Nebraska Supreme Court Online Library
www.nebraska.gov/apps-courts-epub/
10/21/2022 09:06 AM CDT
- 74 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
State of Nebraska, appellee, v.
Komla Abligo , appellant.
___ N.W.2d ___
Filed July 29, 2022. No. S-21-457.
1. Rules of Evidence: Appeal and Error. Where the Nebraska Evidence
Rules commit the evidentiary question at issue to the discretion of the
trial court, an appellate court reviews the admissibility of evidence for
an abuse of discretion.
2. Criminal Law: Motions for Continuance: Appeal and Error. A decision whether to grant a continuance in a criminal case is within the
discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent
an abuse of discretion.
3. Sentences: Appeal and Error. An appellate court will not disturb a sentence imposed within the statutory limits absent an abuse of discretion
by the trial court.
4. Judgments: Words and Phrases. An abuse of discretion occurs when a
trial court’s decision is based upon reasons that are untenable or unreasonable or if its action is clearly against justice or conscience, reason,
and evidence.
5. Sexual Assault: Evidence. Nebraska’s rape shield statute is not meant
to prevent defendants from presenting relevant evidence, but to deprive
them of the opportunity to harass and humiliate the complaining witness
and divert the jury’s attention to irrelevant matters.
6. Evidence: Proof. The bar for establishing evidentiary relevance is not
a high one and requires only the probative value of the evidence to be
something more than nothing.
7. Evidence: Words and Phrases. Unfair prejudice means an undue tend
ency to suggest a decision based on an improper basis.
8. Rules of Evidence: Testimony: Proof. Generally, the foundation for the
admissibility of text messages has two components: (1) whether the text
messages were accurately transcribed and (2) who actually sent the text
messages. Testimony concerning context or familiarity with the manner
of communication of the purported sender is sufficient foundation for
- 75 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
the identity of the sender and is typically in combination with testimony
that the cell phone number belonged to or was regularly utilized by the
alleged sender. The proponent of the text messages is not required to
conclusively prove who authored the messages.
9. Rules of Evidence: Hearsay: Appeal and Error. Whether a statement was both taken and given in contemplation of medical diagnosis
or treatment is a factual finding made by the trial court in determining
the admissibility of the evidence, which an appellate court reviews for
clear error.
10. Sentences. When imposing a sentence, a sentencing judge should consider the defendant’s (1) age, (2) mentality, (3) education and experience, (4) social and cultural background, (5) past criminal record or
record of law-abiding conduct, and (6) motivation for the offense, as
well as (7) the nature of the offense and (8) the violence involved in the
commission of the crime.
Appeal from the District Court for Douglas County: James
M. Masteller, Judge. Affirmed.
Thomas C. Riley, Douglas County Public Defender, Korey T.
Taylor, Tamara T. Mosby, and Hilary Burrows, Senior Certified
Law Student, for appellant.
Douglas J. Peterson, Attorney General, and Austin N. Relph
for appellee.
Heavican, C.J., Miller-Lerman, Cassel, Stacy, Funke,
Papik, and Freudenberg, JJ.
Heavican, C.J.
On April 16, 2019, the State charged Komla Abligo by information with one count of first degree sexual assault, a Class II
felony. The State alleged that Abligo sexually assaulted A.A.
after a night of drinking alcohol and partying with Abligo’s
roommate, Robert Capers, and Angel Bils.
After multiple delays, a jury trial was held in the matter on
March 8, 2021, after which the jury found Abligo guilty of
first degree sexual assault. The district court sentenced Abligo
to 4 to 10 years’ imprisonment, with 87 days’ credit for time
served. Abligo appealed, and we moved this case to our docket.
We affirm.
- 76 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On March 11, 2019, A.A. told her former foster mother,
with whom she still had a relationship, that she had been sex
ually assaulted several days prior. Upon learning of the alleged
assault, A.A.’s foster mother took her to a hospital for medical
care, and law enforcement was notified. Officer Mark Magill
was assigned to investigate the incident and was dispatched to
the hospital.
At the hospital, nurse Carla Idrees performed a sexual
assault nurse examination (SANE exam). A.A. explained to
both Idrees and Magill the circumstances surrounding the
assault, stating that it occurred on the morning of March 6,
2019, after she had spent the night drinking at Abligo’s and
Capers’ apartment; a friend, Bils, was also present that night.
While recounting the events, A.A. identified Abligo as her
assailant. Later, A.A. provided to Magill screenshots of text
messages from her phone, purportedly showing an exchange
between herself and Abligo discussing the incident.
On March 16, 2019, Magill interviewed Abligo at the police
station. After waiving his Miranda rights, Abligo admitted
that he had sex with A.A., but claimed that he and A.A. were
both still drunk that morning. Abligo also admitted that he
had believed A.A. was Bils, with whom Abligo had a sexual
relationship, and stated that he was not interested in A.A. in a
sexual manner. Following this interview, Abligo was arrested.
In April 2019, the State filed an information charging Abligo
with one count of sexual assault in the first degree, a Class II
felony.
A jury trial was originally scheduled for October 2019,
but was continued to March 30, 2020, after the court granted
Abligo’s oral motion to continue. Abligo requested a second
continuance, and the trial was continued to July 2020. A series
of continuances then followed, many of which were related
to the COVID-19 pandemic and the district court’s inability
to hold jury trials. Abligo’s trial was eventually scheduled for
March 8, 2021.
- 77 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
Prior to trial, the parties raised several evidentiary issues
regarding the admissibility of certain video recordings, as well
as the screenshots of text messages between A.A. and Abligo
that had been provided to Magill. Abligo sought to admit
three video recordings, each collected from the social media
platform known as Snapchat, pursuant to
Neb. Rev. Stat.
§ 27-412 (Reissue 2016). Each video was filmed by Abligo
and depicted A.A. either posing for the camera or doing various activities while being recorded. Abligo sought to exclude
the text messages on grounds of relevance, authentication,
and hearsay.
At an evidentiary hearing, the State argued that the videos
should be excluded, because Abligo failed to provide the requisite 15-day written notice of his intention to admit § 27-412
evidence, and that the videos were irrelevant, had no probative
value, and would be unfairly prejudicial. Abligo responded
that the videos were admissible under § 27-412 and relevant
to the issue of A.A.’s consent and that if the videos did not
depict sexual behavior within the scope of § 27-412, the videos
were relevant to the issue of A.A.’s credibility. As for the text
messages, Abligo argued that the State would be unable to
authenticate the messages and lay the required foundation for
their admission.
The district court ruled that the Snapchat videos were inadmissible, because Abligo had not established good cause for
noncompliance with the statutory 15-day notice provision of
§ 27-412 and, alternatively, the videos did not depict sexual
behavior; they had little, if any, relevance to the issues; and
their probative value was outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice, confusion, or misleading of the jury. The district
court ruled that the admissibility of the text messages would be
addressed at trial in the context of the evidence.
On Friday, March 5, 2021, Abligo moved to continue the
trial, scheduled to start March 8. Abligo alleged that the State
had just revealed Bils planned to testify regarding statements
Abligo had made to her on the morning of the alleged assault
- 78 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
and that counsel needed additional time to consider the new
information and prepare for trial. The State objected to a
continuance, stating that Bils had been an endorsed witness
since 2019 and that the State had repeatedly indicated that it
intended to call Bils as a witness.
The district court declined to rule on Abligo’s motion to
continue and requested that a written motion and affidavit be
submitted to the court. Abligo additionally moved the court to
exclude Bils as a witness, citing the State’s failure to disclose
potentially exculpatory evidence to defense counsel in a timely
manner. The State agreed to make Bils available for a deposition before the trial commenced, in lieu of excluding her as a
witness. The parties conducted a deposition of Bils over the
weekend, after which Abligo filed a written motion to continue
with a supporting affidavit.
On the morning of trial, the court heard from both parties
and overruled Abligo’s motion to continue. The court reasoned
that there was no prejudice to Abligo from the late disclosure
of Bils’ information because Bils would make a limited statement and because she was subjected to a deposition. The court
then commenced a jury trial.
At trial, the State called A.A., Bils, Idrees, and Magill to
testify. A.A. testified that on March 5, 2019, she and Bils had
gone over to the apartment, which Abligo and Capers shared,
to “hang out” as a group. At that time, A.A. was in a sexual
relationship with Capers and Bils was in a sexual relationship
with Abligo, but all four individuals were friends. A.A. had
only met Capers and Abligo 6 months prior to March 2019, but
had known Bils for approximately 2 years and had previously
worked with Bils as a cocktail waitress.
A.A. said that the four had spent the night playing games
and drinking. According to A.A., all four individuals were
inebriated to some degree by the end of the night, but not
“black-out drunk.” A.A. said that she went to bed with Capers
in his room at around 2:30 a.m. and that Bils went to bed
with Abligo in his room sometime after that. A.A. said that
- 79 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
Capers had set his alarm for 5 a.m., the time he had to leave,
and then they both “passed out.” A.A. said that she went to
bed naked.
The next thing that A.A. could remember was adjusting her
sleeping position and seeing someone in bed next to her, who
she assumed was Capers. The person started touching her,
trying to initiate sex. A.A. was still partially asleep. Thinking
the person touching her was Capers, A.A. put her hand up to
stop him and said, “‘No, I’m not in the mood,’” and “‘No,
baby, no.’” A.A. also said that she moved her body around to
stop the person from touching her and that because the person
kept touching her naked bottom, she rolled onto her back. The
person then climbed on top of her and penetrated her. At that
point, A.A. said her “brain [started] telling [her to] wake up,
something [was] not right,” but that she was not fully awake.
A.A. felt the person with her hand, and it did not feel like
Capers. She then fully awoke, finding that it was Abligo on top
of her. A.A. says that she kicked him off, got out of the bed,
and screamed at him. Abligo was naked and stood in the room
for a bit before getting in the shower. A.A. testified that she
never consented to having sex with Abligo.
At some point, Bils heard A.A. crying and came out of the
other room to ask what was going on. A.A. told Bils what had
happened, then retrieved her clothes and got dressed. A.A.
called Capers and then called her brother to come pick her up.
While waiting for her brother, A.A. spoke to Bils, and after
some time, she went back into the apartment. Abligo tried to
speak with A.A., but A.A. said that she began to yell at him.
According to A.A., Abligo “kept saying [that] he wasn’t in his
right head” and that A.A. was “making it a bigger deal” than it
was. A.A. thereafter left with her brother.
A.A. further testified that prior to the incident, she had
Abligo’s number saved in her phone. About 3 hours after the
incident, Abligo texted A.A. and asked her to meet him for
dinner and to talk about what happened. A.A. refused, and in
the ensuing text conversation, A.A. accused Abligo of raping
- 80 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
her. Abligo responded with various apologies and explanations
for his behavior.
Over Abligo’s renewed objections, the screenshots of A.A.’s
text messages were received into evidence. A.A. testified that
these messages had been saved by taking a screenshot of
her phone and that she had sent the screenshots to Magill in
his investigation.
Bils was called to testify next, and her testimony was similar to A.A.’s. Bils testified that A.A.’s crying woke her up that
morning and that she had heard A.A. yelling, “‘I was asleep’”
and “[t]hat’s not me saying yes” from Capers’ bedroom. Bils
said she went into Capers’ bedroom and found A.A. and
Abligo, both naked. Abligo’s penis was erect, and A.A. was
hysterical. According to Bils, Abligo had said that “it wasn’t
like that” and that he was “trying to die the situation down,”
but that A.A. was “being dramatic” and “wanted to” have sex.
Bils said that Abligo appeared nonchalant about the incident,
and she also recalled that Abligo had flirted with A.A. the night
before, but that A.A. did not flirt with Abligo.
Also testifying was Idrees, the nurse who had seen A.A.
at the hospital and who had conducted a SANE exam for
A.A. Idrees testified to her education, the typical process and
procedures involved in a SANE exam, and the details of her
SANE exam of A.A. Idrees stated that a vaginal or pelvic
examination to obtain forensic evidence was not conducted
due to the 5-day delay between the alleged assault and the
date of A.A.’s SANE exam. Idrees’ testimony included her
recitation of statements made by A.A. during the SANE exam.
Abligo objected to this portion of Idrees’ testimony on hearsay
grounds, and the district court overruled Abligo’s objection
after it concluded that such statements either were not hearsay
or were a statement of the declarant’s existing state of mind.
Idrees further testified that as a SANE exam nurse, she works
closely with law enforcement to collect information and forensic evidence that may be later used by police or prosecutors.
Idrees stated that a SANE exam is meant to collect evidence
- 81 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
but does not prevent a victim from leaving out details, exaggerating the events, or misrepresenting information.
Finally, the State called Magill to testify regarding his
investigation, including his interview of Abligo at the police
station. During Magill’s testimony, an audio recording of the
interview was received into evidence and played for the jury.
The audio recording revealed that during the interview, Abligo
made various inculpatory statements, including an admission
that he penetrated A.A. on March 6, 2019, and that he had
texted her afterward to talk about what happened.
Abligo did not call any witnesses to testify on his behalf. On
March 11, 2021, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
The district court thereafter adjudged Abligo guilty of sexual
assault in the first degree, a Class II felony. The district court
ordered a presentence report to be conducted and prepared
prior to sentencing.
At a sentencing hearing on May 10, 2021, the district court
heard from the State, defense counsel, and Abligo himself.
A.A. was present and read her victim impact statement, which
was made part of the presentence report. The court then sentenced Abligo to 4 to 10 years’ imprisonment, with 87 days’
credit for time served.
Abligo appealed. We thereafter moved this case to our
docket.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
On appeal, Abligo assigns that the district court abused
its discretion (1) by finding Snapchat videos of A.A. inadmissible; (2) by denying Abligo’s motion to continue; (3) in
admitting the text messages purportedly between Abligo and
A.A. because the State failed to properly authenticate the messages, which included inadmissible hearsay; (4) by admitting
Idrees’ testimony and medical report, which were both inadmissible hearsay; and (5) by imposing an excessive sentence
upon Abligo.
- 82 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
[1] Where the Nebraska Evidence Rules commit the evidentiary question at issue to the discretion of the trial court,
an appellate court reviews the admissibility of evidence for an
abuse of discretion. 1
[2] A decision whether to grant a continuance in a criminal
case is within the discretion of the trial court and will not be
disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. 2
[3,4] An appellate court will not disturb a sentence imposed
within the statutory limits absent an abuse of discretion by the
trial court. 3 An abuse of discretion occurs when a trial court’s
decision is based upon reasons that are untenable or unreasonable or if its action is clearly against justice or conscience,
reason, and evidence. 4
IV. ANALYSIS
1. Snapchat Videos
In his first assignment of error, Abligo assigns that the district court abused its discretion by finding the Snapchat videos
inadmissible. Abligo argues that the videos should have been
admitted pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 27-401 and 27-403
(Reissue 2016), because they were each relevant to A.A.’s
credibility, or pursuant to § 27-412, as specific instances of
A.A.’s sexual behavior, for purposes of proving A.A.’s consent.
(a) Applicability of § 27-412
Abligo argues that the videos were admissible under
§ 27-412, otherwise known as Nebraska’s rape shield statute,
because they “depicted [A.A.] in a lingerie top . . . and dancing in front of Abligo in a sexual manner.” 5 Abligo asserts the
1
State v. Wood, 310 Neb. 391,
966 N.W.2d 825 (2021).
2
State v. Baxter, 295 Neb. 496,
888 N.W.2d 726 (2017).
3
State v. Thieszen, 300 Neb. 112,
912 N.W.2d 696 (2018).
4
State v. Hunt, 299 Neb. 573,
909 N.W.2d 363 (2018).
5
Brief for appellant at 21.
- 83 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
videos would help determine the issue of A.A.’s consent by
showing A.A. had flirted with Abligo in the past.
[5] Under § 27-412, evidence offered to prove a victim’s
past sexual behavior or sexual predisposition is inadmissible
unless an exception applies. One exception allows the admission of evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior of
the victim to prove consent, if it is first established that such
behavior is similar to the behavior involved in the case and
tends to establish a pattern of behavior of the victim relevant to
the issue of consent. 6 Nebraska’s rape shield statute, § 27-412,
is not meant to prevent defendants from presenting relevant
evidence, but to deprive them of the opportunity to harass and
humiliate the complaining witness and divert the jury’s attention to irrelevant matters. 7
The first video is approximately 9 seconds long and depicts
A.A. wearing a pink tank top, white shorts, a silk robe, and
sunglasses. A.A. briefly poses for the camera by looking over
her shoulder while lowering the sunglasses, then asks, “Oh,
you’re recording me?” and twirls once to move off camera.
The second video is approximately 5 seconds long and first
depicts Capers’ pouring a drink in his kitchen. The camera pans
to the right, where A.A. is standing in jeans and a cardigan.
Upon seeing the camera pointed at her, A.A. poses for a picture
by turning her body slightly to the side while looking toward
the camera. A.A. then releases her pose and laughs loudly. The
third video is approximately 12 seconds long and depicts A.A.
and Bils performing the splits. Both women laugh, and A.A.
rolls from her position on the floor onto her knees, causing her
to face away from the camera in the process, while Bils moves
in the opposite direction and stands up on one leg before moving off camera.
Contrary to Abligo’s assertions, these videos do not depict
A.A. “dancing in front of Abligo in a sexual manner,” nor do
6
§ 27-412(2)(a)(ii).
7
State v. Swindle, 300 Neb. 734,
915 N.W.2d 795 (2018).
- 84 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
any of the videos depict A.A. dancing in “lingerie.” Indeed,
A.A. does not exhibit any sexual behavior in the videos: she
is merely spending time with friends, laughing and playing
games. Even if this type of behavior qualified as “sexual
behavior” for purposes of § 27-412, it is unclear how such evidence would have constituted any pattern of behavior relevant
to whether A.A. consented to sexual contact with Abligo on the
morning of March 6, 2019. Under § 27-412, the videos would
not be admissible.
Even if § 27-412 did apply, Abligo did not comply with
the 15-day notice requirement set forth in subsection (3)(a).
Nor did good cause exist to excuse Abligo’s noncompliance,
because even if the State did not timely provide witness contact information to Abligo, Abligo was the one who filmed
the videos and hence knew what they would be used for in
terms of proving or disproving his claims regarding the alleged
assault.
(b) Relevance and § 27-403
Conversely, Abligo argues that the videos, if they did not
depict sexual behavior, were admissible under § 27-403.
According to Abligo, the videos would attack A.A.’s credibility
by proving that (1) A.A. was not “new” to drinking, (2) she
was lying about her expressed comfort level around Abligo,
and (3) A.A. had a flirtatious relationship with Abligo, indicating that she was interested in a sexual relationship with Abligo,
which she now wanted to hide in order to protect her relationship with Capers.
[6,7] All relevant evidence is admissible except as otherwise
provided by law, and evidence is relevant if it has any tend
ency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence
to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence. 8 The bar for establishing evidentiary relevance is not a high one and requires
only the probative value of the evidence to be something more
8
See § 27-401 and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-402 (Reissue 2016).
- 85 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
than nothing. 9 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. 10 Unfair prejudice means an undue tendency to suggest a decision based on
an improper basis. 11
At trial, and again in his briefs on appeal, Abligo asserts that
A.A. consented to intercourse on March 6, 2019. However, in
his interview with Magill at the police station on March 16,
prior to being arrested, and also in his interview after conviction for purposes of a presentence investigation in May 2021,
Abligo stated that he “was merely confused and ended up
in the wrong bedroom with the wrong person.” Essentially,
Abligo stated that he and A.A. were both drunk from the night
before and that when Abligo initiated sex and penetrated A.A.,
he believed that he was initiating sex with Bils, with whom he
had an ongoing sexual relationship.
If we believe Abligo’s story that he was merely confused
about A.A.’s identity on the morning of March 6, 2019, then
these videos are irrelevant as they would not prove or disprove
any element or issue of the case, even if they did depict A.A.’s
flirting with Abligo. If we assess the videos under the defense
proffered at trial—/that A.A. consented to sex and thereafter
changed her story for some other motive, such as to cover
up an infidelity as we explain below—these videos either are
irrelevant or would have little probative value, and the videos
would be substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice or confusion of the issues.
In one of the videos, A.A. can be seen in the same room
where alcohol was being served, which Abligo argues can
prove that A.A. was not “new to drinking” around the time
9
See State v. Brown, 302 Neb. 53,
921 N.W.2d 804 (2019).
10
§ 27-403.
11
State v. Munoz, 303 Neb. 69,
927 N.W.2d 25 (2019); State v.
Brown, supra
note 9.
- 86 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
of the incident in March 2019, despite her testimony to the
contrary. But the videos are undated, and Abligo presented no
evidence that the videos were captured either well before or
immediately prior to the incident, and thus, they cannot establish any timeline of A.A.’s drinking behaviors. Further, the
videos cannot establish how much A.A. may or may not have
been drinking, or whether such amount was typical consumption for A.A. or atypical. Thus, the videos would confuse the
issues if used for this purpose and might lead to a trial within
a trial on the topic of whether A.A. was indeed “new to drinking,” even though the answer does not impact the underlying
issue of A.A.’s consent.
As for Abligo’s argument that the videos show A.A. had
flirted with Abligo and now sought to cover up their flirtatious
relationship to hide an infidelity and protect her relationship
with Capers: Capers is on camera in one of the videos and
would already be aware of any flirtatious relationship between
A.A. and Abligo, having witnessed these actions firsthand.
Thus, the videos did not prove any willingness of A.A. to lie
to protect her relationship with Capers. And although A.A.
may have mentioned in her deposition being uncomfortable
around Abligo, she did not testify to this statement at trial.
Hence, the videos were not relevant to any impeachment on
these issues.
The district court did not err in finding these videos inadmissible. Even if the videos did depict sexual behavior per
§ 27-412, Abligo did not comply with the 15-day notice
requirement and did not establish good cause for noncompliance. If the videos are instead assessed for their relevance,
probative value, and prejudice, they are irrelevant to the underlying issue of consent and any probative value would be substantially outweighed by a danger of confusing the issues. This
assignment of error is without merit.
2. Motion to Continue
In his second assignment of error, Abligo assigns that the
district court abused its discretion by denying his motion to
- 87 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
continue, which was made on the Friday preceding a Monday
trial. Abligo also asserts that the court erroneously determined that deposing Bils the weekend prior to trial cured the
prejudice which arose from the State’s late disclosure of Bils’
contact information and late disclosure of statements Bils
claimed that Abligo had made regarding the incident. Abligo
also claimed that the State failed to disclose a working phone
number for A.A.
Regarding contact information for A.A., the record indicates
that Abligo inquired about a phone number to reach A.A. and
that the State instead provided a working email address. The
State clarified prior to trial that “[A.A.] is and has been very
difficult to get ahold of. The only way we are able to communicate with her, due to phone issues, has been via email.” Thus,
the State provided Abligo with the same contact information
that it used to contact A.A.
Regarding Bils, the State had a pretrial phone call on March
5, 2021, wherein Bils mentioned that on the morning of the
incident after A.A. left the apartment, Abligo said something
to the effect of, “[A.A.] wanted to have sex.” Bils informed
the State of a few additional statements that Bils attributed
to Abligo, which may have supported Abligo’s argument that
A.A. consented to sex. The State immediately disclosed these
statements to Abligo, and at a hearing held that same day,
Abligo moved the court to continue trial based on this newly
discovered evidence. Specifically, counsel for Abligo stated, “I
believe that the state is calling . . . Bils for some information.
I would just like for the state to give me contact information
[and] for the Court to . . . make her available for deposition
prior to her testimony.”
As indicated by the State, Bils, A.A., or any of the listed
witnesses could have been deposed any time by Abligo. And
Abligo certainly knew of each witness and had plenty of time
to request depositions: The information filed April 16, 2019,
listed A.A., Bils, Idrees, and Magill as witnesses; these individuals were endorsed as witnesses since the date of the first
- 88 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
scheduled trial, originally set for October 2019; and the State
also repeatedly indicated that it intended to call all four individuals at trial. Although the late timing of Bils’ newly disclosed statements was “unfortunate” for all parties, as noted by
the district court, the State provided the information to Abligo
as soon as it learned of the information and made Bils available
to be deposed on those statements prior to trial.
Based on this information, it was not an abuse of discretion
for the district court to deny Abligo’s motion to continue. This
assignment of error is without merit.
3. Text Messages
Next, Abligo assigns that the district court abused its discretion by admitting text messages purportedly between Abligo
and A.A. regarding the incidents of March 6, 2019. Abligo
argues that the State failed to provide foundation and did not
properly authenticate the messages, which included inadmissible hearsay from A.A., and that the messages were unduly
prejudicial.
[8] Generally, the foundation for the admissibility of text
messages has two components: (1) whether the text messages
were accurately transcribed and (2) who actually sent the text
messages. 12 Testimony concerning context or familiarity with
the manner of communication of the purported sender is sufficient foundation for the identity of the sender and is typically
in combination with testimony that the cell phone number
belonged to or was regularly utilized by the alleged sender. 13
The proponent of the text messages is not required to conclusively prove who authored the messages. 14
There can be no issue regarding whether the text messages
were transcribed erroneously or inaccurately, because the messages were presented through a screenshot, a static copy of
12
State v. Henry, 292 Neb. 834,
875 N.W.2d 374 (2016).
13
See id.
14
Id.
- 89 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
the content visible on A.A.’s phone when she captured the
images to share with Magill. As for the identity of the sender,
A.A. testified that these images were from her phone, that
the images showed text messages from herself to Abligo, and
that Abligo was the other sender. A.A. testified that she and
Abligo had previously texted from these numbers and in this
same message thread. A.A.’s testimony concerning the context
of the messages was that after the incident, Abligo texted her
to ask if they could meet and talk about what happened, and
he even offered that Bils could come along if A.A. wanted
her there.
In addition to A.A.’s testimony, these same text messages
were introduced by way of the interview between Magill and
Abligo in March 2019, which was played for the jury after the
recording was received into evidence. During the interview,
Abligo informed Magill that he had texted A.A., and the two
thereafter discussed Abligo’s messages to A.A. Approximately
46 minutes into the interview, Magill asked Abligo if he talked
to A.A. after the incident through text messages or a messaging service. Abligo replied in the affirmative and told Magill
“it went, hey, I think we should get together and talk this out
. . . . She wasn’t about it, and I apologized.” Magill then asked,
“Did you tell [A.A.] you thought she was [Bils]?” Abligo said
no, because he could tell A.A. “didn’t want to hear it.”
Abligo thereafter said he could not tell A.A. his side of
the story because she would not let him talk, to which Magill
replied, “well, it’s text messaging, you can type anything you
want to regardless of whether someone interjects or not.”
Abligo responded, “Well, you read that, it wouldn’t have mattered. You read those messages.”
Magill next read a few of the messages to Abligo, in which
A.A. said “you got shit twisted, you understand what you did
is considered rape right?” and asked, “at that point, why didn’t
you try to defend yourself?” Abligo’s response was “because it
wasn’t supposed to be rape.” Magill later asked Abligo, “Did
you apologize to her for having sex with her when she didn’t
- 90 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
want to?” to which Abligo responded, “I was going to do that
in person.”
Even if the text messages had not been authenticated by
A.A. during her own testimony, this evidence would certainly
be sufficient for authentication of the text messages. The text
messages discussed match the information provided in the
screenshots, and Abligo’s statements to Magill show that he
recognized the text messages, show that he was responding
to A.A., and explain why his responses did or did not include
certain information.
As for Abligo’s argument that the text messages contained
hearsay not within an exception, the text messages attributable
to Abligo were his own statements offered against him, falling
under the hearsay exception at
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-801(4)(b)(i)
(Reissue 2016) as statements of a party opponent. The statements within the text messages that were authored by A.A.
were provided under a limiting instruction wherein the jury
was told not to consider her text messages for the truth of the
matter asserted, but instead to consider them “to assist . . .
in understanding and assessing the texts of [Abligo].” Abligo
also stated that the text messages were unfairly prejudicial,
but does not explain why or give any supporting authority for
this assertion.
Through A.A.’s testimony and the audio recording of
Abligo’s interview with Magill, the State provided sufficient
foundation showing that the text messages were authored by
A.A. and Abligo. The messages were statements of a party
opponent or, alternatively, were not offered to prove the truth
of the matter asserted, and thus, they were not inadmissible
hearsay. The district court did not abuse its discretion in ruling
that these messages were admissible. This assignment of error
is without merit.
4. SANE Exam Testimony and Report
In his fourth assignment of error, Abligo argues that the
district court abused its discretion in admitting testimony by
- 91 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
Idrees and in admitting the medical report from the SANE
exam Idrees performed on A.A., because both consisted of
inadmissible hearsay. According to Abligo, A.A.’s statements
to Idrees were not made in legitimate and reasonable contemplation of a medical diagnosis or treatment because the
SANE exam occurred 5 days after the incident. Additionally,
Abligo points out that statements related to fault are usually inadmissible. 15
[9] According to
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-803(3) (Reissue
2016), “[s]tatements made for purposes of medical diagnosis
or treatment and describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain, or sensations, or the inception or general
character of the cause or external source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment” are not excluded
by the hearsay rule even though the declarant is available as
a witness. Whether a statement was both taken and given in
contemplation of medical diagnosis or treatment is a factual
finding made by the trial court in determining the admissibility of the evidence, which an appellate court reviews for
clear error. 16
Here, the district court did not clearly err in determining
that A.A.’s statements were admissible under § 27-803(3).
A.A. made the statements while at the hospital, during a SANE
exam to check for injuries and prescribe treatment related to
an alleged sexual assault, and Idrees testified that she relied on
A.A.’s statements to decide the extent of the examination and
for treatment planning. For example, Idrees testified that the
SANE exam occurred approximately 5 days after the alleged
assault, so a physical examination would likely not succeed in
the collection of DNA evidence; however, if A.A. had complained of any bleeding or pelvic pain, Idrees may still have
ordered a pelvic examination.
But an analysis of whether these statements were necessary
for medical diagnosis and treatment is ultimately unnecessary.
15
See State v. Vigil, 283 Neb. 129,
810 N.W.2d 687 (2012).
16
See id.
- 92 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
We have stated that the erroneous admission of evidence is
harmless error and does not require reversal if the evidence
is cumulative and other relevant evidence, properly admitted,
supports the finding by the trier of fact. 17 Here, as admitted
by Abligo, “the statements [Idrees] testified to at trial were
essentially a recitation of [A.A.’s] own testimony.” 18 As such,
any error which resulted from the admission of such statements would be harmless. This assignment of error is without merit.
5. Excessive Sentence
Finally, Abligo assigns as error that the district court abused
its discretion in imposing an excessive sentence upon him.
Abligo argues that the district court did not properly consider
mitigating factors when it imposed a sentence of 4 to 10 years’
imprisonment and did not tailor the sentence to Abligo’s individual circumstances.
[10] An imposed sentence that is within the statutory limits
will not be disturbed by an appellate court unless the sentencing court committed an abuse of discretion. 19 An abuse of
discretion occurs when a trial court’s decision is based upon
reasons that are untenable or unreasonable or if its action is
clearly against justice or conscience, reason, and evidence. 20
When imposing a sentence, a sentencing judge should consider
the defendant’s (1) age, (2) mentality, (3) education and experience, (4) social and cultural background, (5) past criminal
record or record of law-abiding conduct, and (6) motivation for
the offense, as well as (7) the nature of the offense and (8) the
violence involved in the commission of the crime. 21
The district court stated that in preparation for sentencing, it had reviewed the presentence report, the victim impact
17
State v. Figures, 308 Neb. 801,
957 N.W.2d 161 (2021).
18
Brief for appellant at 29.
19
See State v. Huff, 282 Neb. 78,
802 N.W.2d 77 (2011).
20
State v. Hunt, supra note 4.
21
State v. Dady, 304 Neb. 649,
936 N.W.2d 486 (2019).
- 93 -
Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
312 Nebraska Reports
STATE V. ABLIGO
Cite as 312 Neb. 74
statement, and the sentencing memorandum prepared by
Abligo. The court then noted that Abligo had no prior criminal record. The presentence investigation report revealed that
Abligo scored in the moderate to low risk range for reoffense;
he was in the low-risk level for sex offense issues; the probation office did not recommend probation; and Abligo continued
to assert that he was mistaken as to A.A.’s identity on the
morning of March 6, 2019, an indicator that Abligo had yet to
take responsibility for his actions.
Accordingly, we find that the district court properly considered each mitigating factor and did not abuse its discretion in
imposing a sentence of 4 to 10 years’ imprisonment on Abligo.
This assignment of error is without merit.
V. CONCLUSION
The district court did not abuse its discretion in ruling that
the videos were inadmissible, in denying Abligo’s motion to
continue, and in ruling that the text messages between A.A.
and Abligo were admissible. Further, the district court did not
clearly err in admitting Idrees’ testimony and report. The district court also did not abuse its discretion when it sentenced
Abligo to 4 to 10 years’ imprisonment. Each of Abligo’s
assignments of error is without merit, and the decision of the
district court is affirmed.
Affirmed.
