State v. Blanton , 2023 Ohio 89 ( 2023 )

[Cite as State v. Blanton, 2023-Ohio-89.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO :
:
Appellee : C.A. No. 29451
:
v. : Trial Court Case No. 2020 CR 01381
:
GREGORY E. BLANTON : (Criminal Appeal from Common Pleas
: Court)
Appellant :
:
...........
OPINION
Rendered on January 13, 2023
...........
MATHIAS H. HECK, JR., by ELIZABETH A. ELLIS, Attorney for Appellee
DAVID R. MILES, Attorney for Appellant
.............
WELBAUM, J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, Gregory E. Blanton, appeals from his convictions in the
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas of purposeful murder, with a firearm
specification, and endangering children. A jury had found him guilty of purposeful
murder, felony murder, felonious assault, endangering children, and five firearm
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specifications, but some of the offenses were merged. In support of his appeal, Blanton
contends that the trial court erred by failing to include a jury instruction on involuntary
manslaughter as a lesser included offense of purposeful murder and felony murder.
Blanton also contends that the trial court erred by adding certain language to the standard
jury instruction on the affirmative defense of blackout. Blanton further contends that all
of his convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence and that his trial
counsel provided ineffective assistance in various respects. For the reasons outlined
below, we disagree with Blanton’s arguments and will affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Facts and Course of Proceedings
{¶ 2} On May 20, 2020, a Montgomery County grand jury returned an indictment
charging Blanton with one count of purposeful murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02(A), two
counts of felony murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02(B), one count of felonious assault in
violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) (serious physical harm), one count of felonious assault in
violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2) (deadly weapon), and one misdemeanor count of
endangering children in violation of R.C. 2919.22(A). The counts for murder, felony
murder, and felonious assault each included a three-year firearm specification under R.C.
2929.14 and R.C. 2941.145. All the charges stemmed from the shooting death of
Blanton’s paramour, K.C.
{¶ 3} Blanton pled not guilty to all the charges and specifications in the indictment,
and the matter proceeded to a jury trial. At trial, the State presented testimony from
several witnesses including K.C.’s neighbors and friends, the officers who investigated
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the shooting, the children services caseworker who was assigned to work with K.C. and
Blanton’s son, the cellular analyst who traced Blanton’s cell phone to the scene of the
shooting, and the coroner who examined K.C.’s body. In his defense, Blanton presented
expert testimony from a licensed psychologist and also testified on his own behalf. The
following is a summary of the testimony and evidence that was presented at trial.
Blanton and K.C.’s Relationship
{¶ 4} Blanton began having an extramarital affair with K.C. several years prior to
K.C.’s death. Although Blanton reconciled with his wife, he continued to engage in
sexual activity with K.C. Blanton and K.C.’s relationship resulted in K.C.’s giving birth to
a son in 2015. After the birth of their son, Blanton and K.C. had problems negotiating
visitation.
Joy Young and Deveney Starks
{¶ 5} On the morning of May 9, 2020, K.C. was on her cell phone using the
Facetime application to do a group video chat with two of her friends and coworkers, Joy
Young and Deveney Starks. Young and Starks testified that as they were chatting with
K.C., K.C. and her four-year-old son were getting into K.C.’s vehicle to go run some
errands. Young and Starks testified that once K.C. was inside her vehicle, she looked in
her rearview mirror and said in an upset tone: “What is he doing here?” and “I told him
about popping up at my house.” Trial Tr., Vol. III, p. 345-346 and 362.
{¶ 6} Young and Starks thereafter saw K.C. get out of her vehicle and walk out of
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her garage and into her driveway. Young and Starks testified that as K.C. was walking
to her driveway, she told them that she was going to mute the call. After K.C. muted the
call, Starks continued looking at her cell phone screen to try and figure out what was
going on. Starks testified that she saw K.C. approach someone and say some words
that she could not hear because the call was muted. Starks and Young testified that
K.C.’s cell phone then froze while showing an image of the sky and then later went black.
Later that day, Starks and Young learned that K.C. had been shot and killed in her
driveway.
Jesse Smith
{¶ 7} Jesse Smith, a neighbor who was temporarily living with his in-laws in a
house directly across the street from K.C.’s house, testified that on the morning of May 9,
2020, he was standing in his living room with his youngest daughter watching the morning
news when he looked out the window and saw K.C. and a man standing in her driveway
arguing. Smith testified that he recognized the man as the father of K.C.’s child, who
was later identified as Blanton. Believing that the argument was none of his business,
Smith turned back to watch the news. Shortly thereafter, Smith heard five or six quick
gunshots. After hearing those gunshots, Smith looked back out the window and saw
Blanton holding a handgun and standing over K.C., who was lying face down on the
ground. Smith testified that he then saw Blanton fire five or six more shots in rapid
succession while aiming his firearm at the upper half of K.C.’s body.
{¶ 8} Continuing, Smith testified that he saw Blanton leave the scene in a hurry in
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his black Chevy Impala. Smith ran outside to get Blanton’s license plate number and
called 9-1-1 to report the incident. Smith testified that when he ran across the street to
K.C.’s driveway, he saw a child yelling and crying hysterically while standing a few feet
away from K.C.’s body. Smith also testified that he was interviewed by detectives and
that he identified Blanton as the shooter in a photospread presented to him on May 11,
2020.
Rennes Bowers
{¶ 9} Smith’s fellow neighbor, Rennes Bowers, also rushed to the scene of the
shooting. Bowers testified that on the morning in question he was standing in his kitchen
with his wife when he heard five rapid-fire gunshots. Upon hearing the gunshots, Bowers
ran outside and saw K.C. lying in the driveway and her son standing in the front yard
crying. Bowers testified that K.C.’s son ran into his arms very upset. Bowers testified
that K.C.’s son was screaming and crying and said: “Why did daddy kill mommy?” and
“Why did daddy shoot mommy?” Trial Tr., Vol. IV, p. 412. During this time, Bowers
testified that he saw a black vehicle drive off at a high rate of speed. Bowers had his
wife called 9-1-1 while he went to check if K.C. was alive. Bowers testified, however,
that there were no signs of life, as K.C. had been shot in the head several times.
Denise Chestnut
{¶ 10} Another neighbor, Denise Chestnut, testified that on the morning in question
she heard rapid-fire gunshots and something that sounded like a wounded animal.
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Chestnut thereafter heard a child make a distressed scream. Upon hearing this,
Chestnut ran outside her front door and saw Bowers running down the street with his wife
behind him. Chestnut testified that she then saw K.C. lying on the ground and that
Bowers instructed her to call 9-1-1. Chestnut testified that Bowers had K.C.’s son with
him and that she took the boy from Bowers and shielded him from looking at his mother’s
body. Chestnut then took K.C.’s son to her house to get him away from the scene.
Chestnut testified that K.C.’s son was in a distressed state and kept repeated multiple
times: “My Dad shot my Mom, and my Mom[ is] dead.” Trial Tr., Vol. IV, p. 438-439.
Officer Melissa Boyes
{¶ 11} Officer Melissa Boyes of the Dayton Police Department testified that she
was the first officer at the scene of the shooting. Officer Boyes testified that when she
arrived, she observed a deceased female lying face down in the driveway with blood
coming out of her head. Officer Boyes also observed a cell phone located near the victim
with voices talking on it. In addition, Boyes observed more than five shell casings lying
around the victim, but no weapons. Boyes testified that she was able to determine that
Blanton was the registered owner of the black Chevy Impala that had fled the scene using
a partial license plate number that was provided by one of the neighbors.
Officer Craig Stiver
{¶ 12} Officer Craig Stiver of the Dayton Police Department, an evidence
technician who collected evidence and took photographs of the crime scene, testified that
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he collected 11 nine-millimeter shell casings, which indicated that 11 bullets had been
fired. The parties stipulated that all 11 casings were fired from the same weapon.
Jamie Fricke
{¶ 13} Jamie Fricke, a former employee of Montgomery County Children Services,
testified that Blanton gave consent for his son to be placed in therapy following K.C.’s
death. Fricke testified that while she spoke with Blanton, Blanton acknowledged that the
shooting incident had occurred and that his son might have heard the shooting. Fricke
testified, however, that Blanton was unsure whether his son saw the shooting.
Agent Lance Kepple
{¶ 14} Lance Kepple, a special agent with the FBI, testified that he is part of a
group of specially trained agents who know how to interpret cell phone records and
determine communication patterns and geolocation. Agent Kepple testified that he was
asked by the Dayton Police Department to perform a cellular analysis on Blanton’s cell
phone. Agent Kepple testified that, based on the call detail records from Blanton’s cell
phone, he was able to determine that Blanton’s cell phone was in the area of K.C.’s
residence at the time of the shooting.
Detective Zachary Williams
{¶ 15} Detective Zachary Williams of the Dayton Police Department, the lead
detective for K.C.’s homicide investigation, testified that on the evening after the shooting,
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Blanton turned himself into law enforcement. Detective Williams testified that he
processed Blanton for arrest and had him booked into jail. In doing so, Detective
Williams testified that he took three photographs of Blanton’s head; while taking those
photographs, Williams did not observe any physical injuries on Blanton, and Blanton did
not complain of any physical injuries. Detective Williams further testified that neither
Blanton’s vehicle nor the firearm used in the shooting was ever recovered. Detective
Williams also confirmed that there were no other suspects in the shooting.
Dr. Susan Brown
{¶ 16} Forensic pathologist Susan Brown testified that she performed an autopsy
on K.C.’s body. Dr. Brown testified that K.C. had five distinct gunshot wounds to her
head and multiple abrasions on her forehead, nose, and upper lip. Dr. Brown also
testified that there were no gunshot wounds to K.C.’s lower extremities and that K.C.’s
cause of death was homicide by multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
Gregory Blanton
{¶ 17} Blanton testified that on the morning in question he went to pick up his son
from K.C. because he had planned on celebrating his birthday that day and having family
pictures taken. Blanton testified that when he arrived at K.C.’s residence, he put his son
in his vehicle and they drove away. However, Blanton testified that he forgot his son’s
toy dinosaurs, so they went back to K.C.’s house to pick up the dinosaurs and to get his
son’s toothbrush. Blanton testified that when he returned to K.C.’s residence, he and
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K.C. began to argue about a bag of clothes that K.C. wanted Blanton to take with him for
their son; his son got out of his car as they were arguing. Blanton testified that when he
turned around to pick up his son, K.C. punched him in the mouth and in the back of his
head. Blanton then claimed that he blacked out and did not remember anything until he
“came to” and saw K.C. lying on the ground. Trial Tr., Vol. V, p. 652.
{¶ 18} Blanton testified that he regularly carried a handgun on his person even
though his gun permit had expired. Blanton also testified that he had his handgun with
him on the morning of the shooting and admitted that his handgun was in his hand when
he awoke from his blackout. Blanton stated that when the blackout was over, he did not
know what had happened and he did not see his son anywhere. Blanton testified that
he panicked, got into his vehicle, and left the scene. Blanton also confirmed that he
eventually turned himself in to law enforcement.
Dr. Barbara Bergman
{¶ 19} Dr. Barbara Bergman, a licensed psychologist, testified that, at Blanton’s
request, she had been appointed by the trial court to perform a second-opinion evaluation
on his mental condition. During her testimony, Dr. Bergman provided Blanton’s mental
health background and testified that, as a child, Blanton had been diagnosed with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (“ADHD”) and had been severely behaviorally
handicapped due to explosiveness and aggression. Dr. Bergman testified that Blanton
had been sexually abused as a child and had witnessed domestic violence in his home.
Dr. Bergman further testified that Blanton suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder
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(“PTSD”) and intermittent explosive disorder.
{¶ 20} Continuing, Dr. Bergman testified that Blanton told her that K.C. had hit him
on the head and that he “went black” and did not remember the details of when he fired
his weapon. Trial Tr., Vol. V, p. 624. Dr. Bergman testified that getting hit in the head
would not have caused Blanton to blackout unless he had traumatic brain injury. Dr.
Bergman also testified that blackouts are not a symptom of PTSD and that, when Blanton
described what had happened during his blackout, he described the psychological
symptoms of “intermittent explosive disorder.” Trial Tr., Vol. V, p. 628. Accordingly, in
her expert opinion, Dr. Bergman testified that Blanton had not suffered from a blackout
when he shot and killed K.C., but from intermittent explosive disorder. Id.Jury Instructions
{¶ 21} After both parties rested, Blanton requested a jury instruction on involuntary
manslaughter as a lesser included offense of purposeful murder and felony murder and
an instruction on the affirmative defense of blackout. The trial court denied Blanton’s
request for a jury instruction on involuntary manslaughter, but granted his request for an
instruction on the defense of blackout. The trial court, however, indicated that in addition
to giving the standard blackout instruction, it was going to add the following language
from State v. Cutlip, 11th Dist. Lake No. 99-L-149, 2001 WL 687493, (June 15, 2001):
“The evidence must establish that the Defendant was unconscious and acted
involuntarily. A defendant’s mere failure to remember what happened does not
constitute such evidence.” Blanton objected to the additional language, and the trial
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court overruled the objection.
Verdict and Sentence
{¶ 22} After deliberations, the jury found Blanton guilty as charged in the
indictment. At sentencing, the trial court merged the counts for purposeful murder, felony
murder, and felonious assault and their attendant firearm specifications. The State then
elected to have Blanton sentenced for purposeful murder. Thereafter, the trial court
imposed a mandatory term of 15 years to life in prison for purposeful murder and a
consecutive three-year prison term for the attendant firearm specification to be served
prior to the 15-year-to-life term. The trial court also imposed 180 days of local
incarceration for endangering children and ordered that sentence to be served
concurrently to the murder sentence. Accordingly, Blanton received a total, aggregate
sentence of 18 mandatory years to life in prison.
{¶ 23} Blanton now appeals from his convictions, raising four assignments of error
for review.
First Assignment of Error
{¶ 24} Under his first assignment of error, Blanton contends that the trial court
erred by failing to give a jury instruction on involuntary manslaughter as a lesser included
offense of purposeful murder and felony murder. We disagree.
{¶ 25} “A trial court has broad discretion to decide how to fashion jury instructions,
but it must ‘fully and completely give the jury all instructions which are relevant and
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necessary for the jury to weigh the evidence and discharge its duty as the fact finder.’ ”
State v. White, 142 Ohio St.3d 277, 2015-Ohio-492, 29 N.E.3d 939, ¶ 46, quoting State
v. Comen, 50 Ohio St.3d 206, 553 N.E.2d 640 (1990), paragraph two of the syllabus. “A
defendant is only entitled to have his proposed jury instructions given when they are
correct statements of the law, pertinent to the evidence in the record or to material issues,
and are timely presented and not already included in the substance of the jury charge.”
State v. Elliott, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 26104, 2014-Ohio-4958, ¶ 23, citing State v.
Guster, 66 Ohio St.2d 266, 269, 421 N.E.2d 157 (1981). “When reviewing the trial
court’s jury instructions, the proper standard of review is whether the trial court’s decision
to give or exclude a particular jury instruction was an abuse of discretion under the facts
and circumstances of the case.” (Citation omitted.) State v. Fair, 2d Dist. Montgomery
No. 24388, 2011-Ohio-4454, ¶ 65. A trial court abuses its discretion when it makes a
decision that is unreasonable, unconscionable, or arbitrary.” (Citation omitted.) State
v. Darmond, 135 Ohio St.3d 343, 2013-Ohio-966, 986 N.E.2d 971, ¶ 34.
{¶ 26} “Crim.R. 31(C) and R.C. 2945.74 provide that a jury may find a defendant
not guilty of the offense charged but guilty of a lesser included offense.” State v.
Hanners, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 29375, 2022-Ohio-4114, ¶ 25. Therefore, “[a]
criminal defendant is sometimes entitled to a jury instruction that allows the jury to
consider convicting the defendant of a lesser included offense as an alternative to
convicting for the offense for which the defendant was charged.” State v. Owens, 162
Ohio St.3d 596, 2020-Ohio-4616, 166 N.E.3d 1142, ¶ 8, citing State v. Thomas, 40 Ohio
St.3d 213, 216-218, 533 N.E.2d 286 (1988). “ ‘An offense may be a lesser included
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offense of another only if (i) the offense is a crime of lesser degree than the other, (ii) the
offense of the greater degree cannot be committed without the offense of the lesser
degree also being committed and (iii) some element of the greater offense is not required
to prove the commission of the lesser offense.’ ” State v. Deanda, 136 Ohio St.3d 18,
2013-Ohio-1722, 989 N.E.2d 986, ¶ 7, quoting State v. Wilkins, 64 Ohio St.2d 382, 384,
415 N.E.2d 303 (1980). Accord State v. Stanaford, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27940,
2019-Ohio-1377, ¶ 59.
{¶ 27} “In Ohio, courts employ a two-part test to determine whether a jury
instruction on a lesser included offense is necessary.” State v. Lambert, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 28655, 2021-Ohio-17, ¶ 41, citing State v. Kidder, 32 Ohio St.3d 279,
280-281, 513 N.E.2d 311 (1987). “First, the trial court must determine whether the
offense on which the instruction is requested is a lesser included offense of the crime
charged.” Id., citing Kidder at 280. “Second, the trial court must determine whether the
evidence adduced at trial would support an instruction on the lesser included offense.”
Id., citing Kidder at 281. In doing so, “[t]he evidence must be considered in the light most
favorable to the defendant.” Id. at ¶ 48, citing State v. Campbell, 74 Ohio App.3d 352,
358, 598 N.E.2d 1244 (1st Dist.1991). “A court should give a charge on a lesser-
included offense where the evidence presented at trial can reasonably support both an
acquittal on the crime charged and a conviction upon the lesser-included offense.” Id.,citing Thomas at paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶ 28} In this case, Blanton contends that the trial court abused its discretion by
failing to give a jury instruction on involuntary manslaughter as a lesser included offense
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of purposeful murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02(A) and felony murder in violation of R.C.
2903.02(B). “Involuntary manslaughter is always and necessarily a lesser included
offense of murder because murder cannot ever be committed without also committing or
attempting to commit a felony or a misdemeanor.” Kidder at 282; Thomas at 215; State
v. Turner, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2017-CA-78, 2019-Ohio-144, ¶ 39. Involuntary
manslaughter is also a lesser-included offense of felony murder. State v. Rider, 2d Dist.
Champaign No. 2021-CA-12, 2022-Ohio-1964; ¶ 41, citing Thomas at 215. See also
Lambert at ¶ 47.
{¶ 29} R.C. 2903.04 defines involuntary manslaughter as causing “the death of
another * * * as a proximate result of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit a
felony” or “a misdemeanor of any degree.” R.C. 2903.04(A) and (B). It is almost
identically worded to the felony murder statute, R.C. 2903.02(B), which prohibits one from
causing “the death of another as a proximate result of the offender’s committing or
attempting to commit an offense of violence that is a felony of the first or second degree[.]”
R.C. 2903.02(B). “The primary difference between the felony-murder statute and the
involuntary-manslaughter statute is that the former requires the underlying offense to be
a first-degree or second-degree felony offense of violence, whereas the latter merely
requires that the underlying offense be a felony or a misdemeanor.” State v. Rosales,
2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27117, 2018-Ohio-197, ¶ 20; Lambert at ¶ 49. Therefore,
“[w]hile proof of felony murder * * * would always and necessarily prove involuntary
manslaughter, * * * the converse is not true.” State v. Dixon, 2d Dist. Montgomery No.
18582, 2002 WL 191582, *3 (Feb. 8, 2002).
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{¶ 30} In this case, Blanton’s two counts of felonious assault (deadly weapon and
serious physical harm) were the only charges that could have warranted a conviction for
involuntary manslaughter. While Blanton was also charged with one misdemeanor
count of endangering children, the victim of that offense, Blanton’s son, was not killed by
Blanton. In other words, Blanton’s commission of the endangering children offense did
not proximately result in the death of another, as the death in this case was proximately
caused by Blanton’s felonious assault on K.C. Therefore, under the specific facts of this
case, the endangering children offense could not have served as the offense underlying
a conviction for involuntary manslaughter.
{¶ 31} Because felonious assault is a second-degree felony and an offense of
violence, it can serve as the underlying offense to a conviction for felony murder. See
R.C. 2903.11(D) and 2901.01(A)(9)(a). This court has explained that “if ‘felonious
assault is the underlying offense that causes the death of [a person], [then] felony murder
is the proper charge,’ and in such a case, a trial court does not err by refusing to charge
a jury on involuntary manslaughter.” State v. Lynch, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27620,
2018-Ohio-1424, ¶ 26, quoting State v. Brundage, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-030632,
2004-Ohio-6436, ¶ 12. Accord Turner, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2017-CA-78, 2019-Ohio-144,
at ¶ 41.
{¶ 32} Because Blanton’s two felonious assault counts were the only felonies
underlying the victim’s death, it was appropriate for the trial court to refuse a jury
instruction on involuntary manslaughter; felony murder was the proper charge under the
circumstances of this case. Also, instructing the jury on involuntary manslaughter as a
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lesser included offense of purposeful murder would have had the effect of duplicating the
felony murder charges brought against Blanton. See Turner at ¶ 41. For these
reasons, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by failing to instruct the jury on
involuntary manslaughter.
{¶ 33} We do, however, note that the trial court decided not to instruct the jury on
involuntary manslaughter for a different, erroneous reason. Specifically, the trial court
mistakenly applied a voluntary manslaughter analysis and found that an instruction on
involuntary manslaughter was not warranted because there was no evidence establishing
that Blanton shot the victim under the influence of sudden passion or sudden fit of rage
that was brought on by serious provocation occasioned by the victim. Although the trial
court’s decision to reject an involuntary manslaughter jury instruction was based on
erroneous reasoning, the trial court nevertheless reached the correct result, making the
error harmless. See State v. Rice, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28572, 2020-Ohio-4404,
¶ 33, citing State v. Hall, 2d Dist. Miami No. 1997-CA-22, 1997 WL 691509, *1 (Oct. 24,
1997), citing Newcomb v. Dredge, 105 Ohio App. 417, 152 N.E.2d 801 (2d Dist.1957) (“If
a trial court has stated an erroneous basis for its judgment, an appellate court will affirm
the judgment if it is legally correct on other grounds, that is, when it achieves the right
result for the wrong reasons.”).
{¶ 34} Blanton’s first assignment of error is overruled.
Second Assignment of Error
{¶ 35} Under his second assignment of error, Blanton contends that the trial court
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erred by adding certain language from Cutlip, 11th Dist. Lake No. 99-L-149, 2001 WL
687493, to the standard jury instruction on the affirmative defense of blackout.
Specifically, Blanton takes issue with the following language in the trial court’s jury
instruction: “The evidence must establish that the Defendant was unconscious and acted
involuntarily. A defendant’s mere failure to remember what happened does not
constitute such evidence.” Court Exhibit II, Jury Instructions, p. 15.
{¶ 36} As previously discussed, a trial court’s decision to give or exclude a
particular jury instruction is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Fair, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 24388, 2011-Ohio-4454, at ¶ 65; Elliott, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 26104,
2014-Ohio-4958, at ¶ 22. Although a trial court “has broad discretion to decide how to
fashion jury instructions,” such instructions must “present a correct, pertinent statement
of the law that is appropriate to the facts” of the case. White, 142 Ohio St.3d 277, 2015-
Ohio-492, 29 N.E.3d 939, at ¶ 46, citing Comen, 50 Ohio St.3d 206, 553 N.E.2d 640, at
paragraph two of the syllabus, and State v. Griffin, 141 Ohio St.3d 392, 2014-Ohio-4767,
24 N.E.3d 1147, ¶ 5. Whether a jury instruction correctly states the applicable law is
reviewed de novo. State v. Rac, 2019-Ohio-893, 124 N.E.3d 878, ¶ 17 (2d Dist.).
{¶ 37} In his appellate brief, Blanton contends that the trial court erred by including
the challenged language from Cutlip in its blackout defense jury instruction because he
claims that Cutlip is outdated caselaw that is not controlling in this district. While it is true
that this court is not bound to follow Cutlip, we find no issue in doing so, as Cutlip correctly
states the law as it pertains to the blackout defense, which is a recognized affirmative
defense in Ohio. State v. Ireland, 155 Ohio St.3d 287, 2018-Ohio-4494, 121 N.E.3d 285,
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¶ 1.
{¶ 38} The blackout defense applies where a person commits an act while
unconscious, as in a blackout, due to disease, injury, sleep, or heart failure. Ohio Jury
Instructions, CR Section 417.07, paragraph one. Under those circumstances, such act
is not a criminal offense even though it would be a crime if such act were the product of
a person’s will or volition. Id.{¶ 39} In Cutlip, the defendant was tried and convicted for aggravated arson.
Cutlip, 11th Dist. Lake No. 99-L-149, 2001 WL 687493, at *1. On appeal from his
conviction, Cutlip argued that his trial counsel had provided ineffective assistance
because counsel failed to request a jury instruction on the defense of blackout. Id. at *5.
At trial, Cutlip testified that he did not remember setting the fire at issue and that he was
an alcoholic who had experienced blackouts ever since he was a teenager. Id. at *4.
One of the detectives who investigated the arson testified that Cutlip had informed him
that he had consumed alcohol on the night of the fire and that he was prone to blackouts.
Id. at *3. The defense also called a medical expert who testified that continuous drinking
may cause blackouts in which a person looks awake and aware of what he is doing but
does not remember anything that happened. Id. at *4.
{¶ 40} Based on the testimony presented at trial, the appellate court in Cutlip
determined that a blackout jury instruction had not been warranted and that the
defendant’s trial counsel had not provided ineffective assistance by failing to request such
an instruction. Id. at *7. The court reached this conclusion because the defendant’s
medical expert had not testified that the defendant was unconscious at any time, which
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was necessary to support a blackout instruction. Id. The court also found that the
defendant had simply testified that he could not remember what he did on the night in
question and that a mere failure to remember what happened did not establish that the
defendant had been unconscious and acted involuntarily for purposes of giving a blackout
defense instruction. Id. In so holding, the court stated the following:
The blackout defense is not available in every instance where the
defendant cannot remember what occurred. Blackout or unconsciousness
is a defense only where such condition is involuntary and such involuntary
condition prevented the defendant from taking action that he or she is legally
required to take under the circumstances or, possibly, in situations where
the unconsciousness or blackout prevents a defendant from forming a
specific intent. In the latter circumstance, the evidence must establish that
the defendant was unconscious and acted involuntarily. A defendant’s
mere failure to remember what happened does not constitute such
evidence.
Id.
{¶ 41} In reaching its decision, the court in Cutlip cited State v. Griffin, 10th Dist.
Franklin No. 86AP-759, 1988 WL 4651 (Jan. 19, 1988), wherein the Tenth District Court
of Appeals stated the following:
[T]he defense of blackout is available only in those instances where
the blackout prevented the defendant from acting in a normal fashion. This
would include such a situation as operation of a motor vehicle, where
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blackout would be a defense for losing control of the vehicle and causing
injury or death to another. Here, however, the offense is not one that could
be committed as a result of a blackout. No reflexes, convulsions, or other
involuntary bodily movements by defendant could be involved in the
conduct described by the witnesses consisting of stabbing the victim in the
back and then in the throat.
In other words, the blackout defense is more than just loss of memory
or failing to remember what occurred. Blackout or unconsciousness is a
defense only where such condition prevented the defendant from taking
action that he is legally required to take under the circumstances or,
possibly also, in situations where the unconsciousness or blackout prevents
a defendant from forming a specific intent with respect to an act which he
voluntarily performs.
Id. at *2-3.
{¶ 42} The foregoing principles from Cutlip and Griffin have been applied in recent
cases such as Turnbow v. Bagley, N.D.Ohio No. 5:08CV725, 2009 WL 4730596 (Dec. 7,
2009), and State v. Craig, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2021-L-023, 2022-Ohio-2200, ¶ 25.
Therefore, we disagree with Blanton’s claim that Cutlip is outdated caselaw. We also
find that it was appropriate for the trial court to include the challenged language from
Cutlip given that it was a correct, pertinent statement of law that applied to the facts of
this case.
{¶ 43} Blanton nevertheless argues that the language from Cutlip “gutted” his case
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and prejudiced him because he specifically testified that he did not remember what had
happened during the shooting. However, “ ‘[i]f from the entire charge it appears that a
correct statement of the law was given in such a manner that the jury could not have been
misled, no prejudicial error results.’ ” State v. Eng, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 14015, 1994
WL 543277, *4 (Sept. 30, 1994), quoting State v. Hardy, 28 Ohio St.2d 89, 92, 276 N.E.2d
247 (1971). That is the case here.
{¶ 44} In this court’s view, the trial court was generous in giving the blackout
defense instruction at all, as the instruction does not appear to have been warranted from
the testimony and evidence presented at trial. By adding the language from Cutlip in the
blackout defense instruction, the trial court ensured that the jury understood that the
blackout defense did not apply simply because a defendant did not remember what
happened during the incident in question. Again, because the challenged language from
Cutlip is a correct, pertinent statement of law that applied to the facts of this case, we do
not find that the trial court erred by adding that language to the blackout defense jury
instruction.
{¶ 45} Blanton’s second assignment of error is overruled.
Third Assignment of Error
{¶ 46} Under his third assignment of error, Blanton contends that his convictions
were against the manifest weight of the evidence because he credibly testified to suffering
from a blackout, which, as previously discussed, is a recognized affirmative defense in
Ohio. See Ireland, 155 Ohio St.3d 287, 121 N.E. 285, 2018-Ohio-4494 at ¶ 1.
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{¶ 47} “[A] weight of the evidence argument challenges the believability of the
evidence and asks which of the competing inferences suggested by the evidence is more
believable or persuasive.” (Citations omitted). State v. Jones, 2d Dist. Montgomery No.
25724, 2014-Ohio-2309, ¶ 8. “When evaluating whether a conviction is against the
manifest weight of the evidence, the appellate court must review the entire record, weigh
the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider witness credibility, and determine
whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact ‘clearly lost its way and
created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and
a new trial ordered.’ ” Id., quoting State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678
N.E.2d 541 (1997), citing State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st
Dist.1983).
{¶ 48} Because the trier of fact sees and hears the witnesses at trial, we must defer
to the factfinder’s decisions whether, and to what extent, to credit the testimony of
particular witnesses. State v. Lawson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 16288, 1997 WL
476684, *4 (Aug. 22, 1997). “The fact that the evidence is subject to different
interpretations does not render the conviction against the manifest weight of the
evidence.” State v. Adams, 2d Dist. Greene Nos. 2013-CA-61 and 2013-CA-62, 2014-
Ohio-3432, ¶ 24, citing State v. Wilson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 22581, 2009-Ohio-525,
¶ 14. A judgment of conviction should be reversed as being against the manifest weight
of the evidence only in exceptional circumstances. Martin at 175.
{¶ 49} In this case, Blanton claims the weight of the evidence established that the
affirmative defense of blackout applied to all of his offenses and that his convictions
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should therefore be reversed. As previously discussed, the affirmative defense of
blackout applies when a person commits an act while unconscious, as in a blackout, due
to disease, injury, sleep, or heart failure. Ohio Jury Instructions, CR Section 417.07,
paragraph one. Under those circumstances, such act is not a criminal offense even
though it would be a crime if such act were the product of a person’s will or volition. Id.Therefore, “blackout or unconsciousness is a defense only where such condition is
involuntary[.]” Cutlip, 11th Dist. Lake No. 99-L-149, 2001 WL 687493, at * 7. “[T]he
blackout defense is more than just loss of memory or failing to remember what occurred.”
Griffin, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 86AP-759, 1988 WL 4651, at *3; Cutlip at *7.
{¶ 50} At trial, Blanton testified that he blacked out after K.C. punched him in the
mouth and on the back of his head. Blanton testified that when he eventually came to,
he saw K.C. lying on the ground and did not remember anything that had happened during
the blackout. Although Blanton admitted that his firearm was in his hand when he came
to, he testified that he did not remember discharging his firearm.
{¶ 51} Blanton’s medical expert, Dr. Bergman, however, testified that getting hit in
the head would not have caused Blanton to blackout unless he had traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Bergman also testified that blackouts were not a symptom of PTSD, with which
Blanton had been diagnosed, and that when Blanton described his blackout to her, he
described the psychological symptoms of intermittent explosive disorder. Therefore, in
her expert opinion, Dr. Bergman testified that Blanton did not suffer from a blackout when
he shot and killed K.C., but from intermittent explosive disorder. Id.{¶ 52} In addition to Dr. Bergman’s testimony, there was overwhelming evidence
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indicating that Blanton did not blackout and act involuntarily when he shot K.C.
Eyewitness Jesse Smith testified that after hearing an initial five or six gunshots, he
looked outside his window and saw Blanton standing over K.C., who was lying face down
on the ground. Smith then saw Blanton shoot K.C. five or six times in rapid succession
while aiming his firearm directly at the upper half of K.C.’s body. The evidence also
established that Blanton fired his weapon a total of 11 times during the incident and that
K.C. suffered five gunshot wounds directly to her head and no wounds to her lower
extremity. This evidence does not indicate that Blanton’s conduct was the product of
involuntary bodily movements as contemplated by the blackout defense.
{¶ 53} Based on the evidence and reasonable inferences, we do not find that the
jury lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice by rejecting Blanton’s
blackout defense. The only evidence supporting the blackout defense was Blanton’s
self-serving testimony that he had blacked out and did not remember what had happened
at the time of the shooting. It was within the province of the jury to determine whether
Blanton’s testimony was credible, and the jury was “free to believe or disbelieve all or any
of the testimony.” State v. Hawkins, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27019, 2018-Ohio-867,
¶ 69, quoting State v. Crosky, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-655, 2008-Ohio-145, ¶ 78.
Simply because the jury chose not to believe Blanton’s testimony does not mean that the
jury’s decision was against the weight of the evidence. See State v. Matzdorff, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 26370, 2015-Ohio-901, ¶ 18; Lawson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 16288,
1997 WL 476684, at *4. Accordingly, Blanton’s claim that his convictions were against
the manifest weight of the evidence lacks merit.
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{¶ 54} Blanton’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Fourth Assignment of Error
{¶ 55} Under his fourth assignment of error, Blanton claims that he was denied a
fair trial due to his trial counsel’s providing ineffective assistance. In support of this
argument, Blanton has asserted five ineffective assistance claims, which are addressed
separately below.
Standard of Review
{¶ 56} This court reviews alleged instances of ineffective assistance of trial counsel
under the two-prong analysis set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104
S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984), which has been adopted by the Supreme Court of
Ohio in State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989). Pursuant to those
cases, in order to prevail on an ineffective assistance claim, Blanton must show that his
trial counsel rendered deficient performance and that counsel’s deficient performance
prejudiced him. Strickland at paragraph two of the syllabus; Bradley at paragraph two of
the syllabus. The failure to make a showing of either deficient performance or prejudice
defeats a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Strickland at 697.
{¶ 57} To establish deficient performance, Blanton must show that his trial
counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonable representation. Id.
at 688. In evaluating counsel’s performance, a reviewing court “must indulge in a strong
presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional
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assistance.” Id. at 689. “The adequacy of counsel’s performance must be viewed in
light of all of the circumstances surrounding the trial court proceedings.” State v.
Jackson, 2d Dist. Champaign No. 2004-CA-24, 2005-Ohio-6143, ¶ 29, citing Strickland.
{¶ 58} To establish prejudice, a defendant must show that there is “a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the proceeding’s result would have been
different.” State v. Hale, 119 Ohio St.3d 118, 2008-Ohio-3426, 892 N.E.2d 864, ¶ 204,
citing Strickland at 687-688 and Bradley at paragraph two of the syllabus. “ ‘A
reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.’ ” Bradley at 142, quoting Strickland at 694.
{¶ 59} In reviewing ineffective assistance claims, we will not second-guess trial
strategy decisions. State v. Mason, 82 Ohio St.3d 144, 157, 694 N.E.2d 932 (1998);
Strickland at 689. Therefore, “ ‘trial counsel is allowed wide latitude in formulating trial
strategy[.]’ ” State v. Collins, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2010-CA-22, 2011-Ohio-4475, ¶ 15,
quoting State v. Olsen, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2009-CA-110, 2011-Ohio-3420, ¶ 121.
“Debatable strategic and tactical decisions may not form the basis of a claim for ineffective
assistance of counsel, even if, in hindsight, it looks as if a better strategy had been
available.” State v. Conley, 2015-Ohio-2553, 43 N.E.3d 775, ¶ 56 (2d Dist.), citing State
v. Cook, 65 Ohio St.3d 516, 524-525, 605 N.E.2d 70 (1992).
Claim 1: Insufficient Motion for Expert Assistance
{¶ 60} On October 12, 2020, Blanton filed a pretrial “Motion for Expert Assistance
of an Applied Behavioral Scientist” wherein Blanton requested that the trial court appoint
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Dr. Mary Melton as an expert to interview and evaluate his mental condition at the State’s
expense. The trial court denied Blanton’s request to have Dr. Melton appointed using
public funding, but indicated that Blanton could privately retain Dr. Melton as an expert.
The trial court reached this decision because it found that Blanton had failed to establish
indigence for purposes of using public funding.
{¶ 61} For his first ineffective assistance claim, Blanton contends that his trial
counsel’s representation was deficient because counsel failed to establish his indigence
for purposes of retaining Dr. Melton through public funding. In his appellate brief,
Blanton suggests that his trial counsel’s deficient performance in that regard prejudiced
him because Dr. Melton could have provided expert testimony supporting his blackout
defense. Blanton’s claim fails for at least two reasons.
{¶ 62} First, there is nothing in the record establishing that Blanton was indigent.
Although Blanton claims otherwise, he points to nothing in the record showing that he
was indigent. Without some proof of indigence in the record, we cannot say that his trial
counsel’s failure to establish his indigence amounted to deficient performance for
purposes of an ineffective assistance claim.
{¶ 63} Second, even if there had been something in the record indicating that
Blanton was indigent, it is pure speculation to say that Dr. Melton or any other expert
retained by public funding would have found that Blanton blacked out at the time of the
shooting. “It is well established that mere speculation cannot support either the deficient
performance or prejudice requirement of an ineffective-assistance claim.” State v.
Morgan, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27774, 2018-Ohio-3198, ¶ 16, citing State v. Short,
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129 Ohio St.3d 360, 2011-Ohio-3641, 952 N.E.2d 1121, ¶ 119, citing State v. Perez, 124
Ohio St.3d 122, 2009-Ohio-6179, 920 N.E.2d 104, ¶ 217. Here, Dr. Melton would have
been the third expert to evaluate Blanton, and it is mere speculation to say that she would
have reached a conclusion different from the other two experts, i.e., that Blanton was not
legally insane at the time of the shooting and that he did not suffer from a blackout.
{¶ 64} For the foregoing reasons, Blanton’s first ineffective assistance claim lacks
merit.
Claim 2: Delayed and Deficient Opening Statement
{¶ 65} Blanton next claims that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by
delaying his opening statement until after the State completed its case-in-chief. Blanton
suggests that his counsel’s decision to delay the opening statement prejudiced him
because the jury heard the State’s case without knowing his defense. We disagree.
{¶ 66} The decision to defer an opening statement is a tactical decision that will
not ordinarily rise to the level of ineffective assistance of counsel. See State v. Tibbetts,
92 Ohio St.3d 146, 166-167, 749 N.E.2d 226 (2001). “ ‘Reserving an opening statement
at the beginning of trial has the advantage of not disclosing the defense’s trial strategy
before the prosecution presents its case.’ ” State v. Grate, 164 Ohio St.3d 9, 2020-Ohio-
5584, 172 N.E.3d 8, ¶ 144, quoting State v. Myers, 154 Ohio St.3d 405, 2018-Ohio-1903,
114 N.E.3d 1138, ¶ 189.
{¶ 67} In State v. Brown, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 14448, 1995 WL 491091 (Aug.
8, 1995), this court explained that:
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Where a case against a criminal defendant is strong, as in the case
before us, it may be sound strategy to wait to see if the State and its
witnesses stumble at trial, and then pounce upon any infirmity in the State’s
proof. An opening statement that focuses upon matters that turn out at trial
not to be subject to any weakness in the State’s proof, or that promises
proofs by the defense that cannot be delivered, may operate to a
defendant’s detriment. There is the further problem that the decision
whether to call the defendant to testify is an important tactical decision that
may not be made until the completion of the State’s case. It may be difficult
to structure an opening statement without knowing whether the defendant
is going to be called to the stand to testify.
Id. at *4.
{¶ 68} In addition, we have no basis to conclude that the outcome of Blanton’s trial
would have been different if his trial counsel had provided an opening statement at the
start of trial. See State v. Lancaster, 2018-Ohio-315, 104 N.E.3d 951, ¶ 60 (2d Dist.).
Because delaying an opening statement is a matter of trial strategy, and because nothing
in the record indicates that Blanton was prejudiced by the delay, we cannot say that trial
counsel’s decision to delay his opening statement supports an ineffective assistance
claim.
{¶ 69} Blanton also argues that his trial counsel’s opening statement was deficient
because counsel told the jury that the defense was going to assert affirmative defenses,
but did not tell the jury which ones. During his opening statement, Blanton’s trial counsel
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generally stated that: “Ohio law provides that citizens accused of certain crimes can
assert affirmative defenses.” Trial Tr., Vol. V, p. 588. Although Blanton’s trial counsel
thereafter failed to specifically state what affirmative defense he would be presenting, we
fail to see how this prejudiced Blanton. This is because the record establishes that
Blanton’s trial counsel made it clear during closing argument that Blanton was asserting
the affirmative defense of blackout. Id. at 737-738. The jury instructions provided by
the trial court also advised the jury that Blanton was asserting the blackout defense.
Court Exhibit II, Jury Instructions, p. 14-15. Because the jury was made aware of
Blanton’s blackout defense, we cannot say that any prejudice resulted from Blanton’s trial
counsel’s failure to identify the defense during his opening statement.
{¶ 70} Lastly, Blanton claims that his trial counsel’s opening statement was
deficient because counsel conceded that Blanton had shot K.C. However, given the
overwhelming evidence of Blanton’s guilt, we find that Blanton’s trial counsel made a
rational decision to make this concession; counsel could not credibly argue that K.C. was
not shot or that it was not Blanton who shot her. The concession allowed the defense to
maintain credibility and focus the jury’s attention on why Blanton shot the victim. See
State v. Whitaker, Ohio Slip Opinion No. 2022-Ohio-2840, __ N.E.3d __, ¶ 71.
{¶ 71} During his opening statement, trial counsel discussed the fact that Blanton
suffered from PTSD, intermittent explosive disorder, and blackouts. Then, at closing
argument, Blanton’s trial counsel tied that information to Blanton’s military defense
training and the “muscle memory” he developed with that training when arguing that
Blanton involuntarily shot K.C. during a blackout. Under the circumstances of this case,
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this defense strategy was reasonable. “[S]imply because there might have been
‘ “another and better strategy available’ ” does not mean that counsel provided ineffective
assistance.” Id., quoting State v. Mohamed, 151 Ohio St.3d 320, 2017-Ohio-7468, 88
N.E.3d 935, ¶ 19, quoting State v. Clayton, 62 Ohio St.2d 45, 49, 402 N.E.2d 1189 (1980).
{¶ 72} For the foregoing reasons, Blanton’s second ineffective assistance claim
lacks merit.
Claim 3: Failure to Object to Hearsay
{¶ 73} For his third ineffective assistance claim, Blanton contends that his trial
counsel performed deficiently by failing to object to certain hearsay statements at trial.
Specifically, Blanton takes issue with the fact that multiple witnesses were permitted to
testify regarding statements they heard Blanton’s son make regarding the shooting. For
example, the victim’s neighbor, Rennes Bowers, testified that Blanton’s son ran into his
arms very upset and screamed: “Why did daddy kill mommy?” and “Why did daddy shoot
mommy?” Trial Tr., Vol. IV, p. 412. Another neighbor, Denise Chestnut, also testified
that Blanton’s son was in a distressed state and repeated multiple times: “My Dad shot
my Mom, and my Mom[ is] dead.” Id. at 438-439.
{¶ 74} Under the Ohio Rules of Evidence, hearsay evidence is not admissible
except as otherwise provided by law or the rules of evidence. Evid.R. 802. Pursuant to
Evid.R. 803(2), an “excited utterance” is an admissible form of hearsay. An excited
utterance is “[a] statement relating to a startling event or condition made while the
declarant was under the stress of excitement caused by the event or condition.” Evid.R.
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803(2). “For a statement to be admissible as an excited utterance, four prerequisites
must be satisfied: (1) the occurrence of an event startling enough to produce a nervous
excitement in the declarant; (2) a statement made while still under the stress of excitement
caused by the event; (3) a statement related to the startling event; and (4) the declarant's
personal observation of the startling event.” State v. Abner, 2d Dist. Montgomery No.
20661, 2006-Ohio-4510, ¶ 69, citing State v. Taylor, 66 Ohio St.3d 295, 300-301, 612
N.E.2d 316 (1993); State v. Jones, 135 Ohio St.3d 10, 2012-Ohio-5677, 984 N.E.2d 948,
¶ 166.
{¶ 75} Although Blanton’s trial counsel did not raise an objection to the hearsay
testimony, the matter was nevertheless discussed by the trial court. The trial court stated
that “it is very clear that [Blanton’s son] was under the influence of severe emotional
distress” and concluded that his statements were “excited utterances” since “he was
traumatized at the time.” Trial Tr., Vol. V, p. 434.
{¶ 76} We agree that the hearsay statements of Blanton’s son were admissible as
excited utterances under Evid.R. 803(2). The statements met all the prerequisites of an
excited utterance as it is clear from the record that the statements concerned the startling
event of K.C.’s shooting and were made while Blanton’s son was under severe emotional
distress from witnessing the shooting. Accordingly, we do not find that Blanton’s trial
counsel performed deficiently by failing to object to the statements, as any such objection
would have been overruled.
{¶ 77} Blanton also suggests that his trial counsel should have objected to the
hearsay statements of Blanton’s son on grounds that he was not competent to testify
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since he was a young child. The Supreme Court of Ohio, however, has explained that
“the inability to establish the competency of a child declarant does not affect the
admissibility of the [child’s] declarations for purposes of Evid.R. 803(2).” State v.
Wallace, 37 Ohio St.3d 87, 524 N.E.2d 466 (1988). Therefore, whether Blanton’s son
was competent to testify was irrelevant to the admissibility of the excited utterances at
issue. Accordingly, Blanton’s trial counsel did not render deficient performance by failing
to object to the hearsay statements on competency grounds.
{¶ 78} For the foregoing reasons, Blanton’s third ineffective assistance claim lacks
merit.
Claim 4: Calling Dr. Bergman as an Expert Witness
{¶ 79} For his fourth ineffective assistance claim, Blanton contends that his trial
counsel’s representation was deficient because counsel called Dr. Bergman to testify at
his trial. Blanton claims that having Dr. Bergman testify prejudiced him because she
opined that he had not blacked out when he shot K.C.
{¶ 80} “Generally, counsel’s decision whether to call a witness falls within the
rubric of trial strategy and will not be second-guessed by a reviewing court.” (Citation
omitted.) State v. Treesh, 90 Ohio St.3d 460, 490, 739 N.E.2d 749 (2001); State v.
Brown, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2002-CA-23, 2003-Ohio-2959, ¶ 9 (“whether or not to call an
expert witness is a matter of trial strategy”). As previously discussed, “[d]ebatable
strategic and tactical decisions may not form the basis of a claim for ineffective assistance
of counsel, even if, in hindsight, it looks as if a better strategy had been available.”
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Conley, 2015-Ohio-2553, 43 N.E.3d 775, at ¶ 56, citing Cook, 65 Ohio St.3d at 524-525,
605 N.E.2d 70.
{¶ 81} Although Dr. Bergman testified that Blanton had not suffered from a
blackout at the time he shot K.C., Blanton’s trial counsel may have believed that Dr.
Bergman’s testimony was beneficial in other respects. For example, Dr. Bergman
confirmed that Blanton reported to her that he had blacked out and did not remember
what had happened, which demonstrated consistency in Blanton’s blackout claim. Dr.
Bergman’s testimony also provided the jury with mitigating information concerning
Blanton’s background and mental health history. Specifically, Dr. Bergman testified that
Blanton had been severely behaviorally handicapped as a child, had been the victim of
sexual abuse, and had witnessed domestic violence in his home. Dr. Bergman also
testified that Blanton had been diagnosed with PTSD and intermittent explosive disorder
as an adult. Counsel may have believed that this information had the potential to
produce sympathy for Blanton and to show that Blanton was susceptible to mental health
issues such as blackouts. While counsel’s strategy to call Dr. Bergman was debatable,
it was nevertheless a legitimate strategy that cannot form the basis of an ineffective
assistance claim.
{¶ 82} For the foregoing reasons, Blanton’s fourth ineffective assistance claim
lacks merit.
Claim 5: Failure to Request Jury Instructions on Voluntary Manslaughter and
Aggravated Assault
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{¶ 83} For his fifth and last ineffective assistance claim, Blanton contends that his
trial counsel’s representation was deficient because counsel failed to request jury
instructions on voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. We again disagree.
{¶ 84} “Voluntary manslaughter is an inferior degree of murder[.]” State v. Shane,
63 Ohio St.3d 630, 632, 590 N.E.2d 272 (1992). “Voluntary manslaughter is proscribed
in R.C. 2903.03(A), which states that ‘[n]o person, while under the influence of sudden
passion or in a sudden fit of rage, either of which is brought on by serious provocation
occasioned by the victim that is reasonably sufficient to incite the person into using deadly
force, shall knowingly cause the death of another * * *.’ ” State v. Bonaparte, 2d Dist.
Clark No. 2018-CA-61, 2019-Ohio-2030, ¶ 69. “Thus, unlike murder, voluntary
manslaughter includes the mitigating element of serious provocation by the victim
reasonably sufficient to incite the defendant into using deadly force.” Id., citing State v.
Thomas, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19131, 2003-Ohio-42, ¶ 17.
{¶ 85} In this case, there was no evidence presented at trial establishing that
Blanton was under the influence of sudden passion or a fit of rage at the time of the
shooting; Blanton simply testified that he blacked out during the shooting and did not
remember what happened. Absent such evidence, a voluntary manslaughter instruction
was not justified. Therefore, because Blanton’s trial counsel had no basis to request a
jury instruction on voluntary manslaughter, we cannot say that he performed deficiently
by failing to request that instruction at trial.
{¶ 86} We reach the same conclusion with regard to Blanton’s claim that his trial
counsel was ineffective for failing to request a jury instruction on aggravated assault.
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Aggravated assault is an inferior degree offense of felonious assault. Conley, 2015-
Ohio-2553, 43 N.E.3d 775, at ¶ 32, citing State v. Morrow, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2002-CA-
37, 2002-Ohio-6527, ¶ 7, fn. 2. “Specifically, felonious assault is reduced to aggravated
assault if the offender is ‘under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage
* * * brought on by serious provocation occasioned by the victim.’ ” Id. at ¶ 33, citing
R.C. 2903.12(A) and State v. Deem, 40 Ohio St.3d 205, 210-211, 533 N.E.2d 294 (1988).
Again, because there was no evidence presented at trial establishing that Blanton was
acting under sudden passion or in a fit of rage as a result of serious provocation brought
on by the victim, an aggravated assault instruction was not warranted.
{¶ 87} For the foregoing reasons, Blanton’s fifth ineffective assistance claim lacks
merit.
{¶ 88} Because all of Blanton’s ineffective assistance claims lack merit, Blanton’s
fourth assignment of error is overruled.
Conclusion
{¶ 89} Having overruled all four assignments of error raised by Blanton, the
judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
.............
TUCKER, P.J. and LEWIS, J., concur.