[Cite as Cleveland v. Cunningham, 2018-Ohio-844.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION No. 105403
CITY OF CLEVELAND
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
TATIONA CUNNINGHAM
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the Cleveland Municipal Court Case No. 2016 TRC 030852
BEFORE: McCormack, P.J., Boyle, J., and Celebrezze, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: March 8, 2018 ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Ayesha Bell Hardaway Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic 11075 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106
Brian Unger Samantha Weaver Lauren Tuttle Certified Legal Interns Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic 11075 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Barbara A. Langhenry Director of Law City of Cleveland Law Department
Kimberly G. Barnett-Mills Chief Prosecutor
By: Angela Rodriguez Assistant City Prosecutor 1200 Ontario Street, 8th Floor Cleveland, OH 44113
TIM McCORMACK, P.J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Tationa Cunningham appeals from her conviction for
operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (“OVI”) from the Cleveland Municipal Court.
For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
I. Procedural History and Substantive Facts {¶2} Cunningham was charged with OVI and failure to control, in violation of
Cleveland Codified Ordinances 433.01 and 431.34(a), respectively. Cunningham filed a motion
to suppress, requesting suppression of “any and all reported failures or refusals of field sobriety
tests performed” after the motor vehicle collision in which Cunningham was involved. The
court held a hearing in which it heard testimony from the arresting officers, and it viewed video
taken from the officers’ body cameras. The trial judge was provided a copy of the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administrative (“NHTSA”) manual for the administration of field
sobriety tests, and the defendant referred to the manual during counsel’s cross-examination of the
police officers.
{¶3} Cleveland police officer Daniel McCandless testified on behalf of the city at the
suppression hearing. Officer McCandless testified that he received training through the State
Highway Patrol on administering field sobriety tests and the Intoxilyzer 8000, which is the BAC
breath test. He is familiar with the NHTSA standards for the field sobriety tests, such as the
horizontal gaze nystagmus (“HGN”) test, walk-and-turn test (“WAT”), and the one-legged stand
(“OLS”) test, and he has conducted several OVI traffic stops during his employment with the
Cleveland Police Department.
{¶4} On September 25, 2016, Officer McCandless arrived at the scene of a motor
vehicle collision on E. 105th Street and Superior Avenue. Fire and emergency medical service
(“EMS”) were on the scene. Officer McCandless observed two vehicles in the intersection.
The second vehicle, later identified as Cunningham’s vehicle, was immobile. Officer
McCandless spoke with the victim, Darryl Miles, and he then spoke with Cunningham, who was
sitting inside the EMS truck, and Cunningham’s passenger. The officer testified that
Cunningham was “very, very emotional” and she “wouldn’t calm down.” He smelled alcohol on her breath and asked Cunningham if she had been drinking. He requested that the other
officers who had arrived on the scene conduct field sobriety tests of Cunningham while he
cleared the intersection.
{¶5} Officer Lester Webb arrived on the scene to assist Officer McCandless. Officer
Webb found Cunningham in the nearby bus shelter. She was “irate,” pacing back and forth, and
visibly crying. He moved her to a different area where there was no broken glass, and he began
to conduct the field sobriety tests. Officer Webb testified that he had recently received 40 hours
of training related to the NHTSA standards, which provided the officer with information on how
to properly administer field sobriety tests. He had not though performed any field sobriety tests
until this night.
{¶6} Officer Webb began with the HGN test, in which he held a stimulus (a pen)
approximately 12 to 15 inches from Cunningham’s face and asked that she follow the stimulus
with her eyes. The officer noted that he was looking for jerking of the eye and he testified that
he tried to turn her away from any distracting lights, as required by NHTSA standards, but the
fire truck’s flashing lights were still visible. He asked Cunningham to stand still, and he asked
her if she had any traumatic brain injuries and if she wore contacts. The officer stated that he
looked for “smooth pursuit” in her eyes. He also twice checked for “distinct nystagmus at
maximum deviation.” The officer testified that he observed two “clues” of impairment in the
left eye and none in the right eye.
{¶7} On cross-examination, however, Officer Webb conceded that he observed fewer
than four clues of impairment, while the manual requires four or more clues as evidence of
impairment. Officer Webb also conceded that his verbal instructions to Cunningham were
limited to “I am going to put this at your eye and you’re gonna watch it,” referring to the stimulus. He did not instruct Cunningham to keep her head still, to keep her feet together, or to
keep looking at the stimulus until directed to stop, in accordance with the NHTSA manual.
Finally, Officer Webb admitted that, in contravention of the NHTSA manual requiring a subject
be faced away from flashing lights, he administered the test to Cunningham while the fire truck’s
lights were flashing.
{¶8} Officer Webb then administered the WAT test. He testified that he tells a driver
to: stand still and not to move until instructed; put his or her hands on the sides of his or her
body; take a series of nine heel-to-toe steps, make a series of turns while looking at his or her
feet; and return with nine steps. The officer is looking for clues of impairment such as not
staring at their feet, their hands going up, not taking steps heel-to-toe, and making improper
turns.
{¶9} Video from the officer’s body camera that was played at the suppression hearing
showed Officer Webb instructing Cunningham not to move until he instructed her to do so and
telling her to take nine heel-to-toe steps and return with heel-to-toe steps. The officer initially
instructed Cunningham to put her feet together. He then instructed her to stand with her right
foot in front of her left foot before correcting her and instructing Cunningham to stand with her
left foot in front of her right foot. As Cunningham appeared in the camera, she was in the
correct position. Officer Webb also demonstrated the test and the turn for Cunningham. He
took only six steps each way. After demonstrating for Cunningham, he reminded her to turn on
the ninth step.
{¶10} Officer Webb testified that in performing this test, Cunningham started too early,
her feet never touched, she made an improper turn, and she raised her arms up. Officer Webb
also testified that Cunningham was “erratic” and what she was saying was “very spontaneous.” He detected an odor of alcohol that he could smell from a couple of feet away. He stated that
Cunningham had trouble standing, even when she took off her boots. Officer McCandless
observed Officer Webb administer the WAT test. He noted that Cunningham was not looking
at her feet or counting her steps and she made an improper turn, noting that he saw “at least three
clues” of impairment.
{¶11} On cross-examination, Officer Webb reviewed the NHTSA manual instructions for
the WAT test, including the “instructional phase” and the “walking stage,” which states that the
subject should stand with her feet heel-to-toe and not begin until instructed. The video showed
Officer Webb telling Cunningham not to move until instructed. He testified that Cunningham
began to “jump[] around the whole time, even after [his instructions]” and that “she doesn’t stand
still the whole time.” The officer testified that Cunningham “[kept] trying to move forward like
she wants to do the test.” Officer Webb testified that the NHTSA requires the officer to
demonstrate the steps to the subject. He noted that he took only six steps, stating that the
officers are trained to demonstrate in sets of three. The officer also testified that the manual
requires the officer to instruct the subject to count her steps aloud. Officer Webb did not
instruct Cunningham to count her steps in this manner; however, the video shows that Officer
Webb counted his steps aloud when demonstrating the test. And the video demonstrated that
Cunningham was given the instruction to count aloud after she had begun the test. Officer
Webb stated that Cunningham “teeters, like a half-step, and then she * * * didn’t make the series
of small turns. She made * * * an incorrect turn,” and that is why he counted her performance
as “an incorrect number of steps.” Officer Webb also testified that he did not instruct
Cunningham to look at her feet while taking the steps, as required by the NHTSA standards. Finally, Officer Webb testified that he observed Cunningham raise her right arm up slightly for
balance, which is a clue of impairment.
{¶12} Officer Webb began to administer the OLS test but Officer McCandless stepped in
because, according to Officer McCandless, Officer Webb was struggling with his instructions.
Officer McCandless testified that Cunningham was supposed to stand with her feet together, with
arms down to her side, and not move until instructed for this test. Officer McCandless testified
that Cunningham was not positioning herself as instructed. He stated that Cunningham “wasn’t
able or wanting to perform the test,” despite giving her three opportunities, with shoes on and
with shoes off.
{¶13} Following the suppression hearing, and after stating that it considered the three
field sobriety tests, statements made during the tests, the probable cause to arrest, and the
evidence, which includes the video footage of the officers’ body cameras, the trial court denied
Cunningham’s motion to suppress, in part:
the court finds that the HGN test did not comply, did not substantially comply with any acceptable standardized testing procedures. The court finds that the Walk & Turn test did substantially comply. The One-legged Stand test was refusal. The court finds that the statements made during the test [were] admissible. And then the court finds that there was probable cause to arrest.
The court advised the parties that it would put its ruling “in an order form for you, outlining [the
ruling], and then send it to [the parties].”
{¶14} After the court denied the motion to suppress, in part, Cunningham requested that
the matter be set for a jury trial. The failure to control charge was bifurcated, and the case
proceeded to a jury trial on the OVI charge. {¶15} The court heard testimony from Darryl Miles, the victim of the crash, Officer
Daniel McCandless, and Officer Lester Webb. The city also presented as evidence video files
from the officers’ body cameras. Additionally, Cunningham testified on her own behalf.
{¶16} Darryl Miles testified that while he was stopped at a red light on E. 105th Street
waiting to turn left onto Superior Avenue, signaling a left turn, someone rear-ended him. When
he exited the vehicle to assess the damage, he saw that the other car was wedged up under the
bumper of his car. Miles said the driver of the other vehicle, whom he identified in the
courtroom as the defendant, Tationa Cunningham, exited her vehicle and “was very irate,” crying
and screaming. Cunningham accused him of brake-checking her, called him names, and told
Miles “that’s why old people don’t need to drive.” Feeling that Cunningham might attack him,
Miles crossed the street and flagged down a CMHA police officer for assistance. The CMHA
officer called the Cleveland police to the scene, and thereafter, Miles reported what had happened
to Cleveland police officer Daniel McCandless.
{¶17} When Officer McCandless arrived on the scene, Cunningham was in an EMS
vehicle. Officer McCandless testified that while speaking with Cunningham, he detected the
odor of alcohol. He advised Cunningham that he was going to perform field sobriety tests.
Then Cunningham’s demeanor changed. Officer McCandless stated that Cunningham became
more hysterical. Because he had to handle the matter of the vehicles being in the middle of the
intersection, Officer McCandless asked another officer who had arrived on the scene to
administer the field sobriety tests.
{¶18} Officer Webb testified that when he arrived on the scene of the collision, he saw
Cunningham erratically pacing back and forth in the nearby bus shelter. When he approached
her, he immediately smelled alcohol on her breath. She was “very frantic,” crying, and making “a lot of hand gestures.” He believed her frantic behavior demonstrated a possibility that
Cunningham was impaired and that it was not attributed solely to being emotional from the
collision. The officer then conducted the WAT field sobriety test. He testified that during the
test, Cunningham started too early, she raised her hands, she lost her balance, she did not walk
heel-to-toe, and she made an improper turn. He stated that her balance “was all over the place.”
Thereafter, Officer Webb attempted to administer the OLS test when Officer McCandless
intervened and took over. Officer McCandless attempted to administer the OLS test, but
Cunningham said she could not do it, she became hysterical, and she refused to do the test.
{¶19} Cunningham was then arrested and transported to jail where she refused a breath
test. Officer Webb testified that Cunningham became very uncooperative and threw her jewelry
around and almost hit him in the face during booking.
{¶20} The jury found Cunningham guilty of driving under the influence, and the court
found her guilty on the bifurcated failure to control charge. The court sentenced Cunningham
as follows: (1) 180 days in jail, suspending 177 days, and a fine of $1,000, suspending $600, on
the OVI charge; and (2) $75 on the failure to control charge. The court then granted
Cunningham driving privileges and stayed her sentence pending this appeal.
II. Assignments of Error
{¶21} Cunningham raises the following errors for our review:
I. The trial court impeded Appellant’s right to present a complete defense when it failed to provide Appellant with a written opinion on the motion to suppress prior to trial.
II. The trial court judge cited to State v. Homan for a proposition that is not supported by the opinion, and the scope of cross-examination of both officers should have been broader because Homan supports a totality of the circumstances test. III. The appellant was denied a fair and impartial trial as guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution where the trial court erred in denying the appellant due process of law by suppressing the admission of the NHTSA Manual and not allowing cross-examination concerning the City’s witnesses’ knowledge of the NHTSA field sobriety testing standards and the suppressed HGN test.
IV. The trial court improperly denied the suppression of the results of the walk-and-turn test when the record fails to establish substantial compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s guidelines on performing that test.
III. Law and Analysis
A. Findings of Fact
{¶22} In her first assignment of error, Cunningham argues that when the trial court denied
her motion to suppress, it did not provide findings of fact on the record and therefore erred by
violating Crim.R. 12(F).
{¶23} Crim.R. 12(F) provides that “where factual issues are involved in determining a
motion, the court shall state its essential findings on the record.” However, it is well settled in
Ohio that in order to invoke the court’s duty to issue findings of fact, the defendant must
specifically request the essential findings. State v. Robinson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 90731,
2008-Ohio-5580, ¶ 29; State v. Martin, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89030, 2007-Ohio-6062, ¶13,
citing State v. Brown, 64 Ohio St.3d 476, 481, 597 N.E.2d 97 (1992); Bryan v. Knapp, 21 Ohio
St.3d 64, 65, 488 N.E.2d 142 (1986). Thus, where there is no record of the defendant’s request,
the trial court has no duty to issue findings of fact. Robinson at ¶ 30.
{¶24} Moreover, the failure to provide findings of fact will not prejudice a defendant
where the record provides an appellate court with a sufficient basis to review a defendant’s
assignments of error. State v. Harris, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 85270, 2005-Ohio-2192, ¶ 18.
Crim.R. 12(F) “does not imbue a defendant with the power to force a trial court to issue separate factual findings when ruling on a motion to suppress if the court’s reasoning is set forth in the
record and the record as a whole provides an appellate court with sufficient basis for review.”
State v. Atkinson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95602, 2011-Ohio-5918, ¶ 23, citing State v. Moore,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92829, 2010-Ohio-3305, ¶ 17; see also (holding that where a defendant
makes no request for findings in support of a trial court’s order denying a motion to suppress,
and the trial court does not issue findings, an appellate court errs in reversing a conviction if
there is “sufficient evidence demonstrating that the trial court’s decision was legally justified and
supported by the record”).
{¶25} Here, the court held a suppression hearing on December 5, 2016. After the
hearing, the court scheduled its ruling for December 18, 2016, at which time, the court, on the
record, denied Cunningham’s motion to suppress. The court determined that Cunningham’s
statements were admissible, there was probable cause to arrest the defendant, the HGN test did
not comply with NHTSA guidelines, the WAT test did substantially comply with the NHTSA
guidelines, and the OLS was a refusal. The court then advised counsel that it would put its
ruling “in an order form for you, outlining [the ruling], and then send it to you * * * [p]robably
email it to you after it has been journalized.” Immediately thereafter, when the court stated that
it did not know what the defendant wished to do next, defense counsel advised the court that
Cunningham would request a jury trial. And the record reflects that Cunningham filed a jury
demand on December 30, 2016. The record, however, is devoid of any request for findings of
fact between the court’s ruling on the motion to suppress on December 18, 2016, and the
commencement of trial on January 19, 2017.
{¶26} Cunningham argues on appeal that the trial judge orally assured defense counsel
that her findings would be put in a written order outlining her ruling. We find, however, that the court’s indication that it would reduce its ruling to “order form” is not a promise, sua sponte,
of written findings of fact and conclusions of law. Cunningham also argues that she did, in fact,
request findings of fact, identifying a portion of the trial transcript in which defense counsel
asked the court, “can we get a written opinion from you on the motion to suppress?” We do not
find defense counsel’s purported request made to the court during the morning session of trial to
amount to a timely and proper request for findings of fact.
{¶27} Regardless of any actual request for findings, we find that the transcript from the
suppression hearing and the record as a whole provides this court with sufficient basis for review
in order to determine the correctness of the court’s suppression ruling. See Robinson, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 90731, 2008-Ohio-5580, at ¶ 30; Martin, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89030,
2007-Ohio-6062, at ¶ 13. We therefore find that Cunningham was not prejudiced by the trial
court’s failure to issue findings of fact, and we are able to address the merit of her claims.
Martin; State v. Hahn, 5th Dist. Perry No. 05 CA 17, 2007-Ohio-557, ¶ 40 (finding that where
the record is devoid of the trial court’s findings of fact, the suppression hearing transcript may
provide an appellate court with sufficient basis to determine whether the trial court’s decision
was supported by competent, credible evidence).
{¶28} Cunningham’s first assignment of error is overruled.
B. Field Sobriety Tests
{¶29} As Cunningham’s remaining assignments of error are interrelated, we address them
together. Cunningham challenges the trial court’s rulings on her motion to suppress. In
support, she alleges that the court misapplied the current law concerning the admissibility of the
field sobriety tests and the testimony of the arresting officers. She also contends that the trial
court erred in finding that the officers substantially complied with the NHTSA standards in administering the WAT test. Finally, Cunningham argues that the trial court erred when it
prevented her from cross-examining the officers concerning the administration of the suppressed
HGN test.
{¶30} In moving to suppress the results of a field sobriety test, the defendant must
provide an “adequate basis” to seek suppression of the results, which include stating the legal and
factual bases “‘with sufficient particularity to place the prosecutor and [the] court on notice as to
the issues contested.’” State v. Hunter, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 91110, 2009-Ohio-1239, ¶ 24,
citing State v. Shindler, 70 Ohio St.3d 54, 58, 636 N.E.2d 319 (1994); Crim.R. 47. Where the
defendant establishes an adequate basis, the prosecutor then bears the burden of demonstrating
substantial compliance; and if the prosecutor demonstrates substantial compliance, the burden
then shifts to the defendant to overcome the presumption of admissibility. Hunter at ¶ 25.
{¶31} This court reviews a denial of a motion to suppress under a mixed standard of
review that involves questions of law and fact. Cleveland v. Giering, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
105020, 2017-Ohio-8059, ¶ 12, citing State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372,
797 N.E.2d 71, ¶ 8. In a motion to suppress, “the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and
is in the best position to resolve questions of fact and evaluate witness credibility.” State v.
Curry, 95 Ohio App.3d 93, 96, 641 N.E.2d 1172 (8th Dist.1994). The reviewing court must
therefore accept the trial court’s findings of fact in ruling on a motion to suppress if the findings
are supported by competent, credible evidence. Giering; Burnside. The reviewing court,
however, must independently determine whether those facts satisfy the applicable legal standard.
Id.
{¶32} Under R.C. 4511.19(D)(4)(b), an officer may testify concerning the results of the
field sobriety test if the officer administered the test in “substantial compliance” with the testing standards. Therefore, “in order for the results of the field sobriety tests to be admissible, the
city must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the officer performing the testing
substantially complied with accepted testing standards.” State v. Hyppolite, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 103955, 2016-Ohio-7399, ¶ 47, citing Middleburg Hts. v. Gettings, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
99556, 2013-Ohio-3536, ¶ 12; Parma Hts. v. Dedejczyk, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97664,
2012-Ohio-3458, ¶ 42. The city may demonstrate what the NHTSA standards are through
competent testimony and/or by introducing the applicable portions of the NHTSA manual.
State v. Boczar, 113 Ohio St.3d 148, 2007-Ohio-1251, 863 N.E.2d 155, ¶ 28; see State v.
Jackman, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89835, 2008-Ohio-1944, ¶ 24 (“Under Ohio law, the state is
not required to introduce the NHTSA guidelines or expert testimony.”).
{¶33} Substantial compliance is not defined in R.C. 4511.19(D)(4)(b); therefore, courts
have some discretion in determining the “‘substantiability of the compliance.’” Hyppolite at ¶
48, quoting State v. Perry, 129 Ohio Misc. 61, 2004-Ohio-7332, 822 N.E.2d 862, ¶ 45. Thus, a
determination of whether the facts satisfy the substantial compliance standard is made on a
case-by-case basis. Hyppolite; Dedejczyk at ¶ 42.
{¶34} Notwithstanding a court’s determination that a police officer did not substantially
comply with the NHTSA standards, thus requiring suppression of the test results, the officer’s
testimony regarding observations made during the defendant’s performance on the field sobriety
tests is admissible under Evid.R. 701:
In [State v.] Homan, [89 Ohio St.3d 421, 427, 2000-Ohio-212, 732 N.E.2d 952,
superseded by statute on other grounds], although we excluded the noncomplying
field test results from our consideration, we nevertheless concluded that the
totality of the circumstances surrounding the defendant’s arrest supported a finding of probable cause. In particular, we found relevant the officer’s
observations of the defendant, including the fact that he observed erratic driving,
that the defendant’s eyes were red and glassy, and that she smelled of alcohol. * *
* These observations clearly fall within the realm of Evid.R. 701, since they are
rationally based on the perceptions of the witness and are helpful to a clear
understanding of a fact in issue.
State v. Schmitt, 101 Ohio St.3d 79, 2004-Ohio-37, 801 N.E.2d 446, ¶ 11; Dedejczyk at ¶ 43.
{¶35} Cunningham contends that the trial court improperly applied Homan, and in doing
so, it improperly limited the scope of cross-examination of the police officers’ observations of
her performance of all of the field sobriety tests. We disagree. Upon our review of the record,
we find the trial court properly permitted the police officers to testify concerning what they
observed upon arriving on the scene of the collision and in conducting the field sobriety tests.
{¶36} Officer McCandless testified that upon arriving on the scene and in speaking with
Cunningham, he observed the scene of the motor vehicle accident, he detected an odor of
alcohol, and he noted that she became hysterical when he told her that he would conduct field
sobriety tests. Officer Webb testified that upon approaching Cunningham in the bus shelter, he
immediately smelled alcohol on her breath, Cunningham was “very frantic,” crying, making “a
lot of hand gestures,” and generally behaving in a manner that exceeded typical emotional
behavior such that he believed she may have been impaired. This testimony was consistent with
those observations permitted by Homan and Schmitt. The trial court did not err in permitting
this testimony.
{¶37} Regarding the HGN test, a police officer must instruct a suspect according to the
NHTSA manual as follows: “[A] police officer should instruct the suspect that they are going to check the suspect’s eyes, that the suspect should keep their head still and follow the stimulus with their eyes, and that the suspect should do so until told to stop. After these initial instructions are provided, the officer is instructed to position the stimulus approximately 12 to 15 inches from the suspect’s nose and slightly above eye level. The officer is then told to check the suspect’s pupils to determine if they are of equal size, the suspect’s ability to track the stimulus, and whether the suspect’s tracking is smooth. The officer then checks the suspect for nystagmus at maximum deviation and for onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees.”
Cleveland v. Krivich, 2016-Ohio-3072, 65 N.E.3d 279, ¶ 15 (8th Dist.), quoting State v. Secoy,
5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2008-0065, 2009-Ohio-5100, ¶ 16. Additionally, according to
NHTSA standards, the officer must face a suspect away from flashing lights and traffic that is in
close proximity to the subject. State v. Stritch, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 20759,
2005-Ohio-1376, ¶ 23.
{¶38} In evaluating the suspect for impairment, the police officer should look for three
indicators: “(1) if the eye cannot follow a moving object smoothly, (2) if jerking is distinct when
the eye is at maximum deviation, and (3) if the angle of onset of jerking is within 45 degrees of
center.” Krivich, citing S. Euclid v. Bautista-Avila, 2015-Ohio-3236, 36 N.E.3d 246, ¶ 11 (8th
Dist.).
{¶39} Here, although Officer Webb held a stimulus approximately 12 to 15 inches from
Cunningham’s face, his instructions to Cunningham were essentially limited to “I am going to
put this at your eye and you’re gonna watch it.” The officer failed to instruct Cunningham to
keep her head still, to keep her feet together, and to follow the stimulus until instructed to stop.
Moreover, the officer conducted the test while flashing lights were still visible to the suspect.
We therefore conclude that the trial court’s suppression of the results of the HGN test was
proper. {¶40} Cunningham argues that despite the suppression of the results of this test, she
should have been permitted to cross-examine the officers concerning the administration of the
HGN test and their knowledge of the NHTSA standards regarding the test. According to
Cunningham, the exclusion of such testimony deprived her of the right to present a defense.
{¶41} Cunningham has asserted on appeal that “if permitted to cross-examine the officers
on their conduct in accordance with NHTSA guidelines, [d]efense [c]ounsel would have elicited
testimony that the officer observed the [a]ppellant crying and attributed her glassy eyes to the fact
that she had been crying.” Thus, Cunningham seeks to introduce testimony regarding the
administration of the HGN “to explain the effect the officers’ conduct had on [the] appellant.”
This testimony that Cunningham complains was improperly excluded, however, is not relevant to
any material fact in dispute, and we cannot say that its exclusion prejudiced Cunningham.
{¶42} The Sixth Amendment’s right to confront witnesses guarantees a criminal
defendant the right to cross-examine witnesses. Hyppolite, 2016-Ohio-7399, 76 N.E.3d 539, at
¶ 33, citing Columbus v. Miller, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 89AP-111, 1989 Ohio App. LEXIS
3541, 18 (Sept. 12, 1989). This right, however, is not unlimited. Although cross-examination
of a witness is a matter of right, the extent of cross-examination concerning an appropriate
subject of inquiry is within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Green, 66 Ohio St.3d
141, 147, 609 N.E.2d 1253 (1993). “Trial judges may impose reasonable limits on
cross-examination based on a variety of concerns, such as harassment, prejudice, confusion of the
issues, the witness’s safety, repetitive testimony, or marginally relevant interrogation. State v.
Treesh, 90 Ohio St.3d 460, 480, 739 N.E.2d 749 (2001), citing Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475
U.S. 673, 679, 106 S.Ct. 1431, 89 L.Ed.2d 674 (1986). We review decisions to limit cross-examination for an abuse of discretion based on the particular facts of each case. State v.
Acre, 6 Ohio St.3d 140, 145, 451 N.E.2d 802 (1983).
{¶43} Evid.R. 611(B) provides that cross-examination shall be permitted on all relevant
matters and matters affecting credibility. 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.” Evid.R. 401.
{¶44} Here, evidence of why Cunningham was crying is not a fact that is of consequence,
particularly in light of the fact that there is no dispute that Cunningham was crying during the
administration of the field sobriety tests. What was relevant to the issue in dispute was that the
officer observed glassy eyes, glassy eyes may be caused by crying, and Cunningham was crying.
On direct examination, Officer McCandless testified as to what he observed upon arriving on the
scene. He observed the scene of the motor vehicle accident, the odor of alcohol, and
Cunningham crying. He stated, “At first, I thought her eyes were glassy, but she was crying, so,
you know, I determined that it might have been from that * * *.” Later, on cross-examination,
Officer McCandless testified that he observed Cunningham upset and crying, and he reiterated
that he attributed the glassy, or “watery,” eyes to her crying.
{¶45} So the testimony that Cunningham claims she was deprived of presenting to the
jury was, in fact, elicited from Officer McCandless. He acknowledged that Cunningham had
been crying, and he attributed her glassy eyes to this fact. Evidence as to the purported reason
why Cunningham was crying, i.e., the alleged failure to comply with testing guidelines, is not a
fact of consequence as to whether Cunningham operated a motor vehicle while impaired.
{¶46} Moreover, Cunningham testified on her own behalf. She stated that she has
“reoccurring depression” and therefore has difficulty controlling her emotions. Cunningham explained that she was very upset after the collision because she just “totaled” her fiancé’s
sister’s car. And according to Cunningham, when the officers were administering the field
sobriety tests, she was “in a state” and “scared.” She then explained that the “[c]ops are
surrounding me * * * everything is just going on, and it was embarrassing. It was frustrating *
* *.” She further explained why she had difficulty with the field sobriety tests but the officers
“didn’t care, because they already had their minds set.” Cunningham therefore had ample
opportunity to present a defense, and the jury was able to hear the evidence and weigh the
credibility of that evidence accordingly.
{¶47} In light of the foregoing, we are unpersuaded that the trial court abused its
discretion or violated Cunningham’s right to confrontation when it prohibited cross-examination
of the officers concerning their administration of the HGN test.
{¶48} Cunningham also contends that the trial court improperly denied her motion to
suppress the results of the WAT test. In support, Cunningham first contends that the city failed
to introduce the NHTSA manual into evidence or question Officer Webb about the current
standards. Secondly, Cunningham contends that Officer Webb failed to conduct the WAT test
in accordance with the current NHTSA standards.
{¶49} Regarding the WAT test, the NHTSA manual provides the following instructions:
[A]n officer is required to first instruct the suspect of the initial positioning, which requires the suspect to stand with his arms down at his side, and to place his left foot on a line (real or imaginary). The suspect’s right foot is to be placed on the line ahead of the left foot, with the heel of the right foot against the toe of the left foot. The suspect is then told to remain in that position while further instructions are given.
Dedejczyk, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97664, 2012-Ohio-3458, at ¶ 52, citing State v. Clark, 12th
Dist. Brown No. CA2009-10-039, 2010-Ohio-4567, ¶ 43. Additionally, during this test, the suspect “walks while touching his heel to his toe for every step, counting the nine steps out loud
while walking down the line, and making a turn with small steps with one foot while keeping the
other foot on the line.” Finally, the officer must demonstrate three heel-to-toe steps.
Brookpark v. Key, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89612, 2008-Ohio-1811, ¶ 89.
{¶50} As previously discussed, the city may demonstrate what the NHTSA standards are
through competent testimony and/or by introducing the applicable portions of the NHTSA
manual. Boczar, 113 Ohio St.3d 148, 2007-Ohio-1251, 863 N.E.2d 155, at ¶ 28.
{¶51} Here, the city did not introduce the manual into evidence. Rather, the officer
testified that he had recently received 40 hours of training related to the NHTSA standards,
which provided him with information on how to properly administer field sobriety tests. On
direct examination, he explained how he instructs an individual, stating that he tells a driver to
stand still and not to move until instructed; put his or her hands on the side of his or her body;
take a series of nine heel-to-toe steps, make a series of turns while looking at his or her feet; and
return with nine steps. The officer testified that he is looking for clues of impairment such as
not staring at their feet, their hands going up, not taking steps heel-to-toe, and making improper
{¶52} Additionally, defense counsel elicited testimony concerning the NHTSA standards.
Upon reviewing the NHTSA manual on cross-examination, Officer Webb identified the two
stages of the WAT test (instructional and walking), reiterated the instructions a police officer
must give the driver (i.e., stand heel-to-toe, move only when instructed, take nine heel-to-toe
steps, count the steps out loud, and watch his or her feet), noted the officer’s requirement that he
demonstrate the steps, and he identified clues of impairment (i.e., subject using arms for
balance). {¶53} In light of the above, we find the city provided competent testimony establishing
the NHTSA standards for administering the WAT test.
{¶54} Cunningham also contends that Officer Webb did not substantially comply with the
NHTSA standards. In support, she argues that he (1) failed to initially instruct Cunningham to
keep still until instructed to move, (2) positioned Cunningham with her feet together rather than
heel-to-toe, and (3) failed to instruct Cunningham to count her steps out loud and watch her feet
while walking.
{¶55} Here, there is no evidence that Officer Webb instructed Cunningham to watch her
feet while walking. However, the evidence demonstrates that he told Cunningham not to move
until he told her to do so. He also told her to put her hands by her sides and to take nine
heel-to-toe steps, a series of small turns, and to return with heel-to-toe steps. Although he
initially instructed Cunningham to “put [her] feet together,” he corrected himself, and instructed
Cunningham to stand with her left foot in front of her right foot. The video shows that prior to
taking her first step, Cunningham’s feet are in the correct position. Officer Webb also
demonstrated the steps for Cunningham. He did not initially instruct her to count her steps
aloud; however, during the demonstration, Officer Webb counts his steps aloud. Further,
during the test, Officer Webb’s partner is heard instructing Cunningham to count aloud.
{¶56} We find on this record that the trial court did not err in finding that Officer Webb
substantially complied with NHTSA standards. The results of the WAT test were therefore
properly admitted at trial.
{¶57} Cunningham’s second, third, and fourth assignments of error are overruled.
{¶58} Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover of appellant costs herein taxed. The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the municipal court to
carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
______________________________________________ TIM McCORMACK, PRESIDING JUDGE
FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., J., CONCURS; MARY J. BOYLE, J., CONCURS IN JUDGMENT ONLY