State v. Cooper

2023 Ohio 2100

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 26, 2023
• Docket: 9-22-69
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Cooper, 2023-Ohio-2100.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT MARION COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 9-22-69

v.

MATTHEW ALLEN COOPER, OPINION

DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court Trial Court No. 21-CR-387

Judgment Affirmed

Date of Decision: June 26, 2023

APPEARANCES:

John P.M. Rutan for Appellant

Raymond A. Grogan, Jr. and David Stamolis for Appellee Case No. 9-22-69

ZIMMERMAN, J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Matthew Allen Cooper (“Cooper”) appeals the

November 28, 2022 judgment entry of conviction and sentencing of the Marion

County Common Pleas Court. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

{¶2} This case stems from the City of Marion Police Department’s arrest of

Jeremy Blevens (“Blevens”), on a bench warrant, at the Someplace Else Bar in

Marion, Marion County, Ohio, in the early morning hours of September 4, 2021.

While Officer Ryan Kelly (“Ofcr. Kelly”) was witnessing the arrest of Blevens

(effectuated by a different officer), Cooper obstructed Ofcr. Kelly’s view of a

bystander, Matrix Childers (“Childers”), whose behavior was escalating at the

scene. Amid Ofcr. Kelly talking to Childers, Cooper put his hand and cellphone

into the face of Ofcr. Kelly’s and then taunted him.1 Ofcr. Kelly swatted Cooper’s

phone away from his face, and the phone fell to the ground. Cooper then charged

Ofcr. Kelly and a struggle ensued wherein Ofcr. Kelly was knocked to the ground

and was hit in the face by Cooper. Ultimately, Blevens, Childers, and Cooper were

arrested.

{¶3} On September 8, 2021, the Marion County Grand Jury indicted Cooper,

in Count One, for obstructing official business in violation of R.C. 2921.31(A), a

fifth-degree felony, and in Count Two, for assault on an officer in violation of R.C.

1 Blevens is Cooper’s friend and employer, and Childers is Bevens’s stepson.

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2903.13(A), (C)(5), a fourth-degree felony. On September 13, 2021, Cooper was

arraigned and entered not-guilty pleas.

{¶4} A jury trial was held on November 8-9, 2022 wherein Cooper was found

guilty of obstructing official business (under Count One) and for assault on an

officer (under Count Two). Further, the jury found that Ofcr. Kelly was a peace

officer in the performance of his official duties at the time the event occurred.

{¶5} At the sentencing hearing held on November 28, 2022, the trial court

sentenced Cooper to an 11-month prison term on Counts One and Two ordering the

terms be served concurrently.

{¶6} Cooper filed a timely appeal and raises the following six assignments

of error.

First Assignment of Error

The Appellant’s 6th And 14th [sic] Amendment Right [sic] To Fair A [sic] Trial Was Violated When The Victim Sat Next To The Prosecutor During The Whole Trial.

Second Assignment of Error

The Appellant’s 6th Amendment Right To [sic] Fair Trial And Impartial Jury Was Violated.

Third Assignment of Error

The Appellant’s Trial Counsel Was Ineffective By Failing To Exclude Any Jurors For Cause, For Failing To Cross Examination Office Kelly About His Prior 45 Incidents Of Use Of Force, By Failing To Ask For A Lesser Included Offense Of Disorderly Conduct, By Failing To Ask For Jury Instructions On

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Self-Defense And Failure To Object To Officer Kelly Being Designated Chair.

Fourth Assignment of Error

The Evidence Was Not Sufficient To Support Appellant’s Conviction For Count 1 Obstructing Official Business And Count 2 Assault On An Officer.

Fifth Assignment of Error

The Conviction For Count 1 Obstructing Official Business And Count 2, Assault On An Officer Was Against The Manifest Weight Of The Evidence.

Sixth Assignment of Error

The Defendants [sic] Right To A Fair Trial Was Violated When The State Failed To Provide A Bill Of Particulars.

{¶7} We begin by addressing Cooper’s first, second, and sixth assignments

of error together, followed by his fourth and fifth assignments of error together, and

end with his third assignment of error.

The Appellant’s 6th And 14th [sic] Amendment Right [sic] To Fair A [sic] Trial Was Violated When The Victim Sat Next To The Prosecutor During The Whole Trial.

The Appellant’s 6th Amendment Right To [sic] Fair Trial And Impartial Jury Was Violated.

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The Defendants [sic] Right To A Fair Trial Was Violated When The State Failed To Provide A Bill Of Particulars.

{¶8} In these assignments of error, Cooper argues that he did not receive a

fair trial, and thus, his due-process rights were violated. Specifically, in his first

assignment of error, Cooper asserts that since Ofcr. Kelly was the arresting officer

as well as the victim of the assault-on-an-officer charge, he (Ofcr. Kelly) should not

have been permitted to sit beside the prosecutor during the trial. In his second

assignment of error, Cooper asserts that the jury pool was not impartial because

members of the panel may have known each other, been acquaintances of the

parties, or had some connection to Ofcr. Kelly’s parents. In his sixth assignment of

error, Cooper argues that the State erred by failing to provide him with a bill of

particulars. Specifically, he asserts that he lacked knowledge of the specific facts

of the charges, and therefore, was not able to prepare his defense for trial.

Analysis

{¶9} As an initial matter, we are compelled to determine whether or not

Cooper has preserved these issues for our review. Under Cooper’s first assignment

of error, we note that he never challenged who was seated at the prosecutor’s table.

Moreover, Cooper never requested a separation and exclusion of witnesses under

Evid.R. 615.

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{¶10} In State v. Montgomery, 169 Ohio St.3d 84, 2022-Ohio-2211, the

Supreme Court recently held that

[t]he prosecuting attorney is the [S]tate’s legal representative in all criminal matters. R.C. 309.08(A); State v. Heinz, 146 Ohio St.3d 374, 2016-Ohio-2814, [] ¶ 21. And while it is common practice for the prosecuting attorney to designate an individual to be a personal representative of the [S]tate and sit at counsel table during a criminal trial, State v. Lewis, 70 Ohio App.3d 624, 640[] (4th Dist.1990), as the [S]tate and the second dissenting opinion note, there is no statute or rule that explicitly dictates who that person can be. However, given that the [S]tate’s selection of a representative to sit at counsel table and remain in the courtroom throughout the proceedings is a subject that, if challenged, is routinely done in the context of witness separation, Evid.R. 615(B)(2) may be viewed as implicitly and logically limiting the [S]tate’s selection of a representative to a person who is an officer or employee of the [S]tate. Marr v. Mercy Hosp., 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-97-1160, 1998 WL 336923, *2 (May 22, 1998), citing State v. Lapping, 75 Ohio App.3d 354, 363[] ([8th Dist.]1991); see also State v. Hartzell, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 17499, 1999 WL 957746 (Aug. 20, 1999) (trial court erred when it allowed the [S]tate to designate a representative who was not an officer or employee of the [S]tate).

Montgomery at ¶ 17 and ¶ 22.2 Indeed, Ofcr. Kelly was seated at the prosecutor’s

table and meets the criteria in Evid.R. 615(B)(2) to be the State’s representative.

Thus, to us, the only question that remains is whether Ofcr. Kelly being seated at

the prosecutor’s table (as both an officer and the victim of the assault-on-an-office

charge being tried) offends due process.

2 The Supreme Court of Ohio, in Montgomery, addressed whether a defendant was denied his right to a fair trial when the trial court permitted the alleged victim (in a rape case) to be introduced to the jury during voir dire as the State’s representative and permit the victim [who did not meet the criteria under Evid.R. 615(B)] to sit with the prosecutor at counsel table throughout the entirety of the trial. Montgomery at ¶ 1.

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{¶11} In Montgomery, the Supreme Court recognized that the designation of

the State’s representative at trial may constitute constitutional error, which could

“undermine a jury’s impartiality, erode the presumption of innocence, and allow for

a setting that transmits too great an impression of guilt and that offends due process

as being fundamentally unfair because of the inherent potential for prejudice.” Id.

at ¶ 19, citing State v. Lane, 60 Ohio St.2d 112, 115 (1979). Nevertheless, since

Cooper’s first assignment of error is framed as a constitutional challenge, and

because he failed to object in the trial court regarding what he now assigns as error

on appeal, he has waived all but plain error.

{¶12} Additionally, under his second assignment of error, Cooper raises

constitutional error regarding the impartiality of the jury. Once again, Cooper did

not object during voir dire or request a mistrial on the basis that the jury was not

impartial and his due-process rights were violated. Consequently, Cooper has

waived all but plain error regarding this due-process challenge. See State v. Gervin,

3d Dist. Marion No. 9-15-52, 2016-Ohio-8399, ¶ 172.

{¶13} Lastly, in his sixth assignment of error, Cooper argues that the State

failed to provide him with a bill of particulars after he filed multiple requests.3 (See

Appellant’s Brief at 23). (See also Doc. Nos. 8, 20, 33). Importantly, the State

3 There were three separate requests for a bill of particulars. The record demonstrates each request was filed perfunctorily each time a new attorney was appointed to represent Cooper.

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failed to furnish him with a bill of particulars notwithstanding his requests. See

Crim.R. 7(E). Crim.R. 7(E) provides:

When the defendant makes a written request within twenty-one days after arraignment but not later than seven days before trial, or upon court order, the prosecuting attorney shall furnish the defendant with a bill of particulars setting up specifically the nature of the offense charge and of the conduct of the defendant alleged to constitute the offense. A bill of particulars may be amended at any time subject to such conditions as justice requires.

(Emphasis added.) See also State v. Haynes, ___Ohio St.3d ___, 2022-Ohio-4473,

¶ 19 and ¶ 22. However, Cooper did not raise any concerns about the lack of a bill

of particulars, much less raise his constitutional argument in the trial court.

Therefore, he has waived, all but plain error.

{¶14} Notably, in each of these assignments of error, Cooper failed to raise

the purported constitutional errors in the trial court. The “[f]ailure to raise at the

trial court level the issue of the constitutionality [], which issue is apparent at the

time of trial, constitutes a waiver of such issue and a deviation from this [S]tate’s

orderly procedure, and therefore need not be heard for the first time on appeal.”

State v. Awan, 22 Ohio St.3d 120 (1986), syllabus. Nevertheless, we retain the

discretion to consider Cooper’s arguments under a plain-error analysis. State v.

Barnhart, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-20-08, 2021-Ohio-2874, ¶ 8, citing In re M.D.,

38 Ohio St.3d 149, 151 (1988).

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{¶15} To establish plain error under Crim.R. 52(B), the party claiming error

must establish: (1) that an error, i.e., a deviation from a legal rule, occurred; (2) that

the error was an “obvious” defect in the trial proceedings; and (3) that this obvious

error affected substantial rights, i.e., the error must have affected the outcome of the

trial. State v. Morgan, 153 Ohio St.3d 196, 2017-Ohio-7565, ¶ 36. Under the plain-

error standard, the appellant must demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability

that, but for the trial court’s error, the outcome of the proceeding would have been

otherwise. State v. West, 168 Ohio St.3d 605, 2022-Ohio-1556, ¶ 35-36. Indeed,

Cooper bears the burden of establishing that his substantial rights were prejudiced.

See State v. Davis, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-16-30, 2017-Ohio-2916, ¶ 23.

{¶16} On appeal, Cooper failed to raise any plain-error arguments regarding

his first, second, and sixth assignments of error. See State v. Hahn, 3d Dist. Henry

No. 7-21-02, 2021-Ohio-3789, ¶ 10. Consequently, we will not construct his

arguments for him. Id. Therefore, Cooper failed to establish that his substantial

rights were violated.

{¶17} Accordingly, Cooper’s first, second, and sixth assignments of error are

overruled.

The Evidence Was Not Sufficient To Support Appellant’s Conviction For Count 1 Obstructing Official Business And Count 2 Assault On An Officer.

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The Conviction For Count 1 Obstructing Official Business And Count 2, Assault On An Officer Was Against The Manifest Weight Of The Evidence.

{¶18} In his fourth and fifth assignments of error, Cooper asserts that the

jury’s findings of guilt for obstructing official business (under Count One) and

assault on an officer (under Count Two) are based upon insufficient evidence and

are against the manifest weight of the evidence.

Standard of Review

{¶19} Manifest “weight of the evidence and sufficiency of the evidence are

clearly different legal concepts.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 389

(1997), superseded by statute on other grounds, State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89

(1997). Thus, we address each legal concept, individually.

{¶20} “‘“[S]ufficiency” is a term of art meaning that legal standard which is

applied to determine whether the case may go to the jury or whether the evidence is

legally sufficient to support the jury verdict as a matter of law.’” Id. at 386, quoting

Black’s Law Dictionary 1433 (6th Ed.1990). “In essence, sufficiency is a test of

adequacy.” Id. “An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of

the evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted

at trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average

mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio

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St.3d 259 (1981), paragraph two of the syllabus, superseded by constitutional

amendment on other grounds, Smith at 89. Accordingly, “[t]he relevant inquiry is

whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any

rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven

beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. “In deciding if the evidence was sufficient, we

neither resolve evidentiary conflicts nor assess the credibility of witnesses, as both

are functions reserved for the trier of fact.” State v. Jones, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos.

C-120570 and C-120571, 2013-Ohio-4775, ¶ 33, citing State v. Williams, 1st Dist.

Hamilton No. C-110097, 2011-Ohio-6267, ¶ 25. See also State v. Berry, 3d Dist.

Defiance No. 4-12-03, 2013-Ohio-2380, ¶ 19, citing Thompkins at 386; State v.

Williams, 3d. Dist. Logan No. 8-20-54, 2021-Ohio-1359, ¶ 6, quoting State v. Croft,

3d Dist. Auglaize No. 2-15-11, 2016-Ohio-449, ¶ 5.

{¶21} On the other hand, in determining whether a conviction is against the

manifest weight of the evidence, a reviewing court must examine the entire record,

“‘weigh[ ] the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider[ ] the credibility of

witnesses and determine[ ] whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the [trier

of fact] clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that

the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’” Thompkins at 387,

quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist.1983). But we must

give due deference to the fact-finder, because

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[t]he fact-finder * * * occupies a superior position in determining credibility. The fact-finder can hear and see as well as observe the body language, evaluate voice inflections, observe hand gestures, perceive the interplay between the witness and the examiner, and watch the witness's reaction to exhibits and the like. Determining credibility from a sterile transcript is a Herculean endeavor. A reviewing court must, therefore, accord due deference to the credibility determinations made by the fact-finder.

Williams, 2021-Ohio-1359, at ¶ 8, quoting State v. Dailey, 3d Dist. Crawford No.

3-07-23, 2008-Ohio-274, ¶ 7, quoting State v. Thompson, 127 Ohio App.3d 511,

529 (8th Dist.1998). A reviewing court must, however, allow the trier of fact

appropriate discretion on matters relating to the weight of the evidence and the

credibility of the witnesses. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 231 (1967). When

applying the manifest-weight standard, “[o]nly in exceptional cases, where the

evidence ‘weighs heavily against the conviction,’ should an appellate court overturn

the trial court’s judgment.” State v. Haller, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-11-34, 2012-Ohio-

5233, ¶ 9, quoting State v. Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 119.

Sufficiency-of-the-Evidence Analysis

{¶22} Cooper was found guilty by the jury of obstructing official business

under R.C. 2921.31(A). R.C. 2921.31(A) provides in its pertinent part,

No person, without privilege to do so and with purpose to prevent, obstruct, or delay the performance by a public official of any authorized act within the public official’s official capacity, shall do any act that hampers or impedes a public official in the performance of the public official’s lawful duties.

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Even though obstructing official business is typically a second-degree

misdemeanor, it can be elevated to a fifth-degree felony upon proof that the

defendant “create[d] a risk of physical harm to any person” during the commission

of the offense. R.C. 2921.31(B). Under R.C. 2901.22(A), “[a] person acts

purposely when it is the person’s specific intention to cause a certain result, or, when

the gist of the offense is a prohibition against conduct of a certain nature, regardless

of what the offender intends to accomplish thereby, it is the offender’s specific

intention to engage in conduct of that nature.”

{¶23} Cooper was also found guilty by the jury of assault on an officer

pursuant to R.C. 2903.13(A), (C)(5). R.C. 2903.13 states in relevant part:

(A) No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another * * *.

***

(C)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of assault, and the court shall sentence the offender as provided in this division and divisions (C)* * *(5)* * * of this section. Except as otherwise provided in division (C)* * * (5)* * * of this section, assault is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(5) If the assault is committed in any of the following circumstances, assault is a felony of the fourth degree:

(a) The victim of the offense is a peace officer * * *, while in the performance of the officer’s * * * official duties.

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R.C. 2903.13(A), (C)(1), (C)(5)(a). Pursuant to R.C. 2901.22(B), “a person acts

knowingly, regardless of purpose, when the person is aware that the person’s

conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably be of a certain nature.

A person has knowledge of circumstances when the person is aware that such

circumstances probably exist.”

{¶24} We begin by addressing Cooper’s argument regarding whether the

State failed to prove that it was his “purpose to prevent, obstruct, or delay the

performance by” Ofcr. Kelly to do an authorized act within his official capacity, and

whether that the State failed to prove that he “hamper[ed] or impede[d]” Ofcr. Kelly

under Count One.

{¶25} To obtain a conviction for obstructing official business the State must

prove that (1) the defendant acted (2) without privilege to do so and (3) with purpose

to prevent, obstruct, or delay the performance by a public official of any authorized

act within the public official’s official capacity and that (4) the defendant’s act

hampered or impeded the public official (5) in the performance of the public

official’s lawful duties. See State v. Pierce, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-16-36, 2017-

Ohio-4223, ¶ 11, quoting State v. Dice, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-04-41, 2005-Ohio-

2505, ¶ 19, citing R.C. 2921.31(A). On appeal, Cooper only challenges whether the

State proved the third and fourth elements, and thus, those elements will be the focus

of our analysis.

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{¶26} The record reveals that when Ofcr. Kelly was interacting with Childers

and Cooper he and his fellow officers were in the midst of the performance of an

act within their official capacity. That is–the officers were in the process of arresting

Blevens’s on an active bench warrant. Even though Ofcr. Kelly was not handcuffing

Blevens, he was assisting Officer Nick Geurkink (“Ofcr. Geurkink”) arrest Blevens

and was monitoring the escalation of bystanders during the event. Cooper contends

that he was merely recording Blevens’s arrest (as a bystander) and it was not his

intent to hinder or impede Ofcr. Kelly.

{¶27} However, the record belies this contention. According to Officer

Brittany Ewalt’s (“Ofcr. Ewalt”) uncontroverted testimony at trial, she observed

Cooper put his cellphone directly in front of Ofcr. Kelly’s face, which obstructed

Ofcr. Kelly’s view of individuals at the arrest scene. (Nov. 8, 2022 Tr. at 228).

Moreover, Cooper can be seen (on Ofcr. Ewalt’s body-camera footage) with his arm

extended, cellphone in his hand, inches in front of Ofcr. Kelly’s face. (See State’s

Ex. 1). Indeed, Cooper can be heard taunting Ofcr. Kelly verbally at the exact

moment that he places the cellphone in front of his face. (See id.). Additionally,

and significant to us, Ofcr. Kelly testified that he was concerned about Cooper’s

behavior since Cooper was positioned on his right side within reach of his firearm.4

4 Ofcr. Ewalt’s body-camera footage corroborates Cooper’s position and proximity to Ofcr. Kelly’s duty weapon.

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{¶28} We conclude that Cooper’s deliberate act of placing his hand and the

cellphone in Ofcr. Kelly’s face obstructed Ofcr. Kelly’s view of bystanders during

Blevens’s arrest. Moreover, Cooper’s actions prevented Ofcr. Kelly from observing

and assisting in the arrest of Blevens by his fellow officer. Consequently, Cooper

hindered and impeded Ofcr. Kelly’s ability to ensure the safety of Blevens (as an

arrestee), other bystanders, and his fellow officers at this chaotic scene.

{¶29} Next, Cooper asserts (under Count Two) that he did not “knowingly”

“cause or attempt to cause physical harm” to Ofcr. Kelly because the physical

contact between he and Ofcr. Kelly was his effort to defend himself from Ofcr.

Kelly. We disagree. Importantly, Cooper did not assert a self-defense claim at trial,

and Ofcr. Kelly testified Cooper charged him after he swatted Cooper’s hand when

the cellphone was put in his face. Further, when Cooper and Ofcr. Kelly wrestled

on the ground Cooper did not comply with his (Ofcr. Kelly’s) orders to get off him.

This is when Cooper struck Ofcr. Kelly in the face. Even though none of the four

officer’s camera footage caught Cooper’s act of punching Ofcr. Kelly in the face,

Ofcr. Ewalt testified that she saw Cooper throw multiple punches at Ofcr. Kelly

(with his fist) when the two were on the ground.

{¶30} Based on this evidence, we conclude that a rational trier of fact (the

jury) could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Cooper was obstructing official

business and that Cooper committed an assault on an officer. Accordingly,

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Cooper’s obstructing-official-business and assault-on-an-officer convictions under

Counts One and Two are based on sufficient evidence.

Manifest-Weight-of-the-Evidence Analysis

{¶31} Here, Cooper sets forth two arguments in support of his manifest-

weight-of-the-evidence challenge regarding his obstructing-official-business

finding of guilt (under Count One) and one argument regarding his assault on an

officer finding of guilt (under Count Two).

{¶32} We begin by addressing his arguments related to Count One.

Specifically, Cooper argues that the jury never saw the video footage (in State’s

Exhibit 1)5, but rather listened to the attorneys’ dictate the events depicted in the

four videos because the television in the trial court was too small and located too far

away from the jury panel. To that end, Cooper cites the following exchange between

the trial judge and the jurors to illustrate his argument:

[THE TRIAL COURT] By the end of the year, Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m getting a dropdown screen. You see the wire above counsel’s head there, we’re going to have -- so hopefully that will be a little bigger for everybody to see. Other improvements still under way in this courthouse.

5 State’s Exhibit 1 is a USB flash-memory drive (sometimes referred to as a “thumb” or “jump” drive) containing the body-camera footage from September 4, 2021 from Ofcrs. Ewalt, Guerkink, and Kelly as well as their supervisor, Lieutenant Rob Musser (“Lt. Musser”).

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(Nov. 9, 2022 Tr. at 107). Our review of the record makes it obvious that the trial

court’s discussion regarding the courthouse-renovation project was to “kill some

time” while the county prosecutor set-up the lectern for his closing argument. There

is simply no support in the record that the jurors were unable to see the videos as

they were played in open court during the course of the trial. As such, Cooper’s

argument lacks merit.

{¶33} Next, Cooper argues that the jury was more interested in going to

lunch and concluding their deliberations than weighing the evidence. In support of

his position, Cooper cites the following statement made by the trial judge to defense

counsel:

[The Trial Court] Very good. Well, the standard’s a little different now, but as I said this is a -- this is an evidentiary case. There is something like an hour -- I think there’s -- there’s four videos, and I -- I think they’re -- they range from a couple of minutes to 20 minutes apiece. There’s so much audio on them that can be interpreted one way or another, and juries will have to decide.

(Id. at 80). The record is clear that the trial judge was discussing Cooper’s renewed

motion for acquittal under Crim.R. 29, after the defense rested its case, and nothing

else as suggested by the appellant.

{¶34} Further, Cooper cites another statement of the trial judge made during

sentencing hearing:

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[The Trial Court] His body language is anything in that -- in -- in - - in those video than what he says here today. I don’t know another human being that would not have viewed it as harassing the police and -- inhibiting them from -- from doing their conduct. And this jury clearly felt that way returning a verdict in less than 30 minutes.

(Nov. 28, 2023 Tr. at 30). Here, the trial judge was commenting on Cooper’s lack

of remorse and his conduct depicted in the officers’ body-camera footage. Nothing

in this statement leads us to conclude that the jurors’ abdicated their responsibility

to consider the evidence and render a verdict concerning Count One. Rather, to us,

the trial judge is recognizing that the jury (after viewing the officers’ body-camera

footage during the course of the trial) must have viewed the obstructing-official-

business charge as an open-and-shut case. Thus, appellant’s second assertion lacks

merit.

{¶35} Finally, we address Cooper’s credibility argument (regarding Count

Two), wherein, he suggests that since two of the officers (Ofcr. Geurkink and Lt.

Musser) testified that they did not see Cooper swing or punch Ofcr. Kelly, the

weight of the evidence supports that Cooper did not cause or attempt to cause Ofcr.

Kelly physical harm. We disagree. Even though this credibility argument appears

to test the persuasiveness of the State’s evidence, it sounds in sufficiency, which we

have already addressed. Consequently, we limit our review here to the weight of

the evidence.

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{¶36} After reviewing the entire record, we conclude that the evidence we

have summarized in our sufficiency-of-the-evidence analysis (supporting Cooper’s

convictions) is weightier than the evidence against. Consequently, we will not say

that the evidence weighs heavily against Cooper’s convictions. Therefore, we do

not conclude that the jury clearly lost its way, which created a manifest miscarriage

of justice such that Cooper’s obstructing-official business and assault-on-an-officer

convictions must be reversed and a new trial ordered.

{¶37} Accordingly, Cooper’s fourth and fifth assignments of error are

The Appellant’s Trial Counsel Was Ineffective By Failing To Exclude Any Jurors For Cause, For Failing To Cross Examination Officer Kelly About His Prior 45 Incidents Of Use Of Force, By Failing To Ask For A Lesser Included Offense Of Disorderly Conduct, By Failing To Ask For Jury Instructions On Self-Defense And Failure To Object To Officer Kelly Being Designated Chair.

{¶38} In his third assignment of error, Cooper argues that his trial counsel

was ineffective. Specifically, Cooper raises five challenges regarding the

ineffectiveness of his trial counsel. He contends that his trial counsel was

ineffective for failing to exclude any jurors for cause; for failing to cross-examine

Ofcr. Kelly about his prior 45 incidents of use of force; for failing to ask for a lesser

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included offense of disorderly conduct; for failing to ask for jury instructions on

self-defense, and for his failure to object to Ofcr. Kelly being designated as chair.

{¶39} “In criminal proceedings, a defendant has the right to effective

assistance of counsel under both the United States and Ohio Constitutions.” State

v. Evick, 12th Dist. Clinton No. CA2019-05-010, 2020-Ohio-3072, ¶ 45. A

defendant asserting a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel must establish: (1)

counsel’s performance was deficient or unreasonable under the circumstances; and

(2) the deficient performance prejudiced the defendant. State v. Kole, 92 Ohio St.3d

303, 306 (2001), citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct.

2052, 2064 (1984). In order to show counsel’s conduct was deficient or

unreasonable, the defendant must overcome the presumption that counsel provided

competent representation and must show that counsel’s actions were not trial

strategies prompted by reasonable professional judgment. Strickland at 689.

Counsel is entitled to a strong presumption that all decisions fall within the wide

range of reasonable professional assistance. State v. Sallie, 81 Ohio St.3d 673, 675

(1998). Tactical or strategic trial decisions, even if unsuccessful, do not generally

constitute ineffective assistance. State v. Frazier, 61 Ohio St.3d 247, 255 (1991).

Rather, the errors complained of must amount to a substantial violation of counsel’s

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essential duties to his client. See State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 141-142

(1989).

{¶40} “Prejudice results when ‘there is a reasonable probability that, but for

counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been

different.’” State v. Liles, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-13-04, 2014-Ohio-259, ¶ 48, quoting

Bradley at 142, citing Strickland at 691. “‘A reasonable probability is a probability

sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.’” Id., quoting Bradley at 142

and citing Strickland at 694.

{¶41} We begin by addressing Cooper’s argument that his counsel was

ineffective during voir dire because he did not challenge any potential jurors for

cause. “Juror challenges ‘for cause’ are governed by Crim.R. 24(C) and R.C.

2945.25.” State v. Williams, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-19-70, 2021-Ohio-256, ¶ 38,

citing State v. Triplett, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2013CA00209, 2014-Ohio-3101, ¶ 30.

Significantly, Cooper did agree to the dismissal of certain jurors for cause.

Specifically, potential juror numbers 10, 13, 18, 23, 25, and 42 were all dismissed

by the agreement of the attorneys for cause. (See Nov. 8, 2022 Tr. at 10-14, 21, 35-

40, 159-160). Nonetheless, in this assignment of error, Cooper does not identify

any potential jurors that should have been released for cause nor does he point to

the record to identify the specific instance that support his belief that a potential

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juror should have been challenged for cause. Here, the record is void of any

evidence that other jurors should of or could have been challenged for cause.

Furthermore, he cannot show that he was prejudiced in any manner by the action or

inaction of his counsel. As a result, this portion of his argument lacks merit.

{¶42} Next, Cooper contends that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing

to cross-examine Ofcr. Kelly regarding his history of use of force and for not

requesting a jury instruction on self-defense.

{¶43} Cooper’s arguments fail for several reasons. First, Cooper’s trial

counsel admitted (at the sentencing hearing) that his decision to not cross-examine

Ofcr. Kelly regarding his use-of-force history was tactical regardless of its

admissibility since it was his intention to offer the specific instances of conduct in

mitigation of Cooper’s conduct. (Nov. 28, 2022 Tr. at 13). Following trial counsel’s

statements in mitigation, Cooper spoke to the trial court and stated “we didn’t put

on a defense. I didn’t feel like I need to, because I didn’t -- didn’t feel like the

prosecution had met their -- their burden of proof”. (Id. at 19).

{¶44} Secondly, the State clarified that Ofcr. Kelly had never to been found

in violation of department use-of-force policies. (Id. at 16). Consequently, even if

that information was offered and determined to be relevant, it had little-to-no

impeachment value.

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{¶45} Third, Cooper argues that he should have been permitted to cross-

examine Ofcr. Kelly (a victim) regarding the details of his use-of-force history. See

Evid.R. 404(A)(2). Put more plainly–Cooper contends that he should have been

permitted to cross-examine the officer regarding specific instances of conduct.

Under Evid.R. 405(B), the method for proving character by specific instances of

conduct can only be done “[i]n cases in which character or a trait of character of a

person is an essential element of a charge, claim, or defense, proof may also be

made of specific instances of his conduct.” (Emphasis added.) In this case, Ofcr.

Kelly’s “alleged” specific instances of conduct involving his prior uses of force is

not relevant. Moreover, those instances of force, standing alone, do not prove an

essential element of any charge, claim, or defense. Thus, Cooper cannot establish

that his counsel’s conduct regarding Ofcr. Kelly was deficient or unreasonable.

Hence, this portion of his argument lacks merit.

{¶46} Next, Cooper challenges his trial counsel’s failure to request a jury

instruction for a lesser-included offense of disorderly conduct. Disorderly Conduct

may, under certain circumstances, constitute a lesser-included offense of an assault

offense. See State v. Reynolds, 25 Ohio App.3d 59 (1st Dist. 1985); State v. Roberts,

7 Ohio App.3d 253 (1st Dist. 1985). Even if we assume without deciding that the

minor-misdemeanor form of disorderly conduct under R.C. 2917.11(B)(2) satisfies

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all three prongs of the Deem test6 and, therefore, is a lesser-included offense of

assault under R .C. 2903.13(A), such a conclusion does not end our analysis. The

mere fact that an offense is a lesser-included offense of a charged offense does not

mean that the trial court must instruct on both offenses. State v. Wilkins, 64 Ohio

St.2d 382, 387 (1980). See also State v. Simonis, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-14-05,

2014-Ohio-5091, ¶ 32 citing State v. Keith, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 08AP-28, 2008-

Ohio-6122, ¶ 35, citing Wilkins at 387. An instruction on a lesser-included offense

is only required where the evidence presented at trial would reasonably support both

an acquittal on the crime charged and a conviction upon the lesser-included offense.

State v. Trimble, 122 Ohio St.3d 297, 2009-Ohio-2961, ¶ 192; State v. Robb, 88

Ohio St.3d 59, 74 (2000); State v. Shane, 63 Ohio St.3d 630, 632-633 (1992). Here,

Cooper did not demonstrate that disorderly conduct is a lesser-included offense of

his particular assault charge nor did he establish that the evidence presented at trial

would have reasonably supported an acquittal for assault on an officer and a

conviction for disorderly conduct, and thus, he cannot demonstrate that he has

suffered any prejudice.

6 State v. Deem, 40 Ohio St.3d 205 (1988), paragraph three of the syllabus (“An offense may be a lesser included offense of another if (i) the offense carries a lesser penalty than the other; (ii) the greater offense cannot, as statutorily defined, ever be committed without the lesser offense, as statutorily defined, also being committed; and (iii) some element of the greater offense is not required to prove the commission of the lesser offense[]”), modified by, State v. Smith, 117 Ohio St.3d 447, 2008-Ohio-1260, and State v. Evans, 122 Ohio St.3d 381, 2009-Ohio-2974.

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{¶47} Finally, Cooper challenges that his trial counsel was ineffective for

failing to object to Ofcr. Kelly being seated at the prosecutor’s table. To us, Cooper

is arguing that his counsel was ineffective for failing to request separation and

exclusion of witnesses under Evid.R. 615(A). Evid.R. 615(A) provides that, “at the

request of a party the court shall order witnesses be excluded from the courtroom so

that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses * * *.” The trial court retains

broad discretion to order additional forms of separation as dictated by the

circumstances of the case. See 2003 Staff Note, Evid.R. 615. Evid.R. 615(A),

however, excludes the persons outlined in division (B). On this point, Evid.R.

615(B)(2) does not authorize the trial court to separate or exclude “an officer * * *

designated as its representative by its attorney”. Ohio courts have applied Evid.R.

615(B)(2) to law-enforcement officers permitting them to assist the prosecutor

during trial and to remain in the courtroom even when a separation or exclusion of

witnesses is ordered. See State v. Turner, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-96-27, 1997 WL

101776, *9 (Feb. 27, 1997), quoting U.S. V. Wells, 437 F.2d 1144, 1146 (6th

Cir.1971). “This is so even when the law-enforcement officer was a victim in the

case.” Montgomery, 169 Ohio St.3d 84, 2022-Ohio-2211, at ¶ 134, citing United

States v. Charles, 456 F.3d 249, 259 (1st Cir.2006). Although Cooper cites

Montgomery in support of his challenge, Montgomery directly contradicts this

assertion and is entirely distinguishable from the facts of this case. Namely, the

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victim permitted to sit at the prosecutor’s table in Montgomery “did not meet the

criteria to be designated as the [S]tate’s representative under Evid.R. 615(B)(2)”.

Id. at ¶ 18. Consequently, Cooper has failed to demonstrate that he was denied

effective assistance of counsel or establish that he has suffered any prejudice.

Therefore, this portion of his argument lacks merit.

{¶48} Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, Cooper’s third assignment

of error is overruled.

{¶49} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

MILLER, P.J. and WALDICK, J. concur.

/jlr

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