State v. Anderson

2018 Ohio 5228

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Anderson, 2018-Ohio-5228.]

COURT OF APPEALS STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO JUDGES: Hon. John W. Wise, P. J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. William B. Hoffman, J. Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J. -vs- Case No. 2018 CA 00029 MICHAEL A. ANDERSON

Defendant-Appellant OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2017 CR 01922

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: December 21, 2018

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

JOHN D. FERRERO EUGENE M. CAZANTZES PROSECUTING ATTORNEY PITINII, DAVIES & CAZANTZES, LLC KRISTINE W. BEARD 101 Central Plaza South ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR Suite 1000 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 510 Canton, Ohio 44702 Canton, Ohio 44702-1413 «Court» County, Case No. «Case_No» 2

Wise, P. J.

{¶1} Appellant Michael A. Anderson appeals his conviction on one count of

receiving stolen property following a jury trial in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.

{¶2} Appellee is the State of Ohio.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS

{¶3} On November 14, 2017, the Stark County Grand Jury indicted Appellant,

Michael A. Anderson, on one count of receiving stolen property, a violation of R.C.

§2913.51(A), a fourth-degree felony.

{¶4} Appellant’s charge arose from the following events:

{¶5} On August 28, 2017, the victim, Gregory Sinkovich, a road paver, was

working at a site near Kmart in Massillon. At around 7:00 A.M. Sinkovich parked his silver

Chevy Malibu in the Kmart parking lot. Sinkovich left the car unlocked with the ignition

key in a boot on the backseat. At 6:00 P.M., when he returned to the lot, his car was

missing. Sinkovich called the Massillon Police Department to report that his vehicle had

been stolen. (T. at 93-95).

{¶6} Less than 24 hours later, Detective James Slutz, from the Massillon Police

Department responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at 7349 Navarre Road in Massillon.

The vehicle was parked in the driveway of homeowners, Ken Schrikel and Appellant's

mother, Donna Anderson. Detective Slutz dusted the car for fingerprints and collected a

Coors Light ball cap from the passenger side floor. Detective Slutz sent the ball cap to

the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) for DNA analysis. (T. at 113-114). No keys

were recovered in the vehicle. (T. at 95, 122). Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 3

{¶7} Officer Joshua Edwards sent the stolen vehicle report to the Emergency

Dispatch Center to be put in the LEADS system. (T. at 100). The Carroll County Sheriff’s

Department received the LEADS information and contacted Detective Slutz regarding a

video of the stolen vehicle. The video depicts a person wearing a Coors Light ball cap

walking into a store, coming out and getting into the driver's seat of the stolen silver Chevy

Malibu. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Department identified the person in the video as

being Appellant, Michael Anderson.

{¶8} Special Investigative Detective Shaun Dadisman from the Massillon Police

Department interviewed Anderson and obtained an oral swab for further DNA analysis.

The forensic analysis revealed that the DNA on the Coors Light ball cap matched the

DNA from Anderson's oral swab. (T. at 108-109). Anderson told the investigator that when

he took the vehicle he was high on drugs and believed someone was following him. He

saw the car, found the keys, and took the vehicle to get away. Anderson said that later in

the day he got drunk and didn't know what to do with the car, so he dropped it off at his

mom's house. (T. at 138-140).

{¶9} On February 14, 2018, a jury trial commenced in this matter.

{¶10} At trial, the jury heard testimony from Greg Sinkovich, Officer Joshua

Edwards, Det. James Slutz, Det. Shaun Dadisman, and DNA analyst Shaun Troyer, as

set forth above.

{¶11} The jury also heard testimony from Appellant, who testified on his own

behalf. At trial, Appellant admitted that he had previously been convicted of theft or theft-

related offenses approximately twenty-six (26) times. He admitted on direct and cross-

examination that he took the vehicle without the owner’s permission and drove it around Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 4

all night (approximately 9 hours), stopping to buy beer. He stated he was aware that the

car had been stolen, by him, when he drove it in both Stark and Carroll Counties. (T. at

150). When he was confronted about the vehicle by his mom and her boyfriend, he denied

knowing anything about the vehicle. Appellant claimed that he left the vehicle at his

mother's house because he figured it would eventually be returned to the owner. He

argued that he had no intent to permanently keep the vehicle and that for this reason he

was only guilty of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. (T. at 147-148).

{¶12} At the conclusion of the trial, counsel for Appellant requested a jury

instruction on unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, arguing that it was a lesser included

offense of receiving stolen property. The trial court denied the requested instruction.

{¶13} Following deliberations, the jury found Appellant guilty as charged.

{¶14} The trial court sentenced Appellant to eighteen months in prison.

{¶15} Appellant now appeals, raising the following error for review:

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

{¶16} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED IT DISCRETION IN REFUSING TO

INSTRUCT THE JURY ON A LESSER INCLUDED OFFENSE OF UNAUTHORIZED

USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.

{¶17} “II. APPELLANT’S CONVICTION WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST

WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.”

I.

{¶18} In his first assignment of error, Appellant argues the trial court erred in

denying his request for an instruction on unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. We

disagree. Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 5

{¶19} We review a trial court's refusal to provide a requested jury instruction for

an abuse of discretion. State v. Wolons, 44 Ohio St.3d 64, 68, 541 N.E.2d 443 (1989).

Generally, “a trial court must fully and completely give the jury all instructions which are

relevant and necessary for the jury to weigh evidence and discharge its duty as the fact

finder.” State v. Comen, 50 Ohio St.3d 206, 553 N.E.2d 640 (1990), paragraph two of the

syllabus.

{¶20} In State v. Deanda, the Ohio Supreme Court observed,

The question of whether a particular offense should be submitted to

the finder of fact as a lesser included offense involves a two-tiered analysis.

State v. Evans, 122 Ohio St.3d 381, 2009-Ohio-2974, 911 N.E.2d 889, ¶

13. The first tier, also called the “statutory-elements step,” is a purely legal

question, wherein we determine whether one offense is generally a lesser

included offense of the charged offense. State v. Kidder, 32 Ohio St.3d 279,

281, 513 N.E.2d 311 (1987). The second tier looks to the evidence in a

particular case and determines whether “ ‘a jury could reasonably find the

defendant not guilty of the charged offense, but could convict the defendant

of the lesser included offense.’ ” Evans at ¶ 13, quoting Shaker Hts. v.

Mosely, 113 Ohio St.3d 329, 2007-Ohio-2072, 865 N.E.2d 859, ¶ 11. Only

in the second tier of the analysis do the facts of a particular case become

relevant.

{¶21} 136 Ohio St.3d 18, 2013-Ohio-1722, 989 N.E.2d 986, ¶ 6.

{¶22} Appellant argues he was entitled to an instruction of unauthorized use of a

motor vehicle as a lesser-included offense of receiving stolen property. Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 6

{¶23} To determine whether one offense is a lesser included offense of another,

a court must consider whether (1) “one offense carries a greater penalty than the other,”

(2) “some element of the greater offense is not required to prove commission of the lesser

offense,” and (3) “the greater offense as statutorily defined cannot be committed without

the lesser offense as statutorily defined also being committed.” State v. Evans, 122 Ohio

St.3d 381, 2009–Ohio–2974, 911 N.E.2d 889, paragraph two of the syllabus, clarifying

State v. Deem, 40 Ohio St.3d 205, 533 N.E.2d 294 (1988).

{¶24} R.C. §2913.51(A) sets forth the elements of the offense of Receiving Stolen

Property and states:

No person shall receive, retain, or dispose of property of another

knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the property has been

obtained through commission of a theft offense.

{¶25} R.C. §2913.03(A) sets forth the elements of the offense of Unauthorized

Use of a Motor Vehicle and states:

No person shall knowingly use or operate an aircraft, motor vehicle,

motorcycle, motorboat, or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent

of the owner or person authorized to give consent.

{¶26} Further, “[e]ven though an offense may be statutorily defined as a lesser

included offense of another, a charge on such lesser included offense is required only

where the evidence presented at trial would reasonably support both an acquittal on the

crime charged and a conviction upon the lesser included offense.” State v. Thomas, 40

Ohio St.3d 213, 533 N.E.2d 286, paragraph two of the syllabus. In making this

determination, the court must view the evidence in a light most favorable to defendant. Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 7

State v. Smith, 89 Ohio St.3d 323, 331, 731 N.E.2d 645 (2000); State v. Wilkins, 64 Ohio

St.2d 382, 388, 415 N.E.2d 303 (1980).

{¶27} However, an instruction is not warranted every time some evidence is

presented on a lesser-included offense. Rather, there must be “sufficient evidence” to

“allow a jury to reasonably reject the greater offense and find the defendant guilty on a

lesser included (or inferior-degree) offense.” State v. Shane, 63 Ohio St.3d at 632-633,

590 N.E.2d 272; State v. Conway, 108 Ohio St.3d at 240, 842 N.E.2d at 1027, 2006-Ohio-

791, ¶ 134.

{¶28} Our review of the two statutes in this case reveals that they do not share

identical elements. Moreover, prior case law establishes that unauthorized use of a motor

vehicle is not a lesser included offense of receiving stolen property.

{¶29} The case law is clear that unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is not the

lesser included offense of receiving stolen property.

{¶30} In State v. Peek, 110 Ohio App.3d 165, 168, 673 N.E.2d 938, 940 (1996),

the First District compared and analyzed the two crimes, finding:

Unauthorized use does indeed carry a lesser penalty than receiving

a stolen motor vehicle. It is not, however, true that the greater offense, as

statutorily defined, cannot ever be committed without perforce committing

an act of unauthorized use. For example, where a thief, without the owner's

consent, stores the stolen vehicle at the premises of another who has cause

to believe the motor vehicle is stolen, the person storing it does “retain” the

motor vehicle for purposes of receiving in violation of R.C. 2913.51, but

does not also commit unauthorized use because he does not “use” or Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 8

“operate” it in violation of R.C. 2913.03(A). Therefore, unauthorized use is

not a lesser included offense of receiving stolen property.

{¶31} See also, State v. Thomas, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 87343, 2006-Ohio-4499,

wherein the court found that “unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is not, and cannot be,

the lesser included offense of receiving stolen property, R.C. 2913.51.”

{¶32} Based on the foregoing, we find that unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is

{¶33} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.

II.

{¶34} In his second assignment of error, Appellant argues that his conviction was

against the manifest weight of the evidence. We disagree.

{¶35} On review for manifest weight, a reviewing court is to examine the entire

record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of

witnesses and determine “whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury clearly

lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must

be reversed and a new trial ordered.” State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485

N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983). See also, State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 1997–

Ohio–52, 678 N.E.2d 541. The granting of a new trial “should be exercised only in the

exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.” Martin at

175.

{¶36} We note the weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the

witnesses are issues for the trier of fact. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 237 N.E.2d

212 (1967). The trier of fact “has the best opportunity to view the demeanor, attitude, and Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 9

credibility of each witness, something that does not translate well on the written page.”

Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 418, 1997–Ohio–260, 674 N.E.2d 1159.

{¶37} Appellant, in the case sub judice, was convicted of receiving stolen property,

in violation of R.C. §2913.51(A), which states:

R.C. §2913.51 Receiving Stolen Property

No person shall receive, retain, or dispose of property of another

knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the property has been

{¶38} R.C. §2913.02(A)(1), sets forth the elements of a offense:

(A) No person, with purpose to deprive the owner of property or

services, shall knowingly obtain or exert control over either the property or

services in any of the following ways:

(1) Without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give

consent;

(2) Beyond the scope of the express or implied consent of the

owner or person authorized to give consent;

(3) By deception;

(4) By threat;

(5) By intimidation.

{¶39} R.C. 2913.01(C) defines “deprive:

(1) Withhold property of another permanently, or for a period that

appropriates a substantial portion of its value or use, or with purpose to

restore it only upon payment of a reward or other consideration; Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 10

(2) Dispose of property so as to make it unlikely that the owner will

recover it;

(3) Accept, use, or appropriate money, property, or services with

purpose not to give proper consideration in return for the money, property,

or services, and without reasonable justification or excuse for not giving

proper consideration.

{¶40} Appellant argues the State failed to establish that he took the vehicle with

the intent to deprive the owner of his vehicle, or that he intended to keep the vehicle.

Appellant argues that his own testimony established that he never intended to keep the

vehicle.

{¶41} Upon review, we find that the evidence established that Appellant took the

victim’s vehicle, without permission, while under the influence of drugs, drove the vehicle

for approximately nine (9) hours in both Stark and Carroll Counties, purchased and

consumed beer while driving the vehicle, and ultimately abandoned the vehicle, without

the keys, in his mother’s driveway.

{¶42} We further find whether or not Appellant intended to permanently deprive

the owner of his vehicle is of no consequence. See State v. Breaston, 8 Ohio App.3d

144, 145 (10th Dist.1982) (“It is no longer necessary that defendant have an intent to

permanently deprive the owner of the property to be guilty of theft or of receiving stolen

property.”); State v. Bilick, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 71238, 1997 WL 358282, (June 26,

1997) (Dyke, J., concurring), citing Breaston and Committee Comment to House Bill 511,

effective January 1, 1974 (“The definition of ‘deprive’ in this section is also broadened to

include a temporary deprivation of property resulting in some substantial loss to the Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 11

owner.”). See also State v. Jordan, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26598, 2013–Ohio–4172, ¶ 28

(“Pursuant to R.C. 2913.02(A)(1), a defendant need only have ‘purpose’ to deprive the

owner of property; he need not actually permanently withhold or dispose of the property.”).

{¶43} We further find that by leaving the vehicle in his mother’s driveway,

Appellant disposed of the vehicle in a place where it was unlikely that the owner would

find it and recover it.

{¶44} We note the weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the

witnesses are issues for the trier of fact. State v. Jamison, 49 Ohio St.3d 182, 552 N.E.2d

180 (1990). The jury as the trier of fact was free to accept or reject any and all of the

evidence offered by the parties and assess the witness's credibility. “While the trier of fact

may take note of the inconsistencies and resolve or discount them accordingly * * * such

inconsistencies do not render defendant's conviction against the manifest weight or

sufficiency of the evidence.” State v. Craig, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 99AP–739, 1999 WL

29752 (Mar 23, 2000) citing State v. Nivens, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 95APA09–1236, 1996

WL 284714 (May 28, 1996). Indeed, the trier of fact need not believe all of a witness'

testimony, but may accept only portions of it as true. State v. Raver, 10th Dist. Franklin

No. 02AP-604, 2003-Ohio-958, 2003 WL 723225, ¶ 21, citing State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St.

61, 67, 197 N.E.2d 548 (1964); State v. Burke, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 02AP-1238, 2003-

Ohio-2889, 2003 WL 21291042, citing State v. Caldwell, 79 Ohio App.3d 667, 607 N.E.2d

1096 (4th Dist. 1992).

{¶45} The trier of fact “has the best opportunity to view the demeanor, attitude,

and credibility of each witness, something that does not translate well on the written

page.” Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 418, 674 N.E.2d 1159 (1997). Stark County, Case No. 2018 CA 00029 12

{¶46} Upon review, we find Appellant's conviction was not against the manifest

weight of the evidence. Any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements

of receiving stolen property proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Nor is this the exceptional

case in which the evidence weighs heavily against a conviction.

{¶47} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.

{¶48} For the reasons stated in the foregoing opinion, the judgment of the Court

of Common Pleas of Stark County, Ohio, is affirmed.

By: Wise, P. J.

Hoffman, J., and

Delaney, J., concur.

JWW/d 1127 «Court» County, Case No. «Case_No» 13