[Cite as State v. Hinty,
2020-Ohio-79.]
COURT OF APPEALS
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES:
: Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
: Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., J.
-vs- :
:
MICHAEL HINTY : Case No. 2019 CA 00010
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Municipal Court,
Case No. 18-CRB-957
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT: January 13, 2020
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
MITCHELL R. HARDEN ANDREW R. SANDERSON
136 West Main Street 738 East Main Street
Lancaster, OH 43130 Lancaster, OH 43130
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 2
Wise, Earle, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant Michael Hinty appeals the March 6, 2019 entry of
conviction and sentence of the Fairfield County Municipal Court, Lancaster, Ohio.
Plaintiff-Appellee is the state of Ohio.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} At the time of events in this matter, Hinty had been living with the child victim
and her mother, Rebecca, for 8 years. The child victim, A.C. was 10 years old. A.C. is a
special needs, low-functioning, non-verbal child.
{¶ 3} On February 16, 2018, Hinty took A.C. to a father-daughter dance at A.C.'s
school, Gorsuch West Elementary. Assistant Principal Maureen Kemper was present as
a chaperone along with Gorsuch teacher Jo Lena Sark and her husband Bret. As the
three looked out over the crowd from the stage, Kemper noticed Hinty standing at the
back wall of the gymnasium with A.C. standing directly in front of him. Hinty's hands were
draped over A.C.'s shoulders, as he rubbed A.C.'s breasts. Kemper pointed this activity
out to the Sark's. All three were shocked, and viewed the touching as inappropriate. After
4-5 minutes of this, the three watched as Hinty turned to face the wall and put his hands
down at his crotch.
{¶ 4} The entire time Hinty was fondling A.C.'s breasts, he was talking to another
parent, Michael Gillette. When later questioned about the incident, Gillette stated he found
the behavior "a little out of the ordinary" and "…not a really normal thing to do."
Nonetheless, Gillette did not view the behavior as sexual because A.C. is not "developed"
and "is like a little boy."
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 3
{¶ 5} The incident was captured on surveillance video and later turned over to
police.
{¶ 6} Lancaster Police Detective Alex Sinewe spoke with Hinty about the incident.
Hinty did not deny touching A.C.'s breasts. He instead explained that A.C. is prone to
"fits," and that he does what he was observed doing to calm A.C. Hinty further explained
that it is only natural to rub A.C's chest, shoulder or stomach, and that there was nothing
sexual about the interaction.
{¶ 7} Hinty was later charged with one count of sexual imposition pursuant to R.C.
2907.06(A)(1). The state later amended the charge to one count of sexual imposition
pursuant to R.C. 2907.06(A)(2), a misdemeanor of the third degree. Hinty pled not guilty
to the charge and elected to proceed to a bench trial on January 25, 2019 where the
above outlined evidence was adduced. Before the beginning of the trial, counsel for Hinty
stipulated that Hinty knew A.C., that A.C. was not Hinty's spouse, and that A.C.'s
disabilities substantially impaired her ability to apprise the nature of, or control Hity's
touching. Hinty was not in the courtroom when his counsel entered into these stipulations,
however, counsel indicated he had discussed the matter with Hinty and that Hinty was
willing to so stipulate.
{¶ 8} After hearing the evidence, the trial court found Hinty guilty of the amended
charge. Following a pre-sentence investigation, the trial court sentenced Hinty to a 60-
day jail term and suspended 30 days. Hinty was additionally placed on 5 years probation
and classified as a Tier I sex offender.
{¶ 9} Hinty filed an appeal, and his jail term was stayed pending this appeal. He
raises three assignments of error:
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 4
I
{¶ 10} "THE TRIAL COURT DENIED THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT DUE
PROCESS DURING THE PROCEEDINGS BELOW."
II
{¶ 11} "THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DENIED THE EFFECTIVE
ASSISTANCE OF TRIAL COUNSEL HEREIN."
III
{¶ 12} "THE CONVICTION OF THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS OBTAINED
WITHOUT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE BEING PRESENTED TO ESTABLISH EACH AND
EVERY ELEMENT OF THE OFFENSE IN QUESTION."
I
{¶ 1} In his first assignment of error, Hinty argues he was denied due process
when his counsel and the state entered into stipulations regarding elements of the
charged offense when he was not present in the courtroom. We disagree.
{¶ 2} In State v. Wallace, Richland App. No.2002CA0072, 2003-Ohio-4119, ¶ 14,
this court set forth the law regarding this issue as follows:
"A defendant has a fundamental right to be present at all critical
stages of his criminal trial. State v. Hill, 73 Ohio St.3d 433, 444, 1995-
Ohio-287, 653 N.E.2d 271, citing, Crim.R. 43(A) and Section 10,
Article I, Ohio Constitution. The United States Supreme Court has
stated that an accused is guaranteed the right to be present at all
stages of a criminal proceeding that are critical to its outcome when
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 5
his or her absence may frustrate the fairness of the proceedings.
Kentucky v. Stincer (1987), 482 U.S. 730, 745,
107 S.Ct. 2658,
96
L.Ed.2d 631. This right is embodied in Crim.R. 43(A). Criminal Rule
43(A) provides that, 'the defendant shall be present at the
arraignment and every stage of the trial, including the impaneling of
the jury, the return of the verdict, and the imposition of sentence, …
*.' "
{¶ 3} Errors of constitutional dimension, however, do not automatically trigger
prejudicial error. State v. Williams, 6 Ohio St.3d 281, 286,
452 N.E.2d 1323 (1983).
Rather, "error[s] of [a] constitutional stature, either state or federal" are deemed
nonprejudicial if they are " 'harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.' "
Id., quoting Chapman
v. California,
386 U.S. 18, 24,
87 S.Ct. 824 (1967) and citing State v. Abrams,
39 Ohio
St.2d 53,
313 N.E.2d 823 (1974), paragraph two of the syllabus. "Particularly, as regards
a defendant's constitutional right to be present at all stages of his trial, prejudicial error
exists only where 'a fair and just hearing … [is] thwarted by his absence.' "
Id., quoting
Snyder v. Massachusetts,
291 U.S. 97, 108,
54 S.Ct. 330 (1934) and citing United States
v. Brown,
571 F.2d 980 (6th Cir.1978).
{¶ 4} Before trial began in this matter, the following exchange took place:
The Court: This matter is State of Ohio vs. Michael Hinty. It's Case
No. 18CRB957. The Defendant, Mr. Hinty, is not present in the
courtroom, but it's my understanding before we begin trial in this
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 6
matter, that the parties were agreeing to some stipulations. Is that
correct, gentlemen?
[Counsel for Hinty]: Yes, Your Honor.
[Counsel for the state]: That is correct, Your Honor. Just for clarity
for the record … we did speak at length in chambers. The State
has nine witnesses today and would be able to cut a significant
amount of testimony out today if Defendant were to agree to stipulate
to particular elements.
The State intends to show that … Defendant had sexual contact
with someone not the spouse of him and that he knows that the
person he had contact with, that person's ability to apprise the nature
or control the Defendant's touching was substantially impaired. So
based on my understanding, we would be entering into a stipulation
that the offender knew that the victim in this case, her ability to
apprise the nature of his actions was, in fact, substantially impaired,
and that she is also not his spouse.
The Court: All right. And is that acceptable to the defense, Mr. Ort?
[Counsel for Hinty]: Yes, Your Honor. I've discussed it with my client.
He is aware and he would stipulate. He was the long-time boyfriend
so he was aware of the child's disabilities.
T. 5-6.
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 7
{¶ 5} While stipulations to elements of a charged offense are certainly
critical to the outcome of a criminal matter, we find no error in this particular
instance. First, counsel for Hinty indicated that he had discussed the stipulations
with Hinty, and that Hinty was in agreement with the same. Hinty does not dispute
that representation on appeal.
{¶ 6} Second, even if that were not true, during trial the state produced
evidence of the very things that were stipulated to. Maureen Kemper and Detective
Sinewe's testimony both testified that Hinty was aware of A.C's disabilities,
establishing he took the child to counseling sessions, attended her Individualized
Education Plan meetings, and reported to Detective Sinewe that A.C. is "autistic."
T. 11-12, 27, 48. Sinewe further established that Hinty is not A.C.'s spouse, but
rather a father figure. T. 48
{¶ 7} Because the state produced evidence of the stipulated matters, we find any
error in Hinty's absence from the courtroom during stipulations did not thwart a fair hearing
and is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
{¶ 8} The first assignment of error is overruled.
II
{¶ 9} In his second assignment of error, Hinty argues his trial counsel rendered
ineffective assistance. We disagree.
{¶ 10} To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must
demonstrate: (1) deficient performance by counsel, i.e., that counsel's performance fell
below an objective standard of reasonable representation, and (2) that counsel's errors
prejudiced the defendant, i.e., a reasonable probability that but for counsel's errors, the
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 8
result of the trial would have been different. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687–
688, 694,
104 S.Ct. 2052,
80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v. Bradley,
42 Ohio St.3d 136,
538 N.E.2d 373 (1989), paragraphs two and three of the syllabus. “Reasonable
probability” is “probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.”
Strickland
at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052.
{¶ 11} Hinty argues his trial counsel failed to object to inadmissible and prejudicial
evidence presented by the state including other complaints related to Hinty's interaction
with A.C., other reports filed with Child Protective Services, testimony regarding a bruise
found on A.C.'s thigh, and details of Hinty's prior conviction for domestic violence.
{¶ 12} While this testimony may have been objectionable, this matter was tried to
the court. When a matter is submitted to the bench, we must presume the trial court
considered only relevant, competent and admissible evidence in its deliberations. This
assumption may only be overcome by an affirmative showing to the contrary by an
appellant. State v. Jeffries, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106889, 2018-Ohio-5039, ¶ 15 citing
State v. Wiles,
59 Ohio St.3d 71, 86,
571 N.E.2d 97 (1991); State v. Montgomery, 10th
Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-512,
2014-Ohio-4354, ¶ 20; State v. Rowe, 2nd Dist. Montgomery
No. 25993,
2014-Ohio-3265, ¶ 45; State v. Pearson, 10th Dist. Franklin Nos. 14AP-793
and 14AP-816,
2015-Ohio-3974, ¶ 13. That being the case, we find neither fault in Hinty's
representation, nor prejudice.
{¶ 13} The second assignment of error is overruled.
III
{¶ 14} In his final assignment of error, Hinty argues his conviction is not supported
by sufficient evidence. We disagree.
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 9
{¶ 15} On review for sufficiency, a reviewing court is to examine the evidence at
trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would support a conviction. State
v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259,
574 N.E.2d 492 (1991). "The relevant inquiry is whether,
after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier
of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable
doubt." Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus, following Jackson v. Virginia,
443 U.S.
307,
99 S.Ct. 2781,
61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979).
{¶ 16} Here, Hinty was charged with a violation of R.C. 2907.06(A)(2). This section
required the state to prove Hinty had sexual contact with A.C., who is not his spouse,
when Hinty knew A.C.'s ability to appraise the nature of, or control Hinty's conduct was
substantially impaired.
{¶ 17} Sexual contact is defined by R.C. 2907.01(B) as the touching of the
erogenous zone of another, including without limitation the thigh, genitals, buttock, pubic
region, or, if the person is a female, a breast, for the purpose of sexually arousing or
gratifying either person."
{¶ 18} Hinty argues the state failed to prove his actions were carried out for the
purpose of sexual gratification, as it relied wholly on the circumstantial evidence of his act
of turning towards the wall and putting his hands to his crotch to satisfy this element.
Circumstantial evidence however, is to be given the same weight and deference as direct
evidence. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259,
574 N.E.2d 492 (1991).
{¶ 19} Further, there is no requirement the state present direct testimony regarding
sexual arousal or gratification. State v. Astley, 36 Ohio App.3d 247,
523 N.E.2d 322 (10th
Dist. Franklin 1987); State v. Cobb,
81 Ohio App.3d 179,
610 N.E.2d 1009 (9th Dist.
Fairfield County, Case No. 2019 CA 00010 10
Lorain 1991); In Re Anderson,
116 Ohio App.3d 441,
688 N.E.2d 545 (Twelfth Dist.
Clermont 1996); State v. Brady, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2000CA00223,
2001 WL 815574 (July
9, 2001). In the absence of direct testimony regarding sexual arousal or gratification, the
trier of fact may infer the defendant was motivated by desires for sexual arousal or
gratification from the “type, nature and circumstances of the contact, along with the
personality of the defendant.”
Cobb, supra.
{¶ 20} The trial court as the trier of fact viewed the video of the incident, listened
to Hinty's interview with Detective Sinewe, and came to the conclusion that Hinty's
behavior was carried out for the purpose of sexually gratifying himself or A.C. We find this
judgment is not against the sufficiency of the evidence and overrule Hinty's final
assignment of error.
{¶ 21} The judgment of the Lancaster Municipal Court is affirmed.
By Wise, Earle, J.
Gwin, P.J. and
Baldwin, J. concur.
EEW/rw
