State v. Zanni

[Cite as State v. Zanni, 2014-Ohio-2806.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ROSS COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
Case No. 13CA3392
v. :
DECISION AND
DAVID M. ZANNI, : JUDGMENT ENTRY
Defendant-Appellant. : RELEASED 06/24/2014
APPEARANCES:
James T. Boulger, Chillicothe, Ohio, for Appellant.
Sheri Rutherford, City of Chillicothe Law Director, and Benjamin A. Sigall, City of Chillicothe
Assistant Law Director, Chillicothe, Ohio, for Appellee.
Philip K. Hartmann, Yazan S. Ashrawi, and Stephen J. Smith, Frost Brown Todd LLC,
Columbus, Ohio, and John Gotherman, Ohio Municipal League, Columbus, Ohio, for Amicus
Curiae the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association.1
Per Curiam.
{¶ 1} David M. Zanni appeals from his conviction in the Chillicothe Municipal Court, for
the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol in violation of R.C.
4511.19(A)(1)(d). Zanni contends that the trial court improperly admitted the results of his
Intoxilyzer 8000 breath test. Zanni had filed a pre-trial motion in limine listing several reasons
why the Intoxilyzer 8000 is generally unreliable, and argued that the results of the test were thus
inadmissible. The trial court overruled the motion in limine, citing this Court’s decision in State
1
By magistrate’s order, this Court requested amicus curiae briefs addressing the issues raised in this appeal from the
Ohio Municipal League and the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. While we received an amicus
curiae brief from the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, we did not receive a brief from the Ohio Association of
Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 2
v. Reid, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 12CA3, 2013-Ohio-562, ¶ 15, in which we held that a defendant
is not permitted “to mount a general reliability challenge to the results of the Intoxilyzer 8000[.]”
At the subsequent bench trial, Zanni renewed his objection to the admissibility of the test results,
but the objection was overruled. Based on this Court’s precedent in Reid and the precedent set
forth in State v. Vega, 12 Ohio St.3d 185, 465 N.E.2d 1303 (1984), we affirm the trial court’s
judgment.
{¶ 2} During the early morning hours of July 4, 2012, Ohio State Highway Patrol
Trooper Bobby Brown observed Zanni commit a traffic violation on High Street in Chillicothe,
Ohio. Trooper Brown proceeded to pull Zanni over. During the traffic stop, Trooper Brown
made several observations that led him to believe that Zanni had been under the influence of
alcohol. Trooper Brown also administered various field sobriety tests. Zanni was then arrested
and transported to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, where he submitted a breath specimen
analyzed by an Intoxilyzer 8000 breath-testing device. The breath test resulted in a reading of
.123 breath alcohol concentration. Zanni was then cited for operating a vehicle under the
influence of alcohol in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) and (A)(1)(d), each being a
misdemeanor of the first degree. Zanni was also cited for a turn signal violation under R.C.
4511.39.
{¶ 3} After pleading not guilty to all of the offenses at his arraignment, Zanni filed a
motion in limine requesting that the trial court make a preliminary determination of the
admissibility of the Intoxilyzer test results. Specifically, Zanni challenged the reliability of the
Intoxilyzer 8000 under Evid.R. 702 and 703 of the Ohio Rules of Evidence. The trial court
ordered the parties to submit briefs concerning whether it could entertain a challenge to the
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 3
general reliability of the device. Both parties submitted briefs, and ultimately, the trial court
decided that our decision in Reid required it to overrule the motion.
{¶ 4} Thereafter, Zanni waived his right to a jury trial and the state dismissed the charge
under R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a). The remaining case proceeded to a bench trial.
{¶ 5} At the bench trial, the parties stipulated to Zanni’s operation of the vehicle, to the
state’s compliance with Director of Health regulations in the operation of the Intoxilyzer 8000, to
probable cause for arrest, and to venue. Zanni also renewed his objection to the admission of the
Intoxilyzer results for the reasons previously stated in his motion in limine. Zanni’s objection
was overruled, a printout of the Intoxilyzer test results were admitted, and Zanni was found
guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol in violation of R.C.
4511.19(A)(1)(d).2
{¶ 6} On appeal, Zanni asserts the following assignment of error:
Assignment of Error:
The trial court erred to the prejudice of the defendant in overruling without
hearing his motion in limine challenging upon specific grounds the reliability of
the breath testing device, an Intoxilyzer 8000, and then admitting into evidence,
over objection, the machine results at trial. In doing so, the trial court denied the
defendant the exercise of his right under the confrontation clause of the Sixth
Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 10 of the
Ohio Constitution and further denied him the right to substantive due process
under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.
{¶ 7} Zanni asserts that the admission of the Intoxilyzer results, without first determining
the scientific reliability of the device, violated several of his constitutional rights. First, Zanni
contends that his rights under the confrontation clause were violated. Next, he contends that he
was denied his right to substantive due process. Finally, while not explicitly stated in his sole
2
Zanni was also found guilty of the turn signal violation under R.C. 4511.39; but on appeal, he only challenges his
conviction under R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(d).
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 4
assignment of error, Zanni argues that the existing law in Ohio violates the separation of powers
doctrine.
{¶ 8} Generally, trial courts possess broad discretion to determine whether to admit, or
to exclude, evidence. E.g., State v. Morris, 132 Ohio St.3d 337, 2012-Ohio-2407, 972 N.E.2d
528, ¶ 19. Consequently, an appellate court ordinarily reviews a trial court’s evidentiary ruling
under the abuse of discretion standard of review. Id. The abuse of discretion standard is not
appropriate, however, when a trial court’s decision is based upon an erroneous interpretation of
the law. Id. at ¶ 16. Instead, whether a trial court properly applied the law presents a legal
question that an appellate court reviews independently and without deference to the trial court.
Id.
{¶ 9} R.C. 4511.19(D)(1)(b) governs the admissibility of evidence regarding a
defendant’s breath-alcohol concentration:
In any criminal prosecution * * * for a violation of division (A) or (B) of this
section * * * the court may admit evidence on the concentration of alcohol * * *
in the defendant’s * * * breath * * * at the time of the alleged violation as shown
by chemical analysis of the substance withdrawn within three hours of the time of
the alleged violation. * * *
The bodily substance withdrawn under division (D)(1)(b) of this section shall be
analyzed in accordance with methods approved by the director of health by an
individual possessing a valid permit issued by the director pursuant to section
3701.143 of the Revised Code.
{¶ 10} R.C. 3701.143, meanwhile, grants the Ohio Director of Health the authority to
approve techniques or methods to chemically analyze a person’s breath to determine alcohol
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 5
content. The Director of Health has approved the “Intoxilyzer model 8000 (OH-5)” as an
“evidential breath testing instrument[] for use in determining whether a [defendant]’s breath
contains a concentration of alcohol prohibited” under R.C. 4511.19. Ohio Adm.Code 3701-53-
02.
{¶ 11} The seminal case in Ohio, pertaining to whether an accused may attack the
general reliability of an approved breath-testing device, is State v. Vega, supra. In Vega, the Ohio
Supreme Court held that R.C. 4511.19 prevents a defendant from making “a general attack upon
the reliability and validity of the breath testing instrument.” Vega, 12 Ohio St.3d at 190, 465
N.E.2d 1303 (1984).
{¶ 12} The Vega decision noted that, through the enactment of R.C. 4511.19, the General
Assembly determined that “[I]ntoxilyzer tests are proper detective devices” and has
“legislatively resolved the questions of the reliability and relevancy of [I]ntoxilyzer tests.” Id. at
188. The Vega court further stated that the General Assembly has thus determined that:
“breath tests, properly conducted, are reliable irrespective that not all experts
wholly agree and that the common law foundational evidence has, for
admissibility, been replaced by statute and rule; and that the legislative delegation
was to the Director of Health, not the court, the discretionary authority for
adoption of appropriate tests and procedures, including breath test devices.”
Id. at 188-189, quoting State v. Brockway, 2 Ohio App.3d 227, 232, 441 N.E.2d 602 (4th
Dist.1981).
{¶ 13} The Vega court stressed that “while R.C. 4511.19 creates the presumption that one
is under the influence of alcohol if there is a specific concentration of alcohol by weight in one’s
blood, such presumption is rebuttable.” Id. at 187.
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 6
Under the statute, the accused may introduce any other competent evidence
bearing upon the question of whether he was under the influence of intoxicating
liquor. Rebuttable evidence may include non-technical evidence of sobriety, such
as a videotape or testimony by the accused or by witnesses concerning the
accused’s sobriety and the amount of consumption, as well as technical evidence,
such as additional chemical tests and the completion of field sobriety tests. There
is no question that the accused may also attack the reliability of the specific
testing procedure and the qualifications of the operator. See, e.g., Cincinnati v.
Sand (1975), 43 Ohio St.2d 79, 330 N.E.2d 908 [72 O.O.2d 44]. Defense expert
testimony as to testing procedures at trial going to weight rather than admissibility
is allowed. Accord State v. Brockway, supra, 2 Ohio App.3d at 232, 441 N.E.2d
602.
(Emphasis Sic.) Id. at 189.
{¶ 14} This Court was recently asked to determine whether Intoxilyzer test results should
be excluded from evidence on the basis that the device is unreliable. See Reid, supra (decided
February 7, 2013). In Reid, we referred to R.C. 4511.19 as a “gate-keeping statute,” and
ultimately concluded that Vega does not permit a defendant “to mount a general reliability
challenge to the Intoxilyzer 8000.” Reid, 2013-Ohio-562, at ¶¶ 10, 15. In support of our decision,
we cited numerous cases from various Ohio appellate districts that have followed the basic
holding of Vega. See id. at ¶ 11.
{¶ 15} We further noted that “[a]lthough we may agree that many problematic reliability
issues surround the design of the Intoxilyzer 8000 and the instrument’s approval process we must
follow both the legislative directive and the * * * pronouncement in Vega.” Id. at ¶ 15. We also
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 7
implored the Ohio Supreme Court to “further review” the issue “so as to end the uncertainty
percolating in the lower courts regarding Intoxilyzer 8000 reliability and test result
admissibility.” Id. We concluded that “until it does so, we are bound to follow Vega and may not
reach a contrary decision.” Id.
{¶ 16} Pursuant to Reid and Vega, we find that the trial court did not err in precluding
Zanni from attacking the general reliability of the Intoxilyzer 8000, and in admitting the results
of his breath test. We do, however, reiterate our concerns outlined in Reid.
{¶ 17} Moreover, we find Zanni’s constitutional arguments unpersuasive. For one, we do
not believe that the application of Vega violates a defendant’s due process rights because trial
court’s retain the authority to suppress test results when the state fails to demonstrate that it
followed the testing procedures set forth by the Director of Health, or when the operator was not
properly qualified to administer the test. State v. Lucarelli, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2012-P-0065,
2013-Ohio-1606, ¶ 27. A defendant’s due process rights are further protected because “[a]
defendant may also challenge the accuracy of his specific test results at trial and with evidence
going to the weight accorded the test results.” Id.{¶ 18} Zanni also contends that “[t]o the extent that Vega is construed to create an
irrebuttable presumption of ‘general reliability’, it now usurps the trial court’s function under
Ohio Evid. R. 702 and violates the confrontation and compulsive process clauses of the Sixth
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” [Brief at 8.] The Eleventh District Court of Appeals was
recently faced with a similar argument when a defendant argued that Evid.R. 702 and Daubert v.
Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993),
required courts to assess the reliability of scientific evidence as a prerequisite to admissibility.
See State v. Smith, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2012-P-0076, 2013-Ohio-640, ¶¶ 11, 18-25. In Smith,
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 8
the appellate court determined that a Daubert hearing was unnecessary as it pertained to the
general reliability of the Intoxilyzer 8000. Id. at ¶ 24. In so finding, the Smith court relied upon
the Tenth District Court of Appeals decision in State v. Luke, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 05FP-371,
2006-Ohio-2306, which stated, at ¶¶ 23-24:
[T]he General Assembly has legislatively provided for the admission into
evidence of alcohol test results, including breath tests, from tests conducted upon
those accused of violating R.C. 4511.19, so long as such tests were conducted in
accordance with procedures adopted by the Director of the Ohio Department of
Health.
This legislative mandate for admissibility obviates the need for trial courts to
determine admissibility based upon reliability of the processes and methods
underlying the use of breath testing machines. It follows, then, that because the
Daubert inquiry involves only determinations as to the reliability of the principles
and methods upon which a particular scientific test result is based, the legislative
mandate recognized in Vega forestalls the need for any Daubert analysis in cases
such as the present one. That is why we agree with the holding of the Fifth
Appellate District that, pursuant to Vega, ‘an attack on the accuracy and
credibility of breath test devices in general is prohibited. Therefore, there is no
need to determine the reliability of the machine under a Daubert * * * standard.’
State v. Birkhold (Apr. 22, 2002), 5th Dist. No. 01CA104, 2002 Ohio 2464, ¶ 19.
{¶ 19} We agree that the legislative mandate established by R.C. 4511.19(D)(1)(b)
obviates any need to determine the reliability of the Intoxilyzer under Evid.R. 702. As Vega
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 9
recognized, the General Assembly has “legislatively resolved the questions of the reliability and
relevancy of [I]ntoxilyzer tests.” Vega, 12 Ohio St.3d at 188, 465 N.E.2d 1303. Moreover, Zanni
has failed to cite any authority that establishes that either the legislative mandate or Vega
interpretation violates one’s rights under the confrontation clause. Rather, Vega has remained
controlling authority for nearly 30 years.
{¶ 20} Next, Zanni contends that the statutory presumption of reliability in the
Intoxilyzer 8000 violates the separation of powers between the legislature and judiciary by
removing from the judiciary the function of determining the scientific reliability of the machine.
Specifically, Zanni contends that the current approach “constitutes nothing more than a shell
game that ignores the separation of powers explicit in the state and federal constitutions; a
legislative transfer of an express judicial function to the executive branch of government
resulting in the manufacture of a presumption of reliability then foisted on the judicial branch.”
[Brief at 8.]
{¶ 21} As an initial matter, we note that Zanni raised the separation of powers argument
in his brief, but he did not specifically assign the issue as error. Appeals are to be decided on “the
assignments of error,” not supporting written arguments. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(b); State v.
Johnson, 4th Dist. Adams Nos. 11CA925, 11CA926, 11CA927, 2012-Ohio-5879, ¶ 16, fn. 5.
Here, Zanni raised this issue as a sub-argument in support of his sole assignment of error, which
specifically raised due process and confrontation clause concerns, but made no reference to the
separation of powers doctrine. Zanni should have raised this issue in a separate assignment of
error. Nonetheless, in the interests of justice we will consider the merits of the argument.
{¶ 22} Zanni’s separation of powers argument is grounded upon the notion that the
legislative delegation of authority to the Director of Health to determine the reliability of testing
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 10
methods and devices infringes upon the Ohio Supreme Court’s authority to promulgate rules of
evidence. “The supreme court shall prescribe rules governing practice and procedure in all courts
of the state * * *. All laws in conflict with such rules shall be of no further force or effect after
such rules have taken effect.” Ohio Constitution, Article IV, Section 5(B). “In order to
demonstrate [that] the legislature infringed upon the judiciary’s power to enact evidentiary
rules[,] appellant must demonstrate [that] the legislation contradicts or is an attempt to supersede
an existing evidentiary rule.” State v. Canino, 2013-Ohio-551, 986 N.E.2d 1112, ¶ 28 (11th
Dist.); Lucarelli, 2013-Ohio-1606 at ¶ 31; State v. O’Neil, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2012-P-0016,
2013-Ohio-2619, ¶¶ 16-17. “ ‘ When a statute does not conflict with a Rule of Evidence, a
statute can control the admissibility of evidence.’ ”O’Neil at ¶ 16, quoting State v. Cross, 11th
Dist. Lake No. 2004-L-208, 2006-Ohio-1679, ¶ 21.
{¶ 23} “The delegation of authority to the [D]irector of [H]ealth to establish the
appropriate methods for determining the amount of alcohol in a defendant’s bodily substances
does not conflict with any Rule of Evidence.” Canino at ¶ 29; Lucarelli at ¶ 32; O’Neil at ¶ 17.
Moreover, nothing in the rules of evidence establish the trial court as the sole gatekeeper with
respect to the general reliability of breath-testing instruments. Id. To the contrary, “Evidence
Rule 102 states that ‘[t]hese rules shall not supersede substantive statutory provisions.’ ” Id.{¶ 24} In addition, the statutory presumption of reliability does not usurp the trial court’s
role as gatekeeper. Because “Vega specifically states that a defendant is entitled to produce
evidence to assail the particular results of the subject test” it has “preserv[ed] the trial court’s role
as gatekeeper.” Smith, 2013-Ohio-640 at ¶ 17. Defendants “may always challenge the accuracy
of his or her specific test results and the qualifications of the person administering the test, and
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 11
otherwise strive to discredit the weight to be given the specific test results * * *.” Canino at ¶ 32.
Thus, we find Zanni’s separation of powers argument to be without merit.
{¶ 25} Finally, Zanni asserts that there is a conflict between our holding in Reid, and a
line of cases from the Eleventh District Court of Appeals. Specifically, Zanni argues that the
Eleventh District cases establish that while the Intoxilyzer is presumed to be generally reliable, a
defendant may raise specific issues related to its reliability in a motion to suppress, as opposed to
general assertions that the state failed to prove its reliability. See, e.g. State v. Carter, 11th Dist.
Portage No. 2012-P-0027, 2012-Ohio-5583, 983 N.E.2d 855, ¶¶ 35, 37, 39, 43; State v. Rouse,
2012-Ohio-5584, 983 N.E.2d 845, ¶¶ 32, 35, 36, 39 (11th Dist.); State v. Bevilaqua, 11th Dist.
Portage Nos. 2012-P-0140, 2012-P-0141, 2013-Ohio-4120, ¶¶ 8-12. Under this line of cases,
once a defendant has met his initial burden of presenting evidence that the Intoxilyzer is not
reliable, the burden would then shift to the state to produce evidence of the machine’s reliability.
Carter at ¶¶ 39, 43; Rouse at ¶ 35; Bevilaqua at ¶ 13.
{¶ 26} To the extent that Zanni suggests we disavow our holding in Reid in favor of the
holdings of the above-cited cases, we are not persuaded. First of all, Zanni ignores Eleventh
District jurisprudence that directly conflicts with the cases cited by him. See State v. Hatcher,
11th Dist. Portage Nos. 2012-P-0077, 2012-P-0078, 2013-Ohio-445, ¶¶ 20, 24, 29, and State v.
Raynish, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2012-P-0118, 2013-Ohio-2620, ¶ 19 (both clarifying the Rouse
and Carter decisions, and holding that challenges to the Intoxilyzer 8000’s scientific reliability
may not be raised pre-trial; but noting that challenges to the presumed intoxication created by the
test results may be properly raised at trial, with evidence going to the weight and credibility to be
given the test results). Thus, it appears that an intra-district conflict exists in the Eleventh District
Court of Appeals. Secondly, other appellate courts have continued to follow Vega, and have held
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 12
that a defendant may not mount an attack on the general reliability of a breath-testing device. See
Reid, 2013-Ohio-562, at ¶ 11.
{¶ 27} In the case at hand, Zanni’s motion in limine, and subsequent trial objection,
raised several challenges to the general reliability of the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath-testing device.
Zanni did not allege unique challenges to the particular unit. Moreover, Zanni stipulated to the
officer’s compliance with Director of Health regulations in connection with the operation of the
unit. As we did in Reid, we hold that Vega does not permit a defendant to mount a general
reliability challenge to the Intoxilyzer 8000. Unless the Ohio Supreme Court decides to
reconsider the issue, we are bound by the Vega decision.
{¶ 28} Accordingly, Zanni’s sole assignment of error is overruled and the judgment of
the trial court is affirmed.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 13
Harsha, J., concurring:
{¶ 29} Although I concede that State v. Vega controls the issues properly before us, in
my view it does not resolve many of the important issues surrounding the general reliability and
admissibility of the test results emanating from the Intoxilyzer 8000. Vega is unique in some
respects. It is a per curium opinion, thus there is no syllabus law. It is also a certified conflict
case but there is no statement in the opinion of the certified question. Those two facts require a
careful reading to determine where the holding of the case ends and where the dicta begins.
{¶ 30} There is a statement of the "issue presented" at ¶186, which is: "whether an
accused may use expert testimony to attack the general reliability of intoxilyzers as valid,
reliable breath taking machines in view of the fact that the General Assembly has legislatively
provided for the admission of such tests in R.C. 4511.19 if analyzed in accordance with methods
approved by the Director of Health." Immediately following the statement of the issue, the
opinion holds "that an accused is not denied his constitutional right to present a defense nor is the
state relieved of its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt where a trial judge does
not permit expert testimony to attack the reliability of intoxilyzers in general." Id. at 186.
{¶ 31} Thus, I do not believe Vega addresses an admissibility challenge based upon a
separation of powers argument. In fact, the majority opinion in Vega states the defendant did
"not dispute the fact that the General Assembly may delegate to the Director of Health the
determination as to the mechanism which could be used for measuring blood alcohol content of
an individual." Id. at 188. Although the dissent in Vega briefly addresses the separation of
powers, the majority clearly did not in its holding.
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 14
{¶ 32} As the principal opinion notes, Zanni did not properly preserve the separation of
powers issue as an assignment of error in our appeal. And unlike the principal opinion, I do not
think we should address it. So I don't, but leave it for another day when it is properly before us.
{¶ 33} Vega also points out at FN2 on p. 187 that it does not address whether the Director
of Health abused his discretion in approving the Intoxilyzer. Likewise, Zanni presents no
assignment of error concerning that issue. But one must wonder how the Director could
determine the general reliability of the Intoxilyzer 8000 in light of its manufacturers' refusal to
provide access to the "source codes" and other protocols used in developing the instrument. In
my view whether the Director abused his discretion is another question that should be addressed
in the future.
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 15
Hoover, J., dissenting:
{¶ 34} I respectfully dissent from the per curiam decision, because I believe the existing
presumption of reliability infringes upon an accused’s constitutional right of confrontation; the
trial court’s role as “gatekeeper” for scientific evidence; and the separation of powers doctrine.
See Reid at ¶ 17 (McFarland, J., dissenting) (“These rights [constitutional due process right of
confrontation] and the trial judge’s gatekeeper role of trial evidence is of great importance to our
system of justice and fundamental fairness.”); Vega, 12 Ohio St.3d at 190-191, 465 N.E.2d 1303(Brown, J., dissenting) (“The admissibility of relevant evidence is a judicial function. * * * The
issue of relevancy or admissibility of evidence cannot be usurped by the legislature nor delegated
by the legislature to the Director of Health. The constitutional principle of separation of powers
among the branches of government demands this conclusion.”).
{¶ 35} Moreover, R.C. 4511.19(D)(1)(b) merely states that a court “may admit” evidence
from a Director of Health approved device. Thus, the General Assembly apparently wished to
afford trial court’s discretion in determining whether to admit breath alcohol tests into evidence.
Reid at ¶ 14; Vega at 190 (Brown, J., dissenting).
{¶ 36} In light of the foregoing, I dissent from the majority opinion. I also implore the
Ohio Supreme Court to address these issues in the near future in order to give direction and
clarity to the citizens, law enforcement, and the court systems.
Ross App. No. 13CA3392 16
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED. Appellant shall pay the costs herein
taxed.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Chillicothe
Municipal Court to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS
BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is
temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The
purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an
application for a stay during the pendency of the proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued
by this entry, it will terminate at the earliest of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the
failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-
five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court
of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to the expiration
of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Abele, P.J.: Concurs in Judgment & Opinion.
Harsha, J.: Concurs with Concurring Opinion.
Hoover, J.: Dissents with Dissenting Opinion.
For the Court
By:
Peter B. Abele, Presiding Judge
By:
William H. Harsha, Judge
By:
Marie Hoover, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the
time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.