State v. Sharma

2007 Ohio 5404, 875 N.E.2d 1002, 143 Ohio Misc. 2d 27
CourtSummit County Court of Common Pleas
DecidedMay 11, 2007
DocketNo. CR 06-09-3248
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 2007 Ohio 5404 (State v. Sharma) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Summit County Court of Common Pleas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Sharma, 2007 Ohio 5404, 875 N.E.2d 1002, 143 Ohio Misc. 2d 27 (Ohio Super. Ct. 2007).

Opinion

Judy HunteR, Judge.

{¶ 1} This matter came before the court on defendant’s motion to admit polygraph examinations and motion to dismiss. The court has been advised, having reviewed the motions, responses, and oral arguments held in chambers and at hearing. Upon review, the court finds defendant’s motion to dismiss not well taken, and it is denied, and defendant’s motion to admit polygraph examinations well taken, and it is granted.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

{¶ 2} The state has filed an indictment against the defendant, Sahil Sharma, for one count of sexual battery, a third-degree felony. Shortly after the indictment was issued, counsel for defendant and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office explored the use of a stipulated polygraph to assist resolving this matter, but the prosecutor’s office subsequently declined to utilize polygraph testing. Defendant has taken three polygraph tests — one before the indictment was filed and two subsequent to the indictment. Defendant has filed three separate motions relating to these polygraph examinations — a motion for discovery, motion to admit polygraph examinations, and a motion to dismiss. As it relates to the motion for discovery, this court granted defendant’s request for a list of criminal cases, third-degree-felony sexual offenses and above, in which the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office used the services of William Evans as a polygraph expert and/or in which the Prosecutor’s Office used a polygraph to resolve a case and/or by stipulation for the years 2005 to present. The state complied with this order. [29]*29As it relates to the motion to dismiss and motion to admit polygraph evidence, the court set a hearing for April 2, 2007, with briefing deadlines.

{¶ 3} On April 2, 2007, defendant had three expert witnesses testify — William Evans, Steven Stechschulte, and Dr. Louis Rovner. Four exhibits were admitted into evidence — the polygraph report from Mr. Evans, the polygraph report from Mr. Stechschulte, the polygraph report from Dr. Rovner, and published research article by Dr. Rovner titled “The Accuracy of Physiological Detection of Deception for Subjects with Prior Knowledge.” The state cross-examined these witnesses but did not call any witnesses or put on any evidence.

{¶ 4} This matter is now ripe for review.

BRIEF HISTORY OF POLYGRAPH USAGE IN OHIO

{¶ 5} In the seminal case of State v. Souel (1978), 53 Ohio St.2d 123, 7 O.O.3d 207, 372 N.E.2d 1318, the Ohio Supreme Court addressed the narrow issue of whether the results of a polygraph examination were admissible into evidence when the defendant, who previously consented by stipulation to the examination, subsequently wished to withdraw his consent prior to trial. The defendant therein filed a motion to suppress the polygraph test results because the results came back unfavorable to his case — indicating that Mr. Souel was deceptive in his response to the polygraph questions.

{¶ 6} In Souel, the court analyzed the use of polygraphs for trial, reviewing decisions on the subject in other state jurisdictions, the United States Supreme Court case of Frye v. United States (1923), 293 F. 1013, and related learned treatises regarding the reliability and admissibility of polygraphs. Ultimately, the court held that, despite ongoing controversy concerning the degree of accuracy of the polygraph device, the polygraphs should be admissible into evidence at trial for purposes of corroboration or impeachment provided that the following safeguards were met:

{¶ 7} “(1) The prosecuting attorney, defendant and his counsel must sign a written stipulation providing for defendant’s submission to the test and for the subsequent admission at trial of the graphs and the examiner’s opinion thereon on behalf of either defendant or the state.

{¶ 8} “(2) Notwithstanding the stipulation, the admissibility of the test results is subject to the discretion of the trial judge, and if the trial judge is not convinced that the examiner is qualified or that the test was conducted under proper conditions he may refuse to accept such evidence.

{¶ 9} “(3) If the graphs and examiner’s opinion are offered in evidence the opposing party shall have the right to cross-examine the examiner respecting:

[30]*30{¶ 10} “(a) the examiner’s qualifications and training;

{¶ 11} “(b) the conditions under which the test was administered;

{¶ 12} “(c) the limitations of and possibilities for error in the technique of polygraphic interrogation; and,

{¶ 13} “(d) at the discretion of the trial judge, any other matter deemed pertinent to the inquiry.

{¶ 14} “(4) If such evidence is admitted the trial judge should instruct the jury to the effect that the examiner’s testimony does not tend to prove or disprove any element of the crime with which a defendant is charged, and that it is for the jurors to determine what weight and effect such testimony should be given.” Souel, 53 Ohio St.2d 123, 7 O.O.3d 207, 372 N.E.2d 1318, paragraph one of the syllabus (adopting the polygraph-testing safeguards found in State v. Valdez (1962), 91 Ariz. 274, 371 P.2d 894).

{¶ 15} Significantly, the Ohio Supreme Court stated:

{¶ 16} “Despite the ongoing controversy concerning the degree of accuracy of the polygraph device, it is our opinion that observance of the Valdez qualifications establishes a proper foundation for the admission of polygraph test results, and that these results have probative value in the determination of whether the examinee has been deceptive during interrogation. We note with approval the sentiments expressed by the Supreme Court of Wyoming in Cullin v. State [ (Wyo.1977), 565 P.2d 445], supra, a very recent decision on the precise issue sub judice, wherein the following appears at page 458:

{¶ 17} “ ‘We see no reason why the polygraph expert should be treated in any more restrictive manner than other experts. That the polygraph deals with mind and body reactions should not subject it to exclusion from consideration any more than other testimony of a scientific nature. We have long utilized the expertise of psychiatrists and psychologists to furnish advice and assistance to the jury to explore the mysteries of the mind with respect to mental illness as a defense. Medical doctors are regularly called upon to testify as to the intricate workings of the body in sensitive questions of a complex physical condition or cause of death. It is the normal obligation of the trial judge to protect the jurors from exposure to evidence which might mislead them, regardless of whatever kind of scientific evidence is under scrutiny. The device of cross-examination soon smokes out the inept, the unlearned, the inadequate self-styled expert.’ ” (Emphasis added.) Souel, 53 Ohio St.2d at 133-134, 7 O.O.3d 207, 372 N.E.2d 1318.

{¶ 18} Based upon the above rationale, the Ohio Supreme Court held that under the circumstances of that particular case the trial court did not err in [31]*31admitting the polygraph test results into evidence and the expert opinion relating to said results. Id.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

State v. Key
2017 Ohio 4098 (Ohio Court of Appeals, 2017)
State v. Irwin
2015 Ohio 195 (Ohio Court of Appeals, 2015)
State v. Stull
2014 Ohio 1336 (Ohio Court of Appeals, 2014)
State v. Dutiel
2012 Ohio 5349 (Ohio Court of Appeals, 2012)
In Re J. F., 24490 (4-22-2009)
2009 Ohio 1867 (Ohio Court of Appeals, 2009)
State v. Bell
2008 Ohio 592 (Clermont County Court of Common Pleas, 2008)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
2007 Ohio 5404, 875 N.E.2d 1002, 143 Ohio Misc. 2d 27, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-sharma-ohctcomplsummit-2007.