State v. Harris , 2022 Ohio 4630 ( 2022 )

[Cite as State v. Harris, 2022-Ohio-4630.]
COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
No. 110982
v. :
MARVIN HARRIS, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: December 22, 2022
Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-18-633664-B
Appearances:
Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
Attorney, Brian Kraft and Yasmine M. Hasan, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorneys, for appellee.
Russell S. Bensing, for appellant.
EMANUELLA D. GROVES, J.:
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant Marvin Harris (“Harris”) appeals his convictions
following a jury trial. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.
Procedural and Factual History
{¶ 2} In October 2018, a grand jury indicted Harris and three codefendants,
A-mier R. Taylor (“Taylor”), Larissa Harris (“Larissa”), and Darshawn Shields
(“Shields”), on aggravated murder, murder, five counts of attempted murder, eight
counts of felonious assault, one count of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited
premises, and one count of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle. All
counts had one-year firearm specifications attached. All counts except the
improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle charge had three-year firearm
specifications attached.
{¶ 3} In exchange for reduced charges, Taylor, Larissa, and Shields agreed to
testify against Harris at trial. Harris pled not guilty at his arraignment; several
pretrials were conducted, and the case commenced to a jury trial on August 16, 2021.
On the day of the trial, the prosecution informed the court that Larissa, who is
Harris’ older sister, did not want to maintain her plea agreement. When asked,
Larissa initially refused to tell the court whether she would testify and asked that she
be assigned a new attorney. After further discussion, Larissa indicated that she
would testify but still wanted a new attorney to represent her interests. Larissa did
not divulge at that time the content of her testimony.
{¶ 4} Trial began with the testimony of A.B., a local business owner in the
Buckeye neighborhood in the city of Cleveland. He testified that on
November 24, 2018, the day after Thanksgiving, he had gone to his beauty supply
store with his 12-year-old son, A.L.B. and his teenage nephew. A.B. did not typically
bring his children to the store, however, on that day, his wife was out shopping and
running errands. Around 7:30 p.m., A.B. heard a loud bang against the glass of his
storefront window. When he went out to check what had occurred, A.B. found a
group of youths harassing an older gentleman. A.B. told the youths to go away and
helped the man to get up. He then glanced toward East 117th Street and noticed two
young men standing in a military stance. A.B. saw the two young men start shooting
into the crowd of people. He immediately turned and tried to run back into his store.
When he turned, he realized that A.L.B. had followed him outside because he saw
A.L.B. run into the store ahead of him. A.B. fell and ended up crawling into the store.
When A.B. entered the store, his nephew told him that A.L.B. had been shot in the
wrist. A.B. went and got his own gun and went outside to make sure everything was
safe. When he reentered the store, he realized that A.L.B. was more seriously
wounded than was first thought. On removing A.L.B.’s jacket, A.B. found a gunshot
wound under A.L.B.’s arm. Although A.B. administered CPR, A.L.B. died from his
wounds.
{¶ 5} L.H. was driving down Woodland Avenue, which turns into Buckeye
Road, when she saw police cars driving swiftly to the end of the street. As she got
closer to the area of East 116th and Buckeye, she saw her son, J.H., laying on the
ground. J.H., who was 16 years old at the time, had been shot in the head. L.H.
relayed that J.H. was in the hospital for a year and a half after the shooting. At the
time of trial, J.H. was unable to use his left side, had left-side blindness, and memory
loss, and required assistance with nine out of ten daily living activities.
{¶ 6} Officer James Kertcher with the Cleveland Police Department was one
of many officers called to the scene. He made contact with two youths, D.T. and
T.M. who had run into a nearby clothing store during the shooting. Both had been
shot in their lower extremities. When asked, neither could describe what occurred
and indicated that they did not see much. Neither boy testified at trial.
{¶ 7} Officer Robert Farren made contact with two youths who ran into a
nearby liquor store, J.B. and his brother, M.B. M.B. had been shot in the buttocks.
J.B. testified at trial about M.B.’s injuries.
{¶ 8} Thirty-five-year-old Valonte McCord was driving on Buckeye on
November 24, 2018, with his cousin. One minute he was driving and the next thing
he knew, his windshield was shattered, and his right eye was bleeding. He was able
to drive to the side of the road, at which point, his cousin took over driving and took
McCord to University Hospitals. McCord learned at the hospital that his eye was
struck by bullet fragments and glass. As a result of his injuries, McCord has trouble
focusing and can no longer participate in his previous activities, such as playing
basketball and bowling. McCord did not see the shooting or the shooters.
{¶ 9} Shields testified at trial as part of his plea agreement. Shields, who was
fifteen at the time of the shooting, agreed to be bound over as an adult and pled
guilty to involuntary manslaughter with a one-year firearm specification, five counts
of felonious assault, and improper discharge of a firearm over a public road or
highway resulting in serious physical harm. In exchange for the reduced plea,
Shields agreed to testify truthfully at trial. The plea deal called for Shields to be
sentenced after he testified.
{¶ 10} Shields testified that codefendant Taylor was his best friend, more like
a brother. They would see each other every day. At the time, Shields was dating
C.T., Taylor’s 14-year-old sister. Taylor was dating Larissa, who Shields described
as “grown.” He didn’t know her exact age but knew she was not a teenager. Shields
and Taylor, who was also fifteen at the time of the shooting, attended the same
school. Shields was also familiar with Larissa’s brother Harris; however, he had not
known either Larissa or Harris long.
{¶ 11} On the day of the shooting, Taylor called Shields and asked if his
mother would allow Taylor to spend the night. Shields was on punishment but told
Taylor to come over anyway. Shields’s mother was working a double shift, and when
she called and learned that Taylor was at the home, she became upset because
Shields was not allowed to have company. She told Shields that Taylor had to leave.
Shields and Taylor decided to go pick up some marijuana. They called Larissa and
asked her for a ride to the Lee Road area. Larissa picked them up in her car, a gold
Honda with a missing hub cap. Larissa’s brother, Harris, and her infant daughter,
Skyla, were also in the car.
{¶ 12} The group drove around, making several stops. At some point, Harris
told Taylor to call the guys who shot him. Shields disclosed that there was an earlier
incident where someone shot Taylor in the leg. Although Shields was there at the
time, he did not know why someone was trying to shoot Taylor. He only knew that
Taylor believed someone from the Buckeye neighborhood was responsible. Shields
used to live in the Buckeye neighborhood and was still on good terms with some of
the people. Taylor complied with Harris’s request and learned that the person
Taylor suspected of shooting him was at a liquor store on Buckeye. Larissa drove
them to the area and pulled behind a store. Shields got out of the car first, followed
by Harris and Taylor. Shields thought that something was going to “go down” but
did not know what. He was concerned because Taylor was a hothead and often
carried a gun. Shields, on the other hand, would fight someone but claimed that he
did not carry a gun and was known not to carry guns.
{¶ 13} Shields looked out first and observed a large group of kids from the
Buckeye neighborhood on the street. He turned back and let Taylor and Harris
know that there was a big crowd of people, too many for them to start an altercation.
The three discussed it and decided to leave. Before they could do so, they were
spotted by the other group of teens. At that point, someone gave what Shields called
a “hood call.” According to Shields, a hood call is a way of asking, “who is that?” or
“why are you here?” According to Shields, Taylor saw that as a sign that the Buckeye
group was coming for them, and Taylor started shooting. Harris then began
shooting at the group as well. Shields denied participating in the shooting, claiming
he went back and got in Larissa’s car.
{¶ 14} When Shields reentered the car, Larissa had the music up loud like
nothing was going on. He did not think she could hear the gunfire, so he told her
what was happening. Shields turned the music down so Larissa was able to hear the
shots. According to Shields, Larissa panicked and tried to start the car. Before she
could leave, Taylor and Harris got back into the car and Larissa drove off.
{¶ 15} Larissa also testified. She acknowledged that in exchange for a plea to
involuntary manslaughter, five counts of attempted murder, a count of felonious
assault, a count of improper discharge of a firearm over a public road, and firearm
specifications, she agreed to testify truthfully against her younger brother, Harris.
However, she stated that she did not want to testify, and only agreed because the
prosecutor threatened her with a life sentence if she refused.
{¶ 16} During her testimony, Larissa identified still images of her Honda that
put her car in the vicinity of the shooting on November 24, 2018. In response to a
number of questions from the prosecution, Larissa indicated that she did not
remember what occurred. The state introduced a portion of her video statement
into the record to refresh her recollection. The video was played in open court before
the jury; however, it was not admitted into evidence. The video statement is not
transcribed in the transcript, which reflects “(Video played in the presence of the
jury).” The record reflects that the video was stopped at the 11 minute 35 second
mark. The defense did not object to the state playing the video in front of the jury.
{¶ 17} Larissa indicated that the video did not refresh her recollection
because she lied in that statement and did not remember what she said.
Nevertheless, Larissa admitted that in her statement she implicated Harris, Shields,
and Taylor in the shooting. However, she stated that she lied to the police because
she stayed in her car and didn’t see anything.
{¶ 18} When asked what really happened, Larissa testified that she dropped
off Harris at the store to pick up something to drink for Skyla. Taylor and Shields
got out of the car as well. After Harris got back into the car, Larissa heard gunshots.
She testified that Shields had a gun that day, however, she never saw a gun on Taylor.
Larissa also acknowledged, however, that she never checked him for a gun.
{¶ 19} Taylor also agreed to testify after pleading to reduced charges of
murder with a three-year firearm specification, five counts of attempted murder,
one count each of felonious assault, and firing across a public roadway with an
agreed sentence of 18 to 25 years to life. However, during his testimony he did not
remember the salient details of the incident. When shown a picture of Larissa’s car,
he claimed not to recognize it. The prosecution then asked him if viewing his video
statement would refresh his recollection. The state then showed Taylor portions of
his video statement in open court in front of the jury, without objection. After
viewing those excerpts, Taylor indicated that they did not refresh his recollection.
Taylor denied backing out of his plea agreement claiming that he simply did not
remember what occurred due to the medications he was receiving in jail.
{¶ 20} In addition, the state presented text messages between Harris and
Taylor. Two days before the shooting, the two discussed “sliding” which was defined
as going to a neighborhood to either see who was there, or to fight, shoot, or kill
“opps,” i.e., people who are the opposite of them. In those texts, the two discussed
whether Harris had enough bullets and whether he still had his gun. Harris
indicated he had 15 bullets, and although his gun was not at his house, he could get
it if he needed to. Taylor texted Harris later asking why they did not “slide.” Harris
responded that there was no one outside and that he was sorry.
{¶ 21} In texts between Harris and Taylor a few hours after the shooting,
Harris texted that six of the people on Buckeye were shot and one was dead. Taylor
appears to compliment Harris by texting, “U my [n-word] fashooo [for sure].” The
day after the shooting, Taylor texted Harris and told him that his uncle told him the
kids on Buckeye had “snitched” on him. Harris texted back, telling Taylor not to
mention his or Larissa’s names.
{¶ 22} The state also presented text messages between Taylor and Larissa
showing that he asked her to pick them up around 5:56 p.m. on November 24, 2018,
appearing to confirm Shields’s testimony.
{¶ 23} In addition to testimony, the state presented DNA linking Harris to
the crime. Harris’s DNA was found on several of the shell casings collected at the
crime scene. However, it was determined that a crime scene detective had
inadvertently transferred his DNA to some of the shell casings collected at the scene.
The state addressed this problem in its case in chief, identifying the contaminated
evidence and presenting evidence of uncontaminated casings containing Harris’s
DNA.
{¶ 24} A number of pictures and videos were introduced during the state’s
case in chief. One of the pictures was of a gun next to a baby’s crib. The state
introduced the picture and published it to the jury, without objection from the
defense. The jury asked several questions about this picture, trying to determine if
the crib was for Larissa’s daughter Skyla. After the state rested, the defense objected
to that picture arguing it was confusing and unduly prejudicial. The trial court
overruled the objection and admitted the picture into evidence.
{¶ 25} Harris then presented his case, challenging the DNA evidence and the
crime scene investigation. Harris also suggested an alternate suspect for the crime,
using the state’s video evidence to identify another vehicle in the area. Harris
suggested the driver was potentially involved in the shooting.
{¶ 26} After the submission of testimony, the jury ultimately found Harris
guilty of the lesser included offense of murder under R.C. 2903.02(A) under Count
1, and guilty to Count 2, murder under R.C. 2903.02(B), Counts 3 through 7,
attempted murder, Counts 8 through 14, felonious assault, Count 17, improper
handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and guilty of the associated one-year and
three-year firearm specifications. The jury found Harris not guilty of Count 1,
aggravated murder, Count 15, felonious assault against Valonte McCord, and Count
16, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises.
{¶ 27} The court found, and the parties stipulated that Counts 2, 8
(attempted murder of A.L.B.) and 14 (felonious assault of A.L.B.) were allied
offenses of similar import to count one. Further, the court found that Counts 3 and
9; 4 and 10; 5 and 11; 6 and 12; and 7 and 13 are allied offenses of similar import to
each other. The state elected to sentence on Counts 1 and 3 through 7.
{¶ 28} The trial court then sentenced Harris to an indefinite term of 15 years
to life on Count 1 (murder) and three years on the merged firearms specifications;
four years each on Counts 3 through 6 (attempted murder); and seven years on
Count 7 (attempted murder); three years each on the firearm specifications for
Counts 3 through 7 to run concurrently to one another for a total of three years; one
year on Count 17 and one year on the associated firearms specification. The trial
court ordered the firearms specifications to be served consecutively, for a total of
seven years, prior to the sentence on the remaining charges. The court ordered that
the sentences on Counts 3 through 7 and Count 17 would run concurrently to one
another for a total of seven years. The court further ordered that seven-year
sentence to run prior to and consecutive to the term of 15 years to life.
{¶ 29} Harris appeals and assigns the following errors for our review.
Assignment of Error No. 1
The trial court committed plain error in allowing the prosecutor to
impeach co-defendants with their prior statements.
Assignment of Error No. 2
Defense counsel rendered ineffective assistance in allowing the
prosecutor to impeach co-defendants with their prior statements, in
derogation of Defendant’s rights under the 6th and 14th Amendments
to the United States Constitution.
Assignment of Error No. 3
The trial court erred in admitting a photograph of a firearm allegedly
in a codefendant’s possession, when the firearm was not the firearm
used in the crime.
Law and Analysis
Assignment of Error No. 1
{¶ 30} In the first assignment of error, Harris argues that the trial court
committed plain error when it allowed the state to impeach its own witnesses with
prior recorded statements. The state ostensibly played the recordings in order to
refresh the witnesses’ recollection. Harris argues doing so led to improper
impeachment of the witnesses.
Standard of Review
{¶ 31} The standard of review is whether the playing of the video statement
before the jury was contrary to law. The parties agree that the standard of review
for this assignment of error is abuse of discretion. Despite the parties’ agreement,
this court finds the agreement misplaced.
“‘The concept of ‘abuse of discretion’ as the basis for determining ‘error’
of the trial court connotes the right to exercise a sound discretion.
* * * [W]here a specific action, ruling or order of the court is required
as a matter of law, involving no discretion, the test of ‘abuse of
discretion’ should have no application.’”
Johnson v. Abdullah, 166 Ohio St.3d 427, 2021-Ohio-3304, 187 N.E.3d 463, ¶ 37,
quoting Rohde v. Farmer, 23 Ohio St.2d 82, 89, 262 N.E.2d 685 (1970) (emphasis
added).
Publication of a Prior Recorded Statement to the Jury
{¶ 32} Here the core issue is whether it was error for the state to play the
video of the witnesses’ statements in open court. The state alleged that it did so to
refresh the witnesses’ recollection. Harris argues that this was error and that the
video statements were not admissible for any other reason, such as, impeachment
with a prior inconsistent statement. Because we find that it was error to play the
videos in front of the jury to refresh recollection, we need not reach Harris’s
impeachment argument.
{¶ 33} In order to refresh a witness’s recollection, “the witness looks at the
prior statement to refresh his memory of the events, but then proceeds to testify
from his present, independent knowledge.” State v. Webb, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
100487, 2014-Ohio-2644, ¶ 25, citing State v. Powell, 132 Ohio St.3d 233, 2012-
Ohio-2577, 971 N.E.2d 865, ¶ 57, citing State v. Scott, 31 Ohio St.2d 1, 5-6, 285
N.E.2d 344 (1972). The testimony of the witness is the evidence; the out-of-court
statement is not placed before the jury. Id., citing Powell at ¶ 57. “‘A party may not
read the statement aloud, have the witness read it aloud, or otherwise place it before
the jury.’” State v. Powell, 132 Ohio St.3d 233, 2012-Ohio-2577, 971 N.E.2d 865,
¶ 57, quoting State v. Ballew, 76 Ohio St.3d 244, 254, 667 N.E.2d 369 (1996). The
proper procedure when a videotape exists of a statement is to allow the witness to
view the tape outside the presence of the jury, refreshing his recollection. State v.
Fair, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24388, 2011-Ohio-4454, ¶ 59, citing State v. Gunn,
2d Dist. Montgomery App. No. 16617, 1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 3593 (Aug. 7, 1998).
“The writing used to refresh the witness’s recollection is not admitted
into evidence unless admission is requested by the adverse party, and
in any event has no substantive evidentiary significance.” Id., quoting
Dayton v. Combs, 94 Ohio App.3d 291, 298, 640 N.E.2d 863 (1993).
Id.{¶ 34} In the instant case, the state played Larissa’s and Taylor’s out-of-court
video statements in front of the jury. While the defense alleges the state played the
entire video statements, the state alleges that only a “snippet” was presented to the
jury. The state did not introduce either video statement into evidence, so they are
not part of the record. On the other hand, the defense did not object, nor seek to
proffer the actual language of the video statements to allow this court to know what
was heard. Nevertheless, the state alleged that the purpose of playing the video
statements was to refresh the witnesses’ recollection. As such, we assume that some
substantive information was played, otherwise, how would the statement refresh the
witnesses’ recollection? Consequently, we view the trial court’s decision to allow the
presentation of the statements before the jury as a decision contrary to law, under
Johnson. The trial court did not have the discretion to allow the video statements
to be played in front of the jury to refresh the witnesses’ recollection. The video
statements should have been played outside the presence of the jury for the purpose
of refreshing the witnesses’ recollection.
{¶ 35} Nevertheless, Harris did not object to the introduction of this
evidence. A failure to object waives all but plain error. Crim.R. 52(B); State v.
Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, ¶ 28.
To constitute plain error, there must be: (1) an error, i.e., a deviation
from a legal rule, (2) that is plain or obvious, and (3) that affected
substantial rights, i.e., affected the outcome of the trial. State v. Pratts,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104235, 2016-Ohio-8053, ¶ 34, citing State v.
Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). A defendant is
entitled to a plain error finding where it is established that but for the
error, the outcome of the trial clearly would have been different. State
v. Johnson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99715, 2014-Ohio-2638, ¶ 94,
citing State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978); State v.
Hill, 92 Ohio St.3d 191, 749 N.E.2d 274 (2001). Even if the plain error
standard is met, courts should only notice it “with the utmost caution,
under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest
miscarriage of justice.” Long, 53 Ohio St.2d at 91, 372 N.E.2d 804,
paragraph three of the syllabus.
State v. White, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110452, 2022-Ohio-2130, ¶ 37
{¶ 36} When the accused fails to call an error to the court’s attention by
objecting, in order to obtain relief, he “is ‘required to demonstrate a reasonable
probability that the error resulted in prejudice—the same deferential standard for
reviewing ineffective assistance of counsel claims.’” (Emphasis sic.) State v.
Thomas, 152 Ohio St.3d 15, 2017-Ohio-8011, 92 N.E.3d 821, ¶ 33, quoting State v.
Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, 38 N.E.3d 860 ¶ 22, citing United
States v. Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74, 81-83, 124 S.Ct. 2333, 159 L.Ed.2d 157(2004).
{¶ 37} In the instant case, we are hampered by the absence of the video
statements in the record. Nevertheless, after a thorough review of the record, we
find there was ample evidence of Harris’ guilt in the record, if believed by the jury.
Shields identified Harris as one of the shooters. Harris’ and Taylor’s text messages
from two days prior to the shooting confirm that they intended to commit a shooting
in the area. They also exchanged texts after the shooting, praising the outcome.
Although Larissa attempted to exonerate her brother, she admitted that she drove
her brother, Shields, and Taylor to the Buckeye neighborhood on the date of the
shooting. Pictures of her vehicle at the scene and cell phone records corroborate
that testimony. In addition, the cell phone records confirm that Larissa drove to the
Buckeye area. They also show Harris leaving the scene. Finally, Harris’ DNA was
found on the shell casing located at the crime scene. While there were problems
with evidence collection, there was no testimony that the evidence was tampered
with or otherwise purposefully contaminated. Further, there was no evidence to
contradict or challenge the finding of Harris’ DNA on the casings.
{¶ 38} Based on the foregoing, the record fails to establish plain error that
affected the result of the trial.
{¶ 39} Accordingly, Harris’s first assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error No. 3
{¶ 40} In the third assignment of error, Harris argues that the trial court
erred in admitting a photograph of a firearm allegedly in a codefendant’s possession,
when that firearm was not used in the crime. Harris argues that the evidence was
not probative as to his guilt.
Standard of Review
{¶ 41} The admission or exclusion of relevant evidence rests in the sound
discretion of the trial court. State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173, 180, 510 N.E.2d 343(1987). A decision regarding the admission of evidence will not be overturned
absent an abuse of discretion. State v. Payne, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107825, 2019-
Ohio-4158, ¶ 38. A trial court abuses its discretion when it acts in an unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable manner. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217,
219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983.).
Admissibility of Other Weapons Evidence
{¶ 42} Specifically, Harris is referencing a picture taken during the execution
of a search warrant at codefendant Taylor’s residence. State’s exhibit No. 559 was a
picture of a bedroom with a standard bed next to a baby’s crib. Right next to the
baby’s crib was a black dresser with a firearm contained in the top drawer. Harris
argues that there was no evidence linking this gun to the crime scene. Furthermore,
the gun was not used in the shooting and could not be linked to the shell casings
found on the scene.
{¶ 43} Pursuant to Evid.R. 401(A), evidence is relevant if it has “any tendency
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.” The
state argues that the picture was relevant evidence because it established that the
state conducted a thorough investigation and that any firearms discovered were test
fired. However, this argument fails. We are hard-pressed to see the relevance of a
picture of a fireman, discovered in a codefendant’s house next to a baby’s crib when
the weapon has no connection to this case. Therefore, the picture should not have
been admitted. Evid.R. 402. See also State v. Thomas, 152 Ohio St.3d 15, 2017-
Ohio-8011, 92 N.E.3d 821, ¶ 36 (“Federal and Ohio courts have recognized the
introduction of other weapons evidence — i.e., irrelevant evidence of weapons
unrelated to the charges — as error.”). Consequently, it was an abuse of discretion
for the trial court to admit the picture.
{¶ 44} Nevertheless, the Supreme Court has noted that where there is
overwhelming independent evidence of guilt, the admission of other weapons
evidence is harmless error. State v. Thomas, 152 Ohio St.3d 15, 2017-Ohio-8011, 92
N.E.3d 821, ¶ 39.
{¶ 45} As we have already discussed, there was overwhelming evidence of
Harris’ guilt presented at trial. While it was an abuse of discretion to admit the
picture, the admission was harmless as a matter of law.
{¶ 46} Accordingly, we overrule the third assignment of error.
Assignment of Error No. 2
{¶ 47} Finally, in the second assignment of error, Harris argues that he
received ineffective assistance of counsel when his lawyer allowed the state to
impeach codefendants with prior statements.
Standard of Review
{¶ 48} In order to establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Harris
must demonstrate (1) his counsel was deficient in some aspect of his representation,
and (2) there is a reasonable probability that, were it not for counsel’s errors, the
result of the trial would have been different. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 687-688, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Therefore, “‘the failure
to make a showing of either deficient performance or prejudice defeats a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel.’” State v. Harris, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 109060,
2021-Ohio-856, ¶ 21, citing In re S.A., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107707, 2019-Ohio-
4782, at ¶ 46, quoting State v. Davenport, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106143, 2018-
Ohio-2933, ¶ 25, citing Strickland at 697.
Failure to Object to the Publication of Prior Statements to the Jury
{¶ 49} Licensed attorneys enjoy a strong presumption that they are
competent. State v. Scarton, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108474, 2020-Ohio-2952,
¶ 89, citing State v. Black, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108001, 2019-Ohio-4977, ¶ 35,
citing State v. Smith, 17 Ohio St.3d 98, 100, 477 N.E.2d 1128 (1985). A reviewing
court must give “great deference to counsel’s performance and ‘indulge a strong
presumption’ that counsel’s performance ‘falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance.’” Id., citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689.
{¶ 50} Generally, trial counsel’s tactical decisions and trial strategies, even if
“debatable,” do not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. Id. at 90.
Accordingly, a court of review “‘will ordinarily refrain from second-guessing
strategic decisions counsel [makes] at trial,’ even where trial counsel’s strategy was
‘questionable.’” Id., quoting State v. Myers, 97 Ohio St.3d 335, 2002-Ohio-6658,
780 N.E.2d 186, ¶ 152; State v. Mason, 82 Ohio St.3d 144, 169, 694 N.E.2d 932(1998); State v. Quinones, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100928, 2014-Ohio-5544, ¶ 25.
{¶ 51} “‘One such tactical decision, is the decision to object.’” Id. at ¶ 95,
citing State v. Frierson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105618, 2018-Ohio-391,
quoting State v. Johnson, 7th Dist. Jefferson No. 16 JE 0002, 2016-Ohio-7937, ¶ 46.
A failure to object, by itself, is not sufficient grounds to sustain a claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel. Id.{¶ 52} Again, it is difficult to evaluate, in this case, whether defense counsel’s
decision was a tactical one. Having failed to preserve the video statement for our
review, we must review the evidence in the record. Ineffective assistance of counsel
requires a showing of both inadequate representation and prejudice. Prejudice, in
this context, is a showing that the proceedings would have had a different outcome
but for counsel’s error. Consequently, there was ample evidence of Harris’ guilt,
notwithstanding the video statements, Harris has failed to establish prejudice.
{¶ 53} Accordingly, the second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 54} Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the
common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s
conviction having been affirmed, any bail pending is terminated.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27
of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
EMANUELLA D. GROVES, JUDGE
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, P.J., and
LISA B. FORBES, J., CONCUR