State v. Cheatham

[Cite as State v. Cheatham, 2014-Ohio-1545.]
COURT OF APPEALS
ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. John W. Wise, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 13-COA-028
EAFROM O. CHEATHAM :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Ashland Municipal
Court, Case No. 13-CRB-467
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: April 10, 2014
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
W. DAVID MONTAGUE MATTHEW MALONE
Assistant Law Director 11 1/2 East Second Street
1213 East Main Street Ashland, OH 44805
Ashland, OH 44805
[Cite as State v. Cheatham, 2014-Ohio-1545.]
Gwin, P.J.
{¶1} Appellant Eafrom O. Cheatham [“Cheatham”] appeals his convictions and
sentences for five counts of theft in violation of R.C. 2913.02, misdemeanors of the first
degree and one count of possessing criminal tools in violation of R.C. 2923.24, a
misdemeanor of the first degree after a jury trial in the Ashland Municipal Court.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} Cheatham was charged with seven counts of theft and one count of
possessing criminal tools as a result of stealing gasoline from a Circle K gas station on
various occasions during February, March and April of 2013. The matter proceeded to
jury trial on August 29, 2013.
{¶3} On April 13, 2013, a Circle K cashier obtained the license plate of a silver
Ford Focus suspected of being involved in drive-offs at the location. At trial, that
employee, Tiffany Pirtle, testified that on April 13, 2013, she observed a silver Ford
Focus during a time in which she was cleaning up the parking lot. Pirtle was able to
obtain the license plate of the vehicle. In this instance, the driver of the vehicle did not
steal any gas, but the vehicle returned on April 15 and April 20 and did successfully
steal gas on those occasions. Pirtle authenticated and described a video of the April 20,
2013 event, which was viewed by the jury, and a "drive-off report" generated by her
describing the event.
{¶4} The Manager of the Circle K, Jill Kopchak, authenticated and described
videos of February 2, February 6, March 2, March 10, March 26, and April 15, 2013
drive-offs. She also testified concerning the drive-off reports generated by store
employees on each of those dates. These videos showed a black male matching the
Ashland County, Case No. 13-COA-028 3
description of Cheatham and the same silver Ford Focus. In each instance, the front
license plate had been removed from the Ford Focus and car was driven into the
station’s parking lot and backed out of the parking lot so that store security cameras
could not view the rear license plate. No witness ever identified the driver, but simply
described him as a black male. The documentation of these drive-offs does not indicate
the sex or race of the driver of the vehicle.
{¶5} Officer Kiley of the Ashland Police Department testified that on April 20,
2013 he executed a search warrant at Cheatham’s residence. Officer Kiley found the
silver Ford Focus matching the license plate number obtained by Tiffany Pirtle parked in
front of Cheatham’s home. When Officer Kiley explained to Cheatham that he had a
warrant, Cheatham laughed and asked "for gas?" Officer Kiley then questioned
Cheatham at the police department. Cheatham first claimed that he had paid for the gas
with his debit card. He then changed this account to he paid for gas using his wife debit
card. Cheatham then claimed that it was his son driving. Cheatham finally agreed with
Officer Kiley that he had gone to the Circle K with intent to steal gas and had not paid
for gas. Inside the residence, a 3XL red hooded sweatshirt, a 2XL plaid hooded
sweatshirt and an XL back Carhart coat were obtained. This clothing was consistent
with clothing worn by the suspect.
{¶6} Cheatham’s daughter, Tiesha Cheatam testified that her brother
sometimes drive’s Cheatham’s car. She further testifed that her mother did not have a
debit card. Tiesha further testified that her father had taken her to apply for a job at the
Circle K and to a job interview at the station. However, the dates did not correspond to
any of the dates on which gasoline was stolen.
Ashland County, Case No. 13-COA-028 4
{¶7} At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Cheatham was guilty of five
counts of theft and the single possessing criminal tools count. The jury found Cheatam
not guilty on two of the theft charges, specifically the February 6 and March 2, 2013
offenses.
Assignment of Error
{¶8} Cheatham raises ones assignment of error,
{¶9} “I. APPELLANT'S CONVICTIONS FOR THEFT IN VIOLATION OF OHIO
REVISED CODE SECTION 2913.02, MISDEMEANORS OF THE FIRST DEGREE,
AND FOR POSSESSING CRIMINAL TOOLS IN VIOLATION OF REVISED CODE
SECTION 2923.24, A MISDEMEANOR OF THE FIRST DEGREE, WERE AGAINST
THE WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE.”
Analysis
{¶10} Our review of the constitutional sufficiency of evidence to support a
criminal conviction is governed by Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct.
2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979), which requires a court of appeals to determine whether
“after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational
trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable
doubt.” Id.; see also McDaniel v. Brown, 558 U.S. 120, 130 S.Ct. 665, 673, 175 L.Ed.2d
582(2010) (reaffirming this standard); State v. Fry, 125 Ohio St.3d 163, 926 N.E.2d
1239, 2010–Ohio–1017, ¶146; State v. Clay, 187 Ohio App.3d 633, 933 N.E.2d 296,
2010–Ohio–2720, ¶68.
{¶11} Weight of the evidence addresses the evidence's effect of inducing belief.
State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386-387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), superseded
Ashland County, Case No. 13-COA-028 5
by constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated by State v. Smith, 80 Ohio
St.3d 89, 684 N.E.2d 668, 1997-Ohio–355. Weight of the evidence concerns “the
inclination of the greater amount of credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support one
side of the issue rather than the other. It indicates clearly to the jury that the party
having the burden of proof will be entitled to their verdict, if, on weighing the evidence in
their minds, they shall find the greater amount of credible evidence sustains the issue
which is to be established before them. Weight is not a question of mathematics, but
depends on its effect in inducing belief.” (Emphasis sic.) Id. at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541,
quoting Black's Law Dictionary (6th Ed. 1990) at 1594.
{¶12} 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. Id. at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541, quoting Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42, 102
S.Ct. 2211, 72 L.Ed.2d 652 (1982). However, an appellate court may not merely
substitute its view for that of the jury, but must find that “‘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, supra, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387, quoting State v.
Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717, 720–721(1st Dist. 1983).
Accordingly, reversal on manifest weight grounds is reserved for “‘the exceptional case
in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.’” Id.“[I]n determining whether the judgment below is manifestly against
the weight of the evidence, every reasonable intendment and every
Ashland County, Case No. 13-COA-028 6
reasonable presumption must be made in favor of the judgment and the
finding of facts.
***
“If the evidence is susceptible of more than one construction, the
reviewing court is bound to give it that interpretation which is consistent
with the verdict and judgment, most favorable to sustaining the verdict and
judgment.”
Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984), fn.
3, quoting 5 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Appellate Review, Section 60, at 191–192 (1978).
{¶13} There is no dispute in the case at bar that theft and possession of criminal
tools as alleged had in fact occurred. Cheatham’s first argument is that there was
insufficient evidence to identify him as the perpetrator of those crimes.
{¶14} In the case at bar, it is true that no witness was able to identify Cheatham
as having been the perpetrator of any of the offenses. However, evidence was
submitted to tie him to the crimes.
{¶15} The car that Cheatham owned and drove was consistent with the vehicle
involved in the drive-offs. When Officer Kiley observed it parked by Cheatham’s home,
he noticed that the front license plate was loose and could easily be removed by hand.
{¶16} In addition, Cheatham’s interviews with the police show inconsistencies in
his explanation. Cheatham told the police he used his debit card. He then switched to
he had used his wife’s debit card. He further inquired about striking a deal in exchange
for his truthfulness.
Ashland County, Case No. 13-COA-028 7
{¶17} The jury was shown the video of each incident with which Cheatham was
charged, the clothing taken from his home and photographs taken by Officer Kiley of
Cheatham’s car.
{¶18} Ultimately, “the reviewing court must determine whether the appellant or
the appellee provided the more believable evidence, but must not completely substitute
its judgment for that of the original trier of fact ‘unless it is patently apparent that the fact
finder lost its way.’” State v. Pallai, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 07 MA 198, 2008-Ohio-6635,
¶31, quoting State v. Woullard, 158 Ohio App.3d 31, 2004-Ohio-3395, 813 N.E.2d 964(2nd Dist. 2004), ¶ 81. In other words, “[w]hen there exist two fairly reasonable views of
the evidence or two conflicting versions of events, neither of which is unbelievable, it is
not our province to choose which one we believe.” State v. Dyke, 7th Dist. Mahoning
No. 99 CA 149, 2002-Ohio-1152, at ¶ 13, citing State v. Gore, 131 Ohio App.3d 197,
201, 722 N.E.2d 125(7th Dist. 1999).
{¶19} The weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses
are issues for the trier of fact. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d
212(1967), paragraph one of the syllabus; State v. Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-
Ohio-6524, 960 N.E.2d 955, ¶118. Accord, Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80,
62 S.Ct. 457, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942); Marshall v. Lonberger, 459 U.S. 422, 434, 103 S.Ct.
843, 74 L.Ed.2d 646 (1983).
{¶20} The jury as the trier of fact was free to accept or reject any and all of the
evidence offered by the parties and assess the witness’s credibility. "While the jury may
take note of the inconsistencies and resolve or discount them accordingly * * * such
inconsistencies do not render defendant's conviction against the manifest weight or
Ashland County, Case No. 13-COA-028 8
sufficiency of the evidence". State v. Craig, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 99AP-739, 1999 WL
29752 (Mar 23, 2000) citing State v. Nivens, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 95APA09-1236,
1996 WL 284714 (May 28, 1996). Indeed, the jury need not believe all of a witness'
testimony, but may accept only portions of it as true. State v. Raver, 10th Dist. Franklin
No. 02AP-604, 2003-Ohio-958, ¶21, citing State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67, 197
N.E.2d 548 (1964); State v. Burke, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 02AP-1238, 2003-Ohio-2889,
citing State v. Caldwell, 79 Ohio App.3d 667, 607 N.E.2d 1096 (4th Dist. 1992).
Although the evidence may have been circumstantial, we note that circumstantial
evidence has the same probative value as direct evidence. State v. Jenks, supra.
{¶21} We find that this is not an “‘exceptional case in which the evidence weighs
heavily against the conviction.’” Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541,
quoting Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d at 175, 485 N.E.2d 717. The judge neither lost his way
nor created a miscarriage of justice in convicting Cheatham of the charges.
{¶22} Based upon the foregoing and the entire record in this matter, we find
Cheatham’s convictions were not against the sufficiency or the manifest weight of the
evidence. To the contrary, the jury appears to have fairly and impartially decided the
matters before them. The jury as a trier of fact can reach different conclusions
concerning the credibility of the testimony of the officer and Cheatham. This court will
not disturb the jury's finding so long as competent evidence was present to support it.
State v. Walker, 55 Ohio St.2d 208, 378 N.E.2d 1049 (1978). The jury heard the
witnesses, evaluated the evidence, and was convinced of Cheatham’s guilt.
Ashland County, Case No. 13-COA-028 9
{¶23} Finally, upon careful consideration of the record in its entirety, we find that
there is substantial evidence presented which if believed, proves all the elements of the
crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.
{¶24} Cheatham next argues that the verdicts are inconsistent because the jury
found him not guilty of the February 6 and March 2, 2013 theft offenses.
{¶25} The United States Supreme Court has held that multiple counts of an
indictment are not interdependent. Each count in an indictment is regarded as if it was a
separate indictment. State v. Hicks, 43 Ohio St.3d 72, 78, 538 N.E.2d 1030(1989), citing
United States v. Powell, 469 U.S. 57, 68, 105 S.Ct. 471, 83 L.Ed.2d 461(1984); see,
also, State v. Mapes, 19 Ohio St.3d 108, 112–113, 484 N.E.2d 140(1985). Even if the
verdicts were inconsistent, inconsistency of verdicts is not grounds to overturn a
conviction. Powell, 105 S.Ct. at 476, 83 L.Ed.2d 461. A criminal defendant is afforded
protection against jury irrationality or error by the independent review of the sufficiency
of the evidence. Id. at 478.
{¶26} As we have previously discussed, Cheatham’s convictions are not against
the sufficiency of the evidence. Accordingly, we reject Cheatham’s argument alleging
inconsistent verdicts as it is based on different counts.
Ashland County, Case No. 13-COA-028 10
{¶27} Cheatham’s sole assignment of error is overruled in its entirety, and the
judgment of the Ashland Municipal Court, Ashland County, Ohio is affirmed.
By Gwin, P.J.,
Wise, J., and
Delaney, J., concur