State v. Smith , 2023 Ohio 1670 ( 2023 )

[Cite as State v. Smith, 2023-Ohio-1670.]
COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
No. 111870
v. :
ANTOINE SMITH, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: May 18, 2023
Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-21-662727-A
Appearances:
Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
Attorney, and Nora C. Bryan, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for appellee.
The Law Office of Jaye M. Schlachet and Eric M. Levy, for
appellant.
MICHELLE J. SHEEHAN, J.:
Defendant-appellant Antoine Smith was convicted of two counts of
rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c) and one count of attempted rape in
violation of R.C. 2923.02 and 2907.02(A)(1)(c). Smith’s convictions were based on
sufficient evidence and were not against the manifest weight of the evidence, and
the revised code sections for which he was convicted are not unconstitutionally
vague. The state’s closing argument, when considered in context of the entire trial,
did not deny Smith a fair trial. Further, the crimes for which Smith was convicted
are not allied offenses of similar import and the trial court properly imposed
sentence pursuant to the Reagan Tokes Law. Smith’s convictions are affirmed.
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND RELEVANT FACTS
On August 31, 2021, Smith was indicted for three counts of rape in
violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c), all felonies of the first degree. Trial began on
June 21, 2022. At the close of its case, the state amended the third count of the
indictment to include the attempt section pursuant to R.C. 2923.02, making that
offense a felony of the second degree. On June 28, 2022, the jury returned a verdict
of guilty on all counts of the amended indictment. On July 25, 2022, the trial court
imposed an aggregate sentence of 3 to 4-and-one-half years in prison.
At trial, the victim, S.W., then aged 43, testified that she knew Smith
his whole life and was his godmother. On September 13, 2020, she hosted an
impromptu birthday party for her nephew at her home and invited Smith. S.W. was
drinking beer and tequila throughout the day and was intoxicated. Smith and his
cousin arrived at the house around 10:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. Sometime after 11:00
p.m., Smith left the party and returned with a bottle of tequila. S.W. testified that
she poured herself a drink of tequila and that she did not remember what happened
after that. S.W. did not see Smith drink, and he did not appear intoxicated to her.
After her guests left, S.W. remembered being asleep in her bed. She
was naked and didn’t remember taking her clothes off. She became aware of
someone pulling her knees down the bed. She opened her eyes and recognized
Smith on top of her. He was naked. She said “no,” and then was penetrated. She
said it hurt and that she was in a blackout state. She told Smith to stop, and he did.
After that, S.W. testified that she must have blacked out again because
her next memory was someone penetrating her again, but this time she was on her
back. Smith was again on top of her. S.W. said she experienced physical pain and
told Smith to stop and he did.
S.W. said that she remembered being on her stomach, still naked, and
that Smith was on the back of her hips and bottom. Smith tried to lift her up by her
waist and penetrate her. She slid over so that “he couldn’t do it” and told him “no”
and he stopped.
S.W. woke the next morning at around 7:00 a.m. Smith was still
there, but she did not speak with him about the assaults. She felt foggy and clouded.
The next day, S.W. went to Hillcrest Hospital to get medication to prevent any
sexually transmitted diseases. There, she did not disclose the incident with Smith
because she loved him and considered him to be family. However, the day after her
visit to the hospital, Smith and S.W. exchanged messages through Facebook:
Smith: You ok
Feeling better
S.W. No
Smith: What is it the pills
S.W. What pills
Smith did not respond to S.W.’s question. After 40 minutes elapsed,
the following exchange took place:
S.W. Hello what pills?
Smith: I thought you was on pills from the doctor or something
making you feel sick
S.W. No
Because S.W. knew she didn’t take any pills at the party, she went to
Hillcrest Hospital for testing. While there, she saw a Sexual Examination Nurse
Examiner (“SANE”) nurse, who performed a drug facilitated sexual assault kit. The
examination included taking swabs for DNA evidence as well as testing S.W. for
drugs. S.W. testified that on September 20, 2021, she confronted Smith over
Facebook messenger about drugging and violating her. Smith denied doing so.
Alexandra Tallman, a registered nurse at the Cleveland Clinic,
testified that she was a SANE nurse from 2018 through 2021. She examined S.W.
on September 17, 2021, completing a sexual assault kit and drug facilitated sexual
assault kit. Tallman recounted S.W.’s narrative regarding the sexual assault as well
as S.W.’s account of Smith asking her about pills. Smith’s question caused S.W. to
believe she may have been drugged. Smith stipulated that sperm found in the
SANE kit was consistent with his DNA and that he could not be eliminated from
being the source of the sperm. As to the drug test, Dr. Appollonio of the Cuyahoga
County Reginal Forensic Science Lab testified that Lorazepam was found. He
identified Lorazepam as being a depressant.
In presenting his defense at trial, Smith called his girlfriend Julia
Thompson to testify. Thompson said that she picked Smith up from S.W.’s home
the morning after the party and that she saw S.W. give Smith a kiss on the cheek
when he left her house. Smith then testified at trial, relating a different version of
events at the party. He said he went to the party at S.W.’s. He did not think S.W.
was intoxicated. Shortly after he arrived, he left the party to get alcohol and returned
with a bottle of tequila. People at the party poured their own drinks, including S.W.
Smith said he drank three half-full cups of tequila and was unaware of how much
S.W. had to drink.
Smith testified that he was drunk and eventually went upstairs where
he threw up. S.W. helped him and suggested that he lay down in her bed. Smith did
so and fell asleep. Smith said he woke up to S.W. caressing his genital area. He
elaborated that even though he thought it was not right, he “indulged” in consensual
sex with his godmother. Smith denied having pills or drugging S.W. Smith
explained that because S.W. had been dating his uncle, who had a temper, he didn’t
disclose the sexual activity to anyone. He further explained the Facebook messages,
stating he had seen four to five prescription bottles in S.W.’s bedroom and he
thought that those pills might have had an effect on S.W. because she was drinking
at the party.
Smith explained the context of later messages with S.W. by explaining
that his uncle found out about him having sex with S.W. and was upset with him.
He stated he believed S.W. was accusing him of rape to cover up the fact she had sex
with him. On cross-examination, Smith admitted that he did not mention that he
had consensual sex with S.W. to the police when he spoke with a detective on the
phone and that the first time he informed anyone involved in the investigation of the
rape charges that he had consensual sex with S.W. was during his testimony.
II. LAW AND ANALYSIS
A. Smith’s Convictions Were Based on Sufficient Evidence and
Were Not Against the Manifest Weight of the Evidence
Smith’s first assignment of error reads:
Appellant’s convictions must be reversed where the State of Ohio failed
to present sufficient evidence to support the convictions.
His second assignment of error reads:
Appellant’s convictions are against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Smith argues that the state did not present sufficient evidence for two
elements of the crimes for which he was charged: 1) that S.W. was substantially
impaired at the time of the offenses charged, and 2) that he had knowledge of any
impairment. In reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence, we determine
whether the evidence, if believed, would convince the average juror of the
defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574
N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus. “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.” Id. Our review is not to determine “whether the state’s evidence
is to be believed, but whether, if believed, the evidence against a defendant would
support a conviction.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 390, 678 N.E.2d 541(1997).
Smith also argues his convictions were against the manifest weight of
the evidence because his testimony was more credible in contrast to S.W.’s account
in which her memory was self-reported as spotty. Further, he argues the jury lost
its way by not giving more weight to the evidence of motive on S.W.’s part to
fabricate rape allegations in light of her relationship with his uncle. A manifest
weight challenge asserts that the state has not met its burden of persuasion in
obtaining the conviction. Thompkins, at 390. A manifest weight challenge raises
factual issues:
“The court, reviewing the entire record, weighs the evidence and all
reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses and
determines 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. The
discretionary power to grant a new trial should be exercised only in the
exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the
conviction.”
Id. at 387, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st
Dist.1983); State v. Townsend, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107177, 2019-Ohio-544,
¶ 20.
Smith was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted
rape pursuant to R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c), which provides in the relevant part:
No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another who is not the
spouse of the offender[, when] [t]he other person’s ability to resist or
consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical
condition * * * and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to
believe that the other person’s ability to resist or consent is
substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition[.]
In State v. Zeh, 31 Ohio St.3d 99, 103, 509 N.E.2d 414 (1987), the Ohio
Supreme Court held that “substantial impairment must be established by
demonstrating a present reduction, diminution or decrease in the victim’s ability,
either to appraise the nature of his conduct or to control his conduct.” Id. at 103-
104. Further, “substantial impairment may be proven by the victim’s own
testimony.” Id. at ¶ 17. Sleeping has been held to be “a mental or physical condition
that substantially impairs a person from resisting or consenting to sexual conduct.”
State v. Keller, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106196, 2018-Ohio-4107, ¶ 25, citing State
v. McCall, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104479, 2017-Ohio-296, ¶ 6.
This court has noted that Ohio courts consistently hold that a victim’s
testimony alone is sufficient to support a rape conviction. State v. Roan, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 108917, 2020-Ohio- 5179, ¶ 21, citing State v. Blankenship, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 77900, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 5520, 11 (Dec. 13, 2001). Further,
“there is no requirement that a rape victim’s testimony be corroborated precedent
to conviction.” Id.S.W. testified that she was intoxicated, asleep, and awoke to Smith
engaging in sexual conduct with her. This testimony alone is sufficient to prove a
violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c). Roan at ¶ 21. (Thus, upon review of the state’s
evidence, namely C.H.’s testimony that Roan penetrated her vagina while she was
sleeping, we find sufficient evidence to convict Roan of substantial impairment rape
in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c).) Additionally, S.W.’s testimony that Smith was
told “no” twice, then stopped his action, but continued to engage in sexual conduct
provides sufficient evidence to support all counts of the amended indictment.
In considering the weight of the evidence presented, the jury was
confronted with two accounts: S.W.’s and Smith’s. Smith testified that S.W.
initiated sex with him and had a motive to fabricate a rape charge. S.W. testified
that she only drank alcohol the day of the party and denied taking any pills.
However, the sexual assault kit revealed evidence of a depressant drug in her system.
Additionally, the messages and interaction between S.W. and Smith, wherein Smith
first raised the issue of pills, lends persuasive support to her account. As such, we
cannot say that the jury lost its way in assessing the evidence or the credibility of
witnesses or that Smith’s convictions amount to a manifest miscarriage of justice.
The first and second assignments of error are overruled.
B. R.C. 2907.02(A) Is Not Unconstitutionally Vague
Smith’s third assignment of error reads:
Appellant’s convictions must be vacated where he was convicted of rape
in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c) a vague and unconstitutional
statute.
Smith argues that because there is no definition of substantial impairment in the
Ohio Revised Code, R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c) is unconstitutionally vague because
reasonable people would not know whether or not their conduct violated the statute.
He further argues that several other states have statutes that contain definitions of
substantial impairment in their respective criminal codes. The state argues that
because the term “substantial impairment” is to be given its plain and ordinary
meaning, the statute proscribes conduct in a manner that is understandable to a
person of ordinary intelligence.
Because there is a strong presumption that a statute is constitutional,
a defendant challenging the constitutionality of a statute bears the burden of proof
to demonstrate the statute is unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt. State v.
Anderson, 57 Ohio St.3d 168, 171, 566 N.E.2d 1224 (1991). Smith presents an
argument that the rape statute under which he was convicted violates his due
process right because it is void for vagueness. We have stated that in such
challenges:
“Three ‘values’ rationales are advanced to support the ‘void for
vagueness’ doctrine. * * * These values are first, to provide fair warning
to the ordinary citizen so behavior may comport with the dictates of the
statute; second, to preclude arbitrary, capricious and generally
discriminatory enforcement by officials given too much authority and
too few constraints; and third, to ensure that fundamental
constitutionally protected freedoms are not unreasonably impinged or
inhibited.” State v. Tanner, 14 Ohio St.3d 1, 3, 472 N.E.2d 689 (1984).
State v. Kronenberg, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101403, 2015-Ohio-1020, ¶ 33.
In Zeh, the court held that because the phrase “substantially
impaired” is not defined in the Ohio criminal code, it must be given its generally
understood common usage: “a present reduction, diminution or decrease in the
victim’s ability, either to appraise the nature of [her] conduct or to control [her]
conduct.” 31 Ohio St.3d at 103-104, 509 N.E.2d 414. Ohio courts of appeals have
found that R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c) is not unconstitutionally vague for failing to
specifically define substantial impairment or mental condition beyond the common
usage of those terms. In re J.J., 6th Dist. Erie No. E-11-018, 2012-Ohio-2550, ¶ 15-
17; State v. McIntosh, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-21-1207, 2022-Ohio-3771, ¶ 39 (“We
find that the statute is not unconstitutionally vague merely because it fails to define
‘mental condition.’”).
In determining whether R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c) is unconstitutionally
vague, we have found that the statute is not unconstitutionally vague because it
“‘contains ascertainable standards of guilt, provides sufficient notice of the conduct
proscribed and contains sufficient guidelines to avoid arbitrary or discriminatory
enforcement.’” State v. Davis, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105256, 2018-Ohio-841, ¶ 54,
quoting In re J.J. at ¶ 17. Although we recognize other jurisdictions may specifically
define substantial impairment, such does not preclude our finding that
R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c) is not unconstitutionally vague.
The third assignment of error is overruled.
C. The Trial Court Properly Imposed Sentence on All Three Counts
of the Amended Indictment
The fourth assignment of error reads:
The trial court erred where it failed to merge appellant’s three guilty
verdicts for purposes of sentencing where all three were allied offenses
required to be joined for sentencing and resulting in a single conviction.
Smith was convicted of two counts of rape in violation of
R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c) and one count of attempted rape in violation of R.C. 2923.02
and 2907.02(A)(1)(c). In arguing that the offenses are allied, Smith argues that he
was convicted of multiple crimes for a single and continuous course of conduct that
took place with a single individual. He further argues that each offense for which he
was found guilty was of the same animus. Smith also argues that because trial
counsel did not raise an allied offenses argument at the sentencing hearing, he
suffered ineffective assistance of counsel. The state argues that the offenses were
not allied as there was evidence that the two rape charges and the attempted rape
were distinct, separated by time and circumstance, and that the acts caused separate
and cumulative harm to the victim.
Our review of an allied offenses question is de novo. State v. Webb,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98628, 2013-Ohio-699, ¶ 4, citing State v. Williams, 134
Ohio St.3d 482, 2012-Ohio-5699, 983 N.E.2d 1245, ¶ 28. R.C. 2941.25 provides:
(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to
constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment
or information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the
defendant may be convicted of only one.
(B) Where the defendant’s conduct constitutes two or more offenses
of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more
offenses of the same or similar kind committed separately or with a
separate animus as to each, the indictment or information may contain
counts for all such offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of all
of them.
Smith failed to object to the imposition of multiple sentences below,
and therefore, he has waived all but plain error. State v. Tate, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 97804, 2014-Ohio-5269, ¶ 35. Pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B), “plain errors or
defects affecting substantial rights may be noticed although they were not brought
to the attention of the court.” State v. Robinson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110467,
2022-Ohio-1311, ¶ 48. Notice of plain error, however is to be taken in exceptional
cases and only when necessary to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice. Id.Because R.C. 2941.25 focuses on the defendant’s conduct, a court’s
determination of whether the defendant has been found guilty of allied offenses of
similar import is dependent upon the facts of the case. State v. Williams, 148 Ohio
St.3d 403, 2016-Ohio-7658, 71 N.E.3d 234, ¶ 18, quoting State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio
St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d 892, ¶ 26. Specifically, because an offense may
be committed in a variety of ways, the Ohio Supreme Court has held that a defendant
may be convicted and sentenced for multiple offenses when either “(1) the offenses
are dissimilar in import or significance — in other words, each offense caused
separate, identifiable harm, (2) the offenses were committed separately, or (3) the
offenses were committed with separate animus or motivation.” Ruff at ¶ 25.
In determining whether several counts of rape are allied offenses,
“courts have held that multiple convictions based on the same type of sexual conduct
are not subject to merger when the conduct is separated by intervening acts.” State
v. J.M., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-621, 2015-Ohio-5574, ¶ 52, citing State v.
Jones, 78 Ohio St.3d 12, 14, 676 N.E.2d 80 (1997); State v. Burgess, 162 Ohio App.3d
291, 2005-Ohio-3747, 833 N.E.2d 352, ¶ 37 (2d Dist.).
Contrary to Smith’s arguments, there was evidence at trial supporting
a finding that the offenses for which he was found guilty were committed separately.
Although the acts were committed close in time, the acts were separated by a
significant intervening events. S.W. testified that she was asleep or passed out and
that she awoke to Smith penetrating her. She said “no,” and he stopped. S.W. stated
that she was again awakened, that she was in a different position on the bed, and
that Smith was again penetrating her. She said “no,” and he stopped. S.W. then
testified that she was again awakened, that she was in a different position on the
bed, and that Smith was attempting to penetrate her. Accordingly, we cannot say
the trial court committed plain error in imposing sentences on each of the counts for
which Smith was found guilty. As such, Smith did not suffer ineffective assistance
of counsel where we have determined no plain error occurred because he has not
demonstrated that the outcome at sentencing would be different. State v. Davis,
159 Ohio St.3d 31, 2020-Ohio-309, 146 N.E.3d 560, ¶ 10.
The fourth assignment of error is overruled.
D. Smith’s Claims of Prosecutorial Misconduct Did Not Result in
the Denial of a Fair Trial
Smith’s fifth assignment of error reads:
Appellant’s convictions must be reversed due to prosecutorial
misconduct in inviting the jury to convict appellant of a specific crime
not indicted not the general offense as indicted and in classifying
appellant’s testimony as a lie.
Smith argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct during the
closing argument by arguing Smith drugged S.W., which act would be indictable as
a separate offense. Further, Smith argues the prosecutor committed misconduct in
closing argument by stating Smith lied. The state argues that the prosecutor had
discretion to indict and was free to argue reasonable inferences from the evidence in
its closing argument. It further argues that when the closing argument is considered
within context, Smith was not denied a fair trial.
In State v. Thompson, 141 Ohio St.3d 254, 2014-Ohio-4751, 23
N.E.3d 1096, ¶ 162, the Ohio Supreme Court provided the framework to review
allegations of prosecutorial misconduct:
To evaluate allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, we “must
determine (1) whether the prosecutor’s conduct was improper and (2)
if so, whether it prejudicially affected [the defendant’s] substantial
rights.” State v. LaMar, 95 Ohio St. 3d 181, 2002-Ohio-2128, 767
N.E.2d 166, ¶ 121. Because prosecutorial misconduct implicates due-
process concerns, “[t]he touchstone of the analysis ‘is the fairness of the
trial, not the culpability of the prosecutor.’” State v. Jones, 135 Ohio
St.3d 10, 2012-Ohio-5677, 984 N.E.2d 948, ¶ 200, quoting Smith v.
Phillips, 455 U.S. 209, 219, 102 S.Ct. 940, 71 L.Ed.2d 78 (1982). We
“will not deem a trial unfair if, in the context of the entire trial, it
appears clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the jury would have
found the defendant guilty even” absent the misconduct. LaMar at
¶ 121.
In this case, there was no objection during the state’s closing
argument regarding the comments asserted as error, as such we review for plain
error. Robinson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110467, 2022-Ohio-1311, at ¶ 47.
Prosecutors are allowed latitude in closing arguments and may
comment on “‘what the evidence has shown and what reasonable inferences may be
drawn therefrom.’” State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d 160, 165, 555 N.E.2d 293 (1990),
quoting State v. Stephens, 24 Ohio St.2d 76, 82, 263 N.E.2d 773 (1970). In its
closing argument, the prosecutor discussed the evidence, highlighted portions of
S.W.’s testimony, and connected evidence to the elements of the charges. In doing
so, the prosecutor outlined that S.W. testified that she drank alcohol, did not take
any pills, was found to have drugs in her system, and Smith first raised the issue of
S.W. taking pills. The prosecutor then argued, “I submit to you that he’s the one that
gave her the pills. He’s the one that mentions the pills, okay, and they’re in her
system.” The prosecutor used this inference along with S.W.’s testimony that she
was asleep and passed out to ask the jury to find Smith had knowledge that S.W. was
substantially impaired. We do not find this line of argument to be improper because
it is based upon a reasonable inference and addresses an element of the offense
charged.
Smith also argues that the state should have been prohibited from
arguing that he drugged S.W. because it did not indict him for a violation of
R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(a); we do not agree. “[A] prosecutor’s ‘charging discretion’ is
ordinarily beyond the purview of appellate review ‘so long as the complaints and
indictments are based on the statutory elements of the offense.’” State v. Armstrong,
10th Dist. Franklin No. 16AP-410, 2017-Ohio-8715, ¶ 32, citing State v. Ziegelhofer,
6th Dist. Wood No. WD-02-038, 2003-Ohio-1404, ¶ 12. In this case, evidence that
Smith drugged S.W. would be relevant to Smith’s knowledge S.W. was substantially
impaired and we cannot say the state’s arguments were to be prohibited.
Smith also claims prosecutorial misconduct occurred during the
state’s closing argument when the prosecutor told the jury:
Further, he knows what he’s done, because you hear him lie to you on
this stand about some story now that she came on to him and caressed
him. Somehow this is the first time anybody’s ever heard this. But that
gives credence to the fact that he knew exactly what he did by now
making up this story, by never telling the police, by texting her the next
day trying to kind of gauge what she knows, what does she think.
A prosecutor may “fairly comment on the credibility of witnesses
based on the witnesses’ testimony at trial.” State v. Williams, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 97039, 2012-Ohio-1741, ¶ 12, citing State v. Price, 60 Ohio St.2d 136, 140, 398
N.E.2d 772 (1979). Further, although prohibited from stating a personal belief that
a defendant is lying, the prosecutor “may suggest that the evidence demonstrates
that the defendant is lying.” State v. Skipper, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 81963, 2003-
Ohio-3531, ¶ 45, citing State v. Draughn, 76 Ohio App.3d 664, 670, 602 N.E.2d 790(5th Dist.1992); State v. Kroger, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA99-05-050, 2000 Ohio
App. LEXIS 1393 (Apr. 3, 2000).
When a prosecutor states in closing argument that a defendant is
lying and when that statement is based on evidence within the record and not an
expression of personal belief or opinion, this court has found such statement to be
proper. State v. Powell, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99386, 2014-Ohio-2048, ¶ 72;
Williams at ¶ 12; Skipper at ¶ 45. In closing argument, the prosecutor was blunt,
but such bluntness did not amount to a statement of personal opinion or belief.
Further, the claim that Smith lied in his testimony was based on an inference that
his testimony was fabricated for trial. As such, we cannot say that the comment was
wholly improper, was based on the prosecutor’s personal belief, or that such
comment precluded Smith from receiving a fair trial when considering the remark
in the context of the entire trial. As such, in balancing the nature of the prosecutor’s
remarks, the lack of objection, and the evidence against Smith, we do not find the
prosecutor’s closing argument was wholly improper or that it denied Smith a fair
trial.
The fifth assignment of error is overruled.
E. The Trial Court Properly Imposed an Indefinite Sentence
Pursuant to the Reagan Tokes Law
Smith’s sixth assignment of error reads:
Appellant’s indefinite sentence imposed under the Reagan Tokes
sentencing scheme violates his rights under the United States
Constitution.
Smith argues that the indefinite sentence imposed by the trial court
pursuant to the Reagan Tokes Law violates 1) his constitutional right to trial by jury,
2) the constitutional separation-of-powers doctrine, and 3) the constitutional right
to due process. In State v. Delvallie, 2022-Ohio-470, 185 N.E.3d 536 (8th Dist.) (en
banc), this court rejected these arguments.
The sixth assignment of error is overruled.
III. CONCLUSION
Smith’s convictions of two counts of rape in violation of
R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(c) and one count of attempted rape in violation of R.C. 2923.02
and 2907.02(A)(1)(c) were based on sufficient evidence and were not against the
manifest weight of the evidence, and the revised code sections for which he was
convicted are not unconstitutionally vague. There was evidence the offenses were
committed separately and were not allied offenses of similar import. The state’s
closing argument, when considered in the context of the entire trial, did not deny
Smith a fair trial. Finally, the trial court properly imposed sentence pursuant to the
Reagan Tokes Law.
Judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover of appellant 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
common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s
conviction having been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case
remanded to the trial court for execution of sentence.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27
of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
MICHELLE J. SHEEHAN, JUDGE
FRANK DANIEL CELEBREZZE, III, P.J., and
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, J., CONCUR
N.B. Judge Mary Eileen Kilbane joined the dissenting opinion by Judge Lisa B.
Forbes and the concurring in part and dissenting in part opinion by Judge Anita
Laster Mays in Delvallie and would have found the Reagan Tokes Law
unconstitutional.