State v. Henry ( 2012 )

[Cite as State v. Henry, 2012-Ohio-371.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
GALLIA COUNTY
State of Ohio, :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee, : Case No: 10CA20
:
v. :
: DECISION AND
Ryan C. Henry, : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
Defendant-Appellant. : Filed: January 25, 2012
APPEARANCES:
Timothy Young, Ohio Public Defender, and Kristopher A. Haines, Ohio Assistant Public
Defender, Columbus, Ohio, for Appellant.
C. Jeffrey Adkins, Gallia County Prosecutor, Eric R. Mulford, Gallia County Assistant
Prosecutor, and Pat Story, Gallia County Assistant Prosecutor, Gallipolis, Ohio, for
Appellee.
Kline, J.:
{¶1} Ryan C. Henry (hereinafter “Henry”) appeals the judgment of the Gallia
County Court of Common Pleas. After a jury trial, Henry was convicted of six crimes
related to a series of break-ins and thefts. And initially, Henry claims that insufficient
evidence supports his two burglary convictions. We agree. As the state concedes, the
prosecution failed to introduce sufficient evidence that a person other than an
accomplice was present or likely to be present during the burglaries. Accordingly, we
order the trial court to modify its judgment and enter convictions for two lesser-included
offenses. Next, Henry argues that insufficient evidence supports his theft-of-a-firearm
conviction. Again, we agree. The state failed to introduce sufficient evidence that the
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 2
stolen muzzle-loader was either operable or readily rendered operable. Accordingly, we
order the trial court to modify its judgment and enter a conviction for misdemeanor petty
theft. Next, Henry argues that the trial court erred when it instructed the jury on theft of
a motor vehicle. We disagree. Because failing to instruct the jury on the definition of
“motor vehicle” did not affect the outcome of Henry’s trial, there can be no plain error.
Finally, we decline to address Henry’s remaining arguments because they are either
moot or not ripe for review.
{¶2} Accordingly, we affirm, in part, and reverse, in part, the judgment of the
trial court, and we remand this cause to the trial court for further proceedings consistent
with this opinion.
I.
{¶3} Henry participated in a series of break-ins and thefts in Gallia County.
After he was arrested, Henry admitted his involvement in the crimes and cooperated
with the police. Later, a Gallia County Grand Jury returned a seven-count indictment
against Henry. In count one, Henry was charged with stealing an All Terrain Vehicle
(“ATV”) from Eddie Coleman. In counts two and five, Henry was charged with
knowingly trespassing with purpose to commit a felony. In counts three and seven,
Henry was charged with second-degree-felony burglary under R.C. 2911.12(A)(2). In
count four, Henry was charged with theft of a firearm for stealing Kevin Ross’s “muzzle
loader with scope.” And in count six, Henry was charged with stealing an ATV from
Joan Edwards. At one point, Henry had apparently reached a plea agreement with the
state. But at the change-of-plea hearing, Henry decided to go to trial.
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 3
{¶4} During the trial, the state did not introduce specific evidence that a person
other than Henry’s accomplice was present or likely to be present during the two
burglaries. Furthermore, the owner of the stolen muzzle-loader did not testify, and no
witnesses testified as to the muzzle-loader’s operability. Nevertheless, following the
trial, the jury convicted Henry of counts one, two, three, four, six, and seven. The trial
court then sentenced Henry accordingly.
{¶5} Henry appeals and asserts the following four assignments of error: I. “The
trial court violated Mr. Henry’s rights to due process and a fair trial when, in the absence
of sufficient evidence, the trial court convicted Mr. Henry of two counts of burglary under
R.C. 2911.12(A)(2), and one count of theft of a firearm, in violation of his Fifth, Sixth,
and Fourteenth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution, and Sections
10 and 16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution.” II. “The trial court committed reversible
error when it failed to properly instruct the jury regarding its deliberations, in violation of
Mr. Henry’s Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights under the United States
Constitution, and Sections 10 and 16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution.” III. “The trial
court abused its discretion when it imposed excessive individual prison sentences
against Mr. Henry regarding each conviction, and imposed an excessive aggregate
prison sentence, in violation of Mr. Henry’s Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment
rights under the United States Constitution, and Sections 9, 10 and 16, Article I of the
Ohio Constitution.” And, IV. “Trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel in
violation of Mr. Henry’s rights under the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the
United States Constitution, and Sections 10 and 16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution.”
II.
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 4
{¶6} In his first assignment of error, Henry raises sufficiency-of-the-evidence
arguments related to his two burglary convictions (counts three and seven) and his
conviction for theft of a firearm (count four).
{¶7} When reviewing a case to determine if the record contains sufficient
evidence to support a conviction, we must “‘examine the evidence admitted at trial to
determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind of the
defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The relevant inquiry is whether, after
viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of
fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable
doubt.’” State v. Smith, Pickaway App. No. 06CA7, 2007-Ohio-502, at ¶33, quoting
State v. Jenks (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 259, at paragraph two of the syllabus. See, also,
Jackson v. Virginia (1979), 443 U.S. 307, 319.
{¶8} The sufficiency-of-the-evidence test “raises a question of law and does not
allow us to weigh the evidence.” Smith, 2007-Ohio-502, at ¶34, citing State v. Martin
(1983), 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175. Instead, the sufficiency-of-the-evidence test “‘gives
full play to the responsibility of the trier of fact fairly to resolve conflicts in the testimony,
to weigh the evidence, and to draw reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate
facts.’” Smith, 2007-Ohio-502, at ¶34, quoting Jackson at 319. This court will “reserve
the issues of the weight given to the evidence and the credibility of witnesses for the
trier of fact.” Smith, 2007-Ohio-502, at ¶34, citing State v. Thomas (1982), 70 Ohio
St.2d 79, 79-80; State v. DeHass (1967), 10 Ohio St.2d 230, at paragraph one of the
syllabus.
A.
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 5
{¶9} Initially, Henry contends that insufficient evidence supports his two
burglary convictions. Henry advances the same argument for both of these convictions
-- that is, the state failed to prove that a person other than an accomplice was present or
likely to be present during the burglaries.
{¶10} Henry was convicted of two counts of burglary under R.C. 2911.12(A)(2),
which provides the following: “No person, by force, stealth, or deception, shall * * *
[t]respass in an occupied structure or in a separately secured or separately occupied
portion of an occupied structure that is a permanent or temporary habitation of any
person when any person other than an accomplice of the offender is present or likely to
be present, with purpose to commit in the habitation any criminal offense[.]” Here, the
state has conceded that it “did not satisfactorily prove, by sufficient evidence, the
‘present or likely to be present’ element for [the two burglary counts].” Brief of Appellee
at 4. For the following reasons, we agree with Henry and the state.
{¶11} As the state admits, “there was scant testimony on” the present-or-likely-
to-be-present issue. Brief of Appellee at 3-4. Furthermore, we note the following: “The
fact that a permanent or temporary habitation has been burglarized does not give rise to
the presumption that a person was present or likely to be present.” In re D.P., Lucas
App. No. L-10-1054, 2011-Ohio-285, at ¶11, citing State v. Wilson (1979), 58 Ohio St.2d
52, 59-60; State v. Fowler (1983), 4 Ohio St.3d 16. “Merely showing that people
dwelled in the residence is insufficient; the state must adduce specific evidence that the
people were present or likely to be present at the time of the burglary.” In re D.P. at
¶11, citing Fowler at 18 (other citation omitted). In prosecuting the two burglary counts,
the state failed to adduce specific evidence on the present-or-likely-to-be-present issue.
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 6
And based on the state’s evidence, there was no reasonable presumption that a person
other than an accomplice was present or likely to be present. Accordingly, we find that
insufficient evidence supports Henry’s two burglary convictions under R.C.
2911.12(A)(2).
{¶12} For both burglary counts, however, Henry may be convicted of a lesser-
included offense. “Where the evidence is insufficient to show that defendant is not
guilty of the degree of crime for which he was convicted, but the evidence is sufficient to
support a verdict of guilty of a lesser degree thereof or of a lesser crime included in the
greater crime, the trial court may modify the verdict accordingly and pass sentence on
the verdict as modified. See R.C. 2945.79(D) and Crim.R. 33[(A)(4)]. Both R.C.
2945.79(D) and Crim.R. 33[(A)(4)] provide a reviewing court with the power to modify a
judgment. [See] State v. Reed (1981), 65 Ohio St.2d 117, [] 123. The Ohio Rules of
Appellate Procedure also authorize a court of appeals to modify a judgment. See
App.R. 12(B) and State v. Hagwood, Franklin App. No. 04AP-879, 2005-Ohio-2131, at
¶20.” State v. Frazier, Franklin App. No. 05AP-1323, 2007-Ohio-11, at ¶28.
{¶13} Here, Henry may be convicted of the lesser-included offense of burglary
under R.C. 2911.12(A)(3). “R.C. 2911.12(A)(3) defines burglary as trespassing in an
occupied structure by force, stealth, or deception with the purpose to commit in the
structure any criminal offense. Thus, R.C. 2911.12(A)(3) omits the one element on
which the state had failed to present sufficient evidence in this case -- the presence or
likely presence of someone other than an accomplice of the offender. Because burglary
as defined in R.C. 2911.12(A)(2) cannot be committed without also having committed
the lesser offense set forth in R.C. 2911.12(A)(3), there was sufficient evidence to
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 7
[convict Henry of burglary under R.C. 2911.12(A)(3)].” In re Meatchem, Hamilton App.
No. C-050291, 2006-Ohio-4128, at ¶23.
{¶14} Accordingly, we reverse Henry’s two burglary convictions and remand
this cause to the trial court. On remand, we instruct the trial court to modify its judgment
and enter two third-degree-felony burglary convictions under R.C. 2911.12(A)(3). After
that, the trial court should resentence Henry accordingly.
B.
{¶15} Henry also contends that insufficient evidence supports his conviction for
theft of a firearm. Essentially, Henry argues that the state failed to adduce sufficient
evidence regarding the stolen muzzle-loader’s operability. We agree.
{¶16} Henry was convicted of theft of a firearm under R.C. 2913.02(A)(1) &
(B)(4). “‘Firearm’ means any deadly weapon capable of expelling or propelling one or
more projectiles by the action of an explosive or combustible propellant. ‘Firearm’
includes an unloaded firearm, and any firearm that is inoperable but that can readily be
rendered operable.” R.C. 2923.11(B)(1); see, also, R.C. 2913.01(EE). Significantly,
“the state must present evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that the firearm was
operable, or could readily have been rendered operable, at the time of the offense.”
State v. Murphy (1990), 49 Ohio St.3d 206, 208-09. Here, we find that the state failed
to present sufficient evidence regarding the muzzle-loader’s operability.
{¶17} Although the state produced evidence that Henry stole the muzzle-loader,
none of that evidence related to the muzzle-loader’s operability. For example, two
property receipts list a “Stainless/Blk Muzzle Loader w/Scope,” and several witnesses
mentioned that a “muzzle loader with a scope” was returned to Kevin Ross. But as
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 8
Henry notes, the muzzle-loader “was not otherwise discussed at trial, and its
characteristics were not discussed during the taped interviews of Mr. Henry and his
codefendant brother. * * * Mr. Ross, the muzzleloader’s owner, did not testify at trial.
The state brought forth no testimony regarding the muzzleloaders’ operability or
whether it was ‘capable of expelling or propelling one or more projectiles by the action
of an explosive or combustible propellant.’ * * * The item itself was not presented at trial
for the jury’s consideration. Moreover, the State submitted no evidence regarding test-
firing.” Reply Brief of Ryan Henry at 3. Here, we agree with Henry’s assessment of the
evidence. “It would have been a simple matter to either test fire the [muzzle-loader], or
at least to ask [Kevin Ross] about its operability. However, the state did neither.”
Matter of Arledge (Sept. 4, 1996), Ross App. No. 95 CA 2164.
{¶18} The state claims that it produced sufficient evidence because the term
“‘muzzleloader with scope’ is common parlance for a firearm within the meaning of R.C.
2923.11(B).” Brief of Appellee at 7. Essentially, the state argues that the jurors could
have “use[d] their own common sense and daily vernacular” to find that the muzzle-
loader was operable. Brief of Appellee at 7. But Ohio courts have rejected the notion
that, without additional evidence, operability may be inferred from the name used to
describe an alleged firearm. For example, the victim of a theft used common names for
firearms while testifying in State v. Boyd (Dec. 4, 1998), Lucas App. No. L-97-1366.
The victim testified that a “gauge pump shotgun,” a “12-gauge shotgun,” a “.50 caliber
black powder rifle,” and several other guns were stolen from his home. Id. And despite
“shotgun” and “rifle” being common names for firearms, the Sixth Appellate District
found an “utter lack of evidence concerning the operability of the guns appellant
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 9
allegedly stole[.]” Id. See, also, Matter of Arledge (finding no proof of operability
despite using the name “gun”); State v. Webb (1991), 72 Ohio App.3d 749, 754 (finding
no proof of operability despite using the names “uzi,” “.45 Colt,” and “Smith & Wesson
Model 19”). Accordingly, we reject the state’s argument that the jury could have
reasonably inferred operability merely from the term “muzzle loader with scope.”
{¶19} Finally, we recognize that proof of operability can be established by
“circumstantial evidence, including, but not limited to, the representations and actions of
the individual exercising control over the firearm.” R.C. 2923.11(B)(2). But here, aside
from the term “muzzle loader with scope,” there was no circumstantial evidence related
to the muzzle-loader’s operability.
{¶20} For the foregoing reasons, we find that there is insufficient evidence of the
muzzle-loader’s operability. As a result, insufficient evidence supports Henry’s theft-of-
a-firearm conviction. “However, this error does not mandate the reversal of the
conviction. It warrants only a reduction in the degree of the offense[.]” State v. Reese,
165 Ohio App.3d 21, 2005-Ohio-7075, at ¶36. The evidence demonstrates that Henry
stole the muzzle-loader. Henry does not dispute this fact. But the state did not prove
that Henry stole a firearm as defined by the statute, and the state did not charge Henry
with theft based on the value of the stolen muzzle-loader. Therefore, for count four,
Henry may be convicted only of petty theft. See, generally, id. (stating that “value is not
an actual element of the crime of theft”). Accordingly, on remand, we instruct the trial
court to modify its judgment and enter a conviction for misdemeanor petty theft under
R.C. 2913.02(A)(1). After that, the trial court should resentence Henry accordingly.
III.
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 10
{¶21} In his second assignment of error, Henry raises various issues based on
the trial court’s jury instructions. Initially, we can dispose of two of these issues. Henry
claims that the trial court erred in both (1) its burglary instructions and (2) its theft-of-a-
firearm instructions. Based on our resolution of Henry’s first assignment of error,
however, we find that these arguments are moot. Therefore, we decline to address
them. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
{¶22} In his sole remaining argument, Henry contends that the trial court erred in
its theft-of-a-motor-vehicle instructions. Henry was convicted of stealing two ATVs.
And on appeal, he argues that “the trial court failed to define for the jury the definition of
‘motor vehicle’ under Ohio law and instruct the jury that before it could return guilty
verdicts, it was required to find beyond a reasonable doubt that the ATVs were, in fact,
motor vehicles under Ohio law.” Merit Brief of Ryan Henry at 20.
{¶23} “Generally, a trial court has broad discretion in deciding how to fashion
jury instructions. A trial court must not, however, fail to ‘fully and completely give the
jury all instructions which are relevant and necessary for the jury to weigh the evidence
and discharge its duty as the fact finder.’ State v. Comen (1990), 50 Ohio St.3d 206,
[at] paragraph two of the syllabus. Additionally, a trial court may not omit a requested
instruction, if such instruction is ‘a correct, pertinent statement of the law and [is]
appropriate to the facts * * *.’ State v. Lessin[,] 67 Ohio St.3d 487, 493, [1993-Ohio-52]
(quoting State v. Nelson (1973), 36 Ohio St.2d 79, [at] paragraph one of the syllabus).”
Smith v. Redecker, Athens App. No. 08CA33, 2010-Ohio-505, at ¶51.
{¶24} In the proceedings below, Henry neither (1) requested any motor-vehicle-
related instructions nor (2) objected to the instructions given. As a result, he bears the
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 11
heavy burden of demonstrating that the trial court committed plain error. See State v.
Judy, Ross App. No. 08CA3013, 2008-Ohio-5551, at ¶30, citing State v. Wamsley, 117
Ohio St.3d 388, 2008-Ohio-1195, at ¶1. Under Crim.R. 52(B), we may notice plain
errors or defects affecting substantial rights. “Inherent in the rule are three limits placed
on reviewing courts for correcting plain error.” State v. Payne, 114 Ohio St.3d 502,
2007-Ohio-4642, at ¶15. “‘First, there must be an error, i.e., a deviation from the legal
rule. * * * Second, the error must be plain. To be ‘plain’ within the meaning of Crim.R.
52(B), an error must be an ‘obvious’ defect in the trial proceedings. * * * Third, the error
must have affected ‘substantial rights.’ We have interpreted this aspect of the rule to
mean that the trial court’s error must have affected the outcome of the trial.’” Id. at ¶16,
quoting State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 2002-Ohio-68 (omissions in original).
We will notice plain error “only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.” State v.
Long (1978), 53 Ohio St.2d 91, at paragraph three of syllabus. And “[r]eversal is
warranted only if the outcome of the trial clearly would have been different absent the
error.” State v. Hill, 92 Ohio St.3d 191, 203, 2001-Ohio-141, citing Long at paragraph
two of the syllabus.
{¶25} Here, we cannot find plain error. According to the relevant statutes,
“‘Motor vehicle’ means any vehicle, including mobile homes and recreational vehicles,
that is propelled or drawn by power other than muscular power or power collected from
overhead electric trolley wires. ‘Motor vehicle’ does not include [a wide variety of
vehicles unrelated to the present case].” R.C. 4501.01(B); see, also, R.C. 2913.01(FF).
Under the plain language of R.C. 4501.01(B), ATVs qualify as motor vehicles. See,
e.g., State v. Lightner, Hardin App. No. 6-08-11, 2009-Ohio-544, at ¶28; State v. Gray
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 12
(Feb. 27, 1998), Montgomery App. No. 16474. Therefore, failing to instruct the jury on
the definition of motor vehicle did not affect the outcome of Henry’s trial, and there can
be no plain error.
{¶26} Accordingly, we overrule the theft-of-a-motor-vehicle portion of Henry’s
second assignment of error.
IV.
{¶27} In his third assignment of error, Henry contends that the trial court erred in
imposing its sentence.
{¶28} Here, we find that Henry’s third assignment of error is not ripe for review.
We have vacated three of Henry’s individual sentences. And on remand, the trial court
must resentence him. Therefore, we will not address Henry’s sentencing arguments at
this time.
V.
{¶29} In his fourth assignment of error, Henry contends that he received
ineffective assistance of counsel. Essentially, Henry argues that his trial counsel erred
in relation to the burglary and theft-of-a-firearm convictions. However, based on our
resolution of Henry’s first assignment of error, we find that these arguments are moot.
Therefore, we decline to address them. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
VI.
{¶30} In conclusion, we sustain Henry’s first assignment of error, remand this
cause to the trial court, and instruct the trial court to modify its judgment in relation to
counts three, four, and seven. As to counts three and seven, the trial court should enter
convictions for burglary under R.C. 2911.12(A)(3). And as to count four, the trial court
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 13
should enter a conviction for misdemeanor petty theft under R.C. 2913.02(A)(1). Then,
the trial court should resentence Henry accordingly. Additionally, we (1) overrule the
theft-of-a-motor-vehicle portion of Henry’s second assignment of error and (2) find
Henry’s remaining arguments to be either moot or not ripe for review.
{¶31} As a result, we affirm, in part, and reverse, in part the judgment of the trial
court, and we remand this cause to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with
this opinion.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED, IN PART, REVERSED, IN PART,
AND CAUSE REMANDED.
Gallia App. No. 10CA20 14
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED, IN PART, REVERSED, IN
PART, and this CAUSE BE REMANDED to the trial court for further proceedings
consistent with this opinion. Appellant and Appellee shall pay equally the costs herein
taxed.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the
Gallia County Court of Common Pleas to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule
27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. Exceptions.
Abele, P.J. and Harsha, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
BY:_____________________________
Roger L. Kline, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment
entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing
with the clerk.