State v. Sess

[Cite as State v. Sess, 2016-Ohio-5560.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
BUTLER COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : CASE NO. CA2015-06-117
: OPINION
- vs - 8/29/2016
:
JOHN SESS, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Case No. CR2014-11-1752
Michael T. Gmoser, Butler County Prosecuting Attorney, Lina N. Alkamhawi, Government
Services Center, 315 High Street, 11th Floor, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, for plaintiff-appellee
Scott N. Blauvelt, 315 South Monument Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, for defendant-
appellant
RINGLAND, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, John Sess, appeals his convictions and sentence in the
Butler County Court of Common Pleas for various offenses, including felonious assault on a
police officer, robbery, and failure to comply. For the reasons detailed below, we affirm.
{¶ 2} Officer Parrett was dispatched to the Home Depot in West Chester, Ohio on
information that a loss prevention officer at the store had observed a theft in progress.
Butler CA2015-06-117
Officer Parrett stated that when he located appellant "[w]e immediately made eye contact.
His demeanor changed, and after observing me and the uniform he made a left turn and
continued north parallel to all the cash register areas." Appellant continued to make several
quick turns down different aisles and Officer Parrett observed him taking merchandise out of
his pockets and placing it back on the shelves.
{¶ 3} After catching up to appellant, Officer Parrett identified himself as a police
officer and advised appellant that he was going to be held under investigative detention.
Appellant initially cooperated and placed his hands behind his back. However, when Officer
Parrett attempted to place appellant in handcuffs, appellant abruptly pulled away and began
to run through the aisles.
{¶ 4} Officer Parrett called for backup and engaged in a foot pursuit of appellant
through the Home Depot parking lot and into an adjacent Wendy's parking lot where
appellant had parked his vehicle. Officer Parrett was joined by Sergeant Kleinfeldt and the
two were able to catch up with appellant. When appellant entered his vehicle, both Officer
Parrett and Sergeant Kleinfeldt were able to slightly enter and place their hands on
appellant's torso and legs.
{¶ 5} While Officer Parrett and Sergeant Kleinfeldt were attempting to remove
appellant from the vehicle, appellant shifted the car in reverse and backed out of his parking
spot. In so doing, both officers sustained injuries. Sergeant Kleinfeldt was forced to the
ground and struck by the vehicle door as it passed over his body. Officer Parrett, meanwhile,
was unable to get his arm free from the vehicle and was trapped as appellant continued to
quickly and abruptly drive in reverse. Officer Parrett was eventually able to remove his arm
after the wheel turned. Thereafter, appellant quickly accelerated and engaged in a high
speed chase to evade law enforcement at speeds reaching approximately 110 m.p.h. Officer
Parrett and Sergeant Kleinfeldt did not continue on the high speed chase, but were instead
-2-
Butler CA2015-06-117
transported to the West Chester Hospital.
{¶ 6} Appellant was indicted for several counts, including: (1) two counts of felonious
assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2), first-degree felonies, (2) one count of robbery in
violation of R.C. 2911.02(A)(2), a second-degree felony, and (3) two separate counts of
failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer in violation of R.C. 2921.331, third-
and-fourth-degree felonies. The matter proceeded to a jury trial where the state presented
the testimonies of several witnesses, including Officer Parrett and Sergeant Kleinfeldt, who
presented the factual information detailed above.
{¶ 7} Appellant testified on his own behalf and admitted that he went to Home Depot
on the relevant date to steal copper fittings and razor blades. However, appellant alleged
that he abandoned the theft because he "just kind of got a bad feeling, I got a sense that
people were kind of looking at me." Although appellant denied that he saw any officer prior
to his decision to abort the theft, he acknowledged that he did run from police when he was
later confronted. Appellant also admitted that he placed his vehicle in reverse while the
officers were attempting to extract him from the vehicle.
{¶ 8} The jury found appellant guilty of all charges. The trial court imposed
consecutive five and six-year prison terms for each count of felonious assault. Those
sentences were also run consecutive to a two-year prison term for failure to comply. The
remaining counts were merged and therefore appellant received an aggregate 13-year prison
term. Appellant now appeals, raising three assignments of error for review:
{¶ 9} Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 10} THE EVIDENCE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE FELONIOUS
ASSAULT CONVICTIONS FOR COUNTS THREE AND FOUR, AND THE VERDICTS
WERE CONTRARY TO THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
{¶ 11} In his first assignment of error, appellant contends that the evidence was
-3-
Butler CA2015-06-117
insufficient to support his convictions for felonious assault on police officers and that his
convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence. We disagree.
{¶ 12} The concepts of sufficiency of the evidence and weight of the evidence are
legally distinct. State v. Wright, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2012-08-152, 2014-Ohio-985, ¶ 10.
Nonetheless, as this court has observed, a finding that a conviction is supported by the
manifest weight of the evidence is also dispositive of the issue of sufficiency. State v. Jones,
12th Dist. Butler No. CA2012-03-049, 2013-Ohio-150, ¶ 19. "Because sufficiency is required
to take a case to the jury, a finding that a conviction is supported by the weight of the
evidence must necessarily include a finding of sufficiency." State v. Hart, 12th Dist. Brown
No. CA2011-03-008, 2012-Ohio-1896, ¶ 43.
{¶ 13} A manifest weight challenge scrutinizes the proclivity of the greater amount of
credible evidence, offered at a trial, to support one side of the issue over another. State v.
Barnett, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2011-09-177, 2012-Ohio-2372, ¶ 14. In assessing whether
a conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, a reviewing court examines the
entire record, weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of
the witnesses, and determines whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact
clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction
must be reversed and a new trial ordered. State v. Morgan, 12th Dist. Butler Nos. CA2013-
08-146 and CA2013-08-147, 2014-Ohio-2472, ¶ 34.
{¶ 14} Felonious assault on a police officer is defined by R.C. 2903.11(A)(2), which
states, "[n]o person shall knowingly do either of the following: * * * (2) Cause or attempt to
cause physical harm to another or to another's unborn by means of a deadly weapon or
dangerous ordnance. * * * (D) * * * [i]f the victim of a violation of division (A) of this section is
a peace officer or an investigator of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation,
felonious assault is a felony of the first degree."
-4-
Butler CA2015-06-117
{¶ 15} It is well-established that an automobile can be classified as a deadly weapon
when used in a manner likely to produce death or great bodily harm. State v. Upham, 12th
Dist. Butler No. CA96-08-157, 1997 WL 249453, at *2 (May 12, 1997); State v. Takacs, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102543, 2015-Ohio-4585, ¶ 19. The determination of whether a vehicle
has been used in such a manner is a question of fact for the trier of fact. State v. Belcher,
6th Dist. Lucas Nos. L-13-1250 and L-13-1252, 2014-Ohio-5596, ¶ 29. The intent of the
user, manner of use, and actions of the user are among the factors that must be examined.
Id.
{¶ 16} Following a thorough review of the record, we find appellant's convictions are
supported by the manifest weight of the evidence and supported by sufficient evidence.
During trial, the state presented testimony from Officer Parrett and Sergeant Kleinfeldt, who
testified that they were attempting to apprehend appellant and pull him out of his vehicle
when appellant suddenly shifted the car in reverse. When appellant began to reverse,
Officer Parrett testified that he was caught off guard "I didn't have time to move out of the
way * * * and * * * I was running with the vehicle as my arm was trapped inside as it continued
into reverse." Sergeant Kleinfeldt also explained that he was struck and knocked to his knees
when appellant began to reverse his vehicle. The record is further supported by evidence of
the injuries sustained by the police officers.
{¶ 17} Despite his arguments to the contrary, appellant's convictions were well
supported by the record. It is of no consequence that appellant did not specifically intend to
cause injuries to the officers and that his "main goal was to get away." See, e.g., Upham,
1997 WL 249453 at *3 ("[a]lthough appellant claims that his actions were only motivated by
an intent to escape, a reasonable mind could find, beyond a reasonable doubt, that appellant
used his automobile as a deadly weapon in order to facilitate his escape"). The jury heard
ample testimony to support his convictions. Accordingly, we find appellant's first assignment
-5-
Butler CA2015-06-117
of error is without merit.
{¶ 18} Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 19} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO PROVIDE JURY
INSTRUCTIONS REQUESTED BY APPELLANT.
{¶ 20} In his second assignment of error, appellant raises two issues regarding jury
instructions. Appellant claims the trial court erred by failing to provide his instruction
regarding the use of a motor vehicle as a deadly weapon. Appellant also argues the trial
court erred by not including a jury instruction for theft as a lesser included offense of robbery.
We find no merit to appellant's arguments.
{¶ 21} Jury instructions are matters which are left to the sound discretion of the trial
court. State v. Brannon, 12th Dist. Clinton No. CA2014-09-012, 2015-Ohio-1488, ¶ 20. This
court reviews the trial court's decision for an abuse of discretion. Id.
Deadly Weapon Instruction
{¶ 22} Appellant claims the trial court erred by failing to include his requested
instruction citing case law on whether a motor vehicle has been used as a deadly weapon.
{¶ 23} A trial court must fully and completely give jury instructions which are relevant
and necessary for the jury to weigh the evidence and discharge its duty as the fact-finder.
State v. Comen, 50 Ohio St. 3d 206 (1990), paragraph two of the syllabus. If a proposed
instruction for the jury is correct, pertinent and timely presented, the trial court must include it,
at least in substance, in the general charge. State v. Guster, 66 Ohio St. 2d 266, 269 (1981).
However, the trial court is not required to give a proposed jury instruction verbatim. The court
may use its own language to communicate the same legal principles. State v. Jones, 12th
Dist. Butler No. CA2015-02-020, 2015-Ohio-5029, ¶ 12, citing State v. Sneed, 63 Ohio St. 3d
3, 9 (1992).
{¶ 24} In the present case, the trial court found an instruction similar to the one
-6-
Butler CA2015-06-117
contained in Ohio Jury Instructions 503.11(A) was sufficient for the jury to make a factual
determination regarding the use of the vehicle as a deadly weapon. The trial court provided
the following instruction:
Deadly Weapon means any instrument, device, or thing capable
of inflicting death, and designed or specifically adapted for use
as a weapon, or possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.
A deadly weapon is any instrument, device, or thing which has
two characteristics. The first characteristic is that it is capable of
inflicting or causing death. The second characteristic is in the
alternative: either the instrument, device, or thing was designed
or specifically adapted for use as a weapon such as a gun, billy
club or brass knuckles or it was possessed, carried, or used in
this case as a weapon. These are questions of fact for you to
decide.
{¶ 25} Appellant, however, requested the following jury instruction:
A vehicle can be classified as a deadly weapon when used in a
manner likely to produce death or great bodily harm. The
determination of whether a vehicle has been used in such a
manner is a question of fact for the trier of fact. The intent of the
user, manner of use, and actions of the user are among the
factors that must be examined. See State v. Gimenez, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 71190, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 4013 (Sept. 4,
1997). See also State v. Dupuis, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-12-1035,
2013-Ohio-2128, ¶ 61. State v. Hutchins, 6th Dist. Lucas No.
L90-182, 1991 Ohio App. LEXIS 3761 (Aug. 9, 1991).
{¶ 26} While appellant requested a different jury instruction on this issue, we find the
trial court did not abuse its discretion by declining to adopt his request verbatim. The jury
instructions provided by the trial court appropriately conveyed the legal principles and
presented the jury with the relevant questions of fact. The instruction provided all relevant
and necessary direction required by the jury to perform its duty as trier of fact. Accordingly,
we find appellant's argument with respect to the deadly weapon instruction are without merit.
Lesser Included Offense Instruction
{¶ 27} Next, appellant argues the trial court erred by declining to instruct the jury on
the lesser included offense of theft in relation to his robbery conviction.
-7-
Butler CA2015-06-117
{¶ 28} "A jury instruction on a lesser included offense is required only where the
evidence presented at trial would reasonably support both an acquittal of the crime charged
and a conviction on the lesser included offense." State v. Tolle, 12th Dist. Clermont No.
CA2014-06-042, 2015-Ohio-1414, ¶ 11. An instruction is not warranted every time the
defendant offers "some evidence" to support the lesser included offense. Id. Rather, there
must be "sufficient evidence" to "allow a jury to reasonably reject the greater offense and find
the defendant guilty on a lesser included offense." State v. Trimble, 122 Ohio St. 3d 297,
2009-Ohio-2961, ¶ 192.
{¶ 29} Here, the evidence presented at trial would not have supported an acquittal of
robbery and therefore the lesser included offense of theft was not required. Robbery, under
R.C. 2911.02(A)(2), states "[n]o person, in attempting or committing a theft offense or in
fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, shall do any of the following: * * * [i]nflict,
attempt to inflict, or threaten to inflict physical harm on another."
{¶ 30} As previously noted, the state presented ample evidence regarding appellant's
actions. The evidence showed that when appellant spotted the officer in Home Depot, his
demeanor changed, he attempted to quickly exit the store, and he attempted to remove some
of the items from his pockets. Several of those stolen items were later discovered in the
parking lot. In his attempt to evade arrest, appellant jumped in his vehicle, shifted his vehicle
in reverse, and physically harmed two police officers in the process. The record supports a
finding of guilt with respect to the crime of robbery and the trial court was not required to
instruct on the lesser theft offense. Therefore, appellant's arguments with respect to the
lesser included offense instruction is also without merit and his second assignment of error is
overruled.
{¶ 31} Assignment of Error No. 3:
{¶ 32} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPOSING CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES.
-8-
Butler CA2015-06-117
{¶ 33} In his third assignment of error, appellant alleges the trial court erred by
imposing consecutive sentences. Appellant argues its sentence should be reversed and
vacated because the trial court included a finding in its sentencing entry that it did not make
at the sentencing hearing. Specifically, appellant complains the trial court did not find at the
sentencing hearing that "[t]he defendant committed one or more offenses while under
residential community sanction, non-residential sanction, financial sanction, or pose-release
control."
{¶ 34} This court reviews felony sentences pursuant to the standard of review set
forth in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) to determine whether the imposition of those sentences is clearly
and convincingly contrary to law. State v. Julious, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2015-12-224,
2016-Ohio-4822, ¶ 8. A sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law where the
trial court considers the purposes and principles of sentencing as set forth in R.C. 2929.11,
as well as the seriousness and recidivism factors listed in R.C. 2929.12, and sentences a
defendant within the permissible statutory range. State v. Brandenburg, 12th Dist. Butler
Nos. CA2014-10-201 and CA2014-10-202, 2016-Ohio-4918, ¶ 9.
{¶ 35} Pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), a trial court must engage in a three-step
analysis and make certain findings before imposing consecutive sentences. State v. Dillon,
12th Dist. Madison No. CA2012-06-012, 2013-Ohio-335, ¶ 9. First, the trial court must find
that the consecutive sentence is necessary to protect the public from future crime or to
punish the offender. R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). Second, the trial court must find that consecutive
sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the
danger the offender poses to the public. Id. Third, the trial court must find that one of the
following applies:
(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses
while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a
sanction imposed pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or
-9-
Butler CA2015-06-117
2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-release control
for a prior offense.
(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part
of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two
or more of the multiple offenses so committed was so great or
unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses
committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately
reflects the seriousness of the offender's conduct.
(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that
consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from
future crime by the offender.
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c).
{¶ 36} "A trial court satisfies the statutory requirement of making the required findings
when the record reflects that the court engaged in the required analysis and selected the
appropriate statutory criteria." State v. Setty, 12th Dist. Clermont Nos. CA2013-06-049 and
CA2013-06-050, 2014-Ohio-2340, ¶ 133. In imposing consecutive sentences, the trial court
is not required to provide a word-for-word recitation of the language of the statute or
articulate reasons supporting its findings. Id. Nevertheless, the record must reflect that the
trial court engaged in the required sentencing analysis and made the requisite findings. Id.
The court's findings must thereafter be incorporated into its sentencing entry. Id.
{¶ 37} Here, the record reflects that the trial court made the findings required by R.C.
2929.14(C)(4) when it ordered consecutive sentences. The trial court stated:
THE COURT: * * * Well, the Court has viewed the
presentence investigation now keeping in mind the principles and
purposes of Ohio sentencing statute.
Mr. Sess, I don't know – if you say your intention wasn't to
hurt anybody, that's what you say, but when you put yourself in
positions and do things like you did on that day, you are going to
hurt people. Going 110 miles an hour down the interstate, that's
crazy. That's reckless. You're going to hurt people.
You're lucky that the officer who was giving chase wasn't
hurt when he crashed the car and we're not here on more
serious charges. You're lucky that there was not more serious
- 10 -
Butler CA2015-06-117
injuries than what were sustained.
I believe the stitch – you doubt – you disputed it at trial;
you didn't think his stitches were a result of your actions. I find
that ludicrous. He tore his rotator cuff as a result of your actions.
That's Officer Parrett I'm talking about. Could have been a lot
worse.
And given your history of 18 prior convictions as an adult,
ten prior drug cases – of those 18 are drug cases. In addition to
the 18 convictions, you've got four probation violations on your
record. And that's not even counting the juvenile record that you
accumulated. Although as a minor, juvenile record is still a
juvenile record.
The amount of harm caused and emotional harm caused
was substantial. I can't even imagine what these officers were
going through when they were trying to chase you down on
basically [sic] was a shoplifting, and you made it a lot worse by
your actions. You put a lot of people in harm's way when you
went down Tylersville at 75 and headed south.
So I find there was physical harm done to these victims. I
find there is financial costs, financial toll was taken.
***
I find that the consecutive sentences are necessary to
protect the public from future crime and to punish the offender. I
mean, you're in prison now for offences that occurred. You've
done other prison sentences. So obviously you've – a lengthy
prison sentence is appropriate in this case.
Secondly, I find that the consecutive sentences are not
disproportionate to the seriousness of the conduct and the
danger the offender poses to the public.
Third, I find that your history of criminal conduct
demonstrates that consecutive sentences are necessary to
protect the public from future crime by this offender. These
sentences will be consecutive to the time that you got * * * I
believe it's Hamilton County.
***
Okay. Be consecutive of that. So it's my intention that you
get 13 years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and
Corrections, pay costs.
The trial court later memorialized these findings within its sentencing entry.
- 11 -
Butler CA2015-06-117
{¶ 38} From the trial court's statements at the sentencing hearing and the language
utilized in the sentencing entry, it is clear that the trial court complied with the dictates of R.C.
2929.14(C)(4). See State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St. 3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, ¶ 37; State v.
Crawford, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2012-12-088, 2013-Ohio-3315 at ¶ 17. The record
reflects the trial court found that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public
from future crime by the offender. Though the trial court included an additional, superfluous
ground for imposing consecutive sentences in the sentencing entry, the trial court's findings
and considerations were well-documented in the record. The trial court was not required to
give a talismanic incantation of the words of the statute at the sentencing hearing.
Furthermore, appellant's sentence was not otherwise clearly and convincingly contrary to law.
Accordingly, appellant's third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 39} Judgment affirmed.
PIPER, P.J., and S. POWELL, J., concur.
- 12 -