State v. Parker , 2018 Ohio 3239 ( 2018 )

[Cite as State v. Parker, 2018-Ohio-3239.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
TRUMBULL COUNTY, OHIO
STATE OF OHIO, : OPINION
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
CASE NO. 2016-T-0097
- vs - :
NAKYIA DELSHAWN PARKER, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
Criminal Appeal from the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2013 CR
00921.
Judgment: Affirmed.
Dennis Watkins, Trumbull County Prosecutor, and Ashleigh Musick, Assistant
Prosecutor, Administration Building, Fourth Floor, 160 High Street, N.W., Warren, OH
44481-1092 (For Plaintiff-Appellee).
Michael A. Partlow, 112 South Water Street, Suite C, Kent, OH 44240 (For Defendant-
Appellant).
THOMAS R. WRIGHT, J.
{¶1} Appellant, Nakyia D. Parker, appeals his convictions for heroin possession
and having weapons while under a disability. He challenges the denial of his motion to
suppress, the propriety of the trial court’s “constructive possession” jury instruction, the
manifest weight of the evidence, and the imposition of consecutive prison terms. We
affirm.
{¶2} On October 12, 2013, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Warren City Police
Department received a call concerning multiple gunshots in the vicinity of Southern
Boulevard on the city’s northwest side. Multiple police officers were dispatched,
including Sergeant Greg Coleman of the Emergency Services Division and Patrolman
Trevor Sumption.
{¶3} As the officers arrived at a Southern Boulevard address, the department
received another call regarding gunshots near 3126 Starlite Avenue, just around the
corner from their Southern Boulevard location. The officers went to the Starlite
residence, and as part of their initial investigation spoke with witnesses who said they
were nearby when the gunshots rang out. One witness told Sergeant Coleman that the
gunshots came from 3126 Starlite and were directed at his son, who immediately left
the scene. The other witness told Patrolman Sumption that there was an exchange of
gunfire from the homes at 3126 Starlite and 1341 Starlite, located cattycorner to each
other.
{¶4} The officers found bullet casings in the street directly in front of 3126
Starlite. They also saw bullet holes in the exterior of the home and a vehicle in the
driveway with its windows shot out.
{¶5} In combing the surrounding area, Patrolman Sumption found a key fob
with an attached set of keys. The officer immediately pressed the panic button on the
fob. Within moments, the officers received notice from dispatch that a panic alarm was
sounding at 3126 Starlite.
{¶6} Multiple later arriving officers approached the residence and knocked on
the two main doors. There was no response. Initially, they did not see anyone through
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the windows, but saw items on a kitchen table appearing to be illegal drugs. The
officers also contacted a number of local hospitals to determine if anyone had recently
sought treatment for gunshots.
{¶7} Unable to determine whether there was someone inside 3126 Starlite who
might be injured, the officers sought and obtained the blessing of the city prosecutor to
enter for the limited purpose of checking for injured. Officer Sumption used one of the
found keys to open the back door. Moments before Officer Sumption entered the
residence, another officer accompanying him saw a hand move one of the blinds in a
corner window on the main floor, which turned out to be a child’s bedroom.
{¶8} Once inside, the officers immediately announced who they were and
demanded that anyone inside reveal themselves. Three men came up from the
basement. After the men were taken outside, the officers called out again. This time,
appellant appeared from the front of the home. He was immediately handcuffed and
placed into a police cruiser.
{¶9} After appellant was in custody, the officers conducted a cursory search of
the entire house for injured people. No others were found. However, the officers saw
incriminating items in plain view, including, two firearms on a sofa in the living room,
marijuana and heroin on the kitchen counter and table, a significant amount of cash in
an open dresser drawer in one of the bedrooms, and a large television in the master
bedroom with a surveillance system displaying the approach to both main doors.
{¶10} The prosecutor, thereafter, obtained a search warrant for 3126 Starlite. In
executing the warrant, the officers found three firearms, one of which was in a closet in
a child’s bedroom at the left-back corner of the house where the officer saw a hand
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move the blind. The officers also found a large brick of heroin in the kitchen freezer and
more than $43,000 in cash.
{¶11} Appellant was indicted on one count of having weapons while under a
disability and one count of possession of heroin, with a forfeiture specification for the
cash.
{¶12} Appellant moved to suppress all evidence obtained from the residence.
Appellant primarily argued the officers lacked grounds to conduct the initial warrantless
search for injured people. The state first maintained that appellant lacked standing to
challenge the search due to lack of a reasonable expectation of privacy since he did not
own the home or live there. The state, however, altered its posture upon learning that
the officers found appellant’s wallet in the master bedroom, along with his ID, and a
“Direct TV” bill addressed to him at 3126 Starlite. Accordingly, a supplemental hearing
was held. As part of its ensuing judgment overruling the motion to suppress, the trial
court concluded that appellant had standing to contest the search because he had been
staying at the home. Nevertheless, the court found the initial search valid under the
“emergency aid” exception to the warrant requirement.
{¶13} A four-day jury trial was held. In addition to presenting the testimony of
the four police officers involved in the searches, the state introduced tapes of telephone
calls appellant made from the county jail immediately following his arrest. During the
calls, he said that the officers used his key to enter the home and took all his money.
Appellant also inquired about whether the officers found the drugs in the freezer, and
refers to one of the found guns. Appellant did not present any evidence. The jury found
him guilty on both charges and the forfeiture specification.
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{¶14} At the sentencing hearing, the trial court made express findings under
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) warranting consecutive prison terms. The court found consecutive
sentences necessary to adequately punish appellant and not disproportionate to both
the seriousness of his conduct and the danger he poses to society. The court also
found consecutive sentences necessary to adequately protect the public due to
appellant’s past criminal history. Accordingly, the trial court imposed consecutive terms
of eight years for possession and two years for having weapons under disability.
{¶15} Appellant asserts four assignments of error on appeal:
{¶16} “[1.] The trial court erred in denying appellant’s motion to suppress all
evidence against him, in violation of his rights pursuant to the Fourth Amendment to the
United States Constitution.
{¶17} “[2.] The trial court erred, as a matter of law, by giving an incomplete and
otherwise defective instruction to the jury on ‘Constructive Possession.’
{¶18} “[3.] Appellant’s convictions are against the manifest weight of the
evidence.
{¶19} “[4.] The trial court erred by imposing consecutive sentences upon
appellant.”
{¶20} Under his first assignment, appellant challenges the trial court’s decision
that the initial search of the residence was warranted under the emergency aid
exception to the search warrant requirement. He contends that the officers’ conduct
belies their stated purpose for the first search because it was not conducted until they
had already been on the scene for over an hour; they did not call medical squads to the
scene; and the police dogs had already arrived.
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{¶21} “A search conducted without a warrant issued upon probable cause is per
se unreasonable subject only to a few well-delineated exceptions. Katz v. United States
(1987), 389 U.S. 347, 357, 88 S.Ct. 507, 19 L.Ed.2d.576. The doctrine of exigency is
an exception to the general, constitutional prohibition against warrantless searches.
‘Exigency’ denotes the existence of ‘real immediate and serious consequences’ that
would certainly occur were a police officer to postpone action to get a warrant. Welsh v.
Wisconsin (1984), 466 U.S. 740, 751, 104 S.Ct. 2091, 80 L.Ed.2d 732. As such, a court
will not ‘excuse the absence of a search warrant without a showing by those who seek
exemption from the constitutional mandate that the exigencies of the situation made that
course imperative.’ McDonald v. United States (1948), 335 U.S. 451, 456, 69 S.Ct. 191,
93 L.Ed. 153.
{¶22} “The United States Supreme Court has held that the doctrine of exigency
applies in two separate sets of circumstances: first, police may commence a
warrantless search and seizure to avoid ‘the imminent destruction of vital evidence.’
Wong Sun v. United States (1963), 371 U.S. 471, 483, 83 S.Ct. 407, 9 L.Ed.2d 441.
Second, a warrant is unnecessary where the police are faced with a ‘need to protect or
preserve life or avoid serious injury.’ Mincey v. Arizona (1978), 437 U.S. 385, 392, 98
S.Ct. 2408, 57 L.Ed.2d 290.” State v. Stanberry, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2002-L-028, 2003-
Ohio-5700, ¶14-15.
{¶23} “‘Thus, the emergency aid exception allows officers to enter a dwelling
without a warrant and without probable cause when they reasonably believe, based on
specific and articulable facts, that [someone] is in need of immediate aid.’ State v.
Gooden, 9th Dist. No. 23764, 2008-Ohio-178, ¶6. The case must be viewed through
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the eyes of a reasonable and prudent police officer acting in response to an emergency
situation. Id. citing 2 LaFave, Search & Seizure, [Section] 6.6(a), p. 698. ‘The officer
must be able to point to specific and articulable facts, which, taken with rational
inferences from those facts, reasonably warrant intrusion into protected areas.’ State v.
White, 175 Ohio App.3d 302, 2008-Ohio-657, 886 N.E.2d 904 ¶17 (9th Dist.). ‘Officers
do not need ironclad proof of “a likely serious, life-threatening” injury to invoke the
emergency aid exception.’ Michigan v. Fisher, 558 U.S. 45, 49, 130 S.Ct. 546, 175
L.Ed.2d 410 (2009).” State v. Stanley, 7th Dist Mahoning No. 13 MA 159, 2014-Ohio-
5636, ¶7.
{¶24} In challenging the trial court’s emergency aid analysis, appellant argues
the officer’s subjective intent is relevant. However, this argument has been rejected.
{¶25} “[I]t is well settled that as long as the circumstance justify the officers’
actions, their subjective intent is irrelevant. In Brigham City, Utah v. Stuart (2006), 547
U.S. 398, 126 S.Ct. 1943, 164 L.Ed.2d 650, the United States Supreme Court stated:
{¶26} “‘[L]aw enforcement officers may enter a home without a warrant to render
emergency assistance to an injured occupant or to protect an occupant from imminent
injury.’
{¶27} “‘* * *
{¶28} “‘An action is “reasonable” under the Fourth Amendment, regardless of the
individual officer’s state of mind, “as long as the circumstances, viewed objectively,
justify [the] action.” * * * The officer’s subjective motivation is irrelevant. * * * It therefore
does not matter * * * whether the officers entered the kitchen to arrest respondents and
gather evidence against them or to assist the injured and prevent further violence.’
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(Emphasis added.) Id. at 403-405, 126 S.Ct. 1943, 164 L.Ed.2d 650.” State v. Minear,
191 Ohio App.3d 774, 2010-Ohio-6577, 947 N.E.2d 751, ¶35-38 (11th Dist.).
{¶29} At the time of the initial search, the officers had a reasonable belief based
on specific and articulable facts to search for injured people. The officers found multiple
bullet casings in the street in front of the home; there were multiple bullet holes in the
exterior of the home; the windows of a parked car in the driveway were shot out; and
when they knocked on the doors, no one answered.
{¶30} Appellant further argues the lack of urgency because the officers had not
called any emergency squads to the scene prior to the search. However, the
emergency aid exception does not require knowledge of actual injury, only articulable
facts warranting a reasonable belief that someone could be injured and in need. To this
extent, there is no requirement to call for medical aid pre-search. Moreover, the
presence of the police dogs for later investigation, and a one hour delay do not render
their initial entry unlawful.
{¶31} Appellant’s first assignment is without merit.
{¶32} Under his second assignment, appellant contends that the trial court erred
in instructing the jury on constructive possession. First, he contends the instruction was
flawed because it did not state that mere proximity to an item is insufficient to prove
constructive possession. Second, he maintains the instruction was not warranted
because the state failed to present evidence that appellant was aware of the heroin or
that he could exercise control over it.
{¶33} “‘Possession’ is defined as ‘having control over a thing or substance, but
may not be inferred solely from mere access to the thing or substance through
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ownership or occupation of the premises upon which the thing or substance is found.’
R.C. 2925.01(K). Possession of [any item] may be actual or constructive, and
constructive possession may be established ‘entirely by circumstantial evidence.’ State
v. Fogle, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2008-P-0009, 2009-Ohio-1005, ¶28; State v. Swain, 6th
Dist. Erie Nos. E-11-087, E-11-088, 2013-Ohio-5900, ¶40-41.
{¶34} “‘Constructive possession exists when an individual is able to exercise
dominion or control over an item, even if the individual does not have the item within his
immediate physical possession.’ State v. Kingland, 177 Ohio App.3d 655, 2008-Ohio-
4148, 895 N.E.2d 633, ¶13. ‘However, the mere fact that (drugs are) located within
premises under one’s control does not, of itself, constitute constructive possession. It
must also be shown that the person was conscious of the presence of the object.
Without this element one could be found to be in illegal possession of (drugs)
surreptitiously placed in or upon his property by another.’ (Emphasis added.) (Citations
omitted.) State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 91, 434 N.E.2d 1362 (1992).” State v.
Hudson, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2014-T-0097, 2017-Ohio-615, ¶45-46.
{¶35} As part of the jury instructions in this case, the trial court stated definitions
for various legal terms. In regard to the term “possession,” the trial court first quoted the
basic statutory definition for that term, as set forth in R.C. 2925.01(K). As noted above,
that definition provides that “possession” cannot be inferred solely from “mere access”
to an item; i.e., a person must have control over the item for it to be in his possession.
After stating the statutory definition, the trial court told the jury that “possession” may be
actual or constructive. The court then defined “constructive possession” as occurring
when a person “is able to exercise control” over an item.
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{¶36} Given the order in which the trial court gave the definitions for the terms
“possession” and “constructive possession,” the jury was clearly informed that,
regardless of whether the state was trying to prove “actual” possession or “constructive”
possession, mere access to a thing or substance is not sufficient to establish either type
of possession. Although the trial court did not use the phrase “mere proximity” in the
instruction, the use of the phrase “mere access,” as stated in the statutory definition of
R.C. 2925.01(K), is sufficient to provide a proper statement of the controlling law. Thus,
when read in context, the court’s “constructive possession” instruction is valid.
{¶37} In regard to the separate issue of whether the constructive possession
instruction is justified by the evidence, as the officers were about to enter the residence
to look for injured persons, an officer saw a hand by a blind covering a window in the
corner bedroom on the main floor. After the house was cleared, it was discovered that
appellant was in that room and one of the three found firearms was in a closet in that
room.
{¶38} As part of the taped telephone conversations played for the jury, appellant
expressly asked whether the police found the drugs in the freezer, and also made
reference to one of the firearms in the home. Accordingly, the state presented some
evidence establishing that even though the firearms and drugs were not on appellant’s
person when he was taken into custody, he was fully aware of their presence and had
access to them justifying the constructive possession instruction.
{¶39} Appellant’s second assignment is without merit.
{¶40} Under his next assignment, appellant asserts that his convictions are
against the manifest weight of the evidence. He submits that he should not have been
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convicted of either offense when there was no evidence that he resided at 3126 Starlite
Avenue.
{¶41} “A court reviewing the manifest weight observes the entire record, weighs
the evidence and all reasonable inferences, and considers the credibility of the
witnesses. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541, 387 (1997). The
court determines whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence and deciding witness
credibility, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of
justice that the judgment must be reversed and a new trial ordered. Id. The
discretionary power to grant a new trial should only be exercised in the exceptional case
in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction. Id. Witness credibility
rests solely with the finder of fact, and an appellate court is not permitted to substitute
its judgment for that of the jury. State v. Awan, 22 Ohio St.3d 120, 123, 489 N.E.2d 277(1986). The role of the reviewing court is to engage in a limited weighing of the
evidence in determining whether the state properly carried its burden of persuasion.
Thompkins, supra, at 390, 678 N.E.2d 541.” State v. Irby, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2015-
T-0018, 2015-Ohio-5467, ¶45.
{¶42} There is no dispute that appellant did not own the residence in question.
Nevertheless, there was evidence from which the jury could find that appellant was
living there. First his wallet and ID were found in the master bedroom. Second, the
officers found a “Direct TV” bill in one of the bedrooms addressed to him at that
address. Third, appellant made statements during the taped telephone conversations
establishing that he was well aware of at least one gun, heroin, cash, and other
incriminating things as already discussed. Moreover, neither conviction turns on
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whether he lived there. His knowledge and presence along with the other discussed
facts support the convictions.
{¶43} Therefore, the jury did not lose its way in finding him guilty of the charged
offenses.
{¶44} As a separate argument under this assignment, appellant asserts that the
state committed multiple mistakes in investigating the case and providing discovery.
For example, he notes that the police officers did not attempt to obtain fingerprints from
the three weapons. However, appellant fails to explain how this or any other perceived
shortcomings renders the convictions against the manifest weight. His third assignment
of error also lacks merit.
{¶45} Under his final assignment, appellant challenges the factual findings
supporting imposition of consecutive sentences. He maintains that the court’s ruling is
based in part upon an unsupported finding that he was involved in the exchange of
gunshots, a crime for which he was not charged, for which there was no evidence, and
that the jury did not consider.
{¶46} Appellate review of a felony sentence is governed by R.C. 2953.08(G)(2):
{¶47} “The court hearing an appeal under division (A), (B), or (C) of this section
shall review the record, including the findings underlying the sentence or modification
given by the sentencing court.
{¶48} “The appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a
sentence that is appealed under this section or may vacate the sentence and remand
the matter to the sentencing court for resentencing. The appellate court’s standard of
review is not whether the sentencing court abused its discretion. The appellate court
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may take any action authorized by this division if it clearly and convincingly finds either
of the following:
{¶49} “(a) That the record does not support the sentencing court’s findings under
division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or
division (I) of section 2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;
{¶50} “(b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.”
{¶51} The imposition of consecutive prison terms for multiple felony offenses is
governed by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), one of the five statutory provisions referenced in R.C.
2953.08(G)(2)(a). As a result, the imposition of consecutive terms will be affirmed on
appeal unless this court clearly and convincingly finds that the record fails to support the
trial court’s findings under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).
{¶52} “It is important to note ‘that the clear and convincing standard used by
R.C. 2953.08 (G)(2) is written in the negative. It does not say that the trial judge must
have clear and convincing evidence to support its findings. Instead, it is the court of
appeals that must clearly and convincingly find that the record does not support the
court’s findings.’ [State v.] Venes, 2013-Ohio-1891, 992 N.E.2d 453, at ¶21. ‘In other
words, the restriction is on the appellate court, not the trial judge. This is an extremely
deferential standard of review.’ Id.” State v. Rodeffer, 2nd Dist. Montgomery Nos.
25574, 25575, and 25576, 2013-Ohio-5759, ¶31.
{¶53} Pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), a trial court “may” sentence the offender
to consecutive prison terms if it finds: (1) such terms are “necessary to protect the public
from future crimes or to punish the offender”; (2) such terms “are not disproportionate to
the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the
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public”; and (3) one of three enumerated alternatives exist. In our case, the trial court
found two alternatives present:
{¶54} “(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or
more courses of conduct, and the harm by two or more of the multiple offenses so
committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses
committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness
of the offender’s conduct.
{¶55} “(c) The offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates that
consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the
offender.”
{¶56} Regarding the three R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requirements, appellant makes
the general assertion that the trial court’s findings are not supported by the evidence.
However, he does not present specific argument concerning any of the three
requirements. Instead, he argues that the trial court predicates its decision to impose
consecutive sentences for unrelated reasons. At sentencing the trial court said:
{¶57} “I will say, you know, that when you look at the totality of this case, looking
back into your background, discharging of a firearm into a habitation, but for the grace
of God, nobody died in that situation or else we wouldn’t be here today. The other thing
that I think about with respect to all these weapon charges is in our case here, there
was gun play all over the street there. There were shots fired into the house where
children live in the house that you were in. Shots fired into a car there that you were in.
And I will tell you this. Based on the facts and the background, shots weren’t fired in
that house because you were a good citizen. There were other reasons for it. There’s
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gun play all over the city. People are frightened. They are fleeing the city and moving
to other places because of people like you.”
{¶58} The trial court, however, did not, as appellant contends, punish him for a
crime that he did not commit by recounting the undisputed gunfire precipitating police
response. The trial court never concluded that appellant fired any shots, and there is no
question that the risk of gunfire increases with drug activity, a relevant sentencing
consideration.
{¶59} Alternatively, while a trial court may not consider a crime neither charged
nor proven when it is sentencing an offender, the wrongful consideration of an
uncharged offense will be deemed harmless when other factors overwhelmingly support
the imposed sentence. State v. Stambolia, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2003-T-0053, 2004-
Ohio-6945, ¶26.
{¶60} Here, the trial court found all three requirements for imposition of
consecutive sentences under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) satisfied. Furthermore, there is
considerable evidence supporting the trial court’s findings on all three requirements. In
regard to the third requirement, there is no dispute that appellant has a significant prior
criminal record, including convictions for trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine,
improper handling of a firearm, having weapons while under a disability, trafficking in
marijuana, and trafficking in heroin.
{¶61} Given that the trial court’s decision to impose consecutive sentences could
be predicated solely upon its findings under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), even if the trial court
did improperly consider an uncharged offense, the error was harmless. Thus, appellant
has failed to establish that the record does not clearly and convincingly support the trial
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court’s decision to impose consecutive sentences. His fourth assignment of error is not
well-taken.
{¶62} The judgment of the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, J.,
TIMOTHY P. CANNON, J.,
concur.
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