State v. Corey

[Cite as State v. Corey, 2022-Ohio-4568.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
GEAUGA COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, CASE NO. 2021-G-0029
Plaintiff-Appellee,
Criminal Appeal from the
- vs - Court of Common Pleas
STEPHEN A. COREY,
Trial Court No. 2020 C 000125
Defendant-Appellant.
OPINION
Decided: December 19, 2022
Judgment: Affirmed
James R. Flaiz, Geauga County Prosecutor, and Nicholas A. Burling, Assistant
Prosecutor, Courthouse Annex, 231 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Chardon, OH 44024 (For
Plaintiff-Appellee).
Wesley A. Johnston, 203 North Broadway Street, Medina, OH 44256 (For Defendant-
Appellant).
JOHN J. EKLUND, P.J.
{¶1} Appellant, Stephen Corey, appeals his convictions from the Geauga County
Court of Common Pleas. Appellant was convicted of one count of attempted murder, in
violation of R.C. 2903.02(A) and R.C. 2923.02(A), one count of felonious assault, in
violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1), one count of felonious assault, in violation of R.C.
2903.11(A)(2), and one count of tampering with evidence, in violation of R.C.
2921.12(A)(1). Appellant was found not guilty of one count of attempted aggravated
murder in violation of R.C. 2903.01(A).
{¶2} Appellant assigns six errors asserting: (1) that the signed verdict forms did
not list the level of the offense or aggravating factors of the crime; (2) that the State
engaged in prosecutorial misconduct; (3) that trial counsel rendered ineffective
assistance; (4) that the trial court erred by admitting non-relevant, misleading evidence to
be admitted; (5) that the trial court erred in sentencing appellant by considering prior
dismissed criminal cases in determining his sentence; and (6) that appellant’s conviction
was not supported by sufficient evidence and was against the manifest weight of the
evidence.
{¶3} After review of the record and the applicable caselaw, we find appellant’s
assignments of error are without merit. Appellant was indicted on and convicted for
offenses with only one possible offense level and no aggravating factors. The State
appropriately cross-examined appellant about his invocation of the right to remain silent
after appellant invited the inquiry, the State did not present inappropriate character
evidence, and did not mischaracterize appellant’s conduct during closing arguments.
Appellant’s counsel did not render ineffective assistance of counsel and the trial court did
not admit misleading evidence. The trial court did not err by considering prior dismissed
cases against appellant in sentencing him. Finally, appellant’s conviction was supported
by sufficient evidence and was not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Appellant
requested and received a self-defense jury instruction, and the jury did not lose its way in
finding that the State proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
{¶4} Therefore, we affirm the judgment of the Geauga County Court of Common
Pleas.
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Substantive and Procedural History
{¶5} On July 18, 2020, appellant and some of his friends were at the Chardon
Tavern. Around 2:00 a.m., there was an altercation on the patio of the bar not involving
appellant. A waitress saw this confrontation and entered the bar to enlist the aid of
Matthew Burns. Burns was a regular patron at the bar who would occasionally help calm
tense situations down due to his size. Burns came out to the patio to calm the situation.
The fight broke up and Burns told people to calm down and go home.
{¶6} Witnesses stated that appellant left the patio after the altercation. One
witness testified that when he left the patio, he yelled back to two of the patrons “you two,
down here right now, and finish this.” Appellant testified that he had brought his firearm
into the bar and that he had been drinking. He admitted it was a mistake to bring a firearm
into the bar while he was drinking. However, based on the testimony of at least one
witness, the State asserted that appellant returned to his car, retrieved his gun, and
reapproached the patio.
{¶7} Although largely in agreement, witness testimony at trial differed as to the
particulars of what happened next. Most witnesses were located on the patio behind the
bar while Burns and Appellant were in the parking lot. One witness observed the event
from the inside of her car in the parking lot.
{¶8} Burns testified to the following: after breaking up the altercation, he saw
appellant in the parking lot returning to the patio. Burns recalled seeing appellant on the
patio and told him he needed to go home because he was outside when the altercation
took place; however, Burns did not testify that appellant had been involved in the
altercation itself. Burns testified that appellant wanted to pay his tab, but Burns told him
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to come back the next day and to just go home for now. Burns said that appellant began
to walk back to his car and Burns followed him for a distance. Burns said he turned around
when he believed appellant was leaving. After Burns had turned back toward the bar, he
heard a “pop” and smelled gunpowder. He turned toward appellant and saw him removing
a gun from a holster. Burns said he was about five feet away from appellant and that he
tried to get appellant’s gun away from him. Burns felt he was too far away from the bar to
run back to the patio and instead approached appellant to try to obtain the gun. Burns
denied having a knife, or any other object, in his hands.
{¶9} Appellant’s testimony painted a different picture. He testified that as he was
walking toward his car to leave, Burns was following him saying “I’m going to f****** kill
you.” Appellant said that he drew his pistol, which had a flashlight attachment and
attempted to turn the light on. Appellant said that Burns drew a pocketknife. Appellant
stated that he fired a warning shot into the ground and that Burns continued to close the
distance between them and he continued to fire. He stated that he fired the first shot while
Burns was 25 feet away and that Burns was approximately six feet away when he fired
subsequent shots.
{¶10} Evidence from the scene revealed that appellant fired twelve shots. He
struck Burns four times – in the collar bone, the knee, the calf, and his pinkie toe. Some
witnesses testified that appellant continued to fire after Burns collapsed on the ground.
No witness, other than appellant, testified that Burns had a knife in his hands or that he
was threatening appellant.
{¶11} Appellant then left the scene alone in his vehicle and called 911. On the
call, he said that he left because he and his friends had been threatened. However,
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appellant did not indicate that he had fired a gun or that he had shot anyone. During the
call, appellant exited his vehicle. He told the 911 operator that he had vomited.
{¶12} In fact, he had hidden his loaded firearm under a dumpster of an apartment
complex. The location of the dumpster was in an area near a playground and picnic table.
Investigators were able to locate the gun by searching the area appellant claimed to be
while he was on the 911 call at the time when he said he vomited. Officers did not find
any traces of vomit in the area.
{¶13} While on the 911 call, appellant pulled into a local bank parking lot. Officers
came to his location, and he was taken into custody that night. While handcuffing
appellant, one officer asked him where the gun was. Appellant responded that the gun
was safe. He denied that the gun was on the side of the road, only saying that it was in a
safe location. He then invoked his right to remain silent and asked to speak to an attorney.
He was Mirandized at the time of his arrest.
{¶14} Appellant was indicted on one count of attempted aggravated murder, one
count of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of tampering
with evidence. Appellant pled not guilty and the matter proceeded to a jury trial. The jury
found appellant not guilty of attempted aggravated murder, and guilty on the remaining
counts.
{¶15} At sentencing, the trial court merged the felonious assault counts with the
attempted murder count and sentenced appellant to a definite prison term of 10 years
with a five-year indefinite sentence pursuant to R.C. 2967.271. The court also imposed a
mandatory consecutive three-year prison term for the firearm specification to the
attempted murder count. Finally, the court imposed a 30-month prison sentence for the
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tampering with evidence charge which the court ordered to run consecutive for a total
prison sentence of fifteen-and-one-half to twenty-and-one-half years.
{¶16} Appellant timely appealed and raises six assignments of error.
Assignments of Error and Analysis
{¶17} Appellant’s first assignment of error states:
{¶18} “[1.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRORED [sic] WHEN IT FOUND COREY
GUILTY OF THE ATTEMPTED MURDER, TWO COUNTS OF FELONIOUS ASSAULT,
AND ONE COUNT OF TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE THE JURY FOUND FIREARM
SPECIFICATIONS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AND TWO COUNTS OF FELONIOUS
ASSAULT WHEN THE VERDICT FORMS DID NOT LIST THE LEVEL OF THE CRIME
OR AGGRAVATING FACTORS.”
{¶19} In this assignment of error, appellant argues that the signed verdict forms
failed to identify the felony level or indicate aggravating elements for appellant’s
convictions.
{¶20} R.C. 2945.75(A) states:
When the presence of one or more additional elements makes an
offense one of more serious degree * * * (2) a guilty verdict shall state
either the degree of the offense of which the offender is found guilty,
or that such additional element or elements are present. Otherwise,
a guilty verdict constitutes a finding of guilty of the least degree
of the offense charged. (Bold added).
{¶21} Appellant was convicted of one count of attempted murder in violation R.C.
2903.02(A) and R.C. 2923.02(A) and one count of tampering with evidence in violation of
R.C. 2921.12(A)(1).
{¶22} R.C. 2923.02(E)(1) provides that “[a]n attempt to committed aggravated
murder, murder or an offense for which the maximum penalty is imprisonment for life is a
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felony of the first degree.” Therefore, pursuant to R.C. 2945.75(A), the least degree of the
offense of attempted murder is a first-degree felony. There are no other possible offense
levels for a conviction of attempted murder. Further, appellant was not convicted of an
offense with aggravating elements. Therefore, the lack of felony level on the verdict form
cannot result in a conviction of a lesser or greater degree. Similarly, the least (and only)
degree of tampering with evidence in violation of R.C. 2921.12(A)(1) is a third-degree
felony.
{¶23} The lack of the offense level on the verdict form for both verdict forms is
immaterial as appellant was already convicted of the least degree of each offense.
{¶24} Accordingly, appellant’s first assignment of error is without merit.
{¶25} Appellant’s second assignment of error states:
{¶26} “[2.] THE STATE ENGAGED IN PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT, THAT
INFRINGED UPON COREY’S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND DEPRIVED COREY
OF A FAIR TRIAL.”
{¶27} In this assignment of error, appellant argues that the State engaged in
prosecutorial misconduct in four ways during trial. First, he argues that the State asked
improper questions about his invocation of his Fifth Amendment rights during cross-
examination. Second, he believes that the State raised improper character evidence
about appellant’s ownership of firearms. Third, he contends the State made statements
during closing arguments that appellant “runs, hides, and lies,” which were not supported
by the evidence. Finally, he argues the State misled the jury during closing arguments by
acting out appellant’s firing position in a way not supported by the evidence. We address
each claim in turn.
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State’s Fifth Amendment Cross-examination Questions:
{¶28} Appellant argues that the State improperly commented on his invocation of
his right to remain silent at the time of his arrest during cross-examination. At trial, the
State questioned appellant as follows:
Q Okay. Now you testified before that you didn’t tell
Officer Elam where the gun was because you wanted an
attorney; is that correct?
A I don’t believe those were my exact words.
Q Okay. Well, why didn’t you tell Officer Elam where the
gun was?
A Are you asking me if I invoked my Fifth Amendment
right to remail silent until present with an attorney?
THE COURT: And I’m going to instruct you to answer the
question, please.
A Could you please restate the question?
Q Why didn’t you tell Officer Elam where the gun was?
A I invoked my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent
until I had my attorney present.
{¶29} Previously, on direct examination, appellant’s counsel asked appellant:
Q Why didn’t you tell Officer Elam where the gun was
when he asked you?
A So when Officer Elam asked me where the firearm
was, he had already stated that he had seen everything on
video, and they he knew what I did. To me, this didn’t sound
like anything I should now be talking about without the
presence of my attorney.
{¶30} Ordinarily, “the use of pre-arrest silence as substantive evidence of guilt is
an impermissible burden upon the exercise of the Fifth Amendment privilege.” State v.
Leach, 102 Ohio St.3d 135, 2004-Ohio-2147, 807 N.E.2d 335, ¶ 28. Such evidence
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“violates the Due Process Clause of both the state and federal constitutions.” Doyle v.
Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 618, 96 S.Ct. 2240, 49 L.Ed.2d 91 (1976). However, the Constitution
does not prohibit references to a defendant’s invocation of the right to remain silent as a
“fair response” to a defendant’s claims. United States v. Robinson, 485 U.S. 25, 32-34,
108 S.Ct. 864, 99 L.Ed.2d 23 (1988). A fair response is warranted in such circumstances
because “the protective shield of the Fifth amendment” should not become “a sword that
cuts back on the area of legitimate comment by the prosecutor on the weaknesses in the
defense case.” Id., quoting United States v. Hasting, 461 U.S. 499, 515, 103 S.Ct. 1974,
76 L.Ed.2d 96 (1983) (STEVENS, J., concurring).
{¶31} The “fair response” in Robinson involved the prosecutor making closing
argument remarks about the defendant’s silence in response to claims by defense
counsel that the government had not allowed the defendant to explain his side of the story
before or during trial. Id. At 25.
{¶32} In State v. Thompson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 08AP-956, 2009-Ohio-3552,
the court held that a “fair response” included a detective’s testimony about the defendant’s
silence “in response to defense counsel’s question which specifically asked the detective
whether he had talked to appellant at the scene or at the detective bureau.” Id. At ¶ 21.
{¶33} In addition, the Thompson court observed longstanding precedent that “a
prosecutor may question a defendant about post-arrest [and post-Miranda] silence
without a Doyle [v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 49 L.Ed.2d 91, 96 S.Ct. 2240 (1976)] violation if
the defendant has raised the issue on direct examination.” Id., citing State v. Reed, 10th
Dist. Franklin No. 08AP-20, 2008-Ohio-6082, ¶ 21.
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{¶34} In Commonwealth v. DiNicola, 581 Pa. 550, 866 A.2d 329, the Pennsylvania
Supreme Court found the State offered “fair response” where defense counsel questioned
the government’s preparation of the case and lack of pursuit of exculpatory evidence. Id.At 562. The court said the State was warranted in referencing the defendant’s post-arrest
silence to explain why its investigation into exculpatory material was limited. Id.{¶35} In State v. Ferguson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 07AP-999, 2008-Ohio-6677,
relying on DiNocola and Robinson, the Tenth District found redirect examination
questions about the defendant’s invocation of his right to remain silent were a “fair
response” after defense counsel asked an officer about whether he had talked to the
defendant and found him coherent while explaining his rights to him. Id. At ¶ 51.
{¶36} In State v. Roby, 3rd Dist. Putnam No. 12-09-09, 2010-Ohio-1498, the court
concluded that the defense had “opened the door to the topic of Roby’s post-arrest
silence.” Id. at ¶ 16. Therefore, the State’s “fair response” was to clarify questions “that
implied that the officers had failed to question Roby and thoroughly investigate the
matter.” Id. at ¶ 18.
{¶37} In this case, appellant first referenced his invocation of the right to remain
silent in his direct examination testimony. The State presented testimony in its case in
chief indicating that appellant had hidden the firearm, told officers that it was “somewhere
safe,” and had not disclosed its location. Appellant’s direct examination testimony was
used as both a sword and shield. It was used as a sword because it contradicted the
State’s witnesses’ testimony about statements appellant may have made at the time of
his arrest. It was used as a shield because it relied on the invocation of constitutional
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rights in its attempt to answer why appellant did not tell officers where he had hidden the
gun.
{¶38} Appellant’s direct examination testimony warranted a “fair response” from
the State. The questions the State asked appellant on cross-examination were seeking
to clarify his prior direct examination testimony about the reason he did not reveal the
location of the weapon. Appellant’s direct examination testimony involved a compound
answer with multiple motivations. The State pressed into those motivations, appellant
ultimately answered, and the State moved on to the next issue. The State did not
inappropriately question appellant about the invocation of his right to remain silent
because appellant’s direct examination testimony elicited the questions as a fair
response. See Roby, 2010-Ohio-1498, at ¶ 21.
State’s Firearm Ownership Questions:
{¶39} Appellant contends the State used improper character evidence during
appellant’s cross-examination by asking if appellant owned multiple handguns. He argues
that these questions improperly insinuated that he is a violent person with a proclivity to
use firearms and that questions about his gun ownership were not relevant.
{¶40} Evid.R. 401 states that relevant evidence is “evidence having any tendency
to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action
more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.”
{¶41} Evid.R. 404 governs the admissibility of character evidence. Evid.R. 404(A)
provides that
[e]vidence of a person’s character or a trait of character is not
admissible for the purpose of proving action in conformity
therewith on a particular occasion, subject to the following
exceptions: (1) Character of accused. Evidence of a
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pertinent trait of character offered by an accused, or by the
prosecution to rebut the same is admissible * * *.
Evid. R. 404(B) prohibits the use of “other acts” evidence “to prove a person’s character
in order to show that on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the
character.”
{¶42} Generally, “‘[t]he admission or exclusion of relevant evidence rests within
the sound discretion of the trial court.’” State v. Long, 2014-Ohio-4416, 19 N.E.3d 981, ¶
20 (11th Dist.), quoting State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173, 510 N.E.2d 343 (1987),
paragraph two of the syllabus. “The term ‘abuse of discretion’ is one of art, connoting
judgment exercised by a court which neither comports with reason, nor the record.” State
v. Underwood, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2008-L-113, 2009-Ohio-2089 [2009 WL 1177050], ¶
30, citing State v. Ferranto, 112 Ohio St. 667, 676-678 [148 N.E. 362] (1925).” State v.
Raia, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2013-P-0020, 2014-Ohio-2707, 2014 WL 2881994, ¶ 9.
Stated differently, an abuse of discretion is “the trial court’s ‘failure to exercise sound,
reasonable, and legal decision-making.’” Id., quoting State v. Beechler, 2d Dist. Clark No.
09-CA-54, 2010-Ohio-1900, 2010 WL 1731784, ¶ 62, quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 11
(8th Ed.Rev.2004). “When an appellate court is reviewing a pure issue of law, ‘the mere
fact that the reviewing court would decide the issue differently is enough to find error[.] *
* * By contrast, where the issue on review has been confined to the discretion of the trial
court, the mere fact that the reviewing court would have reached a different result is not
enough, without more, to find error.’” Id., quoting Beechler at ¶ 67.
{¶43} Here, appellant testified on direct examination at length about his skill and
proficiency with firearms. He testified about the first gun he bought when he was 18 years
old, when he obtained his CCW permit, training that he has completed, his participation
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and aptitude in competitive target shooting, his familiarity with defensive firearm best
practices, and that he routinely carries his weapon “24/7 provided, you know, I’m doing
something that permits it.”
{¶44} On cross-examination, the State asked: “You talked about buying a rifle
when you were 18. Do you own any other handguns?” Appellant’s counsel objected to
the relevance of the question, but the trial court overruled his objection on the basis that
appellant invited the inquiry through his own testimony. The State asked specifically about
what other handguns appellant owned at the time of the incident. Appellant said that he
owned:
two Ruger target pistols, three or four Glocks, mostly 17’s.
Actually I believe all 17’s. A Smith and Wesson 640; a Smith
and Wesson Model 19; a Smith and Wesson Model 65; a
Smith and Wesson Model 10; two Smith and Wesson Model
28’s: I believe two Beretta small either 22 or 25 caliber pistols;
I had two Styre Pistoles, an M9A1, and an L91A; a CZ75NB;
a Desert Eagle Mark VII; and I don’t believe I have missed any
there, but I may have.
{¶45} The State followed up by asking which of these weapons appellant would
carry concealed. He answered “[a]lmost exclusively, the Glock 17” with the flashlight
attachment which was the weapon he carried on July 18. The State asked a final question
about whether any of appellant’s guns would be more compact for carrying. He answered
in the affirmative and the State moved on.
{¶46} Appellant’s testimony about his knowledge and aptitude with firearms was
relevant to his self-defense claim. Appellant had freedom to develop his aptitude and
familiarity with firearms on direct examination. In turn, the State asked relevant follow-up
questions about appellant’s handgun ownership and concealed carry practices. The
testimony the State elicited about appellant’s handgun ownership was not improper
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because it was not elicited for the purpose of proving that appellant “acted in conformity
therewith on a particular occasion” (Evid.R. 404(A)) or to prove that “on a particular
occasion the person acted in accordance with the character.” Evid.R. 404(B). The State
did not engage in improper questioning and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
allowing the State to cross-examine appellant on his handgun ownership and which
firearms appellant would carry concealed.
State’s Closing Argument Statements:
{¶47} Appellant next takes issue with the State’s closing arguments where the
prosecutor said that appellant “runs, hides, and lies” on the basis that these statements
were not supported by the record. “Prosecutors are entitled to latitude as to what the
evidence has shown and what inferences can reasonably be drawn from the
evidence.” State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 111, 684 N.E.2d 668 (1997).
{¶48} During closing arguments, the prosecutor said,
He runs. He hides. He lies. That’s what he does after he
shoots Matt Burns. Runs, hides, and lies. Runs from the scene
even though he testified Matt’s on the ground and nobody was
aggressive. Being aggressive. He runs. He hides the gun.
Listen to the 911 call. He doesn’t give up any information to
that dispatcher. She asks him stuff and he * * * doesn’t give
up any information until after he hides the gun because he
doesn’t want it found. And then he tells police, well, it’s in a
safe place. No it’s not. You heard this, you know, ridiculous
statement, well depending on the circumstances, next to, you
know, picnic tables and near a playground, a loaded gun,
leaving it there, that may, under certain circumstances, be a
safe place. Now come on.
{¶49} Trial counsel did not object to this characterization of the evidence and
appellant has waived all but plain error on review of this question. State v. Wogenstahl,
75 Ohio St.3d 344, 356-357, 662 N.E.2d 311 (1996). The standard of review for plain
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error is the same deferential standard applied for “reviewing ineffective assistance of
counsel claims.” State v. Payne, 114 Ohio St.3d 502, 2007–Ohio–4642, 873 N.E.2d 306,
¶ 17. “Crim.R. 52(B) affords appellate courts discretion to correct ‘[p]lain errors or defects
affecting substantial rights’ notwithstanding the accused's failure to meet his obligation to
bring those errors to the attention of the trial court.” State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385,
2015-Ohio-2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, ¶ 22. Appellant bears the burden of demonstrating plain
error by proving that the outcome would have been different absent the plain error. Payne,
at ¶ 17.
{¶50} Further, even when the error is obvious, “it must have affected substantial
rights,” meaning “‘that the trial court’s error must have affected the outcome of the trial.’”
Id., quoting State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). Indeed, “even
if an accused shows that the trial court committed plain error affecting the outcome of the
proceeding, an appellate court is not required to correct it * * *.” Id. at ¶ 23. Courts are
cautioned “to notice plain error ‘with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances
and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.’” Barnes, at 27, quoting State v.
Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶51} Here, the State said that appellant ran after shooting Burns, hid the firearm,
and was deceptive about his actions and what he did with the firearm. The State’s
comments during closing arguments were supported by the record and reasonable
inferences therefrom. Indeed, the State explained those reasonable inferences to the jury
to support the claim that appellant “runs, hides, and lies.”
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State’s Incorrect Portrayal of Firing Position:
{¶52} Appellant’s final allegation of prosecutorial misconduct relates to the
prosecutor acting out appellant’s firing position during closing arguments. The prosecutor
said “I want you to look at that stuff and remember that the Defendant says he just kept
shooting at the ground. But what, Matt Burns just wandered in? Is that what happened,
he just wandered into the line of fire? He never changed firing position?” When the
prosecutor said this, appellant’s trial counsel objected and said, “The firing position he is
demonstrating is the exact opposite of what my client – not the exact opposite – my client
testified he never straightened the arm, that he kept it as his side, so that is actually an
inaccurate depiction of my client’s testimony.” The prosecutor apparently immediately
changed his positioning and said,
Okay. That’s fine. He’s firing into the ground, just firing into the
ground like this (indicating). A guy is shot in the clavicle, in the
knee, in the calf, in the foot, He’s just firing away into the
ground, forget that, how many witnesses did you hear saying
that he was raising his arm up until Matt fell to the ground. A
couple witnesses thought that there was still shots going off
after he fell. That would explain how he was shot in the
clavicle.
{¶53} Appellant has not articulated in his brief what prejudice the incorrect firing
position may have caused him. Possibly, he might claim that the demonstration was an
attempt to discredit appellant’s testimony that he fired into the ground. It is unclear, but
the record seems to indicate that the prosecutor was pointing his arm toward the ground
and that the only issue appellant’s counsel took with the position was that the prosecutor
straightened the arm while appellant did not say he had done this.
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{¶54} As with the prior issue, a prosecutor is given latitude as to what the evidence
is shown and can draw inferences from the evidence in making arguments. Smith, 80
Ohio St.3d at 111.
{¶55} Here, the prosecutor adjusted the firing position he was demonstrating to
the jury and then argued from the testimony of other trial witnesses that appellant’s
claimed firing position was not credible. The State did not improperly characterize the
evidence or draw improper inferences in its closing argument by acting out a firing
position. To the extent that position was not as described by appellant, counsel’s objection
and the prosecutor’s adjustment rendered this mistake harmless.
{¶56} Accordingly, appellant’s second assignment of error is without merit.
{¶57} Appellant’s third assignment of error states:
{¶58} “[3.] COREY RECEIVED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.”
{¶59} Appellant next asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective because counsel
did not object to the court removing a character evidence jury instruction and because
counsel did not acquire a self-defense expert to testify in appellant’s case-in-chief.
{¶60} In reviewing an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the standard we
apply is “‘whether counsel's conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the
adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a just result.’”
State v. Story, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2006-A-0085, 2007-Ohio-4959, ¶ 49, quoting
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 686, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). An
appellant must demonstrate (1) his counsel was deficient in some aspect of his
representation, and (2) there is a reasonable probability, were it not for counsel's errors,
the result of the proceedings would have been different. Strickland at 669. “A reasonable
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probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Id. A failure
to “satisfy one prong of the Strickland test negates a court’s need to consider the other.”
State v. Madrigal, 87 Ohio St.3d 378, 389, 2000-Ohio-448, 721 N.E.2d 52, citing
Strickland at 697.
{¶61} An appellant must demonstrate that “the attorney made errors so serious
that he or she was not functioning as ‘counsel’ as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment,”
and that he was prejudiced by the deficient performance. Story, supra, 2007-Ohio-4959,
¶ 49, quoting State v. Batich, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2006-A-0031, 2007-Ohio-2305, ¶
42. Ohio courts presume that every properly licensed attorney is competent, and therefore
a defendant bears the burden of proof. State v. Smith, 17 Ohio St.3d 98, 100, 477 N.E.2d
1128 (1985). “Counsel’s performance will not be deemed ineffective unless and until
counsel’s performance is proved to have fallen below an objective standard of reasonable
representation and, in addition, prejudice arises from counsel’s performance.” State v.
Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 142, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989). “Debatable trial tactics generally
do not constitute a deprivation of effective counsel.” State v. Phillips, 74 Ohio St.3d 72,
85, 656 N.E.2d 643 (1995). “Failure to do a futile act cannot be the basis for claims of
ineffective assistance of counsel, nor could such a failure be prejudicial.” State v.
Henderson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 88185, 2007–Ohio–2372, at ¶ 42.
{¶62} Here, as the parties were discussing jury instructions outside the presence
of the jury, the State suggested striking a character evidence instruction because no
evidence was offered regarding character. Initially, appellant’s trial counsel disagreed,
suggesting the State’s questions about appellant’s firearm ownership and having gone
into bars before with a concealed weapon was character evidence. “[I]t seems to kind of
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all be in between prior bad acts and character, and I am not 100 percent sure how to
address it * * *. I don’t know how the Court classified those pieces of testimony.” The court
said that it did not consider the testimony to be character evidence but did not have a
problem leaving the instruction in. The State responded that none of the weapons were
purchased illegally, and that it did not believe firearm ownership or handling is necessarily
character evidence. However, the State offered that if appellant wanted to retain the
instruction, it would not object. Ultimately, appellant’s counsel withdrew his objection and
agreed to the instruction being stricken.
{¶63} “[C]ounsel's decision not to request a jury instruction falls within the ambit
of trial strategy.” (Citations omitted.) State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-
2815, 848 N.E.2d 810, ¶111. Neither the State nor the Court prevented appellant from
using the character evidence jury instruction. After discussion about the issue, appellant’s
counsel voluntarily agreed to removing the instruction. This was a clear act of trial
strategy, and we will not second guess counsel’s decision here. Addressing the prejudice
prong, the instruction in question is not in the record and appellant has failed to
demonstrate how its absence has prejudiced his case. As discussed in the above
assignment of error, evidence of appellant’s firearm ownership was not improper
character evidence.
{¶64} Next, “the failure to call an expert and instead rely on cross-
examination does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.” State v. Nicholas, 66
Ohio St.3d 431, 436, 613 N.E.2d 225 (1993), citing State v. Thompson, 33 Ohio St.3d 1,
10–11, 514 N.E.2d 407 (187). Thus, the “decision to rely on cross-examination should be
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viewed as a legitimate ‘tactical decision’ * * *.” State v. Hartman, 93 Ohio St.3d 274, 299,
754 N.E.2d 1150 (2001).
{¶65} In this case, appellant’s counsel was not ineffective for failing to secure an
expert on self-defense. Appellant himself testified at length about his training and
experience in defensive firearms practices. Trial counsel cross-examined Lieutenant
Duncan of the Chardon Police Department about the 21-foot rule, a distance where
“somebody can advance with say an edged weapon, and they will strike somebody before
they can actually start shooting.” In addition, counsel used Duncan’s extensive firearms
knowledge to broadly explore firearm use in self-defense situations. Again, appellant has
failed to demonstrate how trial counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonable representation or how he was prejudiced thereby.
{¶66} Accordingly, appellant’s third assignment of error is without merit.
{¶67} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error states:
{¶68} “[4.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ALLOWING EVIDENCE THAT WAS
NOT RELEVANT, AND MISLEADING, CONFUSING AND HIGHLY PREJUDICIAL.”
{¶69} Next, appellant challenges the testimony of Special Agent Ashley Ornelas
from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Ornelas testified that she was
assigned to the Crime Scene Unit at the time of the incident and that she processed the
crime scenes involved in this case by collecting evidence, photographing the scenes, and
taking measurements. She said that she used a measuring program called Total Station
to import the locations of marked items of evidence. Ornelas testified that she used this
system in conjunction with Google Earth images to generate an overview of the crime
scene with indicators for where items of evidence were located. She specifically testified
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that the measurements reflected on that exhibit were “not exact. It’s near to scale.” The
purpose of the exhibit was to give “a visual overview of where all the [evidence] placards
were in relation to the building, and to everything else, and to also each other.”
{¶70} Appellant takes issue with this because Ornelas did not measure the
distances herself. He argues that the exhibit is misleading and irrelevant. He also believes
her testimony was inappropriate because she could not say whether all collected shell
casings were fired from the same gun. Appellant’s trial counsel did not object to any of
this testimony and did not object to the admission of the overview map. Therefore, we
review this assignment under plain error. Further, appellant has failed to explain what
prejudice he suffered as a result of Ornelas’ testimony.
{¶71} Evid.R. 403(A) provides that the exclusion of relevant evidence is
discretionary if its probative value is “substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice, of confusion of the issues, or of misleading the jury.”
{¶72} Ornelas explained the process by which she collected, photographed, and
marked evidence at the scene. She used a computer assisted field measuring device to
measure the location of the evidence placards and then imposed an arial image of the
scene from Google Earth to assist the jury in understanding the context and location of
items of evidence. Ornelas explained that the exhibit is not exact but is “near to scale.”
An exhibit and supporting testimony depicting an arial view of the crime scene with the
marked positions of evidence found at the scene is certainly probative and relevant
evidence.
{¶73} In this case, where the jury conducted a jury view of the Chardon Tavern
and had a “near scale” arial view of the scene with evidence locations marked, we cannot
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conclude that Ornelas’ testimony or exhibits admitted through her field work were unfairly
prejudicial, let alone that the probative value was “substantially outweighed by the danger
of unfair prejudice.”
{¶74} Accordingly, appellant’s fourth assignment of error is without merit.
{¶75} Appellant’s fifth assignment of error states:
{¶76} “[5.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT CONSIDERED COREY’S
PRIOR DISMISSED CASES WHEN CONSIDERING COREY’S SENTENCE AND
COREY’S SENTENCE IS EXCESSIVE.”
{¶77} Appellant makes two related arguments pertaining to sentencing in this
assignment of error. First, he asserts that the trial court erred by considering appellant’s
dismissed criminal cases when sentencing him in this matter. Second, he argues that the
sentence was excessive because he did not have any prior felonies, he showed remorse,
and that he committed the offense without malice aforethought.
Prior Dismissed Cases:
{¶78} First, appellant asserts that the trial court improperly considered a prior
dismissed case contained in appellant’s pre-sentence investigation when sentencing
appellant. Appellant does not cite to any authority that suggests to us that this is improper
while the State cites to State v. Bowser, 2nd Dist. No. 23555, 186 Ohio App.3d 162, 2010-
Ohio-951, 926 N.E.2d 714.
{¶79} We have previously cited Bowser approvingly for distinct but related
sentencing issues. See State v. Wilson, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2020-A-0003, 2020-
Ohio-3857, ¶ 20, citing Bowser (consideration of the underlying facts in no way abrogates
the offender's plea agreement); State v. Kittelson, 11th Dist. No. 2016-L-062, 2016-Ohio-
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8430, 78 N.E.3d 355, ¶ 45, citing Bowser at ¶ 15 (“it is well-established in Ohio law that
the court may consider information beyond that strictly related to the conviction offense”);
State v. Jevnikar, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2016-L-006, 2016-Ohio-8113, ¶ 44, citing Bowser
at ¶ 14, (“the evidence the court may consider is not confined to the evidence that strictly
relates to the conviction offense because the court is no longer concerned, like it was
during trial, with the narrow issue of guilt.”).
{¶80} Bowser discusses, at length, the need for a trial court to have a wide
discretion to use different sources and types of evidence in imposing sentence. Bowser
at ¶ 14. R.C. 2951.03(A), governing the contents of presentencing investigation reports,
no doubt results in the sentencing court considering evidence that
would be inadmissible at trial * * * [s]o, the court may consider the
offender’s prior arrests, even if none yields prosecution. * * * The
court may also consider facts that support a charge of which the
offender is ultimately acquitted. * * * [A] sentencing court may
consider a criminal charge and supporting facts that are dismissed
under a plea agreement.” (internal citations omitted).
Id. at ¶ 15-16.
{¶81} In this case, the trial court carefully and appropriately considered two prior
dismissed charges against appellant among nine separate criminal incidents and 18
traffic offenses contained in the presentence investigation. In one of those dismissed
disorderly conduct cases, appellant allegedly pulled a handgun during an altercation. The
court said that “even though this case was dismissed, it’s significant to look at the fact this
did involve Mr. Corey having a gun in a [diner], and that is concerning as we look at this
case.” The court emphasized “I acknowledged all along that those cases were dismissed.
However, I do find, and when we looked at this pre-sentence investigation, there was an
incident involving Mr. Corey, and that at least some of these facts are part of his history.”
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{¶82} Based on this record, the trial court appropriately considered prior
dismissed criminal cases against appellant. The court acknowledged that it was dealing
with dismissed criminal charges, but nevertheless noted the similarities between one
dismissed case in particular and the instant case before the court.
Excessive Sentence:
{¶83} Second, appellant argues that his sentence is contrary to law because it is
excessive. Appellant contends that R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) allows this court to increase,
reduce, or otherwise modify a sentence when it is contrary to law because the trial court
failed to consider the purposes and principles of felony sentencing set forth in R.C.
2929.11 and the sentencing factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12.
{¶84} Appellant cites R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a) as our standard of review for felony
sentencing matters. However, division (G)(2)(a) of that statute only applies to challenges
to sentences imposed under R.C. 2929.13(B) or (D), R.C. 2929.14(B)(2)(e) or (C)(4), and
R.C. 2929.20(I), and appellant does not challenge his sentence in reference to any of
these statutes. See State v. Shannon, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2020-T-0020, 2021-Ohio-
789, ¶ 7. Here, appellant claims that the trial court issued a sentence contrary to law
under R.C. 2929.12. As such, the standard provided under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a) is
inapplicable to this matter. Id.
{¶85} We reiterate our prior holdings, and admonish all counsel in this district to
observe, R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a) does not provide a basis for an appellate court to modify
or vacate a sentence based on the lack of support in the record for the trial court’s findings
under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729,
169 N.E.2d 649, ¶ 27-29; e.g., State v. Reffitt, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2021-L-129, 2022-
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Ohio-3371; ¶ 17; State v. Stevens, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2021-L-105, 2022-Ohio-3781, ¶
19; State v. Pruitt, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2021-T-0012, 2021-Ohio-3793, ¶ 10; State v.
Loparo, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2020-L-120, 2021-Ohio-2179, ¶ 13; State v. Mizicko, 11th
Dist. Trumbull No. 2021-T-0017, 2022-Ohio-262, ¶ 22; State v. Potter, 11th Dist. Lake
No. 2021-L-053, 2021-Ohio-3485, ¶ 7. The fundamental premise of these precedents is
that R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 are not statutes to which R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a) even
refers. More fundamentally, neither R.C. 2929.11 nor R.C. 2929.12 calls for the
sentencing court to even make “findings.”
{¶86} Under Jones, an appellate court reviewing alleged error under R.C. 2929.11
and R.C. 2929.12 no longer evaluates whether the sentencing court’s findings for those
sentences are unsupported by the record. Instead, the court “must simply analyze
whether those sentences are contrary to law.” Id. at ¶ 11. Jones held that “legal
dictionaries define ‘contrary to law’ as ‘in violation of statute or legal regulations at a given
time,’ e.g., Black’s Law Dictionary 328 (6th Ed. 1990).” Id. at ¶ 34. However, Jones held
that the phrase “contrary to law” is not “equivalent” to an “appellate court’s conclusions
that the record does not support a sentence under R.C. 2929.11 or 2929.12.” Id.
{¶87} Appellant does not assert that the trial court failed to consider the purpose
and principles of felony sentencing in R.C. 2929.11(A) or that the trial court did not assess
the serious and recidivism factors of R.C. 2929.12(C) and (D). Instead, appellant argues
that his sentence is excessive based on the seriousness and recidivism factors. See R.C.
2929.12(C)(2), (C)(3), and (D)(5). This argument is unavailing because R.C.
2953.08(G)(2)(b) does not provide a basis for an appellate court to modify or vacate a
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sentence based on its view that the sentence is not supported by the record under R.C.
2929.11(A) and 2929.12(C) and (D). Id. at ¶ 39.
{¶88} We have already determined that it is not contrary to law for a sentencing
court to consider dismissed criminal matters in imposing sentence. Appellant does not
otherwise argue that his sentence is contrary to law.
Consecutive Sentences:
{¶89} Additionally, appellant’s arguments could be construed as an argument that
his consecutive sentences were excessive and therefore improperly imposed. There are
three ways an appellant can challenge consecutive sentences on appeal. State v. Lewis,
11th Dist. Lake No. 2001-L-060, 2002-Ohio-3373, ¶ 6. First, the appellant may argue that
the sentencing court failed to state the findings for consecutive sentences that R.C.
2929.14(C)(4) requires. State v. Torres, 11th Dist. Lake No. 201-L-122, 2003-Ohio-1878,
¶ 18; R.C. 2953.08(G)(1). Second, the appellant may argue that the record clearly and
convincingly does not support the findings the sentencing court made to justify
consecutive sentences. State v. Lewis, at ¶ 7; R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a). Third, the appellant
may argue that his sentence is clearly and convincingly otherwise contrary to law. R.C.
2953.08(G)(2)(b).
{¶90} R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) provides:
If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for convictions of
multiple offenses, the court may require the offender to serve the
prison terms consecutively if the court finds that the consecutive
service is necessary to protect the public from future crime or to
punish the offender and that consecutive sentences are not
disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to
the danger the offender poses to the public, and if the court also finds
any of the following:
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(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
2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under postrelease 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.
{¶91} In making its findings for consecutive sentences, the sentencing court is
required to engage in the analysis for consecutive sentencing and specify the statutory
criteria warranting its decision. State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St. 3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177,
16 N.E.3d 659, at ¶ 26. While the sentencing court is not required to state exact reasons
supporting its findings, the record must contain a clear basis upon which a reviewing court
can determine that the sentencing court’s findings for imposing consecutive sentences
are supported by the record. Id. at ¶ 27-28.
{¶92} At sentencing, the trial court found that the tampering with evidence offense
was part of a separate course of conduct and that appellant’s history of criminal conduct
demonstrated that consecutive sentences were necessary to protect the public from
future crime by the appellant.
{¶93} The court said “I thought a lot about this * * *. You know, while that was kind
of the same course of conduct where, you know, he is leaving the bar. He just shot the
guy. He is on 911, creating this ruse, and he is going to hide the gun. It really is a separate
and district, and really terrible form of the offense, And I think it does, the Tampering
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charge does call for consecutive sentences because I don’t think that combining that with
the prison sentence * * * would adequately reflect the seriousness of his conduct in that
instance.” Appellant has not shown how this record does not clearly and convincingly
support the findings of the sentencing court to impose consecutive sentences.
{¶94} Accordingly, appellant’s fifth assignment of error is without merit.
{¶95} Appellant’s sixth assignment of error states:
{¶96} “[6.] COREY’S CONVICTION WAS BASED ON INSUFFICIENT
EVIDENCE AS A MATTER OF LAW AND AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE.”
{¶97} Appellant asserts that his attempted murder conviction was not supported
by sufficient evidence and that it was against the manifest weight of the evidence. App.R.
16(A)(7) requires an appellant's brief to provide “[a]n argument containing the contentions
of the appellant with respect to each assignment of error presented for review and the
reasons in support of the contentions, with citations to the authorities, statutes, and parts
of the record on which appellant relies.” “It is not an appellate court's duty to guess the
arguments of an appellant.” Dennis v. Nickajack Farms, Ltd., 11th Dist. Geauga No.
2014–G–3188, 2014-Ohio-5468, ¶ 6. Appellant does not argue that his tampering with
evidence conviction is not supported by sufficient evidence or against the manifest weight
of the evidence, and we will not make those arguments for him.
{¶98} “Although a court of appeals may determine that a judgment of a trial court
is sustained by sufficient evidence, that court may nevertheless conclude that the
judgment is against the weight of the evidence.” Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d at 389. Weight
of the evidence concerns “the inclination of the greater amount of credible evidence,
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offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather than the other. It indicates clearly
to the jury that the party having the burden of proof will be entitled to their verdict, if, on
weighing the evidence in their minds, they shall find the greater amount of credible
evidence sustains the issue which is to be established before them.” (Emphasis sic.) Id.
at 386, quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 1594 (6th Ed.1990).
{¶99} “When a court of appeals reverses a judgment of a trial court on the basis
that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence, the appellate court sits as a
‘thirteenth juror’ and disagrees with the factfinder’s resolution of the conflicting testimony.”
Id.
{¶100} The reviewing court “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 reversed and a new trial ordered. The discretionary power to
grant a new trial should be exercised only in the exceptional case in which the evidence
weighs heavily against the conviction.” Id. at 387, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d
172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983).
{¶101} The trier of fact is the sole judge of the weight of the evidence and the
credibility of the witnesses. State v. Landingham, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2020-L-103, 2021-
Ohio-4258, ¶ 22, quoting State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67, 197 N.E.2d 548 (1964). The
trier of fact may believe or disbelieve any witness in whole or in part, considering the
demeanor of the witness and the manner in which a witness testifies, the interest, if any
of the outcome of the case and the connection with the prosecution or the defendant. Id.,quoting Antil at 67. This court, engaging in the limited weighing of the evidence introduced
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at trial, is deferential to the weight and factual findings made by the jury. State v. Brown,
11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2002-T-0077, 2003-Ohio-7183, ¶ 52, citing Thompkins at 390 and
State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212 (1967), paragraph two of the
syllabus.
{¶102} A finding that a judgment is supported by the manifest weight of the
evidence necessarily means the judgment is supported by sufficient evidence. State v.
Arcaro, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2012-A-0028, 2013-Ohio-1842, ¶ 32.
{¶103} In this case, appellant was convicted of Attempted Murder in violation of
R.C. 2903.02(A) and R.C. 2923.02, which provides that: “(A) No person shall purposely
cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another's pregnancy;” “No
person, purposely or knowingly, and when purpose or knowledge is sufficient culpability
for the commission of an offense, shall engage in conduct that, if successful, would
constitute or result in the offense.” The trial court gave the jury a self-defense instruction
at appellant’s request. The General Assembly amended the provisions in R.C. 2901.05
that define self-defense effective on March 28, 2019.
{¶104} Since that amendment, R.C. 2901.05 now places the burden of persuasion
upon the State to disprove at least one of the elements of self-defense beyond a
reasonable doubt. State v. Petway, 2020-Ohio-3848, 156 N.E.3d 467, ¶ 55 (11th Dist.),
appeal not allowed, 160 Ohio St.3d 1460, 2020-Ohio-5332, 157 N.E.3d 794,
reconsideration denied, 160 Ohio St.3d 1512, 2020-Ohio-6835, 159 N.E.3d 1172; R.C.
2901.05(A).
{¶105} At the time of appellant’s offense, the elements of a valid claim of self-
defense were: “(1) the defendant was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to
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the affray and (2) the defendant had a bona fide belief that he or she was in imminent
danger of death or great bodily harm and that his or her only means of escape from such
danger was in the use of such force; and (3) the defendant did not violate any duty to
retreat or avoid the danger. State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 24, 759 N.E.2d 1240(2002), citing State v. Robbins, 58 Ohio St.2d 74, 388 N.E.2d 755 (1979), paragraph two
of the syllabus; State v. Mogul, 11th Dist. Trumbull Nos. 97-T-0018 & 97-T-0067, 1998
WL 258164, *3 (May 15, 1998).” Id. at ¶ 41. “The degree of force permitted depends upon
what is reasonably necessary to protect that individual from the imminent use of unlawful
force.” Id. at ¶ 42, citing Mogul, 1998 WL 258164 at *3.
{¶106} We must determine whether the jury lost its way and created a manifest
miscarriage of justice in finding the State disproved at least one of the elements of self-
defense beyond a reasonable doubt. The State provided partial security camera evidence
of the events. Unfortunately, the security camera malfunctioned shortly before the
shooting. In addition, the State presented testimony from seven witnesses at the bar.
At Fault in Creating the Situation Giving Rise to the Affray:
{¶107} Although appellant testified that Burns approached him with a knife and that
he was threatening appellant, no other witness corroborated this version of events.
Witnesses described Burns’ actions as admonishing appellant to leave the bar. No one,
other than appellant, described Burns’ actions toward appellant as threatening or violent.
Witnesses testified that Burns had nothing in his hands and that he spoke to appellant
with open palms. Despite this, appellant stated that he drew a weapon and fired what he
described as a warning shot. Burns testified that he felt he could not safely flee without
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being shot and attempted to disarm appellant. Based on this evidence, we cannot find
that appellant was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to the cause of the affray.
Bona Fide Belief of Imminent Danger:
{¶108} Although the testimony about appellant’s reasonable belief that he was in
imminent danger was conflicting, the jury was free to believe any witness in whole or in
part. The State offered significant evidence from multiple eyewitnesses that would tend
to discredit appellant’s bona fide belief that he was in imminent danger.
{¶109} Appellant’s actions after the shooting tend to discredit his testimony.
Appellant drove away from the scene. Although he called 911, he never stated to the 911
operator that he had a weapon or that he had shot someone. During the 911 call, he hid
the weapon under a dumpster. At the time of his arrest, he only vaguely stated that the
weapon was somewhere safe.
{¶110} The jury found appellant guilty of tampering with evidence in violation of
R.C. 2921.12. Tampering with evidence “involves elements of dishonesty, to the extent
that the defendant has acted in a way to mislead an investigation or evade prosecution.
See State v. Oliver, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 12 MA 212, 2015-Ohio-2684, ¶ 27.” Allen v.
Altiere, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2015-T-0065, 2015-Ohio-3556, ¶ 26. In finding appellant
guilty of a crime of dishonesty, the jury could have reasonably found that also weakened
appellant’s credibility in his self-defense testimony.
Reasonable Force:
{¶111} At least one witness stated that appellant continued firing at Burns after he
fell to the ground, stating that appellant fired an additional seven or eight shots once Burns
collapsed. “The degree of force permitted depends upon what is reasonably necessary
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to protect that individual from the imminent use of unlawful force.” Id. at ¶ 42, citing Mogul,
1998 WL 258164 at *3. The jury could have reasonably found that appellant’s continued
firing was not a reasonable use of force.
Duty to Retreat:
{¶112} On April 6, 2021, R.C. 2901.09 was amended to eliminate the duty to retreat
when using deadly force “if that person is in a place in which the person lawfully has a
right to be.” R.C. 2901.09(B). This case originated prior to that amendment. However, the
trial court retroactively applied R.C. 2901.09(B) in the jury instruction given to the jury in
this case.
{¶113} “While the change in the law is relatively straightforward, when it should be
applied * * * is an unsettled question.” State v. Degahson, 2nd Dist. Clark No. 2021-CA-
35, 2022-Ohio-2972, ¶ 15. The Second and Eighth Districts have found that that the
amendment to the duty to retreat is substantive in nature and is not retroactive. Id. at ¶
20; State v. Duncan, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110784, 2022-Ohio-3665, ¶ 28-29.
{¶114} Neither party has directly raised this issue on appeal. The jury found
appellant guilty despite the jury instruction not imposing a duty to retreat before using
deadly force upon him and we can resolve this assignment of error without determining
whether the trial court should have done so. Therefore, we decline to issue an advisory
opinion on this point. State ex rel. United Auto., Aerospace & Agricultural Implement
Workers of Am. v. Bur. of Workers' Comp., 108 Ohio St.3d 432, 2006-Ohio-1327, 844
N.E.2d 335, ¶ 60.
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{¶115} . Based on the evidence in this case, we cannot say that the jury clearly lost
its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be
reversed, and a new trial ordered.
{¶116} Accordingly, appellant’s sixth assignment of error is without merit.
{¶117} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Geauga County Court of
Common Pleas is affirmed.
MATT LYNCH, J.,
FREDERICK D. NELSON, J., Retired, Tenth Appellate District, sitting by assignment,
concur.
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