State v. Smith

[Cite as State v. Smith, 2012-Ohio-967.]
COURT OF APPEALS
LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES:
:
: Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P. J.
: Hon. John W. Wise, J.
-vs- :
: Case No. 11-CA-66
NATHANIEL SMITH, JR. :
:
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Licking County Court of
Common Pleas, Case No. 2010-CR-00370
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: February 28, 2012
APPEARANCES:
For Appellant: For Appellee:
DAVID A. SAMS KENNETH W. OSWALT
P.O. Box 40 LICKING COUNTY PROSECUTOR
W. Jefferson, OH 43162
CHRISTOPHER A. REAMER
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
20 S. Second Street, Fourth Floor
Newark, OH 43055
[Cite as State v. Smith, 2012-Ohio-967.]
Delaney, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Nathaniel Smith, Jr. appeals from the judgment
entry of conviction and sentence of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas for
abduction, assault, and menacing. Plaintiff-appellee is the State of Ohio.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} This case arose on July 10, 2011 when Bonnie Winchell came home
from work and became involved in a verbal confrontation with appellant, her live-in
boyfriend and father of the child she was expecting at the time. The verbal
confrontation escalated to a physical assault when appellant struck her in the forehead
at least once with his hand.
{¶3} Appellant and Winchell briefly left the residence together and returned,
and argued again. Appellant told Winchell that he wanted her to take him to the east
side of Newark. As they prepared to leave the house together, appellant went out the
door first and Winchell shut and locked the door behind him. Appellant then kicked in
the door as Winchell called 911.
{¶4} Winchell’s two minor sons were present during this confrontation.
{¶5} During the 911 call, Winchell stated that she wanted appellant out of her
house because he was hitting her.
{¶6} In the meantime, appellant forced his way back into the home, breaking
the door frame. Appellant threw a television set and threatened to break the jaw of
Winchell’s son Anthony because he didn’t open the door.
{¶7} Appellant then grabbed Winchell by the fabric of her shirt and they went
out the front door. At trial Winchell testified that appellant “escorted” her to the car by
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 3
her shirt, and in her written statement to police she stated that she didn’t want to go
with appellant but he pulled her by her shirt and made her get in the car. Appellant
physically placed Winchell inside the car, first in the driver’s seat and then in the
passenger seat.
{¶8} Appellant drove to a drive-thru store on the east side of Newark called
the Bottle Shop. A car was ahead of them in line, and when appellant got out of the
car to confront the driver, Winchell climbed into the driver’s seat and drove off.
{¶9} Back at Winchell’s residence, Officer Duncan of the Newark Police
Department had arrived and found Winchell’s sons upset and crying. Winchell
returned shortly. She was upset and crying, and Duncan observed that her glasses
were bent.
{¶10} Duncan also observed the broken door frame and the television on the
floor, which he photographed for evidence.
{¶11} Duncan interviewed Winchell and obtained a written statement from her.
She told him that she did not willingly go with appellant to the Bottle Shop.
{¶12} Appellant was arrested shortly thereafter and charged by indictment with
one count of abduction [R.C. 2905.02(A)(1) and or (2), a felony of the third degree],
one count of assault [R.C. 2903.13(A)], a misdemeanor of the first degree], and one
count of menacing [R.C. 2903.22(A), a misdemeanor of the fourth degree].
{¶13} On September 8, 2010, appellant filed a pro se motion requesting
appointment of new counsel, stating that his court-appointed counsel was not
adequately representing him. On September 14, 2010, the trial court granted the
motion for new court-appointed counsel and noted, “This matter shall be set for further
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 4
hearing after new counsel is appointed. Because the delay was occasioned by the act
of the defendant, speedy trial time is tolled.”
{¶14} On October 4, 2010, the State filed an Application for Material Witness
Warrant for Winchell. The affidavit in support stated that upon receipt of her subpoena
for appellant’s trial, Winchell called the prosecutor and stated that she would not
appear for the scheduled jury trial. The State’s application was granted the same day.
{¶15} The State also filed a Notice of Intention pursuant to Evid.R. 611(C),
indicating the prosecutor’s intention to call Winchell as a hostile witness and adverse
party.
{¶16} On October 5, 2010, the trial court noted in a judgment entry that a jury
trial had been scheduled for that day but did not go forward. Winchell had been
arrested on the material witness warrant, and both the prosecutor and appellant’s
counsel told the court she needed appointed counsel. Winchell appeared before the
court in custody and requested counsel. The trial court allowed her to bond out on her
own recognizance on the condition that she appear on all subpoenas and bring her
children with her.
{¶17} Appellant waived his right to a jury trial.
{¶18} In light of these pending issues, the trial court continued the trial date.
{¶19} On October 7, 2010, the State filed a “Notice of Intention to Use
Evidence” indicating its plan to use hearsay statements from Winchell in terms of her
911 call and her statements to officers immediately upon her return to the house.
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 5
{¶20} On November 1, 2010, a written waiver of trial by jury, signed by
appellant, was filed, and the case proceeded to a bench trial. Appellant was found
guilty as charged.
{¶21} Appellant was sentenced on February 18, 2011. On count one,
abduction, he received a prison term of four years. Jail terms of 180 days and 30 days
on the counts of assault and menacing were made concurrent, and appellant received
credit for 222 days served. This sentence was made concurrent to the sentence
imposed in an unrelated case.
{¶22} Appellant appeals from the judgment entry of conviction and sentence.
{¶23} Appellant raises six Assignments of Error:
{¶24} “I. DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DENIED A SPEEDY TRIAL IN
VIOLATION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONS.”
{¶25} “II. DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DENIED THE RIGHT OF
CONFRONTATION IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL
CONSTITUTIONS.”
{¶26} “III. DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL
BECAUSE OF PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE
AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONS.”
{¶27} “IV. DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL
BEFORE AN IMPARTIAL JUDGE IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL
CONSTITUTIONS.”
{¶28} “V. THE GUILTY VERDICT WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST
WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.”
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 6
{¶29} “VI. DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DENIED THE EFFECTIVE
ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL
CONSTITUTIONS.”
I.
{¶30} In his first assignment of error, appellant argues that he was denied his
right to a speedy trial because of the delay occasioned by the material witness warrant
for Winchell. Appellant failed to raise this issue before the trial court, however, and a
defendant cannot raise a speedy trial claim for the first time on appeal. State v.
Turner, 168 Ohio App.3d 176, 2006-Ohio-3786, 858 N.E.2d 1249, ¶21 (5th Dist.).,
citing Worthington v. Ogilby, 8 Ohio App.3d 25, 455 N.E.2d 1022 (1982); State v.
Rector, 5th Dist. No. 04 CA C 03 022, 2004-Ohio-4549; State v. Vance, 5th Dist. Nos.
2003CA0041, 2003CA0030, 2004-Ohio-258.
{¶31} The State alleges in its brief that a number of issues tolled the speedy
trial statute. Both parties may develop the issue of whether tolling occurred pursuant
to a properly-filed postconviction relief petition. Id.II.
{¶32} Appellant asserts in his second assignment of error that his right to
confront witnesses was violated by the admission of Winchell’s hearsay statements to
officers. We disagree.
{¶33} Appellant refers generally to “[t]he statements made to Officer Duncan by
Ms. Winchell and which he related at trial” without reference to the record. Upon
reviewing Duncan’s entire testimony, appellant raised a single objection to a question
which would elicit a hearsay response regarding statements by Winchell’s sons.
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 7
{¶34} Regardless of the failure to object1, the testimony was properly admitted
pursuant to Evid.R. 803(1) and (2). The statements to Duncan were made
immediately upon Winchell’s return to the residence, within moments of her ongoing
confrontation with appellant, and while she was still red-faced and crying. The record
indicates Winchell was still under the stress of the events and that her statements
were not the product of reflective thought. See, State v. Britton, 5th Dist. No. 09 CAA
02 0016, 2010-Ohio-2061, ¶34, citing State v. Leonard, 104 Ohio St.3d 54, 2004-Ohio-
6235, 818 N.E.2d 229. We find that Winchell’s statements to Duncan were properly
admissible as present sense impression and/or excited utterance.
{¶35} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.
III.
{¶36} In his third assignment of error, appellant incorporates his first and
second assignments of error, claiming that the prosecutor committed misconduct by
requesting a continuance to obtain the material witness warrant and by “offer[ing]
inadmissible evidence.” Based upon our findings above, we reject appellant’s third
assignment of error.
IV.
{¶37} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error incorporates his first assignment
of error, this time asserting that the trial judge was not impartial because he was the
same judge who issued the material witness warrant for Winchell. Based upon our
disposal of appellant’s first assignment of error, we also reject appellant’s fourth
1
Before trial, the State noted its intention to introduce Winchell’s statements at the scene. The defense
objected, and the trial court reserved its ruling, instructing the defense to renew the objection where
appropriate.
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 8
assignment of error and note that the instant case is inapposite to appellant’s cited
authority, Taylor v. Hayes, 418 U.S. 488, 94 S.Ct. 2697, 41 L.Ed.2d 897 (1974).
V.
{¶38} Appellant maintains that his conviction is against the manifest weight of
the evidence. We disagree.
{¶39} In determining whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, the court of appeals functions as the “thirteenth juror,” and “after reviewing
the entire record, weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers the
credibility of witnesses and determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence,
the jury clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the
conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio
St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1987). Reversing a conviction as being against the
manifest weight of the evidence and ordering a new trial should be reserved for only
the “exceptional case in which the evidence weights heavily against the conviction.”
Id.{¶40} Appellant’s argument goes to his conviction for one count of abduction
and is based upon Winchell’s recantation and assertion that she willingly drove with
appellant to the Bottle Shop.2
{¶41} Appellant was charged with one count of abduction pursuant to R.C.
2905.02(A)(1) and/or (2), which states: “No person, without privilege to do so, shall
knowingly do any of the following: (1) By force or threat, remove another from the
place where the other person is found; (2) By force or threat, restrain the liberty of
2
Appellant does not challenge his convictions for assault and menacing.
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 9
another person under circumstances that create a risk of physical harm to the victim or
place the other person in fear.”
{¶42} Because the trier of fact is in a better position to observe the witnesses'
demeanor and weigh their credibility, the weight of the evidence and the credibility of
the witnesses are primarily for the trier of fact. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230,
227 N.E.2d 212, (1967), paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶43} In this case, the trial court was the trier of fact, and had before it the
evidence consisting of Winchell’s testimony, her statements to investigators, and her
911 call, in addition to Duncan’s testimony and the photographic evidence of
Winchell’s glasses and the damage at the scene. The trial court could reasonably find
that appellant forcibly removed Winchell from her home, restrained her liberty, and
placed her in fear.
{¶44} We find that the trier of fact did not lose its way in convicting appellant of
abduction.
{¶45} Appellant’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.
VI.
{¶46} Appellant argues in his sixth and final assignment of error that he
received ineffective assistance of trial counsel, incorporating the arguments made in
the previous assignments of error. Appellant further argues that trial counsel was
ineffective in trying the case to the court instead of a jury and in failing to object to
hearsay testimony. We disagree.
{¶47} To succeed on a claim of ineffectiveness, a defendant must satisfy a
two-prong test. Initially, a defendant must show that trial counsel acted incompetently.
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 10
See, Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052 (1984). In assessing
such claims, “a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls
within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance; that is, the defendant
must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action
‘might be considered sound trial strategy.’” Id. at 689, citing Michel v. Louisiana, 350
U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct. 158 (1955).
{¶48} “There are countless ways to provide effective assistance in any given
case. Even the best criminal defense attorneys would not defend a particular client in
the same way.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. The question is whether counsel acted
“outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance.” Id. at 690.
{¶49} Even if a defendant shows that counsel was incompetent, the defendant
must then satisfy the second prong of the Strickland test. Under this “actual prejudice”
prong, the defendant must show that “there is a reasonable probability that, but for
counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.
{¶50} Appellant argues that trial counsel's performance was deficient in several
ways. First, he incorporates the arguments made in the preceding five assignments of
error. Based upon our rejection of those arguments, we find that appellant’s trial
counsel was not incompetent.
{¶51} Further, appellant argues that trial counsel should not have waived jury
and tried the case to the court. Appellant contends that his trial counsel was
ineffective in advising him to waive her right to a jury trial, although we note that
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 11
appellant does not contend that the jury waiver was involuntary, unknowing, or
unintelligent.
{¶52} Other courts have noted that waiver of jury constitutes trial strategy and
“reviewing courts may not use hindsight to second-guess that strategy.” State v.
Webb, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-289, 2010-Ohio-6122, ¶75, citing State v. Rippy, 10th Dist.
No. 08AP-248, 2008-Ohio-6680, ¶19, and Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at 689. We
decline to second-guess trial counsel’s sense that the court might view the evidence
against appellant more favorably than a jury.
{¶53} Appellant asserts that waiving a trial by jury was error, but we cannot say
as a matter of law that appellant’s choice to waive a jury trial based upon trial
counsel's advice constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel.
{¶54} Finally, appellant argues that counsel’s failure to object to “the
testimonial hearsay at trial” constitutes ineffective assistance. While appellant makes
no reference to specific hearsay in the record, he impliedly refers to Duncan’s
testimony regarding Winchell’s statements to him during the investigation. We note
that trial counsel did object to a question calling for a hearsay response regarding
statements made to officers by Winchell’s sons.
{¶55} When counsel's alleged ineffectiveness involves the failure to pursue a
motion or legal defense, the “actual prejudice” prong of Strickland breaks down into
two components. First, the defendant must show that the motion or defense “is
meritorious,” and, second, the defendant must show that there is a reasonable
probability that the outcome would have been different if the motion had been granted
or the defense pursued. See, Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 375, 106 S.Ct.
Licking County, Case No. 11-CA-66 12
2574 (1986); see also, State v. Santana, 90 Ohio St.3d 513, 739 N.E.2d 798 (2001)
citing State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d 160, 555 N.E.2d 293 (1990).
{¶56} Based upon our disposition of appellant’s second assignment of error,
objection would have been futile because the hearsay evidence of Winchell’s
statements to Duncan was admissible. Appellant has failed to raise the possibility that
but for the admission of the hearsay, the outcome of the trial would have been
different. The finder of fact still had a wealth of evidence upon which it could find
appellant guilty of abduction, assault, and menacing.
{¶57} We therefore conclude that appellant has failed to provide any proof
supported by the record that trial counsel's performance fell below objective standards
of reasonable representation and that he was prejudiced as a result. Therefore,
appellant's sixth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶58} We therefore overrule appellant’s six assignments of error and affirm the
judgment of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas.
By: Delaney, J.
Gwin, P. J. and
Wise, J. concur.
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN
HON. JOHN W. WISE
[Cite as State v. Smith, 2012-Ohio-967.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO :
:
:
Plaintiff-Appellee :
:
-vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
:
NATHANIEL SMITH, JR. :
: Case No. 11-CA-66
Defendant-Appellant :
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Opinion on file, the judgment of the
Licking County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs assessed to Appellant.
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN
HON. JOHN W. WISE