State v. Darr

[Cite as State v. Darr, 2018-Ohio-2548.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF MEDINA )
STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 17CA0006-M
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
TIMOTHY DARR COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF MEDINA, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. 16CR0277
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: June 29, 2018
CARR, Judge.
{¶1} Appellant, Timothy Darr, appeals the judgment of the Medina County Court of
Common Pleas. This Court affirms.
I.
{¶2} This matter arises out of Darr’s arrest in the early morning hours of May 7, 2016.
Law enforcement purportedly initiated the stop of Darr’s vehicle pursuant to an outstanding
arrest warrant. When the officers took Darr into custody, they discovered a significant amount
of cocaine on his person. The officers also discovered a loaded handgun in the glove
compartment as well as ammunition for the gun in the backseat of the vehicle.
{¶3} On May 19, 2016, the Medina County grand jury indicted Darr on one count of
trafficking in cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine, and one count of improperly handling
firearms in a motor vehicle, in addition to a firearm specification and two forfeiture
specifications. Darr initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
2
{¶4} Darr filed a motion to suppress challenging whether law enforcement had
obtained the arrest warrant prior to initiating the stop of his vehicle. After holding a suppression
hearing, the trial court issued an order denying the motion to suppress on October 25, 2016.
{¶5} The matter proceeded to a jury trial where Darr was found guilty of all the
charges in the indictment. The trial court found that the counts of trafficking in cocaine and
possession of cocaine were allied offense of similar import. The State elected for the trial court
to impose sentence on the possession charge. The trial court ultimately imposed an aggregate
prison sentence of ten years.
{¶6} On appeal, Darr raises five assignments of error.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE COURT ERRED BY NOT SUPPRESSING ALL STATEMENTS AND
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AS THE RESULT OF A WARRANTLESS STOP
AND ARREST.
{¶7} In his first assignment of error, Darr contends that the trial court erred in denying
his motion to suppress. This Court disagrees.
{¶8} A motion to suppress evidence presents a mixed question of law and fact. State v.
Burnside, 100 Ohio St. 3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8. “When considering a motion to suppress,
the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and is therefore in the best position to resolve
factual questions and evaluate the credibility of witnesses.” Id., citing State v. Mills, 62 Ohio
St.3d 357, 366 (1992). Thus, a reviewing court “must accept the trial court’s findings of fact if
they are supported by competent, credible evidence.” Burnside at ¶ 8. “Accepting these facts as
true, the appellate court must then independently determine, without deference to the conclusion
3
of the trial court, whether the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard.” Id., citing State v.
McNamara, 124 Ohio App. 3d 706 (4th Dist.1997).
Background
{¶9} In the motion to suppress, Darr challenged the legality of the traffic stop and his
eventual arrest. Darr argued that the stop of his vehicle on May 7, 2016, was not made pursuant
to a warrant. Specifically, Darr argued that law enforcement officials did not obtain a valid
arrest warrant until several days after Darr was arrested. Darr acknowledged that “[h]ad there
actually been an arrest warrant issued for [him], the stop would have been perfectly legal.” Darr
insisted, however, that the arrest warrant was not actually issued until May 9, 2016. Darr
attached multiple exhibits to his motion, including a journal entry showing that a judge had
ordered the issuance of a capias on May 6, 2016, at 2:27 P.M., as well as an alert from the Lorain
County Sheriff’s Office indicating that Darr was known for running from the authorities and that
he had pulled a handgun on a state trooper. In support of his central position, Darr pointed to a
printout of the online docket from his case in Lorain County that indicated the capias was not
actually issued until May 9, 2016.
{¶10} The trial court held a suppression hearing on October 20, 2016. The only witness
to testify at the hearing was Deputy Stevanus, a patrol deputy for the Medina County Sheriff’s
Office. As he started his shift at approximately 10:00 p.m. on May 6, 2016, Deputy Stevanus
learned that a “faxed copy” of an arrest warrant for Darr had been sent from Lorain County.
Because there was a warning suggesting that Darr was in possession of a firearm, Deputy
Stevanus conferred with his sergeant regarding whether it would be prudent to serve the warrant
that night. They decided against going to Darr’s apartment for officer safety reasons and,
instead, to let the day shift attempt to serve the warrant.
4
{¶11} Deputy Stevanus made a point to keep an eye on the area where Darr lived while
he was on patrol. After midnight, Deputy Stevanus noticed a silver Cadillac leave Darr’s
residence. The vehicle was linked to Darr. Deputy Stevanus testified that he ran a LEADS
search which showed an arrest warrant for Darr out of Lorain County. Deputy Stevanus
followed the vehicle and eventually initiated a traffic stop in Litchfield. Darr was identified as
the driver of the vehicle and placed under arrest. Deputy Stevanus transferred custody of Darr to
the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department at the scene of the stop.
{¶12} The State introduced a certified copy of the arrest warrant as an exhibit at the
hearing. The document did not bear a time stamp but it did contain an attestation indicating it is
a true copy of the original on file with the Lorain County Clerk of Court. While the date of
“5/10/16” was handwritten on front of the warrant, the Sheriff’s Return on the back stated,
“Received this Writ on May 6, 2016, and pursuant to its command I did, on May 7, 2016
execute[] it by arresting TIMOTHY J DARR and now have his/her body before the Court.” The
Sheriff’s Return was signed by Deputy Yusko. During his testimony, Deputy Stevanus
identified the “Caution/Wanted Subject” sheet indicating that Darr had previously pulled a
handgun on a state trooper and that his vehicle may contain a rifle. Deputy Stevanus indicated
that the sheet had a copy of the arrest warrant attached to it when it was faxed from Lorain on the
evening of May 6, 2016. Though Deputy Stevanus testified that he had seen the capias that
evening, he acknowledged that the language of his report stated only that he had been “made
aware” of the capias. When pressed, Deputy Stevanus testified that he was “absolutely positive
[he] saw an actual capias[.]” While the online docket printout attached to Darr’s motion showed
the capias being issued on May 9, 2016, a subsequent online docket printout that was introduced
at the hearing showed that the capias was issued on May 6, 2016.
5
{¶13} In its journal entry denying the motion to suppress, the trial court determined that
the documents submitted by the State were consistent with Deputy Stevanus’s testimony that the
warrant was issued and faxed to Medina on May 6, 2016. In light of the certified documents and
Deputy Stevanus’s testimony, the trial court concluded that the warrant was issued prior to
Darr’s arrest. The trial court further noted that the online docket printout suggesting the warrant
was not issued until May 9, 2016 contained a “clerical error” and that the subsequent printout
corrected that clerical error.
Discussion
{¶14} On appeal, Darr argues that the State failed to meet its burden at the hearing of
demonstrating that the warrant was issued prior to his arrest. Darr maintains that because the
burden was on the State, the trial court should have ruled in his favor given that there were “two
competing dates on valid court documents[.]”
{¶15} Darr’s argument is without merit. At the suppression hearing, the trial court heard
testimony from Deputy Stevanus and took note of the “competing dates” on the exhibits
presented by the parties. Deputy Stevanus was adamant during his testimony that he saw a faxed
copy of the arrest warrant for Darr on the evening of May 6, 2016. While the arrest warrant was
not time stamped, the Sheriff’s Return on the arrest warrant indicated that it was received on
May 6, 2016, and executed on May 7, 2016. Though Darr suggests that the existence of
competing evidence should have allowed him to prevail on his motion, it is well settled that the
trial court is in the best position to resolve factual disputes that arise at a suppression hearing.
See Burnside, 100 Ohio St. 3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, at ¶ 8. Moreover, this Court will not
substitute its own judgment for that of the trial court regarding the weight given to Deputy
Stevanus’s testimony. State v. Rogers, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 16AP0014, 2017-Ohio-357, ¶ 11,
6
citing State v. Thayer, 9th Dist. Medina No. 11CA0045-M, 2012-Ohio-3301, ¶ 41. Under these
circumstances, the trial court did not err in determining that the arrest warrant was issued prior to
Darr’s arrest.
{¶16} The first assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE COURT COMMITTED PLAIN ERROR BY FAILING TO STOP THE
HEARSAY AND REDIRECT TESTIMONY OF DEPUTY STEVANUS.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENDANT WAS INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO
OBJECT TO THE IMPROPER REDIRECT AND HEARSAY EVIDENCE IN
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR TWO.
{¶17} In his second assignment of error, Darr contends that the trial court committed
plain error when it failed to sua sponte strike Deputy Stevanus’s testimony on re-direct
examination regarding a bullet found on Darr’s person during the booking process. In his third
assignment of error, Darr contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to
object to the same testimony.
{¶18} A review of the trial transcript reveals that the State presented evidence that
supported the following narrative. Prior to stopping Darr’s vehicle in the early morning hours of
May 7, 2016, Deputy Stevanus called on Deputy Taylor, and his field training officer, Deputy
Brooks, to provide backup. Deputy Stevanus and Deputy Brooks approached the vehicle and
took Darr into custody. When Deputy Taylor conducted a pat-down of Darr’s person, Deputy
Taylor discovered cash in the amount of $930, a check for $750, a lighter, and a digital scale that
contained “a white powder residue.” Deputy Taylor also discovered a large bag containing a
white powdery substance, as well as smaller bag containing the same substance. Deputy Taylor
testified that during the pat-down, Darr identified the white powdery substance as cocaine.
7
{¶19} When Darr was secured in the back of a cruiser, the officers proceeded to conduct
an inventory search of Darr’s vehicle. The officers found a Red Bull can that contained a false
compartment that can be used “for concealing contraband, narcotics, [and] money[.]” The
officers further found a broken pipe, a hypodermic needle, and a torch lighter. Finally, the
officers located a loaded handgun locked in the glove compartment, as well as a bag containing
loose bullets and another magazine on the floor of the backseat. The ammunition found on the
floor of the backseat was compatible with the firearm found in the glove compartment, which
was a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun.
{¶20} The State presented the aforementioned evidence prior to Deputy Stevanus
testifying at trial. Deputy Stevanus indicated on direct examination that he spoke with Darr at
the scene of the arrest. With respect to the gun found in the glove compartment, Darr admitted
that he knew about the gun but he denied that he was the owner. Darr insisted that the gun
belonged to his brother’s girlfriend. On cross-examination, Deputy Stevanus clarified that Darr
asked for a description of the gun before he identified it as belonging to his brother’s girlfriend.
Darr explained that his brother had used the gun to go shooting the previous day. Deputy
Stevanus further explained on cross-examination that the car was owned by Darr’s mother and
was used by both Darr and his brother. On re-direct examination, Deputy Stevanus was asked if
law enforcement found any additional evidence on Darr after he was turned over to the Lorain
County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Stevanus responded, “They located a .40 caliber bullet round in
his shirt sleeve.”
Plain Error
{¶21} Darr contends that the trial court committed plain error by failing to strike the
statement regarding the .40 caliber round discovered in his shirt sleeve during the booking
8
process. Darr contends the statement was hearsay and went beyond the scope of proper re-direct
examination. Darr further argues that the testimony invited a litany of speculation about how the
bullet was discovered and merited an opportunity for further questioning.
{¶22} Pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B), “[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights
may be noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the court.” To constitute plain
error, the error must be obvious and have a substantial adverse impact on both the integrity of,
and the public’s confidence in, the judicial proceedings. State v. Tichon, 102 Ohio App. 3d 758,
767 (9th Dist.1995). A reviewing court must take notice of plain error only with the utmost
caution, and only then to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice. State v. Bray, 9th Dist.
Lorain No. 03CA008241, 2004-Ohio-1067, ¶ 12. “Plain error exists only where it is clear that
the verdict would have been otherwise but for the error.” State v. Skatzes, 104 Ohio St. 3d 195,
2004-Ohio-6391, ¶ 52, quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St. 2d 91, 97 (1978).
{¶23} Darr’s plain error argument is without merit. “We will not reverse for plain error
unless the appellant established that the outcome of the trial clearly would have been different
but for the alleged error.” State v. Kobelka, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 01CA007808, 2001 Ohio App.
LEXIS 4951, *5 (Nov. 7, 2001), citing State v. Waddell, 75 Ohio St. 3d 163, 166 (1996). Even
assuming without deciding that Deputy Stevanus’s testimony was improper, Darr has not
demonstrated that the outcome of trial would have been different if the trial court had stricken
the testimony. The testimony offered by Deputy Stevanus on re-direct examination had no
bearing on Darr’s convictions for trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine. With respect
to the firearm charge and the attendant specification, the State presented evidence showing that
the ammunition in the backseat was compatible with the gun found in the vehicle. The State also
presented evidence that Darr admitted to knowing about the weapon in the glove compartment,
9
although he denied that it belonged to him. Under these circumstances, Darr has not
demonstrated that the result of the trial clearly would have been different had the trial court
stricken Deputy Stevanus’s testimony about the .40 round discovered on Darr’s person during
the booking process.
Ineffective Assistance
{¶24} In support of his ineffective assistance claim, Darr renews his position regarding
the problematic nature of Deputy Stevanus’s testimony on re-direct examination and argues that
trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to object. Darr maintains that the bullet in
his shirt was the strongest piece of evidence linking him to the gun, particularly given that the
ammunition and the gun were not found on his person.
{¶25} In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Darr must show
that “counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and that
prejudice arose from counsel’s performance.” State v. Reynolds, 80 Ohio St. 3d 670, 674 (1998),
citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). “The benchmark for judging any
claim of ineffectiveness must be whether counsel’s conduct so undermined the proper
functioning of the adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a just
result.” Strickland at 686. Thus, a two-prong test is necessary to examine such claims. First,
Darr must show that counsel’s performance was objectively deficient by producing evidence that
counsel acted unreasonably. State v. Keith, 79 Ohio St. 3d 514, 534 (1997), citing Strickland at
687. Second, Darr must demonstrate that but for counsel’s errors, there is a reasonable
probability that the results of the trial would have been different. Keith at 534.
{¶26} Darr has failed to demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability that the result
of trial would have been different but for trial counsel’s failure to object. Though Darr suggests
10
that the .40 caliber round found in his shirt sleeve was the strongest piece of evidence linking
him to the gun, we note that the ammunition found on the floor of the backseat was also
compatible with the gun. More significantly, Darr admitted to Officer Stevanus that he knew
about the gun in the glove compartment. Thus, we cannot accept Darr’s contention that there is a
reasonable probability that the result of trial would have been different if trial counsel had
objected to Deputy Stevanus’s testimony on re-direct examination.
{¶27} The second and third assignments of error are overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
THE CONVICTION FOR IMPROPER HANDLING AND THE FIREARM
SPECIFICATION [ARE] AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE.
{¶28} In his fourth assignment of error, Darr suggests that his convictions for
improperly handling a firearm and the firearm specification were against the weight of the
evidence. This Court disagrees.
{¶29} In his merit brief, Darr likens his manifest weight challenge to his ineffective
assistance challenge with respect to the prejudicial impact of Deputy Stevanus’s testimony on re-
direct examination. Darr suggests that had Deputy Stevanus been prohibited from testifying
about the bullet found on Darr’s person during the booking process, the weight of the remaining
evidence would weigh against conviction. Darr further contends that he never actually admitted
to having knowledge that there was a gun in the vehicle. Darr maintains that this case is
analogous to the scenario confronted by the Eighth District in State v. Willis, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 89044, 2008-Ohio-444, with the only significant difference being that Darr had no
knowledge of the gun located in the glove compartment and only recognized it when it was
described to him.
11
{¶30} Darr was convicted of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle in
violation of R.C. 2923.16(B), which states, “No person shall knowingly transport or have a
loaded firearm in a motor vehicle in such a manner that the firearm is accessible to the operator
or any passenger without leaving the vehicle.” “A person acts knowingly, regardless of purpose,
when the person is aware that the person’s conduct will probably cause a certain result or will
probably be of a certain nature. A person has knowledge of circumstances when the person is
aware that such circumstances probably exist. When knowledge of the existence of a particular
fact is an element of an offense, such knowledge is established if a person subjectively believes
that there is a high probability of its existence and fails to make inquiry or acts with a conscious
purpose to avoid learning the fact.” R.C. 2901.22(B). Darr was also found guilty of the
attendant firearm specification pursuant to R.C. 2941.141(A), a statute that provides for the
imposition of a one-year mandatory prison term under circumstances where “the offender had a
firearm on or about the offender’s person or under the offender’s control while committing the
offense.”
{¶31} When a defendant argues that his convictions were contrary to the weight of the
evidence, this Court must review all of the evidence before the trial court:
In determining whether a criminal conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence
and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine
whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way
and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be
reversed and a new trial ordered.
State v. Otten, 33 Ohio App. 3d 339, 340 (9th Dist.1986). “When a court of appeals reverses a
judgment of a trial court on the basis that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence, the
appellate court sits as a ‘thirteenth juror’ and disagrees with the fact[-]finder’s resolution of the
conflicting testimony.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 387 (1997), quoting Tibbs v.
12
Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42 (1982). An appellate court should exercise the power to reverse a
judgment as against the manifest weight of the evidence only in exceptional cases. Otten at 340.
{¶32} After a careful review of the record, we cannot say that this is the exceptional case
where the evidence weighs heavily against conviction. Though Darr analogizes this case to the
Eighth District’s decision in Willis, his manifest weigh argument ultimately rests on his assertion
that he never admitted to knowing about the firearm in the glove compartment. In Willis, the
court affirmed the appellant’s conviction for carrying a concealed weapon, based in part on the
fact that Willis told an officer that he knew about the gun in the glove compartment of the
vehicle he was driving. Willis at ¶ 69-70.1 At trial here, Deputy Stevanus was asked, “[W]hen
you asked [Darr] about the handgun, he told you he knew about the handgun but he said it was
owned by someone else?” Deputy Stevanus responded, “Correct.” On cross-examination,
Deputy Stevanus was asked if Darr’s initial reaction was simply, “That’s not my gun[.]” While
Deputy Stevanus was unable to recall that specific statement, he later testified that the gun was
not registered to Darr and that Darr initially denied ownership of the gun. Deputy Stevanus
further acknowledged that Darr first asked for a description of the gun before he indicated that
the gun belonged to his brother’s girlfriend. It is well settled that “[t]his Court will not overturn
the trial court’s verdict on a manifest weight of the evidence challenge only because the trier of
fact chose to believe the testimony of a particular witness.” State v. Eutin, 9th Dist. Wayne No.
14AP0021, 2015-Ohio-924, ¶ 15, citing State v. Crowe, 9th Dist. Medina No. 04CA0098-M,
2005-Ohio-4082, ¶ 22. Moreover, “‘the jury is free to believe all, part, or none of the testimony
of each witness.’” State v. Clark, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 14AP0002, 2015-Ohio-2978, ¶ 24,
1
Though Willis testified at trial that he did not know his brother’s gun was in the glove
compartment, one of the responding officers testified that Willis admitted at the scene that he
knew the gun was there. Willis at ¶ 34, ¶ 70.
13
quoting Prince v. Jordan, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 04CA008423, 2004-Ohio-7184, ¶ 35. Here,
while Deputy Stevanus’s testimony may have been disjointed at certain points, he testified that
Darr admitted to knowing about the gun in the vehicle. Regardless of whether the subsequent
testimony on re-direct examination was proper, a reasonable juror could have taken the
testimony regarding Darr’s admission, coupled with the evidence about the ammunition found in
the back seat area, and determined that Darr had knowledge of the gun in the glove compartment.
In light of the foregoing, we cannot say that Darr’s convictions resulted in a manifest miscarriage
of justice.
{¶33} The fourth assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V
THE CONVICTIONS FOR BULK COCAINE POSSESSION AND
TRAFFICKING WERE INSUFFICIENT UNDER THE GONZALES
STANDARD THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN APPLIED IN THIS CASE.
{¶34} In his final assignment of error, Darr argues that his convictions for possession of
cocaine and trafficking in cocaine were insufficient under the standard set forth in State v.
Gonzales, 150 Ohio St. 3d 261, 2016-Ohio-8319 (“Gonzales I”). This Court disagrees.
{¶35} In support of his assignment of error, Darr suggests that the standard set forth in
Gonzales I should be applied retroactively to this case given that the decision was issued just one
day after the trial court issued its sentencing entry in this matter. Darr further argues that the
Supreme Court of Ohio improperly granted the motion for reconsideration of its decision in
Gonzales I, and that the Supreme Court’s decision in State v. Gonzales, 150 Ohio St. 3d 276,
2017-Ohio-777 (“Gonzales II”) should not be applied retroactively.
{¶36} Darr was convicted of trafficking in cocaine in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2),
(C)(4)(f), as well as possession of cocaine in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(4)(e). R.C.
14
2925.03(C)(4)(f) states, in part, that “[i]f the amount of the drug involved equals or exceeds
twenty-seven grams but is less than one hundred grams of cocaine * * * trafficking in cocaine is
a felony of the first degree[.]” In turn, R.C. 2925.11(C)(4)(e) provides, in part, that “[i]f the
amount of the drug involved equals or exceeds twenty-seven grams but is less than one hundred
grams of cocaine, possession of cocaine is a felony of the first degree[.]”
{¶37} Zach Dawson, a forensic scientist for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation,
testified on behalf of the State at trial. Dawson testified that the larger bag found on Darr’s
person contained a white powdery substance that weighed 28.24 grams. Dawson further testified
that the substance tested positive for cocaine. The smaller bag found on Darr’s person contained
a white powdery substance that weighed 0.66 grams. This substance also tested positive for
cocaine. With respect to the accuracy of the measurements, Dawson indicated that their balances
have a measurement currency of plus or minus .04 grams. On cross-examination, when asked
whether the substances he tested contained “pure cocaine[,]” Dawson explained that BCI does
not quantify the amount of cocaine within a substance.
{¶38} In Gonzales I, the Supreme Court of Ohio held that in prosecuting cocaine
possession offenses pursuant to R.C. 2925.11(C)(4)(b)-(f) involving mixed substances, the State
must demonstrate that the weight of the actual cocaine, excluding any filler material, satisfied
that statutory standard. Gonzales I, 150 Ohio St. 3d 261, 2016-Ohio-8319, at ¶ 22. The State
subsequently filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing that Gonzales I was decided in error due
to an inconsistent application of the principles of statutory construction. The Supreme Court
thereafter issued a decision granting the motion for reconsideration. Gonzales, 150 Ohio St. 3d
276, 2017-Ohio-777. In Gonzales II, the Supreme Court determined that when giving effect to
the statute as a whole and to the intent expressed by the legislature in the language of the statute,
15
“the applicable offense level for cocaine possession under R.C. 2925.11(C)(4) is determined by
the total weight of the drug involved, including any fillers that are part of the usable drug.”
Gonzales II at ¶ 18.
{¶39} Darr’s argument with respect to the authority of the Supreme Court’s decisions in
Gonzales I and Gonzales II is not well taken. As an initial matter, Ohio court decisions generally
apply retroactively, unless a party has vested rights under a prior decision. State ex rel. Jones v.
Husted, 149 Ohio St. 3d 110, 2016-Ohio-5752, ¶ 26, citing DiCenzo v. A-Best Prods. Co., Inc.,
120 Ohio St. 3d 149, 2008-Ohio-5327, ¶ 25. An Ohio court has discretion to apply its decision
prospectively only under certain circumstances. State ex rel. Jones at ¶ 26. Significantly,
however, there is no language in Gonzales II indicating that the Supreme Court intended for the
decision to only be applied prospectively. Moreover, while Darr questions the holding of
Gonzales II, we are mindful that a court of appeals cannot simply disregard the precedent of the
Supreme Court. Simon v. Zipperstein, 32 Ohio St. 3d 74, 77 (1987). As noted above, the State
presented testimony that the two bags found on Darr’s person at the time of his arrest contained a
total of 28.90 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. Under
Gonzales II, this was sufficient to demonstrate that Darr’s convictions for possession of cocaine
and trafficking in cocaine qualified as first-degree felonies pursuant to R.C. 2925.11(A),(C)(4)(e)
and 2925.03(A)(2), (C)(4)(f). Darr’s final assignment of error is overruled.
III.
{¶40} Darr’s assignments of error are overruled. The judgment of the Medina County
Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
16
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Medina, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy
of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
DONNA J. CARR
FOR THE COURT
HENSAL, P. J.
CALLAHAN, J.
CONCUR.
APPEARANCES:
SEAN BUCHANAN, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
S. FORREST THOMPSON, Prosecuting Attorney, and VINCENT V. VIGLUICCI, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, for Appellee.