State v. Carter , 2017 Ohio 1328 ( 2017 )

[Cite as State v. Carter, 2017-Ohio-1328.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
STATE OF OHIO, : APPEAL NO. C-150625
TRIAL NO. B-1500483
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
O P I N I O N.
vs. :
BRANDON CARTER, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
Criminal Appeal From: Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas
Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed and Cause Remanded
Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: March 31, 2017
Joseph T. Deters, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, and Judith Anton Lapp,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee,
The Farrish Law Firm and Michaela M. Stagnaro, for Defendant-Appellant.
OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
MYERS, Judge.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Brandon Carter has appealed from the trial
court’s entry convicting him of robbery and sentencing him to seven years’
imprisonment.
{¶2} In five assignments of error, Carter argues that the prosecutor made
improper remarks during closing arguments; that he received ineffective assistance
from his trial counsel; that his conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence
and was against the manifest weight of the evidence; that the trial court erred in
failing to grant his Crim.R. 29 motion for an acquittal; and that the trial court
imposed an improper sentence.
{¶3} Finding no merit to Carter’s arguments, we affirm the judgment of the
trial court. But we have found a clerical error in its judgment entry, so we remand
this cause with instructions for the trial court to correct that clerical error.
Background and Procedure
{¶4} On January 23, 2015, Alexander Ford and Johnell Amison were
robbed at gunpoint during a potential drug sale. For his role in these crimes, Carter
was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1),
two counts of robbery in violation of R.C. 2911.02(A)(2), two counts of felonious
assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2), one count of felonious assault in violation
of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1), and one count of improperly handling a firearm in a motor
vehicle in violation of R.C. 2923.16(A).
{¶5} The case proceeded to a jury trial. At trial, Ford testified that he and
Carter had been longtime friends, and that on January 23, 2015, Carter called him
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
asking to borrow money for car repairs. Ford explained that he already owed Carter
approximately $80, and that he told Carter that he would repay the money he owed,
as well as loan Carter additional money. Ford further told Carter that he had a friend
who was selling marijuana, and Carter stated that he knew someone who might be
interested in purchasing it. The two arranged to meet later in the day in the parking
lot of a Frisch’s restaurant.
{¶6} Ford testified that the meeting took place in his car. Ford and Amison
sat in the front of the car. Carter entered and sat in the back seat of Ford’s car, and
shortly thereafter he was joined by an unknown male. Carter asked Ford for the
money that he owed him and inquired about the marijuana that was for sale. Both
Ford and Amison produced marijuana that they had on their persons. When Ford
turned to the back seat to discuss a potential deal, he saw that both Carter and the
unknown man had produced guns and were pointing them at him and Amison.
Carter and Amison were told to “give us what you got.”
{¶7} One of the armed men fired a warning shot into the front seat. Ford
panicked and gave his assailants everything that he had on his person. The men then
instructed Ford to put the car in reverse. While Ford complied, Amison jumped out
of the vehicle. Ford then also jumped out as two additional shots were fired from the
back seat. As Ford grabbed onto the trunk of the car, he saw both Carter and the
unknown man climb into the front of the vehicle. One of the men fired a shot at him
through the back windshield, and eventually Ford let go of the car as the pair drove
away. Ford suffered injuries and was transported to a hospital.
{¶8} Cincinnati Police Officer Robert Perry testified that he responded to
the scene of these crimes and later spoke with Ford in the hospital. From his
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discussion with Ford, Officer Perry developed Carter as a suspect and put together a
photographic lineup. After viewing the lineup, Ford identified Carter as one of his
assailants.
{¶9} Officer Perry further testified that he issued a warrant for Carter’s
arrest, and that Carter was arrested on January 26, 2015. During an interview with
Officer Perry, Carter denied participating in the crimes committed against Ford and
Amison, and stated that he had been picking up his car from a local car dealership
when the crimes took place.
{¶10} After deliberating for several days, the jury returned a verdict finding
Carter guilty of robbery in count two. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the
remaining seven charges.
Prosecutorial Misconduct
{¶11} In his first assignment of error, Carter argues that the prosecutor made
improper remarks to the jury during closing argument that prejudiced his right to a
fair trial.
{¶12} Prosecutorial misconduct will only serve as grounds for error if it
deprived the defendant of a fair trial. State v. Smith, 130 Ohio App.3d 360, 366, 720
N.E.2d 149 (1st Dist.1998). Accordingly, the remarks must have been improper and
have prejudicially affected the defendant’s substantial rights. State v. Bailey, 1st
Dist. Hamilton No. C-140129, 2015-Ohio-2997, ¶ 42, quoting State v. Jones, 135
Ohio St.3d 10, 2012-Ohio-5677, 984 N.E.2d 948, ¶ 200. Prosecutors are normally
entitled to a certain degree of latitude during closing argument. State v. Smith, 14
Ohio St.3d 13, 470 N.E.2d 883 (1984). Statements made during closing argument
must not be evaluated in isolation, but in light of the entire closing argument. State
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
v. Kelly, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-010639, 2002-Ohio-6246, ¶ 22, citing State v.
Keenan, 66 Ohio St.3d 402, 410, 613 N.E.2d 203 (1993). A defendant’s failure to
object to an allegedly improper statement by the prosecutor forfeits all but plain
error. Kelly at ¶ 22. To establish plain error, a defendant must demonstrate that the
outcome of the proceedings would have been different but for the alleged
misconduct. Id. Carter did not object to any of the statements that he now
challenges, so we examine them under the plain-error standard.
{¶13} Carter first argues that the prosecutor improperly stated during
closing argument, in reference to Ford’s testimony, that “[i]f he’s credible, he’s
credible. If you believe him, you should believe his whole story.” This comment was
not objected to. While on its face this comment could be viewed as an erroneous
statement of law, when viewed in context it was not improper. Defense counsel had
argued in closing argument that portions of Ford’s testimony had been accurate, but
not those portions of testimony in which Ford identified Carter as a participant in the
crimes committed against him. The above comment was made by the prosecutor in
response to defense counsel’s argument. A fair interpretation is that the prosecutor
was urging the jury to believe all of Ford’s testimony. The prosecutor did not tell the
jury that it must believe Ford’s whole story, only that it should. Further, to the extent
that this comment could be deemed improper, the trial court gave the jury an
instruction which cured any misstatement of the law, stating that “[y]ou may believe
or disbelieve all or any part of the testimony of any witness. It is your duty to decide
what testimony to believe and what testimony not to believe.” The jury was
appropriately instructed on the law and is presumed to have followed the court’s
instructions.
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
{¶14} Carter additionally challenges the prosecutor’s statement that “[a]
guilty person denies being somewhere. [A] guilty person denies it to get out of
trouble.” Again, this comment was made in reference to the testimony offered by
Ford, and it was not objected to. When the statement is viewed in context, it is
apparent that the prosecutor was asking the jury to consider Ford’s credibility in
light of his actions. This was not improper.
{¶15} Carter next challenges the prosecutor’s comments about the lack of
evidence supporting the statement that Carter had given to Officer Perry. He argues
that these comments shifted the burden of proof to him to prove that he had not
been involved in the crimes. During trial, Officer Perry testified that Carter had told
him that he had been picking up his car from the dealership when these crimes were
committed. Carter told Officer Perry that he got to the dealership right as the service
department was closing. Officer Perry admitted that he did not verify Carter’s
statements with the dealership.
{¶16} The following exchange took place during closing argument:
Prosecutor: He tells Officer Perry—the defendant tells Officer Perry, I
wasn’t there. I was going to get my car at the dealership. I got there
right before it closed. What dealership closes on a weekday or Friday
at 5:30 p.m.? The dealership wasn’t closed. He didn’t even go get his
car. Where is the evidence he went to go get his car? There is none.
But there is evidence he was there at the Frisch’s robbing and shooting
people. Hey, Officer Perry, look, I didn’t do it. I was there. I was there
to talk to my friend. I did not do this. I didn’t know this dude was
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
gonna show up with a gun and rob him. I didn’t know that. Here’s his
name. Here’s his number.
Defense Counsel: I’m going to object.
The Court: Approach. (Sidebar follows.)
Defense Counsel: First let me apologize for interrupting your closing.
I want the record to reflect I’ve lodged an objection for the record with
respect to his Fifth Amendment Right. There was [a] Miranda
Warning, waived and signed but he didn’t say anything. He has that
right to not say a word. I just wanted to lodge that objection.
Prosecutor: My response is that’s in trial, has nothing to do with an
interview with the police. He waived his Miranda warning, doesn’t rise
to the potential of misconduct of—
The Court: You’re not going to comment in closing argument that the
defendant didn’t testify?
Prosecutor: Of course not. I have been doing this almost 13 years. I’m
not stupid. (Sidebar concluded.)
Prosecutor: Officer Perry, I didn’t do it. It was a mistake. It was a
misunderstanding. Mr. Ford’s confused. He didn’t say any of that. He
said I wasn’t there. Why would you deny being somewhere? To get
out of trouble, not get busted. Not go down for robbing your friend
because you know he can I.D. you. I wasn’t there. I was picking up my
car. You’ve got to rely on the evidence that you have. The only
evidence in this case is that the defendant did it. That’s the only
evidence.
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
{¶17} While Carter did object during the prosecutor’s commentary, the
record indicates that he objected because he believed that the prosecutor was about
to improperly remark on his failure to testify on his own behalf. Carter did not object
to the prosecutor’s comments concerning a lack of evidence that Carter had actually
gone to the car dealership to get his car. Consequently, we review the prosecutor’s
comments for plain error.
{¶18} We find that the prosecutor’s remarks were a fair commentary on the
evidence presented at trial, and that they did not shift the burden of proof to Carter.
The prosecutor was pointing out that, in his interview, Carter denied being at the
scene, but rather claimed to be at a car dealership. The prosecutor was arguing that
Carter did not tell the officer that he was there but had not known what was going to
happen. Rather, Carter denied being there at all. The prosecutor was permitted to
argue that the other evidence introduced at trial corroborated Ford’s testimony and
that the evidence did not support Carter’s statement to the police.
{¶19} Carter last argues that the prosecutor denigrated defense counsel
during closing arguments. The latitude afforded a prosecutor does not permit
denigration of the role of defense counsel or a personal attack on counsel. Smith,
130 Ohio App.3d at 368, 720 N.E.2d 149.
{¶20} In the rebuttal portion of closing argument, the prosecutor made the
following comments: “Can you imagine if Officer Perry had taken glass from that
car, could you imagine what [defense counsel] would have to say to him on cross-
examination?”; “You know another man had his car. You know this car was in a
wreck. How can you tell us that glass isn’t from the wreck? Could you imagine what
[defense counsel] would have done with that?”; “You found fragments of a bullet.
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
How do you know that this car wasn’t in a gun fight the four days it was missing?
Could you imagine how [defense counsel] would [have] made Officer Perry look right
then[?]”; and “I also think it’s a little interesting that defense wants to argue that we
don’t have Johnell Amison so we can’t have a guilty conviction for the fact that this
happened. How do we win a murder case?” These comments were made in response
to defense counsel’s argument that the police did not do enough to investigate.
{¶21} The comments in this case are distinguishable from those in cases in
which the prosecutor was found to have denigrated defense counsel. In State v.
Getsy, 84 Ohio St.3d 180, 194, 702 N.E.2d 866 (1998), the Ohio Supreme Court
considered the following comments made by the prosecutor in closing argument,
after noting that defense counsel had not raised an objection: “[when] you have no
defense you attack the police, you attack the prosecutor, you attack everybody. * * *
You want to look at things that aren’t important to this particular case, you want to
deflect, you want to look for something that doesn’t exist, you want smoke so he can’t
be seen.” The court held that these comments denigrated defense counsel for doing
her or his job, and that they were error. Id. The court found, however, that these
statements were not pervasive and did not rise to plain error. Id.{¶22} In State v. Alfieri, 132 Ohio App.3d 69, 84-85, 724 N.E.2d 477 (1st
Dist.1998), the prosecutor stated in closing argument, “It’s interesting they don’t
want you to examine everything. Oh, no, let’s hide from the final report that
Lieutenant Daudistel filed. We don’t even introduce that. We won’t have that blown
up, because the preliminary reports which were filed and made up in the middle of
the—[the prosecutor was then interrupted by defense counsel’s objection].” The
Alfieri court held that the prosecutor’s insinuation that defense counsel hid evidence
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
was an improper denigration of defense counsel. Id. at 85. The court, however, did
not find the statements so prejudicial as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial.
{¶23} In Getsy and Alfieri, the prosecutor directly attacked defense counsel
by criticizing counsel’s tactics and, in Alfieri, by insinuating that counsel had actually
committed misconduct by attempting to hide evidence. Unlike the prosecutors’
comments in Getsy and Alfieri, a review of the record in this case indicates that the
prosecutor’s comments were made in response to arguments raised by defense
counsel during his portion of closing argument. Defense counsel had questioned the
effort that Officer Perry put forth during the investigation and had highlighted areas
in which he felt the officer’s investigation had been lacking. The prosecutor’s
remarks were a fair response to these comments and did not rise to the level of
denigration. See State v. Hughes, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-030489, 2005-Ohio-
2453, ¶ 30.
{¶24} The prosecutor did not commit any misconduct during closing
argument that prejudiced Carter’s right to a fair trial. The first assignment of error is
overruled.
Ineffective Assistance
{¶25} In his second assignment of error, Carter argues that he received
ineffective assistance from his trial counsel.
{¶26} Counsel will not be considered ineffective unless her or his
performance was deficient and caused actual prejudice to the defendant. Strickland
v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v.
Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 141-142, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989). Counsel’s performance
will only be deemed deficient if it fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
Strickland at 688; Bradley at 142. A defendant is only prejudiced by counsel’s
performance if there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceedings
would have been different but for the deficient performance. Strickland at 694;
Bradley at 142. A reviewing court must indulge a presumption that counsel’s
behavior fell within the acceptable range of reasonable professional assistance.
Strickland at 689; Bradley at 142.
{¶27} Carter first argues that counsel was ineffective for admitting during
closing argument that Carter had been present for the robbery, because that
admission contradicted the statement given by Carter in his interview with Officer
Perry. During closing argument, defense counsel addressed Ford’s testimony that
Carter had been involved in the robbery. Counsel argued that, if the jury were to
believe Ford’s testimony that Carter was present at the scene, it should also find that
Carter had been a victim and that the sole assailant had been the unknown male
seated in the back seat of Ford’s car with Carter. Such an argument is an acceptable
trial strategy that should not be second-guessed. See Bailey, 1st Dist. Hamilton No.
C-140129, 2015-Ohio-2997, at ¶ 50-51.
{¶28} Carter next argues that his counsel was ineffective for admitting that
the unknown assailant had carried a weapon and that Amison had been shot.
Counsel’s concession that the unknown assailant had possessed a weapon was not
unreasonable in light of counsel’s argument that Carter had also been a victim, rather
than a participant, in the crimes. And counsel’s statement that Amison had been
shot was in line with the evidence introduced at trial and did not prejudice Carter in
any manner.
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
{¶29} Carter next argues that he was prejudiced by the following comment
that defense counsel made during closing argument: “What is the number one
problem in our community? Getting witnesses to come forward for fear of
retaliation.” Carter argues that this comment allowed the jury to infer that he had
had a hand in preventing other witnesses from testifying. But, when viewed in
context, it is apparent that defense counsel made this statement to argue that Carter
had been harmed when other witnesses would not testify because they were afraid of
the unknown assailant. Immediately preceding this comment, defense counsel
stated, “What makes sense? Reason and common sense is that Mr. Carter is caught
off guard like everyone else.” Defense counsel’s statement was reasonable, and it did
not prejudice Carter.
{¶30} Having found that Carter did not receive ineffective assistance from
his trial counsel, we overrule the second assignment of error.
Sufficiency and Weight
{¶31} In his third assignment of error, Carter contends that his robbery
conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence and was against the manifest
weight of the evidence.
{¶32} When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, this court is not
permitted to weigh the evidence. Rather, we must view all evidence and reasonable
inferences in the light most favorable to the prosecution to determine whether a
rational trier of fact could have found the elements of the offense proven beyond a
reasonable doubt. State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st
Dist.1983). In contrast, when reviewing the manifest weight of the evidence, we
must review the entire record, weigh the evidence, and consider the credibility of the
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
witnesses to determine whether the trier of fact lost its way and committed such a
manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed. State v.
Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997).
{¶33} Carter was found guilty of robbery under R.C. 2911.02(A)(2). This
statute provides that “[n]o person, in attempting or committing a theft offense or in
fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, shall * * * [i]nflict, attempt to inflict,
or threaten to inflict physical harm on another.” When viewed in the light most
favorable to the prosecution, the evidence presented at trial established that Carter
robbed Ford of drugs and money at gunpoint, shot at him, and fled in Ford’s car.
The jury, which was in the best position to view and judge the credibility of the
witnesses, was entitled to believe Ford’s testimony identifying Carter and to reject
the statement that Carter had given to Officer Perry denying participation in the
crimes. See State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212 (1967), paragraph
one of the syllabus.
{¶34} We find that Carter’s conviction for robbery was supported by both the
sufficiency and the weight of the evidence. A rational trier of fact could have found
the elements of robbery were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Further, a review
of the entire record establishes that the jury did not lose its way in finding Carter
guilty. The third assignment of error is overruled.
Motion for an Acquittal
{¶35} In his fourth assignment of error, Carter argues that the trial court
erred in failing to grant his Crim.R. 29 motion for an acquittal. When reviewing the
trial court’s denial of a motion for an acquittal, we employ the same standard of
review used to review the sufficiency of the evidence. State v. Brumbach, 1st Dist.
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Hamilton No. C-100792, 2011-Ohio-6635, ¶ 14. Carter contends that the trial court
erred in denying his motion for an acquittal because the jury had returned
inconsistent verdicts. He specifically argues that the jury’s verdict finding him guilty
of one count of robbery was inconsistent with the jury being unable to reach a verdict
on the remaining charges. Carter’s argument is without merit.
{¶36} This court has held that “[t]he several counts of an indictment
containing more than one count are not interdependent and an inconsistency in a
verdict does not arise out of inconsistent responses to different counts, but only
arises out of inconsistent responses to the same count.” State v. Gonzalez, 154 Ohio
App.3d 9, 2003-Ohio-4421, 796 N.E.2d 12, ¶ 106 (1st Dist.), quoting State v. Lovejoy,
79 Ohio St.3d 440, 683 N.E.2d 1112 (1997), paragraph one of the syllabus. The jury
found Carter guilty of robbery, and that finding was not inconsistent with the jury’s
failure to reach a verdict on the remaining charges. Once a verdict is reached, a
reviewing court should accord deference to the jury’s decision and not speculate
about how that decision was reached. Id.{¶37} We hold that the trial court did not err in denying Carter’s motion for
an acquittal. The fourth assignment of error is overruled.
Sentencing
{¶38} In his fifth assignment of error, Carter argues that the trial court erred
by imposing an improper sentence.
{¶39} Under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), we may only vacate or modify a
defendant’s sentence if we clearly and convincingly find that the record does not
support any mandatory sentencing findings or that the sentence imposed is
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otherwise contrary to law. State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002,
59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 1; State v. White, 2013-Ohio-4225, 997 N.E.2d 629, ¶ 11 (1st Dist.).
{¶40} Carter first argues that the trial court failed to consider the principles
and purposes of sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. The trial court is not
required to make specific findings on the record with respect to these statutes, and,
unless the defendant affirmatively demonstrates otherwise, we may presume that the
trial court considered them. State v. McGee, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-150496, 2016-
Ohio-7510, ¶ 33. Here, the trial court stated on the record the various factors that it
had considered before deciding to impose a sentence of incarceration.
{¶41} Carter further argues that the trial court failed to notify him, pursuant
to R.C. 2901.07(B), of the requirement that he submit a DNA specimen and of the
consequences for failing to do so. This court has consistently held that the purpose
of R.C. 2901.07(B) is to facilitate the DNA testing of felony offenders, and that the
statute does not confer any substantive rights on a defendant. State v. Taylor, 1st
Dist. Hamilton No. C-150488, 2016-Ohio-4548, ¶ 6. The trial court’s failure to notify
Carter that he must submit to DNA testing was harmless error and did not prejudice
him. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not impose an improper sentence,
and we overrule the fifth assignment of error.
{¶42} But we have found a clerical error in the trial court’s judgment entry
that requires correction. While the entry only imposes a sentence of incarceration
for count two of robbery, it incorrectly states that Carter had been found guilty, after
a trial by jury, of all eight counts. We affirm the trial court’s judgment on count two,
but remand with instructions for the trial court to correct the judgment entry to
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reflect that Carter had been found guilty only of robbery in count two, and that the
jury had been unable to reach a verdict on the remaining charges.
Judgment accordingly.
MOCK, P.J., and ZAYAS, J., concur.
Please note:
The court has recorded its own entry on the date of the release of this opinion.
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