[Cite as State v. Chafin, 2023-Ohio-4477.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT MARION COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, CASE NO. 9-23-10 PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
v.
THOMAS E. CHAFIN, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court Trial Court No. 2022-CR-047
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: December 11, 2023
APPEARANCES:
April F. Campbell for Appellant
Raymond A. Grogan, Jr. for Appellee Case No. 9-23-10
ZIMMERMAN, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Thomas E. Chafin (“Chafin”), appeals the
judgment of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas. Chafin was found guilty
by a jury of one count of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition (“GSI”).
On appeal, he argues that the jury’s verdict as to the rape charge is based upon
insufficient evidence and is against the manifest weight of the evidence. For the
reasons set forth below, we affirm.
{¶2} The genesis of this case is Chafin’s sexual activity with D.C., his seven-
year-old daughter in Marion County, Ohio on August 26, 2021.
{¶3} On January 19, 2022, the Marion County Grand Jury indicted Chafin
on the two criminal charges including Count One for rape in violation of R.C.
2907.02(A)(1)(b), (B), a first-degree felony, and Count Two for GSI in violation of
R.C. 2907.05(A)(4), (C)(2). On January 24, 2022, Chafin appeared for arraignment
and entered not guilty pleas.
{¶4} Chafin proceeded to a jury trial on November 7 and 8, 2022, wherein
he was found guilty of both counts in the indictment. The jury further found that
D.C. was less than 10 years of age at the time the rape offense occurred.
{¶5} The trial court held a sentencing hearing on January 13, 2023. The trial
court found that the rape and GSI offenses were allied offenses of similar import
and merged them the purposes of sentencing with the State electing to proceed to
-2- Case No. 9-23-10
sentencing on the rape charge. Thereafter, the trial court sentenced Chafin to life
imprisonment without parole.
{¶6} Chafin filed a timely notice of appeal and raises two assignments of
error for our review, which we will address together.
First Assignment of Error
The State’s evidence that Chafin committed rape was legally insufficient as a matter of law.
Second Assignment of Error
The evidence weighed manifestly against convicting Chafin of rape.
{¶7} In Chafin’s assignments of error, he argues that the jury’s finding of
guilt for rape (under Count One) is based upon insufficient evidence and is against
the manifest weight of the evidence.
Standard of Review
{¶8} Manifest “weight of the evidence and sufficiency of the evidence are
clearly different legal concepts.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 389
(1997), superseded by statute on other grounds, State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89
(1997). Thus, we address each legal concept individually.
{¶9} “An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at
trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average
mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio
-3- Case No. 9-23-10
St.3d 259 (1981), paragraph two of the syllabus, superseded by constitutional
amendment on other grounds, Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d at 89. Accordingly, “[t]he
relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to
the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of
the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. “In deciding if the evidence was
sufficient, we neither resolve evidentiary conflicts nor assess the credibility of
witnesses, as both are functions reserved for the trier of fact.” State v. Jones, 1st
Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-120570 and C-120571, 2013-Ohio-4775, ¶ 33, citing State
v. Williams, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-110097, 2011-Ohio-6267, ¶ 25. See also State
v. Berry, 3d Dist. Defiance No. 4-12-03, 2013-Ohio-2380, ¶ 19 (“Sufficiency of
the evidence is a test of adequacy rather than credibility or weight of the
evidence.”), citing Thompkins at 386.
{¶10} On the other hand, in determining whether a conviction is against the
manifest weight of the evidence, a reviewing court must 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 [trier
of fact] clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that
the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’” Thompkins at 387,
quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist.1983). A reviewing
court must, however, allow the trier of fact appropriate discretion on matters relating
to the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses. State v. DeHass,
-4- Case No. 9-23-10
10 Ohio St.2d 230, 231 (1967). When applying the manifest-weight standard,
“[o]nly in exceptional cases, where the evidence ‘weighs heavily against the
conviction,’ should an appellate court overturn the trial court’s judgment.” State v.
Haller, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-11-34, 2012-Ohio-5233, ¶ 9, quoting State v.
Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 119.
Sufficiency-of-the-Evidence Analysis
{¶11} Chafin is challenging the jury’s finding of guilt for rape (under Count
One) arguing that it is insufficient as a matter of law. R.C. 2907.02 provides in its
pertinent parts:
(A)(1) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another who is not the spouse of the offender * * *, when any of the following applies:
* * *.
(b) The other person is less than thirteen years of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of the other person.
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b).
{¶12} Chafin argues that the jury verdict for rape under Count One is based
upon insufficient evidence and the State did not present any evidence of sexual
conduct. Specifically, he attacks whether the State presented sufficient evidence of
penetration.
{¶13} “Sexual conduct” is defined to mean
vaginal intercourse between a male and female; anal intercourse, fellatio, and cunnilingus between persons regardless of sex; and,
-5- Case No. 9-23-10
without privilege to do so, the insertion, however slight, of any part of the body or any instrument, apparatus, or other object into the vaginal or anal opening of another. Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete vaginal or anal intercourse.
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 2907.01(A).
{¶14} Since Chafin does not dispute any of the underlying elements of the
offense for which he was found guilty and sentenced, other than sexual conduct (as
it relates to the jury’s finding of guilt for rape), we need only address that issue.
{¶15} Importantly, R.C. 2907.01 defines several forms of sexual conduct.
Specifically, and relevant to Chafin’s argument, the statute delineates digital
penetration as a form of sexual conduct.
{¶16} Significantly, the State called the SANE nurse and the forensic
interviewer to testify at trial in its case-in-chief. The SANE nurse testified on direct-
examination that D.C. stated that he (Chafin) put his finger in her vagina; however
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[Cite as State v. Chafin, 2023-Ohio-4477.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT MARION COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, CASE NO. 9-23-10 PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
v.
THOMAS E. CHAFIN, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court Trial Court No. 2022-CR-047
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: December 11, 2023
APPEARANCES:
April F. Campbell for Appellant
Raymond A. Grogan, Jr. for Appellee Case No. 9-23-10
ZIMMERMAN, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Thomas E. Chafin (“Chafin”), appeals the
judgment of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas. Chafin was found guilty
by a jury of one count of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition (“GSI”).
On appeal, he argues that the jury’s verdict as to the rape charge is based upon
insufficient evidence and is against the manifest weight of the evidence. For the
reasons set forth below, we affirm.
{¶2} The genesis of this case is Chafin’s sexual activity with D.C., his seven-
year-old daughter in Marion County, Ohio on August 26, 2021.
{¶3} On January 19, 2022, the Marion County Grand Jury indicted Chafin
on the two criminal charges including Count One for rape in violation of R.C.
2907.02(A)(1)(b), (B), a first-degree felony, and Count Two for GSI in violation of
R.C. 2907.05(A)(4), (C)(2). On January 24, 2022, Chafin appeared for arraignment
and entered not guilty pleas.
{¶4} Chafin proceeded to a jury trial on November 7 and 8, 2022, wherein
he was found guilty of both counts in the indictment. The jury further found that
D.C. was less than 10 years of age at the time the rape offense occurred.
{¶5} The trial court held a sentencing hearing on January 13, 2023. The trial
court found that the rape and GSI offenses were allied offenses of similar import
and merged them the purposes of sentencing with the State electing to proceed to
-2- Case No. 9-23-10
sentencing on the rape charge. Thereafter, the trial court sentenced Chafin to life
imprisonment without parole.
{¶6} Chafin filed a timely notice of appeal and raises two assignments of
error for our review, which we will address together.
First Assignment of Error
The State’s evidence that Chafin committed rape was legally insufficient as a matter of law.
Second Assignment of Error
The evidence weighed manifestly against convicting Chafin of rape.
{¶7} In Chafin’s assignments of error, he argues that the jury’s finding of
guilt for rape (under Count One) is based upon insufficient evidence and is against
the manifest weight of the evidence.
Standard of Review
{¶8} Manifest “weight of the evidence and sufficiency of the evidence are
clearly different legal concepts.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 389
(1997), superseded by statute on other grounds, State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89
(1997). Thus, we address each legal concept individually.
{¶9} “An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at
trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average
mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio
-3- Case No. 9-23-10
St.3d 259 (1981), paragraph two of the syllabus, superseded by constitutional
amendment on other grounds, Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d at 89. Accordingly, “[t]he
relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to
the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of
the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. “In deciding if the evidence was
sufficient, we neither resolve evidentiary conflicts nor assess the credibility of
witnesses, as both are functions reserved for the trier of fact.” State v. Jones, 1st
Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-120570 and C-120571, 2013-Ohio-4775, ¶ 33, citing State
v. Williams, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-110097, 2011-Ohio-6267, ¶ 25. See also State
v. Berry, 3d Dist. Defiance No. 4-12-03, 2013-Ohio-2380, ¶ 19 (“Sufficiency of
the evidence is a test of adequacy rather than credibility or weight of the
evidence.”), citing Thompkins at 386.
{¶10} On the other hand, in determining whether a conviction is against the
manifest weight of the evidence, a reviewing court must 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 [trier
of fact] clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that
the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’” Thompkins at 387,
quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist.1983). A reviewing
court must, however, allow the trier of fact appropriate discretion on matters relating
to the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses. State v. DeHass,
-4- Case No. 9-23-10
10 Ohio St.2d 230, 231 (1967). When applying the manifest-weight standard,
“[o]nly in exceptional cases, where the evidence ‘weighs heavily against the
conviction,’ should an appellate court overturn the trial court’s judgment.” State v.
Haller, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-11-34, 2012-Ohio-5233, ¶ 9, quoting State v.
Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 119.
Sufficiency-of-the-Evidence Analysis
{¶11} Chafin is challenging the jury’s finding of guilt for rape (under Count
One) arguing that it is insufficient as a matter of law. R.C. 2907.02 provides in its
pertinent parts:
(A)(1) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another who is not the spouse of the offender * * *, when any of the following applies:
* * *.
(b) The other person is less than thirteen years of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of the other person.
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b).
{¶12} Chafin argues that the jury verdict for rape under Count One is based
upon insufficient evidence and the State did not present any evidence of sexual
conduct. Specifically, he attacks whether the State presented sufficient evidence of
penetration.
{¶13} “Sexual conduct” is defined to mean
vaginal intercourse between a male and female; anal intercourse, fellatio, and cunnilingus between persons regardless of sex; and,
-5- Case No. 9-23-10
without privilege to do so, the insertion, however slight, of any part of the body or any instrument, apparatus, or other object into the vaginal or anal opening of another. Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete vaginal or anal intercourse.
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 2907.01(A).
{¶14} Since Chafin does not dispute any of the underlying elements of the
offense for which he was found guilty and sentenced, other than sexual conduct (as
it relates to the jury’s finding of guilt for rape), we need only address that issue.
{¶15} Importantly, R.C. 2907.01 defines several forms of sexual conduct.
Specifically, and relevant to Chafin’s argument, the statute delineates digital
penetration as a form of sexual conduct.
{¶16} Significantly, the State called the SANE nurse and the forensic
interviewer to testify at trial in its case-in-chief. The SANE nurse testified on direct-
examination that D.C. stated that he (Chafin) put his finger in her vagina; however
under cross-examination, she acknowledged that this information was not quoted in
the patient narrative of her report. (Nov. 7, 2022 Tr., Vol. I, at 181 191-192). (See
State’s Ex. 3). Moreover, she testified that during her examination of D.C. she
observed a linear abrasion (i.e., a long scratch on D.C.’s upper thigh) after D.C.
stated that Chafin scratched her with his fingernails, which was consistent with the
history provided by D.C. (Id. at 182). She further noted generalized redness near
D.C.’s labia majora and labia minora. (Id.). The forensic interviewer testified that
Chafin did not simply touch D.C.’s vagina with his hand, but rather put his hand in
-6- Case No. 9-23-10
her vagina.1 D.C.’s recorded interview was played for the jury and was consistent
with the forensic examiner’s testimony at trial. (See State’s Ex. 11). In that
interview, D.C. described how Chafin’s fingernails hurt her as he used his hand to
go in her vagina.
{¶17} The State also called a forensic scientist from BCI to testify at trial to
the presence of male DNA located in D.C.’s upper mons pubis area above the labia.
(Nov. 8, 2022 Tr., Vol. II, at 343). She testified, however, that there was not enough
data present of sufficient quality for comparison with Chafin’s DNA.
{¶18} Lastly, at trial, the State and defense agreed to the admission of
Chafin’s stipulated-polygraph examination into evidence. The polygraph examiner
testified that when he asked Chafin if he put his finger in D.C.’s vagina, forced his
finger into D.C.’s vagina, and put anything into her vagina, deception was indicated.
{¶19} This evidence, construed in a light most favorable to the State,
reasonably supports the jury’s determination that Chafin engaged in “[s]exual
conduct” with D.C. Consequently, we conclude that Chafin’s rape conviction is
supported by sufficient evidence.
1 In her forensic interview, D.C. never used the term “finger”, instead she stated that Chafin put his “hand” in her “privates”. Regardless of whether Chafin penetrated D.C. with some combination of one or more of his digits or his whole hand, her statements as well as the statement of the other witnesses support that vaginal penetration occurred.
-7- Case No. 9-23-10
Manifest-Weight-of-the-Evidence Analysis
{¶20} We now turn to Chafin’s argument that the jury’s verdict as to Count
One (for rape) is against the manifest weight of the evidence since he argues that
the SANE nurse only testified to sexual contact and not sexual conduct and that the
redness noted could have been the result of uncleanness rather than a sexual act.
We disagree.
{¶21} As we highlighted in our resolution of Chafin’s sufficiency argument,
not only did the SANE nurse testify that D.C. disclosed that Chafin put his hand in
her vagina, but also so did the forensic examiner and her recorded interview with
D.C. was played for the jury. (Nov. 7, 2022 Tr., Vol. I, at 176, 180, 181, 197, 366).
(See State’s Ex. 11). Thus, his sexual-contact argument is wholly without merit.
{¶22} Chafin’s redness argument is predicated on his assumption that the
jury should have found the SANE nurse not credible. It is clear to us from our
review of the record that the jury found the SANE nurse to be credible. “‘Although
we review credibility when considering the manifest weight of the evidence, the
credibility of witnesses is primarily a determination for the trier of fact.’” State v.
Chute, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-22-02, 2022-Ohio-2722, ¶ 30, quoting State v. Banks,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 96535, 2011-Ohio-5671, ¶ 13, citing State v. DeHass, 10
Ohio St.2d 230 (1967), paragraph one of the syllabus. Indeed, the jury is “best able
‘to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures[,] and voice inflections,
and use these observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered testimony.’”
-8- Case No. 9-23-10
Banks at ¶ 31, quoting State v. Wilson, 113 Ohio St.3d 382, 2007-Ohio-2202, ¶ 24,
citing Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80-81 (1984).
{¶23} Based upon our review of the entire record, we conclude that the
evidence supporting the jury’s finding of guilt for rape is of greater weight than the
evidence against it. Additionally, we will not conclude that jury’s witness-
credibility determination is unreasonable. Therefore, we do not conclude that the
jury clearly lost its way, which created a manifest miscarriage of justice such that
Chafin’s rape conviction (under Count One) must be reversed and new trial ordered.
Consequently, we conclude that the jury’s finding of guilt for rape under Count One
is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶24} Accordingly, and for the reasons set forth above, Chafin’s first and
second assignments of error are overruled.
{¶25} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the
particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
MILLER, P.J. and WALDICK, J., concur.
/hls
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