Rosa-DeJesus must demonstrate that but for counsel’s errors, there is a reasonable probability that

the results of the trial would have been different. Keith at 534.

{¶23} This Court has previously concluded that “decisions regarding cross-examination

are within trial counsel’s discretion, and cannot form the basis for a claim of ineffective assistance

of counsel.” State v. Smith, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 12CA0060, 2013-Ohio-3868, ¶ 23, quoting State

v. Diaz, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 04CA008573, 2005-Ohio-3108, ¶ 26.

{¶24} Moreover, for the reasons stated in the portion of this decision addressing Rosa-

DeJesus’ first assignment of error, we cannot say that trial counsel’s performance prejudiced Rosa-

DeJesus as we concluded above that the presence of the facility dog during the victim’s testimony

did not affect Rosa-DeJesus’ substantial rights.

{¶25} Rosa-DeJesus’ second assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III

THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY IMPOSING THE MAXIMUM PRISON SENTENCE BECAUSE IT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH [R.C.] 2929.11(A).

{¶26} Rosa-DeJesus argues in his third assignment of error that the trial court erred in

imposing the maximum prison sentence because it fails to comply with R.C. 2929.11(A). Rosa- 8

DeJesus asserts that R.C. 2953.02 authorizes his appeal on this issue and that the trial court

imposed an unnecessary burden on government resources by imposing a life sentence without the

possibility of parole when there was a lack of evidence that Rosa-DeJesus could not be

rehabilitated, in contravention of R.C. 2929.11(A).

{¶27} “The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that ‘an appellate court may vacate or modify

a felony sentence on appeal only if it determines by clear and convincing evidence that the record

does not support the trial court’s findings under relevant statutes or that the sentence is otherwise

contrary to law.’” State v. Blackburn, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 23CA012000, 2024-Ohio-1524, ¶ 6,

quoting State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, ¶ 1; R.C. 2953.08(G)(2).

{¶28} “In State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, ¶ 42, the Supreme Court

of Ohio concluded that ‘[n]othing in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) permits an appellate court to

independently weigh the evidence in the record and substitute its judgment for that of the trial

court concerning the sentence that best reflects compliance with R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12.’”

Blackburn at ¶ 18, quoting Jones at ¶ 42. “The Supreme Court explained that ‘R.C.

2953.08(G)(2)(a) clearly does not provide a basis for an appellate court to modify or vacate a

sentence if it concludes that the record does not support the sentence under R.C. 2929.11 and R.C.

2929.12, because * * * R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 are not among the statutes listed in that

provision.’” Blackburn at ¶ 18, quoting Jones at ¶ 31. “The high court further observed that ‘an

appellate court’s determination that the record does not support a sentence does not equate to a

determination that the sentence is “otherwise contrary to law” as that term is used in R.C.

2953.08(G)(2)(b).’” Blackburn at ¶ 18, quoting Jones at ¶ 32. 9

{¶29} Rosa-DeJesus attempts to avoid this outcome by asserting that he does not seek

review under R.C. 2953.08, and instead the basis of his appeal is R.C. 2953.02. He argues State

v. Patrick, 164 Ohio St.3d 309, 2020-Ohio-6803, supports his claim.

{¶30} In Patrick, the Supreme Court “consider[ed] whether R.C. 2953.08(D)(3) precludes

an appellate court from reviewing a sentence imposed by a trial court for aggravated murder when

a defendant raises a constitutional claim regarding that sentence on appeal.” Id. at ¶ 1. The

Supreme Court held that R.C. 2953.08(D)(3) did not prevent review of the constitutional claim.

Id. In reaching this conclusion, the Supreme Court noted that R.C. 2953.08 was not the only

mechanism to appeal a sentence. Id. at ¶ 13. The Court pointed to R.C. 2953.02 as also providing

a right to appeal the judgment or final order of a lower court. See id. at ¶ 16.

{¶31} Patrick is clearly distinguishable from this case. Rosa-DeJesus is not raising a

constitutional challenge to his sentence and the general language in R.C. 2953.02 does not

specifically authorize the review contemplated by Rosa-DeJesus. Instead, Rosa-DeJesus is trying

to raise what is substantively the same argument that the Supreme Court and this Court have

already concluded is barred. See Blackburn, 2024-Ohio-1524, at ¶ 19, citing Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d

242, 2020-Ohio-6729, at ¶ 42. If the sentencing issue that Rosa-DeJesus has raised was appealable,

it would be so under R.C. 2953.08, as that statute addresses appeals based on the felony sentencing

guidelines.

{¶32} R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) states:

The appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a sentence that is appealed under this section or may vacate the sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court for resentencing. The appellate court’s standard for review is not whether the sentencing court abused its discretion. The appellate court may take any action authorized by this division if it clearly and convincingly finds either of the following: 10

(a) That the record does not support the sentencing court’s findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section 2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;

(b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

{¶33} R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a) does not list R.C. 2929.11, see Jones at ¶ 28, and the

Supreme Court has determined that “an appellate court’s determination that the record does not

support a sentence does not equate to a determination that the sentence is ‘otherwise contrary to

law’ as that term is used in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(b).” Id. at ¶ 32. Thus, Rosa-DeJesus’ argument

is not reviewable by this Court. See Blackburn at ¶ 19, citing Jones at ¶ 42.

{¶34} Rosa-DeJesus’ third assignment of error is overruled.

III.

{¶35} Rosa-DeJesus’ assignments of error are overruled. The judgment of the Lorain

County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.

There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common

Pleas, County of Lorain, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of

this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.

Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of

judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period

for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to 11

mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the

docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.

Costs taxed to Appellant.

DONNA J. CARR FOR THE COURT

SUTTON, P. J. FLAGG LANZINGER, J. CONCUR.

APPEARANCES:

STEPHEN HANUDEL, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.

J.D. TOMLINSON, Prosecuting Attorney, and MARK ANTHONY KOZA, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Appellee.