State v. Davis , 2011 Ohio 292 ( 2011 )

[Cite as State v. Davis, 2011-Ohio-292.]
STATE OF OHIO, MAHONING COUNTY
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
SEVENTH DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO, )
)
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, )
)
VS. ) CASE NO. 08 MA 236
)
MICHAEL A. DAVIS, ) OPINION
)
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. )
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Criminal Appeal from Court of Common
Pleas of Mahoning County, Ohio
Case No. 08CR128
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee Paul Gains
Prosecutor
Ralph M. Rivera
Assistant Prosecutor
21 W. Boardman St., 6th Floor
Youngstown, Ohio 44503-1426
For Defendant-Appellant Attorney John P. Laczko
3685 Stutz Drive, Suite 100
Canfield, Ohio 44406
JUDGES:
Hon. Gene Donofrio
Hon. Joseph J. Vukovich
Hon. Cheryl L. Waite
Dated: January 24, 2011
[Cite as State v. Davis, 2011-Ohio-292.]
DONOFRIO, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Michael Davis, appeals from a Mahoning County
Common Pleas Court judgment convicting him of six counts of aggravated murder
and 19 counts of aggravated arson, following a jury trial, and the resulting sentence.
{¶2} In the early morning hours of January 23, 2008, Retia Crawford was
awakened by Christopher Taylor after her family’s two-story house at 1645 Stewart
Avenue in Youngstown had caught on fire. Retia ran upstairs from her basement
bedroom to try to wake the others who were asleep on the second floor. She
became overwhelmed by smoke and escaped outside as did Taylor, Julius Crawford,
Ricky Williams, and Domika Wilson.
{¶3} Six people died in the fire from carbon monoxide intoxication through
smoke inhalation. The victims were Carol Crawford, her daughter Jennifer Crawford,
and Jennifer’s four children, eight-year-old Ranaisha Crawford, five-year-old
Jeannine Crawford, three-year-old Alisha Crawford, and two-year-old Brandon
Owens.
{¶4} Appellant, his two brothers Scott and James Davis, and their friend
Anthony Morrow, were interviewed at the Youngstown Police Department regarding
the fire as the 911 call reporting the fire was placed from the Davis house. Appellant
confessed to starting the fire. He stated that he was angry with Julius and Ricky for
stealing his cell phone. He was subsequently arrested. The next day, police
interviewed appellant again and once again he confessed, this time stating Morrow
had acted with him.
{¶5} A Mahoning County grand jury returned a 29-count indictment against
appellant as follows: Counts one through six for aggravated murder, first-degree
felonies in violation of R.C. 2903.01(B)(F), for the deaths of Carol Crawford, Jennifer
Crawford, Ranaisha Crawford, Jeannine Crawford, Alisha Crawford, and Brandon
Owens; Counts seven through ten for aggravated murder, first-degree felonies in
violation of R.C. 2903.01(C)(F), for the deaths of Ranaisha Crawford, Jeannine
Crawford, Alisha Crawford, and Brandon Owens; Counts 11 through 29 for
aggravated arson, first-degree felonies in violation of R.C. 2909.02(A)(1)(B)(1)(2),
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one count going to each of the household members and one count going to each of
the firefighters who were put at risk responding to the fire.
{¶6} Counts one through ten also carried these death penalty specifications:
The offense was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing or
attempting to kill two or more persons by the offender contrary to R.C. 2929.04(A)(5);
The offense was committed while appellant was committing or attempting to commit
or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson
and appellant was the principal offender in the commission of aggravated murder, or
if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation
and design contrary to R.C. 2929.04(A)(7).
{¶7} And counts three through ten carried an additional death penalty
specification: in the commission of the offense appellant purposely caused the death
of another who was under 13 years of age at the time and appellant was either the
principal offender in the commission of aggravated murder or, if not the principal
offender, committed the offense of aggravated murder with prior calculation and
design contrary to R.C. 2929.04(A)(9).
{¶8} The matter was set for a jury trial. Appellant filed numerous pretrial
motions including a motion to suppress the statements he made to police, alleging
that they were taken in violation of his Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. The court
held a hearing on appellant’s motion. It subsequently denied the motion to suppress,
finding that appellant was given his Miranda warnings, that he understood them, that
he had prior knowledge of these rights, and that he knowingly, intelligently, and
voluntarily waived them before making his statements to police.
{¶9} Plaintiff-appellee, the State of Ohio, filed a pretrial motion to introduce
other acts evidence. It wished to introduce Enrique Ayala’s testimony that appellant
and his brothers had set fire to his house less than a month prior to the alleged
crimes in this case. Appellant filed a response asking the court to exclude any
evidence relating to other acts, wrongs, or uncharged misconduct. The court held a
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hearing on these motions as well. It overruled the state’s motion to introduce other
acts, finding the proposed evidence was more prejudicial than probative.
{¶10} The matter proceeded to trial. The state renewed its request to present
the other acts evidence. This time the court allowed the evidence. The state
presented 23 witnesses. Prior to closing arguments, appellant moved to dismiss
counts seven through ten (the second set of aggravated murder charges for the
death of Ranaisha Crawford, Jeannine Crawford, Alisha Crawford, and Brandon
Owens) and merge them with counts three through six as they involved the same
victims. The state agreed to merge these charges as being duplicative.
{¶11} The jury found appellant guilty of the six remaining aggravated murder
counts and the 19 aggravated arsons counts. It also found him guilty of the principal
offender specification. However, it found him not guilty of the purposeful killing
specification and the purposeful causing the death of another who was under age 13
specification. The court entered judgment on the verdicts.
{¶12} The case next proceeded to the penalty phase. After listening to the
evidence, the jury chose not to recommend death and instead returned a verdict
recommending that appellant be sentenced to life in prison without parole eligibility
for 30 years on each of counts one through six.
{¶13} The case then proceeded to a sentencing hearing. On appellant’s
motion, the court merged counts 11 through 16 with counts one through six.
Therefore, the court did not sentence appellant on counts 11 through 16. On each of
the six aggravated murder counts, the court sentenced appellant to life in prison
without parole eligibility for 30 years, to run consecutively. For the remaining 13
counts of aggravated arson, the court sentenced appellant to ten years on each
count, to run consecutively to one another and consecutively to the sentences on the
aggravated murder counts, for a total of 310 years in prison.
{¶14} Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal on November 25, 2008. He
now raises six assignments of error, the first of which states:
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{¶15} “APPELLANT WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL WHEN THE TRIAL
COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION AND OVERRULED HIS MOTION TO
SUPPRESS HIS STATEMENTS CONTRARY TO THE PROTECTIONS OF THE
FOURTH AND FIFTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
AND ARTICLE I, SECTION 10 AND ARTICLE 14 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.”
{¶16} Appellant argues that police illegally seized and arrested him and took
his statement in violation of Miranda v. Arizona. Appellant asserts the police seized
him when they handcuffed him at his home and transported him to the police station
for questioning. Appellant points to his testimony that he believed he was under
arrest when police handcuffed him at his house. Appellant further notes that there
was no warrant for his arrest when police transported him to the police station. Next,
appellant claims there was no probable cause to arrest him at the time the police
handcuffed him. And he asserts that he was pressured into giving his statement
because he did not complete high school, was not given a meaningful opportunity to
consider his rights, and was told that if he did not cooperate with the police his
brothers would be arrested. In conclusion, appellant argues that the trial court failed
to consider the totality of the circumstances regarding how his statements were
obtained and instead focused only on his signature on the waiver of rights form.
{¶17} Our standard of review with respect to a motion to suppress is first
limited to determining whether the trial court's findings are supported by competent,
credible evidence. State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372 at ¶8
citing State v. Fanning (1982), 1 Ohio St.3d 19. Such a standard of review is
appropriate as, “[i]n a hearing on a motion to suppress evidence, the trial court
assumes the role of trier of fact and is in the best position to resolve questions of fact
and evaluate the credibility of witnesses.” State v. Venham (1994), 96 Ohio App.3d
649, 653. An appellate court accepts the trial court's factual findings and relies upon
the trial court's ability to assess the witness's credibility, but independently
determines, without deference to the trial court, whether the trial court applied the
appropriate legal standard. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d at ¶8, citing State v.
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McNamara (1997), 124 Ohio App.3d 706. A trial court's decision on a motion to
suppress will not be disturbed when it is supported by substantial credible evidence.
State v. Johnson (2000), 137 Ohio App.3d 847, 850.
{¶18} The trial court adopted the state’s statement of facts set out in its post-
hearing memorandum. It made the following pertinent findings.
{¶19} An arson investigator informed Detective Kelly that several local youths
were suspects in an earlier arson that had started down the street from the Crawford
house and in the same manner. Detective Kelly made contact with appellant and his
brothers at their Bennington Avenue home and asked Mrs. Davis if police could take
her children to the station to be interviewed. According to appellant, the police simply
told him to “come here” and then handcuffed him and took him to the station.
Appellant also stated that his mother told him to go with the police. At this time, no
one was a suspect in the Crawford fire and no one was arrested, but Detective Kelly
thought one or more of the Davis’s might have information since the 911 call
reporting the fire came from the Davis house. The only time police spoke to
appellant at his house was to ask him to accompany them to the station.
{¶20} At the station, appellant was the last to be interviewed. The others all
stated that “Mike did it.” Detectives then interviewed appellant. Before starting the
interview, the detectives turned on a recording device and read appellant his Miranda
rights. Appellant not only indicated that he understood his rights and signed the
waiver form, he also indicated that he was familiar with his rights from prior juvenile
trouble he had. Appellant’s testimony confirms this.
{¶21} Detective Kelly never threatened appellant or promised him anything.
Appellant’s testimony confirms that he was not threatened. Further, Detective Kelly
did not tell appellant that his mother would be held or his family separated. Appellant
was not handcuffed or restrained during the interview. After appellant waived his
rights, the interview took place during which appellant confessed to setting the fire.
After the interview, Detective Kelly obtained an arrest warrant and placed appellant
under arrest.
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{¶22} The next day, at Mrs. Davis’s request, Detective Kelly interviewed
appellant again at the jail. Before interviewing him, the detective read appellant his
rights and appellant again indicated that he understood and waived his rights. Once
again, appellant confessed to starting the fire.
{¶23} In addition to those findings adopted from the state, the court found that
police transportation to the police station for interviewing was necessary because the
Davis family had no transportation available to them.
{¶24} The evidence at the suppression hearing supports the trial court’s
factual findings.
{¶25} Detective Kelly testified for the state. Detective Kelly stated that upon
arriving at the scene, he learned that appellant’s brothers, Scott and James, had
been suspects in a previous arson in the neighborhood. (Sup. Tr. 12-13).
Additionally, he learned that the 911 call reporting the fire came from their house.
(Sup. Tr. 14, 47-48). So he went to the Davis house to talk to them. (Sup. Tr. 12-
14). He stated that appellant and Morrow were there too. (Sup. Tr. 13). Detective
Kelly testified that some of them could have been witnesses. (Sup. Tr. 14).
Detective Kelly asked Mrs. Davis if he could take appellant and his brothers to the
police station to interview them. (Sup. Tr. 13). He asked her permission because
Scott and James were juveniles; however, appellant was 18. (Sup. Tr. 17). She
agreed and the violent crimes task force officers transported the Davis brothers and
Morrow to the police station. (Sup. Tr. 13-14). The task force vehicles are leased
Blazers that do not have bars typical of a police cruiser or doors that do not unlock
from the backseat. (Sup. Tr. 28, 34). At this point, Detective Kelly stated, no one
was a suspect and no one was arrested. (Sup. Tr. 14). He further stated he had no
probable cause to arrest appellant. (Sup. Tr. 32). And he stated that Mrs. Davis and
her daughter came to the station as well. (Tr. 14).
{¶26} At the police station, everyone was interviewed separately. (Sup. Tr.
15). Mrs. Davis was present at the station with her sons. (Sup. Tr. 17). Detective
Kelly testified that no one was handcuffed while waiting to be interviewed. (Sup. Tr.
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26). Detective Kelly stated that each of the other three boys implicated appellant.
(Sup. Tr. 15-16). Before interviewing appellant, Detective Kelly read appellant his
Miranda rights. (Sup. Tr. 18). He stated that appellant indicated that he understood
his rights and he signed the waiver. (Sup. Tr. 19-20). He stated that appellant even
indicated that he was familiar with his rights from juvenile trouble that he had. (Sup.
Tr. 19). Detective Kelly stated that at no time did he threaten appellant or tell him
that he was going to separate his family if he did not make a statement. (Sup. Tr.
21). He further stated that appellant never asked to stop the interview or to have an
attorney. (Sup. Tr. 21). Detective Kelly stated that, after completing the interview, he
placed appellant under arrest. (Sup. Tr. 22-23).
{¶27} Detective Kelly first testified that no one was handcuffed while they
were transported to the police station or while they waited to be interviewed. (Sup.
Tr. 28). However, he later stated that he was unsure if anyone was handcuffed
during the ride to the police station. (Sup. Tr. 29, 34-35).
{¶28} Detective Kelly further testified that the day after appellant’s arrest, Mrs.
Davis called and informed him that somebody else may have been involved with
appellant and asked if he could interview appellant again. (Sup. Tr. 23). Detective
Kelly stated that he went to see appellant in jail and once again read appellant his
Miranda warnings and appellant once again indicated he understood his rights and
signed the waiver. (Sup. Tr. 23-24).
{¶29} Appellant also testified. He stated that the police came to his house
and handcuffed him. (Sup. Tr. 52-53). He stated the police handcuffed his brothers
also. (Sup. Tr. 54). The police then asked his mother if they could take him to the
station and she said yes even though he was 18 at the time. (Sup. Tr. 53).
Appellant testified that he and Morrow rode in a task force vehicle with two officers.
(Sup. Tr. 54). Appellant stated that he never told the officers that he did not want to
go with them because his mom had told him he had to go. (Sup. Tr. 58). He stated
that after he got to the police station he was un-handcuffed and brought into the
interview room. (Sup. Tr. 53-54). Appellant testified that he never told the officers
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that he did not want to make a statement and he told them that he knew his rights.
(Sup. Tr. 59). He further stated that the police never threatened him. (Sup. Tr. 60-
61).
{¶30} Additionally, appellant testified that he thought he was under arrest
when the police handcuffed him at his house. (Sup. Tr. 63). However, he admitted
that they did not tell him that he was being charged with anything. (Sup. Tr. 63). And
he admitted that the only way for him to get to the police station was for the officers to
give him a ride because his family did not have a car at the time. (Sup. Tr. 63-64).
{¶31} The DVD recordings of appellant’s interviews corroborate much of
Detective Kelly’s testimony. The DVD of the first interview revealed that appellant
was not handcuffed at the time of the interview. Further, when the detectives told
appellant they needed to read him his rights, he stated that he already knew his
rights from “juvenile.” One of the detectives then read appellant his rights. Appellant
signed an acknowledgement of his rights and he also signed a waiver of his rights.
Additionally, appellant told the detectives that he barely made it to the eleventh
grade. The DVD of the second interview showed one of the detectives reading
appellant his rights again and appellant again acknowledging his rights. In both
interviews, appellant did not make any statements prior to listening to,
acknowledging, and waiving his Miranda rights.
{¶32} Because the trial court’s factual findings are supported by competent,
credible evidence, we must move on to determine whether the trial court applied the
appropriate legal standard. The trial court found:
{¶33} “[I]t’s patently clear that Defendant was given his Miranda warnings,
that he understood them, that he had prior knowledge of these rights through
previous encounters with police in the juvenile justice system and that he knowingly,
intelligently and voluntarily waived those rights and gave two statements to the
police. At no time did Defendant request counsel. At no time was Defendant
threatened by the Police or promised anything in return for his statement. Defendant
was not coerced, bullied, tricked, or in any way abused by the Police during the
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taking of either of his statements. There is nothing in the record that indicates
Defendant is mentally ill or in any way incapable of understanding his rights and
waiving them.” (Sept. 2, 2008 Judgment Entry).
{¶34} The trial court went on to address appellant’s argument that the police
handcuffing him at his house before transporting him to the police station was an
illegal arrest. The court found that it was proper protocol to handcuff persons
unknown to the officers when transporting them for questioning due to the possibility
that the persons they are transporting could be a danger to the officers or
themselves. For the officers’ safety, as well as for the safety of the persons being
transported, the court found handcuffing to be a proper precautionary measure that is
minimally intrusive. The court further noted that because appellant was handcuffed
he was in some form of custody, but found that such custody was not illegal under
the totality of the circumstances. Finally, the court found that appellant’s Miranda
rights were unequivocally preserved until appellant waived them.
{¶35} Appellant makes two arguments: (1) the police illegally arrested him at
his house and (2) he was pressured into giving his statement at the police station.
We will address his arguments in reverse order.
{¶36} The waiver of the right not to incriminate oneself, and any subsequent
confession, must be made voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently. State v. Shakoor,
7th Dist. No. 01-CA-121, 2003-Ohio-5140, citing Miranda v. Arizona (1966), 384 U.S.
436. In deciding whether a defendant's confession was induced involuntarily, the
court should consider: the totality of the circumstances, including the age, mentality,
and prior criminal experience of the accused; the length, intensity, and frequency of
interrogation; the existence of physical deprivation or mistreatment; and the existence
of threat or inducement. State v. Edwards (1976), 49 Ohio St.2d 31, 40-41, overruled
on other grounds.
{¶37} Appellant’s actual confession at the police station was voluntarily given
and in accordance with Miranda. The detectives read appellant his rights. Appellant
stated that he understood his rights, told police that he was familiar with these rights
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from prior experience, and signed an acknowledgement of the rights. Appellant then
signed a waiver of his Miranda rights. “[E]vidence of a written waiver form signed by
the accused is strong proof that the waiver is valid.” State v. Eley (1996), 77 Ohio
St.3d 174, 178, superseded by constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated
in State v. Smith (1997), 80 Ohio St.3d 89. Appellant was 18 years old. Appellant
stated that he barely made it to eleventh grade, which means that he completed the
tenth grade. Additionally, there is no indication that appellant was confused or that
the explanation of Miranda rights was beyond his grasp. Furthermore, the detectives
did not threaten appellant or make him any promises in exchange for his statement.
And there is absolutely no evidence of physical deprivation or mistreatment.
{¶38} Likewise, appellant’s confession the next day during his jailhouse
interview was voluntarily given and in accordance with Miranda. The detectives once
again read appellant his rights, appellant acknowledged them, and waived them.
Furthermore, this interview was initiated by a request from appellant’s mother. And
like the first interview, there is no evidence of threats, promises, or mistreatment by
police.
{¶39} The question arises then whether appellant’s voluntary statements
made in full compliance with Miranda should have been suppressed based on an
illegal arrest, if in fact, appellant was illegally arrested when police transported him to
the police station. So we must examine whether appellant was under arrest when
police brought him to the station for questioning.
{¶40} The trial court believed appellant’s testimony that he was handcuffed
when he was transported to the police station. It found that because appellant was
handcuffed he was in some form of custody. However, the court stopped short of
saying that appellant was under arrest.
{¶41} An arrest occurs when four elements are met: “(1) An intent to arrest,
(2) under a real or pretended authority, (3) accompanied by an actual or constructive
seizure or detention of the person, and (4) which is so understood by the person
arrested.” State v. Darrah (1980), 64 Ohio St.2d 22, 26. Moreover, an arrest
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signifies an individual’s apprehension or the restraint of a person's freedom in
contemplation of the formal charging with a crime. Id.{¶42} Considering these elements, appellant was not under arrest when
police transported him to the station for questioning. While some of the arrest
elements are met, others are not.
{¶43} First, there was no intent to arrest appellant. Detective Kelly testified
that no one was a suspect at the time he asked appellant, his brothers, and Morrow
to come to the station for questioning. He further stated that no one was arrested at
that time. And he stated that he had no probable cause to believe that appellant was
a suspect at that time. Detective Kelly stated that even Mrs. Davis and her daughter
came to the station.
{¶44} Second, while the police presence certainly was a show of authority, it
did not accompany an intent to arrest. And other than handcuffing appellant, the
facts do not reflect an arrest. Appellant stated that he went with the police because
his mother told him he had to go, not because the police ordered him or forced him.
He never told the police that he did not want to go. There was no testimony that the
officers patted appellant down or told him that he was under arrest. And there was
no testimony that the officers brandished their weapons. Further, the task force
vehicle in which appellant rode was not a police cruiser with a cage and back doors
that did not unlock. Instead, it was an SUV without a cage and its doors could be
unlocked from the backseat.
{¶45} Third, there was an actual detention of appellant by police when they
handcuffed him.
{¶46} Fourth, appellant testified that he believed he was under arrest.
However, he admitted that the police did not tell him he was being charged with
anything. And he admitted his family did not have a vehicle. So the only way for him
to get to the police station was by riding with the officers. Furthermore, appellant’s
handcuffs were removed when he got to the station. And appellant’s mother was
with him at the station.
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{¶47} Given these circumstances, appellant was not under arrest when the
police handcuffed him to give him a ride to the station for questioning. Handcuffing
alone does not create an arrest as long as the handcuffing was reasonable under the
circumstances. State v. Pickett (Aug. 3, 2000), 8th Dist. No. 76295, citing State v.
Mays (1995), 104 Ohio App.3d 241, 248-49; State v. Broomfeld (Sept. 13, 1996), 2d
Dist. No. 95-CA-0103; United States v. Miller (C.A.8, 1992), 974 F.2d 953, 956-57;
United States v. Glenna (C.A.7, 1989), 878 F.2d 967; United States v. Crittendon
(C.A.4, 1989), 883 F.2d 326; United States v. Laing (C.A.D.C.1989), 889 F.2d 281.
In this situation where officers were transporting potential arson witnesses to the
police station for questioning, handcuffing was reasonable both for the officers’ safety
as well as for the witnesses’ safety. The officers would have had no way of knowing
if the witnesses were a threat to their safety or to each other’s safety.
{¶48} And in State v. Whitfield, 2d Dist. No. 22432, 2009-Ohio-293, a similar
situation occurred. Whitfield testified at a suppression hearing that four armed police
officers came to his home and told him that they needed to take him to the police
station for questioning. Whitfield agreed to go with them. He stated that he was
handcuffed behind his back, placed in the rear of a marked police cruiser, and
transported to the police station where he was interviewed. Police did not give
Whitfield his Miranda warnings prior to the interview. The detective who interviewed
Whitfield testified that Whitfield was a witness, not a suspect, and that Whitfield was
not charged with anything at the time. The Second District found that Whitfield had
been significantly deprived of his freedom of movement and therefore, Miranda
warnings were required. Id. at ¶61. The court then went on to comment:
{¶49} “There may be valid reasons why any person, including a mere witness,
is secured in handcuffs before being placed in a police cruiser. Officer safety is a
prime consideration. In that event, explaining the need to employ handcuffs might
lessen the custodial character of the person's encounter with police. That was not
done here. Neither were the cuffs removed when Defendant emerged from the
cruiser, and not until he was led into the police station and placed in the interview
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room. Those matters, following Defendant's apprehension at home by four armed
police officers, demonstrate a custodial detention that required Miranda warnings
before any interrogation commenced.” (Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶63.
{¶50} The court concluded that due to the lack of Miranda warnings,
Whitfield’s statements should have been suppressed. Thus, the court seemed to
conclude that had the detective who interviewed Whitfield read him his Miranda
warnings, Whitfield’s statements would have been admissible. In the case at bar,
Detective Kelly gave appellant his Miranda warnings before interviewing him.
{¶51} In conclusion, because appellant was not illegally arrested and because
appellant’s Miranda rights were not violated, the trial court properly overruled
appellant’s motion to suppress his statements. Accordingly, appellant’s first
assignment of error is without merit.
{¶52} Appellant’s second assignment of error states:
{¶53} “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT
AND ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY DENYING APPELLANT’S MOTION TO
EXCLUDE EVIDENCE OF OTHER CRIMES, WRONGS OR ACTS AND
PERMITTING AT TRIAL WITNESS TESTIMONY CONTRARY TO OHIO RULES OF
EVIDENCE 402 AND 403(A), WHEN SUCH EVIDENCE WAS IMPROPER,
INCOMPETENT AND ITS ADMISSION OUTWEIGHED THE DANGER OF
PREJUDICE TO APPELLANT RECEIVING A FAIR TRIAL.”
{¶54} Early on in the pretrial process, appellant filed a motion to exclude
evidence relating to other crimes, wrongs, or acts. The trial court sustained this
motion on May 16, 2008. Then on September 12, 2008, appellee filed a motion to
introduce other acts evidence. The state alleged that it was admissible because it
established absence of mistake or accident, intent, modus operandi, and plan. The
court conducted a hearing on this motion and ultimately denied it finding that the
evidence was “far more prejudicial than probative” and that it was “the type of
evidence that creates passion, creates prejudice against the defendant.” (Sept. 22,
Tr. 55-56). Finally, on the second day of trial, October 10, 2008, appellee renewed
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its motion arguing appellant’s counsel had put appellant’s identity at issue and it
should be permitted to use the other acts evidence to prove his identity. This time,
the court granted the motion and allowed the testimony over appellant’s objection.
(Tr. 1590).
{¶55} All of these motions dealt with appellant’s attempt to prohibit the state
from presenting Enrique Ayala’s testimony. Ayala would testify that three weeks prior
to the arson in question, appellant and his brothers set a fire on his front porch on the
same street as the Crawford home.
{¶56} Appellant argues that the trial court should not have allowed Ayala’s
testimony because it was unfairly prejudicial to him. He claims that this testimony
was only meant to show that he was the type of person who committed arson, which
he states is not permissible under the Evidence Rules. He further argues that
Ayala’s testimony did nothing to make the existence of any fact of consequence in
this case more or less probable. He urges that the prejudice was even more likely
since Ayala could not independently identify him.
{¶57} A trial court has broad discretion in determining whether to admit or
exclude evidence and its decision will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion.
State v. Mays (1996), 108 Ohio App.3d 598, 617. Abuse of discretion connotes more
than an error of law or judgment; it implies that the trial court's attitude is
unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. State v. Adams (1980), 62 Ohio St.2d
151, 157.
{¶58} “Relevant evidence” is any evidence that tends to make the existence
of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more or less
probable than it would be without the evidence. Evid.R. 401. Generally, all relevant
evidence is admissible. Evid.R. 402. Relevant evidence may be inadmissible,
however, if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice. Evid.R. 403.
{¶59} Evidence of prior bad acts is inadmissible for proving that the accused
acted in conformity with his bad character. State v. Treesh (2001), 90 Ohio St.3d
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460, 482; Evid.R. 404(B). Yet evidence of prior bad acts may be admitted for other
purposes such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge,
identity, or absence of mistake or accident. Evid.R. 404(B).
{¶60} In this case, the state offered Ayala’s testimony to prove appellant’s
identity.
{¶61} “‘Where the identity of the defendant is the question in issue, any fact
which tends to establish the identity has probative value and is none the less
competent evidence because it establishes a collateral fact nor because proof of
such fact may incidentally involve proof of the commission of another offense. If the
fact tends to establish the identity of the accused, it is competent evidence, no matter
what else it may prove.’” State v. Jamison (1990), 49 Ohio St.3d 182, 185, quoting
Barnett v. State (1922), 104 Ohio St. 298, 303. Other acts can be used to prove
identity through a common modus operandi by showing that the accused has
committed similar crimes and used a distinct, identifiable scheme, plan, or system as
was used in the commission of the charged offense. State v. Elersic, 11th Dist. Nos.
2001-G-2335, 2003-G-2512, 2003-Ohio-7218, at ¶26.
{¶62} But courts must be careful to recognize the distinction between
evidence that shows that the defendant is the type of person who might commit a
particular crime and evidence that shows that the defendant is the person who
committed a particular crime. State v. Lowe (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 527, 530.
Evidence of a certain modus operandi is admissible “because it provides a behavioral
fingerprint which, when compared to the behavioral fingerprints associated with the
crime in question, can be used to identify the defendant as the perpetrator. Other-
acts evidence is admissible to prove identity through the characteristics of acts rather
than through a person's character.” Id. at 531.
{¶63} Here the other-acts evidence tends to demonstrate that appellant is the
person who started the fire at issue instead of merely showing that he is the type of
person who might commit arson. Hence, the evidence was relevant. The fire at
Ayala’s house and the fire at the Crawford house were set under very similar
- 16 -
circumstances. Ayala testified that the fire at his house was set in the early morning
hours, on the front porch, and using an accelerant. (Tr. 1607-08). Further, Ayala’s
house, like the Crawford house, was on Stewart Avenue. (Tr. 1604). And the fire at
Ayala’s occurred approximately one month prior to the Crawford fire. (Tr. 1604).
{¶64} Nonetheless, the probative value of this evidence was outweighed by
the danger of unfair prejudice. Ayala’s testimony as to who was responsible for the
fire was somewhat doubtful. When asked who set his house on fire, Ayala first
replied, “Some guy named David [sic.]” (Tr. 1604). When asked if he could see the
person in the courtroom, Ayala stated that he was not sure because he could not see
very far. (Tr. 1604). Thus, he did not identify appellant either in the courtroom or by
his first name. Ayala stated, however, that all three Davis brothers who lived a block
away from him were responsible for setting his house on fire. (Tr. 1605-1606). He
testified that he saw them do it from his living room. (Tr. 1607-1608).
{¶65} The trial court, during its two pretrial opportunities to rule on this
evidence, unequivocally found that it was “far more prejudicial than probative” and
that it was the kind of evidence that would prejudice the jury against appellant. The
court’s reasons for initially denying the state’s request to admit the evidence were still
sound and still existed at the time of trial.
{¶66} Given the prejudicial nature of the evidence and given Ayala’s uncertain
identification, the trial court should not have admitted Ayala’s testimony.
{¶67} Yet this is not a reversible error. If there is no reasonable possibility
that the improper other-acts evidence contributed to the defendant’s conviction, then
its admission is harmless error. State v. Elliot (1993), 91 Ohio App.3d 763, 771.
{¶68} As will be seen in appellant’s next assignment of error, the rest of the
evidence clearly support appellant’s convictions. Most importantly, appellant
confessed to setting the fire at the Crawford house and then running home to call
911. He also described to the police his motive for setting the fire, which was
corroborated by other witnesses. Further, arson investigators determined that an
accelerant was used to start the fire. And a chemical commonly found in accelerants
- 17 -
was detected on appellant’s clothing. Thus, even though it was error to admit Ayala’s
testimony, such error was harmless.
{¶69} Accordingly, appellant’s second assignment of error is without merit.
{¶70} Appellant’s third assignment of error states:
{¶71} “THE TRIAL COURT DENIED APPELLANT DUE PROCESS UNDER
THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT DUE TO THE FACT HIS CONVICTIONS FOR
AGGRAVATED MURDER AND AGGRAVATED ARSONS WERE AGAINST THE
MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND THE JURY AND TRIAL COURT’S
VERDICT WERE INCONSISTENT WITH THE EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY
PRESENTED AT TRIAL.”
{¶72} Here appellant argues that the jury’s verdict was against the manifest
weight of the evidence. He contends that the state’s theory of the case that he
purposely set fire to the Crawford home because he was upset that Ricky Williams
stole his cell phone was unsubstantiated. Appellant first points us to the testimony of
Julius Crawford, his good friend, who he states testified that it was unlikely that
appellant would set his house on fire over a stolen cell phone. Second, appellant
asserts that the Youngstown Police Department’s and the arson investigators’
investigations were incomplete. As to the police, he notes that Detective Kelly
testified that he would have liked to have known that James Davis had called Julius
Crawford at 4:00 a.m. to see if he was still awake. And as to the arson investigators,
appellant notes that they failed to remove a separate portion of the porch to provide a
comparative sample for accelerant testing and failed to submit for testing a can of
lighter fluid found in the kitchen of appellant’s home. Appellant argues that had these
avenues been pursued, the investigation would have focused on Anthony Morrow
and James Davis. Finally, appellant argues that no scientific evidence linked him to
the crimes. He notes that the only footprints found nearby were determined to have
been made by Morrow’s boots. Further, he states that although accelerants were
found on the Crawford porch and on clothing taken from him, James Davis, and
Morrow, there was no evidence that the accelerants were the same.
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{¶73} In determining whether a verdict is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and
all reasonable inferences and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the
evidence, the jury clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of
justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered. State v.
Thompkins (1997), 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387. “Weight of the evidence concerns ‘the
inclination of the greater amount of credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support
one side of the issue rather than the other.’” Id. (Emphasis sic.) In making its
determination, a reviewing court is not required to view the evidence in a light most
favorable to the prosecution but may consider and weigh all of the evidence
produced at trial. Id. at 390.
{¶74} Still, determinations of witness credibility, conflicting testimony, and
evidence weight are primarily for the trier of the facts. State v. DeHass (1967), 10
Ohio St.2d 230, paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶75} The jury convicted appellant of six counts of aggravated murder in
violation of R.C. 2903.01(B), which provides:
{¶76} “No person shall purposely cause the death of another * * * while
committing or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or
attempting to commit, * * * aggravated arson, arson, * * *.”
{¶77} The jury also convicted appellant of 19 counts of aggravated arson in
violation of R.C. 2909.02(A)(1), which provides, “[n]o person, by means of fire or
explosion, shall knowingly * * * [c]reate a substantial risk of serious physical harm to
any person other than the offender[.]”
{¶78} Appellant’s argument here is that the state did not prove that he was
the one who set the fire. In order to determine if the jury clearly lost its way in finding
that appellant was the one who set the fire, we must examine the evidence.
{¶79} Retia Crawford testified about her family and her escape from the fire.
She testified that on January 22, 2008, she lived at 1645 Stewart Avenue with her
mother Carol Crawford; her sister Jennifer Crawford; her three nieces, Jeannine,
- 19 -
Alisha, and Ranaisha Crawford; her nephew Brandon Owens; her brother Julius
Crawford; and her brother’s friend Christopher Taylor. (Tr. 1157-58). In addition to
her family, that night family friends Ricky Williams and Domika Wilson also stayed at
the Crawford house. (Tr. 1159). Retia stated that while Domika was not Julius’s
girlfriend, Domika was “with” Julius. (Tr. 1172). She stated that Taylor woke her up
from her basement bedroom to tell her the house was on fire. (Tr. 1162). Retia tried
to go upstairs to get the others but the fire was too hot so she ran out of the house
with Taylor. (Tr. 1163). Retia stated that initially, a detective told her that someone
by the name of “Face” started the fire. (Tr. 1172).
{¶80} Julius Crawford testified that prior to January 22, there was an issue
regarding appellant’s cell phone. (Tr. 1177). Julius stated that he and Ricky Williams
went to appellant’s house and Ricky stole appellant’s cell phone. (Tr. 1177-78). He
also stated that he offered to buy it from Ricky. (Tr. 1178). Julius stated that he
thought appellant realized his phone was stolen but Julius was unsure whether
appellant suspected that it was him or Ricky who took it. (Tr. 1178). Julius stated
that later appellant repeatedly asked him to get the phone back for him. (Tr. 1179).
He also stated that appellant was upset about his phone. (Tr. 1187).
{¶81} Julius also testified that he and appellant were good friends and spent a
lot of time together. (Tr. 1185). In fact, he stated that appellant came over just that
day while he was outside and they talked about playing football. (Tr. 1180).
Additionally, Julius testified that at 4:00 a.m. the morning of the fire appellant’s
brother James called him and asked him if he was still awake. (Tr. 1189). Finally,
Julius testified that a person by the name of “Face” was discussed as a person of
interest in setting the fire. (Tr. 1189). He stated that Face is Domika’s ex-boyfriend.
(Tr. 1189-90).
{¶82} Ricky Williams testified that a few days prior to the fire, he and Julius
were at appellant’s house playing with appellant’s new cell phone. (Tr. 1196-97,
1210). Ricky stated that he put the phone in his waistband while appellant was in the
kitchen. (Tr. 1196). He stated that appellant looked in his pockets and did not find it.
- 20 -
(Tr. 1196). Ricky stated that after they left appellant’s house, he told Julius that he
had appellant’s phone. (Tr. 1197). And he testified that appellant never confronted
him about the phone or threatened him. (Tr. 1210-11). He also admitted that the cell
phone was found in his house five days after the fire. (Tr. 1204-1205).
{¶83} Domika Wilson testified that on the night of the fire she was sleeping in
Julius’s room with him when somebody yelled that there was a fire. (Tr. 1219).
Domika further testified that Face is her ex-boyfriend. (Tr. 1222-23). And she stated
that Face knew that she was seeing Julius. (Tr. 1224). She stated that she saw
Face later on the morning of the fire and he drove her to the hospital. (Tr. 1223).
{¶84} Youngstown Police Officer Lou Ciavarella testified that upon searching
appellant’s house he found a can of charcoal lighter fluid in the kitchen. (Tr. 1252).
{¶85} Detective Sergeant Joseph DeMatteo testified that he observed
footprints about 75 feet behind the Crawford house that appeared to be made by
someone who was walking as opposed to running. (Tr. 1273-74). He found them
between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. the afternoon following the fire. (Tr. 1274-75).
{¶86} Crime Lab Officer Robert Mauldin testified that he confiscated
appellant’s pants and shoes (red and white Jordan tennis shoes) and gave them to
the State Fire Marshal. (Tr. 1294-95).
{¶87} Detective Kelly testified that he identified appellant as a person of
interest or a witness. (Tr. 1312, 1337). He stated that he went to appellant’s house
after the fire and spoke to Mrs. Davis. (Tr. 1312-13). The violent crimes task force
then brought appellant, Scott Davis, James Davis, and Anthony Morrow to the police
station for questioning. (Tr. 1313, 1336-37).
{¶88} During the interview, Detective Kelly stated appellant initially denied
being involved in the fire. (Tr. 1317). Appellant told Detective Kelly about his stolen
cell phone and that he thought Ricky took it. (Tr. 1318). Appellant indicated that he
was angry because Julius was his best friend and he felt betrayed that Julius and
Ricky would have something to do with stealing his phone. (Tr. 1319, 1345).
- 21 -
{¶89} Appellant then admitted to setting the fire at the Crawford house. (Tr.
1319). He told Detective Kelly that he left his house, walked through the yard and
through a vacant lot, picked up a piece of paper and balled it up. (Tr. 1320).
Appellant stated that he then lit the paper on fire in the Crawfords’ driveway. (Tr.
1320). The next thing he knew, appellant told Detective Kelly, he turned to run and
the house was engulfed in flames. (Tr. 1320). Appellant stated he ran home and
called 911. (Tr. 1320). Appellant told Detective Kelly that he acted alone and that he
did not use an accelerant. (Tr. 1320, 1322).
{¶90} Appellant further told Detective Kelly that he repeatedly called his cell
phone that night to see if anyone was home at the Crawford house and that he
believed Ricky answered it one time and hung up. (Tr. 1320-21). He stated that the
reason for the fire was the stolen cell phone. (Tr. 1321).
{¶91} Next, appellant told Detective Kelly that he knew people were home at
the Crawford house at the time he set the fire because the lights were on and he
knew Julius would be up at that time. (Tr. 1321). He also stated that he told his
mother that he had set the fire. (Tr. 1321-22).
{¶92} The next day, Detective Kelly interviewed appellant again. (Tr. 1322).
Detective Kelly stated that Mrs. Davis had called him and this led to the second
interview. (Tr. 1323). This time appellant stated that he did not act alone but that
Anthony Morrow was with him. (Tr. 1324). Appellant told Detective Kelly that he and
Morrow had discussed setting a fire in the Crawfords’ driveway in order to scare
Julius. (Tr. 1324). He further told Detective Kelly that while he and Morrow were at
his house, Morrow filled up a Top Pop bottle with lighter fluid and stuck a rag in it.
(Tr. 1325). Appellant stated that he decided he did not want to use the pop bottle so
he emptied it out of his back door and threw the Top Pop bottle in the garbage. (Tr.
1325).
{¶93} In an attempt to corroborate appellant’s statements, Detective Kelly
testified that he recovered several Top Pop bottles from appellant’s garbage cans,
which he sent to the State Fire Marshal for testing to see if they contained any
- 22 -
accelerant. (Tr. 1325-26). However, Detective Kelly testified that he found no
evidence to corroborate appellant’s story after the lab reports came back. (Tr. 1327).
{¶94} Detective Kelly also stated that at the scene he was given the name of
“Face” as a potential suspect but that he did not find any evidence to link him to the
fire. (Tr. 1314). He further testified that Face was eliminated as a suspect after
appellant confessed. (Tr. 1334).
{¶95} Detective Kelly also testified that the footprints found behind the
Crawford house were identified as belonging to Morrow. (Tr. 1338). However, he
also stated that there was no way of knowing when the footprints were made. (Tr.
1347).
{¶96} Lieutenant Kevin Johnson of the Youngstown Fire Department
responded to investigate the fire’s cause. He testified that the condition of the porch
floor indicated that the fire began very low to the ground. (Tr. 1363). He stated that
he centered his investigation on the front porch. (Tr. 1386-87). After the fire started
on the porch, Lieutenant Johnson testified, it broke through the front window and
went up to the second floor. (Tr. 1369). He further testified that the charring he
found in one area of the porch indicated that there was a “pooling” or a puddle of an
accelerant in that spot. (Tr. 1390).
{¶97} Lieutenant Johnson also testified that the State Fire Marshall’s dog
indicated two areas on the porch for accelerants. (Tr. 1388-89). The dog’s
indication, in addition to the irregular burn pattern in those areas, caused Lieutenant
Johnson to take samples of the porch flooring there. (Tr. 1389, 1391). He sent the
samples to the State Fire Marshal’s lab for testing. (Tr. 1390, 1392; Exs. 31, 32). He
also stated that he did not take a comparative sample from the porch. (Tr. 1408). He
stated that ideally a comparative sample would be taken from the unburned area, but
in this case there was no unburned area. (Tr. 1415). However, he admitted that he
could have taken a comparative sample from the least burned portion of the porch.
(Tr. 1409). And he admitted that porches sometimes have a sealant or terpentene
[sic.] within them that is ignitable. (Tr. 1410). Lieutenant Johnson testified, however,
- 23 -
that in the thousand fires that he had investigated he had never come across a
sealed turpentine floor that ignited across the board all at once. (Tr. 1417). Thus, he
opined that there was nothing about the way this fire burned across the floor so
quickly that was consistent with a sealant being the cause of the fire. (Tr. 1417).
{¶98} Lieutenant Johnson testified that nothing from his investigation
indicated that the fire was accidentally started. (Tr. 1394, 1399). He concluded,
based on his investigation, that the fire originated on the front porch and shortly after
being ignited, broke into the house and followed up the stairwell cutting off any
means for people to get up or down the stairs. (Tr. 1399). Lieutenant Johnson ruled
the fire arson. (Tr. 1399).
{¶99} Dr. Darin Trelka, a deputy coroner and pathologist at the Cuyahoga
County Coroner’s Office, testified that the cause of death for all six victims was
carbon monoxide intoxication due to smoke inhalation. (Tr. 1488, 1490, 1492, 1494,
1495, 1497).
{¶100} Brian Peterman, a fire investigator for the State Fire Marshal’s Office,
investigated the fire along with his canine partner, Lacey. Lacey is trained to detect
ignitable liquids and accelerants by scent. (Tr. 1503). At the Crawford home,
Peterman deployed Lacey on the front porch where she alerted him to two spots
where she detected an ignitable liquid. (Tr. 1509). Peterman then removed samples
of the porch from these spots to be sent for testing. (Tr. 1509; Exs. 32, 33).
Peterman also took Lacey to the Youngstown Police Department to sniff clothes that
had been collected by the police. (Tr. 1511). Lacey alerted to several articles of
clothing that were then sent for further testing including appellant’s jeans and tennis
shoes and two other pairs of shoes that did not belong to appellant. (Tr. 1512-13,
1527-28).
{¶101} On cross examination, Peterman stated that Lacey cannot distinguish
between different types of ignitable liquids, she can only determine that an ignitable
liquid is present. (Tr. 1518-19). And he agreed that his training manual states that a
comparison sample should be taken; however, he stated that the manual was just a
- 24 -
guide. (Tr. 1520). Peterman further opined that a comparison sample is not always
necessary. (Tr. 1520). He stated that if he were to take a comparison sample it
would be from an unburned portion of the porch. (Tr. 1529). But he stated that in
this case the whole porch was burnt. (Tr. 1529). Finally, Peterman testified that if
the porch had been stained or varnished years ago and that stain had fueled the fire
then Lacey would have alerted over the entire porch, which was not the case. (Tr.
1529-30).
{¶102} Christa Rajendram is the lab supervisor at the State Fire Marshal
Crime Lab who tested the items submitted by the Youngstown Fire Department.
Rajendram tested the two samples taken from the Crawfords’ porch. She found
medium petroleum distillate and terpenes present. (Tr. 1538). Terpenes are a
substance that are found in soft woods as a natural product and are also present in
turpentine. (Tr. 1538). Medium petroleum distillates are found in ignitable liquids
such as paint thinners, charcoal starters, and lamp oils. (Tr. 1539). Rajendram also
tested the clothing submitted by the YFD. She stated that seven articles of clothing
tested positive for medium petroleum distillates: three pairs of shoes, two pairs of
pants, and two shirts. (Tr. 1540, 1546-47). Included in these items that tested
positive were appellant’s tennis shoes and his jeans. (Tr. 1540).
{¶103} On cross examination, Rajendram testified that not all charcoal lighter
fluids contain medium petroleum distillates. (Tr. 1555). And she testified that while
she was able to tell that the medium petroleum distillates on the porch and on the
clothes were in the same range, she could not determine whether they were the
same medium petroleum distillates or whether they came from the same product.
(Tr. 1557-58). Finally, she testified that a comparative sample from the porch would
have helped her determine if any medium petroleum distillates were present in the
wood of the porch. (Tr. 1559).
{¶104} Additionally, eight firefighters testified that they went into the burning
house while it was still dangerous, that they were at a risk of serious harm, and that
they suffered various injuries as a result. (Tr. 1418-60).
- 25 -
{¶105} Appellant called one witness in his defense, Dr. Richard Henderson, a
certified fire investigator. Dr. Henderson reviewed the lab reports and results from
the tests done at the State Fire Marshal’s Lab.
{¶106} Dr. Henderson stated that one thing that concerned him was that
anytime a wood floor is involved, like the porch here, he worries about whether the
medium petroleum distillate came from the floor itself. (Tr. 1694). He explained that
a wood floor can be painted or stained with medium petroleum distillate-containing
products. (Tr. 1695). And he stated that the medium petroleum distillates can stay
locked in the wood for decades. (Tr. 1695). Dr. Henderson testified that in order to
determine whether the medium petroleum distillates came from the wood flooring, a
comparative sample should be taken for testing. (Tr. 1695). Ideally, Dr. Henderson
stated that an unburned sample should be used. (Tr. 1695). But when that is not
possible, he stated that a sample should be taken from the least-burned area. (Tr.
1695). Dr. Henderson opined that a comparison sample is helpful in eliminating the
theory that a medium petroleum distillate was purposely placed as an ignitable fluid
to start a fire. (Tr. 1696).
{¶107} Another concern Dr. Henderson expressed was that the container of
charcoal lighter fluid found by police in appellant’s kitchen was not tested to see if its
chemical composition was similar to the material found on the porch samples. (Tr.
1698-99). He explained further that older charcoal lighter fluids commonly contained
medium petroleum distillates but that newer ones do not. (Tr. 1699-1700).
{¶108} Dr. Henderson further testified regarding all of the clothing that was
found to have medium petroleum distillates on them. He stated that there is no way
to tell if the medium petroleum distillates on the clothes all came from the same
source because the same material is used in so many different products. (Tr. 1706-
1707). Some of the products that contain medium petroleum distillates that Dr.
Henderson listed are charcoal lighter fluid, lamp oil, insect products like Raid, and
waterless hand cleaners. (Tr. 1707).
- 26 -
{¶109} Additionally, Dr. Henderson testified that after comparing the fine
structure of the porch samples with the clothing submitted, he concluded that they did
not contain the same medium petroleum distillates. (Tr. 1712, 1736).
{¶110} On cross examination, Dr. Henderson stated that he did not conduct
an independent investigation, he only reviewed the records produced by the state
investigators. (Tr. 1717). He also admitted that the chemical analyses performed by
the state lab were done properly. (Tr. 1718). And Dr. Henderson opined that in a
case where the porch was stained years ago and then the porch combusted within
minutes, while the stain components would be detectable in the porch, the stain
would not have contributed to the fire. (Tr. 1733).
{¶111} It was undisputed that six people died of carbon monoxide poisoning
from smoke inhalation and that the fire subjected 13 others to a substantial risk of
serious physical harm. The main question at trial was whether appellant was the
individual responsible for starting the fire. The manifest weight of the evidence
proved that he was.
{¶112} First and foremost, appellant confessed not once, but twice, to
starting the fire. And while his defense team tried to suggest that someone else
started the fire, appellant offered no explanation for why he would have confessed to
starting a fire that killed six people if he had not been responsible.
{¶113} Additionally, the evidence demonstrated that appellant was upset that
Ricky Williams, while hanging out with Julius Crawford and appellant, stole
appellant’s cell phone. Appellant told Detective Kelly that he was angry because
Julius was his best friend and he felt betrayed that Julius and Ricky would have
something to do with stealing his phone. Appellant stated that this was the reason he
set the fire. Julius and Ricky corroborated appellant’s statements about the stolen
cell phone. And police found the cell phone in Ricky’s house five days after the fire.
{¶114} Further, the evidence showed that the 911 call reporting the fire was
placed from appellant’s house. And appellant told Detective Kelly that after setting
the fire, he ran home and called 911.
- 27 -
{¶115} Moreover, the evidence indicated that an accelerant was used to start
the fire. Lieutenant Johnson testified that he found “pooling” indicative of an
accelerant on the porch. And fire investigator Peterman testified that the accelerant-
sniffing dog indicated an accelerant on two areas of the porch. Testing on these
samples came back positive for medium petroleum distillates, which are found in
many accelerants. Appellant attempted to use Dr. Henderson’s testimony to show
that even though medium petroleum distillates were found in the porch samples, they
could have been there as a result of a stain or paint used on the porch. However, all
experts who testified on the subject, including Dr. Henderson, opined that even if
there were medium petroleum distillates in the porch wood, they would not have
caused such a rapid fire as was the case here. And Peterman testified that if the
porch had been stained or varnished and the stain or varnish was the source of the
accelerant, then the fire dog would have alerted over the entire porch and not just on
two isolated areas.
{¶116} Medium petroleum distillates were also found on appellant’s shoes
and pants. Appellant downplayed the significance of this by presenting evidence that
they were also found on clothing items worn by Morrow and James Davis. Further,
Dr. Henderson testified that the medium petroleum distillates found on appellant’s
clothing were different than those found on the porch. And Rajendram, who actually
performed the testing, testified that while she was able to tell that the medium
petroleum distillates on the porch and on the clothes were in the same range, she
could not determine whether they came from the same product. However, Dr.
Henderson offered somewhat conflicting testimony because he also testified that
there is no way to tell if the medium petroleum distillates on the clothes all came from
the same source.
{¶117} Moreover, Lieutenant Johnson testified that his investigation revealed
the fire originated on the front porch and travelled into the house shortly after being
ignited. He ruled the fire arson.
- 28 -
{¶118} As to appellant’s specific arguments, they do not demonstrate that the
jury’s verdict was against the weight of the evidence.
{¶119} First, Julius only testified that he and appellant were good friends and
that appellant had asked him to try to get his phone back. Julius did not testify, as
appellant asserts, that it was unlikely that appellant would set his house on fire.
{¶120} Second, while Detective Kelly did testify that he would have liked to
have known that James Davis had called Julius at 4:00 a.m. and asked if he was
awake (Tr. 1340), this does not detract from appellant’s confession to Detective Kelly.
{¶121} Third, the arson investigators did not remove a comparative sample
from the porch for testing and did not submit the can of lighter fluid found in
appellant’s house for testing. However, as discussed above, all witnesses who
testified on the subject indicated that even if medium petroleum distillates were
present in the porch floor from staining, they would not have ignited so quickly as to
set the porch ablaze in seconds. And while it may have been helpful to test the can
of lighter fluid found in appellant’s house for medium petroleum distillates, even if
such testing revealed that the lighter fluid did not contain medium petroleum
distillates this would only serve to show that appellant did not use that particular
accelerant in starting the fire.
{¶122} Fourth, appellant takes issue with the fact that Morrow was not
charged in the arson. The evidence demonstrated that Morrow’s boot print was
found 75 feet behind the Crawford house and medium petroleum distillates were
found on his clothing too. However, even if Morrow had aided appellant in setting the
fire this would not diminish appellant’s guilt. Furthermore, appellant himself gave
conflicting statements to Detective Kelly on this point, first stating that he acted alone
in setting the fire and the next day stating that Morrow was with him.
{¶123} Finally, it is true that no scientific evidence directly linked appellant to
the fire. But such evidence was unnecessary. Forensic evidence is not required to
prove an offense. State v. Dickerson (Mar. 17, 1999), 7th Dist. No. 96 C.A. 209.
Moreover, medium petroleum distillates were found on appellant’s clothing, although
- 29 -
no expert was able to conclude whether they were the same medium petroleum
distillates found on the porch.
{¶124} In sum, we cannot conclude that the jury clearly lost its way in finding
that appellant started the fire. Accordingly, appellant’s third assignment of error is
without merit.
{¶125} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error states:
{¶126} “THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED DUE PROCESS, ABUSED ITS
DISCRETION AND ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT BY
SENTENCING HIM TO THE MAXIMUM CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES FOR HIS
CONVICTIONS FOR AGGRAVATED MURDER AND AGGRAVATED ARSON
WITHOUT PROPERLY CONSIDERING OHIO’S SENTENCING STATUTES,
INCLUDING R.C. 2929.14(E)(4) WITHOUT MAKING THE REQUIRED STATUTORY
FINDINGS.”
{¶127} Appellant argues here that the trial court failed to consider the proper
sentencing statutes when sentencing him to maximum, consecutive sentences.
{¶128} Specifically, appellant contends that the trial court improperly relied on
R.C. 2929.14(E)(4). He asserts that because this was a capital case, the trial court
was required to sentence him pursuant to R.C. 2929.03, which sets out the
guidelines for imposing sentences for capital offenses.
{¶129} Appellant then takes his argument one step further. Pursuant to R.C.
2929.03(D)(2)(a):
{¶130} “(2) Upon consideration of the relevant evidence raised at trial, the
testimony, other evidence, statement of the offender, arguments of counsel, and, if
applicable, the reports submitted pursuant to division (D)(1) of this section, the trial
jury, * * * shall determine whether the aggravating circumstances the offender was
found guilty of committing are sufficient to outweigh the mitigating factors present in
the case. If the trial jury unanimously finds, by proof beyond a reasonable doubt, that
the aggravating circumstances the offender was found guilty of committing outweigh
the mitigating factors, the trial jury shall recommend to the court that the sentence of
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death be imposed on the offender. Absent such a finding, the jury shall recommend
that the offender be sentenced to one of the following:
{¶131} “(a) * * * to life imprisonment without parole, life imprisonment with
parole eligibility after serving twenty-five full years of imprisonment, or life
imprisonment with parole eligibility after serving thirty full years of imprisonment[.]”
{¶132} Appellant points out that the jury recommended a sentence of life
imprisonment with parole eligibility after 30 years on each of the six aggravated
murder counts. He notes that the jury chose not to recommend a life sentence
without the possibility of parole. Therefore, appellant concludes, the jury must have
found, after listening to the mitigation evidence, that he is capable of being
rehabilitated. Appellant argues that by ordering his sentences of life imprisonment
without the possibility of parole for 30 years on each of the six counts to run
consecutively to each other and consecutive to his sentences on the 13 counts of
arson, the trial court disregarded the jury’s finding that he should be eligible for parole
after 30 years and instead sentenced him to 310 years in prison. Appellant asserts
that this was an abuse of the court’s discretion.
{¶133} Our review of felony sentences is a limited, two-fold approach, as
outlined by the plurality opinion in State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-
Ohio4912, at ¶ 26. First, we must “examine the sentencing court's compliance with
all applicable rules and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine whether the
sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law.” Id. (O'Connor, J., plurality
opinion). In examining “all applicable rules and statutes,” the sentencing court must
consider R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12. Id. at ¶ 13-14 (O'Connor, J., plurality
opinion). If the sentence is clearly and convincingly not contrary to law, the court's
exercise of discretion “in selecting a sentence within the permissible statutory range
is subject to review for any abuse of discretion.” Id. at ¶ 17 (O'Connor, J., plurality
opinion). Thus, we apply an abuse of discretion standard to determine whether the
sentence satisfies R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12. Id. at ¶ 17 (O'Connor, J., plurality
opinion).
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{¶134} Further, a sentencing court has “full discretion” to sentence an
offender within the statutory range and is no longer required to make findings or give
its reasons for imposing non-minimum, maximum, or consecutive sentences. State
v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006-Ohio-856, at paragraph seven of the syllabus.
{¶135} Appellant’s sentence is not contrary to law. Despite appellant’s
assertion, the court considered R.C. 2929.03(D)(2). In its Judgment Entry of
Sentence, the court begins its order by stating, “Upon consideration of O.R.C.
2929.03(D)(2) and all of the foregoing * * *.” The court then goes on to sentence
appellant to the jury’s recommended sentences of life imprisonment without parole
eligibility for 30 years for each of the six aggravated murder counts. Additionally, at
the sentencing hearing the court noted that it was bound to honor the jury’s
recommended sentence. (Sen. Tr. 32). Thus, the trial court considered the
appropriate statute and the jury’s corresponding recommendation and entered a
sentence that complied with the law.
{¶136} If we were to endorse appellant’s argument, that would mean the trial
court would be forced to order appellant’s six sentences of life in prison with parole
eligibility after 30 years to run concurrently. It would completely eliminate the trial
court’s discretion to decide whether to run sentences concurrently or consecutively.
A sentencing court has full discretion to sentence an offender within the statutory
range and is not required to make findings or give its reasons for imposing
consecutive sentences. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d at paragraph seven of the syllabus.
{¶137} To accept appellant’s argument would also mean that the trial court
could not order appellant’s aggravated arson sentences to run consecutively to his
aggravated murder sentences or to each other. Appellant’s argument seems
particularly flawed in this respect because the jury played no part in recommending a
sentence for the non-capital aggravated arson offenses. Appellant’s sentence on the
13 aggravated arson counts was a matter solely for the trial court.
{¶138} Further, the trial court did not improperly rely on R.C. 2929.14(E)(4),
which the Ohio Supreme Court found unconstitutional and severed in Foster, 109
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Ohio St.3d at paragraphs three and four of the syllabus. R.C. 2929.14(E)(4) provided
certain findings that the trial court was required to make before imposing consecutive
sentences on an offender. There is no indication in either the Judgment Entry of
Sentence or the sentencing transcript that the court relied on this unconstitutional
subsection.
{¶139} Finally, the trial court’s ten-year sentences on each of appellant’s
aggravated arson convictions were within the applicable range for first-degree
felonies. See R.C. 2929.14(A)(1).
{¶140} Thus, appellant’s sentence is not contrary to law.
{¶141} Next, we must determine whether the trial court abused its discretion
in sentencing appellant. Appellant calls our attention to several of the court’s
comments at sentencing that he contends demonstrate an abuse of discretion.
{¶142} Appellant points to the court’s comments regarding his not taking the
stand or making a statement (Sen. Tr. 22), calling the jury’s recommendation a
“break” for him (Sen. Tr. 24), making mention of Ayala’s testimony regarding another
fire that he was not convicted of (Sen. Tr. 24-25), and stating that it believed
appellant deserved to spend the rest of his life in prison (Sen. Tr. 28).
{¶143} We will address each comment in turn.
{¶144} First, appellant takes the court’s comment about him not taking the
stand out of context. The court’s comment came during a discussion of the statutory
seriousness and recidivism factors, one of which is whether the offender has shown
remorse for the offense. The court found, “the offender has shown no remorse
whatsoever, even today does not make a statement.” (Sen. Tr. 22).
{¶145} A trial court cannot use a defendant's silence at sentencing against
him since the right against self-incrimination follows the defendant to sentencing.
State v. Donald, 7th Dist. No. 08-MA-154, 2009-Ohio-4638, at ¶11. In Donald, the
court commented at sentencing, “And the defendant, after the victim and the police
officer offered overwhelming testimony against him, chose not to speak at all. So,
evidently, he agreed that all that was true the way it was presented.” Id. at ¶9.
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{¶146} The court’s comment in this case differs significantly from that in
Donald. In no way did the court suggest that appellant’s silence meant that appellant
agreed with the testimony presented against him. Instead, the court was going
through the sentencing factors it was required to take into consideration. R.C.
2929.12(D)(5) requires the sentencing court to consider whether the offender has
shown any genuine remorse for the offense. One way offenders frequently express
remorse is in making such a statement at the sentencing hearing. In this case the
court was not holding against appellant the fact that he did not testify. Instead, it was
looking at whether appellant expressed any remorse for his actions.
{¶147} Second, while praising the work of defense counsel in presenting
mitigation evidence, the court stated, “I believe you got your break from the jury.
There were sentencing options available to them that they rejected.” (Sen. Tr. 24).
The court then went on to talk about how the evidence likely led the jury to conclude
that he did not mean to kill anyone. (Sen. Tr. 24). Thus, the court seems to give
support for the jury’s recommended sentence. So once again, taken in context, the
court’s comment does not show evidence of an abuse of discretion.
{¶148} Third, the court pointed out there was evidence at trial that appellant
started another house fire. This reference was not improper. “Courts have
consistently held that evidence of other crimes, including crimes that never result in
criminal charges being pursued, or criminal charges that are dismissed as a result of
a plea bargain, may be considered at sentencing.” (Emphasis added.) State v.
Starkey, 7th Dist. No. 06-MA-110, 2007-Ohio-6702, at ¶17.
{¶149} Finally, in discussing the six lives that appellant took and how a
person must take responsibility for the consequences of his actions, the court
commented, “it’s inescapable to me, as a conclusion, that you deserve to spend the
rest of your life in prison. I don’t think you should ever get out.” (Sen. Tr. 28). Given
the facts of this case (the death of six innocent people of which four were children
under the age of nine simply due to a stolen cell phone) the court’s comment here
was not out of line nor did it demonstrate an abuse of discretion.
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{¶150} Based on the above, the trial court did not act unreasonably,
arbitrarily, or unconscionably in sentencing appellant. Accordingly, appellant’s fourth
assignment of error is without merit.
{¶151} Appellant’s fifth assignment of error states:
{¶152} “THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION AND ERRED TO
THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT BY PERMITTING APPELLEE TO AMEND THE
INDICTMENT REGARDING THE CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ARSON,
PURSUANT TO OHIO CRIMINAL RULE 7(D) AT THE CLOSE OF EVIDENCE
OVER OBJECTION OF APPELLANT.”
{¶153} In respect to all 19 counts of arson, the original indictment read:
{¶154} “[O]n or about January 23, 2008, at Mahoning County, MICHAEL A.
DAVIS did by means of fire or explosion, knowingly create a substantial risk of
physical harm to * * *. In violation of Section 2909.02(A)(1)(B)(1)(2) of the Revised
Code, a Felony of the First Degree, against the peace and dignity of the State of
Ohio.” (Emphasis added.)
{¶155} The statute, however, states that no person by fire or explosion shall
knowingly create a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person. R.C.
2909.02(A)(1). The indictment left out the word “serious.”
{¶156} Neither party noticed this error. The trial court brought it to their
attention. (Tr. 1644-47). The state then asked to amend the indictment to conform
with the evidence. (Tr. 1648). All firefighters involved testified that the fire subjected
the people involved to a substantial risk of serious physical harm. (Tr. 1418-60).
{¶157} Although the court expressed its dismay with the prosecutor’s office
for its poor drafting of the indictment, the court nonetheless granted the state’s
motion to amend the indictment and add the word “serious” to each of the arson
counts over appellant’s objection. (Tr. 1659-60).
{¶158} Appellant now argues that the trial court should not have allowed the
state to amend the indictment. He argues that “serious” physical harm was one of
the essential elements of the offense. He further points out that there is no crime
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containing only the elements set out in the indictment. Appellant argues that the
amendment of the indictment substantially changed the identity of the offense. He
points out that “physical harm” has a different definition than “serious physical harm.”
{¶159} Appellant next points us to this case’s history. During a pretrial on
July 9, 2008, the trial court instructed the state to make certain that the indictment
was properly drawn and that it contained no defects. (July 9 Pretrial Tr. 3-4). At the
next pretrial, the trial court asked the prosecutor if he had reviewed the indictment to
ensure its accuracy. (Aug. 12 Pretrial Tr. 66-67). The prosecutor stated that the
indictment had been reviewed and the state was satisfied with it. (Aug. 12 Pretrial Tr.
67).
{¶160} Appellant argues that appellee’s failure to amend the indictment prior
to trial, although being ordered by the court to review it, prohibited it from making the
request to amend it at the close of its case.
{¶161} Appellate courts review a trial court's decision to permit the
amendment of an indictment for an abuse of discretion. State v. Beach, 148 Ohio
App.3d 181, 2002-Ohio-2759, at ¶23.
{¶162} Article I, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution provides that “no person
shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous, crime, unless on
presentment or indictment of a grand jury.” Accordingly, the Ohio Constitution
guarantees an accused that the essential facts constituting the offense will be found
in the indictment. State v. Pepka, 125 Ohio St.3d 124, 2010-Ohio-1045, at ¶14.
{¶163} Crim.R. 7(D) allows the amendment of the indictment as follows:
{¶164} “The court may at any time before, during, or after a trial amend the
indictment, information, complaint, or bill of particulars, in respect to any defect,
imperfection, or omission in form or substance, or of any variance with the evidence,
provided no change is made in the name or identity of the crime charged.”
{¶165} If an amendment changes the penalty or degree of the charged
offense, it changes the identity of the offense and is not permitted by Crim.R. 7(D).
Pepka, at ¶15, citing State v. Davis, 121 Ohio St.3d 239, 2008-Ohio-4527, at ¶1. So
- 36 -
long as the state complies with Crim.R. 7(D), it may amend a defective indictment,
even if the original indictment omits an essential element of the offense with which
the defendant is charged. Id., citing State v. O'Brien (1987), 30 Ohio St.3d 122, at
127-28.
{¶166} The Ohio Supreme Court addressed a similar situation in Pepka, 125
Ohio St.3d 124. In Pepka, the defendant was charged with three counts of child
endangering, third-degree felonies. Each count alleged that Pepka “‘did recklessly,
being the parent, guardian, custodian, person having custody or control, or person in
loco parentis of a minor victim, a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally or
physically handicapped child under twenty-one years of age, to wit: eight months of
age, create a substantial risk to the health or safety of the said female minor victim,
by violating a duty of care, protection, or support.’” Id. at ¶7.
{¶167} The indictment went on to state that this act of endangering children
was a third-degree felony in violation of R.C. 2919.22(A). Id. at ¶8. A few days prior
to trial, the court allowed the state to amend the indictment to add language to each
count specifying that Pepka had caused “serious physical harm to the said female
minor victim.” Id. at ¶9. Pepka objected to this amendment. After discussing the
matter with Pepka’s counsel, the trial court determined that the amendment did not
change the nature of the harm alleged, that Pepka had sufficient notice regarding the
serious-physical-harm allegation, and that Pepka did not need additional time to
prepare to defend against that allegation. The jury found Pepka guilty of all three
felony counts.
{¶168} The court of appeals reversed Pepka’s convictions finding that the
original indictment was fatally defective for failing to include the serious-physical-
harm element. The state appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court. The Supreme Court
reversed, reasoning:
{¶169} “The original indictment set forth the elements of child endangering
under R.C. 2919.22(A) and specified that Pepka was being charged with third-degree
felonies. The only circumstance in which child endangering in violation of R.C.
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2919.22(A) is a third-degree felony is when the victim suffers serious physical harm.
R.C. 2919.22(E)(2)(c). Thus, the original indictment was sufficient to provide Pepka
with adequate notice of both the offenses and the degree of the offenses with which
he was charged.” Id. at ¶21.
{¶170} Here too appellant had notice of the offenses and the degree of the
offenses. First, the indictment specified that appellant was charged with first-degree
felony aggravated arson. Second, the indictment listed the proper statutory section
appellant was accused of violating, R.C. 2909.02(A)(1)(B)(1)(2). Third, it was not
until the trial court brought the issue to the parties’ attention, which occurred at the
close of the state’s case, that anyone even took notice of the omission. By this time,
appellant had already defended the case of aggravated arson against him in which
eight fire fighters specifically testified that they and the others were subjected to a
substantial risk of serious physical harm.
{¶171} Additionally, the Eighth District addressed the exact issue we are
faced with here, albeit with little explanation:
{¶172} “Defendant contends that it was reversible error for the trial judge to
allow the state to amend the second count of the indictment to include the word,
‘serious’ preceding the words, ‘physical harm to Randy Hayne.’ Since the
amendment did not change the name or identity of the crime charged, aggravated
arson, the amendment was proper. Crim. R. 7(D). This assignment of error is not well
taken.” State v. Bourjaily (Oct. 2, 1980), 8th Dist. No. 40428.
{¶173} Accordingly, appellant’s fifth assignment of error is without merit.
{¶174} Appellant’s sixth assignment of error states:
{¶175} “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE
APPELLANT BY FAILING TO GIVE PROPE[R] INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY
REGARDING THE APPROPRIATE MENTAL STATES FOR AGGRAVATED
MURDER AND AGGRAVATED ARSON AS SAID INSTRUCTIONS WERE NOT
CORRECT STATEMENTS OF LAW.”
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{¶176} During their deliberations, the jury sent two questions to the court
asking, “Is the aggravated murder charge defined by intent to kill or as a result of
aggravated arson?” and “Can aggravated murder be established without intent or
purpose?” (Tr. 1874). The court, after a discussion with counsel, decided to re-read
the instruction on the required mental states that it had already given the jury and
then give an additional instruction, to which appellant objected. (Tr. 1879). The
additional instruction was:
{¶177} “The court instructs you that if you purposely kill someone by creating
a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person by fire, you have committed
felony aggravated murder.” (Tr. 1891).
{¶178} Appellant alleges in this assignment of error that the trial court gave
improper jury instructions on the mental states for both aggravated murder and
aggravated arson. Appellant contends that the jury’s questions indicate that they
were having a difficult time determining what mental state they had to find. He
contends that the court should have simply read the jury its prior instruction as to the
required mental states.
{¶179} Appellant points out that appellee had the burden to establish that
appellant knowingly committed aggravated arson but also that appellant had the
specific intention to kill the people in the house. He argues that the trial court’s
answer to the jury’s questions effectively diminished the state’s burden of proof. He
contends that the court’s answer did not adequately convey to the jury that they could
not convict him of aggravated murder unless they found he had the specific intent to
kill.
{¶180} If a jury requests further instruction or clarification of instructions
during its deliberations, the trial court has discretion to determine its response to that
request. State v. Carter (1995), 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 553. An appellate court will not
reverse a conviction based upon the trial court's response to such a request absent a
showing that the trial court abused its discretion. Id.- 39 -
{¶181} “Due process requires that the state establish beyond a reasonable
doubt every fact necessary to constitute the crime charged. In re Winship (1970), 397
U.S. 358, 364, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed.2d 368. ‘Jury instructions that effectively
relieve the state of its burden of persuasion violate a defendant's due process rights,’
State v. Adams, 103 Ohio St.3d 508, 2004-Ohio-5845, 817 N.E.2d 29, ¶ 97, citing
Sandstrom v. Montana (1979), 442 U.S. 510, 99 S.Ct. 2450, 61 L.Ed.2d 39, and
subvert the presumption of innocence and the right to have a jury determine the facts
of a case. Carella v. California (1989), 491 U.S. 263, 265, 109 S.Ct. 2419, 105
L.Ed.2d 218.” State v. Gardner, 118 Ohio St.3d 420, 2008-Ohio-2787, at ¶36.
{¶182} In order to convict appellant of aggravated murder, the jury had to find
that appellant purposely caused the death of another while committing aggravated
arson. R.C. 2903.01(B). “A person acts purposely when it is his specific intention to
cause a certain result, or, when the gist of the offense is a prohibition against conduct
of a certain nature, regardless of what the offender intends to accomplish thereby, it
is his specific intention to engage in conduct of that nature.” R.C. 2901.22(A).
{¶183} Courts have held that where the underlying felony in aggravated
murder is aggravated arson, the intent to set the fire coupled with the knowledge that
people are present inside the structure is sufficient to prove that the defendant acted
purposely in causing the death of another.
{¶184} For example, in State v. Garner (1995), 74 Ohio St.3d 49, the
defendant set three fires in an apartment building where six children were sleeping.
Five of the children died in the fire. Garner’s defense was that he did not intend to kill
anyone as he believed the children could get out of the apartment. The Ohio
Supreme Court noted that “while guilt of aggravated murder requires proof of specific
intent to kill, R.C. 2903.01 contemplates that such an intent may be inferred in a
felony-murder when the offense and the manner of its commission would be likely to
produce death.” Id. at 60. In finding sufficient evidence to support the aggravated
murder convictions, the court stated: “We unhesitatingly find that the natural,
reasonable and probable consequence of Garner's having set three separate fires in
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an apartment occupied by six children age thirteen and under is that those children
would die.” Id.
{¶185} And in State v. Thompson (1977), 55 Ohio App.2d 17, where several
men set fire to a restaurant, the Fifth District concluded:
{¶186} “While the act of burning the structure alone may not be sufficient to
infer intent, when combined with the appellants' knowledge that others were actually
exposed to the great danger they created, the element could be presumed from the
natural and probable consequences of their acts. Their deliberate actions went
beyond mere recklessness. The requirements of the statute have been fulfilled for
these appellants, Thompson and Tilton, by their course of conduct, intended the
consequences of their action.” Id. at 23.
{¶187} In Grant, from which the trial court took its instruction, the Ohio
Supreme Court considered whether R.C. 2903.01(B) was unconstitutionally vague as
applied to the defendant in that case. Finding no vagueness with the statute, the
Court explained:
{¶188} “R.C. 2903.01(B) is neither vague on its face nor as it applies to the
appellant. It provides: ‘No person shall purposely cause the death of another while
committing or attempting to commit * * * aggravated arson or arson * * *.’ Burning
down an occupied home, known to contain children, in order to kill the children is
clearly encompassed within both R.C. 2909.02, the aggravated arson statute, and
R.C. 2903.01(B). If you purposely kill someone by ‘creat[ing] a substantial risk of
serious physical harm to any person’ by fire, you have committed felony murder. The
statute could not be clearer.” Grant, 67 Ohio St.3d at 474.
{¶189} The facts of Grant are distinguishable from this case, however,
because in that case the prosecution’s theory of the case was that Grant set a fire in
her children’s bedroom in order to kill them and collect their life insurance proceeds.
Thus, Grant had a specific intent to kill and used arson as the means to do so. But in
this case, there was no evidence that appellant set out with the agenda to kill
- 41 -
anyone. Instead, this case is much more similar to Garner, supra, and Thompson,
supra, where the defendants set out to start fires and people died as a result.
{¶190} That being said, the trial court’s instruction to the jury was not an
abuse of discretion.
{¶191} Firstly, we must consider the court’s instruction to the jury as a whole
and not view one part in isolation. State v. Jalowiec (2001), 91 Ohio St.3d 220, 231.
Before giving the contested instruction, the trial court instructed the jury:
{¶192} “Before you can find the defendant guilty of aggravated murder, you
must find beyond a reasonable doubt that * * * this defendant purposely caused the
death of another while the defendant was committing or attempting to commit, or
fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit, the offense of
aggravated arson.
{¶193} “Aggravated arson has already been defined for you, so aggravated
murder is purposely causing the death of another as a result of that aggravated
arson.
{¶194} “The state must prove that the defendant acted purposely in causing
the death of another, so purpose is an essential element of each of the offenses of
aggravated murder. A person acts purposely when it is his specific intention to cause
a certain result.
{¶195} “So it must be established in this case that at the time in question
there was present in the mind of the defendant the specific intention to cause the
death of another by committing the crime of aggravated arson.
{¶196} “Purpose is a decision of the mind to do an act with a conscious
objective of producing a specific result. To do an act purposely is to do it
intentionally, not accidentally. So purpose and intent mean the same thing. The
purpose with which a person does an act is known only to himself unless he tells it to
someone else, tells someone else what he did or why he did it, or indicates what he
did or why he did it by his conduct. So the purpose with which a person does an act
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is determined by the manner in which it is done, the means used by him, and all other
facts and circumstances in evidence.
{¶197} “* * *
{¶198} “Ladies and gentlemen, aggravated arson is defined as by means of
fire or explosion, knowingly creating a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any
other person.” (Tr. 1888-91).
{¶199} The court then gave the one sentence instruction that appellant now
takes issue with.
{¶200} When reading the instruction as a whole, as we are required to do,
the court made clear to the jury that they had to find that appellant acted with
purpose in committing aggravated murder. It told the jury that appellant had to act
with “a conscious objective,” had to act “intentionally” and “not accidentally,” and had
to have the “specific intention to cause the death of another.”
{¶201} Secondly, the contested instruction is a correct statement of the law.
If appellant purposely killed someone by means of arson, then he is guilty of
aggravated murder. The court satisfactorily instructed the jury as to purpose. And
the court made clear, in response to the jury’s questions, that aggravated murder
cannot be established without intent or purpose.
{¶202} Hence, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in instructing the
jury. Accordingly, appellant’s sixth assignment of error is without merit.
{¶203} For the reasons stated above, the trial court’s judgment is hereby
affirmed.
Vukovich, .J., concurs.
Waite, P.J., concurs.