State v. Crosby

2014 Ohio 3691

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: August 22, 2014
• Docket: 13CA86
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Crosby, 2014-Ohio-3691.]

COURT OF APPEALS FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES: : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J. : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J. -vs- : : TIFFANY CROSBY : Case No. 13-CA-86 : Defendant-Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2012-CR-488

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT: August 22, 2014

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

ANDREA K. GREEN DAVID A. SAMS 239 West Main Street Box 40 Suite 101 West Jefferson, OH 43162 Lancaster, OH 43130 Fairfield County, Case No. 13-CA- 86 2

Farmer, J.

{¶1} On October 26, 2012, the Fairfield County Grand Jury indicted appellant,

Tiffany Crosby, on one count of aggravated possession of drugs in violation of R.C.

2925.11 and one count of endangering children in violation of R.C. 2919.22. Said

charges arose from an investigation involving a methamphetamine lab under the porch

of the house wherein appellant was residing with her children.

{¶2} A jury trial commenced on October 15, 2013. The jury found appellant

guilty as charged plus guilty of complicity to commit child endangering in violation of

R.C. 2923.03. As the trial court determined the endangering children conviction was an

allied offense of the complicity conviction, the state elected to pursue sentencing on the

endangering children conviction. By judgment entry filed November 13, 2013, the trial

court sentenced appellant to two years on the child endangering conviction and ten

months on the possession conviction, to be served consecutively, but suspended the

ten months in lieu of community control.

{¶3} Appellant filed an appeal and this matter is now before this court for

consideration. Assignments of error are as follows:

I

{¶4} "THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT'S CONVICTION FOR ENDANGERING

CHILDREN AND COMPLICITY THERETO ARE BASED ON INSUFFICIENT

EVIDENCE AND ARE OTHERWISE AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE

EVIDENCE CONTRARY TO OHIO LAW AND THE STATE AND FEDERAL

CONSTITUTIONS." Fairfield County, Case No. 13-CA- 86 3

II

{¶5} "THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF A FAIR TRIAL BY

PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT CONTRARY TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL

CONSTITUTIONS."

{¶6} Appellant claims her convictions for endangering children and complicity

thereto were against the sufficiency and manifest weight of the evidence. We disagree.

{¶7} On review for sufficiency, a reviewing court is to examine the evidence at

trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would support a conviction. State

v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991). "The relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the

evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have

found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt." Jenks at

paragraph two of the syllabus, following Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979). On

review for manifest weight, a reviewing court is to 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 jury clearly lost its way and

created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and

a new trial ordered." State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist.1983). See

also, State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 1997-Ohio-52. The granting of a new trial

"should be exercised only in the exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily

against the conviction." Martin at 175.

{¶8} Appellant was convicted of child endangering and complicity thereto in

violation of R.C. 2919.22(B)(6) and 2923.03 which state the following, respectively: Fairfield County, Case No. 13-CA- 86 4

[R.C. 2919.22] (B) No person shall do any of the following to a child

under eighteen years of age or a mentally or physically handicapped child

under twenty-one years of age:

(6) Allow the child to be on the same parcel of real property and

within one hundred feet of, or, in the case of more than one housing unit

on the same parcel of real property, in the same housing unit and within

one hundred feet of, any act in violation of section 2925.04 or 2925.041 of

the Revised Code when the person knows that the act is occurring,

whether or not any person is prosecuted for or convicted of the violation

of section 2925.04 or 2925.041 of the Revised Code that is the basis of

the violation of this division.

[R.C. 2923.03] (A) No person, acting with the kind of culpability

required for the commission of an offense, shall do any of the following:

(1) Solicit or procure another to commit the offense;

(2) Aid or abet another in committing the offense;

(3) Conspire with another to commit the offense in violation

of section 2923.01 of the Revised Code;

(4) Cause an innocent or irresponsible person to commit the

offense.

{¶9} Fairfield County Sheriff's Deputy Sergeant Lee Hawks testified upon

arriving at the home at approximately 10:15 p.m., he smelled "some type of solvent odor Fairfield County, Case No. 13-CA- 86 5

that resembled ether, very strong from the end of the driveway, which was probably

150, 200 feet from the house." T. at 90. Solvent is a necessary component in

methamphetamine labs. T. at 77. Upon investigation, police officers discovered a

methamphetamine lab underneath the porch attached to the home. T. at 92, 94-95.

Appellant's fiancé, Jon Schorr, and Daniel Cosner were inside manufacturing

methamphetamine. T. at 95. Deputy Joseph Boring testified when he pounded on the

door to the home and announced "there's a meth lab, and we're looking for a guy with a

gun" appellant did not act "as shocked as I would think." T. at 186. She was

"unbelievably calm when I brought up the entire situation." T. at 191. Deputy Nicholas

Graham testified appellant appeared "[s]omewhat startled, kind of in disbelief." T. at

158. Inside the home were appellant, Mr. Schorr's seventeen year old son, and two

young children. T. at 186. Appellant and Mr. Schorr were the parents of the two young

children. T. at 317-318. Sergeant Hawks opined the children were within fifty feet of

the methamphetamine lab. T. at 101. Inside the home on top of the refrigerator was a

pitcher of water and coffee filters, an indication of methamphetamine manufacturing. T.

at 105-106. Appellant's purse was searched whereupon a couple of little baggies of

methamphetamine were found. T. at 111, 212. Both Sergeant Hawks and Deputy Don

Abram testified that appellant admitted it was methamphetamine, she used

methamphetamine, and the drugs were manufactured and given to her by Mr. Schorr

the night before. T. at 115, 213. Prior to being taken to the police department, Mr.

Schorr required medical assistance as he had serious chemical burns on his left hand

and forearm which had occurred the day before in the lab. T. at 189. Fairfield County, Case No. 13-CA- 86 6

{¶10} Mr. Cosner testified when he was at the home making methamphetamine

with Mr. Schorr all day, he could hear the children inside the home. T. at 246.

{¶11} Mr. Schorr testified appellant was working all day and arrived home just

before the police showed up. T. at 319-320, 322-323. Three people testified appellant

had left work sometime after 9:30 p.m. T. at 370, 381, 396-397. Mr. Schorr stated he

always hid his methamphetamine manufacturing from appellant. T. at 338. He had just

placed the coffee filters on top of the refrigerator that evening, and had told appellant

the burns on his arm were caused by a gas leaking chainsaw. T. at 351. Mr. Schorr

testified appellant did not ask about any smell because "there was no smell." T. at 356.

He stated he placed the methamphetamine in appellant's purse to "smooth things over

with her" because his buddies were not "supposed to be there when she got home." T.

at 325.

{¶12} Appellant testified and admitted she had used methamphetamine. T. at

442. On two occasions, the children were in the home in bed. T. at 489. However, she

did not know Mr. Schorr was manufacturing the drug. T. at 444, 488. She thought he

obtained it from people who sold it in town. T. at 470-471. Appellant denied any

knowledge of the methamphetamine discovered in her purse, and denied making any

statements to the police about Mr. Schorr making it the night before. T. at 445, 483.

She did not notice the coffee filters on top of the refrigerator, and did not smell anything.

T. at 463, 485. Appellant admitted she did not trust Mr. Schorr with the children

because she "knew that he was using a lot." T. at 487-488. Appellant considered

herself responsible for the safety and health of the children at all times, even when she

was not present. T. at 488. Fairfield County, Case No. 13-CA- 86 7

{¶13} Appellant argues competent, credible, and substantial evidence was not

presented to establish that she knew there was an active methamphetamine lab

underneath the porch attached to the house containing her children.

{¶14} The weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses

are issues for the trier of fact. State v. Jamison, 49 Ohio St.3d 182 (1990). The trier of

fact "has the best opportunity to view the demeanor, attitude, and credibility of each

witness, something that does not translate well on the written page." Davis v.

Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 418, 1997-Ohio-260. In addition, circumstantial evidence

is that which can be "inferred from reasonably and justifiably connected facts." State v.

Fairbanks, 32 Ohio St.2d 34 (1972), paragraph five of the syllabus. "[C]ircumstantial

evidence may be more certain, satisfying and persuasive than direct evidence." State v.

Richey, 64 Ohio St.3d 353, 1992-Ohio-44. It is to be given the same weight and

deference as direct evidence. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991).

{¶15} Upon review, we find sufficient evidence, if believed, to support a

conviction of child endangering under R.C. 2919.22(B)(6) or complicity thereto, and no

manifest miscarriage of justice.

{¶16} Assignment of Error I is denied.

{¶17} Appellant claims she was deprived of a fair trial due to prosecutorial

misconduct. We disagree.

{¶18} The test for prosecutorial misconduct is whether the prosecutor's

comments and remarks were improper and if so, whether those comments and remarks

prejudicially affected the substantial rights of the accused. State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d Fairfield County, Case No. 13-CA- 86 8

160 (1990). In reviewing allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, it is our duty to

consider the complained of conduct in the context of the entire trial. Darden v.

Wainwright, 477 U.S. 168 (1986).

{¶19} Appellant complains of several questions/comments by the prosecutor, all

of which were not objected to. T. at 349, 350, 489, 555, 587, 590-591. An error not

raised in the trial court must be plain error for an appellate court to reverse. State v.

Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91 (1978); Crim.R. 52(B). In order to prevail under a plain error

analysis, appellant bears the burden of demonstrating that the outcome of the trial

clearly would have been different but for the error. Long. Notice of plain error "is to be

taken with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a

manifest miscarriage of justice." Id. at paragraph three of the syllabus.

{¶20} Two of the complained of questions occurred during the cross-

examination of Mr. Schorr and were based on statements made by him on direct. T. at

339, 349-350. Another complained of question was directed to appellant regarding the

scope of her opinion on her responsibility for the safety and health of her children. T. at

488-489. She had every opportunity to explain herself. The trial court instructed the

jury that "[y]ou must never assume or speculate on the truth of any suggestion or

insinuation included in a question put to a witness by counsel unless it was confirmed

by the witnesses." T. at 597.

{¶21} The complained of comments occurred during closing argument. In

considering these comments in the context of the entire trial, we do not find any

prosecutorial misconduct. The trial court properly instructed the jury that any

statements made by the attorneys do not constitute evidence. T. at 47, 596-597. Fairfield County, Case No. 13-CA- 86 9

{¶22} Upon review, we find the complained of questions/comments did not

prejudicially affect appellant's substantial rights, and there is no showing that the

outcome of the trial clearly would have been different but for the questions/comments.

{¶23} Assignment of Error II is denied.

{¶24} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Fairfield County, Ohio is

hereby affirmed.

By Farmer, J.

Gwin, P.J. and

Baldwin, J. concur.

SGF/sg 802