State v. Remillard

[Cite as State v. Remillard, 2019-Ohio-3545.]
COURT OF APPEALS
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES:
: Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J.
Plaintiff - Appellee : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
: Hon. Earle E. Wise, J.
-vs- :
:
KEVIN REMILLARD : Case No. 18CA16
:
Defendant - Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Knox County Court
of Common Pleas, Case No. 17 CR
06-0122
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT: August 30, 2019
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
CHARLES T. MCCONVILLE JOHN P. PARKER
Knox County Prosecutor 988 E. 185th Street
117 E. High Street, Suite 234 Cleveland, Ohio 44119
Mt. Vernon, Ohio 43050
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 2
Baldwin, J.
{¶1} Kevin Remillard appeals his conviction of one count of Murder in violation
of R.C. 2903.02(A), an unclassified felony with a firearm specification in violation of R.C.
2941.145 and one count of tampering with evidence in violation of R.C. 2921.12(A)(1), a
felony of the third degree.
STATEMENT OF FACTS AND THE CASE
{¶2} On June 10, 2017, a revolver in the possession of Appellant discharged
twice and one bullet struck Nick Remillard and caused his death. The parties presented
the case to the jury arguing that the only disputed issue was whether Appellant had acted
with the purpose to kill Nick Remillard. Appellant contended that the firing of the weapon
was reckless or accidental and that he had no purpose to kill Nick. Appellee presented a
note drafted by Appellant after the shooting contending that the admissions contained
within it, combined with the concealment of the body in the pool and disposal of the gun,
supported a conclusion that Appellant acted purposely. The jury found that Appellant
acted purposely and convicted Appellant of murder with a firearm specification and
tampering with evidence.
{¶3} In April 2015, Appellant was evicted from his home in Columbus and called
his aunt, Melanie Remillard for help. Ms. Remillard’s mother had been admitted to an
extended care facility, so Melanie Remillard invited Appellant to live in her vacant home.
Soon Nick Remillard, the victim and Melanie Remillard’s son, moved into the home and
started a dog sitting business. Nick occupied the ground floor and Appellant primarily
stayed in the upper levels of the home. Nick was an avid video game player and
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 3
participated in multi-player games over the internet and according to his Mother his
games could become quite loud and chaotic.
{¶4} Appellant befriended a neighbor, Roy Daubenspeck, and spent some time
at his home. Daubenspeck hired Appellant on some construction projects and asked for
his help to resolve computer issues. While they were not close friends, they did spend
time together and discussed mutual interests, and Daubenspeck often provided Appellant
with transportation as Appellant had no vehicle of his own.
{¶5} Daubenspeck owned a Taurus .357 caliber revolver and Appellant and he
often handled the weapon when Appellant visited. Daubenspeck and Appellant
discussed a lose screw in the weapon, and Appellant suggested a possible repair. The
revolver was operable, but had misfired on one occasion when Daubenspeck had
attempted to fire it rapidly. Appellant had never fired the weapon prior to June 10, 2017,
but he did know where the weapon and ammunition was stored in Daubenspeck’s home.
{¶6} On June 11, 2017, Roy Daubenspeck discovered a stack of items in his
driveway that he identified as the property of Appellant. With it he discovered a note from
Appellant that stated: “Nothing in world makes sense. Lack of sleep, constant pain, who
knows, but I snapped. These things are yours, Kevin.” The text of the note worried
Daubenspeck, especially after discovering that his revolver and ammunition were
missing. Daubenspeck knocked on Appellant’s door, but there was no answer. He called
Melanie Remillard but was unable to reach her. He then called 911 and the Knox County
Sheriff’s Office responded.
{¶7} Deputy Scott Baker responded to the call and Daubenspeck relayed that he
had found the note and Appellant’s property in the driveway. After reviewing the note,
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 4
Deputy Baker became concerned that Appellant may be suicidal, so he knocked on
Appellant’s door. No one responded, but the deputy noticed several dogs in the house.
He knew that the home was owned by Melanie Remillard, so he contacted her for
assistance with the dogs so he could search for Appellant inside the home.
{¶8} Melanie Remillard arrived and confined the dogs in the back yard. Deputy
Baker and Deputy Wolfe entered the home with caution, having been advised that
Appellant may be carrying Daubenspeck’s revolver. They entered the home with the goal
of locating Appellant and insuring that he and anyone else in the home was safe. They
found the first floor in disarray but did not find any person or body. Deputy Wolfe found
a note on the second floor on a table in plain view. He read the first few lines, concluded
it was a suicide note and picked up the note with the hope that its contents would lead to
finding Appellant.
{¶9} Deputy Baker noticed that the writing in the note was similar to the writing
in the note discovered by Daubenspeck. After reading the complete note his assessment
of the situation changed as the author of the note mentioned several times that he had
shot Nick Remillard. Deputy Baker concluded that he may now be investigating a potential
murder and suicide and reported his findings to Detective Light.
{¶10} Detective David Light responded to Detective Baker’s report regarding the
note and some blood stains in the home. Because the note suggested that a homicide
and perhaps a suicide had occurred, the officers conducted a limited search for injured
or fatally wounded persons. While no victims were found, the officers did discover blood
stains and bloody footprints in the home and, at that time, Detective Light sought and
received a warrant to expand his search to the home and surrounding area.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 5
{¶11} During a later search, the body of Nick Remillard was discovered in the
murky water of the swimming pool behind the home. The officers found a pool pump and
cord wrapped around the body, and surmised that this was done to keep the body
submerged below the surface. They also discovered a blanket in the pool and concluded
that the relatively clean condition of the blanket suggested that it had been in the dirty
pool water for only a short period of time. The knot in the end of the blanket, and what
appeared to be blood and dog hair on the blanket lead the officers to conclude that it had
been used to drag Nick’s body from the home to the pool.
{¶12} During a search of the home, the deputies discovered a bullet hole in the
wall and, at the end of the bullet’s trajectory, bullet fragments.
{¶13} On June 13, 2017, Detective Minot conducted a search for Appellant. He
recruited cadaver dogs because he was still concerned that Appellant had committed
suicide and that he was looking for a body. The search was unsuccessful because
Appellant had not committed suicide, but had been wandering the streets pondering his
fate. He had kept the revolver, disassembled it and disposed of it in three different
locations. He then contacted an attorney and surrendered himself to the Mt. Vernon
Police Department where he was arrested, then charged with murder and tampering with
evidence.
{¶14} The state presented testimony from several experts to connect the evidence
found at the scene to Appellant and the victim. Jeff Lee, Licking County Coroner,
completed an autopsy and concluded that that the cause of death was a gunshot wound
to the head. The death occurred 24 to 36 hours prior to the autopsy and the weapon was
two to three feet from the victim when the shot was fired. Heather Williams, an expert
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 6
from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, examined the bullet fragments recovered
from the scene and the bullet removed from Nick and concluded that they were .38 caliber
and that they could be fired from a Taurus revolver, the same type of weapon owned by
Roy Daubenspeck and discharged while in Appellant’s possession. Samuel Troyer, DNA
analyst, concluded that the blood stains in the home were comprised of the blood of Nick
Remillard. Rebecca Barrett of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation compared the
handwriting on the note found by Daubenspeck (Exhibit 5) and the note found by
Detective Baker (Exhibit 7) to the handwriting samples submitted by Appellant and
concluded that both were written by Appellant.
{¶15} Appellant testified to the events leading to the shooting. He acknowledged
that he learned that his neighbor, Daubenspeck, had a revolver and that he had discussed
the weapon with Daubenspeck and handled it when he visited Daubenspeck. He
described chronic physical ailments, his depression, persistent suicidal thoughts and
described his mood on the weekend of the shooting as particularly bleak. The drive to
commit suicide was very strong that day, so he went into Daubenspeck’s home and took
the revolver and the ammunition, with the intent of committing suicide. He did not follow
through, but walked to the local market, purchased beer and returned home.
{¶16} He drank some of the beer and was talking with Nick while Nick was playing
video games. He told Nick that he had almost committed suicide earlier that day and, in
response to Nick’s question, stated he would have used “his” revolver. He brought Roy
Daubenspeck’s gun down from his room to show Nick and they purportedly handled the
weapon and discussed how it looked similar to a weapon used by a fictional television
character. Appellant decided to return the gun to Daubenspeck’s house and as he left,
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 7
he inexplicably decided to “dry fire” the weapon into the wall.1 The gun discharged into
the wall and Appellant stated he was shocked by the report. He fumbled with the weapon
and though he does not deny that it discharged a second time, his testimony does not
provide a clear explanation of the second shot. During his testimony he did not expressly
state that he was aware that the gun fired a second time:
I immediately jumped, because I wasn't expecting it to go off. I went
and just started fumbling with it to get the cylinder out. When it sticks we
usually put our hand across the release and signal(sic) the hammer back
which kind of advances it inside. The only thing I can assume is that the
hammer slapped back and hit a shell, but it it would be around this
(indicating) distance, maybe a little further this (indicating) way. But I was
trying to get the gun after it fired back to my neighbor and put it away and
pretend that I never even took it from him. I immediately went out to the
porch. I had no idea Nick got hit.
{¶17} Appellant described how he left the home, unloaded the weapon and
returned the bullets to the jar on the shelf in Daubenspeck’s home. He kept the empty
shells and the weapon and, until he returned to the house, he claims that he did not know
that Nick had been shot. When he returned home, he found Nick bleeding profusely and
responded to Nick’s request for water, but claims to recall little more after Nick fell silent.
He does recall living in the streets and the details of his disposal of the gun. He separated
the bullets, the cylinder and the body of the pistol and put the pistol in a potato chip bag
and tossed it into the Kokosing River. He put the cylinder in a black sock and “whipped
1 “Dry firing” is not defined in the record, but the context of this comment suggests that Appellant was
referring to pulling the trigger while the gun is not loaded.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 8
it into the first pond at Foundation Park” and threw the bullets in the river. He had no
recollection of writing the eight page note, Exhibit 7, which provided a much different
version of the story.
{¶18} Exhibit 7 is the note allegedly drafted by Appellant after the shooting. The
entire note was read to the jury without objection. Some significant statements include:
As for yesterday, I woke in such pain and hate that all that my head was
thinking was to kill everybody that was harmed -- that has harmed me my
whole life.
***
So I was just going to ride my bike somewhere and shoot myself, but I have
no idea how Nick got in the way. I know I fired a round into the wall to maybe
let him know to leave me alone or something, but all I remember is him keep
doing or saying whatever he was saying or doing, and I shoot him. At that
point my mind just wanted to kill my family in mass.
***
Other than me shooting Nick, my mind is blank and tormented.
***
My mind is in so many places with no real me inside that I just couldn't keep
going anymore. I'm a fucked up mess, and I killed Nick, fuck.
***
I was just going to ride my bike somewhere and shoot myself. I was relieved
with my own demise and end, the end of my constant pain and misery but
something took me elsewhere, something inside that I just can't keep away.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 9
***
He never deserved this. There is anything he could have done, I was just
going to shoot myself. I kept going downstairs hoping it didn't really happen,
that it was just a nightmare, but it wasn't. I killed Nick.
***
Though I really did try, I was on my way to kill myself when for whatever
reason they wouldn't let me without shooting Nick.
***
How could I just shoot Nick?
***
I just knew when I woke up that I wouldn't make it, but Nick was not part of
the plan. So much shouldn't have happened, just so much somehow went
way wrong with this. I just was going to disappear, no one knowing what
become of me, but instead I hurt Nick. He wasn't supposed to be involved
in this. What the fuck happened? I am so sorry I shoot him, so fucking not
what I was going to do. It was just going to be me that died, not him.
***
It really should have not happened with Nick. I was just going to kill myself.
{¶19} Appellant conceded that the handwriting in Exhibit 7 appeared to be his, but
he offered no reconciliation between his testimony and the version of the facts in his note.
{¶20} Appellant’s trial counsel submitted jury instructions and after review by the
trial court and discussion regarding the terms and timing of the instructions, they were
approved with the exception of Appellant’s request for an instruction on the issue of
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 10
“accident.” The trial court declined to include it, stating that it found no evidence of an
accident in the record. Appellant’s trial counsel stated: “Just could the record reflect that
we did ask for an instruction on accident and the Court declined to give that instruction?”
The trial court responded “so noted” and no further discussion regarding that instruction
occurred.
{¶21} The jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder and tampering with evidence
and Appellant was sentenced to a prison term of fifteen years to life on count one, three
years on the firearm specification as to Count one, to be served consecutive and prior to
the indefinite term on count one, and thirty-six months on count two, to be served
consecutive to the sentence imposed in count one.
{¶22} Appellant filed a timely appeal and submitted nine assignments of error:
{¶23} “I. COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE UNDER THE SIXTH AND
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS OF THE U.S.CONSTITUTION IN FAILING TO FILE A
MOTION TO SUPPRESS DOCUMENTS SEIZED DURING A WARRANTLESS SEARCH
OF APPELLANT'S BEDROOM.”
{¶24} “II. COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE UNDER THE SIXTH AND
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION WHEN HE FAILED TO
OBJECT TO ERRONEOUS JURY INSTRUCTIONS THAT DENIED MR. REMILLARD A
FAIR TRIAL.”
{¶25} “III. THE TRIAL COURT SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THE REQUESTED
INSTRUCTION ON ACCIDENT AND DENIED THE APPELLANT HIS RIGHT TO A FAIR
TRIAL UNDER THE SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS OF THE U.S.
CONSTITUTION.”
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 11
{¶26} “IV. THE JURY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED CONCERNING ORC
2901.21(A)(1) AND (F)(2) AND COUNSEL'S FAILURE TO REQUEST SUCH
INSTRUCTION IN LIGHT OF EXHIBIT 7 AND STATE'S RELIANCE ON IT WAS
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER STRICKLAND.”
{¶27} “V. IT WAS PLAIN ERROR TO INSTRUCT THE JURY OR OMIT
INSTRUCTIONS AS DETAILED IN ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR 2-4.
{¶28} “VI. THE RECORD DOES NOT SUPPORT CONSECUTIVE
SENTENCES.”
{¶29} “VII. THE CONVICTION FOR MURDER VIOLATES THE FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENT OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.”
{¶30} “VIII. EXHIBIT 7 SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED UNDER THE OHIO
RULES OF EVIDENCE AND DETERMINED TO BE INHERENTLY UNRELIABLE
UNDER THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. ITS
ADMISSION IS PLAIN ERROR AND THE PRODUCT OF INEFFECTIVE COUNSEL
UNDER STRICKLAND.”
{¶31} “IX. THE CUMULATIVE ERRORS IN THE TRIAL DENIED APPELLANT
DUE PROCESS UNDER THE OHIO AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONS.”
ANALYSIS
{¶32} Appellant asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective in assignments one,
two, four and eight, so we will consider those assignments out of order.
{¶33} A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel requires a two-prong analysis.
The first inquiry is whether counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonable representation involving a substantial violation of any of defense counsel's
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 12
essential duties to appellant. The second prong is whether the appellant was prejudiced
by counsel's ineffectiveness. Lockhart v. Fretwell, 506 U.S. 364, 113 S.Ct. 838, 122
L.Ed.2d 180 (1993); Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d
674 (1984); State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989).
{¶34} In order to warrant a finding that trial counsel was ineffective, the petitioner
must meet both the deficient performance and prejudice prongs of Strickland and Bradley.
Knowles v. Mirzayance, 556 U.S. 111, 129 S.Ct. 1411, 1419, 173 L.Ed.2d 251 (2009).
{¶35} Appellant first asserts that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file “a
motion to suppress documents seized during a warrantless search of Appellant’s
bedroom. “[F]ailure to file a suppression motion does not constitute per se ineffective
assistance of counsel.” Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 384, 106 S.Ct. 2574, 91
L.Ed.2d 305 (1986). “To demonstrate ineffective assistance for failing to file a motion
suppress, a defendant must show: (1) a basis for the motion to suppress; (2) that the
motion had a reasonable probability of success; and (3) a reasonable probability that
suppression of the challenged evidence would have changed the outcome at trial.” State
v. Clark, 6th Dist. Williams No. WM-09-009, 2010-Ohio-2383, ¶ 21. An ineffective
assistance of counsel claim will be rejected when counsel's failure to file a suppression
motion “was a tactical decision, there was no reasonable probability of success, or there
was no prejudice,” or where counsel could have reasonably decided that filing such a
motion would have been futile, even if there is evidence in the record to support such a
motion. State v. White, 4th Dist. Washington Nos. 17CA10& 17CA11, 2018-Ohio-18, ¶
39, citing State v. Nields, 93 Ohio St.3d 6, 2001-Ohio-1291, 752 N.E.2d 859. State v.
Phelps, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 18 CAA 02 0016, 2018-Ohio-4738, ¶ 13.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 13
{¶36} We first consider whether the officer’s entry in the home was permitted. The
Deputies reasonably suspected Appellant may have committed or would attempt to
commit suicide based upon the information provided by Mr. Daubenspeck, and relied
upon this concern to force entry into the home. “Breaking into a home by force is not
illegal if it is reasonable in the circumstances. The need to protect or preserve life or avoid
serious injury is justification for what would be otherwise illegal absent exigency or
emergency.” State v. Burgess (Nov. 4, 1999), 5th Dist. No. 99–CA–0035, quoting Wayne
v. United States, 318 F.2d 205, 212 (D.C.Cir.1963). “The question becomes whether the
State's interest in sweeping a residence upon responding to a dispatch for possible
suicide and possible weapons is sufficient to warrant this intrusion and whether the search
policy in question is “reasonably related in scope to the circumstances which justified the
interference in the first place.” Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 20, 88 S.Ct. 1868, 20 L.Ed.2d
889 (1968).
{¶37} We find that the instant search was justified when tested by both criteria
from Terry. The government has a legitimate interest in conducting a search of a
residence when they are called to that residence as a result of the receiving reliable
evidence that the Appellant may be suicidal and has access to weapons, and that such
an interest is more than sufficient to justify this search. State v. Bethel, 5th Dist.
Tuscarawas No. 10-AP-35, 2011-Ohio-3020, ¶21. While suicide is not a crime, police
officers have a duty to prevent citizens from harming themselves and were performing
this duty when they entered appellant's home. Based on the deputies’ testimony, we
conclude that the exigent circumstances were sufficient to justify the entry into appellant's
home. State v. Neptune, 4th Dist. Athens No. 99CA25, 2000 WL 502830, *5.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 14
{¶38} While the warrantless entry into the home was justified, Appellant argues
that the warrantless seizure of Exhibit 7 impermissibly extended what should have been
a limited search for Appellant and that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to present
that argument. The deputies were looking for Appellant, Appellant’s body or any evidence
that could lead to discovering Appellant’s location. Deputy Baker saw the note, in plain
view, on a table in the upstairs bedroom. He read a few lines, concluded it was a suicide
note and took the note to Deputy Wolf. Deputy Wolf reviewed entire note for evidence
that might lead to the discovery of Appellant, his plans or whereabouts. Once they read
the entire note, the deputies realized that they may be investigating a homicide as well
as a suicide.
{¶39} The deputies did not know in advance the location of incriminating evidence
and intend to seize it, relying on the plain view doctrine only as a pretense. Coolidge v.
New Hampshire, 403 U.S. 443, 469–71, 91 S.Ct. 2022, 2040, 29 L.Ed.2d 564 (1971).
The discovery of the incriminating content of the note was the inadvertent result of
responding to the exigent circumstances, the threat that the Appellant had committed
suicide. Id. The plain view exception to the warrant requirement was satisfied in this case
because the initial intrusion and review of the content of Exhibit 7 was supported by
exigent circumstances, the incriminating evidence in Exhibit 7 was inadvertently
discovered, it was immediately apparent that Exhibit 7 was evidence of a crime and the
totality of the circumstances supported a conclusion that there was probable cause to
justify the seizure. State v. Mowbray, 72 Ohio App.3d 243, 247, 594 N.E.2d 626 (4th
Dist.1991).
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 15
{¶40} We hold that the facts do not support Appellant’s contention that trial
counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress documents removed from
the residence because it is not probable that such a motion would have succeeded and
it would have been reasonable for counsel to decide, as a matter of trial strategy, that
pursuing such a motion would have been futile.
{¶41} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶42} Appellant argues in his second assignment of error that trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to object to an erroneous jury instructions and that failure ultimately
denied him a fair trial. Appellant contends that the errors involve the introduction to the
issue of lesser included offenses and an error in the definition of murder.
{¶43} With regard to the issue of lesser included offenses, Appellant argues that
trial counsel was obligated to object to the use of the following instruction:
However, if you find that the state has failed to prove beyond a
reasonable doubt all the essential elements of murder, then your verdict
must be not guilty of the murder charge, and in that event you will continue
your deliberations to decide whether the state has proven beyond a
reasonable doubt all the essential elements of one of the lesser included
offenses which I'm going to define for you.
{¶44} Appellant contends that the first clause of this instruction should read “If you
find that the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt any of the essential elements
of the offense of murder ***” (emphasis added.). The only difference between the two
instructions is the use of the word “all” in the instruction read by the trial court in place of
the word “any.” Appellant contends that the alteration of that one word misled the jury to
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 16
believe that if the state proved any element beyond a reasonable doubt, they could not
consider a lesser included offense. We find that Appellant’s interpretation of the
instruction strained and untenable because there is no practical difference between the
state failing to prove any element and the state failing to prove all elements of murder.
While the terms are different, the instructions impose the same burden on the state and
convey the same message to the jury—if the state failed to convince the jury of each
element of the charge of murder beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury may consider a
lesser included offense.
{¶45} The paragraph that immediately follows the offending instruction reinforces
its meaning:
Similarly, if all of you are unable to agree on a verdict of either guilty
or not guilty of the murder charge, then you will continue your deliberations
to decide whether the state has proven beyond a reasonable doubt all of
the essential elements of the one of the lesser included offenses which I will
now define for you.
{¶46} We hold that this instruction was not erroneous and trial counsel was not
ineffective for not objecting to its use.
{¶47} Appellant next contends that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object
to an erroneous definition of murder read into the record by the trial court when it
instructed the jury. The trial court did include a reference to “purpose to inflict bodily
harm” that is not a part of the definition of murder within jury instructions. This error
occurred only at one location in the record of the trial court’s reading of the instructions.
The record does not contain a copy of the instructions that were given to the jury to read
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 17
along with the judge’s narration or reveal whether the instructions were taken by the jury
into the jury room. The relevant charge as read to the jury states:
If after considering all of the evidence you're convinced beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant had a purpose to kill or inflict bodily
harm on Nickolas Remillard, you must return a verdict of guilty on the
murder charge. If after considering all of the evidence you are not convinced
beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant acted either purposely,
recklessly or negligently in causing the death of Nickolas Remillard, you
must return a verdict of not guilty on the murder charge and both of the
lesser included offenses as well as the firearm specification. (Emphasis
added.)
{¶48} The inclusion of a reference to “bodily harm” is incorrect as that phrase does
not appear in the definition of murder. We review this issue by considering whether this
single error prejudiced Appellant.
{¶49} The general rule is that an erroneous instruction does not necessarily
mislead a jury. Cleveland Elec. Illum. Co. v. Astorhurst Land Co., 18 Ohio St.3d 268, 274–
275, 480 N.E.2d 794 (1985).
{¶50} “Reversible error ordinarily cannot be predicated upon one
paragraph, one sentence or one phrase of the general charge. As this court
held, in paragraph six of the syllabus of Flynn v. Sharon Steel Corp. 142
Ohio St. 145, 50 N.E.2d 319 (1943):
‘Where complaint is made as to a portion of the charge of the court, a
reviewing court will consider all of the charge upon the particular subject
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 18
complained of to determine whether prejudicial error has been committed
against the party complaining.’
{¶51} If the general charge, considered as a whole, is not prejudicial
to the objecting party, no reversible error results from a misstatement or
ambiguity in a portion thereof. In paragraph eight of the syllabus in Centrello
v. Basky, 164 Ohio St. 41, 128 N.E.2d 80 (1955), this court said:
‘Even though a paragraph in a general charge taken by itself is improper
and misleading, yet where considered in connection with the whole charge
and the entire instruction of the court to the jury, it is apparent that no
prejudicial error resulted, the judgment rendered on a verdict will not be
reversed for such error.’
State v. Porter, 14 Ohio St.2d 10, 13, 235 N.E.2d 520 (1968) (Citations omitted.).
{¶52} To conclude that a party's substantial rights were materially affected, an
appellate court must find that the jury charge was so misleading and prejudicial as to
result in an erroneous verdict. Cleveland Elec. Illum. Co. v. Astorhurst Land Co., supra.
Making such a determination requires a “thorough review of the entire transcript of
proceedings before the trial court.” Hampel v. Food Ingredients Specialties, Inc., 89 Ohio
St.3d 169,186, 2000-Ohio-128, 729 N.E.2d 726.
{¶53} After a thorough review of the transcript in the case at bar, we find that focus
of both Appellee and Appellant in this case was the mens rea of Appellant. The records
contains uncontradicted evidence that Appellant was in physical possession of the
revolver that discharged twice, one bullet punctured the wall, one bullet entered the
victim’s head, lodged in his arm and caused his death. The victim’s body was dragged
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 19
from the home and concealed in the murky water of the swimming pool. During closing
argument defense counsel conceded that Appellant shot the victim and that he did “cause
Nick’s death.” Appellant’s trial counsel selected the strategy of attacking the only issue
that could be challenged:
“And the only question becomes what was the intent. Was it intent to kill.
Was it negligence. Was it recklessness. Those are the only questions at
that point.”
“And that is what we ask you to do, folks, to listen and analyze what Kevin
said and the context of his state of mind of what he was doing, what was
going through his head and his body on that Saturday.”
{¶54} Our review of the potential prejudice caused by the instruction must be
considered in the context of the argument that the sole issue to be determined was the
mens rea of Appellant.
{¶55} The reference to bodily harm appears only once in the record; otherwise the
definition of murder and the relevant burden of proof is described correctly in the
instructions and clearly stated that “purpose to cause death is an essential element of the
crime of murder.” The instructions for the lesser included offenses of reckless homicide
and negligent homicide referenced causing the death of Nickolas Remillard with the
pertinent distinction being the mental state of the Appellant. We are not convinced that
the inclusion of the reference to physical harm was so misleading and prejudicial as to
result in an erroneous verdict, but that is not the question we are addressing. We need
only consider whether trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the instruction.
Considering the weight of the evidence against Appellant, and trial counsel’s strategy to
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 20
attack the issue of mens rea, we find that trial counsel could reasonably conclude that
objecting to this instruction would distract from his argument. “The Ohio Supreme Court
has stated “[w]e will ordinarily refrain from second-guessing strategic decisions counsel
make at trial, even where counsel's trial strategy was questionable. State v. Clayton, 62
Ohio St.2d 45, 49, 402 N.E.2d 1189 (1980).” State v. Myers, 97 Ohio St.3d 335, 362,
2002-Ohio-6658, 780 N.E.2d 186 (2002) as quoted in State v. Elmore, 5th Dist. Licking
No. 2005-CA-32, 2005-Ohio-5940, ¶ 133. We will not second-guess the strategic
decisions counsel made at trial even though appellate counsel now argue that they would
have defended differently.” State v. Post, 32 Ohio St.3d 380, 388, 513 N.E.2d 754 (1987)
as cited in State v. Mason, 82 Ohio St.3d 144, 169, 1998-Ohio-370, 694 N.E.2d 932.
{¶56} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶57} In Appellant’s fourth assignment of error, he contends his trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to request a jury instruction regarding R.C. 2901.21(A)(1) and (F)(2)
in light of the state’s reliance on Exhibit 7. Without clearly stating it, Appellant is arguing
that he was entitled to an instruction regarding his diminished capacity to act within the
law at the time of the shooting. For the reasons set out below, we must reject this
argument.
{¶58} Exhibit 7 is the eight page note drafted by appellant and found by the
investigating officers in appellant’s bedroom. The text, described above, was presented
by the state as an admission of guilt. Appellant is now contending that the text of the note
demonstrates that mental illness may have diminished appellant’s capacity to act and that
therefore an instruction based upon the relevant portions of R.C. 2901.21 was necessary
and trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request it.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 21
{¶59} Revised Code Section 2901.21(A) states in relevant part that “(A) Except
as provided in division (B) of this section, a person is not guilty of an offense unless both
of the following apply *** The person's liability is based on conduct that includes either a
voluntary act, or an omission to perform an act or duty that the person is capable of
performing *** [and] [t]he person has the requisite degree of culpability for each element
as to which a culpable mental state is specified by the language defining the offense.”
Subsection F(2) states: “Reflexes, convulsions, body movements during
unconsciousness or sleep, and body movements that are not otherwise a product of the
actor's volition, are involuntary acts.”
{¶60} Appellant questions whether “the shooting was done by Remillard's own
volition? Or did the demons and those in his head overcome his own volition?” Appellant
is arguing that the facts support an argument that he was not in control of his actions
during the shooting, but as we found when a defendant claimed she “snapped in her
mind” and “lost it” when she shot her husband, “Ohio law does not recognize the defense
of “diminished capacity.” State v. Wilcox, 70 Ohio St.2d 182, 194, 436 N.E.2d 523 (1982)
as quoted in State v. Brown, 5th Dist. Tuscarawas No. 2013 AP 05 0021, 2014-Ohio-888,
¶ 32. As the defense of diminished capacity is not valid, trial counsel cannot be found
ineffective for failure to raise it. State v. Mitchell, 53 Ohio App.3d 117, 119, 559 N.E.2d
1370 (8th Dist.1988), cause dismissed, 38 Ohio St.3d 715, 533 N.E.2d 784 (1988) as
quoted in State v. Hanley, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 67235, 1995 WL 229106, *2.
{¶61} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶62} In Appellant’s eighth assignment of error, Appellant claims Exhibit 7 should
have been excluded under the Ohio Rules of Evidence because it was inherently
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 22
unreliable and its admission was plain error and the product of ineffective assistance of
counsel. Appellant’s argument is based upon his counsel’s contention that he was
mentally ill, unstable and had demons controlling his actions.
{¶63} Appellant is essentially repeating his diminished capacity argument and
suggesting that trial counsel was ineffective for not pursuing that defense with the goal of
excluding Exhibit 7. As noted above, the defense of diminished capacity is not recognized
in Ohio and we cannot fault for not pursuing a futile act. Further, the record contains no
evidence that the Appellant was unable to form the requisite mental state at the time of
the shooting or that he was incompetent in any way. Trial counsel may have reasonably
determined that pursuing an insanity defense in lieu of arguing the lack of appropriate
mens rea, was not in his client’s best interest and we will not interfere with counsel’s
reasonable approach.
{¶64} Appellant’s eighth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶65} In Appellant’s third assignment of error, he contends that the trial court erred
by failing to include an instruction for “accident” as requested. While Appellant did submit
an instruction for accident, it was rejected by the trial court as not supported by the record.
Appellant’s trial counsel stated: “Just could the record reflect that we did ask for an
instruction on accident and the Court declined to give that instruction?” The trial court
responded “so noted” and no further discussion regarding that instruction occurred.
{¶66} Criminal Rule 30(A) states in relevant part that “On appeal, a party may not
assign as error the giving or the failure to give any instructions unless the party objects
before the jury retires to consider its verdict, stating specifically the matter objected to and
the grounds of the objection.” As we found in State v. Rohaley, 5th Dist. Stark No.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 23
1998CA00092, 1999 WL 4505, *7, counsel did not fully comply with Crim.R. 30(A) by
stating the specificity of the nature of his request, or the grounds for the request.
Therefore, we must find plain error to reverse.”
{¶67} We apply the doctrine of plain error cautiously and only under exceptional
circumstances to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice. Id. In that regard, “[T]he test
for plain error is stringent.” State v. Ellison, 4th Dist. No. 16CA16, 2017-Ohio-284, 81
N.E.3d 853, ¶27. “To prevail under this standard, the defendant must establish that an
error occurred, it was obvious, and it affected his or her substantial rights.” State v.
Spaulding, 151 Ohio St.3d 378, 2016-Ohio-8126, 89 N.E.3d 554, ¶ 64. An error affects
substantial rights only if it changes the outcome of the trial. Id. As noted we notice plain
error only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice. State v. Fouts, 4th Dist.
Washington No. 15CA25, 2016-Ohio-1104, 2016 WL 1071457, ¶ 59, quoting State v.
Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus. The
defendant carries the burden to establish the existence of plain error, unlike the situation
in a claim of harmless error, where the burden lies with the state.
{¶68} In the case at bar we cannot find plain error. The general instructions clearly
instructed jurors that the required mens rea was “purposeful” conduct that went beyond
conduct considered to be an accident. If the jury believed defendant's accident defense,
it would have been required to find him not guilty in accord with the instructions given.
State v. Smiley, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 03853, 2010-Ohio-4349. We also note that
Appellant’s trial counsel freely referred to the shooting as accidental or an accident. We
do not find that the outcome of the trial would have been different or that there has been
a manifest miscarriage of justice by the omission of the accident instruction.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 24
{¶69} Appellant’s third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶70} Appellant argues, in his fifth assignment of error that it was plain error to
instruct the jury or omit instructions referenced in assignments of error two and four.
While our analysis of those assignments focused upon whether trial counsel was
ineffective, the analysis is used to determine whether the trial court committed plain error
by including or failing to include the respective jury instructions. The Supreme Court of
Ohio, addressing review of plain error “clarified in State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385,
2015-Ohio-2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, that the accused is “required to demonstrate a
reasonable probability that the error resulted in prejudice – the same deferential standard
for reviewing ineffective assistance of counsel claims.” (Emphasis sic.) Id. At ¶ 22, citing
United States v. Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74, 81-83, 124 S.Ct. 2333, 159 L.Ed.2d
157 (2004) as quoted in State v. Helfrich, 5th Dist. Licking No. 18-CA-45, 2019-Ohio-
1785, ¶ 88. The Appellant must demonstrate prejudicial error by the trial court that
affected the outcome of the trial. Even “If the accused shows that the trial court committed
plain error affecting the outcome of the proceeding, an appellate court is not required to
correct it; we have “admonish[ed] courts to notice plain error ‘with the utmost caution,
under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.’ ”
(Emphasis added.) State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27 2002-Ohio-68, 759 N.E.2d
1240, quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three
of the syllabus. State v. Thomas, 152 Ohio St.3d 15, 2017-Ohio-8011, 92 N.E.3d 821,
reconsideration denied, 151 Ohio St.3d 1445, 2017-Ohio-8730, 87 N.E.3d 215.
{¶71} Because the Appellant is “required to demonstrate a reasonable probability
that the error resulted in prejudice – the same deferential standard for reviewing
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 25
ineffective assistance of counsel claims” (Emphasis sic.) State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d
385, 2015-Ohio-2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, ¶ 22 quoting United States v. Dominguez Benitez,
supra at 81-83 and because we have overruled the argument that trial counsel was
ineffective, we are constrained by precedent and our analysis to arrive at the same
conclusion when the assignment is recast as a plain error. We find that there was no
manifest miscarriage of justice and insufficient evidence that the outcome of the trial was
affected by the issues described in assignments of error two and four.
{¶72} Appellant’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶73} Appellant’s sixth assignment of error attacks the imposition of consecutive
sentences arguing that the sentence imposed for murder, with the weapon specification,
undermined the rational for consecutive sentencing. Appellant also argues the
Appellant’s criminal history is a factor that supports concurrent rather than consecutive
sentencing.
{¶74} Revised Code Section 2929.14(C)(4) controls the trial court’s discretion to
impose consecutive sentences:
(4) If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for convictions
of multiple offenses, the court may require the offender to serve the prison
terms consecutively if the court finds that the consecutive service is
necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the offender
and that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness
of the offender's conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the public,
and if the court also finds any of the following:
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 26
(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses while the
offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction imposed
pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or
was under post-release control for a prior offense.
(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or
more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the
multiple offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no single
prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of any of the courses
of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender's conduct.
(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive
sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the
offender.
{¶75} During sentencing the trial court expressly considered the terms of R.C.
2929.14(C)(4) and first determined that consecutive sentences were necessary to protect
the public from future crime, specifically referencing the families expressed concern for
their safety. Several family members were present and offered statements at the
sentencing. The trial court received their concerns about safety, took them seriously, and
considered them legitimate.
{¶76} The trial court also determined that consecutive sentences were warranted
as punishment and were not disproportionate to the offender’s conduct. The trial court
concluded by finding that “that at least two of the multiple offenses were committed as
part of one or more courses of conduct and the harm caused by two or more of the multiple
offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 27
offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the
seriousness of the offender's conduct.”
{¶77} The transcript of the sentencing hearing and judgment entry clearly indicate
the trial court engaged in the appropriate analysis and made the required findings under
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). Rather than establishing error, the record supports the trial court's
findings for imposing consecutive sentences.
{¶78} Appellant’s sixth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶79} Appellant contends in his seventh assignment of error that the conviction
for murder violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, and repeats his
argument regarding diminished capacity in support of an argument that the trial court
inappropriately allowed the jury to consider Exhibit 7 because Appellant was mentally ill
making that document inherently unreliable.
{¶80} This argument was not presented to the trial court and we will not consider
it on appeal, since failure to object at trial generally waives any alleged error on appeal.
State v. Watson, 61 Ohio St.3d 1, 6, 572 N.E.2d 97 (1991). While we have the discretion
to consider this assignment as plain error, (Crim.R.52), Appellant does not present a plain
error argument and we are not inclined to create one, particularly because we have
addressed the admission of Exhibit 7 under prior assignments and no novel argument is
contained within this assignment. State v. Hairston, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 05CA008768,
2006-Ohio-4925, ¶ 11.
{¶81} Appellant’s seventh assignment of error is overruled.
{¶82} Appellant contends that cumulative errors in the trial denied appellant Due
Process under the Ohio and U.S. Constitutions in his ninth assignment of error and argues
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 28
that “[i]n this case, there were numerous errors especially as it concerns the jury
instructions and State's Exhibit 7. The cumulative effect of the errors discussed in detail
above require a new trial.” appellant cites the doctrine of cumulative error, references the
previous assignments of error, but gives no analysis or explanation as to why or how the
errors have had a prejudicial cumulative effect. It is simply not enough to intone the
phrase “cumulative error.” State v. Sapp, 105 Ohio St.3d 104, 822 N.E.2d 1239, 2004-
Ohio-7008, ¶ 103 as quoted in State v. Allen, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 2009-CA-13, 2010-
Ohio-4644, ¶ 254.
{¶83} Where we have found that the trial court did not err, cumulative error is
simply inapplicable. State v. Carter, Stark App. No.2002CA00125, 2003-Ohio-1313 at ¶
37. To the extent that we have found in this case that claimed error did not rise to the
level of plain error, we conclude that the cumulative effect of such claimed errors is also
harmless because taken together, they did not materially affect the verdict. State v.
Leonard, 104 Ohio St.3d 54, 818 N.E.2d 229, 2004-Ohio-6235 at ¶ 185.
{¶84} In addition, a cumulative-error analysis aggregates only actual errors to
determine their cumulative effect. Individual rulings frequently will have an adverse effect
on a party, but unless that party can demonstrate that the ruling was an error, reversal
would not be warranted. Impact alone, not traceable to error, cannot form the basis for
reversal. The same principles apply to a cumulative-error analysis, and we therefore hold
that a cumulative-error analysis should evaluate only the effect of matters determined to
be error, not the cumulative effect of non-errors. State v. Allen, 5th Dist. Delaware No.
2009-CA-13, 2010-Ohio-4644, ¶ 257. As we have not found multiple instances of error,
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 29
and because Appellant has failed to provide any analysis in his claim, his ninth
assignment of error is overruled.
{¶85} The decision of the Knox County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
By: Baldwin, J.
Hoffman, P.J. concurs separately.
Wise, Earle, J. concurs separately.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 30
Hoffman, P.J., concurring
{¶86} I concur in the majority’s analysis and disposition of Appellant’s first
assignment of error and that portion of Appellant’s second assignment of error relating to
the issue concerning lesser included offenses.
{¶87} I further concur in the majority’s disposition of Appellant’s second
assignment of error regarding the incorrect instruction referencing “bodily harm” in the
murder instruction. However, I would not find it was a strategic trial strategy, but would
overrule it as not prejudicial under prong two of the Strickland test.
{¶88} I also concur in the majority’s analysis and disposition of Appellant’s fourth,
fifth (with the qualifications noted in my concurrence to the majority’s analysis of
Appellant’s third assignment of error, infra), sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth assignments
of error.
{¶89} In reviewing Appellant’s third assignment of error challenging the trial
court’s failure to include a jury instruction on “accident”, the majority applies a “plain error”
analysis. I disagree. As noted in the majority opinion, Appellant submitted an instruction
for accident which was rejected by the trial court. The trial court noted on the record
Appellant’s trial counsel’s request for an accident instruction was declined. As such, I
find analysis under a “plain error” standard of review inappropriate.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 31
{¶90} I find the Appellant’s explanation of the shooting of the gun set forth in
paragraph no. 16 of the majority opinion, when considered in a light most favorable to
him, sufficient to warrant giving an accident instruction. I find it was error not to do so.
However, I find considering the weight of the evidence taken as a whole renders the error
harmless. Accordingly, I concur in the majority’s decision to overrule this assignment of
error.
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 32
Wise, Earle, J., concurring
{¶91} I concur in the opinion of Judge Baldwin with the exception of assignment
of error number three. While I agree in overruling the assignment, I get there by a slightly
different path.
{¶92} As to assignment of error number three, I first note that I concur with Judge
Hoffman and find the request for and the denial of an instruction on accident was
preserved in the record. Therefore, the consideration of this assignment is not one based
upon plain error.
{¶93} I find no error by the trial court in refusing to instruct on accident. The record
contains acts of volition by appellant that do not support accident. As indicated in
paragraphs eleven, seventeen and eighteen of the opinion, the body was dragged from
the place of the fatal shot to a swimming pool. It was weighted down and hidden in the
murky opaque water. The weapon was disassembled and the pieces thrown separately
into three locations including a pond and a river.
{¶94} In the note Appellant wrote the day after the shooting, Exhibit 7, he gave no
indication that the shooting was an accident. To the contrary, throughout the note he
claimed that voices in his head overrode his ability to resist shooting Nick. These voices
continued to speak to him and he was afraid that he would give into their demands to kill
others. The following passage is one example:
My head is full of other people, always has been and they all think their (sic)
the actual owner of me. Yesturday (sic) they or one of them took over and
all I could do was watch. I tried very hard to not let them but something
Knox County, Case No. 18CA16 33
finnaly (sic) snapped inside and poor Nick was victimized by it. I have to
destroy myself because they still want to kill more people.
While this may support some other type of defense, it clearly shows the shooting was not
accidental.
{¶95} Appellant testified during the trial as set out in paragraph sixteen of the
opinion. He claimed he was surprised the gun fired when he pulled the trigger and then
fumbled with the gun and was unaware it fired a second time. He said he did not
immediately know that the victim had been shot.
{¶96} Based upon the state of the evidence before the trial judge, I do not find an
abuse of discretion in the refusal to instruct on accident and find no error. I would overrule
assignment of error number three on that basis.