State v. Cheatham

2025 Ohio 2584

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: July 18, 2025
• Docket: 23CA17
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Cheatham, 2025-Ohio-2584.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT JACKSON COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO, : : Plaintiff-Appellee, : Case No. 23CA17 : v. : : DECISION AND JUDGMENT ADAM CHEATHAM, : ENTRY : Defendant-Appellant. : _____________________________________________________________ APPEARANCES:

Elizabeth Miller, Ohio State Public Defender, Adam D. Vincent, Assistant State Public Defender, Columbus, Ohio, for Appellant.

Randy H. Dupree, Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney, Jackson, Ohio, for Appellee. _____________________________________________________________

Smith, P.J.

{¶1} Adam Cheatham, “appellant,” appeals the October 16, 2023

Uniform Sentencing Entry of the Jackson County Court of Common Pleas.

A jury convicted appellant of nine counts of Gross Sexual Imposition

involving three separate victims. On appeal, appellant raises assignments of

error challenging: (1) the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his

convictions; (2) the consecutive nature of his sentence; and, (3) the

effectiveness of his trial counsel. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 2

{¶2} Based on our review, Assignments of Errors One, Two, and

Three are without merit and are overruled. However, as to Assignment of

Error Two, the matter is remanded in order that the trial court may conduct a

resentencing hearing. With regard to Assignment of Error Four, we have

found merit to appellant’s argument concerning Count Three. Accordingly,

we vacate appellant’s conviction as to Count Three and, in all other respects,

overrule the remaining portions of Assignment of Error Four. The judgment

of the trial court is affirmed in part and reversed in part. The matter is

remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

{¶3} Appellant was convicted on nine counts as follows:

Count One, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A)(1);

Count Two, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A)(1);

Count Three, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A)(4);

Count Four, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A)(4);

Count Five, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A(4);

Count Six, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A)(4);

Count Seven, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A)(1);

Count Eight, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A)(1); and, Jackson App. No. 23CA17 3

{¶4} Count Nine, Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.05(A)(1).1

Count One involves victim, E.J. Count Two names victim, Z.C. E.J. and

Z.C. are teenage males whom appellant allowed to reside with him in March

of 2023. The remaining counts pertain to alleged victim, S.R., a female.

S.R. was seven or eight years old when appellant and S.R.’s mother began

living together and moved from northern Ohio to Jackson County.

{¶5} Upon his June 29, 2023 arraignment, appellant entered not guilty

pleas to all counts. The court appointed appellant an attorney who ended up

being his counsel throughout the proceedings. The State and defense

counsel filed and responded to written requests for discovery. The trial court

scheduled a final pretrial to occur on August 30, 2023 with jury trial dates of

September 5 and 6, 2023.

{¶6} At the final pretrial, the State made a plea offer and indicated

that the State would be arguing for a sentence in the range of nine and one-

half years. Appellant rejected the offer, maintained his innocence, and

proceeded to trial. On the first day of trial, the State presented testimony

from the investigating officer, Lieutenant Rick Zinn of the Jackson County

Sheriff’s Office, and the three alleged victims.

1 These are renumbered counts. When appellant was indicted in June 2023, the indictment contained 11 counts which included two counts of Corrupting Another With Drugs, R.C.2925.02(A)(4)(b)/R.C. 2925.02(C)(1). After the defense rested, these counts were dismissed. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 4

{¶7} E.J. and Z.C. described inappropriate sexual contact initiated by

appellant, and inappropriate conversations, sexual in nature, with appellant.2

Both male victims testified that the inappropriate sexual contact occurred

around the time of two graduation parties which took place at appellant’s

home in May 2023. The allegations involving S.R. will be discussed more

fully below.

{¶8} When the State rested, defense counsel made a Crim.R. 29 (A)

motion to dismiss on several grounds. As to the counts involving E.J., and

Z.C., defense counsel argued that venue, date, and force or threat had not

been proven. As to the remaining counts involving S.R., counsel challenged

the sufficiency of the testimony of S.R.’s age and force or threat. The trial

court overruled the motion. The parties discussed final jury instructions

which would be given. Appellant indicated he wished to testify so the trial

court engaged in a colloquy with him regarding his Fifth Amendment right

to remain silent and the fact that he would be subject to cross-examination.

appellant indicated his understanding.

2 In the interests of brevity, we will not detail the conversations appellant allegedly engaged in with the victims. Generally speaking, both victims testified appellant’s comments made them feel awkward and uncomfortable. Both testified: “[Appellant] would say I don’t need a girlfriend. He’d do it for me.” Appellant’s testimony was that any remarks or conversations were engaged in by all the young people who stayed at his home and that anything he may have said would have been misconstrued. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 5

{¶9} After appellant’s testimony, the defense rested. The parties gave

their closing statements. The trial court gave the final instructions and the

jury retired to deliberate. Appellant was convicted on all counts. The trial

court scheduled sentencing for October 10, 2023.

{¶10} The trial court sentenced appellant to maximum and

consecutive terms, for a total of 27 ½ years in prison. This timely appeal

followed. The witnesses’ relevant trial testimony will be set forth within.

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

I. CHEATHAM WAS CONVICTED OF FIVE COUNTS OF GROSS SEXUAL IMPOSITION IN THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE LEGALLY SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT A FINDING OF GUILT IN VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHTS AS GUARANTEED BY THE FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTIONS 1 AND 16, OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

II. THE TRIAL COURT FAILED TO MAKE PARTICULARIZED FINDINGS MANDATED BY 2929.14(C)(4) TO LAWFULLY IMPOSE CONSECUTIVE PRISON SENTENCES ON CHEATHAM.

III. TRIAL COUNSEL PROVIDE [SIC] INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT CHEATHAM’S CASE, IN VIOLATION OF THE SIXTH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 10, ARTICLE 1 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 6

IV. CHEATHAM WAS CONVICTED OF FOUR COUNTS OF GROSS SEXUAL IMPOSITION IN THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE THAT COULD PROVE THE OFFENSES INDICTED BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT IN VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHTS AS GUARANTEED BY THE FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTIONS 1 AND 16 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

STANDARDS OF REVIEW - CRIM. R. 29 AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

{¶11} Appellant made a Crim.R. 29 motion at the close of the State’s

case. Crim.R. 29(A) provides that “[t]he court on motion of a defendant or

on its own motion, after the evidence on either side is closed, shall order the

entry of a judgment of acquittal * * * if the evidence is insufficient to sustain

a conviction of such offense or offenses.” An appellate court reviews the

denial of a Crim.R. 29(A) motion under the same standard as that used to

review a sufficiency-of-the evidence claim. State v. Gonz, 2024-Ohio-5885,

¶ 9 (4th Dist.); State v. Webb, 2023-Ohio-4050, ¶ 42 (4th Dist.); State v.

Tenace, 2006-Ohio-2417, ¶ 37.

{¶12} Appellant’s First Assignment of Error challenges the

sufficiency of the evidence supporting proof of force as to Counts One, Two,

Seven, Eight, and Nine. Count One involves alleged victim E.J. Count Two

involves alleged victim Z.C. Counts Seven, Eight, and Nine pertain to Jackson App. No. 23CA17 7

alleged victim S.R. Appellant’s Fourth Assignment of Error challenges the

sufficiency of the evidence supporting the date of the alleged occurrences in

Counts Three, Four, Five, and Six, which all relate to S.R. Because the

standards of review are the same, we will consider the First and Fourth

Assignments of Error jointly.

{¶13} Whether the evidence presented at trial is legally sufficient to

sustain a verdict is a question of law. Gonz, at ¶ 10, citing State v.

Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386 (1997). Therefore, “ ‘[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.’ ” Webb, supra,

quoting State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991), paragraph two of the

syllabus, superseded by constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated

in State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 102 (1997), fn. 4, and following Jackson

v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979).

LEGAL ANALYSIS

Assignment of Error One - Sufficient Evidence of Force

{¶14} Renumbered Counts One and Two allege violations of R.C.

2907.05(A)(1), Gross Sexual Imposition, which provides:

A) No person shall have sexual contact with another; cause another to have sexual contact with the Jackson App. No. 23CA17 8

offender; or cause two or more other persons to have sexual contact when any of the following applies: (1) The offender purposely compels the other person, or one of the other persons, to submit by force or threat of force.

{¶15} R.C. 2907.01(B) defines sexual contact as follows:

‘Sexual contact’ means any touching of an erogenous zone of another, including without limitation the thigh, genitals, buttock, pubic region, or, if the person is a female, a breast, for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying either person.

Further, “sexual contact” includes “ ‘any nonconsensual physical touching,

even through clothing, of the body of another.’ ” State v. Tullio, 2025-Ohio-

206,¶ 22 (7th Dist.), quoting State v. Jones, 2006-Ohio-5249, ¶ 15 (8th

Dist.), citing State v. Ackley, 2002-Ohio-6002 (C.P.).

{¶16} “Force” means any violence, compulsion, or constraint

physically exerted by any means upon or against a person or thing. R.C.

2901.01(A)(1). See State v. Torres, 2023-Ohio-1406, ¶ 47 (4th Dist.).

“[T]he use of the word ‘any’ in the definition recognizes there are different

degrees of force.” State v. Clark, 2008-Ohio-3358, ¶ 17 (8th Dist.).

“ ‘[S]ome amount of force must be proven beyond that force inherent in the

crime itself.’ ” State v. Zimpfer, 2014-Ohio-4401, ¶ 46 (2d Dist.), quoting

State v. Dye, 82 Ohio St.3d 323, 327 (1998). However, “[a]ny amount of

physical force or threat, however slight, is sufficient to support * * *” a rape Jackson App. No. 23CA17 9

conviction under R.C. 2907.02(A)(2). State v. Heiney, 2018-Ohio-3408, ¶

122 (6th Dist.). “The force element needed to prove the offense of gross

sexual imposition is the same as it is for rape.” State v. Biggs, 2022-Ohio-

2481, ¶ 16 (5th Dist.).

{¶17} The Supreme Court of Ohio found the amount of force required

to meet this requirement varies depending on the age of the victim and the

relationship between the victim and the defendant. State v. Eskridge, 38

Ohio St.3d 56, 58 (1988). However, some amount of force must be proven

beyond the force inherent in the crime itself. State v. Dye, 82 Ohio St.3d

323, 327 (1998).

{¶18] In Torres, we recognized that in child-victim cases, Eskridge

holds that the force need not be overt or physically brutal and that subtle or

psychological pressure can cause a child victim to be overcome by fear or

duress. Eskridge, 38 Ohio St.3d 56, 59; Torres, ¶ 55.3 See also State v.

Burton, 2007-Ohio-1660, at ¶ 37 (4th Dist.).

3 In the context of appeal of a rape conviction, the Supreme Court has certified a conflict between the Second and Eighth districts concerning the sufficiency of the evidence of force required when a case involves sleeping victims. See State v. Simmons, Case No. 2024-1301, jurisdiction accepted on November 27, 2024. In the Second District’s opinion in Simmons, 2024-Ohio-3036, the appellate court noted the Eighth District’s long line of cases holding that where a victim is sleeping at the outset of sexual conduct and thus not aware of the defendant’s intentions, the force element of rape is established with the minimal force required to manipulate the victim’s clothing in order to facilitate the sexual conduct. Id. at ¶ 16. However, the Simmons court agreed with this court’s decision in Torres, which had discussed the analyses in State v. Wine, 2012-Ohio-2837 (3d Dist.), State v. Biggs, 2022-Ohio-2481, (5th Dist.), and State v. Moore, 2022-Ohio-2349 (5th Dist.), and found that, “Even if we were to adopt the Eighth District’s reduced level of force for initially sleeping victims as discussed and criticized by Wine, Biggs, and Moore, the facts [in Torres] are distinguishable from the sleeping-child victim cases which require manipulation of Jackson App. No. 23CA17 10

{¶19} In Burton, the defendant manipulated both the child victim's

clothing and the child victim's sleeping body into a position to facilitate

sexual conduct. Burton at ¶ 42. We held that “[t]his physical manipulation

required force, however minimal, beyond that inherent in the act of rape

itself.” However, we found that additional subtle psychological factors of

control and authority contributed to the finding of force, including:

the victim's will was also overcome by Burton's relative size and age, by the victim's fear resulting from his lack of understanding of an orgasm and his high level of intoxication, and by Burton's position of authority established via his law enforcement officer training, his ability to drive, his relationship with [the victim], and his ability to provide the victim with an expensive gift. Id. at ¶ 39.

{¶20} In sum, the evidence regarding E.J. and Z.C. generally

demonstrated that the two teenagers lived with another friend, H., and H.’s

grandmother until they went to live with appellant in March of 2023. At that

time, other young people including H., S., and G. lived with Appellant.

According to Z.C., he met appellant through H., and appellant invited the

young people to move in to help pay the bills. Appellant had a bedroom. H.

and S. also had rooms. E.J. and Z.C. slept on the floor in appellant’s

downstairs living room.

clothing and something more, such as moving the victim or repositioning the victim’s limbs.” Torres, at ¶ 32. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 11

{¶21} Z.C. graduated from both Buckeye Hills Career Center on or

about May 18, 2023, and from Jackson High School on or about May 26,

2023. Appellant provided alcohol on weekends and for graduation parties at

his house after both graduations. Z.C. recalled the parties occurring on

Friday nights. Both Counts One and Two involving the teenage male

victims allege sexual contact occurring on or about May 26, 2023. While

E.J. testified to multiple occurrences of sexual contact during the time he

lived with appellant, Z.C. testified to only a single incident occurring after

the Buckeye Hills graduation party. Both victims denied conspiring to

wrongfully accuse appellant.

Count One - E.J.’s Testimony

{¶22} Count One alleges that on or about May 26, 2023, appellant

purposely compelled E.J. to submit to sexual contact by force or threat of

force. Appellant argues that there was no evidence of force presented at

trial. Appellant asserts that E.J.’s testimony on these allegations is “murky

at best.” For the reasons which follow, we disagree. We find that any

rational trier of fact could have found proof of force beyond a reasonable

doubt.

{¶23} E.J. was 15 years old in May of 2023. While staying at

appellant’s home beginning in March 2023, E.J. woke up “multiple times” Jackson App. No. 23CA17 12

with appellant lying next to him on the floor. Appellant made “some dumb

excuse” to lay down with him. Appellant’s hands would touch E.J.’s

testicles and penis over his clothing. E.J. did not say anything to appellant,

“I just got up.” Appellant’s sexual contact with E.J. nearly always started

with E.J. being asleep.

{¶24} E.J. stayed at appellant’s house, despite the inappropriate

touching because appellant lived in Jackson. E.J. testified, “I can’t walk

from Beaver Pike where I live, that’s twenty miles, fifteen miles” to get to

school. E.J. did not tell anyone what was happening because he was scared.

{¶25} E.J. described a painful incident of being touched over his

clothing, which included touching his thigh underneath his clothes, as

follows:

It was the time he went and came down and said he was cold and then after that I got up and went to the other room and he came to the other room and went and laid beside me when I was sleeping and I woke up to my balls hurting… [j]ust like getting hit in the nuts.

E.J.’s testimony is somewhat unclear as to time frame, noting that the

sexual contact occurred near the time of the graduation parties. E.J. denied

asking for or consenting to appellant’s sexual contact. Appellant’s behavior

made him feel “very uncomfortable” and betrayed. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 13

{¶26} Z.C.’s testimony indicates E.J. finally told E.J.’s mother about

what was happening with appellant after the Jackson graduation party, which

would have been on or about May 26th. According to E.J., his mother was

“very, very mad and sad…She cried for like ten minutes…” E.J. retrieved

his belongings from appellant’s house and left that evening. Prior to telling

his mother, E.J. had never discussed appellant’s behavior with Z.C.

{¶27} On cross-examination, E.J. admitted he was unsure of the dates

of the graduation parties. When defense counsel attempted to pinpoint the

time frame of the sexual contact, “So which is it? It happened before or it

happened at the party,” E.J. replied, “Oh it happens every weekend.” E.J.

admitted he went to school, “most of the time.” E.J. denied any discussion

with appellant about “paying rent, paying bills, getting a job,” or in the

alternative, “getting kicked out.” E.J. admitted he did not provide any

money toward the bills.

Count Two - Z.C.’s Testimony

{¶28} In May 2023, Z.C. was 17 years old. The gross sexual

imposition count involving Z.C. also alleged sexual contact by force or

threat of force, on or about May 26, 2023. Appellant usually came home

from work around 3:00, 3:30, or 4:00 p.m. and then “hung out” with the

group or young people living with him, playing basketball and video games. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 14

They also had fires and drank alcohol. Appellant went to bed according to

his work schedule.

{¶29} According to Z.C., on the night of the Buckeye Hills

graduation: “I just woke up because I felt like there was something right on

top of me and I woke up and it was [appellant] right on top of me.” Z.C.

was laying on his back and “half of [appellant’s] body was on top of

mine…[appellant’s] hands were on top of my testicles but it was on the

outside of the clothing.” Z.C. described his reaction:

I didn’t know what to do so I just got up and I went to the other room into the dining room to go back to sleep and then I woke back up and he was right back beside me….[H]is body was just…just on top of me again.

Z.C. denied asking appellant to lay next to him or consenting to any

touching. When it happened, they did not speak.

{¶30} Appellant’s actions made him for “lost for words like.” Z.C.

did not tell anyone else because he thought it was happening only to him,

and “I thought everyone called me a liar and I didn’t know how to tell

anybody about it.” Z.C. acknowledged that he continued to stay at

appellant’s house after the Buckeye Hills party because he “didn’t really

want to go live back with my grandma because me and my sister really

didn’t get along and I had a lot more space there, over there.” Jackson App. No. 23CA17 15

{¶31} After Jackson’s graduation, Z.C. was with his grandparents,

who later dropped him off at appellant’s house. Z.C. explained, “[T]hey was

already drinking so I just started drinking and then like a few hours later my

buddy [E.J.] just, he wasn’t acting right and then he finally told his mom

what happened.” Z.C. testified, “And that’s when I said something when

[E.J.] said something.” E.J.’s mother confronted appellant and then they all

left. E.J.’s mother reported appellant’s behavior and that’s when Z.C. also

spoke to Lieutenant Zinn.

{¶32} On cross-examination, Z.C. admitted that appellant was going

to have “us help pay, help for rent.” Z.C. admitted he was unemployed at

the time and had not given appellant any money for rent or bills. Z.C.

denied that appellant told him he would have to leave if he did not help pay

rent.

Appellant’s testimony as to Counts One and Two, E.J. and Z.C.4

{¶33} In March 2023, S.R. and her mother had moved out so that S.R.

could get established in her own place and her mother could help her for a

few months. H. and G. moved in with appellant to help pay bills.

4 Appellant’s testimony was lengthy and rambling. We have attempted to condense the testimony while also providing some sense of its “flavor” that the jury experienced. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 16

“Then I could save money that was at least the plan.” When H. and G.

started staying there, they brought S., Z.C., E.J., E.J.’s brother and girlfriend,

their mother, their friend J. and “just other people I didn’t know.” Appellant

let the other people stay, under protest. He worked five days a week and the

others were really loud. In May, the hours he worked varied because of a

project. He did not drink on work nights. He recalled that Buckeye Hills’

graduation was Thursday, May 18, 2023.

{¶34} Appellant spoke to Z.C., E.J., and the others about possibly

staying at their own residences during weeknights but they wanted to be at

his house playing games. According to appellant:

[S]ome nights [Z.C.] would leave and go …drinking, he would go drinking with other people and then…those would be the nights that he wouldn’t be there and E.J. would do the same…[E]ven around that time…in the end of April beginning of May there was still a lot of issues because…people were chasing E.J. to the house at that time…[T]hey were teens, some of them were teens, two or three carloads of teenagers but some were also adults. So, they would chase him into the house…I didn’t know what to do. I mean, try to tell them to leave and it was…it was a difficult time.

By May, appellant had gotten E.J. and Z.C. job interviews. He told them, by

the time of Jackson’s graduation, that “[T]his is the last week anybody can

be here without a job.” Jackson App. No. 23CA17 17

{¶35} After the Buckeye Hills’ ceremony, festivities, and picture-

taking occurred, Z.C. gave appellant $20.00 of his graduation money for gas

or “to just help.” Z.C. and E.J. did not stay at his house on the night of

Thursday, May 18. Appellant testified he did not “really recall that night

much.” As to the night of May 26th:

[W]e had a big bomb [sic] fire going plenty of wood…E.J. and Z.C…were gone… They ended up showing up later,…already intoxicated…it was E.J., Z.C. his mom, their friend J.,E., E’s girlfriend and…a couple unknown males. I didn’t know who the other people were…[O]nce they pulled up they all come into the house…[E.J.’s] mother was hanging all over me. She began to flirt heavily….[S]he grabbed me everywhere, whatever. I mean, this was common with these people. This is how they were…[E.J.] noticed as…as the night went on , he began to…give me really angry looks about this. Right. [F]inally, at towards the end of the night, I had left to go get some pods?...[B]y the time I came back, fighting had already started. E.J. had attacked H. He was intoxicated…He would always fight other people when he drank…[T]hen as not even within ten minutes he got mad at me. Fifteen minutes…saying I grabbed his mom. Then…they jumped me. And then after that everybody left…It was like six of them.

Appellant testified that Z.C. and E.J. came back to gather their things and

“took stuff that didn’t belong to them.”

{¶36} Appellant denied placing his hands on E.J. or Z.C.’s private

areas, grabbing their testicles, or inappropriately touching them at any time Jackson App. No. 23CA17 18

around May 18 and May 26. Appellant explained that the situation could

have been misconstrued:

[A]bsolutely, I would think…[E.J.] was the type you know, get strong, you know, look at me. I’m built. He’s built. Feel my leg, grab my leg, you know, things like that, he would always do that. [T]here was one time when we was fishing, he did that and lost balance and he…all of his stuff rubbed up against me…I kind of looked and said, “are you okay, man” and to him he, he just kind of smiles at me. [Z.C.] because I was teaching him how to drive. He was…trying to get his license. He kept dropping his vuse under his butt, kept doing that like a third, fourth time because I kept reaching up under there and grabbing it. So, the fourth time I grabbed it. Like, the fourth time I did it, he sits on my hand. And all my hand goes right up under, I just, I mean this is the kind of stuff that…and you know, there’s a lot there…with these guys with the way they behaved their…the way they talk, you know, they’re young men.. They’re boys, right?...[S]o maybe they misconstrued some of those things but amongst each other it was even worse.

{¶37} Appellant denied making sexual comments to the boys, said

they were “absolutely” lying. Appellant testified that E.J. wanted him to

touch him. E.J. “asked me specific places to measure on his leg or arm or

shoulder or side, wherever he was asking at that point in time but I didn’t

feel comfortable with it…I told him I didn’t want to be touching him like, I

didn’t want to touch him and then have him telling people I touched him. I

told him that specifically.” Appellant also testified Z.C. would “do some

very odd things.” Jackson App. No. 23CA17 19

{¶38}Appellant testified on redirect:

Q: [I]s there more than one reason why you wouldn’t touch E.J. when he would ask you to?

A: More than one reason?

Q: If I may, you had answered to, the prosecutor here that you wouldn’t touch E.J. because you didn’t want him to tell others. Are there other reasons?

A: [W]ell, I mean, the most important one is an inappropriate question for him to even ask me in the first place…and, and, and I , that’s what I would tell him. Why, why? I don’t understand. And then he would get mad because I wouldn’t assess his muscle.

Q: And the same for Z.C. there is more than one reason why you wouldn’t touch Z.C. if he had requested you to?

A: I mean, it would be the same. I mean, it’s inappropriate of course, you know, he shouldn’t,…. I mean he can choose what he wants to do as a young man. [B]ut in this town, I’ve been here for twelve years it’s not as if I haven’t had young men approach me in this manner more than once in this town. It’s happened.

{¶39} On recross, appellant testified:

Q: When Ms. Reno asked you why if there were any other reasons why you wouldn’t touch when it came to E.J., you said, “well because he should ask. It’s inappropriate for him to ask.” Uh, do you not think it would Jackson App. No. 23CA17 20

be inappropriate for you to touch? At nowhere in any of these answers did you say because it would be inappropriate for me to touch this person…

A: I think that would be a general statement, not only is it inappropriate to ask, it’s an inappropriate actions, it’s not only an inappropriate request. It’s an inappropriate request to make.

Q: And so the request, his asking is the inappropriate thing?

A: Well, both would probably be inappropriate I would think. Absolutely, because he’s at his best, he’s only fifteen.

Q: Same with Z.C., so if he were a little bit older, it would be okay?

A: I mean, if he was a grown person, why not? I mean if they ask, if a grown man or grown woman asked you to touch them or, you know, feel their muscle, I mean, I would think that a little different.

Q: [A]nd when it came to Z.C., you kind of gave a similar answer of he shouldn’t do it when asked. You didn’t say, I shouldn’t do it or I shouldn’t touch or it would be wrong for me to touch both with E.J and Z.C. it was more about what they did, that would make it wrong. So, you don’t think, just to make it clear, you do think the touching would be wrong? The touching itself?

A: Yes, it absolutely, I do.

Q: [Y]ou said that, since you’ve been here had Jackson App. No. 23CA17 21

numerous young males approach you. Is that like in an inappropriate way? In a sexual way?

A: … I’ve seen this kind of behavior.

Q: The kind of behavior of young males wanting you to do something with them?

A: To, app, yeah, yeah, yes…

Q: But you said, it’s happened, it’s happened more than once to you , you had said?

A: Yeah, I mean, it had. It has. I mean, I’m, I’m in jail. You know there’s young men over there. You think they‘re not grabbing my butt? You think they’re not grabbing my genitals?

{¶40} As to Count One, appellant argues that sufficient evidence of

force was not presented because while there was testimony of repeated

occurrences of alleged inappropriate touching: (1) the alleged physical

contact itself was not forceful; and, (2) appellant and E.J. did not have a

relationship in which there was a power dynamic between them. We

disagree. As noted above, there are different degrees and manners of force

used in various crimes with various victims. Burton, at ¶ 37. And, when a

victim is initially asleep when the conduct or contact begins, the state may

satisfy its burden with evidence of only minimal force required to Jackson App. No. 23CA17 22

manipulate the victim’s body or clothing to facilitate the sexual assault. Id.

at ¶ 38.

{¶41} First, E.J. testified he woke up to pain in his testicles, like he

had been “hit” after appellant laid down beside him while he was sleeping.

In State v. Burkholder, 2013-Ohio-1589, ¶ 29 (6th Dist.), the appellate court

found sufficient evidence supported the jury’s finding of rape where a nine-

year-old victim reported pain, the jury was permitted to infer that there had

been penetration. Merriam Webster’s online dictionary defines the verb

“hit” as 1(b): “to come in quick forceful contact with” and 2(c): “to apply

forcefully or suddenly.” See https://www.merriam-webster.com. Here, it

may be reasonably inferred that appellant, who sought out E.J. and lay down

beside him, touched E.J.’s testicles “forcefully” enough that E.J. woke up in

pain.

{¶42} Furthermore, the evidence shows an imbalance of power in the

dynamic between E.J. and his unofficial “landlord,” appellant. E.J., aged 15,

prior to moving in with appellant, was not living with his parents or even

other family members. E.J.’s previous residence was with his friend H.’s

grandmother. Apparently E.J. had nowhere else to sleep and nowhere else

conducive to attending school. It may reasonably be inferred that E.J.’s

options were limited, and appellant controlled E.J.’s ability to have both Jackson App. No. 23CA17 23

shelter over his head at night and a shorter walk to school. These are subtle

factors demonstrating appellant’s control over E.J.5

{¶43} Based on the foregoing, any rational trier of fact could have

found evidence of force beyond a reasonable doubt when appellant engaged

in unwanted and unlawful sexual contact with E.J. Appellant’s argument as

to Count One is without merit.

{¶44} As to Count Two, Z.C. testified that after the Buckeye Hills

graduation party, he, lying on his back, awoke to “half [appellant’s] body on

top of his.” Appellant’s hands were on Z.C.’s testicles, on top of the

clothing. Z.C. got up and went into another room. Appellant argues this

evidence is insufficient to demonstrate any amount of force. We disagree.

{¶45} We are mindful that at the time of the contact, Z.C. was 17

years old, still a minor. Unlike E.J., there is no mention of Z.C. even having

any family members, only that prior to living with appellant he lived with

H’s grandmother. It may reasonably be inferred that Z.C.’s options were

also limited, and that therefore, appellant was able to exert some degree of

subtle, psychological control over Z.C., evidenced by his testimony that he

“felt lost.”

5 See also State v. Stevens,2023-Ohio-4683, ¶ ¶119-120 (6th Dist.), (“Force” proven where appellant, in addition to other factors, supplied unrelated victim’s “basic needs of food, and at times, shelter.” Jackson App. No. 23CA17 24

{¶46} The only other evidence of physical force is the testimony that

“half [appellant’s] body was on top of his” when Z.C. awoke to find

appellant touching his testicles. It would have been helpful if the record had

provided some evidence regarding Z.C. and appellant’s comparable size and

strength. However, even assuming that appellant was a small in stature adult

and weighed less than Z.C., common sense would dictate that appellant’s

body on top of Z.C.’s constituted some degree of force, even if very slight.

Appellant’s argument as to Count Two is also without merit.

Counts Seven, Eight, and Nine - S.R.’s Testimony

{¶47} Generally, S.R. testified that her mother, brother, and she lived

with appellant for 12 years. S.R. was seven or eight years old in 2012 or

2013 when appellant and her mother moved to Jackson County. They

resided at various addresses in Jackson County. One address, on Church

Street, was a one-bedroom apartment.

{¶48} Appellant, S.R.’s mother, and S.R. slept in one bed. The sexual

contact occurred in bed, while S.R.’s mother was sleeping or at work.

Appellant initiated contact by getting into bed and lying next to S.R. S.R.

testified that most of the time appellant touched her butt with his penis and

hands, but “there were a few times when it was my vagina.” S.R. testified,

“I feel like half the time I was sleeping.” Jackson App. No. 23CA17 25

{¶49} Appellant touched S.R. inappropriately, and regularly, from

ages 9 through 15. S.R. told her mom the first time when she was 10, but it

continued. Appellant touched S.R.’s vagina or butt when she was 11.

Appellant touched her with his hand or penis when she was 12. When S.R.

was 12, she was asleep and woke up to appellant using her hand to touch

himself, the first skin to skin contact. Another time when S.R. was 12,

appellant put his penis on her leg. When asked how many times appellant

touched her, S.R. replied, “I would say probably about a hundred.”

{¶50} S.R. told her mother multiple times, but her mother told her not

to tell anyone else. At age 13, she asked her mother about seeing a therapist.

Her mother prevented it. At 16, S.R. wanted to go to a hospital for her

mental health and depression. Instead she was taken to the police. S.R.

thinks the police didn’t investigate but transferred the matter to Child

Protective Services (CPS). After CPS left, appellant called her a liar.

However, the sexual contact stopped.

Appellant’s Testimony

{¶51} Appellant testified his relationship with S.R. had always been

“tempered…[s]he didn’t feel because I wasn’t her father that I could tell her

anything.” He did not speak to her since around age 12-13, except to say

“hi” or “bye” and give her or her friends a ride. He avoided her because of Jackson App. No. 23CA17 26

the arguments that she had with her mother when she was 12-13 about S.R.’s

girlfriend, aged 17-18. Appellant did not like that the girlfriend was coming

over and they “were always behaving inappropriately.”

{¶52} Appellant denied inappropriate touching in 2014, 2015, 2016,

2017, 2018, 2019, or 2020. He denied touching S.R. on the butt or vaginal

areas or making her use her hand to touch his penis. When appellant was

questioned as to whether he thought S.R. wanted him to touch her, he

testified:

I don’t know what S.R.’s. was in her mind. I mean, I raised her ever since she was a little girl. I used to bounce her on my lap just like my son.

{¶53} When asked whether S.R. misconstrued things, he testified:

But she didn’t like sleeping in her own bed. So, she would always be laying in my bed or she would, uh, ask her mom to come lay with her or she would ask me to come lay with her. She would.

Q: And you think that could have been taken the wrong way by her? You laying next to her?

A: I don’t know what she was thinking. …

Q: You believe that these three individuals that different, especially the two of them far apart in time made false sexual allegations against you, independent of one another to get back at you for something? Or for because they were mad at you for Jackson App. No. 23CA17 27

something, or, I mean, that is what you believe?

A: I mean, it seems that way in certain cases, in certain ways, yes. It seems that way because, I mean, that night I told you guys, hey this is the last time you guys can be here and then the next thing you know, I’m indicted and being arrested. S.R. at the time I told her I didn’t want that girl around, and them not to do what they were doing and she goes to her mother and it’s a big old fiasco and argument, that’s when she was twelve.

{¶54} Appellant was convicted under R.C. 2907.05(A)(1) for contact

occurring with S.R. in calendar years 2018 (Count 7); 2019 (Count 8); and

2020 (Count 9). The trial court gave the following instruction regarding

force:

FORCE OF A PARENT OR OTHER AUTHORITY FIGURE

When the relationship between the victim and the defendant is one of child and parent or other authority figure, the element of force need not be openly displayed or physically brutal. It can be subtle or slight, and psychological or emotionally powerful. Evidence of an express threat of harm or evidence of significant physical restraint is not required. If you find beyond a reasonable doubt that under the circumstances in evidence, the victim’s will was overcome by fear, duress, or intimidation, the element of force has been proved.

{¶55} Appellant argues that the evidence adduced at trial does not

establish that there existed a parental (or comparable) relationship between

S.R. and himself during the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. He cites S.R.’s Jackson App. No. 23CA17 28

cross-examination testimony that he only “tried” to parent her. Appellant

argues there is no evidence that S.R. and he shared any “special

relationship,” or that appellant held any place of authority over S.R., simply

because appellant had lived with S.R.’s mother from a young age. We

disagree.

{¶56} Count Seven alleges sexual contact occurring January 1, 2018

through December 31, 2018. During that time frame, S.R. would have been

12 years old until May 14. After that, she would have been 13. While S.R.

did testify to specific occurrences at age 12, she also testified to sexual

contact from ages 9 through 15. Nothing about Count Seven limited the

allegation of sexual contact to occurring only at age 12.

{¶57} Count Eight alleges sexual contact occurring January 1, 2019

through December 31, 2019. During that calendar year, S.R. would have

been 13 and then 14. Count Nine alleges sexual contact occurring January

2020 through August 2020. During that year, S.R. would have been 14 and

then 15. S.R.’s testimony at age 18 that appellant “tried” to parent her does

not resolve the question of whether appellant had subtle, psychological

control over her years earlier.

{¶58} Appellant testified that he “raised her since she was a little

girl.” S.R. had lived with appellant since she was seven or eight years old. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 29

In State v. Kennedy, 1990 WL 84286, the Eighth District analyzed the

Eskridge factors and found that the defendant’s position of authority over his

unrelated victim derived from his “status as the longtime [live-in]

companion” of the victim’s aunt and “created a situation in which it was

unnecessary for defendant to use brutal force to effect his purpose.”

Kennedy, at*3. Given that S.R.’s mother did nothing to take S.R. out of the

dangerous situation when her ten-year-old daughter reported appellant, and

instead, told S.R. not to talk about it, refused to get S.R. mental health

counseling, and refused to report appellant, we find sufficient evidence of

subtle and psychological force, given appellant’s long-time position in

S.R.’s household. Appellant’s argument as to Counts Seven, Eight, and

Nine are also without merit.

Assignment of Error Four - Sufficient Evidence of Time Frame

{¶59} Appellant argues that the State failed to present evidence from

which a rational trier of fact could determine beyond a reasonable doubt that

the contact described in Counts Three, Four, Five, and Six occurred in each

specific year as charged in the indictment. Again, S.R.’s date of birth is

May 14, 2005.

{¶60} “An indictment charging sexual offenses against children ‘need

not state with specificity the dates of alleged abuse, so long as the Jackson App. No. 23CA17 30

prosecution establishes that the offense was committed within the time

frame alleged.’ ” State v. Neal, 2016-Ohio-64 (4th Dist.), ¶ 24, quoting State

v. Czech, 2015-Ohio-1536, ¶ 14 (8th Dist.). Ohio courts have repeatedly

recognized that the time and date of an offense is ordinarily not required in

an indictment, but the state must still establish that the offense charged

occurred within a reasonable time in relation to the dates fixed in the

indictment. Neal, supra, citing State v. McIntire, 2015-Ohio-1057, ¶ 42 (6th

Dist.), citing State v. Dodson, 2011-Ohio-6222, ¶ 40 (12th Dist.). See also

State v. Green, 2004-Ohio-5089, ¶ 16 (4th Dist.) (“the prosecution was not

required to prove the exact date of the offense because the date is not an

element of the offense. However, the prosecution is required to prove

beyond a reasonable doubt that the incident occurred within the time frame

specified in the indictment”).

Count 3 - S.R.

{¶61} The details regarding the alleged sexual contact are set forth

fully above. Count Three of the indictment alleges sexual contact between

January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014. For the first part of 2014, S.R. was

eight years old. S.R. testified appellant touched her the first time, with his

penis under his clothing “on her back butt” when she was nine years old, and

they lived in apartments on Church Street. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 31

{¶ 62} In Neal, supra, Count Five of the indictment charged Neal

with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor “on or about the 10th day of

June, 2013.” However, this court found that the State failed to prove beyond

a reasonable doubt that the offense occurred within a reasonable proximity

to that time period. In Neal, the victim testified that she thought that the

incident alleged in Count Five occurred sometime in 2013 before the final

two incidents, which occurred on June 13, 2013, and that she thought it was

snowing at the beginning of the day. Based on our review, the evidence

indicated that the incident might have occurred during early 2013, when

snow was likely, and not around June, when it was unlikely. The State did

not seek to amend this charge to conform to the evidence introduced at trial.

Therefore, we found that the State failed to establish by sufficient evidence

that the charged offense occurred within the alleged period.

{¶63} Similarly, here there is no evidence beyond a reasonable doubt

to establish that the incident alleged in Count Three occurred within a

reasonable proximity to May 14, 2005, when S.R. was nine years old. We

find appellant’s argument as to Count Three has merit.

Counts Four and Five - S.R.

{¶64} Count Four alleges sexual contact occurring January 1, 2015

through December 31, 2015. During this time period, S.R. was nine and Jackson App. No. 23CA17 32

then ten years old. Count Five alleges conduct occurring January 1, 2016

through December 31, 2016. During this time period, S.R. was 10 and then

11 years old. Appellant argues there is insufficient evidence that sexual

contact occurred when S.R. was 10 years old. We disagree.

{¶65} As noted above in Neal, an indictment charging sexual offenses

against children need not state with specificity the dates of alleged abuse, as

long as it is established that the offense was committed within the time

frame alleged. Id. at ¶ 24. The court in State v. Yaacov, 2006-Ohio-5321,

(8th Dist.), observed at ¶ 17:

This is partly due to the fact that the specific date and time of the offense are not elements of the crimes charged. State v. Gus, 2005-Ohio-6717, ¶ 6 (8th Dist.). Moreover, many child victims are unable to remember exact dates and times, particularly where the crimes involved a repeated course of conduct over an extended period of time. State v. Mundy, 99 Ohio App.3d 275, 296 (2d Dist. 1994); see State v. Robinette, 1987 WL 7153, *3; State v. Barnecut, 44 Ohio App.3d 149,152 (5th Dist. 1988). “The problem is compounded where the accused and the victim are related or reside in the same household, situations which often facilitate an extended period of abuse.” Robinette, supra. Thus, “an allowance for reasonableness and inexactitude must be made for such cases considering the circumstances.” Id.; Barnecut, supra at 152.

{¶66} Appellant characterizes S.R.’s testimony as to the incidents as

“scattershot.” As noted, S.R.’s general testimony was that sexual contact

happened to her regularly between ages 9 to 15, “probably about a hundred Jackson App. No. 23CA17 33

times.” S.R. testified that she told her mom what was happening when she

was 10 years old. According to S.R, her mother said, “She’d talk to him

about it,” but the contact continued. S.R. testified she continued to tell her

mom, “At first, I would tell her every time but once I realized she didn’t

really care, I stopped telling her as often. S.R. also testified that appellant

touched her vagina or butt when she was 11 years old. S.R. testified that

most of the time, he touched her butt with his penis and hands, but “there

were a few times when it was my vagina.”

{¶67} While S.R.’s testimony is not specific as to times, this is

exactly the type of case discussed in Yaacov, where abuse was repeated over

an extended period of time and within the household S.R. lived. See also

State v. McKinney, 2024-Ohio-4642 (4th Dist.) (Where victim testified

defendant sexually assaulted her “close to a hundred or over” times, even

without description of each event in excruciating detail, testimony contained

ample evidence that defendant committed distinct acts of rape).

Furthermore, appellant does not fit the exception to the general rule, also

discussed in Yaacov at ¶ 18, “when the failure to allege a specific date

‘results in material detriment to the accused's ability to fairly defend himself,

as where the accused asserts an alibi or claims that he was indisputably

elsewhere during part, but not all, of the interval specified,’ ” quoting State Jackson App. No. 23CA17 34

v. Sellards, 17 Ohio St.3d 169, 171 (1985). As in Yaacov, appellant’s ability

to defend himself has not been prejudiced due to the failure to demonstrate

specific dates. Appellant’s defense strategy was to deny all allegations of

sexual contact and maintain his innocence.

{¶68} Based on the foregoing, we find no merit to appellant’s

argument with regard to Counts Four and Five.

Count Six - S.R.

{¶69} Count Six alleges sexual contact occurring January 1, 2017

through December 31, 2017. During this time S.R. was 11 and then 12 years

old. While S.R. testified about specific skin to skin contact occurring when

she was 12 years old, nothing in Count Six limits the sexual contact

occurring when S.R. was 12 years old. S.R. testified to contact occurring

“probably 100 times” between ages 9 to 15. Given the ongoing sexual abuse

S.R. experienced in her household from ages 9 to 15, we find any rational

trier of fact could have found evidence beyond a reasonable doubt of sexual

contact occurring in the calendar year of 2017. Appellant’s argument as to

Count Six is without merit.

{¶70} Based on the foregoing, we find appellant’s argument with

regard to sufficient proof of date to be without merit as to Counts Four, Five,

and Six. However, his argument as to Count Three has merit. Therefore, we Jackson App. No. 23CA17 35

vacate his conviction as to Count Three. Assignment of Error Four is

sustained in part and overruled in part.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR TWO - CONSECUTIVE SENTENCE

{¶71} Upon appellant’s conviction on all nine counts, the trial court

imposed the maximum sentence for each count and ordered the sentences to

run consecutively for a total prison term of 27 ½ years. Appellant argues

that the trial court failed to make particularized findings mandated by R.C.

2929.14(C)(4) in order to lawfully impose his consecutive sentence.

Appellant concedes that the trial court specified orally and in writing that it

“considered all the sentencing factors and revised code sections 2929.11 and

2929.12,” however, appellant points out that the trial court made no mention

of R.C. 2929.14 at the sentencing hearing or in the Uniform Sentencing

Entry. Therefore, appellant concludes that his sentence is contrary to law

and should be vacated and remanded.

STANDARD OF REVIEW - FELONY SENTENCING

{¶72} When reviewing felony sentences, appellate courts apply the

standard set forth in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). State v. Hill, 2025-Ohio-798, ¶ 30

(4th Dist.); State v. Spencer, 2024 Ohio-59, ¶ 13 (4th Dist.). R.C.

2953.08(G)(2)(a) provides that “[t]he appellate court's standard for review is

not whether the sentencing court abused its discretion.” Instead, the statute Jackson App. No. 23CA17 36

authorizes appellate courts to “increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a

sentence” “if it clearly and convincingly finds either of the following”:

(a) That the record does not support the sentencing court's findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section 2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;

(b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

R.C. 2953.08(G)(2).

{¶73} The Supreme Court of Ohio has recognized that R.C.

2953.08(G)(2) means that appellate courts ordinarily, “ ‘defer to trial courts’

broad discretion in making sentencing decisions.’ ” State v. Collins, 2024-

Ohio-2891, ¶ 22 (4th Dist.), quoting State v. Gwynne, 2023-Ohio-3851, ¶ 11.

(Citations omitted.) As recently stated by the Supreme Court of Ohio in

State v. Glover, 2024-Ohio-5195, ¶ 39:

That makes sense: the trial judge presided over the trial and heard the witnesses testify, the defendant made his allocution to the sentencing judge directly, and the trial judge will often have heard directly from the victims at sentencing. Thus, an appellate court's role is not to be a “second-tier sentencing court.”

Hill, supra, at ¶ 31; State v. Jones, 2020-Ohio-6729, ¶ 41-42. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 37

{¶74} In State v. Hammons, 2024-Ohio-6128, the Sixth District court

recently provided a thorough discussion of the Supreme Court's decision in

Glover, supra. “The Ohio Supreme Court has made it clear that ‘an

appellate court may not reverse or modify a trial court's sentence based on

its subjective disagreement with the trial court.’ ” Hammons, supra, at ¶ 22,

quoting Glover, 2024-Ohio-5195, ¶ 45 (“Glover II”). In Glover II, the Ohio

Supreme Court reversed the First District's decision in State v. Glover, 2023-

Ohio-1153 (1st Dist.) (“Glover I”). There, the trial court had imposed

consecutive sentences for multiple counts of aggravated robbery and

kidnapping at gunpoint, for an aggregate prison term of 60 years. The First

District reversed the consecutive sentences after finding that the lack of

physical harm to the victims, combined with appellant's lack of criminal

history, undermined the trial court's proportionality determination. Glover I

at ¶ 101. The First District compared the aggregate length of the appellant's

sentence to the potential sentence for a single instance of violent crime, like

murder, and observed that “a person who purposely takes another person's

life ...” could be eligible for parole after 15 years, but the appellant “who did

not take his victims’ lives or cause them physical harm, would have no

chance of parole at 15, 20, 25, or even 50 years.” Id. at ¶ 98. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 38

{¶75} In Hammons, the court noted that the Ohio Supreme Court

found, among other things, that the First District erred because it did not

“limit its review to the trial court's findings.” Glover II at ¶ 57. See

Hammons, ¶ 23. The Glover court noted that “[t]he court of appeals may

have disagreed with the trial court's assessment of the magnitude of the harm

inflicted by Glover, but this disagreement with the trial court's assessment is

far different from concluding that the record clearly and convincingly does

not support the trial court's consecutive-sentence findings.” Id. at ¶ 55. In

Glover II, the Supreme Court also found that the First District had “strayed

from its role when it compared Glover's sentence to the sentences imposed

under other statutes and in other cases” because the appellate review statute,

R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), does not permit such a “comparative analysis[.]” Id. at

¶ 59.

{¶76} Thus, R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) provides that an appellate court may

increase, reduce, or otherwise modify consecutive sentences only if the

record does not “clearly and convincingly” support the trial court's R.C.

2929.14(C)(4) consecutive-sentence findings. The clear-and-convincing

standard for appellate review in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) is written in the

negative. Collins, ¶ 22; Gwynne, 2023-Ohio-3851, at ¶ 13. Moreover,

“clear and convincing evidence” is “that measure or degree of proof which is Jackson App. No. 23CA17 39

more than a mere ‘preponderance of the evidence,’ but not to the extent of

such certainty as is required ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ in criminal cases,

and which will produce in the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or

conviction as to the facts sought to be established.” Cross v. Ledford, 161

Ohio St. 469 (1954), paragraph three of the syllabus.

{¶77} In general, a statutory presumption exists in favor of concurrent

sentences pursuant to R.C. 2929.41(A) and R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) governs the

imposition of consecutive terms of imprisonment. Collins, ¶ 23; Glover,

supra, at ¶ 38. To justify the imposition of consecutive terms of

imprisonment, “a trial court must make the findings mandated by R.C.

2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing hearing and incorporate its findings into its

sentencing entry, but the court has no obligation to state reasons to support

its findings.” State v. Blair, 2019-Ohio-2768 ¶ 52 (4th Dist.), citing State v.

Bonnell, 2014-Ohio-3177, syllabus. This Court explained the findings

required to support the imposition of consecutive sentences:

“Under the tripartite procedure set forth in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), prior to imposing consecutive sentences a trial court must find that: (1) consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the offender; (2) consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the public; and (3) that one of three circumstances specified in the statute applies.” Jackson App. No. 23CA17 40

Hill, supra, ¶ 36, quoting State v. Cottrill, 2020-Ohio-7033, ¶ 14 (4th Dist.).

{¶78} Further, as we outlined in Cottrill, and more recently in Collins,

the three circumstances are:

“(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction imposed pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-release control for a prior offense.

(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the multiple offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender's conduct.

(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the offender.”

Cottrill at ¶ 14, and Collins, ¶ 24, quoting R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c).

{¶79} The record must support any findings that the applicable

statutory sentencing provisions require and made by the sentencing court,

such as those contained in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(c). Collins, ¶ 25; State v.

Drummond, 2024-Ohio-81, ¶ 11 (4th Dist.). Further, in Drummond we

observed that the plain language of R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) requires an appellate

court to defer to a trial court's consecutive-sentence findings, and to uphold

the trial court's findings unless those findings are clearly and convincingly Jackson App. No. 23CA17 41

not supported by the record. Drummond at ¶ 12. In State v. Bonnell, 2014-

Ohio-3177, the Supreme Court of Ohio held, “In order to impose

consecutive terms of imprisonment, a trial court is required to make the

findings mandated by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing hearing and

incorporate its findings into its sentencing entry[.]” Id. at ¶ 37.

{¶80} Appellant is correct that the statute number, R.C. 2929.14, is

not explicitly set forth in the sentencing entry. On page three of the

Uniform Sentencing Entry, a chart contains the following headings: count,

sentence, length of term, mandatory and “consecutively with.” The

language at the bottom of page two of the sentencing entry states as follows:

In fashioning the sentence(s) in this case, the Court has considered the need to protect the public from future crime by the defendant and others, to punish the defendant, and to promote the defendant’s effective rehabilitation while using the minimum sanctions to accomplish those purposes without imposing an unnecessary burden on state or local government resources…This sentence is commensurate with, and not demeaning to, the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct and its impact on the victim, consistent with sentences for similar crimes by similar offenders, and is in no way based on the defendant’s race, ethnicity, gender, or religion.

{¶81} As is well-established, the trial court is not required to use

“talismanic words,” but, it must be clear from the record that it actually

made the findings required by statute. State v. Bonnell, 2014-Ohio-3177,

syllabus, at ¶ 37; State v. Venes at ¶ 14. The Supreme Court of Ohio further Jackson App. No. 23CA17 42

explained that the word “finding” in this context means that the trial court

“must note that it engaged in the analysis” and that it “considered the

statutory criteria and specifie[d] which of the given bases warrants its

decision.” Bonnell at ¶ 26. As long as the reviewing court can discern that

the trial court engaged in the correct analysis and can determine that the

record contains evidence to support the findings, consecutive sentences

should be upheld. Id. at ¶ 29.

{¶82} This court is well-able to discern that the trial court engaged in

the correct R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) analysis. Turning to the sentencing

transcript, we note after the trial court recited R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 and

listed the counts and felony levels, the trial court stated:

The Court finds none of these offenses merge. Consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public. Punishment is not disproportionate. A single term does not adequately punish any of these offenses.

{¶83} The trial court specifically identified all three of the factors

listed in R.C. 2929.14(C). Neither appellant nor the record indicates any

lack of analysis on the part of the trial court or any erroneous analysis of

factors. Here, the sentencing entry reflects the factors listed in R.C.

2929.14(C)(4) that “The Court has considered the need to protect the public

from future crime…and to punish the defendant,” and that the “sentence is

commensurate with, and not demeaning to, the seriousness of the Jackson App. No. 23CA17 43

defendant’s conduct and its impact on the victim, consistent with sentences

for similar crimes by similar offenders,” (which addresses proportionality).

However, it does not appear that the trial court’s statement at the sentencing

hearing, that “A single term does not adequately punish any of these

offenses,” reflective of the trial court’s analysis of the additional required

third finding, in this case, R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(b), made its way into the

sentencing entry.

{¶84} Appellant’s original sentence is not contrary to law simply

because the third finding which the trial court made in open court was

omitted from the final entry. Accordingly, the second assignment of error is

without merit. However, we remand for the trial court to issue a resentencing

hearing in order to incorporate all consecutive sentence findings announced

at the sentencing hearing.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR THREE - INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

{¶85} Appellant argues that his counsel’s deficient performance and

lack of trial strategy fell below the prevailing professional norms beginning

during the pretrial proceedings and continuing through sentencing.

Appellant first argues that the record demonstrates that his trial counsel

failed to adequately investigate his case, prepare for trial, prepare appellant,

and prepare a coherent defense. Appellant also contends that his trial Jackson App. No. 23CA17 44

counsel provided essentially no mitigation evidence, such as favorable

witnesses, letters of support, or effective argument.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

{¶86} “Upon direct appeal, appellate courts generally review

claims of ineffective assistance of counsel on a de novo basis, simply

because the issue originates at the appellate level; no trial court has ruled on

the issue. Appellate courts review the trial record and are left to judge from

the bare record whether the assistance was effective.” State v. Blanton,

2025-Ohio-237, ¶ 42 (4th Dist.), quoting State v. Gondor, 2006-Ohio-6679,

¶ 53. “To establish constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel, a

defendant must show (1) that his counsel's performance was deficient and

(2) that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense and deprived him

of a fair trial.” State v. Jenkins, 2014-Ohio-3123, ¶ 15 (4th Dist.), citing

Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). Failure to satisfy either

part of the test is fatal to the claim. See Strickland at 697. The defendant

“has the burden of proof because in Ohio, a properly licensed attorney is

presumed competent.” Gondor at ¶ 62.

{¶87} “ ‘In order to show deficient performance, the defendant must

prove that counsel's performance fell below an objective level of reasonable

representation.’ ” State v. Adams, 2016-Ohio-7772, ¶ 89 (4th Dist.), quoting Jackson App. No. 23CA17 45

State v. Conway, 2006-Ohio-2815, ¶ 95. When considering counsel's

performance, “a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's

conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance;

that is, the defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the

circumstances, the challenged action ‘might be considered sound trial

strategy.’ ” Strickland at 689, quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101

(1955). “ ‘To show prejudice, the defendant must show a reasonable

probability that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the proceeding would

have been different.’ ” Adams at ¶ 89, quoting Conway at ¶ 95.

{¶88} In Ohio, a properly licensed attorney in Ohio is presumed

competent. State v. Quintero, 2018-Ohio-5145, ¶ 38 (10th Dist.), citing

State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d 160, 174 (1990). The burden of proving

ineffective assistance of counsel is on the defendant. State v. Smith, 17 Ohio

St.3d 98, 100 (1985). Trial counsel is entitled to a strong presumption that

his or her performance was adequate, and the attorney's action constituted

sound trial strategy. To demonstrate prejudice, the defendant must prove

that there exists a reasonable probability that, were it not for counsel's errors,

the result of the trial would have been different. State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio

St.3d 136 (1989), paragraph three of the syllabus.

LEGAL ANALYSIS Jackson App. No. 23CA17 46

{¶89} At the outset, we note that many of appellant’s claims herein

relate to matters outside the record. “ ‘We may not consider matters outside

the record on a direct appeal. Instead, an appellant may raise matters outside

the record by filing a postconviction relief petition in the trial court.’ ” State

v. Spires, 2011-Ohio-3661, ¶ 30 (4th Dist.), quoting State v. Hoke, 2011-

Ohio-1221 at ¶ 10 (4th Dist.); See e.g. State v. Nichols, 11 Ohio St.3d 40, 42

(1984). Therefore, for the reasons which will follow, we disagree that

appellant’s trial counsel’s performance was deficient.

Alleged Failure to Investigate

{¶90} Appellant contends that his trial counsel failed to adequately

investigate his case by pointing out that only “form motions” were filed on

his behalf. Appellant also argues his counsel failed to discover additional

defense witnesses, such as the other young people living in his home at the

time of E.J. and Z.C.’s allegations. He asserts that additional testimony

would have clarified the living arrangements or bolstered appellant’s

testimony.

{¶91} However, this record does not support the inference that

appellant’s trial counsel failed to investigate those persons or their potential

testimony. “ ‘[W]e cannot infer failure to investigate from a silent record.’ ”

State v. Ludwick, 2017-Ohio-8463,¶ 39 (10th Dist.), quoting State v. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 47

Murphy, 91 Ohio St.3d 516, 542 (2001). See also State v. Stanford, 2023-

Ohio-1515 ¶ 38 (2d Dist.). And the decision to call or forego calling

witnesses is a tactical decision which is within reasonable trial strategy.

Yaacov, supra, ¶ 31; State v. Edwards, 119 Ohio App.3d 106, 110 (10th

Dist.1997). Appellant has not explained the substance of the additional

suggested testimony or how said testimony would have changed the

outcome of the proceeding. See generally State v. Biggs, 2022-Ohio-2481, ¶

30 (5th Dist.). Merely asserting that additional witnesses' testimony would

have affected the outcome of the trial is insufficient to satisfy appellant’s

burden of proving that his trial counsel was ineffective. Finally, the

decision regarding which defense to pursue is a tactical decision, and

appellate courts will not second-guess what may be tactical decisions by

counsel. Yaacov, supra, citing State v. Evans, 2005-Ohio-3847, ¶ 73 (8th

Dist.) Appellant’s first argument hereunder is without merit.

Alleged Failure to Prepare for Trial

{¶92} Appellant contends that his attorney failed to communicate

with him and failed to spend enough time in trial preparation. Appellant

cites the fact that his counsel mentioned at his Thursday final pretrial

hearing that trial preparation would begin, later in the day, which was five

calendar days before trial. A trial attorney's failure to communicate with his Jackson App. No. 23CA17 48

or her client may rise to the level of deficient performance, depending on the

circumstances. State v. Lawson, 2020-Ohio-6852, ¶ 106 (2d Dist.).

{¶93} However, but for the brief discussion appellant has referenced

above, no other related communications are reflected in the record. “A

claim of lack of communication between a defendant and his trial counsel is

not one that can be borne out by the record. It relies upon information

necessarily outside the record and is therefore not an issue we can review on

direct appeal.” Lawson, supra. Because the content of appellant’s and

defense counsel's communications are not fully detailed in the record,

appellant’s claim regarding lack of communication is more properly raised

in a petition for post conviction relief. This argument is also without merit.

Alleged Failure to Conduct Effective Cross-Examination

{¶94} Appellant contends that his trial counsel failed to effectively

cross-examine E.J. and Z.C. “In general, ‘ “[t]he scope of cross-examination

falls within the ambit of trial strategy, and debatable trial tactics do not

establish ineffective assistance of counsel.” ’ ” McKinney, supra, at ¶ 42,

quoting State v. Spaulding, 2016-Ohio-8126, ¶ 90, quoting State v. Conway,

2006-Ohio-2815, ¶ 101. Furthermore, a defendant alleging that trial counsel

performed deficiently during cross-examination “must identify the questions

he believes [defense] counsel should have asked and must provide some Jackson App. No. 23CA17 49

sense of the information that might have been elicited. Otherwise, [courts]

will presume that the choice to forgo cross-examination ‘constituted a

legitimate tactical decision.’ ” State v. Beasley, 2018-Ohio-493, ¶ 155,

quoting State v. Frazier, 2007-Ohio-5048, ¶ 220, and citing State v. Foust,

2004-Ohio-7006, ¶ 90 (holding that counsel made a legitimate tactical

decision to forgo additional cross-examination where the defendant “fail[ed]

to explain how further cross-examination of [the witness] would have made

a difference in his case”).

{¶95} Herein, appellant has not identified any particular questions that

he believes trial counsel should have asked E.J. and Z.C. He does not

provide any sense of the information that counsel might have elicited if he

had asked additional questions. And, given the nature of the allegations

involving minor victims, trial counsel likely made a strategic choice not to

appear combative and thus create possible sympathy in the minds of the

jurors. Appellant’s argument herein is also without merit.

Alleged Failure to Introduce Exhibits

{¶96} Appellant simply mentions “exhibits,” without identifying or

explaining what these alleged exhibits are, what they consisted of, and how

they would help his case. This is appellant’s most speculative contention of

all. And again, any exhibits, assuming they do exist, are not part of the Jackson App. No. 23CA17 50

record on appeal. Without the exhibits, we cannot determine whether the

exhibits would have affected the outcome of the trial and thus whether

appellant was prejudiced by defense counsel's failure to obtain them and use

them at trial. Again, this claim cannot be reviewed on direct appeal.

Appellant’s argument regarding the exhibits is also without merit.

Failure to Object

{¶97} Appellant contends that his attorney failed to object to hearsay

testimony that indicated to the jury that there was another victim.

On redirect, the prosecutor questioned S.R. as follows:

Q: [J]ust to clarify, H. told you that something inappropriate had happened to E. and Z. or happened to him?

A: Happened to him.

{¶98} “ ‘[A] failure to object, in and of itself, does not rise to the level

of ineffective assistance of counsel.’ ” State v. Ryan, 2009-Ohio-3235, ¶ 77

(10th Dist.), quoting State v. Jackson, 2006-Ohio-174, ¶ 88 (8th Dist.).

Unfortunately, the above testimony occurred after appellant’s counsel

elicited the following testimony from S.R. on cross-examination:

Q: [W]hen you were at the Fairmont home, were you aware, was, Z.C. or E.J. or G.R. was any other, people your age coming around?

A: Yes. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 51

Q: [D]id you ever see anything inappropriate happening between Mr. Cheatham and any of these others that were coming around?

A: I never seen it but H. did tell me something inappropriate happened.

Q: But you never saw anything?

A: No.

{¶99} Appellant’s counsel opened the door to damaging testimony.

However, we find this error to be harmless.6 Counsel’s subsequent failure to

object to the hearsay that followed, no doubt, was a tactical decision. Any

objection would certainly have further emphasized the unfavorable

testimony, that there may have been another alleged incident or victim.

However, even if counsel were deficient for failing to object, appellant has

not shown that but for the damaging testimony, he would not have been

convicted of the counts. And, while the question that led to the hearsay

testimony was error, we find it to be harmless. Appellant’s argument herein

is without merit.

Alleged Failure to Argue for Lesser Included Jury Instruction.

6 Harmless error review requires: (1) that the defendant be prejudiced by the improper admission of the evidence, (2) that the appellate court believe the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, and (3) upon excising the improper evidence, a determination whether the remaining evidence overwhelmingly supports the defendant's guilt. State v. O’Connell, 2020-Ohio-1369 ¶ 31 (1st Dist.). See State v. Morris, 2017-Ohio-5052, ¶ 27-29. Based upon our review of appellant’s arguments, even without the damaging question, response, and lack of objection, we find overwhelming other evidence in the record is such that any rational trier of fact could have found the state proved all elements of the nine counts beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 52

{¶100} Appellant contends since his trial counsel argued in Crim.R.

29 that the element of force was not proven, counsel should have requested

jury instructions on the lesser-included offense of Sexual Imposition, R. C.

2907.06. Appellant points out that Gross Sexual Imposition, R.C.

2907.05(A)(1), a fourth-degree felony, carries a possible maximum prison

term of 18 months, while Sexual Imposition, R.C. 2907.06(A)(1), is a

misdemeanor of the third degree punishable by up to not more than 60 days

in jail. By failing to request instructions on the lesser-included offense,

appellant concludes his counsel fell below the objective standard of

reasonableness. There is no dispute that Sexual Imposition, R.C.

2907.06(A)(1), is a lesser-included offense of Gross Sexual Imposition,

R.C.2907.05(A)(1). See State v. Franco, 2023-Ohio-4653, ¶ 27 (8th Dist.)

This argument pertains to Counts One, Two, Seven, Eight, and Nine.

{¶101} “ ‘Generally, a failure to request a jury instruction on a lesser-

included offense is presumed to be a matter of trial strategy.’ ” State v.

Kozee, 2025-Ohio-364, ¶ 20 (4th Dist.), quoting State v. Vogt, 2018-Ohio-

4457, ¶ 119 (4th Dist.). As noted above, a properly licensed attorney is

presumed to execute his duties competently. Further, “ ‘tactical or strategic

trial decisions, even if ultimately unsuccessful, do not generally constitute

ineffective assistance of counsel.’ ” Kozee, supra, quoting State v. Rizer, Jackson App. No. 23CA17 53

2011-Ohio-5702, ¶ 37 (4th Dist.), citing In re Wingo, 143 Ohio App.3d 652,

668 (4th Dist. 2001). Thus, “the defendant must overcome the presumption

that, under the circumstances, the challenged action might be considered

sound trial strategy.” Vogt at ¶ 122. Moreover, as the Supreme Court of

Ohio highlighted:

[w]hen the alleged error concerns what could be viewed as trial strategy, courts must be “highly deferential” to the attorney's strategic decisions. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. After all, each case is unique and capable of being argued in a variety of ways. See id. at 689-690. Nobody can predict the future, and “it is all too easy for a court, examining counsel's defense after it has proved unsuccessful, to conclude that a particular act or omission of counsel was unreasonable.” Id. at 689. Hindsight is 20/20 after all. Accordingly, the defendant “must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action ‘might be considered sound trial strategy.’ ” Id., quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101 (1955).

State v. Lloyd, 2022-Ohio-4259, ¶ 17, cert. denied, 143 S. Ct. 2649 (2023).

{¶102} During appellant’s testimony, he repeatedly denied any

inappropriate sexual contact with any of the three alleged victims. Appellant

attempted to discredit E.J. and Z.C. by portraying them as “free-loaders”

who made sexual comments to everyone, including him, and thereafter made

false claims to retaliate when appellant asked them to contribute to

household bills. Appellant attempted to discredit S.R. by indicating that

S.R. disliked sleeping alone and misconstrued things; they didn’t have a Jackson App. No. 23CA17 54

good relationship when she reached puberty; and that she was promiscuous

with a girlfriend she brought to his home and a boyfriend she moved away

with. Based on appellant’s testimony, it appears defense counsel’s strategy,

that no sexual contact occurred with any of the victims, was an all-or-

nothing approach.

{¶103} In State v. Blanton, 2018-Ohio-1278 ¶ 128 (4th Dist.), this

Court observed:

[o]ften times, with respect to “lesser-included offenses,” defense counsel will make the strategic decision not to request a lesser-included offense jury instruction in the hopes that the jury will outright acquit the defendant on the charged offense, having not been given the option to find guilt as to the lesser-included offense.

See also, Kozee, supra, ¶ 22. Appellant refused a plea offer prior to trial and

maintained his innocence throughout trial and sentencing. Any request for a

lesser-included instruction would have undercut his protestations of

innocence to all nine counts. Appellant’s counsel was not deficient for

failing to request the lesser-included instruction as to Counts One, Two,

Seven, Eight, and Nine, which would have undermined the entire defense

strategy as to those counts. This argument is also without merit.

Alleged Failure to Present Mitigation Evidence at Sentencing

{¶104} Appellant also argues that his trial counsel was ineffective due

to a failure to present evidence of mitigation at sentencing. Appellant Jackson App. No. 23CA17 55

contends that counsel’s obligation was to provide the court with insight into

his life including adolescence and upbringing, education and employment

history, and physical and mental health. Appellant points out that his

counsel did not call witnesses, obtain letters of support, point out appellant’s

good standing as an employee, or point out his longtime residency in

Jackson County. Appellant concludes that when a client has been convicted

and faces the possibility of a lengthy sentence, it simply cannot be strategic

to forgo presenting any information, exhibits, witnesses, or argument in

mitigation.

{¶105} We disagree. Again, appellant fails to identify who would

have testified or written letters on his behalf. Likewise, appellant fails to

explain the mitigating nature of the content of any evidence regarding his

upbringing, education, employment history, and physical and mental health.

In Ludwick, supra, Ludwick argued that his counsel should have

investigated and presented mitigating evidence regarding Ludwick’s

psychological condition as related to his gambling addiction. The appellate

court, however, found that the record did not support the inference that

Ludwick’s counsel failed to investigate those allegedly mitigating issues or

circumstances. The appellate court wrote, “Nor can we conclude that

evidence that could have been produced from such an investigation about Jackson App. No. 23CA17 56

Ludwick's asserted gambling addiction would have supported a “reasonable

probability” of a different outcome at trial or sentencing. See Griffin at ¶ 42,

quoting Bradley at paragraph three of the syllabus.

{¶106} In Quintero, supra, the appellate court declined to find

defense counsel's performance was deficient based on counsel’s brief

statement on his client’s behalf and failure to present testimony from a

mitigation expert. The appellate court noted that even if counsel's

performance at sentencing could be considered deficient, Quintero did not

demonstrate prejudice as a result. See State v. Hayes, 2009-Ohio-1100, ¶ 31

(10th Dist.). Quintero failed to identify what the mitigation evidence would

have been and failed to show how mitigating evidence would have resulted

in a lesser sentence. The Quintero court was unwilling to speculate the

outcome of sentencing would have been different. See also State v. Wade,

2020-Ohio, ¶ 9 (10th Dist.).

{¶107} At sentencing, appellant still did not admit guilt or take

responsibility. His counsel spoke on his behalf as follows:

Your Honor, Mr. Cheatham still…he has maintained his innocence throughout this action. He still maintains it to this day…He exercised his Constitutional rights to a jury trial…In this country we don’t punish people for exercising their rights…I would like to remind the Court that…the last offer prior to heading into trial as seven and a half years…[J]ust to keep that in the Court’s mind that the State would have been happy with that prior Jackson App. No. 23CA17 57

to a trial and him exercising his rights…Mr. Cheatham also does have a statement he has prepared. He wishes to make to the Court.

{¶108} Thereafter, appellant made his own lengthy statement, which

is five full pages of the transcript. Appellant began by professing his

innocence and then continued, incredibly, disparaging the victims, his trial

counsel, and counsel’s professional advice. Appellant also told the trial

court he had “bartered for protection with sex” during his pretrial

incarceration. Many of the claims appellant made about his trial counsel, as

discussed at length herein, were matters not properly before the court or part

of the record. And even if his counsel had performed all subsequently

requested measures appellant now suggests, we can only speculate as to

whether or not appellant would still have chosen to make the same lengthy

rant which did not serve, in any way, to support mitigation.

{¶109} Here, we fail to see how appellant’s counsel’s failure to

introduce evidence in mitigation would have led to a different outcome.

Moreover, given appellant’s continued denial of any criminal conduct,

presentation of mitigation evidence is not congruent with an innocence

argument. Based on the foregoing, we find appellant’s counsel was not

deficient for failing to introduce evidence in mitigation at sentencing.

Cumulative error Jackson App. No. 23CA17 58

{¶110} “Under the cumulative-error doctrine, ‘a conviction will be

reversed where the cumulative effect of errors in a trial deprives a defendant

of the constitutional right to a fair trial even though each of numerous

instances of trial court error does not individually constitute cause for

reversal.’ ” State v. Martin, 2024-Ohio-2334, ¶ 110 (4th Dist.), (citation

omitted), quoting State v. Garner, 74 Ohio St.3d 49, 64, (1995). “Before we

consider whether ‘cumulative errors’ are present, we must first find that the

trial court committed multiple errors.” State v. Smith, 2016-Ohio-5062, ¶

106 (4th Dist.). Based upon the foregoing, we cannot find multiple errors.

We have only found one, which we have determined to be harmless. The

cumulative error doctrine does not apply where only one harmless error has

been found. See State v. Colonel, 2023-Ohio-3945, ¶ 66 (4th Dist.), citing

State v. Ludwick, supra, ¶ 53-57; State v. Spring, 2017-Ohio-768, ¶ 59 (7th

Dist.). Appellant’s cumulative error argument is also without merit.

{¶111} Based on the foregoing, appellant’s third assignment of error

regarding the performance of his trial counsel is overruled.

CONCLUSION

{¶112} Based on the foregoing, we hereby overrule appellant’s First,

Second, and Third Assignments of Error. However, as to Assignment of

Error Two, the matter is remanded in order that the trial court may include Jackson App. No. 23CA17 59

the third required consecutive sentence finding which was discussed at the

original sentencing hearing. As to appellant’s Fourth Assignment of Error,

the argument as to Count Three is sustained. Therefore, appellant’s

conviction as to Count Three is vacated. The Fourth Assignment of Error is

overruled as to all other contentions.

In light of our discussion regarding appellant’s consecutive sentence under

Assignment of Error Two, and the vacated count as discussed in Assignment

of Error Four, this matter is remanded to the trial court for resentencing

consistent with this opinion.

JUDGMENT AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND REMANDED. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 60

JUDGMENT ENTRY

It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND REMANDED, and costs be assessed to appellee.

The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Jackson County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.

IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to exceed 60 days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a continued stay is to allow appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the 60-day period, or the failure of the appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the 45-day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of 60 days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Abele, J. and Wilkin, J. concur in Judgment and Opinion. Jackson App. No. 23CA17 61

For the Court, ________________________ Jason P. Smith Presiding Judge

NOTICE TO COUNSEL Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.