State v. Farmer, 90-1467

• Decision Date: 27 August 1992
• Docket Number: No. 90-1467,90-1467
• Citation: 492 N.W.2d 239
• Parties: STATE of Iowa, Appellee, v. Darren David FARMER, Appellant.
• Court: Iowa Court of Appeals

Page 239

492 N.W.2d 239

STATE of Iowa, Appellee, v. Darren David FARMER, Appellant.

No. 90-1467.

Court of Appeals of Iowa.

Aug. 27, 1992.

Donald L. Carr II of Scalise, Scism, Sandre, McConville, Miller, Holliday, Schwarz, Carr & Renzo, Des Moines, for appellant.

Bonnie J. Campbell, Atty. Gen., Richard J. Bennett, Asst. Atty. Gen., and Denver D. Dillard, County Atty., for appellee.

Heard by OXBERGER, C.J., and SCHLEGEL and SACKETT, JJ., but decided en banc.

OXBERGER, Chief Judge.

Darren Farmer was romantically involved with Jade's mother. Jade was eighteen months of age. The State alleges Farmer shook Jade so severely that her death resulted. The State also alleges Farmer had sexually abused the child within a period of twenty-four to forty-eight hours before her death.

Farmer was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual abuse. A jury found him guilty of the lesser-included offenses of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree sexual abuse. Farmer has raised several issues on appeal.

VENUE: We first consider whether the trial court erred in denying Farmer's motion for change of venue. Appellate review of an order granting or denying a change of venue is de novo and is subject to an abuse of discretion standard. State v. Hickman, 337 N.W.2d 512, 514 (Iowa 1983). Where a change of venue has been denied, the test is whether there is a reasonable likelihood the defendant could receive a fair trial in the county. State v. Dague, 206 N.W.2d 93, 95 (Iowa 1973). Although trial courts have discretion in determining whether to change venue, they should be more willing than in prior years to look favorably upon a motion for change of venue where there has been extensive pretrial publicity. State v. Robinson, 389 N.W.2d 401, 404 (Iowa 1986). A defendant may show either proof of actual prejudice or that pretrial media accounts were so pervasive and inflammatory as to give rise to a presumption of prejudice. State v. Shipley, 429 N.W.2d 567, 576 (Iowa App.1988). Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 10(10)(b) allows a change of venue if the court is satisfied "that such degree of prejudice exists in the county in which the trial is to be had that there is a substantial likelihood a fair and impartial trial cannot be preserved with a jury selected from that county...." When considering a change of venue issue, it must be kept in mind that mere exposure to news accounts does not prove a substantial likelihood of prejudice. State v. Chadwick, 328 N.W.2d 913, 916 (Iowa 1983). A defendant must show the pretrial publicity creates a substantial likelihood of prejudice in the minds of prospective jurors. State v. Harris, 436 N.W.2d 364, 367 (Iowa 1989). The crucial determination is whether, as a result of pretrial publicity or for other reasons, a substantial number of prospective jurors hold such fixed opinions on the merits of the case that they cannot impartially judge the issues. Id.

Farmer argues there was extensive news coverage in newspapers, radio and television which should have allowed him to change venue of the trial. The initial charge against Farmer was filed in November of 1989. Farmer's trial began on May 22, 1990, but a mistrial was declared. He was later brought to trial on July 9, 1990. On June 8, 1990, he filed for a change of venue. The trial court stated in its order denying the motion:

The Court finds that the Defendant has failed to prove by any substantial evidence that there is any prejudice existing in Linn County which would result in an inability to pick a fair and impartial jury to hear the case of State v. Farmer. There is nothing in the record which would show the impact, if any, of the newspaper articles as it had to do with the attitudes of any prospective jurors.

In support of his motion for change of venue, Farmer introduced the testimony of Barbara Roorda, a resident of Linn County, and David Farmer, the father of the defendant. We find this testimony is insufficient to establish county wide prejudice. Upon review of the news articles in question, we agree with the trial court that a vigorous voir dire of prospective jurors was a sufficient safeguard to insure a fair and impartial jury. We, therefore, affirm the trial court's denial of Farmer's motion for change of venue.

PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT

The defendant states he was denied a fair trial due to the following prosecutorial misconduct:

1. The prosecutors complained in front of the jury when making an evidentiary objection that the defense had not provided the State with pretrial discovery of certain defense evidence.

2. The prosecutor, when making certain objections, accused defense counsel of having misstated the record.

3. The prosecutor in his closing argument improperly referred to the defendant's statement as a confession. The remark was "this statement isn't literally a confession, but it is a skeleton of one."

4. The prosecutor in his closing argument attributed to defendant a statement made before the victim's death which indicated the defendant hated the victim.

To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, the defendant must not only prove misconduct occurred, but also that it prejudiced the defendant. State v. Ruble, 372 N.W.2d 216, 218 (Iowa 1985). We do not overturn trial court rulings in the absence of a showing of abuse of discretion. State v. Love, 302 N.W.2d 115, 119 (Iowa 1981). "Abuse of discretion is shown only when it is demonstrated that such discretion was exercised on grounds or for reasons clearly untenable or to an extent clearly unreasonable." State v. Williams, 315 N.W.2d 45, 55 (Iowa 1982) (quoting State v. Trudo, 253 N.W.2d 101, 106 (Iowa), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 903, 98 S.Ct. 299, 54 L.Ed.2d 189 (1977)).

The trial court in effect told the jury the defendant's counsel had complied with pretrial discovery requirements. The trial court overruled the prosecutor's objections, implying the defense counsel had not misstated the record. The reference to a confession was not a prejudicial remark. The "hate" remark had been reported to the police during the investigation but later retracted.

We conclude the conduct of the prosecutor did not deny the defendant a fair trial.

PRECLUDED TESTIMONY: Farmer next asserts the trial court erred in precluding certain testimony. He argues testimony regarding Angie Cummings' reputation for violence toward her daughter should have been admitted. We review for an abuse of discretion. See State v. Wilson, 406 N.W.2d 442, 447 (Iowa 1987). In order to show an abuse of discretion, one generally must show the court exercised its discretion "on grounds or for reasons clearly untenable or to an extent clearly unreasonable." State v. Blackwell, 238 N.W.2d 131, 138 (Iowa 1976) (quoting Weeks v. Burnor, 132 Vt. 603, 326 A.2d 138, 140 (1974)). A trial court's decision on the admissibility of evidence is within its discretion, subject to reversal only when that discretion has been abused. State v. Chadwick, 328 N.W.2d 913, 917 (Iowa 1983). Evidence offered by a defendant tending to incriminate another must be confined to substantive facts and create more than a mere suspicion that such other person committed the offense. State v. Wilson, 406 N.W.2d 442, 447 (Iowa 1987). We have thoroughly reviewed the defendant's offers of proof in the trial record regarding Angie Cummings' reputation for violence toward her daughter. We find the admission of this evidence could rise no higher than the creation of a mere suspicion incriminating the mother. The trial court did not, therefore, abuse its discretion in refusing admission of this evidence.

Farmer next argues the trial court erred in refusing to admit evidence that the infant victim had a vaginal rash for a period of time before her death. Farmer argues that if the rash had developed to the extent that it included sores and bleeding, it was relevant to the issue regarding the general physical condition of the infant's vaginal area immediately prior to death. Three witnesses were prepared to offer testimony that Angie Cummings knew about the rash problem and did nothing to alleviate the problem. It is clear that one issue at trial was whether there had been penetration or abuse of the infant victim's vaginal area.

Ample evidence of sexual abuse was presented. The infant's sleeper and diaper were introduced as evidence and were blood stained. Four medical experts testified they observed redness, swelling, scratches, and bruising on and surrounding the victim's vagina and labia. The emergency room physician testified he observed blood and "bleeding" around the victim's vaginal region. He further testified the diaper rash on the victim was "negligible." The pediatrician who examined the victim shortly after she arrived at the hospital testified the vaginal injuries were probably caused by a hand. An expert physician, skilled in evaluation of sexual abuse injuries, testified the injuries took place within a few hours of the victim's admission to the hospital. Her opinion was based on the presence of blood, abrasions, redness, and swelling. The medical examiner who conducted the autopsy testified the injuries to the vaginal area were "recent." The photographs taken upon admission to the hospital clearly show blood on the victim's vaginal area and upper thighs.

In addition, the State argues one of the witnesses admitted she had not seen any bleeding or scabs associated with the rash. Regarding the other two witnesses who would have testified to sores and bleeding, the State argues one witness is engaged to the victim's father and the other is the sister of the victim's father. We find the trial court did not err in refusing to admit the testimony of the three witnesses.

The defendant claims the trial court erred in precluding the expert witness James Cone from testifying regarding "shaken baby syndrome." In his brief, the defendant said:

In the present case there was a legitimate issue at trial regarding the death of...