State v. McCoy , 2020 Ohio 1083 ( 2020 )

[Cite as State v. McCoy, 2020-Ohio-1083.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
PICKAWAY COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : Case No. 19CA1
vs. :
JASON B. MCCOY, : DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Defendant-Appellant. :
_________________________________________________________________
APPEARANCES:
Timothy Young, Ohio Public Defender, and Jeremy Masters, Assistant State Public Defender,
Columbus, Ohio, for appellant.
Judy C. Wolford, Pickaway County Prosecuting Attorney, and Heather MJ Carter, Assistant
Pickaway County Prosecuting Attorney, Circleville, Ohio, for appellee.
_________________________________________________________________
CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM COMMON PLEAS COURT
DATE JOURNALIZED: 3-18-20
ABELE, J.
{¶ 1} This is an appeal from a Pickaway County Common Pleas Court judgment of
conviction and sentence. Jason B. McCoy, defendant below and appellant herein, assigns the
following errors for review:
FIRST ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR:
“JASON MCCOY WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL AND DUE
PROCESS OF LAW BY THE ADMISSION OF IRRELEVANT
AND HIGHLY PREJUDICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS,
DOCUMENTS, AND TESTIMONY AT TRIAL, IN VIOLATION
OF THE FIFTH, SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS
TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I,
SECTION 16 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION, AND OHIO
RULES OF EVIDENCE 402 AND 403.”
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SECOND ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR:
“TRIAL COUNSEL PROVIDED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE
OF COUNSEL, IN VIOLATION OF THE SIXTH AMENDMENT
TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I,
SECTION 10 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.”
THIRD ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR:
“THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED JASON MCCOY’S RIGHTS
TO DUE PROCESS AND A FAIR TRIAL WHEN IT ENTERED
A JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION FOR KIDNAPPING
AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.”
{¶ 2} In early 2018, Pickaway County Children Services investigated allegations of child
abuse that occurred in the household where appellant resided during the fall of 2017.
Subsequently, a Pickaway County Grand Jury returned an indictment that charged appellant with
(1) felonious assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1); (2) kidnapping, in violation of R.C.
2905.01(A)(3); and (3) endangering children, in violation of R.C. 2919.22(B)(1). Appellant
entered not guilty pleas.
{¶ 3} At trial, caseworker Mikki Vinkovich testified that she visited Martha Lemaster’s
home in response to a referral that Lemaster had been handcuffing and withholding food from a
child (C.H.). Vinkovich observed marks around C.H.’s wrists as if “something had been tied
around her wrists” and noted that C.H.’s feet were a “purplish blue color.” Vinkovich explained
that she attempted to speak privately with Martha Lemaster, but Lemaster stated that C.H. “had
heard [the allegations] before.” After Vinkovich advised Lemaster that children services
received a referral that Lemaster had been handcuffing C.H. to a door, C.H. exclaimed, “Yep!
Yep!,” Lemaster then “shot [C.H.] a look” and C.H. stated, “no, Granny wouldn’t do that.”
Vinkovich stated that she also asked to see C.H.’s body and observed bruises on her knees,
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 3
“swollen and purple” feet, sores that covered the fronts of her legs, protruding hip bones, long
and yellow toe nails, thinning hair, “chunks of hair * * * pulled from her head,” and that C.H.’s
“little face was sunk in.” Vinkovich then took the child to Nationwide Children’s Hospital
where medical staff noted multiple injuries, in various stages of healing, and suspected child
abuse.
{¶ 4} Twelve-year-old Kr.L., who lived in the Lemaster household during the time that
C.H. and appellant lived there, stated that appellant “would like do mean stuff.” Kr.L.
elaborated as follows: “When [C.H.] would get in trouble [appellant] would make her stand in
front of him and hold college books on her arms.” She stated that appellant also made C.H. “eat
[D.H.]’s poop from his diaper.” Also, ten-year-old K.L. testified that appellant made C.H.
“stand on her tippy toes and hold books.”
{¶ 5} The two younger children’s half-sibling, twenty-year-old Andrew Lemaster, also
testified and stated that appellant (1) made C.H. stand in the corner, sometimes “all day and all
night,” (2) made C.H. stand “on her tiptoes with her arms above her head,” and (3) often zip tied
C.H.’s hands and feet and appellant sometimes zip tied C.H. to a mattress while C.H. slept.
Lemaster also stated that he noticed bruises and cuts on C.H.’s arms and ankles from the zip ties.
{¶ 6} Dr. Farah Brink testified that she evaluated C.H. for “complications of the face” and
“trauma.” Dr. Brink noted that C.H. had bruising to her face, eye, and jaw line; mouth injuries;
multiple abrasions and healing lacerations; alopecia; and swelling of her hands and feet. Dr.
Brink reported that the medical team had concerns about physical abuse and referred the matter
to children services.
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 4
{¶ 7} Dr. Colleen Bressler stated that her evaluation of C.H. revealed extensive bruising
and abrasions over her limbs, head, face, and scalp; alopecia; malnutrition; swelling and
discoloration to the feet; and ligature marks on her wrists.
{¶ 8} At the conclusion of the trial the jury found appellant guilty of kidnapping, but not
guilty of felonious assault and endangering children. The trial court sentenced appellant to serve
four years in prison. This appeal followed.
I
{¶ 9} For ease of discussion, we first consider appellant’s third assignment of error
wherein appellant asserts that his kidnapping conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence. Although appellant recognizes that the evidence shows that the child “was clearly
abused and mistreated,” appellant contends that the evidence does not clearly show who abused
and mistreated the child and, thus, the jury lost its way in finding him guilty of kidnapping.
Appellant observes that the state’s case rested largely upon two child witnesses who resided in
the same household with C.H. and appellant, and upon the testimony of an adult relative who
also lived in the household. Appellant argues that the witnesses’ testimony is unreliable and that
the jury lost its way by crediting their testimony.
{¶ 10} We observe that the “question to be answered when a manifest-weight issue is
raised is whether ‘there is substantial evidence upon which a jury could reasonably conclude that
all the elements have been proved beyond a reasonable doubt.’” State v. Leonard, 104 Ohio
St.3d 54, 2004-Ohio-6235, 818 N.E.2d 229, ¶ 81, quoting State v. Getsy, 84 Ohio St. 3d 180,
193–194, 702 N.E.2d 866 (1998), citing State v. Eley, 56 Ohio St. 2d 169, 383 N.E.2d 132
(1978), syllabus. A court that is considering a manifest-weight challenge must “‘review the
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 5
entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, and consider the credibility of
witnesses.’” State v. Beasley, 153 Ohio St. 3d 497, 2018-Ohio-493, 108 N.E.3d 1028, ¶ 208,
quoting State v. McKelton, 148 Ohio St. 3d 261, 2016-Ohio-5735, 70 N.E.3d 508, ¶ 328. The
reviewing court must bear in mind, however, that credibility generally is an issue for the trier of
fact to resolve. State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St. 3d 49, 67, 752 N.E.2d 904 (2001); State v. Murphy, 4th
Dist. Ross No. 07CA2953, 2008-Ohio-1744, ¶ 31. “‘Because the trier of fact sees and hears the
witnesses and is particularly competent to decide “whether, and to what extent, to credit the
testimony of particular witnesses,” we must afford substantial deference to its determinations of
credibility.’” Barberton v. Jenney, 126 Ohio St. 3d 5, 2010-Ohio-2420, 929 N.E.2d 1047, ¶ 20,
quoting State v. Konya, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 21434, 2006-Ohio-6312, ¶ 6, quoting State v.
Lawson, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 16288 (Aug. 22, 1997). As the Eastley court explained:
“‘[I]n determining whether the judgment below is manifestly against the
weight of the evidence, every reasonable intendment must be made in favor of the
judgment and the finding of facts. * * *
If the evidence is susceptible of more than one construction, the reviewing
court is bound to give it that interpretation which is consistent with the verdict and
judgment, most favorable to sustaining the verdict and judgment.’”
Id. at ¶ 21, quoting Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St. 3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273
(1984), fn.3, quoting 5 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Appellate Review, Section 60, at 191–192 (1978).
Thus, an appellate court will leave the issues of evidence weight and credibility to the fact
finder, as long as a rational basis exists in the record for its decision. State v. Picklesimer, 4th
Dist. Pickaway No. 11CA9, 2012-Ohio-1282, ¶ 24; accord State v. Howard, 4th Dist. Ross No.
07CA2948, 2007-Ohio-6331, ¶ 6 (“We will not intercede as long as the trier of fact has some
factual and rational basis for its determination of credibility and weight.”).
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 6
{¶ 11} Therefore, if the prosecution presented substantial credible evidence upon which
the trier of fact reasonably could conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the essential elements
of the offense had been established, the judgment of conviction is not against the manifest weight
of the evidence. E.g., Eley. Accord Eastley at ¶ 12, quoting Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d at 387,
678 N.E.2d 541, quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 1594 (6th ed.1990) (explaining that a judgment
is not against the manifest weight of the evidence when “‘“the greater amount of credible
evidence”’” supports it). A court may reverse a judgment of conviction only if it appears that
the fact-finder, when resolving the conflicts in evidence, “‘clearly lost its way and created such a
manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’”
Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App. 3d 172,
175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983); accord McKelton at ¶ 328. A reviewing court should find
a conviction against the manifest weight of the evidence only in the “‘exceptional case in which
the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.’” Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d at 387, 678
N.E.2d 541, quoting Martin, 20 Ohio App. 3d at 175, 485 N.E.2d 717; accord State v. Clinton,
153 Ohio St. 3d 422, 2017-Ohio-9423, 108 N.E.3d 1, ¶ 166; State v. Lindsey, 87 Ohio St. 3d 479,
483, 721 N.E.2d 995 (2000).
{¶ 12} After our review in the case at bar, we believe that the state presented substantial
credible evidence, upon which the trier of fact reasonably could conclude beyond a reasonable
doubt, that the essential elements of kidnapping had been established. R.C. 2905.01(A)(3)
contains the elements of kidnapping as charged in the case sub judice and provides:
(A) No person, by force, threat, or deception, or, in the case of a victim
under the age of thirteen or mentally incompetent, by any means, shall remove
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 7
another from the place where the other person is found or restrain the liberty of
the other person, for any of the following purposes:
****
(3) To terrorize, or to inflict serious physical harm on the victim or
another[.]
The word “terrorize” means “‘to fill with terror or anxiety’” or to “impress with terror, fear or to
coerce by intimidation.” State v. McDougler, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 86152, 2006-Ohio-100,
2006 WL 62572, ¶ 16; State v. Vigil, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103940, 2016-Ohio-7485, ¶ 22.
{¶ 13} R.C. 2901.01(A)(5) defines “[s]erious physical harm to persons” as follows:
(a) Any mental illness or condition of such gravity as would normally
require hospitalization or prolonged psychiatric treatment;
(b) Any physical harm that carries a substantial risk of death;
(c) Any physical harm that involves some permanent incapacity, whether
partial or total, or that involves some temporary, substantial incapacity;
(d) Any physical harm that involves some permanent disfigurement or that
involves some temporary, serious disfigurement;
(e) Any physical harm that involves acute pain of such duration as to result
in substantial suffering or that involves any degree of prolonged or intractable
pain.
{¶ 14} Here, appellant appears to limit his argument to the assertion that the evidence
fails to show that he restrained the victim’s liberty with the purpose to inflict serious physical
harm. In particular, appellant contends that the evidence fails to show that he is the individual
responsible for the child’s injuries.
{¶ 15} We first point out that R.C. 2905.01(A)(3), the statute under which the state
charged appellant, contains two alternate scenarios that may support a kidnapping offense: (1)
kidnapping with the purpose of terrorizing the victim, or (2) kidnapping with the purpose of
inflicting serious physical harm upon the victim or upon another. Thus, in the case at bar we
may uphold appellant’s conviction if the evidence supports either scenario. After our review,
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 8
we believe that in the case sub judice, the state presented substantial credible evidence that, if
believed, established that appellant restrained C.H.’s liberty so as to terrorize her or so as to
inflict serious physical harm. Andrew Lemaster testified that he observed appellant use zip ties
to restrain C.H. and that appellant also restrained C.H. to a mattress. Lemaster additionally
stated that (1) he observed bruises on C.H.’s arms and legs from the zip ties, and (2) appellant
forced C.H. to stand in a corner, sometimes for hours on end. Lemaster’s testimony, if believed,
establishes that appellant restrained C.H.’s liberty, and did so with the purpose to terrorize or to
inflict serious physical harm.
{¶ 16} Although appellant challenges Lemaster’s credibility, we emphasize that
ordinarily credibility is a matter for the trier of fact to decide. Unlike the trier of fact, an
appellate court does not have the opportunity to view a witness’s demeanor, gestures, or manner
of speaking and to use those observations to evaluate a witness’s truthfulness. Appellate courts
thus typically refrain from second-guessing a trier of fact’s credibility determination. Here, we
find nothing in the record to indicate that the jury, sitting as the trier of fact in this matter, clearly
lost its way by crediting Lemaster’s testimony or the testimony of the other witnesses. We do
not believe that the case at bar is one of those rare cases in which a manifest miscarriage of
justice would result if we allow appellant’s conviction to stand.
{¶ 17} Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule appellant’s third
assignment of error.
II
{¶ 18} In his first assignment of error, appellant asserts that the trial court’s decision to
admit into evidence certain photographs, documents, and testimony violated his right to a fair
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 9
trial and to due process of law. In particular, appellant claims that certain evidence was
irrelevant and highly prejudicial. Appellant recognizes, however, that trial counsel did not
properly preserve the issue for appeal, thus appellant contends that the trial court plainly erred by
admitting certain evidence that the state produced.
A
{¶ 19} Initially, we point out that appellate courts “‘“will not consider any error which
counsel for a party complaining of the trial court’s judgment could have called but did not call to
the trial court’s attention at a time when such error could have been avoided or corrected by the
trial court.”’” State v. Quarterman, 140 Ohio St. 3d 464, 2014-Ohio-4034, 19 N.E.3d 900, ¶ 15,
quoting State v. Awan, 22 Ohio St. 3d 120, 122, 489 N.E.2d 277 (1986), quoting State v. Childs,
14 Ohio St. 2d 56, 236 N.E.2d 545 (1968), paragraph three of the syllabus. Appellate courts
nevertheless have discretion to consider forfeited issues using a plain-error analysis. E.g.,
Risner v. Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, Ohio Div. of Wildlife, 144 Ohio St. 3d 278,
2015-Ohio-3731, 42 N.E.3d 718, ¶ 27; Quarterman at ¶ 16. Crim.R. 52(B) provides appellate
courts with discretion to correct “[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights.” “To
prevail under the plain-error standard, a defendant must show that an error occurred, that it was
obvious, and that it affected his substantial rights,” i.e., the trial court’s error must have affected
the outcome of the trial. State v. Obermiller, 147 Ohio St. 3d 175, 2016-Ohio-1594, 63 N.E.3d
93, ¶ 62, citing State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St. 3d 21, 27, 2002-Ohio-68, 759 N.E.2d 1240. “We
take ‘[n]otice of plain error * * * with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and
only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.’” Obermiller at ¶ 62, quoting State v. Long, 53
Ohio St. 2d 91, 97, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978). “Reversal is warranted only if the outcome of the
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 10
trial clearly would have been different absent the error.” State v. Hill, 92 Ohio St. 3d 191, 203,
749 N.E.2d 274 (2001).
B
{¶ 20} The admission or exclusion of evidence generally rests within a trial court’s sound
discretion. E.g., State v. Crotts, 104 Ohio St. 3d 432, 2004–Ohio–6550, 820 N.E.2d 302, ¶ 25;
State v. Noling, 98 Ohio St. 3d 44, 781 N.E.2d 88, 2002–Ohio–7044, ¶ 43. Thus, absent an
abuse of discretion, an appellate court will not disturb a trial court’s ruling regarding the
admissibility of evidence. Id. We point out that an abuse of discretion implies that a court’s
attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. E.g., Adams, supra. Furthermore, as a
general rule, all relevant evidence is admissible. Evid.R. 402. Evid.R. 401 defines relevant
evidence as “evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of
consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be
without the evidence.” Evid.R. 401 and Evid.R. 402. A trial court must, however, exclude
relevant evidence “if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice, of confusion of the issues, or of misleading the jury.” Evid.R. 403. A trial court has
broad discretion to determine whether to exclude evidence under Evid.R. 403(A), and “‘an
appellate court should not interfere absent a clear abuse of that discretion.’” State v. Yarbrough,
95 Ohio St. 3d 227, 2002–Ohio–2126, 767 N.E.2d 216, ¶ 40.
{¶ 21} Evid.R. 403(A) “manifests a definite bias in favor of the admission of relevant
evidence, as the dangers associated with the potentially inflammatory nature of the evidence must
substantially outweigh its probative value before the court should reject its admission.” State v.
White, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 03CA2926, 2004–Ohio–6005, ¶ 50. Thus, “[w]hen determining
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 11
whether the relevance of evidence is outweighed by its prejudicial effects, the evidence is viewed
in a light most favorable to the proponent, maximizing its probative value and minimizing any
prejudicial effect to the party opposing admission.” State v. Lakes, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No.
21490, 2007–Ohio–325, ¶ 22.
{¶ 22} We also emphasize that, to some degree, all relevant evidence may be prejudicial
in the sense that it “tends to disprove a party’s rendition of the facts” and, thus, “necessarily
harms that party’s case.” Crotts at ¶ 23. Evid.R. 403(A) does not, however, “attempt to bar all
prejudicial evidence.” Id. Instead, the rules provide that only unfairly prejudicial evidence is
excludable. Id. “‘Evid.R. 403(A) speaks in terms of unfair prejudice. Logically, all evidence
presented by a prosecutor is prejudicial, but not all evidence unfairly prejudices a defendant. It
is only the latter that Evid.R. 403 prohibits.’” State v. Skatzes, 104 Ohio St. 3d 195,
2004–Ohio–6391, 819 N.E.2d 215, ¶ 107, quoting State v. Wright, 48 Ohio St. 3d 5, 8, 548
N.E.2d 923 (1990). “‘Unfair prejudice’ does “not mean the damage to a defendant’s case that
results from the legitimate probative force of the evidence; rather it refers to evidence which
tends to suggest decision on an improper basis.”’” State v. Lang, 129 Ohio St. 3d 512,
2011–Ohio–4215, 954 N.E.2d 596, ¶ 89, quoting United States v. Bonds, 12 F.3d 540 (6th
Cir.1993). Unfairly prejudicial evidence is evidence that “might result in an improper basis for a
jury decision.” Oberlin v. Akron Gen. Med. Ctr., 91 Ohio St. 3d 169, 172, 743 N.E.2d 890
(2001), quoting Weissenberger’s Ohio Evidence (2000) 85–87, Section 403.3. It is evidence
that arouses the jury’s emotions, that “‘evokes a sense of horror,’” or that “‘appeals to an instinct
to punish.’” Id. “‘Usually, although not always, unfairly prejudicial evidence appeals to the
jury’s emotions rather than intellect.’” Id. Thus, “[u]nfavorable evidence is not equivalent to
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 12
unfairly prejudicial evidence.” State v. Bowman, 144 Ohio App. 3d 179, 185, 759 N.E.2d 856
(12th Dist.2001).
{¶ 23} In the case sub judice, after our review we do not believe that the trial court’s
decision to allow the state to introduce the complained-of evidence constitutes reversible error.
Initially, we recognize and acknowledge that appellant did not reside with the victim during
January 2018. However, four January 2018 photographs, of which appellant complains, are
similar to the seven other equally disturbing October 2017 photographs that the trial court
admitted into evidence. We also point out that even if we assume, arguendo, that the
photographs that depict the child’s January 2018 condition are not relevant, we perceive no
danger that the jury found appellant guilty of kidnapping upon an improper basis. Instead, the
jury’s verdict reveals that it gave the evidence careful consideration and did not evaluate the
question of appellant’s guilt based upon inflamed passion aroused by the emotions or horror from
viewing the injuries depicted in the January 2018 photographs. After the jury reviewed the
evidence and counsels’ arguments, the jury found appellant not guilty of felonious assault and
child endangering, but guilty of kidnapping. Thus, we do not believe that the complained-of
photographs influenced the jury’s decision. Rather, as we explain earlier in this opinion, we
believe that the record contains substantial credible evidence to support appellant’s kidnapping
violation.
{¶ 24} For similar reasons, we believe that any arguable error that the trial court may have
committed by admitting medical evidence and testimony that surrounded the child’s January
2018 injuries does not warrant reversal. Instead, we again point out that we believe that the
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 13
record contains substantial credible evidence to support appellant’s kidnapping conviction and
the jury was not swayed as a result of the January 2018 injury evidence.
{¶ 25} Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule appellant’s first
assignment of error.
II
{¶ 26} In his second assignment of error, appellant asserts that his trial counsel performed
ineffectively by failing to object to the evidence regarding the child’s January 2018 condition.
{¶ 27} The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 10
of the Ohio Constitution provide that defendants in all criminal proceedings shall have the
assistance of counsel for their defense. The United States Supreme Court has generally
interpreted this provision to mean a criminal defendant is entitled to the “reasonably effective
assistance” of counsel. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674
(1984); accord Hinton v. Alabama, 571 U.S. 263, 272, 134 S. Ct. 1081, 188 L. Ed. 2d 1 (2014)
(explaining that the Sixth Amendment right to counsel means “that defendants are entitled to be
represented by an attorney who meets at least a minimal standard of competence”).
{¶ 28} To establish constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must
show (1) that his counsel’s performance was deficient and (2) that the deficient performance
prejudiced the defense and deprived the defendant of a fair trial. E.g., Strickland, 466 U.S. at
687; State v. Myers, 154 Ohio St. 3d 405, 2018-Ohio-1903, 114 N.E.3d 1138, ¶ 183; State v.
Powell, 132 Ohio St. 3d 233, 2012-Ohio-2577, 971 N.E.2d 865, ¶ 85. “Failure to establish either
element is fatal to the claim.” State v. Jones, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 06CA3116, 2008-Ohio-968,
¶ 14. Therefore, if one element is dispositive, a court need not analyze both. State v. Madrigal,
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87 Ohio St. 3d 378, 389, 721 N.E.2d 52 (2000) (stating that a defendant’s failure to satisfy one of
the ineffective-assistance-of-counsel elements “negates a court’s need to consider the other”).
{¶ 29} The deficient performance part of an ineffectiveness claim “is necessarily linked to
the practice and expectations of the legal community: ‘The proper measure of attorney
performance remains simply reasonableness under prevailing professional norms.’” Padilla v.
Kentucky, 559 U.S. 356, 366, 130 S. Ct. 1473, 176 L. Ed. 2d 284 (2010), quoting Strickland, 466
U.S. at 688; accord Hinton, 571 U.S. at 273. Prevailing professional norms dictate that “a
lawyer must have ‘full authority to manage the conduct of the trial.’” State v. Pasqualone, 121
Ohio St. 3d 186, 2009-Ohio-315, 903 N.E.2d 270, ¶ 24, quoting Taylor v. Illinois, 484 U.S. 400,
418, 108 S. Ct. 646, 98 L. Ed. 2d 798 (1988). Furthermore, “‘[i]n any case presenting an
ineffectiveness claim, “the performance inquiry must be whether counsel’s assistance was
reasonable considering all the circumstances.’” Hinton, 571 U.S. at 273, quoting Strickland, 466
U.S. at 688. Accordingly, “[i]n order to show deficient performance, the defendant must prove
that counsel’s performance fell below an objective level of reasonable representation.” State v.
Conway, 109 Ohio St. 3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, 848 N.E.2d 810, ¶ 95 (citations omitted).
Moreover, when considering whether trial counsel’s representation amounts to deficient
performance, “a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the
wide range of reasonable professional assistance.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. Thus, “the
defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action
might be considered sound trial strategy.” Id. Additionally, “[a] properly licensed attorney is
presumed to execute his duties in an ethical and competent manner.” State v. Taylor, 4th Dist.
Washington No. 07CA11, 2008-Ohio-482, ¶ 10, citing State v. Smith, 17 Ohio St. 3d 98, 100, 477
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N.E.2d 1128 (1985). Therefore, a defendant bears the burden to show ineffectiveness by
demonstrating that counsel’s errors were “so serious” that counsel failed to function “as the
‘counsel’ guaranteed * * * by the Sixth Amendment.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687; e.g., State v.
Gondor, 112 Ohio St. 3d 377, 2006-Ohio-6679, 860 N.E.2d 77, ¶ 62; State v. Hamblin, 37 Ohio
St.3d 153, 156, 524 N.E.2d 476 (1988).
{¶ 30} We further observe that the decision to object or not to object at trial ordinarily
constitutes a question of trial strategy. State v. Frierson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105618,
2018-Ohio-391, ¶ 25, citing State v. Johnson, 7th Dist. Jefferson No. 16 JE 0002,
2016-Ohio-7937, ¶ 46. Accordingly, “the failure to make objections is not alone enough to
sustain a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.” Conway at ¶ 103.
Experienced trial counsel learn that objections to each potentially
objectionable event could actually act to their party’s detriment. * * * In light of
this, any single failure to object usually cannot be said to have been error unless
the evidence sought is so prejudicial * * * that failure to object essentially defaults
the case to the state. Otherwise, defense counsel must so consistently fail to use
objections, despite numerous and clear reasons for doing so, that counsel’s failure
cannot reasonably have been said to have been part of a trial strategy or tactical
choice.
State v. Johnson, 112 Ohio St. 3d 210, 2006-Ohio-6404, 858 N.E.2d 1144, at ¶ 140.
{¶ 31} To establish prejudice, a defendant must demonstrate that a reasonable probability
exists that “‘but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A
reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine the outcome.’” Hinton, 571 U.S.
at 275, quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; e.g., State v. Short, 129 Ohio St. 3d 360,
2011-Ohio-3641, 952 N.E.2d 1121, ¶ 113; State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St. 3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373
(1989), paragraph three of the syllabus; accord State v. Spaulding, 151 Ohio St. 3d 378,
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2016-Ohio-8126, 89 N.E.3d 554, ¶ 91 (indicating that prejudice component requires a “but for”
analysis). “‘[T]he question is whether there is a reasonable probability that, absent the errors,
the factfinder would have had a reasonable doubt respecting guilt.’” Hinton, 571 U.S. at 275,
quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695. Furthermore, courts ordinarily may not simply presume the
existence of prejudice but, instead, must require the defendant to affirmatively establish
prejudice. State v. Clark, 4th Dist. Pike No. 02CA684, 2003-Ohio-1707, ¶ 22; State v. Tucker,
4th Dist. Ross No. 01CA2592 (Apr. 2, 2002); see generally Roe v. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. 470,
483, 120 S. Ct. 1029, 145 L. Ed. 2d 985 (2008) (observing that prejudice may be presumed in
limited contexts, none of which are relevant here). As we have repeatedly recognized,
speculation is insufficient to establish the prejudice component of an ineffective assistance of
counsel claim. E.g., State v. Tabor, 4th Dist. Jackson No. 16CA9, 2017-Ohio-8656, 2017 WL
5641282, ¶ 34; State v. Jenkins, 4th Dist. Ross No. 13CA3413, 2014-Ohio-3123, ¶ 22; State v.
Simmons, 4th Dist. Highland No. 13CA4, 2013-Ohio-2890, ¶ 25; State v. Halley, 4th Dist. Gallia
No. 10CA13, 2012-Ohio-1625, ¶ 25; State v. Leonard, 4th Dist. Athens No. 08CA24,
2009-Ohio-6191, ¶ 68; accord State v. Powell, 132 Ohio St. 3d 233, 2012-Ohio-2577, 971 N.E.2d
865, ¶ 86 (stating that an argument that is purely speculative cannot serve as the basis for an
ineffectiveness claim).
{¶ 32} After our review in the case sub judice, even if we assume, for purposes of
argument, that trial counsel performed deficiently by failing to object to the January 2018
evidence, we do not believe that appellant can show that a reasonable probability exists that the
outcome of the trial would have been different. Rather, as we explain in our discussion of
appellant’s third and first assignments of error, we believe that the remaining evidence, if
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 17
believed, supports the judgment of conviction. Obviously, the trier of fact opted to believe the
evidence submitted regarding the kidnapping violation, but did not believe, based upon their
consideration of the evidence, that appellant committed the offenses of felonious assault and
endangering children. Consequently, we do not believe that absent the complained of evidence,
the result of this trial would have been different.
{¶ 33} Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule appellant’s second
assignment of error and affirm the trial court’s judgment.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 18
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the judgment be affirmed and that appellee recover of appellant 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 Pickaway County
Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
If a stay of execution of sentence and release upon bail has been previously granted, it is
continued for a period of sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of said stay is
to allow appellant to file with the Ohio Supreme Court an application for a stay during the
pendency of the proceedings in that court. The stay as herein continued will terminate at the
expiration of the sixty day period.
The stay will also terminate if appellant fails to file a notice of appeal with the Ohio
Supreme Court in the forty-five day period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of
the Ohio Supreme Court. Additionally, if the Ohio Supreme Court dismisses the appeal prior to
the expiration of said sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute that mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Smith, P.J. & Hess, J.: Concur in Judgment & Opinion
For the Court
BY:
Peter B. Abele, Judge
PICKAWAY, 19CA1 19
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.