[Cite as State v. Collins, 2012-Ohio-2452.]
COURT OF APPEALS DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES: : : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. William B. Hoffman, J. : Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J. -vs- : : Case No. 11CAA090082 JOSEPH R. COLLINS : : : Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 10 CR 1 02 0117
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: May 23, 2012
APPEARANCES:
For Appellant: For Appellee:
DOMINIC L. MANGO CAROL HAMLTON O’BRIEN Mango Law LLC DELAWARE CO. PROSECUTOR P.O. Box 483 BRIAN J. WALTER Delaware, OH 43015 140 North Sandusky St., 3rd Floor Delaware, OH 43015 [Cite as State v. Collins, 2012-Ohio-2452.]
Delaney, J.
{¶1} Appellant Joseph Collins appeals from the judgment entry of conviction
and sentence entered in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on July 19,
2011. Appellee is the State of Ohio.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶2} This appeal is related to State v. Johathon Collings, Case Number
11CAA070064. Appellant and Jonathon Collins are father and son, respectively, and
co-defendants.
The Van and its Contents
{¶3} This case arose on June 20, 2009, at 4:56 a.m. Officer James Ailes of
the Delaware Police Department was on routine patrol when he noticed a red minivan
parked at the side of the road at the intersection of Hull Drive and Liberty Road,
Delaware. Four males were outside the van; one stood on the driver’s side near the
door, and three stood near the rear passenger door. Ailes could not see what they
were doing but found the activity to be unusual for the hour.
{¶4} Ailes pulled up to the van and made contact with the driver, identified as
Shane Copelan. Copelan said he was tired and had wanted to pull over and stop.
Ailes radioed his location to dispatch and started to get out of his cruiser. As he got
out, Copelan walked around to the rear of the van where the other three males stood.
Ailes noticed a set of red bolt cutters on the roadway under the rear hatch of the van.
{¶5} Ailes requested backup and asked the individuals to sit on the ground.
The four were identified as Copelan, appellant, Jonathon Collins, and his brother (and
appellant’s son) Jason Collins. Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 3
{¶6} Trooper Glasscox drove by as Ailes spoke with the individuals and
stopped to offer assistance.
{¶7} Ailes and Glasscox investigated the scene. Dispatch advised Ailes
Jonathon Collins had an active arrest warrant and he was taken into custody. Ailes
noticed a piece of copper wire lying in the grassy area between the sidewalk and the
roadway, next to the van. Glasscox walked around the outside of the van and in plain
view observed a large amount of cut copper in the back of the van.
{¶8} The van was later inventoried and found to contain four sections of cut
copper, a 25-foot piece of braided copper, and miscellaneous pieces of fencing, small
copper pieces, clamps, and trash. The four cut sections of copper were each
approximately four feet long. The 25-foot piece of braided copper was covered in dirt
and debris as though it had been buried in the ground. All of these items, and the
red bolt cutters, were photographed.
{¶9} Police learned Shane Copelan’s girlfriend Jennifer Fleming owned the
van. Fleming came to the property storage lot and retrieved it. Initially no charges
were filed and the copper was tagged and placed into evidence.
{¶10} Appellant was the only participant who offered any information about the
source of the copper. He claimed some of it came from a burnt-down grocery store in
Columbus and some of it came from his aunt’s barn in Lancaster. Appellant further
stated Jonathon and Jason Collins were with him when he obtained the copper, but
Shane Copelan was not.
{¶11} Ailes contacted surrounding law enforcement agencies and railroads in
an attempt to discover the source of the copper, with no results. Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 4
The Fire at the AEP Substation
{¶1} When Ailes came upon the Collinses and the minivan, they were one-
tenth of a mile from an American Electric Power (AEP) substation located at 1738
Liberty Road, Delaware.
{¶2} Less than a day later, at midnight on June 21, 2009, Ailes responded to
a fire at the Liberty Road AEP substation. Ailes worked traffic at the fire because
Liberty Road had to be closed.
{¶3} At 2:43 a.m., Ailes returned to the Liberty Road AEP substation for a
report of breaking and entering. Technicians had investigated the fire and discovered
evidence of a break-in, including a gate which had been cut and missing copper
“grounds.”
{¶4} Ailes responded and noticed the bolt on the gate appeared to have been
cut with bolt cutters. He also observed an area of dirt where cable had been pulled
out of the ground.
{¶5} Ailes immediately suspected the break-in and fire were related to the
Copelan/Collins stop. He brought an AEP technician to the evidence room to view the
copper recovered from the minivan. Ailes and the technician were able to line up the
cut sections of copper recovered from the van with the missing portions stolen from
the Liberty Road substation.
{¶6} Ailes met with Copelan and told him about the AEP substation break-in.
Copelan now told him he had dropped off the Collinses around the intersection of Hull
and Liberty. Soon after, they called him to come pick them up and now they had the
copper with them. Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 5
{¶7} Jay Davis is a servicer of AEP substations and testified for appellee at
trial. Davis investigated the fire on June 21, 2009; when he arrived, he found one
regulator was on fire. He de-energized the circuits and put the fire out.
{¶8} Davis looked for the cause of the fire and discovered several “grounds”
had been cut and removed. “Grounds” are made of copper wire and function to return
power. Removal of the ground wires may not immediately cause a fire, but eventually
fire will result. Davis opined the fire was caused by the cutting and removal of the
ground wires.
{¶9} At the time of these events, there had been many similar copper thefts
from AEP substations. Two AEP witnesses noted the thefts commonly involved the
same wires: those in locations thieves could easily access.
{¶10} AEP substation supervisor Michael Coffey also testified at trial. Coffey
was responsible for investigating the damage at the Liberty Road substation and for
setting up a work order to track the necessary repairs. Coffey noted because of the
theft, a power outage lasting approximately 23 minutes occurred and a circuit had to
be removed from service. The fire and resulting repair operations created at least one
outage for AEP customers in 270 households.
{¶11} Coffey agreed the fire started because it “lost its grounds;” removing the
copper grounds created a heating effect which began to smolder and eventually
resulted in a fire.
{¶12} Although Coffey did not factor the AEP customers’ power outage into the
cost of the theft, he was able to calculate the amount of the loss to AEP based upon
replacement materials and labor. The total cost was $8,010.32. Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 6
Criminal Charges and Two Bench Trials
{¶13} Copelan, Jonathon Collins, Jason Collins and appellant were each
charged by indictment with one count of vandalism in an amount greater than $5000
but less than $100,000, a felony of the fourth degree [R.C. 2909.05(B)(1)(b)], one
count of possession of criminal tools [R.C. 2923.24(A)], one count of theft in an
amount greater than $500 but less than $5000, a felony of the fifth degree [R.C.
2923.24(A)], one count of breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree [R.C.
2911.13(B)], one count of disrupting public service, and one count of receiving stolen
property in an amount greater than $500 but less than $5000, a felony of the fifth
degree [R.C. 2913.51(A)].
{¶14} Copelan ultimately entered pleas of guilty on October 8, 2010, and was
sentenced on January 24, 2011.
{¶15} Jason Collins’ case was transferred to a visiting judge, who presided
over a bench trial and acquitted Jason Collins of all charges on January 6, 2011.
{¶16} On January 18, 2011, appellant and Jonathon Collins moved to dismiss
their indictments, arguing the state had fully litigated the case in Jason Collins’ trial
and was therefore precluded from trying the remaining co-defendants in a separate
trial. They argued further prosecution was barred by collateral estoppel and double
jeopardy.
{¶17} The trial court overruled the motion to dismiss, noting neither appellant,
nor Jonathon Collins, nor the state had moved to sever the trials; appellant never
asserted that he should have been tried with Jason Collins; and the co-defendants
never objected to the “de facto severance” of the trials. The trial court ruled the Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 7
findings in Jason Collins’ trial were specific to Jason Collins, and subsequent trial of
appellant and Jonathon Collins was not barred by collateral estoppel, res judicata, or
double jeopardy.
{¶18} Appellant and Jonathon Collins each waived his right to trial by jury, and
the matters proceeded to a joint bench trial on April 27, 2011. Both were found guilty
as charged on each count of the indictment, with the exception of Count Five,
disrupting public services, for which each was found not guilty.
{¶19} The trial court found that Counts One, Three, and Six (vandalism, theft,
and receiving stolen property) merged for purposes of sentencing, and appellee
elected to sentence on Count One, vandalism. Appellant was sentenced to a prison
term of 17 months on Count One, consecutive to a term of 11 months on Count Two
(possession of criminal tools) and a consecutive term of 11 months on Count Six
(breaking and entering). Appellant’s aggregate sentence is consecutive to a sentence
he is presently serving in a Franklin County case.
{¶20} Appellant appeals from the judgment entries of conviction and sentence.
{¶21} Appellant raises two Assignments of Error:
{¶22} “I. THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED APPELLANT’S STATE AND
FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS, AND APPELLANT’S
STATUTORY RIGHT TO BE TRIED TOGETHER WITH HIS JOINTLY INDICTED
CODEFENDANTS UNDER R.C. 2945.13 AND CRIM.R. 14, BY ALLOWING
APPELLANT’S CASE TO GO TO TRIAL AFTER THE INDICTMENT OF APPELLANT
WAS ALREADY PRESENTED TO A TRIER OF FACT WHEN A CODEFENDANT
HAD ALREADY BEEN SEPARATELY TRIED AND ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES.” Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 8
{¶23} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING THE DEFENDANT’S
CRIM.R. 29(A) MOTION FOR ACQUITTAL ON THE GROUNDS THAT, EVEN WHEN
VIEWED IN A LIGHT MOST FAVORABLE TO THE PROSECUTION, THE STATE
HAD FAILED, AT THE CLOSE OF ITS EVIDENCE TO MEET ITS BURDEN ON
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF EACH CHARGE.”
I.
{¶24} Appellant argues in his first assignment of error his trial was barred by
the fact that codefendant Jason Collins was tried separately and acquitted.1 We
disagree.
{¶25} First, we note neither appellant nor counsel objected to the separate trial
of co-defendant Jason Collins until after Jason Collins was tried and acquitted. We
therefore review this claim under a plain error standard of review. See, State v. Dunn,
5th Dist. No. 2008-CA-00137, 2009-Ohio-1688, ¶ 89. Pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B),
“[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be noticed although they were
not brought to the attention of the court.” The rule places several limitations on a
reviewing court’s determination to correct an error despite the absence of a timely
objection at trial: (1) “there must be an error, i.e. a deviation from a legal rule,” (2) “the
error must be plain,” that is, an error that constitutes an “obvious defect in the trial
proceeding,” and (3) the error must have affected “substantial rights” such that “the
trial court’s error must have affected the outcome of the trial.” State v. Morales, 10
Dist. Nos. 03—AP-318, 03-AP-319, 2004-Ohio-3391, at ¶ 19, quoting State v. Barnes,
94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002); State v. Gross, 97 Ohio St.3d 121, 1 This is the same argument raised in Jonathon Collins’ sole assignment of error in case number 11CAA070064. Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 9
2002-Ohio-5524, 776 N.E.2d 1061, ¶ 45. The decision to correct a plain error is
discretionary and should be made “with the utmost caution, under exceptional
circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.” Barnes, supra,
quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of
the syllabus.
{¶26} R.C. 2945.13 states, “When two or more persons are jointly indicted for a
felony, except a capital offense, they shall be tried jointly unless the court, for good
cause shown on application therefor by the prosecuting attorney or one or more of
said defendants, orders one or more of said defendants to be tried separately.”
{¶27} Crim.R. 8(B) provides that two or more defendants may be charged in
the same indictment if they are alleged to have participated in the same series of acts
constituting an offense, or in the same course of criminal conduct. The joinder of
defendants and the avoidance of multiple trials are favored in the law because joinder
“conserves judicial and prosecutorial time, lessens the not inconsiderable expenses of
multiple trials, diminishes inconvenience to witnesses, and minimizes the possibility of
incongruous results in successive trials before different juries.” State v. Thomas, 61
Ohio St.2d 223, 225, 400 N.E.2d 401 (1980).
{¶28} We note there was no application by a party to try the cases separately.
The Supreme Court of Ohio assigned a visiting judge to hear 10CR-I-02-0117(C),
State of Ohio v. Jason A. Collins. While the record leading to this assignment is not
before us, in its entry overruling appellant’s motion to dismiss, the trial court
referenced “a standing objection the State of Ohio has raised regarding this court
hearing cases in which [trial counsel of Jason Collins] is representing a defendant.” Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 10
Due to a conflict of interest alleged by appellee, therefore, the trial court recused itself
from the Jason Collins case.
{¶29} Whether an accused shall be tried separately from a co-defendant is a
matter within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Torres, 66 Ohio St.2d
340, 343, 421 N.E.2d 1288 (1981). Generally, the burden is upon the defendant to
show good cause why a separate trial should be granted and that the trial court
abused its discretion in refusing to do so. State v. Jacocks, 5th Dist. No.
2002CA00359, 2003-Ohio-6839, ¶ 92, appeal not allowed, 102 Ohio St.3d 1445,
2004-Ohio-2263, 808 N.E.2d 397. A defendant claiming error in the trial court’s
refusal to sever offenses or defendants has the burden of affirmatively showing that
his rights were prejudiced by the joinder. State v. Vargas, 5th Dist. No.
2001CA00044, 2002-Ohio-2478, citing Torres, supra.
{¶30} Appellant essentially argues for an extension of R.C. 2945.13 and
Crim.R. 8: all three codefendants should have been tried together, and because one
co-defendant was tried separately, first, trial of the remaining co-defendants is barred
altogether. Appellant presents no case authority supporting such an extension, and
more significantly, failed to raise this argument until after the first co-defendant had
already been tried and acquitted.
{¶31} The record fails to disclose error, plain or otherwise. The trial court did
not deviate from a legal rule in recusing itself from one co-defendant’s case and trying
the remaining two in a joint trial.
{¶32} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled. Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 11
II.
{¶33} In his second assignment of error, appellant argues his presence at the
van upon discovery by Ailes does not constitute sufficient evidence upon which to
convict him of vandalism, possession of criminal tools, theft, breaking and entering,
and receiving stolen property. We disagree, and find appellant’s convictions are
supported by sufficient evidence.
{¶34} An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence is to determine whether, after viewing the evidence in the 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. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio
St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶35} The elements of an offense may be established by direct evidence,
circumstantial evidence, or both. State v. Durr, 58 Ohio St.3d 86, 92, 568 N.E.2d 674
(1991). Circumstantial evidence is defined as “[t]estimony not based on actual
personal knowledge or observation of the facts in controversy, but of other facts from
which deductions are drawn, showing indirectly the facts sought proved.” State v.
Nicely, 39 Ohio St.3d 147, 150, 529 N.E.2d 1236 (1988), quoting Black’s Law
Dictionary (5th Ed.1979) 221. Circumstantial and direct evidence are of equal
evidentiary value. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 272, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991).
{¶36} The weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses are
determined by the trier of fact. State v. Yarbrough, 95 Ohio St.3d 227, 2002-Ohio-
2126. Appellant waived his right to trial by jury and the case proceeded to bench trial. Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 12
In a bench trial, the court is presumed to know the law and properly apply it. State v.
Sarver, 7th Dist. No. 05-CO-53, 2007-Ohio-601, ¶ 23.
{¶37} Appellee noted appellant’s involvement could be weighed in terms of
complicity to the charged offenses. A charge of complicity may be stated in terms of
the principal offense, and “a trial court in a bench trial may make a finding of guilt in
terms of either the principle offense or complicity.” State v. Gorayeb, 7th Dist. No. 09-
BE-15, 2010-Ohio-2535, ¶ 28, citing State v. Smith, 4th Dist. No. 02CA6, 2002-Ohio-
4532, ¶ 14. The trial court may find appellant guilty of complicity yet state its findings
in terms of the principal offense. Id., ¶ 42.
{¶38} Mere association with the principal offender is not enough to prove
complicity. State v. Mootispaw, 110 Ohio App.3d 566, 570 (4th Dist.1996). We note,
however, that “[p]articipation in criminal intent may be inferred from presence,
companionship, and conduct before and after the offense is committed.” State v.
Mendoza, 137 Ohio App.3d 336, 342 (3rd Dist.2000), citing State v. Stepp, 117 Ohio
App.3d 561, 568-569 (4th Dist.1997).
{¶39} Appellant was charged by indictment with six criminal offenses and was
found guilty upon bench trial of five. We find the trial court could reasonably find
appellant guilty of complicity to each of the five offenses.
{¶40} Count one, vandalism, states that appellant did knowingly cause physical
harm to property that is owned or possessed by another, when either of the following
applies regardless of the value of the property or the amount of damage done, the
property or its equivalent is necessary for its owner or possessor to engage in the
owner’s or possessor’s profession, business, trade, or occupation, the value of Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 13
property involved being greater than $5000 but less than $100,000. R.C.
2909.05(B)(1)(b).
{¶41} Count two, possession of criminal tools, states that appellant did
possess or have under his control a substance, device, instrument, or article with
purpose to use it criminally, to wit: bolt cutters, and said substance, device, instrument
or article involved in the offense was intended for use in the commission of a felony.
R.C. 2923.24(A).
{¶42} Count three, theft, states that appellant did with purpose to deprive AEP,
the owner, of property, to wit: copper wire, did knowingly obtain or exert control over
the property without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent,
the value of said property being $500 or more but less than $5000. R.C.
2913.02(A)(1).
{¶43} Count four, breaking and entering, states that appellant did knowingly
trespass on the land or premises of another, AEP, 1738 Liberty Road, Delaware, Ohio,
with purpose to commit a felony. R.C. 2911.13(B).
{¶44} Count six, receiving stolen property, states that appellant did recklessly
receive, retain, or dispose of the property of another, to wit: copper wire, knowing or
having reasonable cause to believe that the property had been obtained through the
commission of a theft offense, the value of said property being $500 or more and less
than $5000. R.C. 2913.51(A).
{¶45} Appellant challenges several specific elements of his convictions. First,
he argues that sufficient evidence does not exist that he was in possession of criminal
tools (the bolt cutters) or stolen property (the copper wire). Possession can be either Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 14
actual or constructive. Constructive possession exists when a person knowingly
exercises dominion and control over an object, even though the object might not be
within his immediate possession. State v. Middlebrooks, 5th Dist. No. 2010 AP 08
0027, 2011-Ohio-4574, ¶ 39, citing State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 434 N.E.2d
1362 (1985). Dominion and control may be proven by circumstantial evidence alone.
State v. Zachery, 5th Dist. No. 2008-CA-00187, 2009-Ohio-715, ¶ 31, citing State v.
Trembly, 137 Ohio App.3d 134, 141, 738 N.E.2d 93 (8th Dist. 2000).
{¶46} Sufficient evidence exists appellant was in constructive possession of
the bolt cutters and the stolen copper. All four co-defendants were outside the
minivan when Ailes approached; copper was in the back of the van, and also in the
grass near the van. The bolt cutters were immediately outside the van. These
circumstances, combined with the proximity of the van to the AEP substation where
the theft occurred, make it reasonable for the trial court to conclude that appellant was
in constructive possession of the bolt cutters and the stolen copper.
{¶47} Next, appellant asserts sufficient evidence does not establish he entered
onto AEP’s property. Evidence demonstrated wire had been pulled from the ground at
the substation, and appellant was found in possession of wire which appeared to have
been pulled from the ground. In light of the surrounding circumstances, specifically
that the minivan, appellant, and his co-defendants were found less than a tenth of a
mile away from the substation in possession copper wire of lengths matching the
substation’s missing wire, and they would have had to enter upon AEP’s property to
cut and retrieve it, we find sufficient evidence exists appellant entered upon the
property. Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 15
{¶48} Third, appellant challenges the sufficiency of appellee’s evidence as to
the value of the stolen property. State’s Exhibit 25, the spreadsheet prepared by the
AEP station supervisor, detailed the cost of these criminal acts, broken down into
materials and replacement outlay including labor. Pursuant to R.C. 2913.61(D)(2),
“[t]he value of * * * materials, supplies, equipment, and fixtures used in the profession,
business, trade, occupation, or avocation of its owner * * * and which retains
substantial utility for its purpose regardless of its age or condition, is the cost of
replacing the property with new property of like kind and quality.” The trial court could
properly consider the replacement costs above and beyond the value of the recovered
wire itself. See, State v. Turner, 8th Dist. No. 86916, 2006-Ohio-4098, ¶ 21 (true
value of stolen copper includes materials and labor to repair damage sustained in
removal). We find sufficient evidence exists the value of the property involved in the
theft offenses is greater than $500 and less than $5000.
{¶49} Finally, appellant cites case authority in support of his general premise
insufficient evidence exists to establish appellant’s participation in the crimes. We find
this case law to be inapplicable to the facts of the instant case. In State v. Creighton,
insufficient evidence existed to tie the defendant to a series of criminal offenses
related to drug trafficking because no direct evidence of his involvement was found,
and evidence did indicate he was merely visiting the house in question. 8th Dist. No.
95607, 2011-Ohio-5919. In the instant case, appellant was discovered in the midst of
the evidence, and was the only co-defendant to offer an explanation, albeit infeasible,
for possession of the copper. In other words, sufficient evidence exists that appellant
knew of and had active participation in the copper theft. In State v. Bohanna, we Delaware County, Case No. 11CAA090082 16
found insufficient evidence for an aggravated robbery conviction because a dearth of
evidence was presented as to whether the defendant displayed, brandished, or used a
weapon. 5th Dist. No. 09CAA120103, 2010-Ohio-5568. No such issue exists in the
instant case.
{¶50} With respect to appellant’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence,
we find in reviewing the record in a light most favorable to appellee there was
sufficient evidence for the trial court to conclude the essential elements of vandalism,
possession of criminal tools, theft, breaking and entering, and receiving stolen
property beyond a reasonable doubt.
{¶51} Accordingly, appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶52} Appellant’s two assignments of error are therefore overruled and the
judgment of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
By: Delaney, P.J.
Hoffman, J. and
Farmer, J. concur.
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY
HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER [Cite as State v. Collins, 2012-Ohio-2452.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : : : Plaintiff-Appellee : : -vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY : JOSEPH R. COLLINS : : : Case No. 11CAA090082 Defendant-Appellant :
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Opinion on file, the judgment of the
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs assessed to appellant.
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER