State v. Robinson , 2019 Ohio 2943 ( 2019 )

[Cite as State v. Robinson, 2019-Ohio-2943.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee : Appellate Case No. 28103
:
v. : Trial Court Case No. 2016-CR-2654
:
KENDRICK ROBINSON : (Criminal Appeal from
: Common Pleas Court)
Defendant-Appellant :
:
...........
OPINION
Rendered on the 19th day of July, 2019.
...........
MATHIAS H. HECK, JR., by SARAH E. HUTNIK, Atty. Reg. No. 0095900, Montgomery
County Prosecutor’s Office, Appellate Division, Montgomery County Courts Building, 301
West Third Street, 5th Floor, Dayton, Ohio 45422
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
CHARLES W. SLICER III, Atty. Reg. No. 0059927, 426 Patterson Road, Kettering, Ohio
45419
Attorney for Defendant-Appellant
.............
WELBAUM, P.J.
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{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Kendrick Robinson, appeals from his conviction in the
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas after a jury found him guilty of two counts
of felonious assault. In support of his appeal, Robinson contends that the trial court erred
in allowing hearsay testimony under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule.
Robinson also contends that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to
object to various matters during his trial and by failing to disclose certain evidence to the
State. Robinson further contends that his conviction for both counts of felonious assault
was not supported by sufficient evidence. For the reasons outlined below, Robinson’s
conviction will be affirmed.
Facts and Course of Proceedings
{¶ 2} On September 1, 2016, Robinson was indicted for two counts of kidnapping
in violation of R.C. 2905.01(A)(3) and (A)(4), one count of rape in violation of R.C.
2907.02(A)(2), two counts of felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) and
(A)(2), and one count of aggravated menacing in violation of R.C. 2903.21(A). Except
for aggravated menacing, each of the charges included a repeat violent offender
specification.
{¶ 3} Robinson’s charges stemmed from a physical altercation with his girlfriend,
L.D. It was alleged that on the night of August 21, 2016, Robinson tied up L.D., severely
beat her, raped her with a hammer, poked her body with a knife, poured bleach in her
mouth, and burnt her with lit cigarettes. It was also alleged that Robinson threatened the
mother of his children, E.C., by telling her that he would cut her throat, their children’s
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throats, and her mother’s throat if she did not stay out of the bedroom where he was
assaulting L.D. Robinson pled not guilty to the charges and the matter proceeded to a
jury trial.
{¶ 4} During trial, L.D. testified that she was living at Daybreak, a Dayton youth
homeless shelter, at the time the altercation with Robinson took place. Testimony
provided by L.D., Robinson, and Officer Byron Branch of the Dayton Police Department
indicated that an earlier altercation broke out in the Daybreak parking lot while Robinson
was there to pick up L.D. During this altercation, several Daybreak residents began
harassing Robinson and throwing items at his car. Officer Branch testified that he arrived
at the scene and made contact with Robinson, who he later learned was the victim.
Branch testified that he documented the event and thereafter permitted Robinson and
L.D. to leave the scene together. Branch testified that his interactions at Daybreak were
captured by his cruiser camera.
{¶ 5} A second Dayton police officer, Robert Christoffers, also responded to the
scene at Daybreak. Officer Christoffers testified that he investigated the matter and
spoke to the Daybreak security guard. According to Christoffers, the security guard
advised him that Robinson had been set up to be “jumped” by the Daybreak residents.
Robinson also testified at trial and indicated that the security guard had advised him that
L.D. was the one who set him up.
{¶ 6} Approximately four hours after the incident at Daybreak, Officer Branch and
Officer William Overholtz responded to a residence on Warner Avenue on an assault call.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they discovered L.D. lying in a bedroom severely
beaten. Officer Overholtz testified that L.D.’s face was black and blue and extremely
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swollen. Overholtz also observed bruises, cuts, and red marks everywhere on L.D.’s
body. Overholtz testified that L.D. was scared and crying when he approached her at
the residence. Overholtz claimed that L.D.’s lips were quivering and that she was so
upset she could barely speak. The only thing L.D. was able to tell Overholtz at the
residence was “my boyfriend did it, my boyfriend did it.” Trans. p. 244. Overholtz
testified that he was unable to get any other information from L.D. until he met with her at
the hospital approximately one and a half hours later.
{¶ 7} Continuing, Overholtz testified that when he arrived at the hospital, L.D. was
still upset and crying. Although Overholtz testified that he was eventually able to calm
L.D. down enough to speak with her, he testified that L.D. began crying and quivering
again as they discussed the altercation with Robinson. Over defense counsel’s
objection, the trial court permitted the State to elicit hearsay testimony from Overholtz as
to what L.D. told him had happened during the altercation. The testimony was permitted
under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule in Evid.R. 803(2).
{¶ 8} Thereafter, Overholtz testified that L.D. said Robinson stuck the handle of a
hammer in her anal cavity and vagina. Overholtz also testified that L.D. said Robinson
“hog-tied” her and then picked her up and threw her on the ground while she was
defenseless. Overholtz also recalled L.D. telling him that Robinson had tied a towel in
her mouth with wire and then poured bleach on the towel and into her mouth. Overholtz
further testified that L.D. said Robinson burnt her ears with lit cigarettes, poured beer on
her face, and punched and kicked her. Overholtz next testified that L.D. said Robinson
used a knife to poke her vagina and nose and told her to sit on the knife while he was
holding it up to his groin. Overholtz also recalled L.D. telling him that Robinson walked
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her over to a mirror and told her to tell herself that she looked beautiful.
{¶ 9} Despite being severely beaten by Robinson, L.D. professed her continuing
love for Robinson at trial and was declared a hostile witness by the State. L.D. testified
that Robinson never raped her and also denied Robinson ever poured bleach into her
mouth or burned her with cigarettes. L.D. did, however, testify that Robinson hit her
repeatedly on the face and all over her body. L.D. also testified that Robinson stuck a
rag in her mouth and used electronic cords to tie her wrists and ankles.
{¶ 10} In addition, L.D. testified that Robinson beat her and threw her to the ground
while she was restrained. L.D. further recalled Robinson stomping on her face with his
foot, choking her with his hands, and pouring beer on her face. L.D. also testified that
Robinson touched parts of her body with a knife and made her stand in front of a mirror
and tell herself that she looked pretty. L.D. claimed that the physical altercation with
Robinson continued on and off for a period of two hours.
{¶ 11} In his defense, Robinson admitted to smacking and punching L.D. in the
face, but claimed that he was acting in self-defense. Robinson testified that just prior to
the altercation, he and L.D. had engaged in consensual sexual activity during which
Robinson tied L.D. up with electrical cords and inserted a hammer into her anal cavity.
Although L.D. denied ever having drugs, Robinson testified that the physical altercation
started after L.D. became mad at him for flushing her drugs down the toilet. After he
flushed L.D.’s drugs down the toilet, Robinson claimed that L.D. angrily jumped on him
and hit him multiple times. To defend himself, Robinson testified that he threw L.D. on
the bed, smacked her, and punched her twice in the face. In doing so, Robinson
admitted to using “a little unnecessary force.” Trans. p. 502.
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{¶ 12} Robinson also testified that he never threatened the mother of his children,
E.C, who lived with him on Warner Avenue. E.C., however, testified that when she came
home from work on the night in question, Robinson grabbed her face, told her that L.D.
tried to get him jumped, and threatened to cut her throat, their children’s throats, and her
mother’s throat if she went into the bedroom where he was assaulting L.D.
{¶ 13} To contradict Robinson’s claim that he was acting in self-defense, the State
presented a recording of a jail-house telephone call between Robinson and E.C. wherein
Robinson explained why he beat L.D. During this call, Robinson can be heard telling
E.C. that he became so angry about L.D. setting him up to be jumped, that he wanted to
let L.D. know what it was like to get jumped. On another jail-house call with L.D.,
Robinson can also be heard telling L.D. not to cooperate with the State and instructing
L.D. not to appear at the grand jury proceedings.
{¶ 14} Following deliberations, the jury found Robinson guilty of both felonious
assault charges. However, the jury found Robinson not guilty of aggravated menacing
and was unable to reach a verdict on the charges of kidnapping and rape. Because the
jury could not reach a verdict on those charges, the trial court declared a mistrial as to the
kidnapping and rape charges. The trial court then sentenced Robinson to serve eight
years in prison for each count of felonious assault and ten years in prison for the repeat
violent offender specification. The trial court ordered the sentences to be served
consecutively for a total prison term of 26 years.
{¶ 15} Robinson now appeals from his conviction, raising three assignments of
error for review. For ease of discussion, we will address Robinson’s assignments of
error out of order.
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Second Assignment of Error
{¶ 16} Under his second assignment of error, Robinson contends that the trial
court erred in allowing hearsay testimony under the excited utterance exception in Evid.R.
803(2). Specifically, Robinson claims that the trial court should have prohibited Officer
Overholtz from testifying to statements made by L.D. at the hospital describing the beating
she received from Robinson. According to Robinson, the only statement that qualified
as an excited utterance was L.D. blurting out “my boyfriend did it, my boyfriend did it”
when Overholtz first approached her at the scene. Robinson contends that the excited
utterance exception should not have applied to the subsequent statements L.D. made to
Overholtz at the hospital. We disagree.
{¶ 17} “ ‘Hearsay’ is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while
testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter
asserted.” Evid.R. 801(C). Hearsay statements are generally inadmissible. Evid.R.
802. However, Evid.R. 803 sets forth certain exceptions allowing for the admission of
hearsay. One of those exceptions is an “excited utterance.” Evid.R. 803(2).
{¶ 18} An “excited utterance” is defined as “[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.” Id. “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.
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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.
{¶ 19} “The [excited utterance] exception derives its guaranty of trustworthiness
from the fact the declarant is under such a state of emotional shock that his reflective
processes have been stilled. Therefore, statements made under these circumstances
are not likely to be fabricated.” (Citation omitted.) State v. Harr, 158 Ohio App. 3d 704,
2004-Ohio-5771, 821 N.E.2d 1058, ¶ 121 (2d Dist.).
{¶ 20} While the passage of time between the statement and the startling event is
relevant to determining whether the statement is an exited utterance, it is not dispositive
of the issue. State v. Hopkins, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27131, 2018-Ohio-1864, ¶ 37,
citing Taylor at 303. “An excited utterance need not be strictly contemporaneous with
the startling event.” Id., citing State v. Duncan, 53 Ohio St. 2d 215, 220, 373 N.E.2d 1234
(1978). “Even when the statement is made after a substantial lapse of time, it may be
admitted under the excited-utterance exception.” In re S.H.W., 2d Dist. Greene No.
D44918, 2016-Ohio-841, ¶ 23, citing Taylor at 303-304. See, e.g., State v. Wallace, 37
Ohio St. 3d 87, 90-91, 524 N.E.2d 466 (1988) (affirming admission of statements as an
excited utterance even though there was a 15-hour interval between the startling
occurrence and the utterance).
{¶ 21} In order to be admissible under the excited utterance exception, “the
statement must be made while the declarant is still under stress from the event.” Hopkins
at ¶ 37, citing State v. Ducey, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 03AP-944, 2004-Ohio-3833, ¶ 22.
When determining whether the declarant was still under stress from the event, “each case
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must be decided on its own circumstances[.]” Duncan at 219. “ ‘Relevant factors in
ascertaining whether the declarant was in a sufficient state of excitement or stress include
outward indicia of [the declarant’s] emotional state such as tone of voice, accompanying
actions, and general demeanor.’ ” Ducey at ¶ 22, quoting Osborne v. Kroger Co., 10th
Dist. Franklin No. 02AP-1422, 2003-Ohio-4368, ¶ 46.
{¶ 22} “We review a trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of an alleged excited
utterance for an abuse of discretion.” Abner, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 20661, 2006-
Ohio-4510, at ¶ 70, citing State v. Helney, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 20789, 2005-Ohio-
6142, ¶ 22. “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. “It is to be expected that most
instances of abuse of discretion will result in decisions that are simply unreasonable,
rather than decisions that are unconscionable or arbitrary.” AAAA Ents., Inc. v. River
Place Community Urban Redevelopment Corp., 50 Ohio St. 3d 157, 161, 553 N.E.2d 597
(1990). Therefore, this court may not disturb the trial court’s decision to admit hearsay
testimony under the excited utterance exception if the decision was reasonable. Abner
at ¶ 70.
{¶ 23} As previously noted, Robinson contends that the trial court erred in applying
the excited utterance exception to Officer Overholtz’s testimony discussing the
statements L.D. made to him at the hospital. Overholtz testified that he spoke with L.D.
at the hospital approximately one and half hours after he first approached her at the
scene. Despite this lapse of time, Overholtz testified that he “could definitely tell that
[L.D.] was still upset about the whole incident.” Trans. p. 254. Specifically, Overholtz
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testified that L.D. was crying, shaking, and her lips were quivering. Id. Overholtz also
testified that L.D. appeared aggravated and scared. Id. at 254-255.
{¶ 24} Although Overholtz testified that L.D. was calm at the beginning of his
interview with her, Overholtz claimed that L.D. became upset again as he questioned her
about the incident with Robinson. During this time, Overholtz testified that L.D.
continued to cry and quiver while they were discussing the incident. Based on this
testimony, the trial court found that L.D. became re-excited by the incident with Robinson.
Given such re-excitement, the trial court held that, under the excited utterance hearsay
exception, Overholtz could testify to L.D.’s statements about the incident while she was
re-excited at the hospital. Upon review, we find that such a decision was reasonable and
not an abuse of discretion.
{¶ 25} Robinson, however, argues that the record does not establish that the
statements Overholtz testified to were made during the timeframe of L.D.’s re-excitement.
Specifically, Robinson contends that the necessary timeframe was not established when
the State simply asked Overholtz if there was “[a]nything else that you recall [L.D.] telling
you?” Id. at 264. According to Robinson, that question was not confined to the period
of L.D.’s re-excitement. We disagree.
{¶ 26} Before the trial court permitted Overholtz to testify about L.D.’s statements
at the hospital, the trial court specifically instructed the State to develop a timeframe for
the period of L.D.’s re-excitement. In following the trial court’s instruction, the State
asked Overholtz: “When you’re at the hospital with [L.D.] and you’re trying to speak with
her about what happened, were there times when her demeanor became excited?”
Trans. p. 262. Overholtz responded in the affirmative and the State thereafter asked:
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“[C]ould you tell us what [L.D.] said to you during those times?” Id.
{¶ 27} When responding to the State’s question, Overholtz testified that L.D. told
him Robinson stuck the handle of a hammer in her anal cavity and vagina. Then, as a
follow-up question, the State asked Overholtz “what else do you recall [L.D.] saying?” Id.
In response, Overholtz testified that L.D. told him Robinson hog-tied her and took her to
a mirror and told her to tell herself that she looked beautiful.
{¶ 28} After clarifying what the term “hog-tied” meant, the State followed-up again
and asked Overholtz if there was “[a]nything else that you recall [L.D.] telling you?” Id.
at 264. Overholtz again responded affirmatively and testified that L.D. told him Robinson
tied a towel in her mouth and poured bleach in her mouth. Overholtz also testified that
L.D. told him Robinson burnt her ears with lit cigarettes, beat her, punched her in the face,
threw her down while she was hog-tied, and kicked her in the face.
{¶ 29} Following that testimony, the State followed-up again and asked if there was
“anything else you recall [L.D.] telling you?” Id. at 264. Overholtz then testified: “I
remember her saying that [Robinson] walked over to a chair, used a knife, held the knife
up next to his groins [sic] and said come sit on it. Also, poked her in the vagina with the
knife; also in the nose, poked her in the nose with the knife; poured beer all over her face.
That’s what I remember at this point.” Id. at 264-265.
{¶ 30} When considering the context of the record as a whole, we find that each of
the State’s follow-up questions related back to the initial question: “[C]ould you tell us
what [L.D.] said to you during those times [of excitement]?” Id. at 262. We also note
that Robinson did not object to the follow-up questions or to Overholtz’s responses and
therefore waived all but plain error for appeal. State v. Jones, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2018-
-12-
CA-63, 2019-Ohio-303, ¶ 18, citing State v. Awan, 22 Ohio St. 3d 120, 122, 489 N.E.2d
277 (1986).
{¶ 31} “In order to constitute plain error, the error must be an obvious defect in the
trial proceedings, and the error must have affected substantial rights.” (Citations
omitted.) State v. Norris, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 26147, 2015-Ohio-624, ¶ 22. “Plain
error should be noticed ‘with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and
only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.’ ” State v. Singleton, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 26889, 2016-Ohio-5443, ¶ 45, quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St. 2d 91,
372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶ 32} Here, after reviewing the record, we do not find any error, let alone plain
error, in applying the excited utterance hearsay exception to the testimony elicited from
the State’s follow-up questions. As previously noted, when considering the context of
the record as a whole, the follow-up questions related back to the State’s initial question
asking Overholtz what L.D. said about the incident while she was in a re-excited state at
the hospital. Under these circumstances, we find no merit to Robinson’s claim that the
excited utterance exception should not have applied to the testimony at issue.
{¶ 33} Even if it had been erroneous for the trial court to permit Overholtz to answer
the State’s follow-up questions, we find that Robinson suffered no resulting prejudice.
This is because, other than the testimony about the bleach and cigarettes, L.D. gave
substantially similar testimony about the incident at trial. Therefore, this case does not
present a manifest miscarriage of justice warranting the reversal of Robinson’s conviction.
{¶ 34} Robinson’s second assignment of error is overruled.
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First Assignment of Error
{¶ 35} Under his first assignment of error, Robinson contends that his trial counsel
provided ineffective assistance by failing to object to various matters during his trial and
by failing to disclose certain evidence to the State. We again disagree.
{¶ 36} In order to succeed on an ineffective assistance claim, a defendant must
establish: (1) his trial counsel’s performance was deficient; and (2) the deficient
performance prejudiced him. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052,
80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984), paragraph two of the syllabus; State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St. 3d
136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989), paragraph two of the syllabus. To establish deficient
performance, a defendant must show that his trial counsel’s performance fell below an
objective standard of reasonable representation. Strickland at 688; Bradley at 142. 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
assistance.” Strickland at 689.
{¶ 37} 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. The failure to make a showing
of either deficient performance or prejudice defeats a claim of ineffective assistance of
counsel. Strickland at 697.
{¶ 38} In claiming that he received ineffective assistance of counsel, Robinson first
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contends that his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object when the State asked
Officer Branch about the cruiser camera video footage that was taken during the incident
at Daybreak. The question at issue was asked after Branch testified that the video
footage was disclosed to the parties. To confirm Branch’s testimony that the video
footage was disclosed, the State asked: “Because we actually were at a different hearing
where you were asked questions about the video right?” Trans. p. 225. Robinson
claims his trial counsel should have objected to this question because it referenced
hearsay and “may have [led] the jury to believe there were hearings outside the realm of
what was being presented.” We find no merit to Robinson’s claim.
{¶ 39} As previously noted, “ ‘[h]earsay’ is a statement, other than one made by
the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth
of the matter asserted.” Evid.R. 801(C). Here, the record indicates that the question at
issue did not elicit any out of court statements nor was it asked to prove the truth of the
matter asserted, i.e., that other hearings had taken place. Rather, the purpose of the
question was to confirm the fact that the video footage had been disclosed to the parties.
As a result, the question did not elicit any hearsay statements from Officer Branch. It is
also unclear how objecting to the question would have affected the outcome of trial, as
we fail to see how the jury’s awareness of a prior hearing has any bearing on the jury’s
verdict. Therefore, Robinson has failed to establish both deficient performance and
prejudice.
{¶ 40} Robinson next contends that his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to
continually object to the hearsay testimony of Officer Overholtz. As previously noted, the
trial court permitted Overholtz to testify regarding the statements L.D. made to him at the
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hospital under the excited utterance hearsay exception. Although Robinson’s trial
counsel objected to Overholtz’s hearsay testimony multiple times, counsel did not object
while Overholtz was responding to the follow-up questions discussed under Robinson’s
second assignment of error. Robinson claims that his trial counsel should have objected
to Overholtz’s responses to the follow-up questions because an appropriate timeframe of
excitement was not established for purposes of applying the excited utterance exception.
However, as previously discussed, the context of the record as a whole indicates that the
appropriate timeframe was established. The failure to object also did not result in any
prejudice to Robinson since L.D.’s testimony describing the incident was substantially
similar to Overholtz’s hearsay testimony. Therefore, under these circumstances,
Robinson has once again failed to establish both deficient performance and prejudice.
{¶ 41} Robinson also contends that his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to
object when Officer Overholtz explained his understanding of the phrase “hog-tied” after
testifying that L.D. told him Robinson “picked her up after being hog-tied.” Trans. p. 263.
Overholtz testified that he understood the term “hog-tied” to mean “when your legs and
your hands are tied together behind your back where you can’t move your limbs.” Id.
Robinson contends that Overholtz’s subjective interpretation of “hog-tied” was improper
because it was not what the victim relayed to him. We again find no merit to Robinson’s
claim.
{¶ 42} Because no previous testimony had yet been given on how L.D. was
restrained, we find that Overholtz’s explanation of “hog-tied” was an admissible
clarification. We note that Overholtz did not specifically testify that L.D. was tied up in
the manner he described, but simply explained what he understood the term “hog-tied” to
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mean. Regardless, L.D. later testified as to how she was restrained, noting that
Robinson tied her wrists and ankles during the altercation. Therefore, even if Overholtz’s
testimony had been improper, no prejudice resulted from trial counsel’s failure to object
since L.D. later testified as to how she was restrained.
{¶ 43} For his last ineffective assistance claim, Robinson contends that his trial
counsel was ineffective in failing to disclose certain evidence to the State, which resulted
in the evidence being inadmissible. The evidence at issue was three correspondences
that L.D. sent to Robinson while Robinson was in jail awaiting trial. For purposes of the
record, the correspondences were marked as Defendant’s Exhibits A, B, and C. Exhibit
A was a Christmas card containing no relevant information. Exhibit B was a September
2016 letter wherein L.D. wrote: “I’m so sorry Kendrick!!! My lies are f**ked up[.]” Exhibit
C was a January 2017 letter wherein L.D. wrote: “I want to know how you truly feel about
Shannon & that baby…but I will never know…I truly wish her & that baby wasn’t here...if
you know what I mean * * * I would really kill her if I had the chance[.]”
{¶ 44} A review of the record reveals that the parties agreed the content of Exhibit
A was irrelevant to the case. As for Exhibit B, Robinson’s counsel advised the trial court
that he had intended on using the exhibit as a prior inconsistent statement, but conceded
that the exhibit lost its material value when L.D. testified to lying about Robinson raping
her. Although Robinson’s trial counsel attempted to admit Exhibit C for purposes of
showing that L.D. had violent tendencies, the trial court excluded it from evidence
because it contained inadmissible hearsay. Therefore, Robinson’s claim that these
exhibits were not admitted into evidence because of his trial counsel’s failure to disclose
them is not supported by the record. Robinson’s ineffective assistance claim asserting
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otherwise lacks merit.
{¶ 45} Having found no merit to any of Robinson’s ineffective assistance claims,
his first assignment of error is overruled.
Third Assignment of Error
{¶ 46} Under his third assignment of error, Robinson contends that the State
presented insufficient evidence to support his conviction for two counts of felonious
assault under R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) and (A)(2). We disagree.
{¶ 47} “A sufficiency of the evidence argument disputes whether the State has
presented adequate evidence on each element of the offense to allow the case to go to
the jury or sustain the verdict as a matter of law.” State v. Wilson, 2d Dist. Montgomery
No. 22581, 2009-Ohio-525, ¶ 10, citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 678
N.E.2d 541 (1997). “When reviewing a claim as to sufficiency of evidence, the relevant
inquiry is whether any rational factfinder viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to
the state could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a
reasonable doubt.” (Citations omitted.) State v. Dennis, 79 Ohio St. 3d 421, 430, 683
N.E.2d 1096 (1997). “The verdict will not be disturbed unless the appellate court finds
that reasonable minds could not reach the conclusion reached by the trier-of-fact.”
(Citations omitted.) Id.
{¶ 48} As previously noted, Robinson was convicted for two counts of felonious
assault, one count under R.C. 2903.11(A)(1), and the other count under R.C.
2903.11(A)(2). Under section (A)(1) of the statute, a person commits felonious assault
when he or she “knowingly * * * [c]ause[s] serious physical harm to another[.]” R.C.
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2903.11(A)(1). On the other hand, under section (A)(2) of the statute, a person commits
felonious assault when he or she “knowingly * * * [c]ause[s] or attempt[s] to cause physical
harm to another * * * by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance.” R.C.
2903.11(A)(2).
{¶ 49} “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.” R.C. 2901.22(B). “ ‘Additionally, a defendant acts
knowingly, when, although not intending the result, he or she is nevertheless aware that
the result will probably occur.’ ” State v. Mpanurwa, 2017-Ohio-8911, 102 N.E.3d 66, ¶
11 (2d Dist.), quoting State v. Anderson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 10AP-302, 2010-Ohio-
5561, ¶ 13. (Other citation omitted.) “Thus, ‘felonious assault under R.C. 2903.11(A),
combined with the definition of “knowingly” found in R.C. 2901.22(B), does not require
that a defendant intend to cause “serious physical harm,” but that the defendant acts with
an awareness that the conduct probably will cause such harm.’ ” Id., quoting Anderson
at ¶ 13; State v. Gray, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 26139, 2016-Ohio-1419, ¶ 41.
R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) - Serious Physical Harm
{¶ 50} The definition of “serious physical harm” includes “[a]ny physical harm that
involves * * * some temporary, substantial incapacity; * * * some temporary, serious
disfigurement; * * * [or] acute pain of such duration as to result in substantial suffering or
that involves any degree of prolong or intractable pain.” R.C. 2901.01(A)(5)(c)-(e).
“ ‘The degree of harm that rises to the level of “serious” physical harm is not an exact
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science, particularly when the definition includes such terms as “substantial,” “temporary,”
“acute,” and “prolonged.” ’ ” State v. Bootes, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 23712, 2011-
Ohio-874, ¶ 19, quoting State v. Irwin, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 06 MA 20, 2007-Ohio-
4996, ¶ 37.
{¶ 51} “Under certain circumstances, a bruise can constitute serious physical harm
because a bruise may satisfy the statutory requirement for temporary serious
disfigurement.” Id., citing State v. Worrell, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 04AP-410, 2005-Ohio-
1521, ¶ 47-51, rev’d on other grounds, In re Ohio Criminal Sentencing Statutes Cases,
109 Ohio St. 3d 313, 2006-Ohio-2109, 847 N.E.2d 1174. Photographic evidence of
severe swelling and bruising in and around the victim’s eye has been held sufficient to
constitute temporary serious disfigurement for purposes of establishing serious physical
harm. State v. Simmons, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 96208, 2011-Ohio-6074, ¶ 38, citing
State v. Plemmons-Greene, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92267, 2010-Ohio-655, ¶ 29
(photograph of black eye, swelling, and bruising, in conjunction with testimony, sufficient
for a finding of “serious physical harm”).
{¶ 52} In this case, when Robinson testified at trial, he admitted to having a
physical altercation with L.D. and to punching L.D. in the face. L.D. testified that
Robinson hit her multiple times in the face and all over her body. L.D. also testified that
Robinson used electronic cords to tie her wrists and ankles. L.D. further claimed that
Robinson picked her up and threw her down on the ground while she was restrained.
L.D. also recalled Robinson stomping on her face with his foot and choking her with his
hands.
{¶ 53} The emergency room physician who examined L.D. after the altercation
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testified that L.D. had no broken bones, but that she had swelling and bruises to both
eyes, hematomas on her scalp, chemical burns around her lips, and tenderness to her
face, abdomen, and back. The physician also testified that L.D. had ligature marks
around her ankles and wrists and diffuse bruising on all of her extremities and her chest
wall. The physician further noted that L.D. did not want to talk because she was in so
much pain and that L.D. was admitted to the hospital because of her injuries. The
evidence establishes that L.D. remained at the hospital for over 24 hours.
{¶ 54} In addition, the sexual assault nurse examiner (“SANE nurse”) who
examined L.D. testified that L.D. had “extensive facial trauma.” Trans. p. 370. The
SANE nurse also testified that L.D. could barely open her right eye and that she was in a
lot of pain. The SANE nurse further testified that L.D. had multiple injuries to her arms,
hands, hips, chest, and neck. When conducting an anal exam, the SANE nurse
discovered redness around the entire circumference of L.D.’s anal opening. The nurse
testified that the redness was indicative of trauma.
{¶ 55} Photographs of L.D.’s injuries taken on the night of the altercation depicted
severe bruising to L.D.’s right eye, which was swollen shut. The photographs also
showed slightly less severe bruising and swelling to L.D.’s left eye. Officer Overholtz
testified that L.D. was unable to provide a written statement because of her eyes being
swollen. The photographs also establish that L.D. had swollen, bloodied lips and severe
bruising and red marks all over her body. Additional photographs taken by an
investigating detective on the afternoon of August 23, 2016, showed that L.D.’s face and
body were still severely bruised over 24 hours after the incident.
{¶ 56} The aforementioned testimony and evidence sufficiently demonstrate that
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L.D. suffered temporary, serious disfigurement as a result of Robinson assaulting her.
Therefore, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to find that Robinson
knowingly caused L.D. serious physical harm in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1).
R.C. 2903.11(A)(2) - Physical Harm with a Deadly Weapon
{¶ 57} The definition of “physical harm” is “any injury, illness, or other physiological
impairment, regardless of its gravity or duration.” R.C. 2901.01(A)(3). “ ‘[A]n “attempt”
to cause physical harm with a deadly weapon is sufficient to constitute felonious assault
under R.C. 2903.11(A)(2).’ ” State v. Smith, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 06CA7, 2007-Ohio-
502, ¶ 42, quoting State v. Standberry, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 69079, 1996 WL 65875,
*3 (Feb. 15, 1996). (Other citations omitted.) Therefore, “actual physical harm is not a
necessary element of felonious assault.” Id., citing R.C. 2903.11(A)(2).
{¶ 58} The definition of “deadly weapon” is “any instrument, device, or thing
capable of inflicting death, and designed or specially adapted for use as a weapon, or
possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.” R.C. 2923.11(A). As we noted in State v.
Berry, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 21037, 2006-Ohio-833:
“The definition of deadly weapon in R.C. § 2923.11(A) imposes two
requirements of proof. First, the article must be capable of inflicting death.
Second, the article must either (1) have been designed or specially adapted
for use as a weapon or (2) possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.
Either alternative branch of the second requirement can be employed to
prove the proposition. When use is a factor, the manner of its use and the
nature of the instrument itself determines its capacity to inflict death.”
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Id. at ¶ 10, quoting State v. Schooler, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19627, 2003-Ohio-6248,
¶ 21.
{¶ 59} In Berry, we held that a jury could have found that the defendant used a
five-inch-blade knife as a deadly weapon where there was evidence establishing that the
defendant had “opened the blade and slashed, poked, or lunged at the [the victim] with
it.” Id. at ¶ 11. In so holding, we noted that “the jury reasonably could have found that
[the defendant] attempted to cause physical harm with the knife[.]” Id. at ¶ 12.
{¶ 60} In this case, L.D. testified that Robinson pulled out a knife and touched parts
of her body with the knife. Under the excited utterance hearsay exception, Officer
Overholtz testified that L.D. told him Robinson used the knife to poke her vagina and nose
and that Robinson told L.D. to sit on the knife while he was holding it up to his groin.
Photographs of the bedroom where the assault occurred also show a knife lying on a
nightstand. See State’s Exhibit Nos. 13, 63, and 64. The photographs also depict a
box of knives underneath the nightstand. See State’s Exhibit Nos. 61 and 62. Although
the blade of the knife shown lying on the nightstand appears smaller than the knife
described in Berry, reasonable minds could nevertheless conclude that the knife was
capable of inflicting death and that it was used as a weapon by Robinson. Therefore,
when considering the evidence in a light most favorable to the State, we conclude that
there was sufficient evidence for the jury to find that Robinson knowingly attempted to
cause physical harm to L.D. with a deadly weapon in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2).
{¶ 61} Robinson’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Conclusion
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{¶ 62} Having overruled all three assignments of error raised by Robinson, the
judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
.............
FROELICH, J. and TUCKER, J., concur.
Copies sent to:
Mathias H. Heck, Jr.
Sarah E. Hutnik
Charles W. Slicer III
Hon. Gregory F. Singer