[Cite as State v. Berry, 2013-Ohio-2380.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT DEFIANCE COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 4-12-03
v.
DONNY L. BERRY, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Defiance County Common Pleas Court Trial Court No. 11-CR-11115
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: June 10, 2013
APPEARANCES:
Stephen D. Long for Appellant
Morris J. Murray and Russell R. Herman for Appellee Case No. 4-12-03
SHAW, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Donny L. Berry (“Berry”) appeals the January 3,
2012, judgment of the Defiance County Common Pleas Court sentencing Berry to
life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after thirty years, upon Berry’s
jury trial convictions for Aggravated Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter,
Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine, Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana, two counts of
Tampering with Evidence, and Berry’s subsequent guilty plea to the charge of
Attempted Burglary.
{¶2} On April 13, 2011, Berry was indicted for Aggravated Murder (Count
1), in violation of R.C. 2903.01(A), an unclassified felony, Involuntary
Manslaughter (Count 2), in violation of R.C. 2903.04(A), a felony of the first
degree, Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine (Count 3), in violation of R.C.
2923.01(A)(2), Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana (Count 4), in violation of R.C.
2923.01(A)(2), a felony of the fourth degree, two counts of Tampering with
Evidence (Counts 5 and 6), in violation of R.C. 2921.12(A)(1), both felonies of the
third degree, Attempted Aggravated Robbery (Count 7), in violation of R.C.
2923.02 and R.C. 2911.01(A), a felony of the second degree, and Attempted
Burglary (Count 8), in violation of R.C. 2923.02 and R.C. 2911.12(A)(2), a felony
of the third degree. (Doc. 1). The first six counts were alleged to have occurred
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on or about February 20, 2011, and the final two counts were alleged to have
occurred on or about November 2, 2010. (Id.)
{¶3} On April 14, 2011, Berry was taken into custody. On April 19, 2011,
Berry appeared for arraignment and pled not guilty to all counts in the indictment.
(Doc. 9).
{¶4} On May 17, 2011, Berry’s counsel filed a Motion for Severance of
Counts 1 through 6 from Counts 7 and 8, and a Motion for Funds to hire a private
investigator. (Docs. 15, 16). On June 6, 2011, Berry’s counsel also filed a Motion
to Compel. (Doc. 22). On June 9, 2011, the State filed a Memorandum in
Response to Berry’s Motion to Compel, and the State also filed supplemental
discovery. (Docs. 24, 25).
{¶5} On June 15, 2011, Berry’s counsel filed a Motion in Limine and a
Motion to Dismiss Counts 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 of the Indictment. (Docs. 29, 30).
{¶6} On June 16, 2011, a pretrial was held at which the trial court
addressed Berry’s Motion to Sever, Motion for Funds, Motion in Limine, and
Motion to Compel. (Doc. 126). The trial court denied Berry’s Motion to Compel,
with the understanding that the State would supplement discovery as it became
aware of new material. (Id.) The trial court granted Berry’s Motion to Sever
counts one through six from counts seven and eight and granted Berry’s Motion
for Funds. (Id.) Regarding Berry’s Motion in Limine, the trial court found the
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motion in the nature of a Motion to Suppress and set the matter for further hearing
along with the Motion to Dismiss. (Id.)
{¶7} On June 27, 2011, the trial court heard Berry’s Motion to Suppress,
styled a Motion in Limine, and Motion to Dismiss Counts 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 of the
Indictment. (Doc. 127). At the hearing, Berry’s counsel withdrew two of the
branches of his Motion, the State agreed not to present testimony challenged in
one of the branches, and the trial court denied the remainder as being premature.
(Id.); (Doc. 42). The trial court also denied Berry’s Motion to Dismiss as being
premature. (Id.); (Id.)
{¶8} On July 21, 2011, Berry’s counsel filed a Motion to Vacate Trial Date
along with a Request for a Competency Evaluation of Berry. (Doc. 36). On July
22, 2011, the trial court granted the motion. (Doc. 37).
{¶9} On August 4, 2011, Berry filed a Motion to Expedite Trial Date.
(Doc. 45).
{¶10} On September 20, 2011, Berry’s counsel filed a Motion to Suppress
statements made by Berry in an April 15, 2011, interview. (Doc. 54).
{¶11} On September 20, 2011, the court held a hearing on Berry’s
competence to stand trial, finding Berry competent. (Doc. 67).
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{¶12} On October 14, 2011, the court held a hearing on Berry’s Motion to
Suppress statements made by Berry during an April 15, 2011 interview. The court
denied that motion to suppress. (Doc. 68).
{¶13} On October 31, 2011, Berry’s counsel filed a Motion to Dismiss
arguing that Berry’s Speedy Trial rights had been violated. (Doc. 60). On
November 4, 2011, a hearing was held on the motion wherein the court
determined that due to various filings by Berry, Speedy Trial time had been tolled
and Berry’s motion was denied. (Doc. 74).
{¶14} On November 15, 2011, Berry’s jury trial began on counts 1 through
6 of the indictment. The trial continued through November 21, 2011. On
November 21, 2011, the jury found Berry guilty of Aggravated Murder, (Count 1),
in violation of R.C. 2903.01(A), an unclassified felony, Involuntary Manslaughter
(Count 2), in violation of R.C. 2903.04(A), a felony of the first degree, Conspiracy
to Traffic Cocaine (Count 3), in violation of R.C. 2923.01(A)(2), with the further
finding beyond a reasonable doubt that the amount of Cocaine exceeded 100
grams, a felony of the second degree, Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana (Count 4),
in violation of R.C. 2923.01(A)(2), with the further finding beyond a reasonable
doubt that the amount of Marijuana involved exceeded 1,000 grams but was less
than 5,000 grams, a felony of the fourth degree, and two counts of Tampering with
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Evidence (Counts 5 and 6), in violation of R.C. 2921.12(A)(1), both felonies of the
third degree. (Doc. 101).
{¶15} On December 5, 2011, a pretrial was held with regard to the
remaining two counts from the indictment. (Doc. 102). At that pretrial, Berry
elected to change his previously tendered plea of not guilty to guilty to the charge
of Attempted Burglary, with the State agreeing to reduce the degree of the felony
to a felony of the third degree, and dismiss the remaining count against Berry,
Attempted aggravated Robbery. (Id.)
{¶16} On January 3, 2012, the trial court held a sentencing hearing. Berry
was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment with parole eligibility after serving
30 years as to Count 1, Aggravated Murder. (Doc. 104). As to Count 2, the trial
court found that the Involuntary Manslaughter was an allied offense of the
Aggravated Murder, and therefore merged for purposes of sentencing. (Id.) The
trial court sentenced Berry to a term of seven years of imprisonment as to Count 3,
Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine, a felony of the second degree, a term of twelve
months as to Count 4, Conspiracy to Traffic in Marijuana, a felony of the fourth
degree, with Count 4 to be served concurrently with Count 3. (Id.) The trial court
further sentenced Berry to a term of imprisonment of 36 months, each, as to
Counts 5 and 6, Tampering with Evidence, with Count 5 to be served concurrently
with count 6. (Id.) The court also sentenced Berry to a term of 36 months in
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prison on the Attempted Burglary charge. (Id.) The court ordered that Counts 3, 5
and 8 would be served consecutively to the sentence imposed in count 1. (Id.) An
entry reflecting Berry’s sentence was filed January 13, 2012. (Id.)
{¶17} It is from this judgment that Berry appeals, asserting the following
assignments of error for our review.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR 1 THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING DEFENDANT/APPELLANT’S MOTION FOR ACQUITTAL AND THE EVIDENCE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE JURY’S CONVICTION OF DEFENDANT/APPELLANT FOR THE CRIME OF AGGRAVATED MURDER, IN VIOLATION OF R.C. 2903.01, COUNT I OF THE INDICTMENT.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR 2 THE JURY’S VERDICT FINDING DEFENDANT/APPELLANT, GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT OF THE CRIME OF AGGRAVATED MURDER, IN VIOLATION OF R.C. 2903.01, COUNT I OF THE INDICTMENT, IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR 3 DEFENDANT APPELLANT WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL DUE TO THE INNEFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.
First and Second Assignments of Error
{¶18} In his first and second assignments of error, Berry argues that the
trial court erred in denying his Criminal Rule 29 motion for acquittal, that there
was insufficient evidence to convict him of Aggravated Murder, and that his
conviction for Aggravated Murder was against the manifest weight of the
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evidence. In arguing that the trial court erred in denying his motion for acquittal
and that there was insufficient evidence to convict him, Berry claims there was no
proof that he was the person that actually killed Kerry Christopher. In arguing that
his conviction was against the manifest weight of the evidence, Berry also argues
that there were other people with “more plausible motives” to kill Kerry
Christopher, that the statements of various witnesses were not credible, and that
Kerry Christopher’s death could not have been planned.
{¶19} Sufficiency of the evidence is a test of adequacy rather than
credibility or weight of the evidence. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386
(1997). Whether the evidence is legally sufficient to sustain a verdict is a question
of law. Id. In reviewing the record for sufficiency, the relevant inquiry is whether,
after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any
rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements proven beyond a
reasonable doubt. State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 113 (1997).
{¶20} The test for sufficiency of evidence has also been held applicable to
determining a Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal. “Pursuant to Crim.R. 29(A), a
court shall not order an entry of judgment of acquittal if the evidence is such that
reasonable minds can reach different conclusions as to whether each material
element of a crime has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt. State v.
Bridgeman, 55 Ohio St.2d 261, syllabus (1978). This court has previously found
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that the Bridgeman standard “must be viewed in light of the sufficiency of
evidence test * * *.” State v. Kneply, 3d Dist. No. 7-11-02, 2012-Ohio-406, ¶ 23,
quoting State v. Foster, 3d Dist. No. 13-97-09, (Sept. 17, 1997).
{¶21} The Supreme Court of Ohio has “carefully distinguished the terms
‘sufficiency’ and ‘weight’ in criminal cases, declaring that ‘manifest weight’ and
‘legal sufficiency’ are ‘both quantitatively and qualitatively different.’” Eastley v.
Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶ 10, quoting State v. Thompkins,
78 Ohio St.3d 380 (1997), paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶22} Unlike our review of the sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate
court's function when reviewing the weight of the evidence is to determine
whether the greater amount of credible evidence supports the verdict. Volkman,
supra, at ¶ 12; State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387 (1997). In reviewing
whether the trial court's judgment was against the weight of the evidence, the
appellate court sits as a “thirteenth juror” and examines the conflicting testimony.
Id. In doing so, this Court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and
all of the reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses, and
determine whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the factfinder “‘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. Andrews, 3d Dist. No. 1–05–
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70, 2006-Ohio-3764, ¶ 30, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st
Dist.1983); Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387.
{¶23} Aggravated Murder is codified in Ohio Revised Code 2903.01(A). It
reads, “No person shall purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the
death of another or the unlawful termination of another's pregnancy.” R.C.
2903.01(A).
{¶24} At trial the State called 21 witnesses to prove Berry committed, inter
alia, Aggravated Murder.1 The State presented the following testimony and
evidence related to the February 20, 2011, murder of Kerry Christopher
(hereinafter referred to by his alias “New York”), which has been arranged
chronologically for ease of understanding.
{¶25} On Friday February 18, 2011, two days before New York’s murder,
Jonathan Gaines testified that Berry visited Gaines’ home in Toledo, Ohio. (Tr. at
471). Gaines testified that Berry was looking for gun shells for a .357 Magnum
“off the streets.” (Tr. at 472). Gaines testified that Berry told Gaines that Berry
was going to make a “power move” and that if Berry was not seen or heard from
by Monday, Berry was either dead or in jail. (Tr. at 473). Gaines testified that he
1 There was also a significant amount of testimony relating to various other charges in this case; however, Berry only challenges his Aggravated Murder conviction under these assignments of error. Therefore, in the interest of brevity, where the testimony does not directly relate to the murder conviction that is challenged on appeal, that testimony will not be referenced.
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had previously been involved in drug trafficking and that he knew New York and
Berry through that involvement. (Id.)
{¶26} The next day, on Saturday February 19, 2011, Berry’s car broke
down while he was on his way to Lima, Ohio. (State’s Ex 64).2 Berry called New
York, who had an apartment in Lima with a man named Calvin Lane, to pick him
up. (Id.) New York picked Berry up and together they traveled to Fort Wayne so
New York could purchase two kilos of cocaine. (Id.); (Tr. at 238). New York and
Berry spent that night in Fort Wayne at Shannon Wilson’s residence. (Tr. at 183).
Shannon Wilson was the mother of New York’s child. (Tr. at 179).
{¶27} On Sunday February 20, 2011, Berry stayed at Shannon’s apartment
and watched her children while Shannon and New York left and acquired the
cocaine. (Tr. at 183, 238). New York and Shannon then returned to Shannon’s
Fort Wayne apartment where Berry was, and the three of them departed for Lima,
taking two separate cars. (Tr. at 188). New York and Berry rode together in New
York’s Cadillac, and Shannon followed them in an Audi to New York’s Lima
apartment. (Tr. at 197). Upon their return to Lima, Shannon stayed at New
York’s apartment for approximately 20 minutes, and then returned to Fort Wayne.
(Tr. at 189). According to Shannon, New York’s roommate Calvin was not home
2 State’s Exhibit 64 is an interview of Berry that was conducted February 24, 2011. It was shown to the jury during the trial.
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at the time she was present in New York’s apartment, and she left around 7 p.m.
(Tr. at 240).
{¶28} Later on Sunday February 20, 2011, after Shannon left New York
and Calvin’s apartment, Calvin returned to the apartment and observed New York
and Berry laughing and hanging out. (Tr. at 215). Calvin remained at the
residence with the two of them until New York and Berry left together,
somewhere between 8 and 9:30 at night. (Tr. at 211, 218). According to Berry
himself, when he and New York left New York’s apartment that night, they
traveled to Defiance.3 (State’s 64).
{¶29} Shortly after 10:30 on Sunday evening, Andrew Hershberger, a
friend of New York’s, received a call from New York. (Tr. at 251). New York
told Andrew that he was with Berry and that New York was going to come to
Andrew’s house in Defiance and pick him up. (Id.) Andrew testified that New
York said he would be at Andrew’s house “soon.” (Tr .at 246). Andrew waited
for New York to arrive, but New York never came. (Id.) Andrew called and sent
New York text messages inquiring into his whereabouts, and gave up when he
received no response. (Id.) Phone records corroborated Andrew’s testimony.
{¶30} Evidence revealed that at some point between 10:40 and 11 p.m.,
New York was killed by a “contact” gunshot wound to the left side of his head
3 Although Berry would give multiple inconsistent statements about what happened later that evening, he never changed his story regarding the fact that he left New York’s apartment with New York and the two of them traveled to Defiance.
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while he was sitting in the passenger seat of his Cadillac. (Tr. at 387, Tr. at 450,
718). Through the investigation, it was determined that New York was killed on
Domersville Road at the vacant, foreclosed-upon former residence of Berry’s
mother. (Tr. at 353-367).
{¶31} Evidence revealed that New York was shot in the car, dragged out of
it, left in a spot in the driveway long enough for his blood to pool, stripped of his
outer clothes, and then placed in the trunk of the Cadillac. (Id.).
{¶32} For the next couple of days, New York’s baby’s mother Shannon
attempted to find him, calling around to Andrew and Berry, and various others
looking for New York. (Tr. at 191-195, 247). On February 23, 2011, Andrew
called Shannon stating that he thought he recognized New York’s black Cadillac
at Degler apartments in Defiance. (Tr. at 247, 256). Shannon called the police
and the police responded to the scene. (Tr. at 256).
{¶33} Patrolman Jeffrey Spelman was one of the people that responded to
the scene and he noted that there were four wheels in the backseat of the black
Cadillac and that there was what appeared to be blood spatter in various locations
throughout the car. (Tr. at 169). The Cadillac was registered to New York. Berry
and Andrew gathered at the scene when the police came to look at the Cadillac
thinking that they might open it up. (Tr. at 256). Berry gave a statement at the
scene to Patrolman Spelman that he had not seen New York since New York
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dropped Berry off at his mother’s house that previous Sunday. (Tr. at 169).
Andrew noted that he thought something did not look right with Berry that day.
(Tr. at 257).
{¶34} The police ultimately obtained a warrant and searched the Cadillac,
finding New York’s body in the trunk. (Tr. at 264). It was determined that the
location where the car was found outside of Degler Apartments was not likely the
location where New York was killed. (Tr. at 590, 704).
{¶35} When Defiance County Chief Deputy John Engel and Lieutenant
Cliffton Vandemark learned that Berry was the last person that had been seen with
New York, they started looking for places that “Berry and New York were
comfortable in meeting.” (Tr. at 590). Chief Deputy Engel and Lieutenant
Vandemark had dealt with Berry in the past as an informant, and Lieutenant
Vandemark had met with him at the Domersville Road property. (Tr. at 591, 700).
Thus one of the places that officers were sent to check as a potential crime scene
was the Domersville Road location. (Tr. at 590, 704).
{¶36} Police responded to Domersville Road, and found blood at the scene
that was later tested and determined to be New York’s. (Tr. at 358). Inspecting
the scene, Police determined that it was the site of New York’s murder, that he had
been shot, dragged out of the car, left in the snow long enough for his blood to
pool, and then placed into the trunk of the car. (Tr. at 361-367, 706).
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{¶37} At this point, on February 24, 2011, the police conducted their first
interview of Berry. (Tr. at 613); (State’s Ex. 64). When the police interviewed
Berry, they were already aware that the location of New York’s murder was likely
Berry’s mother’s former house on Domersville Road. (Tr. at 608-609). However,
they did not initially reveal to Berry that they were aware of this information,
choosing to ask Berry about what had happened the weekend of the homicide and
about Berry’s last contact with New York. (State’s Ex. 64).
{¶38} In the interview, Berry claimed that on Sunday February 20, 2011,
New York dropped him off at his mother’s house in Defiance after they left Lima
together and that was the last time he had seen New York. (Id.) The remainder of
Berry’s story regarding the weekend’s previous events was similar to what was
corroborated by other witnesses that testified at trial—Berry went to Fort Wayne
with New York, returned to New York’s apartment in Lima on Sunday February
20, 2011, and then left with New York. (Id.)
{¶39} Later in the interview, after hearing Berry’s story, police told Berry
that they thought New York had been killed at Berry’s mother’s old residence on
Domersville Road. (Id.); (Tr. at 609). Berry then told a story about how he was
going to give New York some tires at the old house, but stated adamantly that
New York did not go to the house with him that night. (State’s Ex. 66). Berry
said on the night of New York’s death he drove his mother’s car over to Spring
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Meadows after New York dropped him off to try and meet with a female. (Id.)
As the police repeatedly questioned Berry about whether Berry was present at the
time of New York’s death or knows who was present, Berry adamantly denied
being in the car, or knowing who killed New York. (State’s Ex. 66). Berry told
police to speak with Calvin, New York’s roommate, and Andrew Hershberger,
who Berry knew New York was going to meet in Defiance that night. (Id.) The
police asked to search Berry’s phone. (Id.) Berry then invoked his right to speak
to an attorney, and the interview was ended. (Id.)
{¶40} Based on the interview with Berry, the police continued to
investigate, speaking with people that were close to New York and may have had
motive to kill New York or could give the police more information such as
Shannon Wilson, Calvin, Andrew Hershberger, and Jonathan Gaines. (Tr. at 616).
Gaines was interviewed and had an alibi, which was corroborated through
investigation. (Tr. at 618).
{¶41} The police also obtained a search warrant to search Berry’s mother’s
current home. (Tr. at 618). The police then searched Berry’s mother’s residence.
(Tr. at 622). Afterward, the police requested to search Berry’s mother’s vehicle, a
Chrysler Pacifica, which police had learned from Berry and Jonathan Gaines, that
Berry had been driving the day after New York’s death. (Tr. at 625-26). Berry’s
mother consented to allow her Chrysler Pacifica to be searched and the police
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uncovered blood in the Pacifica, which was tested and determined to be New
York’s. (Tr. at 625, 358).
{¶42} When searching Berry’s mother’s residence, the police mistakenly
left the affidavit along with the search warrant, which contained all the
information that the police had up to that point in the investigation. (Tr. at 624).
Later that night after the search, Berry contacted police and informed police that
he wanted to speak with them again. (Tr. at 624-626).
{¶43} Berry then appeared with counsel to talk to police and give a second
interview. (Tr. at 627). In the second interview, Berry stated that on the night of
New York’s death, he and New York had gone out to his mother’s old house on
Domersville Road and a black SUV pulled in behind them. (State’s Ex. 68).
Berry stated that three men got out of the SUV, one he recognized as “Moon,” and
ordered Berry out of the car. (Id.) Berry stated that he did not know Moon’s real
name, he just knew him by “Moon.” (Id.) Berry stated that New York was then
shot in the Cadillac, taken out of the car, stripped, and that Berry then placed New
York in the trunk of the Cadillac at the behest of the three men. (Id.) Berry stated
that the three men then took his wallet and took both vehicles and drove off,
leaving him at the Domersville Road property.4 (Id.) Berry claimed that he then
4 Berry would later be seen on Wal Mart’s security cameras with a wallet “exactly as he described” that he claimed in this interview had been taken by the three men. (Tr. at 640).
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walked back to his mother’s house, which was over five miles, in a snow/ice storm
on a four-lane highway. (Tr. at 632); (State’s Ex. 68).
{¶44} During the interview, Chief Deputy Engel noted inconsistencies in
Berry’s story, including what Berry did with the bloody clothes, whether Andrew
Hershberger was at the scene, and where the tires that were in the backseat of the
Cadillac had been taken from. (Tr. at 631-33).
{¶45} Following the interview, the police attempted to track down “Moon.”
(Tr. at 634). After speaking with the FBI and other local law enforcement groups,
the police came up with two men that could have been the “Moon” Berry was
referring to: one who was known locally as “Moon” and the other who was
known as “Moony.” (Id.) Berry was brought back in to attempt to identify
“Moon,” and he selected the man, Ralph Upshaw, known as “Moon.” Berry said
that this “Moon” was involved in New York’s death. (Tr. at 635).
{¶46} Police investigated Moon, who was found to be “very cooperative”
with the investigation. (Tr. at 712). Police also searched Moon’s girlfriend’s
vehicle with Moon’s consent, which was a black Dodge Durango (SUV), as Moon
did not otherwise own an SUV. (Tr. at 713). Although police did find traces of
blood in the vehicle, the blood was determined not to be New York’s. (Tr. at 390).
Moon testified that he had known New York for five or six years but had only met
Berry twice with New York. (Tr. at 526). Moon testified during one of those
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meetings, New York and Berry had two guns, one of which was a .357. (Tr. at
534). After looking into Moon’s alibi, police were “comfortable” eliminating
Moon as a suspect. (Tr. at 724).
{¶47} Subsequently, Berry was indicted and arrested for, inter alia, the
Aggravated Murder of New York. The day after he was arrested, Berry contacted
the police and stated that he again wanted to speak with police regarding New
York’s death. (Tr. at 641-42).
{¶48} This time, in his third interview, Berry stated that on the night of
New York’s death, Berry and New York drove out to the Domersville Road
property to meet up with Berry’s brother Sidney. (State’s Ex. 70). Berry stated
that he was under the impression that Sidney and New York had business to
conduct. (Id.) Berry told police that Sidney, Moon, and one other person pulled
up behind the Cadillac in a black SUV, and ordered Berry out of the car. (Id.)
Berry stated that he got in the back of the SUV, and watched a flash go off in the
Cadillac as his brother Sidney shot New York. (Id.) Berry then stated that he was
made to help put New York’s body in the trunk, and that he was then driven to his
mother’s house and dropped off. (Id.) Berry stated that he had not talked to
Sidney since the incident. (Id.) In prior interviews, Berry had stated that he did
not know where his brother was and thought he might have been out of state, and
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that they had not had contact in over six months because they did not talk. (Tr. at
655).
{¶49} The police then investigated whether there was any connection
between Sidney and New York, and Sidney and Moon. (Tr. at 659, 715). The
police found no connections between Moon and Sidney, and found that there was
no indication of any recent contact between Sidney and New York. (Id.) In
addition, police found through Sidney’s cell phone records that Sidney was around
Pontiac Michigan shortly before and shortly after the death of New York.5 (Id. at
715)
{¶50} Further testimony produced at trial illustrated that Berry was in
possession of New York’s bag that contained the marijuana and cocaine that New
York had been transporting, and that Berry also had money after New York’s
death whereas there was testimony that he was “broke” on the Friday before New
York’s death. (Tr. at 472). Testimony was also given that Berry sent text
messages and made calls to New York on the day following New York’s death,
when Berry, even according to his own later statements, would have known New
York was dead. (State’s Ex. 70). Moreover, testimony was presented at trial that
5 Lieutenant Cliffton Vandemark testified that Sidney’s phone records established that he made a call from Pontiac, Michigan at roughly 8:35 p.m. on the night of New York’s death, and then again at roughly 12:30 a.m. (Tr. at 715). Vandemark testified that he drove the distance between the site of death and Pontiac Michigan and found it to be roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes one way, making it highly improbable for Sidney to have been present. (Id.)
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in the days following New York’s death, Berry repeatedly told others that he did
not know where New York was. (Tr. at 193, 486, 504).
{¶51} Thus at trial there was testimony of Berry looking for bullets for a
gun and that Berry stated he was looking to make a “power move.” There was
testimony that Berry was the last person seen with New York, and that New York
was killed outside of Berry’s mother’s vacant house. In addition, New York’s
blood was found in Berry’s mother’s car, which Berry was driving the day after
New York’s murder. Berry also had New York’s bag of drugs, and suddenly had
money whereas on Friday he was broke.
{¶52} Furthermore, Berry gave multiple accounts of what happened on the
night of the incident, changing his story repeatedly. First, Berry stated that New
York had merely dropped him off at his mother’s residence in Defiance. He told
this story to the police and to New York’s friends who were looking for New
York. Second, Berry stated that he was present when New York was shot by an
unknown gunman, and that he was left at the scene to walk back the five miles
into Defiance to his mother’s house on a busy highway during a winter storm.
Third, Berry stated that the he was present when his brother Sidney had shot New
York and that he was driven to his mother’s residence and dropped off.
{¶53} While Berry argues first on appeal that the trial court erred in
denying his Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal, we find that reasonable minds could
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find that each element had been proven and that Berry had committed Aggravated
Murder. In addition, although Berry argues that there was insufficient evidence to
convict him claiming that there was no proof that he was the person that killed
New York, under these circumstances, we find that there was sufficient direct and
circumstantial evidence presented to establish that Berry committed each element
of Aggravated Murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, Berry’s first
assignment of error is overruled.
{¶54} In arguing that his conviction was against the manifest weight of the
evidence, Berry contends that there were other people with plausible motives,
there was no direct evidence that Berry caused New York’s death (only that he
was present), and that the murder could not have been pre-planned because Berry
could not have predicted that his car would break down on the way to Lima on the
day before the murder.
{¶55} Although Berry argues that there were other people with motive to
kill New York, the jury heard testimony regarding all of the other people who had
potential motives to kill New York, and the police’s investigation into those
individuals. Through the investigation, none of the people that Berry accused in
his repeatedly altering statements could be connected to the February 20, 2011,
homicide.
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{¶56} Moreover, the jury heard testimony regarding Berry’s potential
motives. The jury heard Jonathan Gaines testify that Berry said he was going to
make a “power move.” The jury also heard Detective John Engel testify that
Berry had, at least at one point in time, wanted to “control Defiance” (in reference
to drugs). (Tr. at 663-664).
{¶57} Based upon our review of the evidence including the transcripts and
the exhibits, we cannot find that the jury “clearly lost its way” or that there was a
“manifest miscarriage of justice.” Therefore, we do not find Berry’s conviction
was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Accordingly, Berry’s second
assignment of error is overruled.6
{¶58} Berry makes another argument before his final assignment of error
that is not listed separately as an actual assignment of error, so we will address it
here, as it does not fall under any of the other assignments. In this argument,
Berry claims that the trial court erred in allowing Shannon Wilson to be recalled
over the objections of counsel.
{¶59} Evid. R. 611(A) provides that the trial court exercises control over
the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and the presentation of evidence to
ensure that the interrogation and presentation of evidence are effective in
6 In Berry’s statements of his first two assignments of error, he only challenges his conviction for Aggravated Murder. However, had he argued that there was insufficient evidence to sustain his remaining convictions, or that the remaining convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence, those assignments would be overruled as well, as our review of the transcript and the evidence supports the jury’s findings.
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ascertaining the truth. Whether to permit a witness to be recalled to the stand to
give additional testimony is a matter committed to the sound discretion of the trial
court. State v. Taylor, 3d Dist. No 1-3-20, 2003-Ohio-7115, ¶ 18, citing State v.
Sims, 3 Ohio App.3d 321, 329 (8th Dist.1981). An abuse of discretion connotes
more than an error of law or judgment; it implies an attitude of the trial court that
is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio
St.3d 217, 219 (1983).
{¶60} In this case, the State called Shannon Wilson, the mother of New
York’s child. (Tr. at 179). Shannon Wilson testified originally that Berry and
New York came to her residence in Fort Wayne. (Tr. at 183). Shannon testified
that Berry stayed at her residence while New York and Wilson left, and that when
New York returned he had a shoebox she believed had two kilos of cocaine in it—
cocaine which she originally testified she did not personally see. (Tr. at 198).
After Shannon was cross-examined, the State called its next witness, Calvin Lane,
and once Lane finished testifying, the State recalled Shannon. (Tr. at 207, 230).
{¶61} When Shannon was recalled, she testified that she knew New York
was purchasing cocaine in Fort Wayne and she knew that he had acquired cocaine.
(Tr. at 238). She testified that she wanted some of the cocaine to sell but New
York told her he needed it, so he gave her $200 instead. (Tr. at 238).
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{¶62} Thus the difference between Wilson’s original testimony and her
testimony when she was recalled was her definitively stating that she knew New
York was acquiring and had acquired cocaine when he went to Fort Wayne. (Tr.
at 240). When asked why her testimony had changed, Wilson testified that when
she came into court that day she was arrested on a bench warrant and was afraid of
incriminating herself. (Tr. at 232). Wilson testified that issue had been cleared
up, so she gave the new testimony. (Id.)
{¶63} Defense counsel repeatedly objected to allowing Wilson to testify
again. (Tr. at 230, 233, 237). The court inquired into the circumstances of why
Wilson should be allowed to be recalled, and specifically stated that Wilson was
subject to cross-examination and that the matters could be inquired into on cross-
examination. (Tr. at 237).
{¶64} Based on the court’s inherent authority to regulate witnesses called,
we cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing Shannon to be
recalled, especially in light of the fact that she was fully subject to cross-
examination and the jury had the ability to judge her credibility. Accordingly, this
argument is found not well taken, and if it was styled specifically as an assignment
of error, it would be overruled.
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Third Assignment of Error
{¶65} In his third assignment of error, Berry argues that he was denied a
fair trial due to the ineffective assistance of his trial counsel. Specifically, Berry
claims that counsel’s failure to object to certain testimony was prejudicial to
Berry, and that counsel made premature and ineffective motions that tolled the
running time under the speedy trial statute, thus allowing the State further time to
prepare its case against Berry.
{¶66} “Reversal of convictions on ineffective assistance requires the
defendant to show ‘first that counsel's performance was deficient and, second that
the deficient performance prejudiced the defense so as to deprive the defendant of
a fair trial.’” State v. Cassano, 96 Ohio St.3d 94, 2002-Ohio-3751, at ¶ 105,
quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 669, 104 S.Ct. 2052 (1984).
When considering a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, the court “must
indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of
reasonable professional assistance.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689.
{¶67} A tactical decision by trial counsel, who as a licensed attorney is
presumed to be competent, is not by itself enough to show ineffective assistance of
counsel simply because the strategy did not result in an acquittal. State v. Clayton,
62 Ohio St.2d 45, 48-49 (1980); State v. Timm, 3d Dist. No. 13–11–23, 2012-
Ohio-410, ¶ 31. “Furthermore, trial counsel’s failure to object is generally viewed
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as trial strategy and does not establish ineffective assistance.” State v. Turks, 3d.
Dist. No. 1–08–44, 2009-Ohio-1837, ¶ 43, citing State v. McKinney, 11th Dist.
No.2007–T–0004, 2008-Ohio-3256, ¶ 191; State v. Gumm, 73 Ohio St.3d 413,
428; State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, ¶ 103.
{¶68} In arguing that his counsel was ineffective, Berry first contends that
his counsel failed to object to inadmissible hearsay evidence. Hearsay is defined
as “a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or
hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” Evid.R.
801(C). Hearsay is generally not admissible unless an exception applies. Evid.R.
802.
{¶69} Berry first claims that his counsel should have objected to the
testimony of Detective Dave Richards when Detective Richards was testifying as
to what Shannon Wilson had informed him. In the portion of testimony cited,
Detective Richards was being asked if he spoke to Shannon Wilson, and what he
learned in speaking to Shannon Wilson. Berry argues that allowing Detective
Richards to tell the jury what Shannon Wilson had informed him of improperly
bolstered her credibility and was hearsay. However, at this point in the trial,
Detective Richards was merely testifying to how he proceeded with his
investigation and what he learned from one witness to the next that led him
forward. We do not find this is hearsay. However, even if the statements were
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hearsay, Shannon Wilson took the stand and was fully subject to cross-
examination. Moreover, much of the information learned from Shannon, such as
New York having an apartment with Calvin Lane, Berry made in statements in
interviews to the police. Under these circumstances, we cannot find that counsel’s
failure to object was deficient or prejudicial.
{¶70} Berry makes a similar claim regarding the testimony of Sergeant
Delaney who spoke with Jonathan Gaines. Sergeant Delaney’s testimony merely
detailed how his part of the investigation proceeded, including when and why he
spoke with Jonathan Gaines, and Delaney’s attempts to track Berry’s movement
around the date of the murder. In addition, Jonathan Gaines took the stand, and
was fully subject to cross-examination. Thus we cannot find counsel’s failure to
object to Sergeant Delaney’s testimony was deficient or prejudicial.
{¶71} Berry next argues that Deputy Engel was improperly allowed to
testify as to what he thought Berry was “thinking” during Berry’s interviews.
Berry does not cite specific provisions of the transcript to support his argument
that Deputy Engel improperly testified as to Berry’s thoughts. Our own review of
the transcript revealed the following locations where Deputy Engel might have
referred to Berry’s thoughts during the interview.
And if you saw at first, we did not have to urge the Defendant, Donny Berry, to explain to us why he was at the sheriff’s office. He already had a predisposition. He knew why we wanted to talk to him.
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(Tr. at 614).
***
Then his story changes to meet what our knowledge is of the crime at that point in time and he then addresses the fact that he is there at the scene but only trying to state that he’s just there so it’s not his fault but that, again the further we look into it goes away. (Tr. at 651).
In this – During all the interviews, Donny would – We watch his movements, his body language. When he would – He can turn on the charm or he can turn on the false pretenses, so to speak. He – He begins to act like he’s crying. He – But then he quickly shuts that off. There is [sic] no tears shed. He can sniffle and, and over the years of dealing with Donny, he can do this quite often. He changes quite rapidly. He can turn the charm on and then he can be very angry, very intimidating and, and abusive.
(Tr. at 653-654).
Q. So if he were still looking for it, and the Defendant had it [drug bag], he might want some protection? You understand what I’m saying?
A. Yes, I do. Again, that’s kind of a – He – He may think that he needs protection.
(Tr. at 696-97).
{¶72} Based on a review of the transcript and these sections, we do not find
that Chief Deputy Engel testified to anything other than his observations. In fact,
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in the one section where the prosecutor specifically asked Chief Deputy Engel
about why Berry thought he might have needed protection, Berry’s counsel did
object, and it was sustained on grounds that it called for speculation. (Tr. at 652).
Thus it is unclear from the transcript where Berry’s trial counsel failed to object to
inadmissible testimony, and how any failure to object so prejudiced Berry as to
warrant a new trial.
{¶73} Finally, Berry argues that trial counsel filed premature and
ineffective motions that provided the State more time to prepare for trial and tolled
the running of speedy trial time. At the outset, it should be noted that a hearing
was held on whether Berry’s speedy trial rights had been violated approximately
two weeks before the trial, and it was found that the trial was being held well
within the allotted time. Next, it should be noted that Berry’s trial counsel filed a
motion to suppress a statement that Berry made to Carolyn Kuntz, a classification
officer at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, where Berry told yet another
story, that Jonathan Gaines had killed New York. Rather than proceed on the
matter, the State ultimately agreed not to present that testimony. So while the
suppression motion might not have been “granted” on that issue, counsel was still
able to “leverage” a motion to suppress into keeping out a statement that clearly
would have been against Berry’s interest for the jury to hear.
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{¶74} Berry contends on appeal that counsel’s premature and “ineffective”
motions allowed the State more time to prepare for trial, but there is absolutely
nothing in the record to establish that the State was not prepared for trial at any
stage and that had Berry’s counsel not filed any of the motions that he filed the
State would have been unable to secure the same witnesses and exhibits used
against him. Thus even if there was error in filing any of the motions, Berry is
completely unable to establish any prejudice, as any claims that the State would
not have been prepared are entirely speculative.
{¶75} Having found no errors by counsel and no prejudice to Berry,
Berry’s third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶76} For the foregoing reasons, Berry’s assignments of error are overruled
and the judgment of the Defiance County Common Pleas Court is affirmed.
PRESTON, P.J. and ROGERS, J., concur.
/jlr
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