State v. Handyside ( 2019 )

[Cite as State v. Handyside, 2019-Ohio-2329.]
COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
No. 107586
v. :
JOHN HANDYSIDE, III :
Defendant-Appellant. :
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: June 13, 2019
Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-18-627283-A
Appearances:
Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, and
Michael Lisk and Erin Stone, Assistant County
Prosecutors, for appellee.
Patrick S. Lavelle, for appellant.
ANITA LASTER MAYS, J.:
Appellant-defendant John Handyside, III (“Handyside”) appeals his
conviction and asks this court to reverse the judgment of the trial court. We affirm
the trial court’s decision.
After a bench trial, Handyside was convicted of abduction, a third-
degree felony in violation of R.C. 2905.02(A)(2); and assault, a first-degree
misdemeanor in violation of R.C. 2903.13(A). Handyside was sentenced to a total
of 18 months imprisonment.
I. Facts and Procedural History
On March 26, 2018, Sarah Vidmar (“Vidmar”) went for a run. As she
was running, she noticed Handyside crossing the street towards her. Once Vidmar
realized that Handyside was running towards her, she tried to get out of his way and
tripped over an obstruction. When she fell, Handyside jumped on top of her and
held her down. Vidmar repeatedly told Handyside to stop, but he continued to hold
her down, grabbing, pushing, and hitting her in the face. Vidmar broke free, and
attempted to run, but Handyside grabbed her again and pushed her back down.
Vidmar began yelling for help. Justin Frankmann (“Frankmann”), who was out
walking his dog, heard Vidmar yelling for help, and ran to assist. Frankmann
pushed Handyside off of Vidmar. Without saying a word, Handyside walked away.
Galen Fuller (“Fuller”) and Veronica Rose (“Rose”) witnessed the
attack from their car. Both saw Handyside dart across the street and punch Vidmar
in the face. Fuller, who was driving the car, turned around and drove to the location
of the attack. He jumped out of the vehicle and confronted Handyside along with
Frankmann. Rose called 911, and Fuller followed Handyside in his vehicle while
Rose was on the phone with 911, giving updates on Handyside’s location.
Two police officers responded to the emergency call and interviewed
Vidmar. She told them that while on her daily run Handyside attacked her. The
officers were then notified of Handyside’s location and detained him upon their
arrival. Handyside told the officers that he saw a woman fall and tried to help her.
The officers brought Handyside back to the scene of the incident, where Vidmar was
waiting. Vidmar and the other witnesses identified Handyside as the man who
attacked her.
Handyside was charged with kidnapping, with an attached sexual
motivation specification, abduction, gross sexual imposition, and assault.
Handyside, pursuant to Crim.R. 29, asked the trial court “to direct verdicts of
acquittal” as to the sexual motivation specification contained in Count 1, kidnapping,
as well as Count 3, the gross sexual imposition; the court granted the motion as to
both specifications. (Tr. 95-96.) The trial court found Handyside not guilty of
kidnapping, but guilty of abduction and assault. The trial court sentenced
Handyside to 18 months imprisonment, and Handyside filed this appeal of his
conviction of the abduction charge only. He assigns two errors for our review:
I. The [trier of fact’s] determination in lower court was against the
manifest weight of evidence; and
II. There was not sufficient evidence presented to the trier of fact in
the lower court proceeding to convict the appellant of Count 2 of
the indictment.
II. Sufficiency of the Evidence
A. Standard of Review
Claiming insufficient evidence,
raises the question whether the evidence is legally sufficient to support
the verdict as a matter of law. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380,
386, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). In reviewing a sufficiency challenge, “[t]he
relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most
favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found
the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph
two of the syllabus.
State v. Herring, 2017-Ohio-743, 81 N.E.3d 133, ¶ 16 (8th Dist.).
B. Whether there was Sufficient Evidence Presented to
Convict the Appellant of the Crime Charged in Count
Two of the Indictment
Handyside argues that there was not sufficient evidence to convict
him of abduction because he did not knowingly use force or made threats towards
Vidmar.
“‘The test for sufficiency requires a determination of whether the
prosecution met its burden of production at trial. State v. Bowden, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92266, 2009-Ohio-3598, ¶ 13. An appellate court’s
function when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a
criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to
determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the
average mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Id.
at ¶ 12. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991),
paragraph two of the syllabus.’”
State v. Carter, 2018-Ohio-2238, 114 N.E.3d 673, ¶ 12 (8th Dist.), quoting State v.
Pridgett, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101823, 2016-Ohio-687, ¶ 15.
Handyside was convicted of abduction, in violation of
R.C. 2905.02(A)(2). The statute reads as follows: “No person, without privilege to
do so, shall knowingly do any of the following: By force or threat, restrain the liberty
of another person under circumstances that create a risk of physical harm to the
victim or place the other person in fear.” R.C. 2905.02(A)(2). In State v. Barry, 145
Ohio St.3d 354, 2015-Ohio-5449, 49 N.E.3d 1248, ¶ 23, the Ohio Supreme Court
defined the term “knowingly” as follows:
A person acts knowingly, regardless of purpose, when the person is
aware that the person’s conduct will probably cause a certain result or
will probably be of a certain nature. A person has knowledge of
circumstances when the person is aware that such circumstances
probably exist. When knowledge of the existence of a particular fact is
an element of an offense, such knowledge is established if a person
subjectively believes that there is a high probability of its existence and
fails to make inquiry or acts with a conscious purpose to avoid learning
the fact.
Handyside argues that he saw Vidmar fall to the ground and was only
trying to assist her. Handyside does not dispute that Vidmar’s liberty was restrained
or that she was in fear for her safety; however, Handyside argues that there is no
evidence that he knowingly used force or made threats toward Vidmar. Handyside’s
version of the events is completely different than the victim’s and witnesses’
accounts. Vidmar testified that Handyside held her down, punched her, grabbed
her, and when she broke free, pushed her down again.
Additionally, three witnesses saw Handyside attack Vidmar and
punch her in the face. Vidmar testified, “[b]ut like I said, at that time once I was
down, I was trying to get back up and the individual was making it so that I either
couldn’t get back up or I couldn’t get away from him despite struggling.” (Tr. 33-
34.)
Force is defined as: “any violence, compulsion, or constraint physically
exerted by any means upon or against a person or thing.”
R.C. 2901.01(A)(1). In State v. Gregg, 2d Dist. Champaign No.
91-CA-15, 1992 Ohio App. LEXIS 5481 (Oct. 26, 1992), the court
explained: “O.R.C. 2901.01(A) does not provide for any measure of the
physical exertion that might constitute force, but instead looks to the
purpose for which the physical exertion, however slight, has been
employed. If that purpose is to overcome a barrier against the actor=s
conduct, whether that barrier is in the will of a victim or the closed but
unlocked door of a home, the physical exertion employed to overcome
the barrier may constitute force.” See also, State v. Austin, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 20445, 2005-Ohio-1035; State v. Johnson, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga Nos. 81692 and 81693, 2003-Ohio-3241. Furthermore,
“force may properly be defined as ‘effort’ rather than ‘violence’ in a
charge to the jury.”
Johnson, supra, citing State v. Lane, 50 Ohio App.2d 41, 45, 361 N.E.2d 535 (10th
Dist.1976).
The evidence demonstrates that Handyside knowingly restrained the
liberty of Vidmar and placed her in fear.
Under R.C. 2905.02(A)(2), a person commits abduction if he
knowingly, “[b]y force or threat, restrain[s] the liberty of another
person under circumstances that create a risk of physical harm to the
victim or place the other person in fear.” The element of restraining
another’s liberty may be proven by evidence that the defendant has
“limit[ed] one’s freedom of movement in any fashion for any period of
time.” State v. Wright, 8th Dist. No. 92344, 2009-Ohio-5229, at ¶ 23
(citations omitted).
State v. Badgett, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95146, 2011-Ohio-1245, ¶ 12. The state
presented sufficient evidence that Handyside, regardless of his stated purpose of
assisting Vidmar, restrained her liberty by holding her down, hitting her about the
body and face, was aware that his conduct would cause a certain result: a risk of
physical harm and fear.
If believed, the evidence and testimonies submitted to the trial court
would convince the average mind of the appellant=s guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt. We conclude that there was sufficient evidence to convict Handyside of
abduction. Therefore, Handyside=s second assignment of error is overruled.
III. Manifest Weight of the Evidence
A. Standard of Review
In State v. Wilson, 113 Ohio St.3d 382, 2007-Ohio-2202, 865 N.E.2d
1264, & 25, the Ohio Supreme Court addressed the standard of review for a criminal
manifest weight challenge, as follows:
The criminal manifest-weight-of-the-evidence standard was explained
in State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). In
Thompkins, the court distinguished between sufficiency of the
evidence and manifest weight of the evidence, finding that these
concepts differ both qualitatively and quantitatively. Id. at 386. The
court held that sufficiency of the evidence is a test of adequacy as to
whether the evidence is legally sufficient to support a verdict as a
matter of law, but weight of the evidence addresses the evidence=s
effect of inducing belief. Id. at 386-387. In other words, a reviewing
court asks whose evidence is more persuasive C the state’s or the
defendant’s? We went on to hold that although there may be sufficient
evidence to support a judgment, it could nevertheless be against the
manifest weight of the evidence. Id. at 387. “When a court of appeals
reverses a judgment of a trial court on the basis that the verdict is
against the weight of the evidence, the appellate court sits as a
‘thirteenth juror’ and disagrees with the factfinder’s resolution of the
conflicting testimony.” Id. at 387, citing Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31,
42, 102 S.Ct. 2211, 72 L.Ed.2d 652 (1982).
In our manifest weight review of a bench trial verdict, we recognize
that the trial court is serving as the factfinder, and not a jury:
“‘Accordingly, to warrant reversal from a bench trial under a manifest
weight of the evidence claim, this court must review the entire record,
weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the
credibility of witnesses and determine whether in resolving conflicts in
evidence, the trial court clearly lost its way and created such a manifest
miscarriage of justice that the judgment must be reversed and a new
trial ordered.’”
State v. Strickland, 183 Ohio App.3d 602, 2009-Ohio-3906, 918 N.E.2d 170, & 25
(8th Dist.), quoting Cleveland v. Welms, 169 Ohio App.3d 600, 2006-Ohio-6441,
863 N.E.2d 1125 (8th Dist.), citing Thompkins at 390. See also State v. Kessler, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 93340, 2010-Ohio-2094, & 13.
B. Whether the Trial Court’s Verdict was Against the
Manifest Weight of Evidence
Handyside argues that the same reasoning to determine that the
evidence was insufficient to sustain a guilty verdict can be used to determine that
the verdict was against the manifest weight of the evidence. We note that “[w]hen
reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence the court does not weigh the credibility of
the witnesses. State v. Yarbrough, 95 Ohio St.3d 227, 2002-Ohio-2126, 767 N.E.2d
216, & 79.” State v. Marrero, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 10AP-344, 2011-Ohio-1390,
& 10. When looking at the evidence and determining whether the state’s evidence
or Handyside’s evidence is more persuasive, we must weigh the evidence and
consider the credibility of the witnesses.
Although, we review credibility when considering the manifest weight
of the evidence, we are cognizant that determinations regarding the
credibility of witnesses and the weight of the testimony are primarily
for the trier of fact. The trier of fact is best able “‘to view the witnesses
and observe their demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections, and use
these observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered
testimony.’” State v. Wilson, 113 Ohio St.3d 382, 2007-Ohio-2202, 865
N.E.2d 1264, & 24, quoting Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio
St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984).
State v. Bridges, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105440, 2018-Ohio-1388, & 12.
Vidmar=s testimony was corroborated by three different random
bystanders. All three witnesses saw Handyside attack Vidmar. There is no evidence
to support that Handyside was merely helping Vidmar up from the ground. Vidmar
testified that while she was running Handyside came right up to her. She stated, “I
saw the individual coming right at me and I noticed that they were getting down in
a crouch, almost getting ready to tackle me as if in a football stance, which I
recognized because I used to play football in a co-ed league.” (Tr. 32.) Vidmar also
testified about the force that Handyside exerted to keep her down on the ground.
She testified, “Initially I was pushing him off trying to break his grip at one point,
because I couldn’t get him to let me go, so I tried to turn my back and run. He
grabbed me by the back, as you see right there, to pull me back towards him. * * *
because every time I would try to stand, he would push me back down.” (Tr. 44.)
We find that the trial court was in the best position to determine the
credibility of each witness. We do not find that the trial court clearly lost its way and
created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the judgment must be reversed
and a new trial ordered.
Handyside=s first assignment of error is overruled.
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 appeal is terminated.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to
Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
_____________________________
ANITA LASTER MAYS, JUDGE
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, A.J., and
LARRY A. JONES, SR., J., CONCUR