State v. Rentschler , 2023 Ohio 3009 ( 2023 )

[Cite as State v. Rentschler, 2023-Ohio-3009.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
MARION COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 9-22-50
v.
SHANE ALLEN RENTSCHLER, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 20-CR-151
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: August 28, 2023
APPEARANCES:
Dustin M. Blake for Appellant
Martha Schultes for Appellee
Case No. 9-22-50
WALDICK, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Shane Allen Rentschler (“Rentschler”), appeals
the August 31, 2022 judgment of conviction and sentence entered against him in the
Marion County Court of Common Pleas, following a jury trial in which Rentschler
was found guilty of Possession of Fentanyl. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
Procedural History
{¶2} This case originated on May 20, 2020, when the Marion County Grand
Jury returned a single-count indictment charging Renstchler with Trafficking in
Heroin, a second-degree felony. On May 26, 2020, an arraignment was held and
Rentschler entered an initial plea of not guilty.
{¶3} On June 10, 2020, a two-count superseding indictment was filed,
charging Rentschler in Count 1 with Trafficking in Heroin, a second-degree felony,
and in Count 2 with Possession of Heroin, also a second-degree felony. An
arraignment on that indictment was held on June 15, 2020, and Rentschler again
pled not guilty.
{¶4} On August 5, 2020, a second superseding indictment was filed,
charging Rentschler in Count 1 with Trafficking in Fentanyl, a first-degree felony
in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2) and (C)(9), and in Count 2 with Possession of
Fentanyl, a first-degree felony in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and (C)(11). On
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August 10, 2020, Rentschler was arraigned on the second superseding indictment
and a not guilty plea was entered.
{¶5} On August 16, 2022, a jury trial commenced as to the charges in the
August 5, 2020 second superseding indictment. On August 18, 2022, the jury
returned verdicts finding Rentschler not guilty on Count 1 but guilty on Count 2.
{¶6} On August 31, 2022, a sentencing hearing was held. Rentschler was
sentenced to a minimum prison term of eleven years, with a potential maximum
prison term of sixteen and a half years, to be served consecutively to a prison term
to which Rentschler was sentenced in a prior Marion County case.
{¶7} On September 29, 2022, Rentschler filed the instant appeal, in which he
raises seven assignments of error for our review.
First Assignment of Error
Appellant’s conviction must be vacated because the State engaged
in prosecutorial misconduct during the trial which violated
Appellant’s right to a fair trial memorialized under the Fifth,
Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States
Constitution and Article I, Sections 1, 10, and 16 of the Ohio
Constitution.
Second Assignment of Error
The trial court erred when it admitted irrelevant, prejudicial and
highly inflammatory evidence during Appellant’s jury trial. The
admission of the same undermined Appellant’s right to a fair trial
memorialized under the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Sections 1, 10,
and 16 of the Ohio Constitution, and further violated Ohio
Evid.R. 401, 402, 403, and 404.
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Third Assignment of Error
Appellant’s first trial counsel provided ineffective assistance
when he failed to communicate the State’s offer to resolve this
case by allowing the Defendant to plead guilty to a reduced charge
of a felony of the second degree as a lesser-included offense of one
of the counts in the indictment. This violated Appellant’s right to
the assistance of counsel under the Sixth and Fourteenth
Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article I,
Sections 1, 10, and 16 of the Ohio Constitution.
Fourth Assignment of Error
The court’s unlawful jury instructions undermined Appellant’s
right to a fair trial and his right to a unanimous jury verdict under
the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S.
Constitution, Article I, Sections 1, 10, and 16 of the Ohio
Constitution, R.C. 2945.10(G), Crim.R. 30, and Crim.R. 31(A).
Fifth Assignment of Error
The trial court plainly erred when it sentenced Appellant on count
two to an indeterminate prison term imposed pursuant to the
statutory scheme set forth in R.C. 2929.14(A)(1)(a), R.C.
2929.144(B)(1), R.C. 2967.271(C), and R.C. 2967.271(D)
(“Reagan Tokes Act”) which violates: Appellant’s right to a jury
trial under Section 10, Article I, Ohio Constitution and the Sixth
and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution; the
separation of powers principles in violation of Section 1, Article
IV, Ohio Constitution; Appellant’s right to due process of law
under the federal and Ohio constitutions because it fails to notify
him with adequate notice and a fair hearing.
Sixth Assignment of Error
Appellant’s conviction for possession of fentanyl is not supported
by the sufficiency of the evidence.
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Seventh Assignment of Error
The cumulative effect of the errors advanced in this brief resulted
in a violation of Appellant’s right to a fair trial under the Fifth,
Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and
Article I, Sections 1, 10, and 16 of the Ohio Constitution and thus
entitles him to a new trial.
{¶8} For ease of discussion, we elect to address the assignments of error out
of the order in which they were raised.
Sixth Assignment of Error
{¶9} In the sixth assignment of error, Rentschler argues that his conviction
for possessing fentanyl is not based on sufficient evidence.
{¶10} “‘“[S]ufficiency” is a term of art meaning that legal standard which is
applied to determine whether the case may go to the jury or whether the evidence is
legally sufficient to support the jury verdict as a matter of law.’” State v. Thompkins,
78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), quoting Black’s Law Dictionary
1433 (6th Ed.1990). See, also, Crim.R. 29. Sufficiency of the evidence is a test of
adequacy rather than of credibility or weight of the evidence. Thompkins, at 386-
387.
{¶11} “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.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio
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St. 3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus. Consequently,
“[t]he 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.{¶12} Here, Rentschler was convicted of possession in violation of R.C.
2925.11(A), which provides that “[n]o person shall knowingly obtain, possess, or
use a controlled substance ***.” The indictment on which Rentschler was tried in
this case further specified that the fentanyl-related compound at issue weighed equal
to or more than 20 grams but less than 50 grams, pursuant to R.C.
2925.11(C)(11)(e).
{¶13} “‘Possess’ or ‘possession’ means having control over a thing or
substance, but may not be inferred solely from mere access to the thing or substance
through ownership or occupation of the premises upon which the thing or substance
is found.” R.C. 2925.01(K). “The issue of whether a person charged with drug
possession knowingly possessed a controlled substance ‘is to be determined from
all the attendant facts and circumstances available.’” State v. Brooks, 3d Dist.
Hancock No. 5-11-11, 2012-Ohio-5235, ¶ 45, quoting State v. Teamer, 82 Ohio
St.3d 490, 492, 696 N.E.2d 1049 (1998).
{¶14} “Possession of drugs can be either actual or constructive.” State v.
Bustamante, 3d Dist. Seneca Nos. 13-12-26, 13-13-04, 2013-Ohio-4975, ¶ 25. “A
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person has ‘constructive possession’ if he is able to exercise dominion and control
over an item, even if the individual does not have immediate physical possession of
it.” Id., citing State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 434 N.E.2d 1362 (1982),
syllabus. “For constructive possession to exist, ‘[i]t must also be shown that the
person was conscious of the presence of the object.’” Id., quoting Hankerson at 91.
{¶15} In the instant case, the prosecution presented the testimony of five
witnesses at trial, in addition to admitting several exhibits.
{¶16} The prosecution’s first witness was James Peterson, a parole officer
for the State of Ohio. Peterson testified that he knew Rentschler from having
supervised him. Peterson identified the defendant in the courtroom as being Shane
Rentschler. On May 14, 2020, Peterson received a tip from the MARMET Drug
Task Force that related to Rentschler and his documented address of 1178 Fairwood
Avenue in Marion, Ohio. As a result, Peterson and his partner, Officer Chase Bass,
went to 1178 Fairwood Avenue. After Rentschler answered the officers’ knock at
the door, he was then secured outside in handcuffs, for officers’ safety. The officers
then entered the house, where they found that Rentschler’s wife was present, as well
as two or three young children. Peterson and Bass began a search of the home,
starting in the master bedroom. Upon noticing a few items in the bedroom, they
requested that police officers from MARMET respond to assist with the search.
Peterson went back outside and asked Rentschler about a bag of suspected
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marijuana found in the bedroom in a duffle bag, and Rentschler confirmed it was
his, saying it was for personal use.
{¶17} The state’s second witness was Chris Adkins, a major with the Marion
Police Department and the supervising officer in charge of the MARMET task force.
On May 14, 2020, Adkins went to 1178 Fairwood Avenue to assist the parole
officers. When Adkins arrived, Detectives Baldridge and Marburger, two officers
assigned to the task force, were already present and were standing outside with
Rentschler. Adkins went inside and began assisting in the search of the residence.
Adkins was then alerted by Parole Officer Bass that Bass had located a digital scale
in a closet where the furnace and hot water tank were located. Adkins then decided
to pull out the furnace filter because it is common to locate narcotics inside furnaces.
As he began pulling out the filter, he noticed a small plastic bag containing
suspected heroin or fentanyl (State’s Exhibit 7) that was located right in front of him
on one of the furnace pipes. Once the suspected narcotics were found, Major Adkins
decided that a search warrant should be obtained in order to search the rest of the
house.
{¶18} Detective Matt Baldridge of the Marion Police Department testified
that he was assigned to the MARMET Drug Task Force, which is a county-wide
task force focused on investigating drug crimes in Marion County. On May 14,
2020, Baldridge and his task force colleague, Detective Marburger, went to 1178
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Fairwood Avenue in Marion to assist the parole officers who were there. Upon
arriving, Baldridge stood outside with Rentschler, who had been handcuffed while
the parole officers searched the home. Detective Baldridge subsequently went
inside the house, where he was shown a plastic bag of suspected fentanyl that had
been found. Baldridge testified that he then spoke to Rentschler about the suspected
fentanyl that was found in the house, and Rentschler admitted that the drugs were
his, telling Baldridge that the substance was heroin. Detective Baldridge also
testified that the street value of fentanyl is approximately one hundred dollars per
gram.
{¶19} Detective Aaron Marburger of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office
testified that in May of 2020, he was assigned to the MARMET Drug Task Force.
On May 14, 2020, he and Detective Baldridge were called to 1178 Fairwood
Avenue, in Marion County, in order to assist parole officers with a search of a
residence. Upon arriving, Marburger and Baldridge waited outside the house while
the other officers were inside. Marburger and Baldridge were subsequently made
aware that Major Adkins had found something in the residence, which Detective
Baldridge then walked inside to look at. When Detective Baldridge came back
outside, he Mirandized Rentschler and then asked Rentschler a couple questions
about what had been found. Baldridge asked Rentschler if he was aware of the bag
and the scales that had been found, and Rentschler first stated that he knew nothing
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about the items. Detective Baldridge then showed Rentschler a photo on
Baldridge’s phone and Rentschler admitted that the drugs were his.
{¶20} The state’s final witness was Kelsey Degen, a forensic scientist at the
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation lab in Bowling Green. Degen, an expert in
the field of scientific analysis of controlled substances, testified that she had
weighed and analyzed the substance in State’s Exhibit 7. Degen determined that
the substance weighed 37.52 grams, plus or minus .04 grams, and through the
laboratory analysis that she performed, Degen identified the substance in State’s
Exhibit 7 as fentanyl.
{¶21} Reviewing that evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution,
we conclude the jury could have rationally found beyond a reasonable doubt that
Rentschler constructively possessed the fentanyl at issue, and that the substance
weighed over 20 grams as alleged in the indictment. This is particularly true given
the evidence that Rentschler admitted the drugs were his.
{¶22} The sixth assignment of error is overruled.
First Assignment of Error
{¶23} In the first assignment of error, Rentschler asserts that his conviction
must be reversed due to prosecutorial misconduct. Specifically, Rentschler argues
that prosecutorial misconduct occurred through eliciting unlawful opinion
testimony in the direct-examination of two witnesses; by failing to comply with the
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discovery requirements of Crim.R. 16(K) with regard to those two witnesses; and
through statements made in closing argument concerning evidence of the “tip”
received by law enforcement that led to the search of Rentschler’s home.
{¶24} “The conduct of a prosecuting attorney during trial cannot be made a
ground of error unless the conduct deprives defendant of a fair trial.” State v.
Apanovitch, 33 Ohio St.3d 19, 24, 514 N.E.2d 394, 400 (1987). Prosecutorial
misconduct constitutes reversible error only in rare instances. State v. Keenan, 66
Ohio St. 3d 402, 405, 613 N.E.2d 203, 206 (1993). If established, misconduct on
the part of the prosecution may violate a defendant’s due process rights; therefore,
the “touchstone of the analysis ‘is the fairness of the trial, not the culpability of the
prosecutor.’” State v. Thompson, 141 Ohio St.3d 254, 2014-Ohio-4751, ¶ 162,
quoting Smith v. Phillips, 455 U.S. 209, 219, 102 S.Ct. 940, 71 L.Ed.2d 78 (1982).
The effect of any misconduct must be considered in light of the whole trial. State v.
Durr, 58 Ohio St.3d 86, 94, 568 N.E.2d 674 (1991).
{¶25} In the instant case, Rentschler first argues that the prosecution engaged
in misconduct during the direct examinations of Major Chris Adkins and Detective
Matt Baldridge.
{¶26} As to the claims regarding the direct-exam testimony of Major Adkins,
Rentschler takes issue with the following portion of Adkins’ testimony:
Q Where was your search area?
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A I believe I started in the hallway, the bedroom area there and I
was alerted by P.O. Bass that he had located an item in the furnace
area, the closet.
Q And that particular item was what?
A A digital scale.
Q In your experience working with MARMET Drug Task Force
for nine years plus now?
A Yes.
Q What is a digital scale used for?
A Obviously, it can be used for food. But given the location where
it was at, not in the kitchen, we commonly find those associated with
narcotics.
Q And then I’m sorry, where did you say that this was found?
A It was in the closet just off the bedroom near the bathroom where
the furnace and hot water tank were located. So if you can call it a
closet or – or a room.
Q Based on having been alerted to that, what did you do?
A Moved the door. Start to pull the furnace filter out cause it’s
common for us to locate narcotics inside furnaces and different areas.
And as I started to pull the furnace filter out, basically right in front
of me was a small plastic bag on the pipe in for the furnace.
(8/16/22 Tr., 278).
{¶27} As to the claims regarding the direct-exam testimony of Detective
Baldridge, Rentschler takes issue with the following portion of Baldridge’s
testimony regarding the fentanyl found in Rentschler’s home:
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Q Do you recall what the weight of those suspected drugs was?
A I think it was approximately 33 grams.
Q Based on your training and experience, what would be the street
value of roughly 33 grams of fentanyl?
A It’d be about – give or take about a hundred dollars a gram, so
around 3300 dollars.
Q Based on your training and experience, would someone that only
uses drugs purchase 33 grams of anything?
A No, ma’am.
Q Based on your training and experience, when have you seen a
person have 33 grams of drugs?
A When they’re trafficking.
Q Would a person that solely uses drugs have, let’s say, 33 grams
of fentanyl?
A No.
Q Would a person that solely uses drugs leave behind 33 grams of
fentanyl?
MR. BLAKE [defense counsel]: Objection, Your Honor.
Speculation.
THE COURT: Sustained.
Q Based on your training and experience, have you ever seen a user
leave behind 33 grams of fentanyl?
A No.
(8/16/22 Tr., 322-323).
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{¶28} Rentschler argues on appeal that the above-quoted testimony of Major
Adkins and Detective Baldridge constituted “unlawful profile opinion testimony.”
{¶29} In analyzing this claim, we first note that there was no objection at trial
to any portion of Adkins’ testimony with which Rentschler takes issue on appeal,
and just a single objection to one question during Baldridge’s testimony, an
objection that was sustained. Thus, as to the testimony at issue, Rentschler’s failure
to object forfeited all but plain error. See, e.g., State v. Wilks, 154 Ohio St.3d 359,
2018-Ohio-1562, ¶ 171. To establish plain error under Crim.R. 52(B), the party
asserting error must demonstrate that an error occurred, that the error was plain, and
that the error affected his substantial rights. State v. Bond, 170 Ohio St.3d 316, 2022-
Ohio-4150, ¶ 17.
{¶30} Upon review of the testimony at issue in the context of the overall
record, we find that the testimony – and therefore the conduct of the prosecution in
eliciting the testimony – falls well short of plain error.
{¶31} Evid.R. 701 governs the admissibility of opinion testimony from lay
witnesses, and provides:
If the witness is not testifying as an expert, the witness’ testimony in
the form of opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or
inferences which are (1) rationally based on the perception of the
witness and (2) helpful to a clear understanding of the witness’
testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.
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{¶32} It is well established that police officers may offer lay opinion
testimony pursuant to Evid.R. 701 if the testimony is based on the officers’
perceptions through experience. State v. Duncan, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-19-75, 2020-
Ohio-3916, ¶ 9. Additionally, appellate courts throughout Ohio have repeatedly
held that drug trafficking may be proven by circumstantial evidence, including
evidence of items such as plastic baggies, digital scales, large sums of money, and
the street value of the drugs at issue. See, e.g., State v. Lopez-Olmedo, 9th Dist.
Lorain No. 21CA011745, 2022-Ohio-2817, ¶ 33, appeal not allowed, 168 Ohio
St.3d 1458, 2022-Ohio-4201.
{¶33} In this case, we conclude that the testimony of Major Adkins and
Detective Baldridge was properly admitted lay opinion testimony pursuant to
Evid.R. 701, particularly as Rentschler was on trial for both trafficking in fentanyl
and possession of fentanyl. Rentschler has failed to establish the existence of plain
error with regard to his claims, particularly as he was ultimately acquitted of the
trafficking charge to which the testimony related.
{¶34} Rentschler next asserts that prosecutorial misconduct occurred
because the state failed to provide the defense with “expert witness reports” relating
to the complained-of testimony given by Major Adkins and Detective Baldridge, in
alleged non-compliance with Crim.R. 16(K).
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{¶35} Crim.R. 16(K) governs the discovery of expert witness reports, and
provides:
An expert witness for either side shall prepare a written report
summarizing the expert witness’s testimony, findings, analysis,
conclusions, or opinion, and shall include a summary of the expert’s
qualifications. The written report and summary of qualifications shall
be subject to disclosure under this rule no later than twenty-one days
prior to trial, which period may be modified by the court for good
cause shown, which does not prejudice any other party. Failure to
disclose the written report to opposing counsel shall preclude the
expert’s testimony at trial.
{¶36} The record here reflects that the prosecution never requested that the
trial court qualify either Adkins or Baldridge as an expert witness. As this part of
Rentschler’s prosecutorial misconduct claim relates to expert witness requirements
and Adkins and Baldridge did not testify as experts, Rentschler’s assertion that there
was non-compliance with Crim.R. 16(K) lacks merit. See State v. Morris, 3d Dist.
Henry No. 7-21-05, 2022-Ohio-3608, ¶ 20, appeal allowed on other grounds, 169
Ohio St.3d 1140, 2023-Ohio-381.
{¶37} Finally, Rentschler argues that the state engaged in misconduct during
closing argument when the prosecutor referenced the “tip” received by law
enforcement that led to the search of Rentschler’s home.
{¶38} “A prosecutor is entitled *** to ‘wide latitude in summation as to what
the evidence has shown and what reasonable inferences may be drawn therefrom.’”
State v. McKelton, 148 Ohio St.3d 261, 2016-Ohio-5735, ¶ 274, quoting State v.
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Stephens, 24 Ohio St.2d 76, 82, 263 N.E.2d 773 (1970). “The test regarding
prosecutorial misconduct during closing arguments is whether the remarks were
improper and, if so, whether they prejudicially affected the substantial rights of the
defendant.” State v. Manley, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-11-04, 2011-Ohio-5082, ¶ 14.
{¶39} “In making this determination, an appellate court should consider
several factors: (1) the nature of the remarks, (2) whether an objection was made by
counsel, (3) whether corrective instructions were given by the court, and (4) the
strength of the evidence against the defendant.” State v. Braxton, 102 Ohio App.3d
28, 41, 656 N.E.2d 970 (1995). “We evaluate the allegedly improper statements in
the context of the entire trial.” State v. Klein, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-12-09, 2013-
Ohio-2387, ¶ 60, citing State v. Treesh, 90 Ohio St.3d 460, 464, 739 N.E.2d 749(2001).
{¶40} As noted above, the first witness called at trial was parole officer
James Peterson. After Peterson took the stand and identified Rentschler, the
following direct examination occurred:
Q I want to turn your attention back to May 14th of 2020.
Remember that date?
A Yes.
Q Okay. Did you have reason to go to an address of 1178 Fairwood
Avenue here in Marion County, Ohio?
A Yes, I did.
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Q And generally speaking, what was the reason for going to that
address?
A I received a tip from MARMET Drug Task Force –
MR. BLAKE [defense counsel]: Objection, Your Honor.
Hearsay.
THE COURT: As to – as to receiving a tip and who it was from,
overruled. The content of the tip is different. But he hasn’t
testified as to that. So, overruled.
A I received a tip from MARMET Drug – Drug Task Force that
Mr. Rentschler –
MR. BLAKE: Objection, Your Honor.
A --was –
MR. BLAKE: He’s going there.
THE COURT: Yeah. You want to clarify your question,
counsel? I’m going to sustain that objection as to the –
MR. SCOTT: Okay.
THE COURT: Unless you want to make an argument as to why
it’s not hearsay.
MR. SCOTT: Your Honor, I would – I would suggest that it’s
not hearsay because it’s not meant for the truth of the matter
asserted but more what he does next based on that information.
THE COURT: Well, I think there’s a way to – to get to that
without – without the specific content of what the tip was.
MR. SCOTT: Okay.
THE COURT: So I’m going to sustain the objection.
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(8/16/22 Tr., 262-264).
{¶41} Immediately following that exchange on the record, the prosecutor
then elicited from the witness the fact that Peterson “received some information
from the MARMET Drug Task Force” relating to Rentschler and his residence at
1178 Fairwood and that, as a result, Peterson and his partner went to that location.
(8/16/22 Tr., 264-265).
{¶42} Subsequently, during closing argument, defense counsel made the
following statements to the jury:
There’s no prior investigation into Shane. Whatsoever. Several
officers got up here and said they had a tip. And I should just talk
about this for a moment. They get a tip. What’s the tip? Who’s it
from? Who came in here and told you what that tip was about?
(8/18/22 Tr., 30).
{¶43} Defense counsel then almost immediately went on to again argue that
the police failed to do any investigation or surveillance of Rentschler before going
to search his house. (8/18/22 Tr., 31).
{¶44} Then, in rebuttal closing argument, the prosecutor made the following
statements:
[The defense] also talks about the things that [the police] could have
done. Now, they’re responding to a tip. It’s not hard for you to infer
that that tip was that there’s drugs in that house. That is not a –
(inaudible) – because of what they go and what they look for. It’s
pretty clear what they were looking for when they got there.
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So the fact that they didn’t do trash pulls on a tip that they had just
received, or the fact that they didn’t do surveillance, or CI buys, or
wiretaps is not a big deal. Because if you do all of that there’s a
possibility that what you’ve been tipped to have been there is gone by
the time that you go searching for it. So you act on it when the tip is
ripe.
(8/18/22 Tr., 42-43).
{¶45} On appeal, Rentschler argues that the above-quoted comments of the
prosecutor in final closing argument amount to prejudicial misconduct because the
comments touched upon the specific content of the tip, which the trial court had
ruled was inadmissible in evidence. Rentschler also claims that the state’s argument
was impermissible in that the state was asserting that the tip was substantive proof
of Rentschler’s guilt. Upon consideration, we find that Rentschler’s claims lack
merit for several reasons.
{¶46} First of all, we note that no objection at trial was made to the portion
of the prosecutor’s closing argument with which Rentschler now assigns error.
Accordingly, we review the prosecution’s statements only for plain error. State v.
Lane, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-21-33, 2022-Ohio-3775, ¶ 59. Under the plain error
standard, the appellant must demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability that,
but for the error at issue, the outcome of the proceeding would have been otherwise.
State v. West, 168 Ohio St.3d 605, 2022-Ohio-1556, ¶¶ 35-36.
{¶47} While Rentschler asserts that the prosecution impermissibly argued
that the tip was substantive proof of Rentschler’s guilt, we disagree. When the
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prosecutor’s statements are reviewed in context, the record reflects that the
prosecutor’s argument regarding the tip was properly proffered as rebuttal to the
defense argument concerning the lack of an actual investigation prior to law
enforcement searching Rentschler’s house.
{¶48} Moreover, to the extent that there was anything arguably improper in
the prosecutor’s comments, the record reflects that the defense opened the door to
the prosecutor’s rebuttal argument regarding the tip and the reason for the lack of
investigation on the part of law enforcement. We also note that the trial court twice
instructed the jury that the closing arguments of counsel were not evidence.
{¶49} After examining the prosecutor’s statements under the four factors set
forth above, we do not find that the statements constituted plain error. Rentschler
has failed to demonstrate that the prosecutor’s comments affected Rentschler’s
substantial rights or that, but for the statements, the jury would have found
Rentschler not guilty. As detailed in our discussion of Rentschler’s sixth assignment
of error, supra, the prosecution presented more than ample other evidence at trial
upon which the jury could find Rentschler guilty of possessing fentanyl, including
but not limited to Rentschler’s admission that the fentanyl was his.
{¶50} Thus, for all of those reasons, Rentschler has failed to demonstrate
reversible prosecutorial misconduct with regard to closing arguments.
{¶51} The first assignment of error is overruled.
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Second Assignment of Error
{¶52} In the second assignment of error, Rentschler asserts that the trial court
erred in admitting evidence that was irrelevant, prejudicial, and highly
inflammatory, and which Rentschler claims was admitted in violation of Evid.R.
404(B).
{¶53} 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.”
{¶54} While relevant evidence is generally admissible pursuant to Evid.R.
402, Evid.R. 403 mandates exclusion of 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.”
{¶55} Pursuant to Evid.R. 404(B), evidence of any other crime, wrong, or
act is not admissible to prove a person’s character in order to show that the person
acted in accordance with that character, however such evidence may be admissible
for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan,
knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident. “‘The list of
acceptable reasons for admitting testimony of prior bad acts into evidence is non-
exhaustive.’” State v. Bagley, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-13-31, 2014-Ohio-1787, ¶ 56,
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quoting State v. Persohn, 7th Dist. Columbiana No. 11 CO 37, 2012-Ohio-6091, ¶
23.
{¶56} In this assignment of error, Rentschler first argues that a reference by
a prosecution witness to the fact Rentschler was on parole constituted inadmissible
and highly prejudicial evidence in violation of Evid.R. 404(B).
{¶57} As previously noted, the state’s first witness at trial was James
Peterson. Upon taking the stand, Peterson testified that he was a parole officer with
the State of Ohio, having been in that position for about five years. Peterson was
then asked, “[d]o you know a person by the name of Shane Rentschler?”, and
Peterson answered that he did. (8/16/22 Tr., 261). Peterson was then asked how he
knew Rentschler, and he answered “I have supervised Shane Rentschler.” (Id.).
Defense counsel lodged an objection, which was overruled. Peterson then identified
the defendant in the courtroom as being Shane Rentschler, and the direct
examination moved on to questioning about the events of May 14, 2020 and the
search of Rentschler’s home.
{¶58} Contrary to Rentschler’s claims on appeal, the parole officer’s
testimony that he knew Rentschler from having supervised him was not evidence of
a specific prior crime, wrong, or act that falls under the dictates of Evid. R. 404(B).
The Ohio Supreme Court has stated that Evid.R. 404(B) “prohibits the use of
evidence related to other acts of the defendant to show his character or propensity
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to commit crimes ***.” (Emphasis added.) State v. Smith, 162 Ohio St.3d 353, 2020-
Ohio-4441, ¶ 3. Here, Peterson’s testimony that he had “supervised” Rentschler,
with no elaboration, is not “other acts” evidence as envisioned by Evid.R. 404(B).
Peterson’s testimony did not detail any specific prior criminal activity on
Rentschler’s part as prohibited under the rule. See State v. Fairley, 3d Dist. Hancock
No. 5-03-41, 2004-Ohio-2616, ¶ 31. Rather, the passing reference to Rentschler’s
supervision was offered only to establish the basis of Peterson’s knowledge of the
defendant and to then also explain why Peterson and his partner went to Rentschler’s
home that day. Thus, there was no evidence presented of an “act” by Rentschler, or
any details about that act, that would have implicated Evid.R. 404(B).
{¶59} Nonetheless, the trial court also gave a limiting instruction advising
that evidence of the commission of wrong acts other than the offenses with which
the defendant was charged was not to be considered to prove the character of the
defendant in order to show that he acted in conformity with that character. The jury
was further instructed that it does not follow from the defendant’s past acts that he
committed the particular crimes charged in the instant case. This court presumes
that the jury followed those instructions. State v. Gardner, 74 Ohio St.3d 49, 59,
656 N.E.2d 623 (1995).
{¶60} Ultimately, there is nothing in the record to suggest that Peterson’s
testimony that he “supervised” Rentschler served to confuse, mislead, or inflame
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the jury, particularly in light of the testimony’s very limited nature, the extremely
neutral phrasing used by the witness in explaining how he knew Rentschler, the
cautionary instructions given by the trial court, and the ample evidence of
Rentschler’s guilt. As such, Rentschler has failed to establish that any material,
unfair prejudice resulted from the admission of Peterson’s testimony and therefore
Rentschler’s claim lacks merit.
{¶61} Rentschler also argues in the second assignment of error that the trial
court erred in admitting the opinion testimony of Major Chris Adkins and Detective
Matt Baldridge, which is the same testimony Rentschler challenged as prosecutorial
misconduct in the first assignment of error. Again, as explained in our analysis of
that assignment of error, supra, the testimony given by Adkins and Baldridge was
properly admitted as lay opinion testimony pursuant to Evid.R. 701. Additional
review reflects that there is no merit to Rentschler’s claim that the testimony was
irrelevant or inflammatory.
{¶62} The second assignment of error is overruled.
Third Assignment of Error
{¶63} In his third assignment of error, Rentschler argues that he was denied
the effective assistance of counsel because his initial trial counsel failed to
communicate to Rentschler a plea offer made by the State of Ohio.
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{¶64} “[I]n Ohio, a properly licensed attorney is presumed competent.” State
v. Gondor, 112 Ohio St.3d 377, 2006-Ohio-6679, ¶ 62. To prove ineffective
assistance of counsel, one must establish that: (1) counsel’s performance was
deficient, and (2) the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Counsel’s
performance is deficient if it falls below an objective standard of reasonable
representation. State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989),
paragraph two of the syllabus. Prejudice exists if there is “a reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s errors, the outcome of the proceeding would have been
different.” State v. Sowell, 148 Ohio St.3d 554, 2016-Ohio-8025, ¶ 138.
{¶65} In Missouri v. Frye, 566 U.S. 134, 132 S.Ct. 1399, 182 L.Ed.2d 379(2012), the United States Supreme Court held that trial counsel may be ineffective
if they fail to communicate the terms of a plea offer to a defendant. Pursuant to
Frye, a criminal defense attorney has a duty to inform the defendant of formal
prosecution offers that may be favorable to the defendant. Id., at 135. To show
prejudice where a plea offer has lapsed or been rejected because of counsel’s failure
to communicate the same, defendants must demonstrate a reasonable probability
both that they would have accepted the more favorable plea offer had they been
afforded effective assistance of counsel and that the negotiated plea would have
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been entered without the prosecution’s revoking it or the trial court’s refusing to
accept it. Id.{¶66} In support of the instant assignment of error, Rentschler relies solely
upon a comment made by his trial counsel at the sentencing hearing as counsel was
arguing on Rentschler’s behalf in mitigation of sentence. At that time, pursuant to
suggesting that Rentschler should receive a prison sentence in the range of seven or
eight years, counsel stated:
But in every occasion that I talked with him I talked with [the
prosecutor] Mr. Scott and I understand sometimes, I’ve been doing
this for a minute, and the Court knows as well, and you get involved
in a case and it’s old, there are things that are kind of set in place and
I work pretty hard with Mr. Scott to try to resolve matters. And Mr.
Scott had indicated to me that there was some sort of an offer with
regard to pleading to the F2 that that – if the motion hearing was had,
that would go away. My client did –didn’t seem to be aware of that.
I came to a pretrial and indicated that my discussions with Mr.
Rentschler he would agree to that, and at a final pretrial they’d agree
to resolving for an F2.
(8/31/22 Tr., 9-10).
{¶67} Upon review, we cannot find that counsel’s vague reference at
sentencing to “some sort of an offer” sufficiently establishes that a formal plea offer
to a lesser included offense was made by the prosecution and that the offer then
lapsed or was rejected under circumstances that render Missouri v. Frye, supra,applicable here. Moreover, even assuming that Rentschler’s prior trial counsel
engaged in deficient performance by not communicating a plea offer to his client,
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the record lacks evidence of a reasonable probability that Rentschler would have
accepted the plea offer and that the negotiated plea would have been ultimately
accepted by the trial court. Any evidence necessary to establish those prongs of the
Missouri v. Frye standard would be evidence outside the record and therefore
Rentschler’s claim fails on direct appeal. See State v. Cooperrider, 4 Ohio St.3d
226, 228, 448 N.E.2d 452 (1983).
{¶68} The third assignment of error is overruled.
Fourth Assignment of Error
{¶69} In the fourth assignment of error, Rentschler asserts that the trial court
erred in several ways with respect to jury instructions.
{¶70} “[T]he trial judge is in the best position to gauge the evidence before
the jury and is provided the discretion to determine whether the evidence adduced
at trial was sufficient to require an instruction.” State v. Fulmer, 117 Ohio St.3d 319,
2008-Ohio-936, 883, ¶ 72. Thus, we generally review alleged errors in jury
instructions for an abuse of discretion. State v. Blanton, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 9-15-
07, 2015-Ohio-4620, ¶ 55, citing State v. Guster, 66 Ohio St.2d 266, 271, 421
N.E.2d 157 (1981). An abuse of discretion suggests that a decision is unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable. State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157, 404 N.E.2d
144 (1980). We note also that “the rule regarding appellate review of jury
instructions is that a sole instruction must be viewed within context of the whole set
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rather than in isolation.” State v. Moore, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-06-18, 2007-Ohio-
5905, ¶ 26.
{¶71} Here, Rentschler argues first that the trial court erred by including an
instruction on complicity in the charge to the jury. Rentschler asserts that there was
no evidence presented at trial that supported the trial court’s decision to instruct the
jury as to complicity.
{¶72} Under the principle of complicity or accomplice liability, an individual
may be found guilty if he solicits, aids, abets or conspires with another individual
to commit an offense and shares the criminal intent of an individual who commits
the principal offense. R.C. 2923.03. It is well settled law that a defendant charged
with an offense may be convicted of that offense upon proof that he was complicit
in committing the crime, even though the indictment is stated in terms of the
principal offense and does not mention complicity. State v. Herring, 94 Ohio St.3d
246, 251, 762 N.E.2d 940 (2002). See, also, R.C. 2923.03(F). Additionally, in order
to convict a defendant as an accomplice, the prosecution need not prove who the
principal offender was but only that there was a principal offender. State v. Lamarr,
3d Dist. Logan No. 8-04-39, 2005-Ohio-6030, ¶ 8, citing State v. Perryman, 49 Ohio
St.2d 14, 358 N.E.2d 1040 (1976). Where the state presents evidence that the
defendant acted in concert with another person to commit a crime, a jury instruction
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on complicity is proper. State v. Jones, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-170358, 2018-
Ohio-4754, ¶ 43.
{¶73} In this case, the record reflects that, after all the evidence was in, the
trial court informed counsel of the court’s intention to give a complicity instruction.
Defense counsel objected on the basis that “[t]here’s not been any evidence of that
and it would serve to confuse the jury.” (8/18/22 Tr., 3). The trial court responded
by saying:
The Court’s view in this case is that there was testimony elicited that
the officers had a second suspect that they – some might say
threatened to arrest in this case. Namely, the defendant’s wife. And
that the defendant, in essence, confessed to this crime because he
didn’t want to see his wife arrested. But I think from that testimony
the jury could also find that they were acting together because they
both lived in the house. And so the Court feels that the aider and
abettor instruction is appropriate given these facts. ***
(8/18/22 Tr., 4).
{¶74} The trial court then ultimately gave the following instruction to the
jury as part of the overall charge:
The defendant may be convicted as an aider and abettor or a
complicitor.
A complicitor is one who knowingly solicits or procures another to
commit the offense.
Solicit means to ask, to in – influence, to invite, to tempt, to lead on,
to bring the pressure to bear.
Procure means to obtain, induce, bring about, motivate.
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An aider and abettor is one who aids, assists, or encourages another to
commit a crime and participates in the commission of the offense by
some act, word, or gesture. Aid means to help, assist, or strengthen.
The knowledge that a crime is being committed and the mere presence
of an accused at the scene of a crime is not sufficient to prove in and
of itself that the accused was an aider and an abettor. The defendant’s
mere association with the principal offender is not enough to prove
the defendant is an aider and abettor. Before you can find the
defendant guilty of complicity by aiding and abetting, you must find
beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant supported, assisted,
encouraged, cooperated with, advised or incited the principal offender
in the commission of the offense and if the defendant shared in the
criminal intent of the principal offender. Such intent may be inferred
from the circumstances surrounding the offense including but not
limited to – to presence, companionship, and conduct before and after
the offense was committed. The mere presence at the scene of the
offense is not sufficient to prove in and of itself that the defendant was
[sic] aider and abettor.
(8/18/22 Tr., 51-52).
{¶75} Upon review, the record reflects that the state tried this case on the
theory that Rentschler was the principal offender and not on a complicity theory.
However, the circumstantial evidence of potential complicity between Rentschler
and his wife was not so remote as to render the inclusion of the complicity
instruction prejudicial error, particularly as both adults appeared to be living in the
home, both were present at the time the drugs were discovered, the drugs were found
in a location that was not specific to just one of the spouses, and – as the trial court
noted – there were references in evidence to the fact that Rentschler’s wife could
have also been charged with the same crime. Thus, while the complicity instruction
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may not have been strictly warranted, we cannot say that its inclusion in the general
charge was an abuse of discretion.
{¶76} Rentschler next argues that the trial court erred in the giving of the
complicity instruction by failing to include information in the instruction about the
culpable mental state required for complicity.
{¶77} In analyzing this claim, we note first that while Rentschler objected at
trial to the applicability of the complicity instruction generally, no objection was
lodged as to the form or substance of the complicity instruction itself. Accordingly,
we find that Rentschler’s failure to object to the form of the instruction waives all
but plain error as to this claim. Even in the context of jury instructions, “[p]lain
error ‘should be applied with utmost caution and should be invoked only to prevent
a clear miscarriage of justice.’” State v. Skatzes, 104 Ohio St.3d 195, 2004-Ohio-
6391, ¶ 52, quoting State v. Underwood, 3 Ohio St.3d 12, 444 N.E.2d 1332 (1983),
syllabus. “Plain error exists only where it is clear that the verdict would have been
otherwise but for the error.” Skatzes, supra, at ¶ 52, citing State v. Long, 53 Ohio
St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978). See, also, Crim.R. 30.
{¶78} R.C. 2923.03 governs complicity and provides, in relevant part, that
“[n]o person, acting with the kind of culpability required for the commission of the
offense” shall solicit or procure another to commit an offense or aid or abet another
in committing the offense. (Emphasis added). Thus, in order to convict an offender
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of possession of drugs under a complicity theory, R.C. 2923.03 requires that the
state establish that the accused acted “knowingly.” See R.C. 2925.11.
{¶79} In the instant case, Rentschler argues that the complicity instruction
was erroneous because it did not include a specific instruction as to the requisite
culpability of “knowingly”. However, a review of the complicity instruction as
given reflects that the jury was told that finding the defendant guilty of complicity
requires, among other things, a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that “the
defendant shared in the criminal intent of the principal offender.” (8/18/22 Tr., 52).
The record reflects that the jury instructions elsewhere contained a thorough and
complete explanation of the requirement that the crime of drug possession be
committed “knowingly”, with that requisite degree of culpability having been
accurately defined for the jury. Finally, there was ample evidence presented at trial
to establish that Rentschler had the requisite criminal intent for the possession
offense of which he was found guilty.
{¶80} For all of those reasons, Rentschler is not able to demonstrate the
necessary prejudice from the trial court’s complicity instruction under the plain error
standard and we find that the trial court’s failure to redefine “knowingly” when
instructing the jury on complicity does not constitute plain error in this instance.
{¶81} Next, Rentschler argues that the trial court erred in giving the
“multiple counts” instruction to the jury. The record reflects that, because
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Rentschler was charged with two counts in the indictment, the trial court utilized
the “multiple counts” jury instruction set forth in 2 CR Ohio Jury Instructions
425.07, which provides in relevant part:
The charges set forth in each count in the indictment (information)
constitute a separate and distinct matter. You must consider each
count and the evidence applicable to each count separately and you
must state your finding as to each count uninfluenced by your verdict
as to (the other) (any other) count. The defendant(s) may be found
guilty or not guilty of any one or all the offenses charged.
{¶82} However, assuming there is no error in the transcription, the trial court
here gave that instruction in the following way:
The charge [sic] set [sic] in each count in the indictment constitute a
separate and distinct matter. You must consider each count and the
evidence applicable to each count separately from each other count.
You must state your finding as to each count influenced [sic] by your
verdict as to any other count. The defendant may be found guilty or
not guilty or [sic] any one or all of the offenses charged.
(6/18/22 Tr., 52-53).
{¶83} Rentschler asserts that the trial court prejudicially erred by saying
“influenced” instead of “uninfluenced” in giving that instruction. We disagree.
{¶84} In State v. Wegmann, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-06-98, 2008-Ohio-622, this
Court addressed an extremely similar issue, where a trial court used the term
“unlawful act” instead of “lawful act” in giving an instruction on “accident” in a
murder case. In analyzing the issue in that case, we noted as follows:
It is well settled that a criminal defendant is entitled to a complete and
accurate jury instruction on all issues raised by the evidence. State v.
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Williford (1990), 49 Ohio St.3d 247, 251. However, the precise
language of a jury instruction is within the trial court’s discretion and
will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. State v. Bailey, 8th
Dist. No. 81498, 2003–Ohio–1834, ¶ 51, citing State v. Guster (1981),
66 Ohio St.2d 266, 271.
When reviewing the trial court’s charge, a “single instruction to a jury
may not be judged in artificial isolation, but must be viewed in the
context of the overall charge.” State v. Price (1979), 60 Ohio St.2d
136, 141, citing Cupp v. Naughten (1973), 414 U.S. 141, 146–47; see,
also, State v. Thompson (1987), 33 Ohio St.3d 1, 13. Viewing the
instructions in their totality, if the law is clearly and fairly expressed,
a reviewing court should not reverse a judgment based upon an error
in a portion of a charge. Margroff v. Cornwell Quality Tools, Inc.
(1991), 81 Ohio App.3d 174, 177; Yeager v. Riverside Methodist
Hosp. (1985), 24 Ohio App.3d 54, 55. Furthermore, there is a strong
presumption in favor of the adequacy of jury instructions. Instructions
which, in their totality, are sufficiently clear to permit the jury to
understand the relevant law shall not be the cause of a reversal upon
appeal. Schade v. Carnegie Body Co. (1982), 70 Ohio St.2d 207, 210.
***
Wegmann first argues that the trial court misled the jury by using
“unlawful” instead of “lawful” when verbally instructing the jury on
the accident defense. The trial court used the definition of accident
provided in Ohio Jury Instructions (OJI) which states, in pertinent
part, that an accident “is a mere physical happening or event, out of
the usual order of things and not reasonably (anticipated) (foreseen)
as a natural or probable result of a lawful act.” 4 OJI 411.01(2)
(emphasis added). The trial court apparently misspoke and said
“unlawful act” instead of “lawful act.” However, Wegmann failed to
object to the trial court's misstatement, thereby waiving all but plain
error. State v. Braden, 98 Ohio St.3d 354, 2003–Ohio–1325, at ¶ 75,
citing State v. Long (1978), 53 Ohio St.2d 91, paragraphs one and two
of the syllabus, and Crim.R. 30(A). Plain error is to be used “with the
utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent
a manifest miscarriage of justice.” State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21,
27, 2002–Ohio–68.
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Plain error exists only in the event that it can be said that “but for the
error, the outcome of the trial would clearly have been otherwise.”
State v. Biros, 78 Ohio St.3d 426, 431, 1997–Ohio–204; see, also,
State v. Johnson, 3d Dist. No. 2–98–39, 1999–Ohio–825, and Crim.R.
52(B). Moreover, “[t]he general tendency of reviewing courts is to
disregard mere ‘technical errors or verbal slips,’ when, from the
context, it appears that comprehensive and correct instructions have
been given and substantial justice has been done.” Washington v.
Niemeyer (1997), 11th Dist. No. 97–P–0002, 1997 WL 586095,
quoting Fairchild v. Lake Shore Elec. Ry. Co. (1920), 101 Ohio St.
261, 268.
Looking at the context of the overall charge on accident, we cannot
say that the trial court’s use of “unlawful” instead of “lawful” during
the verbal instruction rises to the level of plain error. ***
State v. Wegmann, supra, at ¶¶ 103-108.
{¶85} In the instant case, we apply the legal principles set forth in Wegmann
and begin our analysis by noting that Rentschler failed to object to the trial court’s
misstatement in the “multiple counts” instruction. Thus, we review this claim solely
for plain error. Upon examining the trial court’s apparent slip of the tongue in the
context of the overall charge on multiple counts, we cannot say that the same rises
to plain error. This is particularly so given that, notwithstanding the verbal slip, the
trial court quite plainly instructed the jury that (1) each count in the indictment
constituted a separate and distinct matter; (2) each count and the evidence applicable
to each count must be considered separately; and (3) the defendant may be found
guilty or not guilty as to any one or all of the offenses charged. We therefore find
that the instruction, in its totality, was sufficiently clear to permit the jury to
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understand the law with regard to considering the counts separately and, because
Rentschler was actually acquitted on the trafficking charge in Count 1 and convicted
only on the possession charge in Count 2, any misstatement by the trial court in
giving the “multiple counts” instruction was ultimately not prejudicial. For all of
those reasons, Rentchler has failed to demonstrate plain error.
{¶86} Next, Rentschler argues that the “other acts” evidence instruction
given by the trial court was incomplete, although Rentschler did not object at trial
to the same and has again waived all but plain error.
{¶87} In this case, as a result of the testimony by parole officer James
Peterson that he knew Rentschler from having “supervised” him, the trial court
opted to give the jury a cautionary instruction about “other acts” evidence as part of
the overall charge. However, as we determined in the second assignment of error,
supra, Peterson’s reference to having supervised Rentschler did not amount to
“other acts” evidence as contemplated by Evid.R. 404(B), and therefore the
cautionary instruction given on the same was not specifically necessary.
{¶88} Nonetheless, a review of the cautionary instruction given by the trial
court reflects that the instruction accurately forbade the jury from considering any
evidence of prior wrongdoing as proof of Rentschler’s character or as evidence that
he acted in conformity with that character. The jury was also correctly told that “[i]t
does not follow from the defendant’s past acts that he committed the particular
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crimes charged in this case.” (8/18/22 Tr., 51). Accordingly, plain error in the
giving of that instruction has not been demonstrated.
{¶89} Finally, Rentschler argues that the trial court erred in failing to make
the written jury instructions part of the record, contrary to the dictates of R.C.
2945.10(G) and Crim.R. 30(A).
{¶90} R.C. 2945.10(G) provides:
The court, after the [closing] argument is concluded and before
proceeding with other business, shall forthwith charge the jury. Such
charge shall be reduced to writing by the court if either party requests
it before the argument to the jury is commenced. Such charge, or other
charge or instruction provided for in this section, when so written and
given, shall not be orally qualified, modified, or explained to the jury
by the court. Written charges and instructions shall be taken by the
jury in their retirement and returned with their verdict into court and
remain on file with the papers of the case. (Emphasis added.)
Similarly, Crim.R. 30(A) provides, in relevant part:
*** The court shall reduce its final instructions to writing or make an
audio, electronic, or other recording of those instructions, provide at
least one written copy or recording of those instructions to the jury for
use during deliberations, and preserve those instructions for the
record.
{¶91} In State v. Perry, 101 Ohio St.3d 118, 2004-Ohio-297, the Supreme
Court of Ohio held that the failure of a trial court to maintain written jury
instructions with the “papers of the case” in violation of R.C. 2945.10(G) is not a
structural error requiring automatic reversal. Id., at syllabus. In the absence of a
defense objection to the trial court’s failure to preserve the written jury instructions
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as required, the trial court’s failure to do so is reviewed for plain error under Crim.R.
52(B). Perry, at ¶¶ 16, 26. Under Crim.R. 52(B), a finding of plain error requires
that there be a deviation from a legal rule, the error be an “obvious” defect in the
trial proceedings, and the error must have affected a defendant’s substantial rights.
State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002).
{¶92} In the instant case, Rentschler lodged no objection to the trial court’s
noncompliance with R.C. 2945.10(G) and Crim.R. 30(A), thus we review the
noncompliance for plain error. While the error complained of in this instance was
certainly a “deviation from a legal rule” and arguably was also “obvious”, we cannot
find that the trial court’s failure to preserve the written jury instructions affected the
outcome of the trial or otherwise impacted Rentschler’s substantial rights. Thus, we
find no plain error. See, also, City of Columbus v. Mullins, 10th Dist. Franklin No.
03AP-623, 2004-Ohio-1059 (failure of trial court to maintain written jury
instructions with the papers of the case was not reversible error), State v. Johnson,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 90450, 2008-Ohio-5869 (no manifest miscarriage of justice
resulted from trial court’s noncompliance with R.C. 2945.10(G)).
{¶93} The fourth assignment of error is overruled.
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Fifth Assignment of Error
{¶94} In the fifth assignment of error, Rentschler contends that the trial court
erred in imposing an indefinite prison term pursuant to the Reagan Tokes Act, with
Rentschler arguing that the Reagan Tokes Act is unconstitutional.
{¶95} Rentschler did not challenge the constitutionality of the Reagan Tokes
Law in the trial court, so we therefore apply the plain-error standard of review in
this case. State v. Ball, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-21-16, 2022-Ohio-1549, ¶ 57. “An error
qualifies as ‘plain error’ only if it is obvious and but for the error, the outcome of
the proceeding clearly would have been otherwise.” State v. Barnhart, 3d Dist.
Putnam No. 12-20-08, 2021-Ohio-2874, ¶ 8, citing State v. Yarbrough, 95 Ohio
St.3d 227, 245, 2002-Ohio-2126, ¶ 32.
{¶96} As this Court noted in Ball, supra, challenges to the Reagan Tokes
Law do not present a matter of first impression in this Court. Ball at ¶ 59. “Since
the indefinite sentencing provisions of the Reagan Tokes Law went into effect in
March 2019, we have repeatedly been asked to address the constitutionality of these
provisions. We have invariably concluded that the indefinite sentencing provisions
of the Reagan Tokes Law do not facially violate the separation-of-powers doctrine
or infringe on defendants’ due process rights.” Id. citing e.g., State v. Crawford, 3d
Dist. Henry No. 7-20-05, 2021-Ohio-547, ¶ 10-11; State v. Hacker, 3d Dist. Logan
No. 8-20-01, 2020-Ohio-5048, ¶ 22; State v. Wolfe, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-21-16,
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2022-Ohio-96, ¶ 21. We have also rejected constitutional challenges related to the
jury trial issue. See Ball at ¶ 61-63.
{¶97} Additionally, in State v. Hacker, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2023-Ohio-
2535, the Supreme Court of Ohio recently reviewed the Reagan Tokes Law and held
that indefinite sentencing pursuant to that law was constitutional.
{¶98} Thus, on the basis of Hacker and all the prior precedent of this Court,
we find no merit to Rentschler’s challenge to the Reagan Tokes Law.
{¶99} The fifth assignment of error is overruled.
Seventh Assignment of Error
{¶100} In the seventh assignment of error, Rentschler argues that the
cumulative effect of errors in the trial court denied him a fair trial. Specifically,
Rentschler asserts that the cumulative effect of the errors that he alleged in his first
six assignments of error amounted to reversible error.
{¶101} “Under [the] doctrine of cumulative error, a conviction will be
reversed when the cumulative effect of errors in a trial deprives a defendant of a fair
trial even though each of the numerous instances of trial court error does not
individually constitute cause for reversal.” State v. Spencer, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-
13-50, 2015-Ohio-52, ¶ 83, citing State v. Powell, 132 Ohio St.3d 233, 2012-Ohio-
2577, ¶¶ 222-224 and State v. Garner, 74 Ohio St.3d 49, 64, 656 N.E.2d 623 (1995).
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{¶102} “‘To find cumulative error, a court must first find multiple errors
committed at trial and determine that there is a reasonable probability that the
outcome below would have been different but for the combination of the harmless
errors.’” State v. Stober, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-13-13, 2014-Ohio-5629, ¶ 15,
quoting In re J.M., 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-11-06, 2012-Ohio-1467, ¶ 36.
{¶103} Because we did not find multiple errors as alleged by Rentschler in
the first six assignments of error, and because there is no reasonable probability that
the trial outcome would have been different but for the matters Rentschler has raised
on appeal, the doctrine of cumulative error does not apply. State v. Bertuzzi, 3d Dist.
Marion No. 9-13-12, 2014-Ohio-5093, ¶ 110.
{¶104} The seventh assignment of error is overruled.
Conclusion
{¶105} Having found no error prejudicial to the defendant-appellant in the
particulars assigned and argued, the judgment of the Marion County Court of
Common Pleas is affirmed.
Judgment Affirmed
WILLAMOWSKI and ZIMMERMAN, J.J., concur.
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