State v. Vogt

[Cite as State v. Vogt, 2018-Ohio-4457.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
: Case No. 17CA17
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
:
vs. : DECISION AND JUDGMENT
: ENTRY
RYAN VOGT, :
:
Defendant-Appellant. : Released: 10/29/18
_____________________________________________________________
APPEARANCES:
Angela Wilson Miller, Jupiter, Florida, for Appellant.
Kevin Rings, Washington County Prosecuting Attorney, and Nicole Tipton
Coil, Washington County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Marietta, Ohio,
for Appellee.
_____________________________________________________________
McFarland, J.
{¶1} Ryan Vogt appeals the judgment of the Washington County
Common Pleas Court convicting him of two counts: involuntary
manslaughter and trafficking in drugs.
{¶2} Upon review of the record, we find no merit to Appellant’s
arguments herein. Accordingly, we overrule all assignments of error and
affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 2
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
I. THE EVIDENCE IS INSUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN A
CONVICTION FOR INVOLUNTARY
MANSLAUGHTER. THE RESULTING
CONVICTION DEPRIVED APPELLANT VOGT OF
PROCEDURAL AND SUBSTANTIVE DUE PROCESS
OF LAW AS GUARANTEED BY THE FIFTH, SIXTH
AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS OF THE
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I,
SECTIONS 10 AND 16 OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION.
II. APPELLANT VOGT’S CONVICTIONS FOR
INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND DRUG
TRAFFICKING ARE AGAINST THE MANIFEST
WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE. THIS DEPRIVED
VOGT OF DUE PROCESS OF LAW AS
GUARANTEED BY THE FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTION 10 OF
THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
III. THE TRIAL COURT’S REFUSAL TO DISMISS THE
CASE AGAINST VOGT VIOLATED HIS RIGHT
AGAINST DOUBLE JEOPARDY AS GUARANTEED
BY THE FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS
OF THE UNITED STAES CONSTITUTION AND
ARTICLE I, SECTION 10 OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION.
IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO
INSTRUCT THE JURY AS TO THE LESSER-
INCLUDED OFFENSE OF RECKLESS HOMICIDE.
ADDITIONALLY, APPELLANT VOGT WAS
DENIED THE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF
COUNSEL WHEN HIS ATTORNEY FAILED TO
REQUEST AN INSTRUCITON ON THE LESSER-
INCLUDED OFFENSE OF RECKLESS HOMICIDE.
FIFTH, SIXTH, AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS
Washington App. No. 17CA17 3
OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND
ARTICLE I, SECTION 10 AND 16 OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
{¶3} On May 31, 2016, Appellant was indicted by a Washington
County Grand Jury on two counts: (1) involuntary manslaughter, R.C.
2903.04(A)&(C); and (2) trafficking in drugs, R.C.
2925.03(A)(1)&(C)(6)(a). The indictment occurred subsequent to the
overdose death of Tyler Miller which occurred on January 16, 2016. Tyler
Miller was a young man who had just returned to Washington County after
being drug free while in rehabilitation for his heroin addiction. The
indictment alleges that shortly upon Tyler Miller’s return to his hometown,
Appellant sold him heroin.
{¶4} Appellant proceeded to a jury trial which commenced on
December 5, 2016. On the second day of trial, a discussion was held in
chambers regarding: (1) text messages which had not been provided to
defense counsel as part of pretrial discovery and which, the defense argued,
violated Crim.R. 16; and (2) the existence of a conflict of interest which had
arisen on the part of defense counsel as a result of the violation. After
discussion amongst the attorneys and the trial court, the trial court declared a
mistrial and rescheduled the trial for a date in January 2017.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 4
{¶5} On January 12, 2017, Appellant filed a motion to dismiss both
counts of the indictment filed against him on the ground that his state and
federal constitutional rights against Double Jeopardy had been violated.
Appellant argued that the State had willfully flouted its responsibilities to
disclose evidence under the Ohio criminal rules. After the State filed a
responsive brief, the trial court denied Appellant’s motion to dismiss.
{¶6} Appellant again proceeded to trial on March 27, 2017. At trial,
the State’s first witness was Tyler’s father. John Miller testified he
discovered Tyler had a drug problem in March 2015. Tyler, who worked in
his family’s plumbing and electric business, was exhibiting erratic behavior.
After the drug problem was confronted, Tyler presented to L&P services for
outpatient treatment and attended NA meetings. He did not want to go to
inpatient rehabilitation.
{¶7} In the fall of 2015, Tyler overdosed. He was successfully
revived with Narcan and continued his outpatient drug counseling through
the fall of 2015. In early December 2015, Tyler acknowledged that he
needed inpatient rehab. Tyler went into Camden Clark for 5-6 days and then
Washington App. No. 17CA17 5
went into Parkside drug and alcohol rehabilitation in Columbus for over a
month.1
{¶8} John Miller specifically testified Tyler’s cell phone and wallet
were in the Millers’ possession while he was at inpatient rehabilitation in
Columbus. Tyler also parked his truck at his parents’ house. While Tyler
was in rehab, his mother, Jill Miller, searched his wallet several times and
found no illegal drugs inside it.
{¶9} Tyler was discharged from Parkside on January 15, 2016, and his
parents and his girlfriend, Josie Schau, drove to Columbus to bring him
home. The group stopped in Zanesville to eat and arrived at the Millers’
home around 7:00 p.m. On the way home, Tyler was in good spirits, talking
about the future and even singing along with the radio. Tyler indicated he
wanted to become an addiction counselor so he could help others. John
Miller saw no indication his son was using any drug.
{¶10} Upon return to the Millers’ home, Tyler retrieved his wallet and
cell phone. His truck battery seemed to be dead, so Josie drove Tyler to his
residence in Beverly where he lived with his sister, Samantha Miller. John
Miller last saw his son alive between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. on January 15,
2016.
1
Information regarding L&P Services, Camden Clark, and Parkside was not further developed in
testimony.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 6
{¶11} The next morning, January 16, 2016, John Miller texted Tyler
to see if he wanted to go hunting. Tyler did not reply. John Miller
proceeded to go hunting alone, and he returned home between 3:00 and 3:30
p.m. Since neither parent had heard from Tyler, John Miller went to
Samantha’s house and knocked on the door. When no one answered, Mr.
Miller opened the door and called out again. John Miller soon found Tyler
lying motionless with his wallet lying beside him and immediately called
911, but emergency personnel were never able to revive Tyler.
{¶12} After emergency personnel and law enforcement left the scene,
Jill Miller and Samantha were looking through Tyler’s wallet and found
something which looked like a small rock, wrapped in a piece of paper.
They immediately contacted law enforcement. John Miller concluded his
direct testimony acknowledging that Tyler had available funds, his regular
paycheck and a Christmas bonus, in his bank account when he returned from
rehabilitation.
{¶13} Josie Schau next testified that she and Tyler had been in a
relationship for 3 years at the time of his death. Josie discovered that Tyler
was using heroin only after he overdosed in the summer of 2015. Tyler had
never used heroin in her presence.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 7
{¶14} Although Tyler did not have his cell phone with him at
Parkside, he called Josie regularly. While in rehab, Tyler’s mood changed
and he seemed happy again.
{¶15} Josie’s testimony correlated with John Miller’s. When Josie
accompanied the Millers to bring Tyler home, she also noticed he was in a
good mood and making plans for the future. Josie testified after driving
Tyler home, she stayed and visited Tyler and Samantha while Tyler cleaned
the receipts out of his wallet and played with his dog. When Samantha went
to bed, Tyler and Josie watched a movie together. During the entire time
Josie was with Tyler on January 15th, she never observed him using drugs.
{¶16} Josie left at 11:00 p.m. on January 15, 2016. At that time, Tyler
was still happy and thankful, reiterating that it had been a good decision to
go into rehab. When Josie reached her home, she texted Tyler to let him
know she had arrived safely. He texted her a brief reply and then texted her
later at 2:13 a.m. on January 16th. Josie did not receive Tyler’s last text
until morning. When she replied, he did not respond.
{¶17} Samantha Miller also testified to spending time with Tyler and
Josie on the evening of January 15th and to noticing his positive and upbeat
demeanor. Samantha went to bed between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. When she
awoke on January 16th, Tyler’s door was shut. Samantha testified she could
Washington App. No. 17CA17 8
hear his television and could hear him snoring. Samantha left for work
around 7:00 a.m. She received a call from her father later that afternoon that
Tyler had overdosed.
{¶18} When Samantha returned home, emergency medical personnel
and law enforcement were there. After they left, Samantha began cleaning
and searching for drugs. Samantha testified that she did not find any drugs
in the home. She also testified that she did not see any indication that Tyler
had used drugs when she was with him the previous evening.
{¶19} On cross-examination, Samantha testified she did not know
when Josie left, when Tyler went to sleep, or if he left during the night.
Samantha helped her mother search Tyler’s wallet after law enforcement
left. Within 30 minutes, the women found the substance which looked like a
small rock, wrapped in paper in Tyler’s wallet.
{¶20} The State’s next witness, Patrolman Aaron Perine of the
Beverly Police Department, testified he was dispatched to Tyler’s address on
January 16, 2016. There, John Miller advised Perine that his son was dead
in the bedroom. Perine found Tyler lying on his back in black shorts. Tyler
was cold, unresponsive, and a brown substance was draining from his nose.
Perine called for a squad and later, the coroner.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 9
{¶21} Patrolman Perine identified and authenticated State’s Exhibits
A, B, and C, photographs of Tyler. Exhibit A showed Tyler lying on his
back. His wallet was on the right side, a notepad was underneath him, and a
half eaten bowl of ice cream was on his left side. He further testified upon
discovery, John Miller actually moved Tyler from his right side to his back.
Exhibit C showed a partial tin foil lying underneath Tyler, along with a cell
phone. Tyler’s cell phone and the foil were immediately collected as
evidence. After law enforcement released the scene and left the home, the
family called to report an unknown substance found inside the wallet. When
he returned to the scene and did a field test, the substance tested positive for
heroin.
{¶22} Patrolman Perine also identified and authenticated Exhibits D
and E. Exhibit D depicted the wrapper with a brown substance inside, and
the wallet. Exhibit E depicted the piece of tin foil with unknown particles,
found on the floor of the bedroom.
{¶23} On cross-examination, Patrolman Perine testified he had been
made aware that Tyler had an addiction. When he entered the bedroom and
noticed a substance oozing from Tyler’s nose, he immediately suspected an
overdose.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 10
{¶24} Patrolman Perine testified he initially searched Tyler’s room
for anything which may have caused his death. Patrolman Perine didn’t
know how he missed the heroin in Tyler’s wallet, but he might have
overlooked it in one of the folds and had no reason to believe the heroin was
placed there after Tyler’s death.
{¶25} The next witness was Detective Scott Parks, a 20-year
employee of the Washington County Sheriff’s department. Detective Parks
testified he performs forensic recovery of data from electronic devices such
as cell phone and computers. Detective Parks had been trained and
performing forensic recovery since 2011.2 He testified he was asked to
examine Tyler Miller’s cell phone, a Samsung Galaxy S5, and later, two cell
phones belonging to Appellant. Appellant had an older “flip phone” and a
newer IPhone.
{¶26} Detective Parks explained his job entails downloading evidence
from a phone and supplying it to whomever the investigating officer is for
review. He reviewed information from Tyler Miller’s cell phone and from
Appellant’s IPhone. Detective Parks was able to narrow the information and
“parse out” a text conversation between Tyler Miller’s and Appellant’s
devices. He then passed the information along to Lieutenant Lockhart.
2
Parks testified at length about his training and certification through the Department of Homeland Security
and through online schools. He is also the only person certified to teach electronic evidence in the police
academy in southeast Ohio.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 11
{¶27} Detective Parks identified and authenticated State’s Exhibit F, a
document entitled “Extraction Report,” which showed a text conversation
between Appellant and Miller, the “participants” listed on the extraction
report. The first text between the devices occurred on November 30, 2015 at
1:12 p.m. Parks also identified the last page of Exhibit F as being a log of
phone calls between the two devices. Tyler received a call from Appellant’s
phone on December 15, 2015 and another call on at 1:18 a.m. on January 16,
2016. There was no call activity between those dates.
{¶28} On cross-examination, Detective Parks testified he was a
member of the Drug Task Force and took part in many investigations
involving drugs. He admitted he initially had some difficulty breaking
through the secure passcode on Miller’s phone. He also testified that
Appellant’s phone was not set up to protect access to information. And, he
acknowledged that phone contacts are usually entered into a device by the
person who owns it, not the contact person.
{¶29} The second day of trial began with the testimony of Dr.
Matthew Juhascik, chief toxicologist at the Montgomery County Coroner’s
Office. Dr. Juhascik testified he prepared a report concerning the results of
toxicological tests on samples provided from Tyler Miller’s body. Samples
are obtained as part of the routine business of the Montgomery County
Washington App. No. 17CA17 12
coroner’s office. The final toxicology report, dated March 10, 2016, was
prepared in the normal course of business of the coroner’s office.
{¶30} Dr. Juhascik testified an eight-panel screen tested positive for
opiates so a confirmation test was performed. The confirmation test
demonstrated a presence of morphine in the femoral blood at a level of 136
nanograms per milliliter. He explained that morphine is a metabolite of
heroin and that morphine is left in the body after the body processes heroin.
He testified the results of the toxicology report were consistent with a heroin
overdose.
{¶31} The next witness testifying was Dr. Robert Shott, a deputy
coroner and forensic pathologist with the Montgomery County Coroner’s
Office. He examined Tyler Miller’s body on January 17, 2016. Dr. Shott
also identified State’s Exhibit J, a copy of the autopsy report.
{¶32} Dr. Shott further testified that he requested the toxicological
exam performed from samples taken from Tyler Miller’s body. The Miami
Valley Regional Crime Lab Toxicology Division works with the
Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. The toxicology report is
incorporated into his autopsy report. Dr. Shott opined, to a reasonable
degree of medical certainty, that heroin intoxication was the cause of Tyler’s
death.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 13
{¶33} On cross-examination, Dr. Shott testified he had no previous
history of Tyler having diabetes and therefore, this did not factor into his
testing. He also explained that heroin is broken down into the body as
morphine. He confirmed that the level of 136 nanograms of morphine was
enough to be the cause of death. Dr. Shott testified the 136 nanogram level
is consistent with other overdose deaths he has evaluated.
{¶34} On the third day of trial, defense counsel began by objecting to
admission of the extraction report from Appellant’s IPhone, Exhibit I
captioned “Vogt Phone.” He argued that the report included a number of
texts that were not provided to him. He acknowledged that, on the basis of
Crim.R. 16, he had objected to the information at the previous proceeding
which had ended in mistrial. The trial court overruled the objection.
{¶35} The last State’s witness was Detective Bryan Lockhart. During
his investigation, he focused upon the text communications between Tyler
Miller’s and Appellant’s cell phones. In Detective Lockhart’s opinion, the
conversations indicated a drug user and drug dealer relationship between
Tyler and Appellant. His testimony correlated with Detective Parks, and he
also identified the extraction reports.
{¶36} Detective Lockhart further testified that based on the text
message conversations, he determined to obtain a search warrant of
Washington App. No. 17CA17 14
Appellant’s residence. During the execution of the warrant, Lockhart
interviewed Appellant. The interview, Exhibit K, was recorded and was
played for the jury.
{¶37} Throughout much of the interview, Appellant denied knowing
Tyler Miller. He advised Lockhart that “millions” of other people used his
cell phone. Appellant was unable or unwilling to give the identity of one
other person who may have used his phone. Toward the middle of the
interview, Appellant indicated he might have gone with another person,
Cory Forshey, who may have sold drugs to Tyler Miller. He testified Cory
Forshey was a childhood friend of his who had “turned into someone else.”
{¶38} At this point, the State moved to admit the following exhibits:
A-C, photographs of Tyler Miller’s body; D-paper wrapper with rock of
heroin; E-wrapper with tin foil; F-extraction report from Tyler Miller’s cell
phone; G-evidence from the Beverly Police Department; H-the Bureau of
Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) lab report; I-extraction
report from Appellant’s IPhone; J-coroner’s report; and K-Appellant’s
recorded interview. The State rested.
{¶39} Defense counsel made a Crim.R. 29 motion to dismiss Count 1,
involuntary manslaughter, arguing that the State had not met its burden that
Appellant knowingly caused Tyler’s death as a proximate result of
Washington App. No. 17CA17 15
trafficking in drugs. He asserted there was no evidence of Appellant’s
culpable mental state except for, arguably, the weak evidence of text
messages. Counsel also pointed out an absence of other evidence indicating
Appellant engaged in drug trafficking. Finally, counsel suggested that
Tyler’s choice to use heroin was a significant intervening factor which
proximately caused his overdose. The trial court denied the motion.
{¶40} The jury returned a verdict of guilty on both counts and
Appellant was sentenced to a six-year prison sentence for count one and an
eleven-month prison sentence for count two, to be served concurrently, for
an aggregate prison term of six years.
{¶41} This timely appeal followed. As indicated above, additional
facts will be set forth below where necessary.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR THREE
{¶42} For ease of analysis, we begin with consideration of
Appellant’s third assignment of error.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
{¶43} “Appellate courts apply a de novo standard of review when
reviewing the denial of a motion to dismiss an indictment on the grounds of
double jeopardy.” State v. Johnson, 4th Dist. Ross No.16CA3579, 2017-
Ohio-7257, at ¶ 11, quoting State v. Anderson, 148 Ohio St.3d 74, 2016–
Washington App. No. 17CA17 16
Ohio–5791, 68 N.E.3d 790, ¶ 20. But when the dismissal motion is based
on a challenge to a trial court's underlying declaration of a mistrial, we apply
an abuse of discretion standard of review to that part of our analysis. See
State v. Carter, 4th Dist. Adams No. 15CA1015, 2016–Ohio–5371, at ¶ 38,
citing United States v. Keane, 287 F.3d 229, 233–234 (1st Cir.2002); United
States v. Williamson, 656 Fed.Appx. 175, 180 (6th Cir.2016) (appellate court
reviews de novo a trial court's denial of a motion to dismiss based on double
jeopardy, but reviews the trial court's underlying decision to grant a mistrial
for abuse of discretion); State v. Gunnell, 132 Ohio St.3d 442, 2012–Ohio–
3236, 973 N.E.2d 243, ¶ 28–29 (applying an abuse of discretion standard of
review to a trial court's declaration of mistrial).
LEGAL ANALYSIS
{¶44} On January 12, 2017, Appellant filed a motion to dismiss the
indictment on the ground that further proceedings would violate his right
against double jeopardy as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution and Article 1 Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution. In
Appellant’s brief in support of his motion, Appellant set forth the procedural
history leading up to the mistrial. Appellant challenged the admission of
texts extracted from a separate analysis of his IPhone, asserting that the texts
were not admissible pursuant to Crim.R. 16. Crim.R. 16 (B)(1), discovery,
Washington App. No. 17CA17 17
generally provides that upon receipt of a written demand for discovery by
the defendant, the prosecuting attorney shall provide copies or photographs
of any written or recorded statement by the defendant which is material to
the preparation of a defense, or is intended for use by the prosecuting
attorney as evidence at the trial.
{¶45} In chambers, the State acknowledged that the texts from
Appellant’s IPhone had not been provided because they had not been
intended for use at trial, except for possible rebuttal. However, defense
counsel’s opening statement indicated the defense strategy would be to shift
blame to another person, Cory Forshey, as a person who had access and who
may have used Appellant’s phone during the relevant time period.
Furthermore, it was indicated Appellant might take the stand to testify in this
manner. The texts at issue demonstrated a conversation between Appellant
and his girlfriend at the relevant times, which would also strongly suggest
that Appellant was in control of his cell phone at the same time a discussion
regarding the purchase of heroin by Tyler Miller was taking place.
{¶46} Based upon the above discussion in chambers, the State
indicated the texts at issue would now need to be utilized during the State’s
case in chief. Defense counsel asserted that the admission of the text
messages would create a conflict of interest for him as he represented Cory
Washington App. No. 17CA17 18
Forshey in an unrelated matter in West Virginia. For the reasons which
follow, we agree with the trial court’s finding that a mistrial was necessary
and thus, did not abuse its discretion in ordering a mistrial. Further, we
agree with the trial court’s finding that the State’s failure to provide the
additional texts was not prosecutorial misconduct intentionally calculated to
create or invite a mistrial. Consequently, we find the trial court did not err
by denying Appellant’s motion to dismiss.
{¶47} “The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the
United States Constitution ensures that a state may not put a defendant in
jeopardy twice for the same offense.” Johnson, supra, at ¶ 13, quoting State
v. Gunnell, 132 Ohio St.3d 442, 2012–Ohio–3236, 973 N.E.2d 243, at ¶ 25,
citing Benton v. Maryland, 395 U.S. 784, 89 S.Ct. 2056 (1969). The Double
Jeopardy Clause also “affords a criminal defendant a ‘valued right to have
his trial completed by a particular tribunal.’ ” Johnson, supra, quoting
Oregon v. Kennedy, 456 U.S. 667, 671–672, 102 S.Ct. 2083 (1982), quoting
Wade v. Hunter, 336 U.S. 684, 689, 69 S.Ct. 834 (1949); Gunnell at ¶ 25.
The right attaches when a jury is impaneled and sworn, State v. Meade, 80
Ohio St.3d 419, 424, 687 N.E.2d 278 (1997), citing Crist v. Bretz, 437 U.S.
28, 35, 98 S.Ct. 2156 (1978); see also State v. Baranski, 173 Ohio App.3d
410, 2007–Ohio–4072, 878 N.E.2d 1058, ¶ 7. We apply the same analysis
Washington App. No. 17CA17 19
to claims brought under the federal and Ohio Double Jeopardy Clauses
because we have recognized that “ ‘[t]he protections afforded by the two
Double Jeopardy Clauses are coextensive.’ ” State v. Anderson, ¶ 31,
quoting State v. Brewer, 121 Ohio St.3d 202, 2009-Ohio-593, 903 N.E.2d
284, ¶ 14, quoting State v. Martello, 97 Ohio St.3d 398, 2002-Ohio-6661,
780 N.E.2d 250, ¶ 7.
{¶48} In the present matter, after Appellant objected to the admission
of the texts and explained his possible conflict, the record indicates that after
discussion was had both on and off the record, the court declared a mistrial.
Appellant argues that the State’s action in failing to disclose the text
messages in violation of Crim.R. 16 forced or manipulated the court into the
position where a mistrial was necessary and was imposed upon him. The
record reflects defense counsel neither requested nor objected to the
declaration of mistrial.
{¶49} The Supreme Court of Ohio held in Anderson that “when a
mistrial was ‘instigated by prosecutorial misconduct designed to provoke
[the] mistrial,’ retrial is barred by double jeopardy.” Id. at ¶ 32, quoting
State v. Glover, 35 Ohio St.3d 18, 517 N.E.2d 900 (1988), syllabus; see also
Oregon v. Kennedy, 456 U.S. 667, 676, 102 S.Ct. 2083 (1982) (double
jeopardy bars retrial if the prosecutor has engaged in misconduct intended to
Washington App. No. 17CA17 20
“goad” the defense into moving for a mistrial); Green v. United States, 355
U.S. 184, 188, 78 S.Ct. 221 (1957) (“a prosecutor or judge [is prohibited]
from subjecting a defendant to a second prosecution by discontinuing the
trial when it appears that the jury might not convict”).
{¶50} This court has also noted that the prohibition against double
jeopardy precludes a second trial absent (1) a mistrial justified by a
“manifest necessity” or (2) consent to the mistrial by the defendant. Johnson,
supra, at ¶ 14, quoting Klein v. Leis, 548 F.3d 425, 431 (6th Cir.2008). “In
determining whether a ‘manifest necessity’ exists, Courts need not find an
absence of alternatives but only a ‘high degree’ of necessity.” Johnson,
supra, at 15, quoting Klein at 431. “What constitutes a ‘manifest necessity’
is left to the discretion of the courts, which must ‘exercise a sound discretion
on the subject [as] it is impossible to define all the circumstances, which
would render it proper to interfere.” Gunnell, 132 Ohio St.3d 442, 2012–
Ohio–3236, 973 N.E.2d 243, at ¶ 26, quoting United States v. Perez, 22 U.S.
(9 Wheat.) 579, 580 (1824).
{¶51} In Appellant’s case, while the State failed to provide the texts
during discovery, we do not find this omission was intentionally calculated
to invite a mistrial. The texts at issue were between Appellant and his
girlfriend and in preparing for trial, the prosecution would have likely been
Washington App. No. 17CA17 21
focusing on the texts linking Appellant to Tyler Miller. Arguably, the
omission could have been negligence. In State v. Hodges, 7th Dist.
Mahoning No. 17MA0025, 2018-Ohio-447, the appellate court recently
noted at ¶ 18, that “[a] retrial is not barred on double jeopardy grounds
where the state's mere negligence, rather than intentional misconduct,
required the trial court to grant a mistrial on a defense motion. Hodges,
supra, citing State v. Wood, 114 Ohio App.3d 395, 400, 683 N.E.2d 354(10th Dist.1996), citing United States v. Dinitz, 424 U.S. 600, 607,611, 96
S.Ct. 1075 (1976).
{¶52} More importantly, the State had no way of knowing Appellant’s
counsel represented Cory Forshey in an unrelated matter and hence, no way
of knowing that use of the texts would place Appellant’s counsel in the
position of having a conflict of interest. Instead, any possibility of a conflict
of interest would have been known to defense counsel when counsel was
provided with the recorded interview of the State’s response to discovery
which was filed June 8, 2016. In its response to discovery, the State
provided Appellant’s counsel with the recorded interview in which
Appellant attempts to shift any blame to his friend Cory Forshey. At this
point, counsel should have considered the possibility of a conflict of interest
in representing both defendants.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 22
{¶53} The Hodges court also noted the state did not gain material
advantage from the mistrial itself. Id. at ¶ 24. Similarly, we do not see that
the State gained any material advantage from the mistrial. In fact, Appellant
was additionally armed with the text messages at issue and gained advantage
of time to further prepare his defense or to consider his alternatives.
{¶54} For the foregoing reasons, we find the trial court did not abuse
its discretion in declaring a mistrial. We find an absence of evidence
suggesting that the State engaged in intentional misconduct in order to
necessitate a mistrial. And, the journal entry denying Appellant’s motion to
dismiss stated the trial court’s reasoning as follows:
“The Court FINDS that the failure to provide the texts during
discovery did not create the conflict of interest which resulted
in the mistrial of this case as any conflict of interest which
existed was known to Defendant long before the State’s
revelation of the additional texts. The court further FINDS that
the State’s failure to provide the additional texts was not
misconduct intentionally calculated to create or invite mistrial.”
{¶55} While defense counsel did not request the mistrial, defense
counsel asserted that there was a “possible conflict of interest.” As set forth
above, what constitutes a manifest necessity is left to the discretion of the
trial court. While not explicitly finding a manifest necessity, the trial court
was obviously concerned about a possible conflict of interest as defense
counsel emphasized this argument.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 23
{¶56} We conclude the court’s decision constituted an implicit finding
that the possible conflict of interest, as vigorously asserted by defense
counsel when arguing the alleged Crim.R. 16 violation, created a manifest
necessity for the mistrial. As such, the protection afforded by the
prohibition against double jeopardy did not attach. The trial court did not err
in denying Appellant’s motion to dismiss the indictment. We hereby
overrule Appellant’s third assignment of error.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR ONE AND TWO
{¶57} Under assignment of error one, Appellant argues his conviction
for involuntary manslaughter is not supported by sufficient evidence. Under
assignment of error two, he argues his convictions for involuntary
manslaughter and drug trafficking are against the manifest weight of the
evidence. Because the matters are interrelated, we consider Appellant’s first
and second assignments of error jointly.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
{¶58} In determining whether a criminal conviction is against the
manifest weight of the evidence, an appellate court must review the entire
record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the
credibility of witnesses, and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the
evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest
Washington App. No. 17CA17 24
miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed. State v. Lamb,
4th Dist. Scioto No. 17CA3796, 2018-Ohio-1405, ¶ 19; State v. Thompkins,
78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997); State v. Hunter, 131 Ohio
St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, 960 N.E.2d 955, ¶ 119. The weight and
credibility of evidence are to be determined by the trier of fact. Lamb, supra,
at ¶ 20; State v. Kirkland, 140 Ohio St.3d 73, 2014-Ohio-1965, 15 N.E.3d
818, at ¶ 132. The trier of fact is free to believe all, part, or none of the
testimony of any witness, and we defer to the trier of fact on evidentiary
weight and credibility issues because it is in the best position to gauge the
witnesses' demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections, and to use these
observations to weigh their credibility. State v. Dillard, 4th Dist. Meigs No.
13CA9, 2014-Ohio-4974, at ¶ 28; citing State v. West, 4th Dist. Scioto No.
12CA3507, 2014-Ohio-1941, at ¶ 23.
LEGAL ANALYSIS
1. Drug Trafficking
{¶59} In recent years, appellate courts in Ohio have considered
convictions for involuntary manslaughter involving drug overdose deaths,
predicated on a drug offense conviction. Here, Appellant’s conviction for
involuntary manslaughter was necessarily predicated upon trafficking in
heroin. Appellant contends the jury’s verdict that he knowingly trafficked in
Washington App. No. 17CA17 25
drugs was based solely upon text messages which did not establish that he
sold or attempted to sell heroin.
{¶60} Appellant was convicted of drug trafficking in violation of R.C.
2925.03(A)(1). Thus, the State had to establish that Appellant knowingly
sold or offered to sell a controlled substance or a controlled substance
analog. A person acts “knowingly,” when, regardless of purpose, the person
is aware that the person's conduct will probably cause a certain result or will
probably be of a certain nature. R.C. 2901.22(B). A person has knowledge
of circumstances when the person is aware that such circumstances probably
exist. Id. When knowledge of the existence of a particular fact is an element
of an offense, such knowledge is established if a person subjectively
believes that there is a high probability of its existence and fails to make
inquiry or acts with a conscious purpose to avoid learning the fact. Id. A
“controlled substance” means a drug, compound, mixture, preparation, or
substance included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V, as defined in R.C.
3719.01(C) of the Revised Code.
{¶61} We agree that Appellant’s conviction for drug trafficking is
based largely upon the circumstantial text messages evidencing
communications between Tyler Miller and Appellant. However, we point
out that “a defendant may be convicted solely on the basis of circumstantial
Washington App. No. 17CA17 26
evidence.” Luther, supra, at 19, quoting State v. Nicely, 39 Ohio St.3d 147,
151, 529 N.E.2d 1236 (1988). “Circumstantial evidence and direct evidence
inherently possess the same probative value.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d
259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph one of the syllabus. “Circumstantial
evidence is defined as ‘[t]estimony not based on actual personal knowledge
or observation of the facts in controversy, but of other facts from which
deductions are drawn, showing indirectly the facts sought to be proved.
* * *’ ” Nicely, 39 Ohio St.3d at 150, 529 N.E.2d 1236, quoting Black's Law
Dictionary (5 Ed.1979) 221.
{¶62} In State v. Kramer, 3rd Dist. Defiance No. 4-15-14, 2016-Ohio-
2984, the defendant was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after
allegedly selling heroin to the deceased, Matney, shortly before his death.
On appeal, Kramer argued his conviction was against the manifest weight of
the evidence, specifically that the jury improperly concluded that he
provided the heroin that led to Matney’s death. Kramer produced an alibi
witness, a female acquaintance who testified that Kramer was with her and
never left her presence during the relevant time period.
{¶63} The State presented a Defiance police officer, Campbell, who
testified that he looked through text messages on Matney’s cell phone. With
the aid of exhibits, Campbell testified to the calls and text messages between
Washington App. No. 17CA17 27
Matney’s and Kramer’s cell phones between relevant dates. Campbell also
testified to contacts between Matney and the mother of his children.
Campbell testified that based on the nature of the text message exchanges
and his knowledge of “street language,” the evidence pointed to Kramer’s
trafficking in drugs. Another witness, Horan, an FBI special agent, testified
as to the location of Kramer’s cell phone at the relevant times.
{¶64} Kramer took the stand in his own defense and testified that he
never called Matney, Matney always contacted him. He admitted he had
sold drugs to Matney in the past, but on the relevant date, he was actually
trying to “put him off,” and hoping that Matney would just find another
supplier. The appellate court in Kramer affirmed the jury’s verdict that
Kramer’s trafficking in heroin proximately resulted in Matney’s death and
that the verdict was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶65} Kramer’s conviction was also based largely upon the
circumstantial evidence of text message conversations between Matney and
Kramer, introduced as evidence of a “user/seller” relationship. Here,
Detective Lockhart’s investigation and testimony focused on the text
conversations between Tyler’s cell phone and Appellant’s IPhone. In
Detective Lockhart’s opinion, the content of the conversations indicated
some type of illegal drug activity.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 28
{¶66} Detective Lockhart identified Exhibit F, the extraction report,
which identified various text conversations.3 A conversation between the
two phones revealed a conversation on November 30, 2015 in which “price”
and “location” were discussed. Setting forth the conversations below, we
reference Tyler’s cell phone as “TP,” and Appellant’s IPhone as “AP.”
{¶67} Detective Lockhart also testified to a text exchange on
December 4, 2015. This exchange signified to him that Tyler was trying to
keep his addiction hidden from his girlfriend Josie, and correlated with her
trial testimony that she was unaware that Tyler used heroin. The extraction
report revealed as follows:
TP: Well I passed my girlfriend right in front of the IGA. So
I kept driving lol but I’m coming back as soon as she texts me
back.
AP: Ok.
TP: I’m sorry bro I just can’t let her see me. Lol I gotta avoid
her at all costs.
{¶68} Detective Lockhart also testified to a conversation between the
users of the two phones which occurred on December 5, 2015. In his
opinion, the exchange was discussing how much Tyler wanted to purchase
and how long it would be until the parties met. Tyler’s desire to keep his
3
Detective Lockhart explained that, Exhibit F, a six-page document, showed text conversations on pages 1-
5, and contained a call log on page 7. He testified the document was not missing a page but was compiled
as he had requested.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 29
addiction from Josie was again evident. The following text conversation
occurred:
TP: Hey man I ain’t gonna to be able to get that. Sorry about
that.”
AP: Ok man.
TP: Hey man I can’t come to town cause I’m with my girl.
But I have a buddy that’s cool and lives in Marietta if you want
to get rid of that half.
{¶69} Detective Lockhart also testified there was one more text
message on December 15, 2015 from Appellant’s phone, to which there was
no response. Lockhart opined the lack of response coincided with Tyler
being in rehab in Columbus and not having access to his cell phone.
{¶70} Finally, Detective Lockhart also testified to a conversation
which took place one month later on January 15, 2016 at 11:23 p.m., which
was approximately twenty minutes after Josie testified she left Tyler’s
residence. The exchange began with Tyler’s initiation, occurred as follows:
TP: Hey man what’s up?
AP: Yo.
TP: Sorry I haven’t got at you man. I’ve been in rehab since
December 4th.
AP: It’s cool. Good for you man.
***
Washington App. No. 17CA17 30
TP: Yeah it was all good, just not really by choice ya feel
me?
AP: I feel ya.
TP: I’m just kickin it.
AP: Like your hanging out or quitting the d?
{¶71} Lockhart testified from his time on the drug task force, “d” is
slang used in text messages between traffickers and users, commonly
meaning “heroin.” The exchange continued from Tyler’s phone:
TP: You still doing your thing?
AP: Yeah.
TP: Damn I wish my truck was running or I’d come in town
tonight lol.
AP: You need something or trying to kick it or what?
AP: I just got my car back together the other day. Had to put
a new axle up front.
TP: Damn, that sucks Bro. I was just thinking about picking
up.
AP: Up what?
TP: Some of that d.
AP: I’m around. I’ll drop by for a little extra.
{¶72} Detective Lockhart testified the significance of Tyler stating his
truck wasn’t running was that it correlates with his father’s testimony that
Washington App. No. 17CA17 31
his truck battery was dead. It also correlates with both John Miller’s and
Josie’s testimony that Josie drove Tyler from his parents’ home to his
residence in Beverly. Detective Lockhart further testified that “I’ll drop by
for a little extra,” in his experience, occurred when a drug dealer delivers to
the user and usually charges more money. Detective Lockhart also testified
about this exchange between the phones. Tyler texted to Appellant’s phone:
TP: And by the way, I got another question, lol. Do you
shoot?
AP: It doesn’t matter, whatever is fine with me.
TP: Okay, well I’ll just go down, whenever you leave. And
the only reason I was asking is because I didn’t know if you had
an extra clean point?
{¶73} During Detective Lockhart’s testimony, he also testified about
conversations between the two in which topics of price, “rushes,” and
quality were discussed. Detective Lockhart testified that a “clean point”
meant a clean needle. In addition, he explained that heroin can be snorted
through the nose or taken intravenously. It appeared to him that Tyler was
trying to decide whether to use it intravenously or snort it.
{¶74} Detective Lockhart opined that, under the totality of the
circumstances, (1) knowing that Tyler had a heroin addiction; (2) looking at
the multiple days of contact between his phone and the one registered to
Appellant; and (3) seeing the overall content of the text discussions, the
Washington App. No. 17CA17 32
relationship between the two young men was that of drug user and drug
dealer. Detective Lockhart testified after reviewing the information, he
determined to obtain a search warrant for Appellant’s residence. During the
execution of that warrant, Lockhart interviewed Appellant. The interview
was recorded and played for the jury.
{¶75} The transcript and interview reveal that, after explaining
Appellant’s Miranda Rights to him, Detective Lockhart told him that his
friend Tyler Miller had “passed away.” Appellant denied knowing Tyler
Miller and maintained he did not know Tyler throughout much of the
interview. After advising that Tyler had Appellant’s name and number
stored in his cell phone, Appellant explained that “Somebody could have
told [Tyler] that was me and my number, because you know, call me, it’s
my—my phone, and it’s not even their phone. * * * I’ve had that happen to
me a million times.”
{¶76} Detective Lockhart next inquired as to whom Appellant might
have let borrow or use his phone. Appellant stated “There’s a lot of people
that use my phone.” Throughout the entire interview, Appellant denied
knowing the names of any person who had used his phone.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 33
{¶77} The trial transcript has indicated Appellant as “RV,” and
Lieutenant Lockhart as “LL.” The turning point of the interview appeared to
be at this exchange between Lockhart and Appellant:
RV: I don’t even know who Tyler Miller is, but you guys
already got who’s responsible.
LL: Responsible for what?
***
RV: What you’re in my face about. Come on now. You’ve
got whose responsible.
LL: Who’s that?
***
RV: Who I grew up with * * * and was friends with * * *
turned into other people, and that’s not my fault, so.
***
LL: Are you saying you grew up with Tyler and he turned
into someone else?
RV: No, I don’t know Tyler.
***
RV: Well, Cory wasn’t answering his phone, somehow Cory
gave him my fucking number, so I ran Corey to go fucking do
what he does, and then that’s all I fucking know.
LL: Okay. Cory (unintelligible).
***
Washington App. No. 17CA17 34
RV: I was chilling at my buddy’s house, Cory Forshey.
LL: Cory Forshey. Okay. Okay. Is that why the- - you
arranged the price to be a little higher, because you said it
wasn’t yours, he was coming over to you?
RV: No.
***
LL: Okay. So I’m saying, did Cory go with you, then? It’s
Cory’s dope.
RV: Yeah, bro, it was- -
***
LL: Well, you said you wasn’t alone, so you guys took your-
-you drove, but he rode with you.
RV: I think he drove.
{¶78} Detective Lockhart testified he was familiar with Cory Forshey
and believed he was involved in the sale of illegal drugs in Washington
County. He acknowledged that Tyler Miller had Cory Forshey’s name
stored under two numbers in his phone. However, importantly, Detective
Lockhart testified during the hours surrounding Tyler’s death, there were no
phone calls or texts between Tyler’s phone and Corey Forshey.
{¶79} Detective Lockhart identified Exhibit I, an analysis of
Appellant’s phone. He opined that Appellant was in possession of his phone
during the relevant time period. He explained that a text message
Washington App. No. 17CA17 35
conversation on Appellant’s phone demonstrated he was texting back and
forth with his girlfriend Jessica Heilby.4 The analysis of Appellant’s phone
demonstrated that closely in time, whoever was in control of Appellant’s
phone was texting to Tyler Miller’s phone and Jessica’s phone. For
example, the text messages indicated Appellant was driving and he texted
his girlfriend “I just got to Cory’s. I’m about to work on my car.” Detective
Lockhart found this significant because Appellant’s phone sent a text to
Tyler’s phone about the same time that read: “Okay, let me know. I’m
about to work on my car.”
{¶80} Later on, during the relevant time period, Appellant texted to
his girlfriend: “Bout to Cory’s” and later, “Just chillin in Cory’s room.” To
Detective Lockhart, these texts indicated that during the late evening hours
of January 15th and the early morning hours of January 16th, Appellant was
operating his own phone. Detective Lockhart also pointed out that if Cory
Forshey were using Appellant’s cell phone, he would not be referring to
himself in the third person.
{¶81} On cross-examination, Detective Lockhart admitted that
although Cory Forshey was known to local law enforcement as a person
involved in drugs, Appellant was not known to law enforcement in that
4
Detective Lockhart testified he was able to verify Appellant’s girlfriend by reviewing a picture she sent to
Appellant, her phone number, and comparing the information with her BMV photos and her Facebook
page.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 36
manner. He admitted that drug dealers tended to have their phones’ security
protected. He admitted it was “not a far stretch” that Appellant let other
people use his phone.
{¶82} Furthermore, Detective Lockhart acknowledged that it was
possible that Appellant did not want to identify any persons to whom he had
loaned his phone in order to keep a friend from getting into trouble. He also
acknowledged that no heroin, cash, “ledger,” or packaging was found at
Appellant’s residence when the search warrant was executed. And while
digital scales and half of a straw were found there, no drug residue was
found on them.
{¶83} Through Detective Lockhart’s cross-examination, defense
counsel was able to elicit testimony that it was possible that Tyler was a
diabetic and thus, he could have been discussing a needle with Appellant in
that context. Defense counsel also emphasized that Appellant’s girlfriend
and sister were the last people to see him alive. He also testified he was
unaware if Tyler had heroin in his room prior to leaving for rehab, which he
could have accessed easily upon his return. And, he testified there was no
acknowledgment on Tyler’s phone that he received any heroin from
Appellant during the relevant hours.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 37
{¶84} Similar to the opinion in Kramer, after reviewing the entire
record, we conclude Appellant’s involuntary manslaughter conviction is not
against the manifest weight of the evidence. Weighing heavily in favor of
Appellant’s conviction are: (1) the cell phone communications between
Tyler Miller and Appellant’s cell phones, appearing to discuss a transaction
of heroin; and, the evidence indicating Appellant was in possession of his
cell phone at the relevant times. However, similar to Kramer, there are other
similarities.
{¶85} The Kramer court pointed out that Kramer’s credibility and
testimony were undermined. Kramer testified that Matney “always”
contacted him first, yet the cell phone records revealed he had called Matney
twice 6 days before his death. He was also unsure or mistaken about his
whereabouts or the whereabouts of his own cell phone. While Appellant,
unlike Kramer, has no prior criminal record, similarly, his credibility was a
key issue for the jury.
{¶86} We find the jury likely construed Appellant’s interview as
lacking in believability and inconsistent with the text messaging set forth in
the exhibits. As indicated above, Appellant repeatedly denied even knowing
Tyler Miller yet the text messaging exhibits revealed multiple conversations
between the phone numbers attributed to Appellant and Tyler Miller. The
Washington App. No. 17CA17 38
jury likely found Appellant’s explanation in the interview that Corey
Forshey and “millions” had access to or used his phone lacking in credibility
when the text messaging revealed that Appellant, or whomever was in
control of his phone, was texting Tyler Miller and Appellant’s own
girlfriend almost simultaneously. Furthermore, the jury likely found the
subjects in the text conversations corroborated factually with Tyler’s father’s
and Tyler’s girlfriend’s trial testimony.
{¶87} Kramer argued there was no “eye-witness” testimony regarding
a sale of heroin. Similarly, Appellant argues no one saw him sell drugs or
even heard him speak of selling drugs in the past. However, as the court
noted in Kramer at 53: “[E]yewitness testimony was not required to convict
Kramer, and the jury was free to consider the absence of eyewitness
testimony in weighing the evidence. See State v. Huff, 4th Dist. Scioto No.
14CA3596, 2015–Ohio–5589, ¶ 47–48.”
{¶88} Appellant also points out the search warrant subsequently
executed at his home yielded no cash, baggies, drugs or paraphernalia
associated with drug trafficking. Kramer argued similarly that there was no
packaging papers located at his residence. The Kramer court also noted:
“[T]he State was not required to produce a bindle paper to support Kramer's
Washington App. No. 17CA17 39
conviction, and the jury was again free to consider the absence of any
packaging in weighing the evidence.” Id. at 54.
{¶89} Finally, Appellant points out that Miller had overdosed in the
past; Cory Forshey was a dealer in the area and was listed in Miller’s phone
under two separate numbers; it is unknown if Miller had other drugs in his
possession; and there is a possibility that heroin that resulted in his death
came from an unknown source. However, “ ‘ “[w]hen conflicting evidence
is presented at trial, a conviction is not against the manifest weight of the
evidence simply because the jury believed the prosecution testimony.” ’ ”
State v. Luther, ¶ 18, quoting State v. Cooper, 170 Ohio App.3d 418, 2007-
Ohio-1186, 867 N.E.2d 493 (4th Dist.), ¶ 17, quoting State v. Mason, 9th
Dist. No. 21397, 2003-Ohio-5785, ¶ 17, quoting State v. Gilliam, 9th Dist.
No. 97CA006757, 1998 WL 487085 (Aug. 12, 1998); accord State v.
Chancey, 4th Dist. Washington No. 15CA17, 2015-Ohio-5585, ¶ 36, citing
State v. Wilson, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 12CA010263, 2014-Ohio-3182, ¶ 24,
citing State v. Martinez, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 12CA0054, 2013-Ohio-3189,
¶ 16. Moreover, a conviction is not against the manifest weight of the
evidence even if the “evidence is subject to different interpretations.” State
v. Adams, 2nd Dist. Greene Nos. 2013CA61, 2013–CA–62, 2014-Ohio-
3432, ¶ 24.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 40
{¶90} Through opening statement and closing argument, Appellant’s
counsel emphasized an absence of any direct evidence against Appellant and
asserted the weakness of the circumstantial text messaging evidence against
him. Defense counsel urged an interpretation of the evidence which
suggested that Appellant’s old friend Cory Forshey, or some other person,
was in control of Appellant’s phone and transacted a drug deal with Tyler
Miller just hours before he died. The jury apparently believed the
prosecution’s interpretation of the evidence. For the reasons above, we do
not find this to be an exceptional case and we cannot conclude that the trier
of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice
such that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered. We find
Appellant’s conviction for trafficking in drugs, based largely on the text
messaging evidence and recorded interview, is not against the manifest
weight of the evidence.
2. Involuntary Manslaughter
{¶91} Under Appellant’s second assignment of error, arguing his
involuntary manslaughter conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, Appellant does not make new specific arguments but reiterates
that the verdict was based upon text messages and emphasizes the absence
of other evidence against him, as set forth above.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 41
{¶92} Involuntary manslaughter, R.C. 2903.04(A), relevant in this
case, provides: “[n]o person shall cause the death of another * * * as a
proximate result of the offender's committing or attempting to commit a
felony.” State v. Grube, 2013-Ohio-692, 987 N.E.2d 287, (4th Dist.), at ¶ 39.
The culpable mental state of involuntary manslaughter is supplied by the
underlying offense. Id. State v. Johnson, 8th Dist. No. 94813, 2011-Ohio-
1919, at ¶ 54, citing State v. Wilson, 182 Ohio App.3d 171, 2009-Ohio-1681,
912 N.E.2d 133, motion for delayed appeal granted 123 Ohio St.3d 1505,
2009-Ohio-6210, 917 N.E.2d 809, cause dismissed 124 Ohio St.3d 1424,
2010-Ohio-20, 919 N.E.2d 748. In State v. Brown, 3rd Dist. Hancock No. 5-
17-19, 2018-Ohio-899, the appellate court explained:
“The ‘criminal intent of involuntary manslaughter is supplied
by the criminal intent to do the underlying unlawful act of
which the homicide is a consequence.’ State v. Potee, 2017–
Ohio–2926, ––– N.E.3d ––––, ¶ 32 (12th Dist.). State v.
Mansfield, 2016–Ohio–8189, 69 N.E.3d 767, ¶ 18 (2nd Dist.);
State v. Grube, 2013–Ohio–692, 987 N.E.2d 287, ¶ 39 (4th
Dist.); State v. Lutman, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L–97–1447, 1999
WL 435196, *6 (June 30, 1999); State v. Losey, 23 Ohio
App.3d 93, 491 N.E.2d 379 (10th Dist.1985).”
{¶93} The appellate court in Brown recently considered his argument
that his involuntary manslaughter conviction, based on a predicate offense of
corrupting another with drugs, was not supported by sufficient evidence.
The appellate court simply concluded at ¶ 30:
Washington App. No. 17CA17 42
“Since we have found Brown’s arguments against his
conviction for corrupting another with drugs are without merit,
his conviction for involuntary manslaughter has a properly
supported predicate convictions and withstands the sufficiency
of the evidence analysis.”
Likewise, Appellant’s conviction for trafficking with drugs is not against the
manifest weight of the evidence and thus, his conviction for involuntary
manslaughter has a properly supported predicate conviction. Thus, we find
no merit to Appellant’s second assignment of error.
{¶94} Similar to the abbreviated analysis in Brown, our decision in
State v. Wickersham, 4th Dist. Meigs No. 13CA10, 2015-Ohio-2756, at ¶ 27,
allows for disposition of Appellant’s involuntary manslaughter conviction
sufficiency challenge in summary fashion. However, under Appellant’s first
assignment of error arguing the sufficiency of his involuntary manslaughter
conviction, Appellant makes a different and distinct argument. Appellant
asserts that, assuming he delivered heroin to Tyler Miller, he could not have
legally foreseen Miller’s death because he could not have known that the
effects of a small amount of heroin could be magnified due to Miller’s time
in the drug rehabilitation program. Appellant concludes that the evidence
against him is insufficient because:
1) He cannot be held responsible for the consequences that a
reasonable person could not expect to follow from his
conduct; and,
Washington App. No. 17CA17 43
2) He cannot be held responsible in light of Dr. Shott’s
testimony that it is possible that a person who had just been
in rehab and was presumably drug-free could overdose more
easily.
{¶95} When a court reviews a record for sufficiency, ‘[t]he relevant
inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to
the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.’ ” Lamb, ¶ 18,
quoting State v. Maxwell, 139 Ohio St.3d 12, 2014-Ohio-1019, 9 N.E.3d
930, ¶ 146; quoting State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492(1991), paragraph two of the syllabus; Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99
S.Ct. 2781 (1979). “The court must defer to the trier of fact on questions of
credibility and the weight assigned to the evidence.” State v. Dillard, 4th
Dist. Meigs No. 13CA9, 2014-Ohio-4974, at ¶ 22; citing State v. Kirkland,
140 Ohio St.3d 73, 2014-Ohio-1966, 15 N.E.3d 818, ¶ 132.
{¶96} Our review of Ohio law demonstrates that Appellant herein is
not the first defendant to argue as to the “foreseeability” of a death occurring
as a result of a conviction for trafficking in drugs or corrupting another with
drugs. Generally, other courts have rejected this argument.
{¶97} In State v. Sabo, 3rd Dist. Union No. 14-09-33, 2010-Ohio-
1261, the defendant allegedly transported liquid methadone and other drugs
to Union County, Ohio, where he shared them with another individual who
Washington App. No. 17CA17 44
later overdosed. Sabo was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Sabo argued his conviction was not based on sufficient evidence and was
against the manifest weight of the evidence. In reviewing his appeal, the
appellate court noted at ¶ 25:
“This Court has previously cited to the 10th District's decision
in State v. Losey, 23 Ohio App.3d 93, 94-95, 491 N.E.2d 379(10th Dist. 1985), for guidance on the intention of the
Legislature in its use of “proximate result” under R.C. 2903.04.
See Shoemaker, 2006-Ohio-5159, at ¶ 65. In that decision, the
10th District stated as follows:
Under [R.C. 2903.04], defendant cannot be held responsible for
consequences no reasonable person could expect to follow from
his conduct; he will be held responsible for consequences which
are direct, normal, and reasonably inevitable-as opposed to
extraordinary or surprising-when viewed in the light of ordinary
experience. In this sense, then, “proximate result” bears a
resemblance to the concept of “proximate cause” in that
defendant will be held responsible for those foreseeable
consequences which are known to be, or should be known to
be, within the scope of the risk created by his conduct. State v.
Chambers, 53 Ohio App.2d 266, 373 N.E.2d 393 (9th Dist.
1977). Here, that means that death reasonably could be
anticipated by an ordinarily prudent person as likely to result
under these or similar circumstances. See State v. Nosis, 22
Ohio App.2d 16, 457 N.E.2d 414 (9th Dist. 1969). Losey, 23
Ohio App.3d at 95, 491 N.E.2d 379.”
{¶98} Sabo argued that there was insufficient evidence that his
aggravated trafficking of drugs proximately caused the victim’s death.
Specifically, he claimed that given the evidence presented at trial, only the
liquid methadone could be associated with him, and neither expert witness
Washington App. No. 17CA17 45
could say which one of the five significant drugs found through testing
caused the victim’s death. Sabo concluded it was unforeseeable for him to
have known that the victim had toxic levels of other significant drugs in his
body when he administered the liquid methadone. The appellate court
disagreed, based on the evidence presented in Sabo’s case. Citing State v.
Baksi (Dec. 23, 1999), 11th Dist. No. 98-T-0123, at *16 and State v.
Grunden, 65 Ohio App.3d 777, 783-84, 585 N.E.2d 487 (3rd Dist. 1989),5
the Sabo court noted at ¶ 27:
“While Michael's death was the result of the effects of taking
multiple drugs, and neither expert could pinpoint which exact
drug caused Michael's death, we believe that a fatal
consequence was within the foreseeable scope of risk created
by Sabo's conduct in administering the liquid methadone when
there was ample evidence regarding Michael's inebriated
condition, the fact that he and Sabo had taken other substances
together that night, and the fact that Sabo had even warned
Michael about using the liquid methadone.”
{¶99} Other courts have addressed the foreseeability argument within
the context of a manifest weight of the evidence analysis. In State v. Wells,
12th Dist. Warren No. CA2016-02-009, 2017-Ohio-420, the decedent
traveled to Wells’ home to exchange his prescription for illegal drugs.
After obtaining “dope” and injecting himself, the victim immediately
5
The Baksi court found that there was sufficient evidence to support involuntary manslaughter conviction
when evidence showed defendant prepared an extremely strong hit of heroin and gave the loaded syringe to
another inmate who was known to abuse drugs. Grunden held that reasonable minds could have concluded
at the close of the State's case that the infant's death was proximately caused by the defendant's conduct in
leaving a gram of cocaine unattended on a coffee table, well within the reach and propensities of a thirteen-
month-old child.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 46
overdosed. Testing later revealed he had cocaine metabolites and fentanyl
in his system at the time of death. At trial, a forensic pathologist and
coroner testified that the level of fentanyl in his system caused him to stop
breathing. The appellate court found that given the evidence before it, the
jury did not lose its way in finding that Wells’ actions caused the overdose
death. The appellate court stated at ¶ 39:
“There is nothing extraordinary or surprising about the manner
of [the victim’s] death in relation to appellant’s actions.
Appellant provided drugs to a known drug abuser. The
possibility of an overdose is a reasonably foreseeable
consequence of providing a controlled substance to another.
(Emphasis added). See, e.g., State v. Patterson, 11th Dist.
Trumbull No. 2013–T–0062, 2015–Ohio–4423, ¶ 80–95; State
v. Zusman, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2014–L–087, 2015–Ohio–
3218.”
{¶100} In State v. Veley, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-16-1038, 2017-Ohio-
9064, Veley argued that the victim’s death in his case was not a “reasonably
inevitable” result of the alleged drug transaction between the deceased and
himself. Veley argued that the victim had purchased heroin over 100 times
from him and as such, his death from an overdose was not likely or
foreseeable. The Veley court observed at ¶ 25:
“Reviewing appellant's argument relating to the general
foreseeability issue, we find that in the past decade Ohio courts
have widely recognized that death by overdose of an illegal or
illegally sold substance is a foreseeable result; inevitability has
not been held to be the standard. For example, addressing
foreseeability in a case where the defendant sold the deceased
Washington App. No. 17CA17 47
heroin and fentanyl and was convicted of involuntary
manslaughter, the court noted that “ ‘when the result varied
from the harm intended or hazarded, it must be determined that
the result achieved was not so extraordinary or surprising that it
would be simply unfair to hold the defendant criminally
responsible for something so unforeseeable.’ ” State v. Potee,
12th Dist. Clermont No, CA2016–06–045, 2017-Ohio-2926,
¶ 33, ––– N.E.3d ––––, quoting State v. Hall, 12th Dist. Preble
No. CA2015-11-022, 2017-Ohio-879, ¶ 78. The court further
stated that “a defendant will be held responsible for foreseeable
consequences ‘which are known to be, or should be known to
be, within the scope of the risk created by his conduct.’ ” Id.,quoting Hall at ¶ 79. See State v. Patterson, 11th Dist. Trumbull
No. 2013-T-0062, 2015-Ohio-4423, ¶ 91 (“The possibility of an
overdose is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the sale of
heroin.”). Further, “ ‘for something to be foreseeable does not
mean that it be actually envisioned.’ ” State v. Wells, 12th Dist.
Warren No. CA2016-02-009, 2017-Ohio-420, ¶ 35, quoting
State v. Lovelace, 137 Ohio App.3d 206, 219, 738 N.E.2d 418(1st Dist.1999).”6
{¶101} The Fifth District, however, reached the conclusion that there
was insufficient evidence to convict a defendant of involuntary manslaughter
in State v. Kosto, 5th Dist. Licking No. 17CA54, 2018-Ohio-1925. There,
Baker, the decedent, overdosed. His toxicology report revealed he had
heroin, cocaine, and marijuana in his system. Law enforcement
investigators recovered some of Baker’s deleted cell phone texts which
showed text conversations between Kosto and Baker the day before he died.
6
The Veley court also noted that the suggestion that the ingestion of a fatal drug was an intervening act
itself had been rejected. Id., at ¶ 28; State v. Baksim 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 98-T-0123, 1999 WL
12992927 (Dec. 23, 1999).
Washington App. No. 17CA17 48
Kosto admitted he had deleted some of his texts because it looked like he
had provided Baker with heroin.
{¶102} Making a sufficiency argument on appeal, Kosto directed the
appellate court to Burrage v. United States, 571 U.S. 204, 134 S.Ct. 881,
892 (2014). There, the United States Supreme Court held that “* * * at least
where use of the drug distributed by the defendant is not an independently
sufficient cause of the victim's death or serious bodily injury, a defendant
cannot be liable under the penalty enhancement provision of 21 U.S.C. §
841(b)(1)(C) unless such use is a but-for cause of the death or injury.” Id. at
892.7 The Court stated: “The language Congress enacted requires death to
‘result from’ use of the unlawfully distributed drug, not from a combination
of factors to which drug use merely contributed.” Id. at 891.
{¶103} The Kosto court pointed out the State of Ohio was required to
prove under R.C. 2903.04(A) that the defendant had caused the death of
Baker as a proximate result of his committing or attempting to commit the
felony offense of corrupting another with drugs under R.C. 2925.02(A)(3).
7
Burrage involved the challenge of a penalty enhancement provision under 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(b)(1)(C).
The federal statute at issue imposed a 20–year mandatory minimum sentence on a defendant who
unlawfully distributes a Schedule I or II drug, when “death or serious bodily injury results from the use of
such substance.” The United States Supreme Court in Burrage granted certiorari on two questions, the first
of which was whether the defendant could be convicted under the “death results” provision when the use of
the controlled substance was a “contributing cause” of the death. Id. at 886. The Court first determined that
the federal statute in question imposes a requirement of “but-for causation.” Id. at 889–891. Although the
Government proposed the argument that an act or omission should be considered a cause-in-fact if it was a
“substantial” or “contributing” factor in producing a given result, this was rejected by the Court. Id. at 890.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 49
The indictment and the bill of particulars both alleged that the cause of
Baker's death was based on the felony of corrupting another specifically
with heroin. However, the record in that case revealed that the theory was
not fully consistent with the forensic pathologist’s investigation.
{¶104} The pathologist specifically testified that “acute combined
drug effects” from “[u]sing heroin and cocaine” were the cause of Baker’s
death. The pathologist also could not opine on cross-examination that Baker
would have died from the heroin use in and of itself. In other words, there is
arguably a reasonable probability that but for the use of cocaine, the death
would not have occurred. Appellant was not charged with providing cocaine
to Baker, nor did the State pursue a theory that appellant did so. The Kosto
court concluded at ¶ 23: “[A]s in Burrage, “[n]o expert was prepared to say
that [the victim] would have died from the heroin use alone.”8
{¶105} Based on the above, we also reject Appellant’s foreseeability
argument. Other Ohio courts have consistently found that the possibility of
an overdose is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of providing a
8
The Kosto court further opined at ¶ 24:“We recognize that in Burrage, the United States Supreme Court
was interpreting a penalty enhancement provision in a federal statute, not an Ohio criminal statute.
However, this distinction does not dissuade us from applying the rationale of Burrage herein, and “* * * we
cannot amend statutes to provide what we consider a more logical result.” State v. Link, 155 Ohio App.3d
585, 2003-Ohio-6798, 802 N.E.2d 680, ¶ 17, citing State v. Virasayachack (2000), 138 Ohio App.3d 570,
741 N.E.2d 943. Accordingly, upon review, we find insufficient evidence was presented for reasonable fact
finders to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant was guilty of involuntary manslaughter as
charged by the State.”
Washington App. No. 17CA17 50
controlled substance to another. In this case, Appellant was indicted
specifically for trafficking in heroin.
{¶106} Dr. Juhascik, a toxicologist with the Montgomery County
Coroner’s Office, testified that the results in the toxicology report were
consistent with a heroin overdose. The report was given to Dr. Robert Shott,
the Montgomery County Coroner, who prepared an opinion as to Tyler’s
cause of death. Dr. Shott explained that 136 nanograms per milliliter found
in Tyler’s femoral blood was enough to be a fatal overdose, and he opined,
to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that Tyler’s cause of death was
heroin intoxication.
{¶107} Not only is Appellant’s conviction for involuntary
manslaughter supported by sufficient evidence, based solely on the fact it is
a predicate offense, we also find any rational trier of fact could have found
all the elements of involuntary manslaughter proven beyond a reasonable
doubt. Thus, his conviction is also supported by sufficient evidence. As
such, we overrule Appellant’s first assignment of error and affirm the
judgment of the trial court.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR FOUR
{¶108} Appellant argues the trial court erred in failing to instruct the
jury as to the lesser-included offense of reckless homicide. Additionally,
Washington App. No. 17CA17 51
Appellant contends that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel
when his attorney failed to request an instruction on reckless homicide.
Appellant raises two separate and significant arguments; however, we note
that he has failed to separately argue the assignments of error as required by
App.R. 16(A)(7). While App.R. 12(A)(2) provides authority to disregard
assignments of error on this basis, we may still address the assignments in
the interest of justice. State v. Matzinger, 81 N.E.3d 841, 2017-Ohio-324,
(4th Dist.) at ¶ 28; State v. Reye, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 15CA010770, 2016-
Ohio-3495, 2016 WL 3387769, ¶ 5. See also Comisford v. Erie Ins. Property
Cas. Co., 4th Dist. Gallia No. 10CA3, 2011-Ohio-1373, at ¶ 29. Because in
this case it appears to be a simple matter of form, we proceed to consider
both arguments.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
{¶109} Our review of whether a jury instruction is warranted is de
novo. State v. Schwendeman, 4th Dist. Athens No. 17CA7, 2018-Ohio-240,
at ¶18; State v. Depew, 4th Dist. Ross No. 00CA2562, 2002-Ohio-6158, at
¶ 24 (“While a trial court has some discretion in the actual wording of an
instruction, the issue of whether an instruction is required presents a
question of law for de novo review.”) However, because Appellant failed to
request an instruction on reckless homicide, we review Appellant’s
Washington App. No. 17CA17 52
argument hereunder a “plain-error” standard of review. Notice of plain error
under Crim.R. 52(B) is to be taken with the utmost of caution, under
exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of
justice. State v. Grube, ¶ 34; See, e.g., State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27,
759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002); State v. Hill, 92 Ohio St.3d 191, 196, 749 N.E.2d
274 (2001). Plain error should not be invoked unless it can be said that, but
for the error, the outcome of the trial would clearly have been otherwise.
See, e.g., State v. Jackson, 92 Ohio St.3d 436, 438, 751 N.E.2d 946 (2001);
State v. Sanders, 92 Ohio St.3d 245, 263, 750 N.E.2d 90 (2001).
LEGAL ANALYSIS
1. Did the trial court commit plain error by failing to give a lesser
included instruction on reckless homicide?
2. Did Appellant’s counsel render ineffective assistance by failing to
request the lesser included offense instruction of reckless
homicide?
{¶110} The question of whether a particular offense should be
submitted to the finder of fact as a lesser-included offense involves a two-
tiered analysis. State v. Deanda, 136 Ohio St.3d 118, 2013-Ohio-1722, 989
N.E.2d 986, at ¶ 6;9 State v. Evans, 122 Ohio St.3d 381, 2009-Ohio-2974,
911 N.E.2d 889, ¶ 13. State v. Wilson, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 13CA3542,
2015-Ohio-2016, at ¶ 42. The first tier, also called the “statutory-elements
9
Deanda provides a comprehensive historical review of the lesser-offenses analysis.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 53
step,” is a purely legal question, wherein we determine whether one offense
is generally a lesser-included offense of the charged offense. State v. Kidder,
32 Ohio St.3d 279, 281, 513 N.E.2d 311 (1987). The second tier looks to
the evidence in a particular case and determines whether “ ‘a jury could
reasonably find the defendant not guilty of the charged offense, but could
convict the defendant of the lesser-included offense.’ ” Evans at ¶ 13,
quoting Shaker Hts. v. Mosely, 113 Ohio St.3d 329, 2007-Ohio-2072, 865
N.E.2d 859, ¶ 11.
{¶111} In State v. Deem, 40 Ohio St.3d 205, 533 N.E.2d 294 (1988),
paragraph three of the syllabus, the Supreme Court of Ohio held:
“An offense may be a lesser-included offense of another if (i)
the offense carries a lesser penalty than the other; (ii) the
greater offense cannot, as statutorily defined, ever be committed
without the lesser offense, as statutorily defined, also being
committed; and (iii) some element of the greater offense is not
required to prove the commission of the lesser offense.”
{¶112} The Deem statement of the rule remained the norm in Ohio for
20 years, until it was further reworded in Evans, supra; Deanda, supra, at
¶ 13. In Deanda, supra, the Supreme Court of Ohio explained:
“[T]he test does not require identical language to define the two
offenses, but focuses upon whether the words used in the statute
defining the greater offense will put the offender on notice that
an indictment for that offense could also result in the
prosecution of the lesser-included offense. Evans at ¶ 22. Thus,
in order ‘to ensure that such implausible scenarios will not
derail a proper lesser included offense analysis’ in the future,
Washington App. No. 17CA17 54
we made one minor change in the phrasing of the second step
of the statutory-elements test stated in Deem, by deleting the
word ‘ever.’ Id. at ¶ 25. The second step now requires that ‘the
greater offense as statutorily defined cannot be committed
without the lesser offense as statutorily defined also being
committed.’ Id. at paragraph two of the syllabus.”
{¶113} With this framework in mind, we now consider whether the
trial court should have given the jury a reckless homicide instruction as a
lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter. Our research has
yielded little guidance on whether, as a general premise, reckless homicide is
a lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter. Other appellate
districts have reached differing conclusions.
{¶114} In State v. Hipshire, 2nd Dist. Darke No. 2010-CA-07, 2011-
Ohio-3863, the defendant contended that the trial court erred in refusing to
instruct the jury on the lesser-included offense of reckless homicide. The
trial court instructed the jury on the elements of involuntary manslaughter,
but stated that it could find nothing to indicate that reckless homicide was a
lesser-included offense in terms of statutory interpretation or common law
decision. As in Appellant’s case herein, Hipshire was convicted of having
violated R.C. 2903.04(A), involuntary manslaughter, which does not specify
a culpable mental state, but the mental state “is supplied by the underlying
offense.” Id. at ¶ 28. See also State v. Carusone, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C–
010681, 2003–Ohio–1018, ¶ 47.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 55
{¶115} In Hipshire, the underlying felony offense for which Hipshire
was indicted was a violation of R.C. 2903.16(A), failing to provide for a
functionally impaired person, which required proof of the mental state of
“knowingly.” The appellate court held:
“Although Hipshire should have been more attentive to his
wife's condition, there is evidence that she was not
malnourished, that she did receive food and medication, and
that some degree of care was given. A jury could reasonably
conclude that Hipshire showed heedless indifference to the
consequences and perversely disregarded a known risk that his
conduct was likely to result in his wife's death, thus meriting
the Reckless Homicide instruction. Accordingly, the trial court
erred in refusing to instruct the jury on Reckless Homicide as a
lesser-included offense.”
The Hipshire court ultimately concluded that the trial court based its
decision on incorrect legal grounds, not on factual conclusions relating to the
state of the evidence.10
{¶116} In Carusone, supra, the appellate court considered the
culpable mental states required for involuntary manslaughter and reckless
homicide and concluded that the mental states were inconsistent. However,
Carusone is distinguishable in that Carusone was involved in an altercation
with two victims (emphasis added). The court held at ¶ 50:
10
Hipshire held that the court's stated reason for refusing to give the instruction was based on unsound
reasoning—an error of law—and in that respect, was an abuse of discretion. Id. at 41. See, e.g., AAAA
Enterprises, Inc. v. River Place Community Urban Redevelopment Corp., 50 Ohio St.3d 157, 161, 553
N.E.3d 597(1990).
Washington App. No. 17CA17 56
“We hold, under the facts of this case, that Carusone could not
have been found guilty of both involuntary manslaughter and
reckless homicide. * * * The evidence did not reasonably
support findings that Carusone acted both knowingly and
recklessly * * *.”
{¶117} In State v. Patterson, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2013-T-0062,
2015-Ohio-4423, a case similar to ours, the defendant was convicted for
reckless homicide and corrupting another with drugs, along with other
felonies. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Wright opined at ¶ 117:
“Involuntary manslaughter can be committed without reckless
homicide also being committed.”
{¶118} Assuming, as in Hipshire, there are occasions where reckless
homicide may fairly be considered a lesser-included offense of involuntary
manslaughter, here, we do not find the trial court’s failure to give a lesser-
included instruction was in error, let alone plain error. At trial, the defense
theory of the case was that there was an absence of evidence that Appellant
trafficked in drugs. Appellant’s involuntary manslaughter conviction is
contingent only upon proof of the underlying felony trafficking. Defense
counsel pointed out in closing that there was only circumstantial evidence of
texting between Tyler Miller’s phone and “whomever” was using
Appellant’s phone. Defense counsel emphasized Appellant’s lack of a
criminal record. Defense counsel’s closing argument emphasized that
Appellant’s friend, Cory Forshey, had access to Appellant’s cell phone, thus
Washington App. No. 17CA17 57
attempting to plant the idea that Corey Forshey was the one trafficking in
drugs the night Tyler Miller overdosed.
{¶119} It appears defense counsel’s strategy was “all or nothing,” to
argue for a complete acquittal of both charges. It would have been
inconsistent for Appellant’s counsel to argue for complete acquittal while at
the same time, attempt to argue that Appellant “knew of a dangerous
situation,” yet “failed to use ordinary care” as set forth above in the
definition of “recklessness.” Generally, a failure to request a jury instruction
on a lesser-included offense is presumed to be a matter of trial strategy.
Wilson, supra, at ¶ 42. In this case, that Appellant’s trial counsel employed
this “all-or-nothing” strategy is a reasonable presumption.
{¶120} For the foregoing reasons, we find no plain error with regard
to the trial court’s failure to give a lesser-included offense jury instruction.
Related to the above argument, Appellant has also asserted he received
ineffective assistance of counsel due to his attorney’s failure to request a
lesser-included offense instruction. Given our finding that Appellant did not
request the instruction as a matter of reasonable trial strategy, similarly, we
find Appellant was not rendered the ineffective assistance of counsel with
regard to the lack of request for this instruction.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 58
{¶121} Criminal defendants have a right to counsel, including a right
to the effective assistance from counsel. State v. Hill, 4th Dist. Athens No.
16CA3, 2018-Ohio-67, at ¶ 41. McMann v. Richardson, 397 U.S. 759, 770,
90 S.Ct. 1441 (1970); State v. Stout, 4th Dist. Gallia No. 07CA5, 2008-
Ohio-1366, at ¶ 21. To establish constitutionally ineffective assistance of
counsel, a defendant must show (1) that his counsel's performance was
deficient and (2) that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense and
deprived him of a fair trial. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687,
104 S.Ct. 2052 (1984); State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67, 752 N.E.2d 904(2001); State v. Goff, 82 Ohio St.3d 123, 139, 694 N.E.2d 916 (1998). “In
order to show deficient performance, the defendant must prove that counsel's
performance fell below an objective level of reasonable representation. To
show prejudice, the defendant must show a reasonable probability that, but
for counsel's error, the result of the proceeding would have been different.”
State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, 848 N.E.2d 810,
¶ 95 (citations omitted). “Failure to establish either element is fatal to the
claim.” State v. Jones, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 06CA3116, 2008-Ohio-968,
¶ 14, 2008 WL 613116. Therefore, if one element is dispositive, a court
need not analyze both. State v. Madrigal, 87 Ohio St.3d 378, 389, 2000-
Washington App. No. 17CA17 59
Ohio-448, 721 N.E.2d 52, (stating that a defendant's failure to satisfy one of
the elements “negates a court's need to consider the other”).
{¶122} When considering whether trial counsel's representation
amounts to deficient performance, “a court must indulge a strong
presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance.” Hill, supra, at ¶ 42, quoting Strickland at 689, 104
S.Ct. 2052. Thus, “the defendant must overcome the presumption that,
under the circumstances, the challenged action might be considered sound
trial strategy.” Id. “A properly licensed attorney is presumed to execute his
duties in an ethical and competent manner.” State v. Taylor, 4th Dist.
Washington No. 07CA11, 2008-Ohio-482, ¶ 10, quoting State v. Smith, 17
Ohio St.3d 98, 100, 477 N.E.2d 1128 (1985).
{¶123} As cited above, “[T]actical or strategic trial decisions, even if
ultimately unsuccessful, do not generally constitute ineffective assistance of
counsel.” State v. Rizer, 4th Dist. Meigs No. 10CA3, 2011-Ohio-5702, at
¶ 37, quoting In re Wingo, 143 Ohio App.3d 652, 668, 2001–Ohio–2477,
758 N.E.2d 780, (4th Dist.), citing State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 558,
1995–Ohio–104, 651 N.E.2d 965. The underlying conviction, trafficking in
drugs, was supported by circumstantial evidence which defense counsel
vigorously challenged. As such, we view counsel’s decision not to request
Washington App. No. 17CA17 60
the lesser-included instruction on reckless homicide to be a reasonable trial
strategy and we do not find it to be deficient representation.
{¶124} For the foregoing reasons, we find no merit to Appellant’s
fourth assignment of error. It is hereby overruled. And, we affirm the
decision of the trial court.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Washington App. No. 17CA17 61
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and costs be
assessed to Appellant.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing
the Washington County Common Pleas 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 proceedings in that court. If
a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier 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 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.
Hoover, P.J. & Harsha, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court,
BY: ___________________________
Matthew W. McFarland, 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.