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State of WV v. Riley

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA
September 1997 Term

No. 23998
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Appellee

v.

BETTY OLIVA RILEY,
Appellant

Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cabell County
Honorable John L. Cummings, Judge
Civil Action No. 95-F-121

AFFIRMED

Submitted: September 17, 1997
Filed: December 16, 1997  
Darrell V. McGraw, Jr.                 Robert Wilkinson, Esq.  
Attorney General                     Huntington, West Virginia  
Victor S. Woods                     Kimberly Campbell, Esq   . Assistant Attorney General Huntington, West Virginia  

Charleston, West Virginia Public Defenders Attorneys for the Appellee Attorneys for Appellant
The Opinion of the Court was delivered PER CURIAM.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1.
" '"In a prosecution for murder, where self -defense is relied upon to excuse the homicide, and there is evidence showing, or tending to show, that the deceased was at the time of the killing, making a murderous attack upon the defendant, it is competent for the defense to prove the character or reputation of the deceased as a dangerous and quarrelsome man, and also to prove prior attacks made by the deceased upon him, as well as threats made to other parties against him; and, if the defendant has knowledge of specific acts of violence by the deceased against other parties, he should be allowed to give evidence thereof." Syllabus Point 1, State v. Hardin, 91 W.Va. 149, 112 S.E. 401 (1922).' Syllabus Point 3, State v. Gwinn, 169 W.Va. 456, 288 S.E.2d 533 (1982)." Syl. Pt. 2, State v. Louk, 171 W.Va. 639, 301 S.E.2d 596 (1983).

2.
"When in a prosecution for murder the defendant relies upon self -defense to excuse the homicide and the evidence does not show or tend to show that the defendant was acting in self-defense when he shot and killed the

deceased, the defendant will not be permitted to prove that the deceased was of dangerous, violent and quarrelsome character or reputation." Syl. Pt. 1, State v. Collins, 154 W.Va. 771, 180 S.E.2d 54 (1971).

3.
"'"The action of a trial court in admitting or excluding evidence in the exercise of its discretion will not be disturbed by the appellate court unless it appears that

such action amounts to an abuse of discretion." Syllabus Point 10, State v. Huffman, 141 W.Va. 55, 87 S.E.2d 541 (1955).' Syl. pt. 4, State v. Ashcraft, 172 W.Va. 640, 309 S.E.2d 600 (1983)." Syl. Pt. 2, State v. Franklin, 191 W.Va. 727, 448 S.E.2d 158 (1994).

4.
"Expert testimony can be utilized to explain the psychological basis for the battered woman's syndrome and to offer an opinion that the defendant meets the requisite profile of the syndrome." Syl. Pt. 5, State v. Steele, 178 W.Va. 330, 359 S.E.2d 558 (1987).

5.
"A judgment of conviction will not be set aside because of improper remarks made by a prosecuting attorney to a jury which do not clearly prejudice the accused or result in manifest injustice." Syl. Pt. 5, State v. Sugg, 193 W.Va. 388, 456 S.E.2d 469 (1995).

6.
"Four factors are taken into account in determining whether improper prosecutorial comment is so damaging as to require reversal: (1) the degree to which the prosecutor's remarks have a tendency to mislead the jury and to prejudice the accused; (2) whether the remarks were isolated or extensive; (3) absent the remarks, the strength of competent proof introduced to establish the guilt of the accused; and (4) whether the comments were deliberately placed before the jury to divert attention to extraneous matters." Syl. Pt. 6, State v. Sugg, 193 W.Va. 388, 456 S.E.2d 469 (1995).

7.
"In any case where the defendant relies upon the defense of insanity, the defendant is entitled to any instruction which advises the jury about the further disposition of the defendant in the event of a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity which correctly states the law; however, when the court gives an instruction on this subject which correctly states the law and to which the defendant does not object, the defendant may not later assign such instruction as error." Syl. Pt. 2, State v. Nuckolls, 166 W.Va. 259, 273 S.E.2d 87 (1980).

8.
"'A criminal defendant challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction takes on a heavy burden. An appellate court must review all the evidence, whether direct or circumstantial, in the light most favorable to the prosecution and must credit all inferences and credibility assessments that the jury might have drawn in favor of the prosecution. The evidence need not be inconsistent with every conclusion save that of guilt so long as the jury can find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Credibility determinations are for a jury and not an appellate court. Finally, a jury verdict should be set aside only when the record contains no evidence, regardless of how it is weighed, from which the jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. To the extent that our prior cases are inconsistent, they are expressly overruled.' Syl. pt. 3, State v. Guthrie, 194 W.Va. 657, 461 S.E.2d 163 (1995)." Syl. Pt. 3, State v. Williams, 198 W.Va. 274, 480 S.E.2d 162 (1996).


Per Curiam:See footnote 1 1
        Appellant Betty Olivia Riley (hereinafter "Appellant") appeals her second degree murder conviction in Cabell County, contending that she had been abused by the victim and that she should have been permitted to more fully develop the battered woman's syndrome as a defense. She also contends that several comments by the State were prejudicial, that jury instructions offered by the defense were inappropriately amended, and that her Fourth Amendment rights were violated when police officers at the scene of the murder tested her for gun powder residue without her consent. Having reviewed the record, briefs, and arguments of counsel, we conclude that the lower court committed no reversible error and affirm its decision.
I.
FACTS

        On October 5, 1994, Jack Brown telephoned emergency services and indicated that the Appellant had shot and
wounded him. When the police arrived at the Huntington,
West Virginia, residence, the Appellant was lying on the floor in front of Mr. Brown, who was seated in a chair with one gunshot wound. A .25 caliber semiautomatic handgun, later determined to be the murder weapon, was found approximately one foot from the Appellant's hand. The officers informed the Appellant of her Miranda rights, and she thereafter admitted that she had shot Mr. Brown, indicating a history of domestic violence. Mr. Brown died as a result of the gunshot wound.
        On May 11, 1995, the Appellant was charged with first degree murder by a single count indictment issued by the Cabell County Grand Jury. Subsequent to a March 1996 trial, the Appellant was found guilty of second degree murder and was sentenced to thirty-two years in prison. On appeal to this Court, the Appellant identifies four specific issues of alleged error, and asserts that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict. The Appellant's assignments of error include: refusal of the lower court to allow the Appellant to fully develop testimony and evidence concerning the battered spouse syndrome; prejudice created by remarks made by the assistant prosecuting attorney, amendment of the Appellant's jury instructions on the procedures and consequences of a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict; Fourth Amendment violation based upon the failure of the police officers to obtain the Appellant's consent to gun powder residue testing; and evidence insufficient to support the verdict.See footnote 2 2
II.
EVIDENCE OF BATTERED SPOUSE SYNDROME

        Based upon our review of the transcript, we find that the Appellant's opportunity to introduce battered woman's syndrome testimony, including instances of prior abuse, was not unreasonably or erroneously limited.
A.
Testimony Actually Introduced

        At trial, the Appellant testified regarding the history of abuse, and informed the jury that shortly before the shooting, Mr. Brown had slapped her in the face while they were standing on the porch of their apartment. The Appellant also testified that after she had gone inside to lie down with her cat, Mr. Brown entered the room and repeatedly threw the cat across the room. Testimony was also introduced concerning the Appellant's initial statements immediately after the police arrived at the scene. The Appellant stated, "I'm tired of him beating me," and she repeatedly said, "domestic abuse, domestic abuse." She told the
police, "I don't know how many times that I shot, I was just tired - - wanted him to stop hitting me."
        The Appellant also testified that she had experienced psychiatric problems since a 1961 suicide attempt. She testified that Mr. Brown was "nasty" and resorted to verbal abuse "so bad you would be afraid that he might use his fist on you." While she characterized the abuse as "infrequent," she did relate an incident in which Mr. Brown had thrown a knife into the wall near her head, "close enough that it bothered me."
        The Appellant's treating psychiatrist from 1993 to 1994, Dr. Jack Dodd, testified that the Appellant suffered bipolar disorder, is alcohol dependent, and has been hospitalized on at least three occasions for treatment of her mental illness. A psychologist employed by Dr. Dodd, Ms. Maria Stallo-Leppla, testified that Mr. Brown's action in throwing the cat across could have prompted a psychotic episode in the Appellant.
        Dr. Joseph Wyatt, the Appellant's expert psychologist, also diagnosed the Appellant as suffering from bipolar disorder and opined that "it was more likely than not that she could not conform her actions to the requirements of the law. . ." because of the psychotic episode at the time of the shooting. Dr. Wyatt also testified regarding the Appellant's history of mental illness, and instances of physical and emotional abuse. Dr.
Wyatt characterized the Appellant as "a classic battered spouse," explaining that she had been abused by Mr. Brown and her former husband of twenty-nine years.See footnote 3 3
        In addition to the evidence summarized above, the Appellant also sought to introduce further evidence regarding the nature of prior abusive behavior. That evidence, if ruled admissible, would have consisted of testimony by four individuals: Mr. William Congleton, regarding an incident wherein Mr. Brown allegedly brandished a gun upon Mr. Congleton; Officer Tim Goheen, the officer investigating that allegation; Mr. Mark Dillon, the Appellant's son-in law, regarding the prior abuse; and Mrs. Donna Dillon, the Appellant's daughter, regarding her mother's relationship with her late father. The Appellant also asserts that the testimony of Dr. Wyatt was improperly limited.
B.
Donna and Mark Dillon

        The lower court refused to admit the testimony of Mrs. Donna Dillon regarding the abuse suffered by the Appellant at the hands of her former husband, Mrs. Dillon's father, because this testimony would have been cumulative. The Appellant and her experts had already presented testimony regarding this abuse. With regard to Mr. Mark Dillon, the
Appellant's son-in-law, the Appellant attempted to introduce testimony of Mr. Dillon regarding instances in which the Appellant had contacted Mr. Dillon requesting assistance. The lower court never ruled on the admissibility of Mr. Dillon's testimony; the court simply sustained the prosecution's objection when hearsay evidence regarding statements allegedly made by the Appellant to Mr. Dillon began to emerge. Subsequent to the lower court's decision to sustain the objection, Appellant's counsel abandoned that particular line of questioning.See footnote 4 4
C.
Mr. William Congleton and Officer Tim Goheen

        With regard to Mr. Congleton and Officer Tim Goheen's testimony concerning the brandishing incident, we have only required the admission of offered evidence of violent acts against third parties where self-defense is relied upon "and there is evidence showing or tending to show, that the deceased was at the time of the killing, making a murderous attack upon the defendant." Syl. Pt. 2, in part, State v. Louk, 171 W. Va. 639, 301 S.E.2d 596 (1983). In syllabus point one of State v. Collins, 154 W.Va. 771, 180 S.E.2d 54 (1971), this Court held:
            When in a prosecution for murder the defendant relies upon self -defense to excuse the homicide and the evidence does not show or tend to show that the defendant was acting in self-defense when he shot and killed the deceased, the defendant will not be permitted to prove that the deceased was of dangerous, violent and quarrelsome character or reputation.
See State v. Smith, 198 W.Va. 441, 481 S.E.2d 747 (1996).
D.
Dr. Joseph Wyatt

        The Appellant also contends that the testimony of Dr. Wyatt regarding the battered woman's syndrome and the relevant underlying facts from within the Appellant's history of abuse was improperly limited. We have consistently held that an expert is permitted to explain in detail the factual basis for his opinion. State v. Duell, 175 W. Va. 233, 332 S.E.2d 246 (1985). As the questioning of Dr. Wyatt began to encompass particular instances of abuse, the prosecution raised the concern that such hearsay evidence should be
admissible only for a limited purpose. The lower court sustained the prosecution's objection,See footnote 5 5 and Dr. Wyatt subsequently testified concerning the general nature of the comments by the Appellant regarding her relationship with Mr. Brown. Thus, the lower court did not preclude Dr. Wyatt from testifying regarding the factual underpinnings of his conclusions. The court simply noted that any hearsay evidence which was encompassed therein was being introduced only for the limited purpose of allowing Dr. Wyatt to educate the jury regarding the foundations for his medical conclusions. This same type of exchange transpired regarding medical records, and the lower court noted that such hearsay evidence could not be used as direct evidence of Mr. Brown's abusive behavior, but could be used to build the foundation for Dr. Wyatt's conclusions.
        We have consistently maintained that rulings on the admissibility of evidence are largely within the sound
discretion of a trial court. In syllabus point two of State v. Franklin, 191 W. Va. 727, 448 S.E.2d 158 (1994), we explained:
            " 'The action of a trial court in admitting or excluding evidence in the exercise of its discretion will not be disturbed by the appellate court unless it appears that such action amounts to an abuse of discretion.' Syllabus Point 10, State v. Huffman, 141 W.Va. 55, 87 S.E.2d 541 (1955)." Syl. pt. 4, State v. Ashcraft, 172 W.Va. 640, 309 S.E.2d 600 (1983).
"[E]videntiary decisions of a trial court are entitled to substantial deference." McDougal v. McCammon, 193 W.Va. 229, 235 n.5, 455 S.E.2d 788, 794 n.5 (1995)
        We have previously permitted introduction of evidence regarding the battered spouse syndrome, and the lower court in the present case admitted substantial evidence on this issue offered by the Appellant. In syllabus point five of State v. Steele, 178 W. Va. 330, 359 S.E.2d 558 (1987), for instance, we held that "[e]xpert testimony can be utilized to explain the psychological basis for the battered woman's syndrome and to offer an opinion that the defendant meets the requisite profile of the syndrome."See footnote 6 6 Conferring the right of introduction of evidence upon a defendant, however, does not translate into authority to engage in an unlimited foray into the issue. The court still possesses the right to limit the testimony; when it becomes duplicative, the court may refuse to accept additional witnesses. Rule 403 of the West Virginia Rules of Evidence provides:
            Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.
See State v. Ludwick, 197 W.Va. 70, 475 S.E.2d 70 (1996); State v. Brown, 179 W.Va. 681, 371 S.E.2d 609 (1988).
        The lower court in the present case exercised its right to limit testimony in that manner. We find no clear error in the lower court's decisions regarding admissibility of evidence, and we therefore affirm those decisions.
III.
REMARKS OF PROSECUTION

        The Appellant contends that she was prejudiced by certain remarks of the prosecution. A prosecutorial reference to the absence of physical symptoms to indicate that Mr. Brown had hurt the Appellant and comments regarding whether the Appellant drank beer the day of the incident were not objected to at trial. The Appellant now asserts that this Court could utilize the plain error doctrine to correct errors to which no objections were made, we do not find that the use of the plain error doctrine is justified in this case.
        We addressed the issue of absence of objection in State v. Miller, 197 W.Va. 588, 476 S.E.2d 535 (1996), and observed the following:
            Ordinarily, a defendant who has not proffered a particular claim or defense in the trial court may not unveil it on appeal. Indeed, if any principle is settled in this jurisdiction, it is that, absent the most extraordinary circumstances, legal theories not raised properly in the lower court cannot be broached for the first time on appeal. We have invoked this principle with a near religious fervor.
Id. at 597, 476 S.E.2d at 544. "Exceptions must be few and far between and, therefore, an appellate court's discretion should not be affirmatively exercised unless the equities heavily preponderate in favor of such a step. These principles are embodied in our 'plain error' rules." Id. at 598, 476 S.E.2d at 545 (Footnote omitted.)
        Moreover, we see nothing improper about the prosecutor's reference to evidence which had been introduced at trial regarding the absence of physical signs of abuseSee footnote 7 7 and to the issue of whether the Appellant had been drinking on the day of the murder. Both issues had been dealt with at trial, and evidence regarding those matters had been submitted to the jury.
        In addition to the comments which received no objection at trial, the Appellant also alleges that she was prejudiced by the prosecutor's remark that "forty days is not a punishment," referring to the possible consequences of a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict. The Appellant's attorney objected, and the lower court informed the prosecutor that he was not permitted to address the length or duration of a punishment, except as contained in the court's charge on first degree murder. Appellant's counsel did not request that the jury be admonished to disregard the remark.
        The Appellant also alleges that she was prejudiced by prosecutorial characterization of the insanity defense as potentially a "license to kill." The prosecution argues that such comment was intended only to stress the absence of any convincing evidence that the Appellant had lapsed into a psychosis prior to shooting Mr. Brown. A similar comment, "if 40 million people are battered and we send out a message that this is a defense," is also raised as prejudicial. Objections to these comments were overruled.
        In syllabus point five of State v. Sugg, 193 W.Va. 388, 456 S.E.2d 469 (1995), we explained that "[a] judgment of conviction will not be set aside because of improper remarks made by a prosecuting attorney to a jury which do not clearly prejudice the accused or result in manifest injustice." Syllabus point six elaborates as follows:
            Four factors are taken into account in determining whether improper prosecutorial comment is so damaging as to
require reversal: (1) the degree to which the prosecutor's remarks have a tendency to mislead the jury and to prejudice the accused; (2) whether the remarks were isolated or extensive; (3) absent the remarks, the strength of competent proof introduced to establish the guilt of the accused; and (4) whether the comments were deliberately placed before the jury to divert attention to extraneous matters.
        Upon our evaluation of the allegedly improper remarks by the prosecution and the effect of those remarks upon the jury, we find that the comments do not warrant reversal. We do not believe that the remarks "clearly prejudice[d] the accused or result[ed] in manifest injustice."
IV.
ALLEGED INSTRUCTIONAL ERROR

        The Appellant also asserts that the trial court inappropriately modified Appellant's instructions number eleven and twenty, both regarding the consequences of a verdict of not guilty by reason of mental illness, pursuant to West Virginia Code

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