State v. Lloyd

[Cite as State v. Lloyd, 2021-Ohio-2420.]
COURT OF APPEALS
LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO, : JUDGES:
: Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, P.J.
Plaintiff - Appellee : Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
: Hon. John W. Wise, J.
-vs- :
:
MARIAH LLOYD, : Case No. 2020 CA 00074
:
Defendant - Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Licking County
Municipal Court, Case
No.19CRB00841
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT: July 14, 2021
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
AMY S. DAVISON TODD W. BARSTOW
40 West Main Street 261 West Johnstown Road, Suite 204
Newark, Ohio 43055 Columbus, Ohio 43230
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 2
Baldwin, J.
{¶1} Appellant, Mariah Lloyd, appeals her conviction for a violation of
Prohibitions Concerning Companion Animals, Section 618.051(c)(2) of the Codified
Ordinances of the City of Newark, a misdemeanor of the second degree, arising from her
treatment and the death of a dog in her care. Appellee is the State of Ohio.
STATEMENT OF FACTS AND THE CASE
{¶2} At approximately 9:00 a.m. on May 26, 2020, Charles Cooper was wakened
by a barking dog in his neighbor's yard. Cooper was living in a tent in his sister's back
yard, so the barking was very clear and it continued as the day became warmer and no
one tended to the animal. Both Cooper and his sister noticed that the barking changed
to a yipping sound and then more of a gasp. They checked on the dog and found it in
distress, biting at its restraint and gasping. Charles Cooper's sister, Samantha, recorded
a video of the dog after they alerted the Newark Police Department of an animal in
distress.
{¶3} The police responded to the call, but not before the dog died. Officers Harris
and Scholl found the animal unresponsive, still attached to a pole, in Lloyd's back yard.
The officers contacted Newark Animal Control, took statements from the Coopers and
photographed the scene. After three attempts to reach someone in the Lloyd home, two
individuals responded, but apparently had no relevant information for the officers.
{¶4} Toby Wills, officer for Newark Animal Control, responded to the call and
removed the dog's body from the yard and transported it to the office of Jodi Houser, DVM
to determine the cause of death. Dr. Houser completed an examination of the dog and
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 3
concluded that the dog died as a result of heat stroke finding that "all physical exam
findings" were "consistent with severe dehydration and death." (Plaintiff's Exhibit 7).
{¶5} Officer Wills visited Lloyd on May 29, 2020 and obtained a written statement
from her regarding her dog’s death. She stated: "Tuesday the 26 I woke up fed my dog
and I put him outside because he usually tears up the house if nobody is up and I asked
my stepdad to make sure he checks on him and give him food and water. Came home to
find out he wrapped himself around the pole and hung himself." (Plaintiff's Exhibit 9).
{¶6} On June 2, 2020 Lloyd was charged with a violation of Section 618.051 of
the Codified Ordinances of the City of Newark, captioned Prohibitions Concerning
Companion Animals. The relevant portions of this Code Section states:
(c) No person who confines or who is the custodian or caretaker of a
companion animal shall negligently do any of the following:
**
(2) Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance, confine the
companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient
quantities of good, wholesome food and water, or impound or confine the
companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or
confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or
excess direct sunlight, if it can reasonably be expected that the companion
animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due
to the deprivation, confinement, or impoundment or confinement in any of
those specified manners.
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 4
{¶7} Lloyd’s case was presented to a jury in the Licking County Municipal Court
on October 1, 2020. Charles Cooper opened the state’s case by testifying about the
barking dog in the neighbor's yard that woke him at about 9:00 a.m. on the morning of
May 26, 2020. He described the weather as "hot" and "nasty" and noticed that the barking
continued throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Cooper did not see anyone
tend to the dog.
{¶8} The sound of the barking changed to a gasp or yap and became quieter, so
Cooper investigated and noticed the dog tangled in a leash tied to a pole. Cooper did not
see any food or water for the dog and decided to call the police because "Something was
wrong with the dog and I didn't feel safe going over and helping it." (Transcript p. 75, Lines
9-11).
{¶9} Samantha Cooper was awakened by the barking dog as well, at around
9:00 a.m. The barking was loud and repetitive, but she did not pay much attention to the
barking until it changed to a yap or rasping sound. She recalled that when the sound
changed, her brother decided to call the police and she decided to check on the dog. She
found the animal "tied up and laying against the fence and in distress." (Transcript p. 89,
Lines 9-10). She did not see any shelter or water for the dog.
{¶10} Samantha Cooper decided to use her phone to better see the dog because
she could not see it very well without entering the neighbor's yard. She created a video
recording of the dog, and that video was played for the jury. Cooper recalled seeing the
dog lying on its side, yapping with its tongue hanging out. The video showed the dog in
its final moments of life and also confirmed that it had no water or shelter. Samantha
Cooper did not see anyone tend to the dog at any time.
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 5
{¶11} Officer Harris of the Newark Police Department arrived at Lloyd's home at
approximately 1:35 p.m. but the dog had died before the officer arrived. Officer Harris
and another Newark Police Officer, Officer Scholl, photographed the scene showing the
dog tied to a pole on a short leash as well as the absence of shelter, food or water. After
trying to contact someone in the house at the front door and the rear, they made contact
with two individuals in the home, but the record contains no further information regarding
them.
{¶12} Toby Wills, Newark Animal Control Officer, was called to the scene by the
Newark Police Department. Mr. Wills confirmed that the day was very warm when he
arrived and that there was no shelter or water available for the dog. He saw two people
on the back porch of the home, but both denied ownership of the dog. As Wills placed
the animal in his vehicle he noticed that it had no collar and that leash was fastened in a
loop around its neck. He transported the animal in his air-conditioned vehicle to Newark
Animal Hospital for a necropsy.
{¶13} Despite spending ten minutes in an air-conditioned vehicle before arriving
at Newark Animal Hospital, Jodi Houser, DVM found that the dog's internal temperature
extremely high. The dog's temperature exceeded the 109.9-degree limit of her
equipment, and the animal’s internal organs were warm enough to prevent her from
handling them comfortably during the internal examination. Despite the unusually high
temperature, she concluded that the dog had been in good health prior to its death. As
to the cause of death, she found the dog's eyes sunken, and noticed petechiae and
ecchymosis (types of bleeding beneath the skin) in different areas of the body that,
considered in conjunction with the animal's temperature, led her to conclude that the
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 6
animal had died as a result of heat stroke caused by lack of water and shelter. She did
confirm that the dog had not strangled itself and that it had not ingested anything fatal. In
fact, the doctor confirmed that the animal's digestive system was empty, indicating that it
had not been fed for twenty-four hours.
{¶14} The state moved to admit as exhibits the video taken by Samantha Cooper,
the photographs of the scene taken by the police officers, Lloyd's written statement, and
the report of Dr. Houser with accompanying photographs.
{¶15} Lloyd testified on her own behalf, claiming that she fed and watered her
dog, Chico, before her father took her to work at approximately 7:30 a.m. She asked her
father to check on Chico when he returned home and before he went to work at 9:00 a.m.
She expected her father to give Chico water and feed him again, even though she claimed
to have fed him at 7:30 a.m.
{¶16} In the statement she gave to Animal Control Officer Wills, Lloyd had claimed
that Chico was put outside because he "tears up the house" but during trial she explained
that he was put outside while others in the house were cleaning the carpets. Her siblings
were to bring the dog in after they finished the carpets, and Lloyd recalls waking them to
tell them to bring Chico in the house. She had a phone and the opportunity to call from
work, but she did not call to ensure that her siblings had remembered to care for Chico.
{¶17} She stated she did not put Chico out frequently while she worked and called
him an "inside dog." She described Chico as a family pet that she cared for who preferred
to be indoors in an air-conditioned space and not outside in the sun. She put him outside
on May 26 by fastening part of an old collar to his leash. She acknowledged that Chico
had no shelter and that she was responsible for providing shelter.
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 7
{¶18} Lloyd's father, Russell Speicher, contradicted Lloyd's assertion that he fed
Chico after he drove her to work. He explained that Chico would eat when he first got up
in the morning, so Speicher would not feed him later.
{¶19} After taking Lloyd to work, Speicher returned to the house and found Chico’s
water-bowl had been overturned. He filled it and left for work after 8:30 a.m. as was his
usual practice. He confirmed that his family, including Lloyd, knew that he would leave for
work in the morning. He also confirmed that his wife left the house around 8:00 a.m. as
well.
{¶20} Speicher admitted that Chico was often put outside when the family was
away and that they did not have any shelter for Chico, contradicting Lloyd’s statement
that Chico was not put outside frequently. He confirmed that Chico was outside on
May 26th so the carpets could be cleaned, after which Chico was to be returned to the
house. Speicher's other children were expected to clean the carpets and retrieve Chico,
but the children were still in their rooms when he left for work and they did not testify.
{¶21} Lloyd rested her case and the matter was presented to the jury. The trial
court read the instructions to the jury and, at the conclusion, the trial court asked if "either
counsel [had] any objections or additions to the jury instructions or the verdict forms" and
neither party objected or requested additions. (Trial Transcript, p. 253, lines 20-21 to p.
254, lines 1-3).
{¶22} The jury returned a verdict of guilty and Lloyd was sentenced to ninety days
in jail, with sixty days suspended and two years on probation during which she must
maintain full time employment and not "keep, own, harbor, or otherwise possess or be
responsible for any domesticated animals." (Transcript, p. 260, lines 10-11). The trial
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 8
court imposed a fine of $150.00, court costs and ordered that she reimburse the Newark
Police Department $75.00 for the cremation of the dog.
{¶23} Lloyd filed a timely appeal and submitted three assignments of error:
{¶24} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AND DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF DUE
PROCESS OF LAW AS GUARANTEED BY THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE ONE SECTION TEN OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION BY FINDING HER GUILTY OF PROHIBITIONS CONCERNING
COMPANION ANIMALS AS THAT VERDICT WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY SUFFICIENT
EVIDENCE AND WAS ALSO AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.”
(T. 186-224; R. Judgment Entry 10/1/20).
{¶25} “II. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PLAIN ERROR BY FAILING TO
FULLY INSTRUCT THE JURY ON THE MENTAL STATE OF NEGLIGENCE.” (T. 225-
227; 246; 249-250).
{¶26} “III. APPELLANT'S TRIAL COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE, THEREBY
DENYING HER THE RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL AS
GUARANTEED BY THE UNITED STATES AND OHIO CONSTITUTIONS.” (T. 225-227;
246; 249-250).
STANDARD OF REVIEW
{¶27} Lloyd’s first assignment of error alleges the evidence is insufficient to
support the conviction and the conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
The legal concepts of sufficiency of the evidence and weight of the evidence are both
quantitatively and qualitatively different. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 1997–
Ohio–52, 678 N.E.2d 541, paragraph two of the syllabus. The standard of review for a
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 9
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is set forth in State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d
259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991) at paragraph two of the syllabus, in which the Ohio Supreme
Court held as follows: “An appellate court's function when reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to
determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind of the
defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The 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.”
{¶28} In determining whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, the court of appeals functions as the “thirteenth juror,” and after “reviewing the
entire record, weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers the credibility
of witnesses and determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury clearly
lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must
be overturned and a new trial ordered.” State v. Thompkins, supra, at 387. Reversing a
conviction as being against the manifest weight of the evidence and ordering a new trial
should be reserved for only the “exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily
against the conviction.” Id.
{¶29} We note the weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the
witnesses are issues for the trier of fact. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 237 N.E.2d
212 (1967). The trier of fact “has the best opportunity to view the demeanor, attitude, and
credibility of each witness, something that does not translate well on the page.” Davis v.
Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 418, 1997–Ohio–260, 674 N.E.2d 1159.
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 10
{¶30} In her second assignment of error, Lloyd alleges a defect in the jury
instructions. Lloyd failed to object to the jury instructions so we are limited to reviewing
the record for plain error. Crim. R. 52(B) provides: “Plain errors or defects affecting
substantial rights may be noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the
court.” By its very terms, the rule places three limitations on a reviewing court's decision
to correct an error despite the absence of a timely objection at trial. First, there must be
an error, i.e., a deviation from a legal rule. State v. Hill, 92 Ohio St.3d 191, 200, 749
N.E.2d 274, 283 (2001) (observing that the “first condition to be met in noticing plain error
is that there must be error”), citing United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 732, 113 S.Ct.
1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993), (interpreting Crim.R. 52[B]'s identical federal counterpart,
Fed.R.Crim.P. 52[b]). Second, the error must be plain. To be “plain” within the meaning
of Crim.R. 52(B), an error must be an “obvious” defect in the trial proceedings. State v.
Sanders, 92 Ohio St.3d 245, 257, 750 N.E.2d 90, 111, (2001), citing State v. Keith, 79
Ohio St.3d 514, 518, 684 N.E.2d 47 (1997); see, also, Olano, supra at 734 (a plain error
under Fed.R. Crim.P. 52[b] is “ ‘clear’ or, equivalently, ‘obvious' ” under current law). Third,
the error must have affected “substantial rights.” The Supreme Court has interpreted this
aspect of the rule to mean that the trial court's error must have affected the outcome of
the trial. See, e.g., Hill, supra at 205; State v. Moreland, 50 Ohio St.3d 58, 62, 552 N.E.2d
894(1990); State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804(1978), paragraph two of the
syllabus.
{¶31} Even if a forfeited error satisfies these three prongs, Crim.R. 52(B) does not
demand an appellate court correct it. Crim.R. 52(B) states only that a reviewing court
“may” notice plain forfeited errors; a court is not obliged to correct them. The Supreme
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 11
Court of Ohio has acknowledged the discretionary aspect of Crim.R. 52(B) by
admonishing courts to notice plain error “with the utmost caution, under exceptional
circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.” State v. Long, supra,
paragraph three of the syllabus; see, also, Olano, supra. at 736 (suggesting that appellate
courts correct a plain error “if the error ‘seriously affect[s] the fairness, integrity or public
reputation of judicial proceedings,” quoting United States v. Atkinson 297 U.S. 157, 160,
56 S.Ct. 391, 80 L.Ed. 555 (1936)).
{¶32} In her third assignment of error, Lloyd contends that her trial counsel’s
failure to request jury instructions that included definitions of the terms “substantial,” “due
care,” and “risk” constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. To prevail on a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must demonstrate: (1) deficient
performance by counsel, i.e., that counsel's performance fell below an objective standard
of reasonable representation, and (2) that counsel's errors prejudiced the defendant, i.e.,
a reasonable probability that but for counsel's errors, the result of the trial would have
been different. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687–688, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052,
80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989),
paragraphs two and three of the syllabus. “Reasonable probability” is “probability
sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Strickland at 694.
ANALYSIS
I. WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE
{¶33} Lloyd was charged with a violation of Section 618.051(c)(2) of the Codified
Ordinances of the City of Newark which states:
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 12
(c) No person who confines or who is the custodian or caretaker of a
companion animal shall negligently do any of the following:
**
(2) Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance, confine the
companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient
quantities of good, wholesome food and water, or impound or confine the
companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or
confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or
excess direct sunlight, if it can reasonably be expected that the companion
animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due
to the deprivation, confinement, or impoundment or confinement in any of
those specified manners.
{¶34} Lloyd conceded that Chico was her pet, clearly a companion animal and
that she restrained him in the back yard of her home without shelter from the elements
on May 26, 2020. The testimony supports a conclusion that she did not provide "sufficient
quantities" of food or water and that the animal was exposed to heat and excess direct
sunlight. Lloyd's testimony that she expected the dog to be retrieved from the yard early
in the morning and the examination of Dr. Houser support a conclusion that "it could be
reasonably suspected that [Chico] would become sick or suffer" and died as a result of a
substantial lapse of due care by Lloyd consisting of her failure to ensure that Chico was
given adequate shelter and water on a very hot day.
{¶35} Lloyd's attempt to deflect blame for the death of Chico from herself to her
father or siblings was not accepted by the jury. Lloyd claimed that she expected her father
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 13
to provide food and water to Chico and that her siblings would bring Chico in the house
after they had cleaned the carpets, but the jury refused to accept this defense. We defer
to the trier of fact as to the weight to be given the evidence and the credibility of the
witnesses. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212 (1967), at paragraph one
of the syllabus. The jury as the trier of fact was free to accept or reject any and all of the
evidence offered by the parties and assess the witnesses’ credibility. As we found in
Gerrick v. Anheuser Busch Co., 5th Dist. Stark No. 2000CA00140, 2000 WL 1838903, *2
(Dec. 11, 2000), “[a] jury is free to accept or reject any or all of the testimony of any
witness, including testimony of an expert witness. Weidner v. Blazic (1994), 98 Ohio
App.3d 321, 335. Further, even when the evidence is undisputed, the jury possesses the
inherent right to reject the evidence presented. Krauss v. Kilgore (July 27, 1998), Butler
App. No. CA-97-05-099, unreported, at 15, citing Lantham v. Wilson (Aug. 12, 1991),
Madison App. No. CA90-11-024, unreported.” The verdict in this case is consistent with
a jury decision to discount Lloyd’s and Speicher’s testimony, and accept the testimony of
the state’s witnesses.
{¶36} Recognizing the fact-finder’s discretion to accept or reject evidence and,
viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to state, we conclude that a reasonable
person could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Lloyd was guilty of a violation
of Section 618.051(c)(2).
{¶37} Lloyd also contends that the conviction was against the manifest weight of
the evidence. After reviewing the record and considering our resolution of the claim
regarding insufficient evidence, we cannot find that “the jury clearly lost its way and
created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be overturned and
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 14
a new trial ordered.” State v. Woody, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2019CA00175, 2021-Ohio-860,
¶ 40.
{¶38} Lloyd's first assignment of error is denied.
II. INCOMPLETE JURY INSTRUCTIONS
{¶39} In her second assignment of error, Lloyd contends the trial court failed to
"fully instruct the jury on the mental state of negligence" by not reading the definitions of
"due care," "substantial," and "risk". Lloyd contends that because these definitions appear
within Ohio Jury Instructions, they must be included in the jury instructions used by the
trial court. She contends this error created a manifest injustice, and it deprived her the
right to a fair trial because it deprived the jury the ability to correctly consider all the
relevant and proper evidence admitted at her trial and that failure to correct the error could
seriously impair the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings.
{¶40} Lloyd was charged with a violation of Section 618.051(c)(2) of the Codified
Ordinances of the City of Newark which has a mens rea of negligence. The trial court
defined "negligently" within the jury instructions:
A person acts negligently when because of a substantial lapse of due
care, the person fails to perceive or avoid a risk that the person's conduct
may cause a certain result or may be of a certain nature. A person is
negligent with respect to circumstances when, because of a substantial
lapse from due care, the person fails to perceive or avoid a risk that such
circumstances exist.
{¶41} This definition is found in Section 606.02(d) of the Codified Ordinances of
the City of Newark. Ohio Jury Instructions contain an identical provision and definitions
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 15
of "due care," "substantial," and "risk," but these definitions were not used by the trial
court in the instructions and neither party objected to their absence or insisted that they
be included:
2. DUE CARE (NEGLIGENCE). Due care is that amount of care that a
reasonably careful person would use under the same or similar
circumstances.
3. SUBSTANTIAL. The lapse or failure to use due care must be substantial.
Substantial is another word for material, which means being of real
importance or great consequence.
4. RISK. "Risk" means a significant possibility, as contrasted with a remote
possibility, that (a certain result may occur) (certain circumstances may
exist).
{¶42} Lloyd argues the omission of these definitions is error warranting a reversal
of the conviction, but she concedes that she did not object to the jury instructions and
waived all but plain error. (Crim.R. 30(A)). State v. Williford (1990), 49 Ohio St.3d 247,
251, 551 N.E.2d 1279, 1283 as quoted in State v. Keenan, 81 Ohio St.3d 133, 151, 689
N.E.2d 929, 946 (1998). Lloyd acknowledges our review is restricted to a determination
of whether the trial court committed plain error.
{¶43} We apply the doctrine of plain error cautiously and only under exceptional
circumstances to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice. State v. Rohaley, 5th Dist.
Stark No. 1998CA00092, 1999 WL 4505, *4 In that regard, “[T]he test for plain error is
stringent.” State v. Ellison, 4th Dist. No. 16CA16, 2017-Ohio-284, 81 N.E.3d 853, ¶ 27.
“To prevail under this standard, the defendant must establish that an error occurred, it
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 16
was obvious, and it affected his or her substantial rights.” State v. Spaulding, 151 Ohio
St.3d 378, 2016-Ohio-8126, 89 N.E.3d 554, ¶ 64. An error affects substantial rights only
if it changes the outcome of the trial. Id.{¶44} Lloyd has the burden to establish the existence of plain error, unlike the
situation in a claim of harmless error, where the burden lies with the state. Lloyd must
establish that the outcome of the trial would clearly have been different but for the trial
court's allegedly improper actions. Moreland, supra, at 63 as quoted in State v. Waddell,
75 Ohio St.3d 163, 166, 661 N.E.2d 1043, 1046 (1996) See Also State v. Cooperrider, 4
Ohio St.3d 226, 227, 448 N.E.2d 452, 453 (1983) ( * * * an erroneous jury instruction
“does not constitute a plain error or defect under Crim.R. 52(B) unless, but for the error,
the outcome of the trial clearly would have been otherwise. State v. Long (1978), 53 Ohio
St.2d 91, 97, 372 N.E.2d 804.”)
{¶45} Lloyd does not explain why the outcome of the trial would have been
different if the relevant definitions would had been given. She argues that “In the instant
case, the complete definition of negligence was necessary since, without it, the trial jury
would have been prevented from carefully considering all the elements of the charged
offense.” (Appellant’s Brief, p. 5), but the record shows that the full definition of the term
“negligently” was included in the instructions and that only the supplemental definitions
were omitted. Further, Lloyd does not argue or contend that the outcome of the trial would
clearly have been different but for the trial court's allegedly improper actions, but only that
the jury "could well have acquitted her based on the complete instructions” and that the
instructions "may have induced an erroneous verdict," relying upon Parma Hts. v. Jaros,
69 Ohio App.3d 623, 591 N.E.2d 726, 730 (8th Dist.1990). Lloyd uses the wrong
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 17
standard to measure the impact of the alleged error and the precedent she relies upon is
inapposite. Lloyd must demonstrate that the outcome clearly would have been different,
not that it “could have” or “may have” been different. And the Parma Hts court was not
reviewing a decision for plain error. Further, the complete citation makes clear that the
Parma Hts court focused upon the need for proof of a prejudicial impact. "Thus, this court
will not reverse unless an instruction is so prejudicial that it may induce an erroneous
verdict." Id. at 630. Lloyd’s failure to show that the prejudicial impact was so great that
the outcome the trial would clearly have been different is a fatal flaw in her argument.
{¶46} Appellant also cites to several cases in the conclusion of her argument in
the second assignment of error, but those cases focus upon the obligation to provide
instructions regarding "essential elements" of the offense. Lloyd does not describe
missing essential elements in the instructions in this case but only "helpful definitions"
(Appellant's Brief p. 4) of words that are not so uncommon that definitions are necessary
for the jurors to properly understand the law.
{¶47} We have reviewed the questioned instruction in its entirety and in the
context of the instructions as a whole, and find the trial court did not commit plain error in
providing the stated instruction without the definitions of "due care," "risk," and
"substantial." These omissions, even if considered an error, did not seriously affect the
fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial proceedings, did not have an effect on
the outcome of the trial and was not a manifest miscarriage of justice.
{¶48} Lloyd's second assignment of error is denied.
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 18
III. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
{¶49} In her third assignment of error, Lloyd complains that she received
ineffective assistance of counsel because her trial counsel did not object to the omission
of the definitions of the terms "due care," "risk," or "substantial."
In order to prevail on an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim, a
defendant must prove that counsel's performance was deficient and that the
defendant was prejudiced by counsel's deficient performance. Bradley, 42
Ohio St.3d at 141-142, 538 N.E.2d 373; Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104
S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. Thus, the defendant must demonstrate that
counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness
and that there exists a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's error,
the result of the proceeding would have been different. See Bradley at
paragraphs two and three of the syllabus. ‘A reasonable probability is a
probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.’ Id. at 142,
538 N.E.2d 373, quoting Strickland at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052.
State v. Davis, 159 Ohio St.3d 31, 2020-Ohio-309, 146 N.E.3d 560.
{¶50} Even if we would assume that counsel's performance fell below an objective
standard of reasonable representation, we cannot find there was a reasonable probability
that, but for those errors, the result of the trial would be different. The words in question
are not so unusual as to be incomprehensible, vague or ambiguous such that a jury would
not comprehend their meaning without the "helpful definitions" Lloyd claims were vital.
Lloyd suggests that "[t]hose terms have meanings that are not necessarily common"
(Appellant's Brief, p.7) but does not include any alternative meanings or definitions that
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 19
may have affected the jury's review. Lloyd does not offer any explanation of the impact
of the omitted definitions and seems to imply that the fact that they were not included is
sufficient to establish ineffective assistance, but “[t]he instructions found in Ohio Jury
Instructions are not mandatory.” State v. Gilkey, 5th Dist. Licking No. 18-CA-103, 2019-
Ohio-4417, ¶¶ 30. Lloyd has failed to offer a persuasive argument that the addition of the
definitions would lead to a reasonable probability that the results of the trial would be
different.
{¶51} Further, the state provided substantial evidence to support the conclusion
that Lloyd restrained Chico in her yard without providing any shelter from the sun or heat,
giving little or no consideration for the animal’s need for shelter and water. The jury was
not obligated to accept her defense that she relied upon her family to care for Chico, and,
considering the conflicting testimony of her father and her failure to take simple steps to
ensure that her family followed her wishes, we cannot find that the jury’s apparent
decision to disregard her testimony was unwarranted.
{¶52} We found that the omission of the definitions from the jury instructions did
not constitute plain error for lack of evidence of a prejudicial impact on the outcome of the
trial, so, because the same deferential standard applies to ineffective assistance of
counsel claims, we find that the failure to object to their omission does not comprise
ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Remillard, 5th Dist. Knox No. 18CA16, 2019-
Ohio-3545, ¶ 71appeal not allowed,157 Ohio St.3d 1524, 2019-Ohio-5327, 137 N.E.3d
107, and cert. denied,141 S.Ct. 305, 208 L.Ed.2d 56.
Licking County, Case 2020 CA 00074 20
{¶53} Lloyd’s third assignment of error is denied and the decision of the Licking
County Municipal Court is affirmed.
By: Baldwin, P.J.
Hoffman, J. and
Wise, John, J. concur.