State v. Hess , 2014 Ohio 3193 ( 2014 )

[Cite as State v. Hess, 2014-Ohio-3193.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
Case No. 13CA15
v. :
DECISION AND
DANIEL R. HESS, : JUDGMENT ENTRY
Defendant-Appellant. : RELEASED 07/14/2014
APPEARANCES:
Angela Wilson Miller, Jupiter, Florida, for Appellant.
James E. Schneider, Washington County Prosecuting Attorney, and Alison L. Cauthorn,
Washington County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Marietta, Ohio, for Appellee.
Hoover, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Daniel R. Hess, appeals his conviction and sentence in the
Washington County Common Pleas Court. Following trial, a jury returned a verdict finding Hess
guilty of two counts of sexual battery. Thereafter, the trial court sentenced Hess to 54 months
imprisonment on each count, to be served consecutively for an aggregated prison sentence of 9
years. Hess was also classified as a Tier III sex offender, informed that that he would be placed
on post-release control for a period of 5 years, and ordered to pay court costs and restitution upon
his release from prison. For the following reasons, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
{¶ 2} Hess was indicted by a Washington County grand jury for two counts of sexual
battery, both felonies of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2907.03(A)(5). It was alleged that
Hess, and his girlfriend/co-defendant, Lacey Day, engaged in sexual conduct with his then
Washington App. No. 13CA15 2
fifteen year-old daughter, Kayla Hess. Hess originally pled not guilty to both counts at his
arraignment, and attorney Rolf Baumgartel was appointed as defense counsel. Thereafter,
attorney Baumgartel filed a Written Plea of Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity and Suggestion of
Incompetence on Hess’s behalf. The very next day the trial court held a hearing to address the
not guilty by reason of insanity (“NGRI”) plea and suggestion of incompetence.
{¶ 3} At the hearing and by subsequent entry, the trial court ordered the Forensic
Diagnostic Center of District Nine, Inc., to evaluate whether Hess was competent to stand trial
and to determine his mental condition at the time of the commission of the alleged offenses.
Sometime later a second hearing was held on the NGRI plea and suggestion of incompetence. At
the second hearing, the trial court read a portion of the evaluation report completed by the
Forensic Diagnostic Center. The evaluation report opined that Hess did not suffer from a mental
illness or mental defect. However, the report did state that Hess exhibited symptoms of Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder due to his previous military experience, and that Hess conveyed “odd
and unconventional” religious beliefs. Ultimately, the report opined that Hess was capable of
understanding the nature and objective of the proceedings against him and of assisting counsel in
his own defense.1 Defense counsel stipulated to the finding that Hess was competent to stand
trial, but did not withdraw the NGRI plea.
{¶ 4} Not long after it was determined that Hess was competent to stand trial, Hess
requested new trial counsel. Attorney Baumgartel was removed and attorney Jack Blakeslee was
appointed as new defense counsel.2
1
The report, or at least the portion read out loud by the trial court at the second hearing, did not opine as to Hess’s
sanity at the time of the alleged incidents. The record before us does not contain a copy of the report.
2
It also appears from a review of the record that the trial judge who presided over the competency hearings differs
from the judge who eventually presided over trial.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 3
{¶ 5} The case ultimately proceeded to jury trial. After the jury was sworn in, but before
opening statements, two jurors indicated to the trial court that they believed they knew the
victim, Kayla Hess. Both women, Juror Gentile and Juror Swick, were teachers at Warren High
School and believed that the victim may have been their student. The trial court questioned the
two jurors in chambers.
{¶ 6} The in chambers voir dire of the two jurors was recorded, but the audio recording is
apparently of poor quality. As a result, the transcript of the in chambers voir dire contains a few
“inaudibles.” Nonetheless, the transcript reveals that Juror Gentile confirmed that she knew the
alleged victim. In response to the trial court’s question of whether she could return a fair and
impartial verdict in the case, Juror Gentile confirmed that she could do so. Neither the State nor
defense counsel asked any questions of Juror Gentile during the in chambers voir dire. Juror
Gentile ultimately served on the jury.
{¶ 7} The transcript involving the in chamber voir dire questioning of Juror Swick
contains more “inaudibles” than the questioning of Juror Gentile. However, we can discern from
the transcript that Juror Swick, while initially expressing concerns that her appearance on the
jury might upset the victim, ultimately answered the court’s question of whether she could be fair
and impartial with an affirmative “yes.” Juror Swick did remain on the jury.
{¶ 8} At trial, the State called two witnesses: Kayla Hess, and Detective Mark Johnson of
the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
{¶ 9} Kayla Hess testified that she did not have a relationship with her father for most of
her life, but that she reconnected with him as well as his live-in girlfriend, Lacey Day, after she
had disagreements with her mother around Thanksgiving 2009. Kayla testified that she began
visiting Hess and Day at their home in December 2009.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 4
{¶ 10} Kayla stated that her relationship with Hess and Day turned sexual in December
2009 or January 2010.3 It was around this time that Kayla said that Hess often discussed “The
Power of Three” and the need of all three of them to engage in sexual intercourse to protect them
from evil forces. Kayla testified that Hess practiced a religion that encompassed “Wiccan” and
“Pagan” beliefs, and he often discussed spirits, powers, and magical things. According to Kayla,
both she and Day drank alcohol before having sex with each other and Hess. Kayla testified that
after the first sexual encounter, Hess stated that the three of them had done what God wanted
them to do.
{¶ 11} Kayla testified that a second sexual encounter occurred approximately two months
later. That time, Kayla testified that she was told that she had done something wrong in that she
had “shunned away.” Kayla was told that because she had a sexual relationship with her
boyfriend, a “dark person” or “demon”, she had destroyed the benefits of “The Power of Three.”
Kayla testified that she, Day, and Hess engaged in sex again to restore the protection. Kayla also
testified that there was a third sexual encounter sometime later, involving only her and Hess, in
which Hess cornered her in the bathroom and forcefully had sex with her.
{¶ 12} Finally, Kayla testified that at first, she was too scared of Hess to report the
incidents. However, she reported the incidents in March 20124, after she started to feel physically
ill about the incidents. She also testified that she agreed to wear a body wire when visiting Hess
and Day, to assist in the law enforcement investigation. Approximately 57 minutes of the taped
conversation, acquired by the body wire, was played for the jury. The conversation involved a
wide range of topics, including discussions about “The Power of Three,” relationship advice,
bringing other people in, stopping people’s hearts, demons, the devil, energy, puppies, shampoo,
3
Kayla was 15 years-old at the time of the first sexual encounter.
4
Kayla Hess turned 18 years-old in April 2012.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 5
oral sex, mind reading, witches, and more. At one point during the conversation, Kayla Hess
asked: “When you were having sex with me, did you have to watch [the heartbeat]?” [Transcript
at 164.] Lacey Day responded “Yeah[,]” and Daniel Hess responded “Yeah. I kept it low, so I
didn’t kill you. I had one woman, I had to stop and get her aspirin, she was going to have a heart
attack, if I didn’t.” [Transcript at 164-165.] At another time during the conversation, the
following colloquy took place:
Kayla Hess: I feel awkward now around you guys because of what we had to do.
Daniel Hess: I don’t. I don’t think about it. And Lacey don’t think about it.
Kayla Hess: You’re my dad. I’m going to think about it.
Daniel Hess: At that time, you didn’t. And that’s exactly what you said. It’s just
fuck. That was your own words. And now its bothering you[?]
[Transcript at 176.] Later in the conversation, Kayla discussed how she couldn’t stop thinking
about how she had sex with Hess and Day, to which Hess responded, “That’s okay. Is it a bad
thinking or is it a good thinking?” [Transcript at 181.]
{¶ 13} Detective Johnson testified that he assisted in prepping Kayla for the taped
conversation with Hess and Day. Detective Johnson further testified that immediately after
procuring the taped conversation between Kayla, Hess, and Day, he made contact with Hess at
his residence. Johnson informed Hess that he had no obligation to engage in conversation.
Nevertheless, Johnson testified that during this encounter, Hess denied having sex with Kayla,
but did say that Kayla’s account of the events were true to a degree. Johnson then placed Hess
under arrest. The conversation between Hess and Johnson was played for the jury.
{¶ 14} Hess testified in his own defense at trial. Hess testified that he is a follower of
Shamanistic Pagan Psy-vamp beliefs. Hess stated that Psy-vamps feed off of energy sources, or
Washington App. No. 13CA15 6
pull energy from energy sources such as people or lights. Hess testified that Psy-vamps differ
from Sanguinarian vamps, which must feed on blood to survive. Hess further explained that The
Power of Three is “an energy feeding ritual,” where three people are joined in a triangle. Hess
stated that the ritual does not involve physical touching, but rather a pushing of energy towards
an individual, with the goal that the energy grows within the individual.
{¶ 15} Hess further testified that God directed him to engage in “energy sex” with Kayla.
Hess described “energy sex” as using the power of energy, rather than physical touch, to produce
a sexual orgasm. Hess, however, specifically denied ever physically touching Kayla in a sexual
manner. Hess testified that energy sex is a form of self-preservation, and that as a Psy-vamp he
needs to continuously feed on energy. Hess also explained that his comment to Detective
Johnson, that Kayla’s account was true to a degree, meant that they engaged in energy sex; not
physical sex.
{¶ 16} At the conclusion of the case, the trial court gave instructions to the jury. The trial
court’s instructions never mentioned insanity and defense counsel never sought an insanity
instruction. The jury was also not informed that Hess entered a plea of NGRI. After
deliberations, Hess was found guilty of two counts of sexual battery. The trial court ordered a
pre-sentence investigation and scheduled a sentencing hearing for a later date. In the interim,
Hess again filed a motion requesting new counsel. The motion was denied.
{¶ 17} Hess was ultimately sentenced to 54 months imprisonment on each sexual battery
count, to be served consecutively for an aggregate prison sentence of 9 years. Additionally, Hess
was classified as a Tier III sex offender, informed that he would be subject to post-release
control for a period of five years following his release from prison, and ordered to pay court
costs and restitution upon his release.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 7
{¶ 18} Hess filed a timely notice of appeal, and appellate counsel was appointed. An
amended sentencing entry was filed after Hess filed his notice of appeal, correcting minor typos
and errors, but otherwise leaving the original sentencing entry untouched.
{¶ 19} Along with his merit brief, Hess simultaneously filed a document titled
“Appellant Daniel Hess’s Attempt To Prepare 9(C) Statement.” The filing contends that Hess is
unable to recreate the portion of the transcript that contains the inaudibles due to the poor
recording and a lack of memory of the participants involved. The document is supported by the
affidavits of the trial court transcriptionist and of appellate counsel.
{¶ 20} On appeal, Hess asserts the following assignments of error for our review:
First Assignment of Error:
THE TRIAL COURT’S FAILURE TO INFORM AND INSTRUCT THE JURY
ON HESS’S DEFENSE OF INSANITY VIOLATED HIS CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. U.S. CONST. AMENDS. V, VI, AND XIV;
OHIO CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 1 §§ 5 AND 16. THIS ERROR IS A
STRUCTUAL DEFECT AND WARRANTS REVERSAL.
Second Assignment of Error:
APPELLANT HESS WAS DENIED THE RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE
ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL AND A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL JURY WHEN
HIS TRIAL COUNSEL: 1) FAILED TO INSIST THAT THE JURY BE
NOTIFIED THAT HESS HAD ENTERED A PLEA OF NGRI OR REQUEST A
JURY INSTRUCTION ON THAT PLEA AND; 2) NEGLECTED TO
QUESTION PROSPECTIVE JURORS ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIPS
WITH THE VICTIM AND ALLOWED THEM TO REMAIN ON THE JURY,
IN VIOLATION OF APPELLANT’S RIGHTS UNDER THE FIFTH, SIXTH,
AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S CONSTITUTION AND
ARTICLE I §§ 5, 10, 16 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
Third Assignment of Error:
THE TRIAL COURT COMMITED REVERSIBLE ERROR WHEN IT FAILED
TO PROPERLY RECORD ITS PROCEEDINGS. FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I §§
10 AND 16 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION, AND CRIM.R. 22.
Fourth Assignment of Error:
Washington App. No. 13CA15 8
A TRIAL COURT MUST STATE THE FINDINGS REQUIRED IN R.C.
2929.14 AND THE REASONS SUPPORTING THOSE FINDINGS IN THE
SENTENCING ENTRY. THE FAILURE TO DO SO VIOLATES R.C.
2929.14(C)(4), CRIM.R. 32(A)(4).
{¶ 21} In his first assignment of error, Hess contends that the trial court erred when it
failed to instruct the jury that he had entered a NGRI plea and when it failed to instruct the jury
on the effect of the NGRI plea. In essence, Hess asserts that the defense, the State, and the trial
court all forgot that he entered a NGRI plea; and the failure to mention the NGRI plea or to
instruct the jury on the plea rendered his trial unreliable. Hess argues that such an error is a
structural defect that warrants reversal and a new trial. We disagree.
{¶ 22} As an initial matter, we note that the test to determine competency to stand trial
differs from the test to determine whether a defendant is not guilty by reason of insanity. A
defendant is competent to stand trial if he “ ‘has sufficient present ability to consult with his
lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding – and whether he has a rational as well
as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.’ ” State v. Merryman, 4th Dist. Athens
No. 12CA28, 2013-Ohio-4810, ¶ 15, quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788,
4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); see also R.C. 2945.37(G) (codifying the competency test). A claim of
insanity, meanwhile, “is an affirmative defense that a defendant must prove by a preponderance
of the evidence.” State v. Waller, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 10CA3346, 2011-Ohio-2106, ¶ 9, citing
State v. Hancock, 108 Ohio St.3d 57, 2006-Ohio-160, 840 N.E.2d 1032, ¶ 35. An accused is not
guilty by reason of insanity if he or she can prove that at the time of the commission of the
offense, the accused did not know, because of severe mental disease or defect, the wrongfulness
of the accused’s acts. R.C. 2901.01(A)(14); Hancock at ¶ 35. Thus, if sufficient evidence of
insanity is presented at trial, the trial court must give a jury instruction on the affirmative
defense. Waller at ¶ 9. Conversely, a trial court does not err in failing to give an insanity
Washington App. No. 13CA15 9
instruction to the jury where the evidence presented at trial does not warrant an instruction. State
v. Dunn, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-95-74, 1996 WL 379651, *6-7 (June 28, 1996).
{¶ 23} Under Crim.R. 30(A) “a party may not assign as error the giving or failure to give
any instructions unless the party objects before the jury retires to consider its verdict, stating
specifically the matter objected to and the grounds of the objection.” Thus, where a party fails to
request that the jury be instructed on an issue, he or she waives all but plain error. State v.
Thompson, 4th Dist. Vinton No. 12CA688, 2013-Ohio-2235, ¶ 23, citing State v. Bradford, 4th
Dist. Adams No. 11CA928, 2013-Ohio-480, ¶ 19. But here, Hess argues that the trial court’s
failure to instruct the jury on his insanity defense was structural error that warrants reversal of
the case. “[S]tructural errors are constitutional defects that defy analysis by harmless error
standards because they affect[] the framework within which the trial proceeds, rather than simply
[being] an error in the trial process itself.” (Quotations omitted.) State v. Perry, 101 Ohio St.3d
118, 2004-Ohio-297, 802 N.E.2d 643, ¶ 17. Structural errors may be raised for the first time on
appeal, and are cause for automatic reversal, because “[s]uch errors permeate the entire conduct
of the trial from beginning to end so that the trial cannot reliably serve its function as a vehicle
for determination of guilt or innocence.” (Quotations omitted.) Id.{¶ 24} Hess relies upon State v. Cihonski, 178 Ohio App.3d 713, 2008-Ohio-5191, 900
N.E.2d 212 (3rd Dist.), for support of his argument that the failure to instruct the jury on the
NGRI plea constitutes a structural defect requiring reversal of the jury’s verdict and a new trial.
In Cihonski, the defendant entered a written plea of NGRI. Id. at ¶ 13. Neither the defense
counsel nor the State ever mentioned the NGRI plea at trial, and the trial court never instructed
the jury on the plea, despite the fact that the plea was never withdrawn. Id. at ¶ 14. In fact, it
appeared as though defense counsel, the State, and the court “forgot” about the NGRI plea. Id.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 10
{¶ 25} On appeal, the Third District Court of Appeals ultimately found that the failure of
the trial court to instruct the jury on the insanity defense violated the defendant’s constitutional
right to a trial by jury. Id. at ¶ 22. Moreover, the court determined that never mentioning the
NGRI plea was an error that permeated the entire trial; and no evidence existed to show that the
jury ever considered the sanity defense. Id. at ¶ 23. Thus, the court determined that the trial was
unreliable. Id. Accordingly, the appellate court determined that “due to the unique facts and
circumstances before us, we hold that the trial court’s failure to notify the jury that Cihonski
entered a plea of NGRI or instruct the jury on that plea constituted structural error and warrants
reversal.” Id. The appellate court further held that trial counsel’s failure to insist that the jury be
notified of defendant’s NGRI plea or to request a jury instruction on the plea constituted
ineffective assistance of counsel. Id. at ¶¶ 25, 30.
{¶ 26} In response, the State argues that Cihonski “does not stand for the broad, black-
letter proposition submitted by [a]ppellant.” In support, the State references State v. Monford,
190 Ohio App.3d 35, 2010-Ohio-4732, 940 N.E.2d 634 (10th Dist.), in which the Tenth District
Court of Appeals refused to follow the holding in Cihonski, and instead determined that the trial
court’s failure to address a NGRI plea did not constitute structural error. Id. at ¶ 71. In doing so,
the Monford court noted that the defendant in Cihonski had advanced a defense of legal insanity
at trial5, whereas the defendant in Monford had never presented a NGRI defense. Id. at ¶ 74
(“Defendant did not present one shred of evidence to demonstrate, or even suggest, that he did
not know the wrongfulness of his acts, nor did he ever indicate that he wished to present an
NGRI defense.”). The Monford court also denied the defendant’s motion to certify a conflict
5
Specifically, Cihonski had admitted to the conduct with which he was charged, but had testified that his actions
were not voluntary and instead were the product of a “reflex action” and “panic attack.” Cihonski, supra, at ¶ 7.
Cihonski further testified that he had left a psychiatric hospital just a few days prior to the incident where he was
treated for anxiety and panic attacks. Id.Washington App. No. 13CA15 11
between its decision and the Cihonski decision, noting that the cases were distinguishable due to
their “markedly different factual circumstances.” State v. Monford, 10th Dist. Franklin No.
09AP-274, 2010-Ohio-5624, ¶ 8.
{¶ 27} The State also cites other appellate court cases that have distinguished Cihonski.
In State v. Austin, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-110359, 2012-Ohio-3053, the First District Court of
Appeals rejected the structural error argument where the defendant failed to present evidence on
insanity. See Austin at ¶ 10 (“Unlike the defendant in Cihonski, Austin put forth no evidence that
related to an insanity defense. * * * We conclude that, absent the presentation of any evidence
that would raise the issue of Austin's sanity, there was no error in not including an instruction
about an NGRI defense.”) Likewise, the Twelfth District Court of Appeals found the Cihonski
structural error analysis inapplicable, when the trial court did not give an instruction to the jury
on the defense of insanity, and where the defendant did not provide even “a scintilla of evidence”
that he suffered from a mental disease or defect that caused him to be unaware of the
wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the offense. State v. Bradford, 12th Dist. Warren No.
CA2010-04-032, 2010-Ohio-6429, ¶ 89.
{¶ 28} We find that the instant case is more similar to the cases that have distinguished
Cihonski. Like the defendants in Monford, Austin, and Bradford, Hess did not advance an
insanity defense at trial. Rather, Hess denied wrongful conduct altogether, and instead testified
that he engaged in “energy sex” with his daughter. His defense was not that he committed the
offense as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, but that he never physically touched or
engaged in sexual conduct with the victim. Moreover, there was no testimony regarding Hess’s
state of mind at the time of the alleged acts. A NGRI defense is wholly inconsistent with the
theory that was presented at trial, i.e. that Hess did not engage in any wrongful conduct.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 12
{¶ 29} Thus, we find Cihonski to be distinguishable to the case sub judice. The record
evidence clearly does not support a NGRI defense, and no such instruction was warranted.
Accordingly, the Cihonski structural-error analysis is not applicable. Moreover, plain error did
not occur where the evidence did not warrant a NGRI instruction. Hess’s first assignment of
error is overruled.
{¶ 30} In his second assignment of error, Hess contends that he was denied effective
assistance of counsel. Specifically, Hess argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
address his NGRI plea and for failing to request a NGRI instruction. Hess also argues that his
trial counsel failed to conduct an adequate inquiry of Juror Gentile and Juror Swick, during in
chambers voir dire, and thus he was denied a fair and impartial jury.
{¶ 31} “In Ohio, a properly licensed attorney is presumed competent and the appellant
bears the burden to establish counsel's ineffectiveness.” (Quotations omitted.) State v. Norman,
4th Dist. Ross Nos. 08CA3059 & 08CA3066, 2009–Ohio–5458, ¶ 65. To establish
constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel, Hess must show (1) that his counsel's
performance was deficient and (2) that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense and
deprived him of a fair trial. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80
L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67, 752 N.E.2d 904 (2001); State v. Goff, 82
Ohio St.3d 123, 139, 694 N.E.2d 916 (1998). “In order to show deficient performance, the
defendant must prove that counsel's performance fell below an objective level of reasonable
representation. To show prejudice, the defendant must show a reasonable probability that, but for
counsel's errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” State v. Conway, 109
Ohio St.3d 412, 2006–Ohio–2815, 848 N.E.2d 810, ¶ 95. “Failure to establish either element is
fatal to the claim.” State v. Jones, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 06CA3116, 2008–Ohio–968, ¶ 14.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 13
{¶ 32} First, because Hess put forth no evidence that raised the issue of his sanity, we are
unable to say that his counsel’s failure to address the NGRI plea and failure to request the NGRI
instruction was deficient. See Austin, 2012-Ohio-3053 at ¶ 11 (“Given our conclusion that Austin
had put forth no evidence that raised the issue of his sanity, we are unable to say that counsel’s
performance was deficient.”) Moreover, because Hess pursued a denial defense, rather than an
insanity defense, any request for a NGRI jury instruction would have been denied. Thus, Hess
was not prejudiced by his counsel’s failure to request a NGRI instruction. See Monford, 190
Ohio App.3d 35, 2010-Ohio-4732, 940 N.E.2d 634, at ¶ 99 (“Given that counsel pursued the
mistaken-identity defense through the use of an expert witness, and given that there was no
evidence presented to persuade the jurors that at the time of the offense, defendant did not know
the wrongfulness of his actions, any request for an NGI jury instruction would have been denied.
Thus, defendant was not prejudiced by the lack of a request for an NGRI instruction.”).
{¶ 33} In considering Hess’s argument in regards to voir dire, we “must indulge a strong
presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional
assistance; that is, the defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances,
the challenged action ‘might be considered sound trial strategy.’ ” Strickland at 689. This is
particularly true in the instant case, because “ ‘[f]ew decisions at trial are as subjective or prone
to individual attorney strategy as juror voir dire, where decisions are often made on the basis of
intangible factors.’ ” State v. Mundt, 115 Ohio St.3d 22, 2007-Ohio-4836, 873 N.E.2d 828, ¶ 64,
quoting Miller v. Francis, 269 F.3d 609, 620 (6th Cir.2001). Typically, trial counsel is entitled to
exercise wide discretion in formulating voir dire questions, and “is in the best position to
determine whether any potential juror should be questioned and to what extent.” State v. Murphy,
91 Ohio St.3d 516, 539, 747 N.E.2d 765 (2001). Moreover, “[t]he Ohio Supreme Court has
Washington App. No. 13CA15 14
repeatedly declined to impose a ‘hindsight view’ as to how counsel might have examined the
jury differently on voir dire.” Monford at ¶ 82, citing Mundt at ¶ 63, and State v. Mason, 82 Ohio
St.3d 144, 157, 694 N.E.2d 932 (1998).
{¶ 34} Hess takes issue with his trial counsel’s in chambers voir dire of Juror Gentile and
Juror Swick, arguing that he did not sufficiently question them regarding their potential bias that
may have arisen from them knowing the victim. Hess contends that after the trial judge
questioned them on their ability to act fairly and impartially, his counsel only asked one follow
up question to Juror Swick, and no follow-up questions to Juror Gentile.
{¶ 35} “[P]osing only a few questions, or even no questions at all, to a prospective juror
could potentially be the most advantageous tactic for defense counsel in some situations.”
Monford at ¶ 84. “ ‘ “[Q]uestioning by other parties may convince counsel that the juror would
be favorable for the defense, and that further questions might only antagonize the juror or give
the prosecution a reason to use a peremptory challenge or even grounds for a challenge for
cause.” ’ ” Id., quoting Mundt at ¶ 65, in turn quoting People v. Freeman, 8 Cal.4th 450, 485, 34
Cal.Rptr.2d 558, 882 P.2d 249 (1994). “It is not necessary for counsel to repeat questions about
topics that have already been covered by opposing counsel or the judge.” Id., citing State v.
Coleman, 85 Ohio St.3d 129, 135, 707 N.E.2d 476 (1999).
{¶ 36} Here, Hess’s trial counsel could have reasonably determined that it was
unnecessary to ask Juror Gentile and Juror Swick additional questions, as the judge’s questioning
had already established that these jurors could be fair and impartial. Their answers to the judge’s
questions did not indicate any bias, and trial counsel could have thought that additional
questioning would only antagonize the jurors. Furthermore, prior to the in chambers voir dire,
Juror Gentile and Juror Swick had completed the general voir dire questioning conducted upon
Washington App. No. 13CA15 15
the entire jury panel, and defense counsel was apparently satisfied with their responses during
that process. We reiterate that voir dire is a subjective process in which counsel is entitled to
wide latitude, and thus, we decline to second guess whether counsel should have conducted voir
dire differently. Hess’s trial counsel engaged in reasonable trial strategy, and we cannot find
ineffective assistance on the basis that trial counsel should have further questioned Juror Gentile
and Juror Swick on the their ability to serve fairly and impartially.
{¶ 37} Hess also argues, in passing, that his counsel was ineffective for failing to remove
Juror Swick for cause. However, Juror Swick’s responses during in chambers voir dire did not
form the basis for a challenge for cause. Crim.R. 24(C) provides, in pertinent part, that a person
called as a juror may be challenged for the following causes: “ * * * (9) That the juror is
possessed of a state of mind evincing enmity or bias toward the defendant or the state; * * * (14)
That the juror is otherwise unsuitable for any other cause to serve as a juror.”
{¶ 38} Here, when the trial judge inquired as to whether Juror Swick could “keep an open
mind[,]” set aside “personal knowledge[,]” and “render a fair and impartial verdict[,]” Juror
Swick indicated, “Yes, Sir[,] * * * if Kayla was my student, it would have been completely on a
student-teacher relationship[,] * * * I don’t remember any personal conversations or anything.”
Upon further inquiry of the trial judge, Juror Swick again stated that she could be fair and
impartial. Hess’s counsel further inquired whether Juror Swick would be more inclined to
believe Kayla’s testimony because of their prior student-teacher relationship, to which Juror
Swick responded that she knew the victim only as a troubled math student. The trial judge then
asked defense counsel if he was satisfied, to which defense counsel responded “Yeah.”
{¶ 39} Based on the exchanges during in chambers voir dire, Hess has not demonstrated
that Juror Swick was actually biased against him. Thus, Juror Swick was not subject to removal
Washington App. No. 13CA15 16
for cause under Crim.R. 24(C). Moreover, defense counsel’s decision to forego use of a
peremptory challenge on Juror Swick was not unreasonable, because Juror Swick clearly
indicated that she could be fair and impartial.6 “The use of peremptory challenges is ‘inherently
subjective and intuitive’ and rarely does the record reveal ‘reversible incompetence in this
process.’ ” Monford, 190 Ohio App.3d 35, 2010-Ohio-4732, 940 N.E.2d 634, at ¶ 94, quoting
Mundt, 115 Ohio St.3d 22, 2007-Ohio-4836, 873 N.E.2d 828, at ¶ 83. Moreover, “[s]o long as a
juror indicates that he can be fair and impartial, counsel is not ineffective in declining to exercise
a peremptory challenge.” (Citations omitted.) Id.{¶ 40} Accordingly, we find no merit in Hess’s ineffective assistance arguments, and
overrule his second assignment of error.
{¶ 41} In his third assignment of error, Hess contends that the trial court committed
reversible error when it failed to properly record its proceedings in violation of Crim.R. 22.
Specifically, Hess argues that the poor recording of the in chambers voir dire questioning of
Juror Swick resulted in an incomplete transcript containing fourteen “inaudibles” within one and
one-half pages of text. Thus, Hess asserts that our review of the in chambers voir dire is vitiated
because of the poor transcript. Hess also claims that he attempted to submit an App.R. 9(C)
statement to correct or supplement the record but was unable to do so because the individuals
involved could not recall the proceedings.
{¶ 42} Crim.R. 22 provides that, in serious offense cases, “all proceedings shall be
recorded.” Because “serious offense” cases include felony cases, the trial court had a duty to
record the proceedings in this case. Crim.R. 2(C); State v. Adams, 4th Dist. Scioto Nos.
04CA2959 & 05CA2986, 2009-Ohio-6491, ¶ 16. However, it is the duty of the appellant to
6
It is not clear whether a peremptory challenge would have even been appropriate here, because as mentioned
above, the in chambers voir dire occurred after the jury had been sworn and peremptory challenges exercised.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 17
provide a transcript for appellate review. Knapp v. Edwards Laboratories, 61 Ohio St.2d 197,
199, 400 N.E.2d 384 (1980). “This is necessarily so because an appellant bears the burden of
showing error by reference to matters in the record.” Id.; see also App.R. 9(B). “When portions
of the transcript necessary for resolution of assigned errors are omitted from the record, the
reviewing court has nothing to pass upon and thus, as to those assigned errors, the court has no
choice but to presume the validity of the lower court’s proceedings, and affirm.” Id.{¶ 43} The Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure provide a remedy that preserves the right
of full review in situations where the record is incomplete or inaccurate. An appellant may
prepare a statement of the evidence or proceedings from the appellant’s own recollection
pursuant to App.R. 9(C), submit an agreed statement of the parties pursuant to App.R. 9(D), or
make corrections to the record by party stipulation under App.R. 9(E). In this case, Hess asserts
that a complete transcript of the in chambers voir dire of Juror Swick could not be prepared due
to the poor quality of the recordings. Furthermore, Hess has filed a document in this Court, in
which his appellate counsel contends that an App.R. 9(C) statement covering this portion of the
trial is not possible given the combination of poor recording equipment/radio interference and
the inability of Hess, trial counsel, and Juror Swick to recall the details of voir dire with
sufficient particularity.
{¶ 44} We have previously noted that convictions and sentences will not be reversed on
the basis that in chambers conferences were not recorded, where the defendant fails to show that:
“ ‘(1) a request was made at trial that the conference be recorded or that objections were made to
the failures to record, (2) an effort was made on appeal to comply with App.R. 9 and to
reconstruct what occurred or to establish its importance, and (3) material prejudice resulted from
the failure to record the proceedings at issue.’ ” Adams at ¶ 18, quoting State v. Palmer, 80 Ohio
Washington App. No. 13CA15 18
St.3d 543, 554, 687 N.E.2d 685 (1997); see also State v. Warren, 4th Dist. Ross No. 12CA3324,
2013-Ohio-3542, ¶ 40 (noting that a defendant must show prejudice resulting from the deficient
record to succeed on appeal).
{¶ 45} In this case, the in chambers voir dire of Juror Swick was recorded. However,
even if we were to presume that Hess made sufficient efforts to comply with App.R. 9, we
nonetheless conclude that he has failed to demonstrate material prejudice as a result of the
incomplete record.
{¶ 46} Hess contends that the “inaudibles” contained within the transcript of the in
chambers voir dire of Juror Swick interferes with our ability to judge trial counsel’s
ineffectiveness. “An appellant might be prejudiced where another assignment of error is
incapable of review because of the inadequate record.” Warren at ¶ 41, citing State v. Beltowski,
11th Dist. Lake No. 2006-L-032, 2007-Ohio-3372, ¶ 29. However, we have already determined
that Hess’s trial counsel was not ineffective in his voir dire examination of Juror Swick. More
importantly, the record did not hinder our review of the assigned error. The material portions of
Juror Swick’s in chambers voir dire were adequately recorded and transcribed so that we could
review the substance of the questions and responses and ultimately determine that Juror Swick
exhibited an ability to be fair and impartial. Stated differently, any omissions in the record are
immaterial, and we are able to adequately review Hess’s argument that his counsel was
ineffective.
{¶ 47} Hess has not demonstrated that the faulty recording equipment and resulting
transcript materially prejudiced him. Accordingly, his third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 48} In his fourth and final assignment of error, Hess contends that the trial court erred
in ordering him to serve each of the sentences on the sexual battery convictions consecutively to
Washington App. No. 13CA15 19
one another. Specifically, Hess argues that in addition to making the findings required by R.C.
2929.14(C)(4), the trial court was also required to state its reasons supporting those findings in
order to impose consecutive sentences. We disagree.
{¶ 49} Hess claims that “Ohio appellate courts are issuing varying opinions on this issue,
sometimes even within the same district.” [Brief at 18.] Despite this claim, Hess has failed to cite
a single appellate opinion that mandates sentencing courts to include reasons in support of the
statutory findings. Rather, Hess argues that the Ohio Supreme Court has accepted the case, State
v. Bonnell, OSCT No. 13-0167, to determine, among other issues, whether sentencing courts
must include reasons supporting consecutive sentences under 2929.14(C)(4). However, the Ohio
Supreme Court has yet to issue its opinion in Bonnell.
{¶ 50} This Court recently discussed consecutive sentencing law in State v. Bever, 4th
Dist. Washington No. 13CA21, 2014-Ohio-600, ¶¶ 15-16, noting that:
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) sets forth certain findings that a trial court must make prior to
imposing consecutive sentences. State v. Black, 4th Dist. Ross No. 12CA3327,
2013–Ohio–2105, ¶¶ 56–57. That is, under Ohio law, unless the sentencing court
makes the required findings set forth in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), there is a
presumption that sentences are to run concurrently. Black at ¶ 56; R.C.
2929.41(A).
Under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), a sentencing court must engage in a three-step
analysis and make certain findings before imposing consecutive sentences. Black
at ¶ 57; State v. Clay, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 1 1CA23, 2013–Ohio–4649, ¶ 64;
State v. Howze, 10th Dist. Franklin Nos. 13AP–386 & 13AP–387, 2013–Ohio–
4800, ¶ 18. Specifically, the sentencing court must find that (1) “the consecutive
Washington App. No. 13CA15 20
service is necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the
offender”; (2) “consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness
of the offender's conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the public”; and
(3) one of the following:
(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses while the
offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction imposed pursuant
to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-
release control for a prior offense.
(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or more
courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the multiple offenses
so committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the
offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects
the seriousness of the offender's conduct.
(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive
sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the offender.
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).
{¶ 51} In Bever, we also found that the sentencing court is not required to give reasons
supporting the statutory findings. See Bever at ¶ 17 (“While the sentencing court is required to
make these findings, it is not required to give reasons explaining the findings.”). This is
consistent with our previous decisions. See State v. Swayne, 4th Dist. Adams Nos. 12CA952,
12CA953, & 12CA954, 2013-Ohio-3747, ¶ 44 (“Although R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) does not require a
sentencing court to give reasons for its findings, the court did so here.”), and State v. Midlam, 4th
Dist. Highland No. 12CA2, 2012-Ohio-6299, ¶ 11 (“Appellant claims that * * * the trial court
Washington App. No. 13CA15 21
was required to state reasons in support of its [R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)] findings. Based upon the
following reasoning of the Eighth District, we disagree.”).
{¶ 52} In the case at hand, Hess does not contend that the trial court failed to make the
statutory findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), or that the sentence is otherwise contrary to
law.7 Rather, Hess argues that the trial court was also required to give reasons in support of the
statutory findings. This duty is simply not required under the statute, or by the case law
governing this appellate district. We recognize that the Ohio Supreme Court may alter the
current legal landscape when it releases its opinion in Bonnell, but until and unless it does so, we
are bound by the precedent previously set forth by this Court. Accordingly, Hess’s fourth
assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 53} Based on the foregoing, Hess’s assignments of error are overruled, and the trial
court’s judgment is affirmed.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
7
A review of the record reveals that the trial court did make the necessary findings both on the record at the
sentencing hearing, and in its sentencing entries.
Washington App. No. 13CA15 22
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED. Appellant shall pay the 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 Washington
County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS
BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is
temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The
purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an
application for a stay during the pendency of the proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued
by this entry, it will terminate at the earliest of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the
failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-
five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court
of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to the expiration
of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Abele, P.J.: Concurs in Judgment & Opinion.
McFarland, J.: Concurs in Judgment Only.
For the Court
By:
Marie Hoover, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the
time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.