State v. Howard

[Cite as State v. Howard, 2013-Ohio-2343.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
GREENE COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO
Plaintiff-Appellee
v.
CHRISTOPHER T. HOWARD
Defendant-Appellant
Appellate Case No. 2012-CA-39
Trial Court Case No. 2011-CR-478
(Criminal Appeal from
(Common Pleas Court)
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OPINION
Rendered on the 7th day of June, 2013.
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ELIZABETH ELLIS, Atty. Reg. No. 0074332, Greene County Prosecuting Attorney, 55 Greene St.,
Xenia, OH 45385
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
JAY A. ADAMS, Atty. Reg. No. 0072135, 36 N. Detroit St., Suite 102, Xenia, OH 45385
Attorney for Defendant-Appellant
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WELBAUM, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant, Christopher T. Howard, appeals from his criminal
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conviction and sentence on four counts of Trafficking in Cocaine, two counts of Possession, and
one count of Having Weapons While Under Disability. Howard’s conviction also included eight
forfeiture specifications.
{¶ 2} Howard contends that the trial court abused its discretion in rejecting his plea
agreement with the Appellee, the State of Ohio, because it failed to state its reasons for the
rejection on the record. Additionally, Howard argues that the trial court erred in overruling his
motion to suppress evidence on grounds that police officers exceeded the scope of a search
warrant. Howard also contends that the trial court abused its discretion in overruling his motion
for relief from joinder, claiming that joinder of his offenses was unduly prejudicial. Howard
further argues that the trial court abused its discretion in overruling his motion for a trial
continuance. Finally, Howard contends that the cumulative nature of the trial court’s alleged
errors denied him the right to a fair trial and due process.
{¶ 3} We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting
Howard’s plea agreement. The trial court stated its reasons for the rejection on the record during
Howard’s sentencing hearing, and the trial court’s reasoning was sound.
{¶ 4} We next conclude that the trial court did not err in overruling Howard’s motion
to suppress evidence that was obtained by a search warrant. The language in the search warrant
specifically authorized police officers to search the area in which the evidence was found.
Therefore, the search did not exceed the scope of the warrant.
{¶ 5} We also conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling
Howard’s motion for relief from joinder. Howard’s offenses were properly joined pursuant to
Crim.R. 8(A) and R.C. 2901.12(H), and Howard failed to demonstrate that he was unduly
prejudiced as a result of the joinder.
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{¶ 6} As a further matter, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling
Howard’s motion for a trial continuance. Howard’s reasons for requesting a continuance were
insufficient to warrant a continuance and defense counsel’s actions partially contributed to the
need for a continuance.
{¶ 7} Finally, upon finding that the trial court committed no error, we conclude that
there was no cumulative error which denied Howard’s right to a fair trial and due process.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court will be Affirmed.
I. Facts and Course of Proceedings
{¶ 8} This case arises from an operation of the Greene County Agencies for Combined
Enforcement Task Force (A.C.E.). A.C.E. is a group of officers from individual police agencies
within Greene County who investigate drug trafficking. A.C.E. learned through a confidential
informant that the Appellant, Christopher T. Howard, was trafficking cocaine. On various
occasions, A.C.E. instructed the confidential informant to call Howard in an attempt to purchase
cocaine.
{¶ 9} On January 6, 2011, the confidential informant set up a meeting with Howard at
the K-Mart parking lot on Indian Ripple Road in the city of Beavercreek, Greene County, Ohio.
At the meeting, the confidential informant was wired, and he purchased 13.15 grams of cocaine
from Howard.
{¶ 10} On January 27, 2011, the confidential informant set up another meeting with
Howard at Cruxten Drive in the city of Huber Heights, Montgomery County, Ohio. At the
meeting, the confidential informant was wired and he purchased 11.94 grams of cocaine from
Howard.
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{¶ 11} On March 18, 2011 and March 23, 2011, the confidential informant called
Howard in an attempt to buy one-half ounce (14.25 grams) of cocaine. The telephone calls were
recorded, and the recordings captured Howard and the confidential informant discussing the
purchase price of cocaine. No meeting or sale resulted from these communications.
{¶ 12} Howard drove a white Cadillac Escalade to each meeting with the confidential
informant. The Escalade was registered in the name of Howard’s mother, Doris Howard.
Howard’s mother resided at 6135 Sandbury Drive, Huber Heights, Ohio. Howard’s mother
testified that Howard does not live with her, but that he is always welcome in her home.
Howard receives his mail at his mother’s residence, and his son, and the mother of his son, both
live at the residence as well.
{¶ 13} On March 24, 2011, Detective Richard Miller of A.C.E. obtained a search
warrant stating that he had probable cause to believe that there was cocaine and other illegal
property concealed at 6135 Sandbury Drive. Specifically, the warrant authorized a search:
a. upon the person(s) of:
1. Any person found at said residence [6135 Sandbury Dr,
Huber Heights, Ohio]
b. within the listed vehicles:
1. 1999 Cadillac Escalade white in color Oh reg FBJ4141,
VIN 1GYEK13R7XR413582
c. and / or at the following place(s):
The dwelling at 6135 Sandbury Dr, Huber Heights, Montgomery
County Ohio is a ranch style single family home. * * * At the rear
of the residence there is a two car detached garage that has white
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vinyl siding, dark colored shingled roof, and white garage door.
Surrounding curtilage. * * * Exhibit A attached to Defendant’s
Motion to Suppress Evidence (Oct. 5, 2011).
{¶ 14} On March 29, 2011, the search warrant was executed by A.C.E. officers at the
residence of 6135 Sandbury Drive. During the search, the officers discovered 269.63 grams of
cocaine in the trunk of a white Chrysler Sebring. The Sebring was located in the residence’s
two-car detached garage. The officers also found various firearms inside the residence. At the
time, Howard was under a weapons disability due to a prior felony offense for possession of
drugs.
{¶ 15} As a result of A.C.E.’s investigation and search, Howard was indicted in Greene
County for three counts of Trafficking in Cocaine in an amount equal to or exceeding ten grams,
but less than 20 grams, one count of Trafficking in Cocaine in the vicinity of a school in an
amount equal to or exceeding 100 grams, but less than 500 grams, two counts of Possession of
Cocaine in an amount equal to or exceeding five grams, but less than 25 grams, and one count of
Having Weapons While Under Disability. His indictment also included a firearm specification
and eight forfeiture specifications. The firearm specification and the specification for trafficking
in the vicinity of a school were later dismissed.
{¶ 16} On October 5, 2011, Howard filed a motion to suppress the evidence obtained
pursuant to the search warrant. The trial court overruled the motion on April 20, 2012. On
February 29, 2012, Howard filed a motion for relief from prejudicial joinder of offenses. The
trial court overruled the motion on April 20, 2012.
{¶ 17} Prior to trial, Howard and the State negotiated a plea bargain in which Howard
agreed to plead guilty to all counts in exchange for serving a stipulated six-year prison term. A
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few days before trial, both counsel advised the trial court of the plea bargain, but the trial court
refused to accept it.
{¶ 18} On the day of trial, April 23, 2012, Howard filed a motion for a trial
continuance, which the trial court overruled. The trial court also mentioned the plea bargain,
and confirmed on the record that it was rejected. Counsel for the State requested the trial court
to state its reasons for the rejection, but the court failed to give its reasons at that time. Trial
went forward, and the jury found Howard guilty on all charges. At Howard’s sentencing hearing
on May 17, 2012, the trial court stated its reasons for rejecting the plea agreement on the record,
and sentenced Howard to 11 years in prison. Howard subsequently filed an appeal.
II. Did the Trial Court Err When it Rejected the Plea Agreement?
{¶ 19} Howard’s First Assignment of Error states that:
The Trial Court Erred in Rejecting a Valid Plea Agreement.
{¶ 20} Under this assignment of error, Howard argues that the trial court abused its
discretion when it rejected the parties’ plea agreement on grounds that it failed to give a reason
for the rejection on the record. The State concedes error in this regard, and claims that the
record is insufficient to support the rejection. Based on the record, we disagree.
{¶ 21} It is well settled that “[t]he decision to accept or reject a plea bargain rests solely
within the discretion of the trial court.” (Citation omitted.) State v. Arde, 190 Ohio App.3d 196,
2010-Ohio-5274, 941 N.E.2d 119, ¶ 18 (2d Dist.). An appellate court generally “reviews a trial
court’s rejection of a plea agreement under an abuse of discretion standard.” (Citation omitted.)
State v. Keyes, 4th Dist. Meigs No. 05CA16, 2006-Ohio-5032, ¶ 8. Abuse of discretion is “an
attitude that is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.” (Citation omitted.) AAAA
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Enterprises, Inc. v. River Place Community Urban Redevelopment Corp., 50 Ohio St.3d 157,
161, 553 N.E.2d 597 (1990). “A decision is unreasonable if there is no sound reasoning process
that would support that decision.” Id.{¶ 22} With respect to plea agreements, the trial court “must exercise its discretion
based on the facts and circumstances before it * * *.” (Citation omitted.) State v. Carter, 124
Ohio App.3d 423, 428, 706 N.E.2d 409 (2d Dist. 1997); Accord State v. Raymond, 10th Dist.
Franklin No. 05AP-1043, 2006-Ohio-3259, ¶ 15; State v. Graves, 10th Dist. Franklin No.
98AP-272, 1998 WL 808356, *4 (Nov. 19, 1998). “When a recommended plea bargain is
rejected, the court ought to state reasons for his rejection * * * ” unless “the facts themselves
speak so eloquently that no statement by the judge is required.” City of Akron v. Ragsdale, 61
Ohio App.2d 107, 109, 399 N.E.2d 119 (9th Dist. 1978); Accord State v. Ligon, 12th Dist.
Clermont No. CA 2009-09-056, 2010-Ohio-2054, ¶ 8; State v. Brown, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 08
MA 13, 2009-Ohio-1172, ¶ 17; State v. Newland, 4th Dist. Ross No. 02CA2666,
2003-Ohio-3230, ¶ 23. It is good public policy for the trial court to state its reasons for rejecting
a plea agreement. State v. Russell, 4th Dist. Highland No. 634, 1987 WL 16081, *2 (Aug. 27,
1987).
{¶ 23} Prior to the trial in this case, the State requested that the trial court provide its
reasons for rejecting the plea agreement on the record. While the trial court did not initially
comply with the State’s request, it did eventually state its reasons during Howard’s sentencing
hearing. The trial court stated:
You may have gathered from the fact that the Court refused this original
plea bargain that I felt that six years was not an adequate sentence for someone
who has alleged to have committed the offenses that [Howard] did, and now a jury
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has spoken and said you did, indeed commit those offenses.
The Court, probably more than any other feature, notices the fact that for
most of your adult life you have been convicted of these same type of offenses,
possession or trafficking in drugs, both in the State and the Federal System, and a
substantial portion of your adult life – I’ll call it a substantial portion, you have
been in prison for these offenses. Transcript Vol. III, p. 589, ln. 20-25, p. 590, ln.
1-7.
{¶ 24} The record indicates that the trial court rejected the plea agreement based on the
nature of Howard’s offenses, the fact that Howard had a history of committing the same types of
offenses, and that he had already been to prison for his past offenses. The trial court’s reasoning
is sound and is not unreasonable. While it would have been prudent for the trial court to have
immediately responded when asked to set forth its reasoning for the rejection, we find no error
resulted given the fact that the trial court eventually provided its reasoning on the record, and
such reasoning was not an abuse of discretion.
{¶ 25} Howard’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.
III. Did the Trial Court Err in Overruling Appellant’s Motion to Suppress?
{¶ 26} Howard’s Second Assignment of Error states that:
The Trial Court Erred in Overruling the Motion to Suppress.
{¶ 27} Under this assignment of error, Howard claims that police officers exceeded the
scope of the search warrant issued for his mother’s residence at 6135 Sandbury Drive. Howard
claims that the scope of the warrant was exceeded because the vehicle in which the cocaine was
found, a Chrysler Sebring, was not listed on the warrant. Howard also argues that the search
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warrant did not apply to the detached garage in which the Chrysler Sebring was located.
{¶ 28} We disagree with Howard’s contentions because the search warrant specifically
authorized officers to search the residence at 6135 Sandbury Drive and its “surrounding
curtilage.”
{¶ 29} The term “curtilage” “ ‘includes all outbuildings used in connection with a
residence, such as garages, sheds, [and] barns ... connected with and in close vicinity of the
residence.’ ” (Emphasis sic.) United States v. Dunn, 480 U.S. 294, 308, 107 S.Ct. 1134, 94
L.Ed.2d 326 (1987), quoting Luman v. Oklahoma, 629 P.2d 1275, 1276 (Okla.Crim.App.1981).
{¶ 30} “ ‘[V]ehicles parked in a driveway or otherwise in immediate proximity to the
house are part of the curtilage and properly searched when the search warrant specifies
“curtilage.” ’ ” (Citation omitted.) State v. Simpson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19011, 2002 WL
441488, *2 (Mar. 22, 2002), quoting State v. Amendola, 71 Ohio Misc.2d 30, 34, 654 N.E.2d 196(6th C.P. 1995). " ‘ “[A]ll federal and state courts which have addressed * * * this issue have
determined that it is constitutionally permissible to search automobiles found within the curtilage
of a residence which is being searched pursuant to a valid warrant.” ’ " (Citation omitted.) Id.{¶ 31} In this case, a large amount of cocaine was located in the trunk of a Chrysler
Sebring that was parked in the detached garage of 6135 Sandbury Drive. Because the detached
garage is an outbuilding used in connection with the residence, it is considered a part of the
surrounding curtilage. Furthermore, the warrant specifically mentioned the two-car detached
garage in its description of the residence. The Chrysler Sebring itself is also a part of the
surrounding curtilage because it was parked within immediate proximity of the residence.
Accordingly, the scope of the search warrant was not exceeded because the evidence was
discovered in the surrounding curtilage of 6135 Sandbury Drive, which the warrant specifically
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authorized police officers to search.
{¶ 32} Howard’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.
IV. Did the Trial Court Err in Overruling Appellant’s Motion
for Relief from Joinder?
{¶ 33} Howard’s Third Assignment of Error states that:
The Trial Court Erred in Overruling the Motion for Relief from Joinder.
{¶ 34} Under this assignment of error, Howard contends that the trial court abused its
discretion when it failed to sever the joinder of Howard’s offenses. He argues that Counts One
and Two of his indictment should not have been joined with the other remaining five counts,
because the first two counts occurred in Greene County and the other five counts occurred in
Montgomery County. Howard also claims that joining the counts together was unduly
prejudicial.
{¶ 35} “It is well-established that the law favors joinder because the avoidance of
multiple trials conserves time and expense and minimizes the potentially incongruous outcomes
that can result from successive trials before different juries.” State v. Glass, 2d Dist. Greene No.
2000 CA 74, 2001 WL 228453, *2 (Mar. 9, 2001), citing State v. Schiebel, 55 Ohio St.3d 71,
86-87, 564 N.E.2d 54 (1990). (Other citations omitted.)
{¶ 36} The joinder of offenses is governed by Crim.R. 8(A) which provides:
Two or more offenses may be charged in the same indictment * * * if the
offenses charged * * * are of the same or similar character, or are based on the
same act or transaction, or are based on two or more acts or transactions
connected together or constituting parts of a common scheme or plan, or are part
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of a course of criminal conduct.
{¶ 37} The joinder of offenses committed in different jurisdictions is governed by R.C.
2901.12(H). This statute provides that joinder is permitted when the offenses were committed
“as part of a course of criminal conduct.” R.C. 2901.12(H). “Course of criminal conduct”
includes offenses that are “in furtherance of the same purpose or objective.” R.C. 2901.12(H)(3).
“[T]he offender may be tried for all of those offenses in any jurisdiction in which one of those
offenses or any element of one of those offenses occurred.” R.C. 2901.12(H).
{¶ 38} A defendant can move to sever joined offenses pursuant to Crim.R.14, which
states that, “If it appears that a defendant *** is prejudiced by a joinder of offenses * * * the court
shall order an election or separate trial of counts, grant a severance of defendants or provide such
other relief as justice requires.”
{¶ 39} “The defendant claiming error in the trial court's refusal to sever multiple
charges has the burden of affirmatively showing that his rights were prejudiced.” (Citations
omitted.) State v. Skatzes, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 15848, 2003-Ohio-516, ¶ 147. “To
affirmatively show that his rights have been prejudiced, the defendant ‘must furnish the trial
court with sufficient information so that it can weigh the considerations favoring joinder against
the defendant's right to a fair trial, and he must demonstrate that the court abused its discretion in
refusing to separate the charges for trial.’ ” Glass, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2000 CA 74, 2001 WL
228453 at *3-4, quoting State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d 160, 163, 555 N.E.2d 293 (1990). (Other
citation omitted.) “ ‘[A] defendant is not prejudiced by joinder where the joined offenses are
“simple and direct, so that a jury is capable of segregating the proof required for each offense.” ’
”State v. Wilson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 20910, 2005-Ohio-6666, ¶ 38, quoting State v.
Fletcher, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2003-CA-62, 2004-Ohio-4517, ¶ 41.
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{¶ 40} In this case, all of Howard’s offenses relate to his sales and possession of
cocaine. The offenses are therefore part of a common scheme, plan, or course of criminal
conduct. As such, they were properly joined pursuant to Crim.R. 8(A) and R.C. 2901.12(H).
They were also properly venued in Greene County, since two of the offenses occurred there. As
a result, Howard had the burden to show that he was prejudiced by the joinder and that the trial
court abused its discretion when it failed to sever the offenses.
{¶ 41} Howard first asserts that he was prejudiced because the jury was presented with
evidence that he engaged in criminal activity across jurisdictional lines. According to Howard,
this is prejudicial because it gives the appearance of a greater or more elaborate criminal scheme.
Howard does not cite any authority in support of this assertion. We find that his argument has
no merit, because the multi-jurisdictional offenses were properly joined and venued in Greene
County. The prosecution’s presentation of evidence showing that Howard committed offenses
in Greene and Montgomery counties is an obvious result of the offenses being joined together.
Furthermore, the offender did in fact commit crimes in both counties; therefore it was not
improper for the jury to be presented with that information.
{¶ 42} Howard also asserts that he was prejudiced because he was prevented from
giving testimony. Howard claims that he wanted to testify against some counts at trial, but not
others, and that the joinder forced him to testify in all or none. A defendant seeking severance
for this reason “must produce sufficient information regarding the nature of the testimony he
wishes to give in the one case, and his reasons for not wishing to testify in the other, so as to
satisfy the court that his claim of prejudice is genuine.” (Citations omitted.) State v. Roberts,
62 Ohio St.2d 170, 176-177, 405 N.E.2d 247 (1980); Accord State v. Massey, 10th Dist. Franklin
Nos. 99AP-1355, 99AP-1356, 99AP-1357, 99AP-1358, 2000 WL 1742072, *3 (Nov. 28, 2000).
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{¶ 43} In this case, Howard did not indicate which counts he wanted to testify against,
and he also failed to provide any reasons for his unknown preference. The record is completely
devoid of any explanation or reason for his desire to testify against some counts, but not others.
Accordingly, under Roberts, an affirmative showing of prejudice has not been made.
{¶ 44} The trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling the motion for relief
from joinder because Howard’s offenses were properly joined and Howard failed to demonstrate
that he was prejudiced as a result of the joinder.
{¶ 45} Howard’s Third Assignment of Error is overruled.
V. Did the Trial Court Err in Overruling Appellant’s Motion to Continue?
{¶ 46} For his Fourth Assignment of Error Howard states:
The Trial Court Erred in Overruling the Motion to Continue.
{¶ 47} Under this assignment of error, Howard contends that the trial court abused its
discretion in failing to grant a trial continuance. Howard claims a trial continuance was
necessary because defense counsel was unable to prepare for trial due to: (1) the court’s late
rulings on various pretrial motions; (2) never receiving copies of the audio and video recordings
used by the State; (3) never receiving a legible prosecutor’s agreement with the confidential
informant; and (4) the inability to timely interview the confidential informant.
{¶ 48} “An appellate court must not reverse denial of a continuance unless an abuse of
discretion has been demonstrated.” (Citations omitted.) State v. Parks, 69 Ohio App.3d 150, 154,
590 N.E.2d 300 (2d Dist. 1990). According to Parks:
“In evaluating a motion for a continuance, a court should note, inter
alia : the length of the delay requested; whether other continuances have been
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requested and received; the inconvenience to litigants, witnesses, opposing
counsel and the court; whether the requested delay is for legitimate reasons or
whether it is dilatory, purposeful, or contrived; whether the defendant
contributed to the circumstance which gives rise to the request for a
continuance; and other relevant factors, depending on the unique facts of each
case.” (Citations omitted.) Id.{¶ 49} We have reviewed Howard’s arguments under this assignment of error, and we
will address each of them separately.
A. Late Pretrial Motions
{¶ 50} The trial court’s rulings on pretrial motions were issued on Friday, April 20,
2012, three days before trial. This gave counsel a reasonable amount of time to prepare for trial.
On the day of trial, defense counsel claimed that he was prevented from adequately preparing for
trial because he did not receive notice of the court’s rulings until late in the evening on Sunday,
April 22nd. Defense counsel did not state why he received late notice. The record also
indicates that defense counsel was not prevented from preparing for trial in anticipation of the
court’s rulings. Therefore, defense counsel’s own failure to prepare in anticipation of the court’s
rulings partially fueled his desire for a trial continuance in this matter. As a result, we find that
the timing of the pretrial motions did not prevent defense counsel from preparing for trial, and
did not warrant a continuance.
B. Copies of Audio and Video Recordings
{¶ 51} On October 27, 2011, the State filed a certification of non-disclosure, indicating
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that it would not make copies of the audio and video recording evidence because the recordings
disclosed the identity of the confidential informant, and disclosure would put the confidential
informant’s safety in danger. The certification also stated that defense counsel was free to view
and inspect the recordings upon coordination with A.C.E. Protecting the safety of a witness is a
permissible reason for non-disclosure of materials under Crim.R.16(D)(1). Defense counsel
stated on the record that he was able to review the recordings prior to trial. Accordingly, we find
that the failure to obtain copies of the audio and video recordings did not prevent defense counsel
from preparing for trial, and did not warrant a continuance.
C. Illegible Prosecutor’s Agreement
{¶ 52} The State faxed the prosecutor’s agreement with the confidential informant to
defense counsel three days before trial. The record indicates that the fax was partially illegible,
but defense counsel never advised the State of this until the day of trial. The record also
indicates that the illegible portion of the document only contained the confidential informant’s
criminal history. However, defense counsel was provided with the missing information before
the trial began, and was able to use it during his cross-examination of the confidential informant.
Accordingly, we find that the partially illegible prosecutor’s agreement did not prevent defense
counsel from preparing for trial, and did not warrant a continuance.
D. Untimely Confidential Informant Interview
{¶ 53} Howard’s trial counsel claims he was unable to adequately prepare for trial
because his interview with the confidential informant was untimely. The record indicates that
defense counsel interviewed the confidential informant four days before trial on April 19, 2012.
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We find that this is an adequate amount of time to prepare his cross-examination for trial.
{¶ 54} After reviewing the record, we find that Howard’s reasons for requesting a trial
continuance were insufficient to warrant a continuance, and that defense counsel partially
contributed to the circumstances giving rise to the need for a continuance. Accordingly, the trial
court’s decision overruling the motion for trial continuance was not an abuse of discretion.
VI. Did the Trial Court Deny Appellant’s Right to a Fair Trial and
Due Process Due to Cumulative Error?
{¶ 55} For his Fifth Assignment of Error, Howard states:
The Cumulative Nature of the Trial Court’s Error Denied Appellant the
Right to a Fair Trial and Due Process.
{¶ 56} Under this assignment of error, Howard advances a claim of cumulative error.
He contends that the effect of the errors alleged in the first four assignments of error cumulatively
deprived him of a fair trial and due process.
{¶ 57} “It is true that separately harmless errors may violate a defendant's right to a fair
trial when the errors are considered together. To find cumulative error present, we first must find
multiple errors committed at trial. We then must find a reasonable probability that the outcome
below would have been different but for the combination of separately harmless errors.”
(Citations omitted.) State v. Carr, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 22603, 2009-Ohio-1942, ¶ 74.
{¶ 58} We have reviewed Howard’s other arguments and found no errors. Therefore, we
find no cumulative error. Accordingly Howard’s Fifth Assignment of Error is overruled.
VII. Conclusion
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{¶ 59} Having overruled all of Christopher T. Howard’s assignments of error, we hereby
affirm the judgment of the trial court.
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DONOVAN and FROELICH, JJ., concurring in judgment and opinion and writing separately:
{¶ 60} We concur with the majority that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
denying a motion for a continuance; specifically, we agree that the record does not demonstrate
that the Appellant was prejudiced by the State’s not delivering a hard copy of a video prior to the
day of trial.
{¶ 61} We write separately to express an opinion that Crim.R. 16(D) requires more than
a generalized certification that disclosure of certain information “jeopardizes both the life of the
confidential informant and puts sensitive investigative techniques at risk.” (State’s Criminal
Rule 16 Certification of Non-Disclosure, filed October 27, 2011).
{¶ 62} Crim.R. 16(D) requires that the prosecuting attorney certify to the court that the
prosecutor is not disclosing material or portions of material otherwise subject to disclosure
because the prosecutor has “reasonable, articulable grounds to believe that disclosure will
compromise the safety of a witness, victim, or third party, or subject them to intimidation or
coercion,” Crim.R. 16(D)(1), or that “[d]isclosure will compromise an ongoing criminal
investigation or a confidential law enforcement technique or investigation * * *,” Crim.R.
16(D)(3). “Reasonable, articulable grounds may include, but are not limited to, the nature of the
case, the specific course of conduct of one or more parties, threats or prior instances of witness
tampering or intimidation, whether or not those instances resulted in criminal charges, whether
the defendant is pro se, and any other relevant information.” Crim.R. 16(D).
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{¶ 63} In October, the prosecutor certified non-disclosure of “audio and video
surveillance recordings.” The certification stated that the identity of “one or more confidential
informants is revealed in these recordings.” It further stated:
[I]n addition, specific investigative techniques utilized by the drug task force are
revealed on these videos. * * * [T]o produce copies and provide these copies to
the defendant jeopardizes both the life of the confidential informants and puts
sensitive investigative techniques at risk. To provide the personal identifying
information of a confidential informant when that informant is a potential witness
against a defendant puts that informant’s life at risk. This is especially true in this
case where the Defendant is facing significant charges and the Defendant is out on
bond, and no trial date has been set. The threat posed to the informant comes not
necessarily from the Defendant himself, but from his associates in his drug
enterprise, and from the internet, where videos of confidential informants and
undercover police officers have become all too frequently uploaded and
disseminated to the general public.
{¶ 64} We understand that the certification can be – and often must be – nonspecific
and that the defense can question it pursuant to a Crim.R. 16(F) motion; the trial court then
reviews the prosecutor’s decision for abuse of discretion. See, e.g., State v. Gillard, 40 Ohio
St.3d 226, 533 N.E.2d 272 (1988), reversed on other grounds; State v. McGuire, 80 Ohio St.3d
390, 685 N.E.2d 1112 (1997).
{¶ 65} However, to the extent possible, the certification must be more than a request for
quasi-judicial notice that undercover investigations of drug offenses involve serious risks to those
involved. “Articulable” is the key word, as it is, analogously, in Terry stop and frisk cases.
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..........
Copies mailed to:
Elizabeth Ellis
Jay A. Adams
Hon. Stephen Wolaver