State v. Norris , 2016 Ohio 1526 ( 2016 )

[Cite as State v. Norris, 2016-Ohio-1526.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF SUMMIT )
STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 27630
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
WENDALL DALE NORRIS, JR. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF SUMMIT, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. CR 2014 08 2562
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: April 13, 2016
CARR, Judge.
{¶1} Appellant, Wendell Norris, appeals the judgment of the Summit County Court of
Common Pleas. This Court affirms in part, reverses in part, and remands.
I.
{¶2} This matter stems from two incidents that occurred at fraternity houses on the
campus of the University of Akron. On September 5, 2014, the Summit County Grand Jury
indicted Norris on one count of aggravated burglary, one count of aggravated robbery, and one
count of burglary. Norris pleaded not guilty to the charges at arraignment and the matter
proceeded to a bench trial. Norris was convicted of all three counts in the indictment and
sentenced to a total of eight years imprisonment. The trial court ordered the sentence in this case
to run consecutively to a prison term for a community control violation in a separate case.
{¶3} On appeal, Norris raises four assignments of error.
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II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
WENDELL NORRIS’ CONVICTIONS FOR AGGRAVATED BURGLARY,
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY, AND BURGLARY WERE NOT SUPPORTED
BY SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE IN VIOLATION OF THE DUE PROCESS
CLAUSE OF THE 5TH AND 14TH AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S.
CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTIONS 1, 10 & 16 OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION.
{¶4} In his first assignment of error, Norris contends that his convictions for
aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and burglary were not supported by sufficient
evidence. This Court disagrees.
{¶5} In determining whether the evidence presented before the trial court was
sufficient to sustain a conviction, a reviewing court must view the evidence in the light most
favorable to the State. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259, 273 (1991).
An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to
support a criminal conviction is to 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. Galloway, 9th Dist. Summit No. 19752, 2001 WL 81257 (Jan. 31, 2001), *3, quoting
Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259, at paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶6} The test for sufficiency requires a determination of whether the State has met its
burden of production at trial. State v. Walker, 9th Dist. Summit No. 20559, 2001 WL 1581570
(Dec. 12, 2001); see also State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 390 (1997) (Cook, J.,
concurring).
{¶7} Norris was convicted of one count of burglary in violation of R.C. 2911.12(A)(2),
which states, “No person, by force, stealth, or deception, shall * * * [t]respass in an occupied
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structure * * * that is a permanent or temporary habitation of any person when any person * * *
is present or likely to be present, with purpose to commit in the habitation any criminal
offense[.]”
{¶8} Norris was also convicted of one count of aggravated burglary and one count of
aggravated robbery. R.C. 2911.11(A)(2), which defines aggravated burglary, states, “No person,
by force, stealth, or deception, shall trespass in an occupied structure * * * when another person
other than an accomplice of the offender is present, with the purpose to commit in the structure *
* * any criminal offense, if * * * [t]he offender has a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance on
or about the offender’s person or under the offender’s control.” R.C. 2911.01(A)(1), which
defines aggravated robbery, provides, “No person, in attempting or committing a theft offense *
* * shall * * * [h]ave a deadly weapon on or about the offender’s person or under the offender’s
control and either display the weapon, brandish it, indicate that the offender possesses it, or use
it[.]” For the purposes of both aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery, the term “deadly
weapon” is defined as “any instrument, device, or thing capable of inflicting death, and designed
or specifically adapted for use as a weapon, or possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.” R.C.
2923.11(A).
{¶9} On the evening of July 14, 2014, Norris entered the Phi Delta Theta house on the
campus of the University of Akron. M.M., a member of the fraternity, was sitting in the multi-
purpose room when he heard someone enter the house. Norris subsequently emerged and said he
was there to sell Percocet to someone named “Matt.” After hearing the description offered by
Norris, M.M. responded that nobody who resided in the house fit that description. Undeterred,
Norris said he wanted to go upstairs to find “Matt.” M.M. demanded that Norris leave, and
Norris walked toward the exit. Though M.M. heard the door to the house open and shut, he
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subsequently heard footsteps going upstairs. M.M. immediately went upstairs and found Norris
“rummaging through things” in the bedroom of T.G., one of M.M.’s fraternity brothers. Norris
insisted it was “Matt’s room” and said that he was looking for something. M.M. again told
Norris to get out of the house. Norris then attempted to walk into another bedroom. M.M. began
to push Norris toward the door and ordered him to leave the house immediately. After some
arguing, Norris eventually left the house. M.M. alerted some of his fraternity brothers about the
intruder. Later that night, T.G. discovered that his iPod was missing. T.G. testified at trial that
he was absolutely sure his iPod was in his room prior to the incident, and he had not seen his
iPod since the date of the incident.
{¶10} Several weeks later, on the evening of July 31, 2014, Norris entered the
university’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. J.C., a student who lived in the house, was
cooking dinner when Norris walked into the kitchen. Norris stated that he smoked marijuana
with J.C.’s fraternity brothers earlier in the week and he wanted money for the drugs or “some
sort of collateral.” J.C. did not believe Norris but he gave Norris ten dollars in hopes that he
would leave. Norris was not satisfied and he attempted to pull a mounted television off the wall.
J.C. pulled Norris away from the television. Norris then went into a first-floor bedroom and took
a laptop computer. When J.C. attempted to take the laptop away from Norris, Norris picked up a
screwdriver off a table and pointed it directly at J.C. J.C. backed away because he did not want
to get stabbed. When the screwdriver was introduced as an exhibit at trial, the adjustable head
tool was missing a bit. However, J.C. testified that the screwdriver usually had an attachment on
the end. Though J.C. did not notice the head of the screwdriver during the fervor of the incident,
he testified that the attachment could have come off when Norris threw down the screwdriver as
he excited the house. Prior to leaving the house, Norris told J.C. that he had guys outside in case
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J.C. gave him any trouble. Norris proceeded to signal to a man in a vehicle. When Norris turned
his attention toward the man outside, J.C. attempted to push Norris out the front door. J.C. was
unsuccessful and Norris and the second man pushed their way back into the house. The second
man proceeded to use a first-floor bathroom before exiting the house with Norris. As the two
men were leaving, J.C. demanded that Norris give back the laptop or else he would call the
police. After a brief exchange, Norris fled the scene with the laptop.
{¶11} On appeal, Norris contends that the State failed to demonstrate that he stole the
iPod, and thus committed burglary, during the July 14 incident. Norris further maintains that his
convictions for aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary should be reversed because the State
never proved that the screwdriver utilized during the July 31 incident was a deadly weapon.
{¶12} Norris’ argument with respect to the iPod is without merit. T.G. testified that he
was absolutely certain that his iPod was in his room on evening of the incident. The State
presented direct evidence that Norris was “rummaging through things” in that room when he was
on the second floor of the Phi Delta Theta house. After Norris rummaged through the room, the
iPod was gone and T.G. never saw it again. Though Norris claims the State never presented
evidence that he was in possession of the iPod, we are mindful that circumstantial evidence
possesses the same probative value as direct evidence. Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259, at paragraph
one of the syllabus. Here, the State presented sufficient evidence, by way of circumstantial
evidence, that Norris stole the iPod during his foray into the Phi Delta Theta house.
{¶13} Norris’ argument regarding the July 31, 2014 incident is also without merit. Ohio
courts have determined that a screwdriver is considered a deadly weapon. See State v. Brown,
6th Dist. Wood No. WD-09-058, 2010-Ohio-1698, ¶ 14, citing State v. Umphries, 4th Dist. Ross
No. 02CA2662, 2003-Ohio-599, ¶ 8 (“It almost follows without the need to cite legal authority
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that either a knife or a screwdriver is capable of inflicting a deadly wound.”); see also State v.
Peterson, 9th Dist. Summit No. 10114, 1981 WL 4176, *2 (Sept. 23, 1981) (“the jury could
reasonably conclude defendant had a gun or a knife or a screwdriver, all of which are things
capable of inflicting death.”). In making this determination, “[t]he manner of use of the
instrument is what is determinative.” State v. Goodwin, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-12-1341, 2014-
Ohio-2323, ¶ 33, citing State v. Harris, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 89AP-1342, 1990 WL 129256
(Sept. 4, 1990). “A [trier of fact] is permitted to infer the deadly nature of an instrument from
the facts and circumstances of its use.” State v. Vondenberg, 61 Ohio St. 2d 285, 289 (1980).
When Norris stole the laptop, he picked up the screwdriver and pointed it at J.C. Norris wielded
the screwdriver so as to deter J.C. from making a play for the laptop. J.C. backed away because
he did not want to get stabbed. J.C. testified that the screwdriver typically had an attachment
with a tip at the end. J.C. further testified that it is possible the attachment became dislodged
when Norris threw it to the ground as he exited the house. This evidence, when construed in the
light most favorable to the State, was sufficient to demonstrate that Norris used a deadly weapon
while burglarizing the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house.
{¶14} The first assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
WENDELL NORRIS’ CONVICTIONS FOR AGGRAVATED ROBBERY,
AGGRAVATED BURGLARY, AND BURGLARY WERE AGAINST THE
MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE IN VIOLATION OF THE DUE
PROCESS CLAUSE OF THE 5TH AND 14TH AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S.
CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTIONS 1, 10 & 16 OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION.
{¶15} In his second assignment of error, Norris argues that his convictions were against
the manifest weight of the evidence. This Court disagrees.
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{¶16} When a defendant argues that his convictions were contrary to the weight of the
evidence, this court must review all of the evidence before the trial court.
In determining whether a criminal conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence
and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine
whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact 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. Otten, 33 Ohio App. 3d 339, 340 (9th Dist.1986). “When a court of appeals reverses a
judgment of a trial court on the basis that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence, the
appellate court sits as a ‘thirteenth juror’ and disagrees with the fact[-]finder’s resolution of the
conflicting testimony.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 387 (1997), quoting Tibbs v.
Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42 (1982). An appellate court should exercise the power to reverse a
judgment as against the manifest weight of the evidence only in exceptional cases. Otten at 340.
{¶17} Norris asserts that the State presented no credible evidence that he stole the iPod
during the July 14, 2014 incident. Norris points to his conversation with police detectives after
the incident where he admitted to entering the fraternity house but denied taking the iPod. Norris
claims his denial is credible because he admitted to other illegal conduct.
{¶18} As noted above, the State presented evidence that T.G.’s iPod was in his room
prior to the incident. Norris rummaged through T.G.’s room during his invasion of the Phi Delta
Theta house and the iPod was never seen after the incident. This Court has recognized that
reliance on circumstantial evidence is often critical in proving a theft offense as an element of
burglary. State v. Flowers, 9th Dist. Summit No. 9968, 1981 WL 2922, *1 (July 22, 1981).
Moreover, while Norris emphasizes his own denial of the theft in an interview with police, and
further suggests the State’s evidence was not credible, it is well-settled law that the trier of fact is
in the best position to make credibility determinations when evaluating the evidence presented at
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trial. State v. Campanalie, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26383, 2013-Ohio-3509, ¶ 21. As the State
presented evidence that T.G.’s iPod went missing during the timeframe when Norris invaded the
house, we cannot say that the trial court’s conclusion that Norris stole the iPod resulted in a
manifest miscarriage of justice.
{¶19} Norris argues that his convictions for aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery
were against the weight of the evidence because the State presented no credible evidence that the
screwdriver was used as a deadly weapon.
{¶20} Norris’ argument is not well taken. As noted above, J.C. testified that the
screwdriver typically had a tip attached that could have come off when Norris threw it to the
ground. Norris treated the screwdriver as though it had a sharp tip when he pointed it
threateningly at J.C. in order to deter J.C. from trying to recover the laptop. Moreover, Norris’
argument that J.C. was not in fear is contradicted by the record. J.C. testified that when Norris
picked up the screwdriver, J.C. stepped back because he did not want to be stabbed. Though
Norris correctly notes that J.C. later tried to push Norris out of the house, this occurred during a
moment when Norris turned his attention to the man outside. Under these circumstances, a
reasonable juror could conclude that the screwdriver had a tip at the time of the incident. It
follows that this is not the extraordinary case where the trier of fact clear lost its way.
{¶21} The second assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPOSING COSTS UPON WENDELL
NORRIS WITHOUT ALLOWING A REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF COSTS, IN
VIOLATION OF THE DUE PROCESS CLAUSE OF THE 5TH AND 14TH
AMENDMENTS OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTION
10 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
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{¶22} In his third assignment of error, Norris contends that the trial court deprived him
of an opportunity to seek a waiver of the payment of court costs. This Court agrees.
{¶23} The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that a trial court is required to provide a
defendant with an opportunity to claim indigency and seek a waiver of the payment of court
costs. State v. Joseph, 125 Ohio St. 3d 76, 2010-Ohio-954, ¶ 22. A trial court commits reversible
error when it imposes court costs without giving the defendant an opportunity to claim indigency
and seek a waiver. State v. Miller, 9th Dist. Lorain Nos. 10CA009922 & 10CA009915, 2012-
Ohio-1263, ¶ 96, citing Joseph at ¶ 22. The appropriate remedy for such an error is to “remand
the cause to the trial court for the limited purpose of allowing [the offender] to move the court
for a waiver of the payment of court costs.” Joseph at ¶ 23.
{¶24} The State acknowledges that the trial court did not notify Norris about the
imposition of court costs at the sentencing hearing. Nevertheless, the State urges this Court to
overrule Norris’ assignment of error on the basis of R.C. 2947.23(C), which states that a trial
court “retains jurisdiction to waive, suspend, or modify the payment of the costs of prosecution,
including any costs under section 2947.231 of the Revised Code, at the time of sentencing or at
any time thereafter.” The State notes that because the trial court may revisit the issue at any
time, there is no need to reverse the trial court’s judgment.
{¶25} A review of the transcript from the sentencing hearing confirms that the trial court
did not provide Norris with an opportunity to seek a waiver of the payment of court costs. Yet,
the trial court ordered Norris to pay court costs in its December 3, 2014 sentencing entry. The
State correctly notes that R.C. 2947.23(C) permits a trial court to address issues with court costs
after the time of sentencing. The fact remains, however, that Norris has identified a prejudicial
error in his direct appeal. Norris was harmed when he was “denied the opportunity to claim
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indigency and to seek a waiver of the payment of court costs before the trial court.” Joseph at ¶
22. Under these circumstances, it is appropriate to “remand the cause to the trial court for the
limited purpose of allowing [the offender] to move the court for a waiver of the payment of court
costs.” Joseph at ¶ 23.
{¶26} The third assignment of error is sustained.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPOSING RESTITUTION UPON
WENDELL NORRIS WITHOUT INQUIRY INTO HIS ABILITY TO PAY OR
OPPORTUNITY TO CONTEST THE AMOUNT, IN VIOLATION OF THE
DUE PROCESS CLAUSE OF THE 5TH AND 14TH AMENDMENTS OF THE
U.S. CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE [I], SECTION 10 OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION.
{¶27} In his final assignment of error, Norris contends that the trial court committed
plain error when it imposed restitution without giving him an opportunity to contest the amount.
This Court agrees.
{¶28} R.C. 2929.19(B)(5) requires a trial court to consider the offender’s present and
future ability to pay prior to imposing a financial sanction. State v. Williams, 9th Dist. Summit
No. 26014, 2012-Ohio-5873, ¶ 17. “‘[T]here are no express factors that must be taken into
consideration or findings regarding the offender’s ability to pay that must be made on the
record.’” Williams at ¶ 17, quoting State v. Martin, 140 Ohio App. 3d 326, 327 (4th Dist.2000).
“Even so, the record must reflect that the court actually considered the defendant’s ability to
pay.” Williams at ¶ 17, see also State v. Lewis, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2011-CA-75, 2012-Ohio-
4858, ¶ 9 (“A hearing on a defendant’s ability to pay is not required. Nor is a court required to
make findings. All that is required is that the trial court ‘consider’ a defendant’s ability to pay.”).
“A trial court commits plain error by ordering a defendant to pay restitution without first
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considering his ability to pay.” Williams at ¶ 17, citing State v. Andrews, 1st Dist. Hamilton No.
C-110735, 2012-Ohio-4664, ¶ 32.
{¶29} In this case, the trial court ordered restitution in the amount of $300 to the owner
of the iPod and $700 to the owner of the laptop computer. At the sentencing hearing, the trial
court stated the amount of restitution to be paid to each victim. The trial court also asked Norris
if he could afford an appellate attorney, and when Norris responded in the negative, the trial
court appointed counsel on his behalf. Unfortunately, our review of the record does not reveal
any signal by the trial court that it considered Norris’ ability to pay restitution. Thus, given the
record in this case, the trial court committed plain error and must make a determination regarding
Norris’ ability to pay restitution on remand. Williams at ¶ 19-20.
{¶30} The fourth assignment of error is sustained.
III.
{¶31} Norris’ first and second assignments of error are overruled. The third and fourth
assignments of error are sustained. The judgment of the Summit County Court of Common
Pleas is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and the cause remanded to the trial court for further
proceedings consistent with this decision.
Judgment affirmed in part,
reversed in part,
and cause remanded.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Summit, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy
of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
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Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed equally to both parties.
DONNA J. CARR
FOR THE COURT
HENSAL, P. J.
SCHAFER, J.
CONCUR.
APPEARANCES:
JEREMY A. VEILLETTE, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
SHERRI BEVAN WALSH, Prosecuting Attorney, and HEAVEN DIMARTINO, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, for Appellee.