[Cite as State v. Harvey, 2020-Ohio-329.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT MARION COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, CASE NO. 9-19-34 PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
v.
MARCUS G. HARVEY, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Marion Municipal Court Trial Court No. CRB1803052
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: February 3, 2020
APPEARANCES:
Robert C. Nemo for Appellant
Michael D. Swartz for Appellee Case No. 9-19-34
WILLAMOWSKI, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Marcus G. Harvey (“Harvey”) appeals the
judgment of the Municipal Court of Marion County, alleging that his two
convictions are not supported by sufficient evidence; that his two convictions are
against the manifest weight of the evidence; that the trial court erred by admitting
evidence at trial in contravention of its prior ruling on a motion in limine; and that
he was denied his right to the effective assistance of counsel. For the reasons set
forth below, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On November 19, 2018, a Special Response Team (“SRT”) with the
Marion City Police Department went to execute an arrest warrant for Jacob Mullett
(“Mullett”) at 848 Adams Street in Marion County. Tr. 94, 133. After Lieutenant
Josh Harris (“Lt. Harris”) breached Mullett’s door, fourteen or fifteen dogs ran
outside of the house. Tr. 175. The SRT went inside and apprehended Mullett. Tr.
205. In response to this commotion, Harvey’s girlfriend, Donna Artressia
(“Donna”), came out of the house which was across the street from Mullett’s
residence and began to yell at the police officers about the dogs. Tr. 215-216, 235.
Donna’s mother, Misty Artressia (“Misty”), also came outside to see what was
happening. Tr. 236.
{¶3} Around ten minutes after Donna came outside, Harvey emerged from
the Artressias’ house and approached Donna, who was still yelling and cursing at
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the police officers. Tr. 217, 254. Around this time, Officer Nicholas Geurkink
(“Officer Geurkink”) was walking Mullett, who was handcuffed, to the back of his
police cruiser. Tr. 206. At this point, Harvey walked into the middle of the street.
Tr. 240. Officer Richard Wheeler (“Officer Wheeler”) testified that Harvey was
yelling various statements at the police. “F you guys.” Tr. 97. “Let me see an F’ing
search warrant.” Tr. 101. “This is a declaration of war.” Tr. 101. “This means
war.” Tr. 101.
{¶4} Officer Wheeler stated that Harvey was behaving aggressively and
placed hands in his pockets as he approached the police. Tr. 101, 104. Lieutenant
Mark Elliott (“Lt. Elliott”) told Harvey that he “need[ed] to back up, you need to
get out of the street or you’re gonna be placed under arrest.” Tr. 98. As Officer
Wheeler and Lt. Elliott walked towards the defendant, Harvey began to step back.
Officer Wheeler testified that Harvey was not complying with orders to take his
hands out of his pockets. Tr. 119. The police officers testified that they were
concerned that Harvey may have a weapon. Tr. 101, 155. At this point, the police
informed Harvey that he was under arrest. Tr. 99.
{¶5} Officer Wheeler grabbed one of Harvey’s arms while Lt. Elliott
grabbed his other arm. Tr. 99. Officer Wheeler testified that he told Harvey to stop
resisting arrest and that Harvey would still not remove his hands from his pockets.
Tr. 102. Lt. Elliott testified that Donna was, at this point, swearing at the officers
and was interfering with the arrest. Tr. 156. Lt. Harris came over to help Officer
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Wheeler because Lt. Elliott was preoccupied with Donna. Tr. 102, 181. Lt. Harris
stated that Harvey “turned more aggressive” and started “pushing, pulling away,
resisting.” Tr. 181.
{¶6} Eventually, the officers were able to get Harvey’s hands out of his
pockets and found that Harvey was clutching a key. Tr. 186. Lt. Harris testified
that Harvey “had the key fob portion on the palm, and then the outside of his hand
where the car key’s sticking out, you can infer it was more like a stabbing weapon.”
Tr. 186. Lt. Harris stated that he told Harvey to drop the key multiple times but that
Harvey refused to release the key. Tr. 187. Lt. Harris then warned Harvey that he
(Harvey) was going to be tased if he did not comply. Tr. 187. At this point, Officer
Geurkink gave Lt. Harris a taser. Tr. 208. The officers then tased Harvey. Tr. 188.
Harvey then released the key from his hand. Tr. 188. The police then handcuffed
Harvey and took him into custody. Tr. 188.
{¶7} On November 20, 2018, Harvey was charged with one count of
resisting arrest in violation of R.C. 2921.33(A); one count of obstructing official
business in violation of R.C. 2921.31; and one count of persistent disorderly conduct
in violation of R.C. 2917.11(A)(2). Doc. 1, 2, 3. This case proceeded to a jury trial
on May 1, 2019. Tr. 1. The State called Officer Wheeler, Officer Geurkink, Lt.
Elliott, Lt. Harris, Donna, and Misty as witnesses. Tr. 277.
{¶8} After the State rested, Harvey testified in his own defense. He stated
that he did not swear at the police officers or act in a belligerent manner. Tr. 269.
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He stated that he approached the police with his hands behind his back and asked
them if they had a warrant. Tr. 269. Harvey testified that the police responded to
his question by saying, “[W]e got your f****** warrant.” Tr. 272. He did admit
that he, at some point, put his hands in his pockets. Tr. 269. Harvey also stated that
the police did not tell him that he was under arrest and that he did not struggle with
them. Tr. 256. He testified that he tried to let go of the key in his hands but the
police officer’s grip prevented him from doing so. Tr. 271.
{¶9} On May 1, 2019, the jury found Harvey guilty of one count of resisting
arrest and one count of persistent disorderly conduct. Doc. 4, 37. The jury found
Harvey not guilty of the charge of obstructing official business. Doc. 37. The
appellant filed his notice of appeal on May 31, 2019. Doc. 46. On appeal, Harvey
raises the following four assignments of error:
First Assignment of Error
The jury’s guilty verdict of persistent disorderly conduct was against the manifest weight of the evidence.1
Second Assignment of Error
The jury’s guilty verdict of resisting arrest was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
1 While the caption of Harvey’s first and second assignments of error only raise manifest weight challenges to his two convictions, the corresponding arguments, in the text of his brief, raise sufficiency of the evidence and manifest weight challenges to his two convictions. For this reason, we will perform both the manifest weight and sufficiency of the evidence analyses.
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Third Assignment of Error
The trial court erred by admitting previously precluded evidence on the stipulated video to go to the jury after sustaining appellant’s motion in limine concerning a portion of the video.
Fourth Assignment of Error
Appellant was denied his constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel.
{¶10} Harvey argues that his conviction for persistent disorderly conduct
was not supported by sufficient evidence because (1) the State “failed to prove
appellant’s language and/or conduct was likely to incite violence or encourage
disobedience” and (2) the “alleged inconvenience only affected [the police officers
in their] official capacity.” Appellant’s Brief, 13. He also argues that his conviction
is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Sufficiency of the Evidence Legal Standard
{¶11} A challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a conviction
“is a question of law and a ‘test of adequacy rather than credibility or weight of the
evidence.’” State v. Beaver, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-17-37, 2018-Ohio-2438, ¶ 40,
quoting State v. Berry, 3d Dist. Defiance No. 4-12-03, 2013-Ohio-2380, ¶ 19. “The
sufficiency-of-the-evidence analysis addresses the question of whether adequate
evidence was produced for the case to be considered by the trier of fact and, thus,
whether the evidence was ‘legally sufficient to support the verdict * * *.’” State v.
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Luebrecht, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-18-02, 2019-Ohio-1573, ¶ 36, quoting State v.
Worthington, 3d Dist. Hardin No. 6-15-04, 2016-Ohio-530, ¶ 12. On appeal, the
applicable standard
is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found that the essential elements of the crime were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
State v. Brown, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-17-19, 2018-Ohio-899, ¶ 8, quoting State
v. Plott, 2017-Ohio-38, 80 N.E.3d 1108, ¶ 73 (3d Dist.).
Manifest Weight of the Evidence Legal Standard
{¶12} In a manifest weight analysis, “an appellate court’s function * * * is
to determine whether the greater amount of credible evidence supports the verdict.”
Plott, supra, at ¶ 73. Thus, “the appellate court sits as a ‘thirteenth juror’ * * *.”
State v. Davis, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-16-30, 2017-Ohio-2916, ¶ 17, quoting State
v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). Appellate courts
must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all of the reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses, and determine whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the factfinder ‘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. Brentlinger, 2017-Ohio-2588, 90 N.E.3d 200, ¶ 36 (3d Dist.), quoting
Thompkins at 387.
{¶13} “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
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witnesses.” State v. Sullivan, 2017-Ohio-8937, 102 N.E.3d 86, ¶ 38 (3d Dist.),
quoting State v. Coleman, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-13-53, 2014-Ohio-5320, ¶ 7. “[I]t
is well established that the * * * credibility of the witnesses [is] primarily a matter
for the trier of fact.” State v. Gervin, 2016-Ohio-8399, 79 N.E.3d 59, ¶ 142 (3d
Dist.), quoting State v. Clark, 101 Ohio App.3d 389, 409, 655 N.E.2d 795 (8th Dist.
1995). “Only in exceptional cases, where the evidence ‘weighs heavily against the
conviction,’ should an appellate court overturn the trial court’s judgment.” State v.
Little, 2016-Ohio-8398, 78 N.E.3d 323, ¶ 27 (3d Dist.), quoting State v. Hunter, 131
Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, 960 N.E.2d 955, ¶ 119.
Persistent Disorderly Conduct Legal Standard
{¶14} In order to establish that Harvey engaged in persistent disorderly
conduct in violation of R.C. 2917.11(A)(2), the State had to demonstrate that
Harvey “[1] recklessly [2] cause[d] inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to another”
by “[m]aking unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance, gesture, or
display or communicating unwarranted and grossly abusive language to any person”
and [3] that he “persist[ed] in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning or request
to desist.” R.C. 2917.11(A)(2), (3)(a).
{¶15} The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the
right to free speech. However, a class of speech that is not protected by the First
Amendment is “fighting words.” Chaplinsky v. State of New Hampshire, 315 U.S.
568, 573, 62 S.Ct. 766, 770, 86 L.Ed. 1031 (1942). The United States Supreme
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Court has formulated a test to determine whether statements are constitutionally
protected free speech or fighting words. Id. “The test is what men of common
intelligence would understand would be words likely to cause an average addressee
to fight.” Id.
{¶16} “A person may not be punished under R.C. 2917.11(A)(2) * * * unless
the words spoken are likely, by their very utterance, to inflict injury or provoke the
average person to an immediate retaliatory breach of the peace.” State v. Hoffman,
57 Ohio St.2d 129, 387 N.E.2d 239 (1978), first paragraph of the syllabus. “In
determining whether this appellant’s language or any other similar type language is
fighting words, and as such restricted speech, one must look at the circumstances
surrounding such utterance.” State v. Presley, 81 Ohio App.3d 721, 724, 612 N.E.2d
353 (12th Dist. 1992).
{¶17} “[I]n most of the cases in which a police officer is the offended party,
there is a distinction between the mere use of profane language in the presence of
the police officer and when the language is directed to the officer personally.” State
v. Wood, 112 Ohio App.3d 621, 628, 679 N.E.2d 735, 740 (11th Dist. 1996). “Ohio
consistently cautions that law enforcement officers must have a thicker skin than
the public as a whole.” State v. Beamer, 5th Dist. Coshocton No. 11CA14, 2012-
Ohio-2222, ¶ 18. However, “[t]o tell anyone, including a police officer, “f[***]
you,” either verbally or via an extended digit, may indeed constitute fighting words,
depending on the circumstances.” Wood at 628. In other circumstances, “[s]uch
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language, although crude, merely reflects a general commentary about the situation
and not a direct attack on the officers.” Id. at 629. Generally, however, “something
more than mere profanity is required to constitute fighting words.” City of
Chillicothe v. Lowery, 4th Dist. Ross No. 97 CA 2331, 1998 WL 396316, *7 (July
13, 1998).
{¶18} In determining whether profane utterances constitute fighting words,
courts have considered whether the conduct accompanying these statements is
hostile or threatening. See Brooks v. City of West Point, Miss., 639 Fed.Appx. 986,
997 (5th Cir. 2016) (finding the defendant’s statements were not accompanied by
“any overt hostile act, conduct or gesture” and were, therefore, not fighting words.);
U.S. v. Poocha, 259 F.3d 1077 (9th Cir. 2001) (considering the defendant’s words
in addition to “his hostile and defiant expressive conduct * * *.”); State v. Rossiter,
4th Dist. Ross No. 96 CA 2202, 1997 WL 147532, *9 (Mar. 26, 1997) (finding
statements were fighting words because the “appellant combined his words with
actions when he swung at” a police officer.); City of Shaker Heights v. Marcus, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 61801, 1993 WL 27676, *3 (Feb. 4, 1993) (considering the
defendant’s “words * * * in the context of [his] actions” that included “getting in
[the police officer’s] face and slamming his fist upon [a] desk.”); City of Kent v.
Dawson, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2000-P-0094, 2001 WL 637475, *2 (June 8, 2001)
(holding the defendant’s “language and conduct constituted fighting words.”).
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{¶19} Courts, in determining whether offensive statements are fighting
words, have also considered whether the defendant has repeated profane statements
directed at a police officer after the defendant has been ordered to stop. State v.
Semple, 58 Ohio App.3d 93, 93, 568 N.E.2d 750 (1st Dist. 1989); City of Cleveland
v. Smith, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 62560, 1993 WL 437661, *3 (Oct. 28, 1993)
(holding “constitutionally unprotected “fighting words” have been found where the
defendant repeatedly directs to the police profane epithets which would provoke the
average person to a breach of the peace.”); City of Eastlake v. Kirkpatrick, 11th Dist.
Lake No. 2007-L-064, 2007-Ohio-6945, ¶ 24, citing Wood, supra, at 628.
Sufficiency of the Evidence Analysis
{¶20} In the first argument in his sufficiency of the evidence challenge,
Harvey uses several case illustrations to argue that offensive language uttered at a
police officer does not constitute disorderly conduct because such statements are
not fighting words. State v. Robison, 83 Ohio App.3d 337, 338, 614 N.E.2d 1109,
1110 (11th Dist. 1992); State v. Lamm, 80 Ohio App.3d 510, 609 N.E.2d 1286 (4th
Dist. 1993); State v. Maxson, 66 Ohio App.3d 32, 583 N.E.2d 402 (1st Dist. 1990).
We will consider these case illustrations in turn.
{¶21} Harvey cites State v. Robison to argue that profane language that is
uttered at the police does not constitute threatening behavior. Robison at 337. In
Robison, the police went to a house in response to a call. Id. At the house, Robison
refused to come outside and yelled profanities at the police. Robison at 338.
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Robison was then arrested and charged with a violation of Warren Codified
Ordinance 509.03.2 Id. at 339. Under this provision, the State had to prove that the
defendant “threaten[ed] harm to persons or property.” Id. at 339. The Eleventh
District determined that this was a “borderline situation” and that the State did not
produce any evidence “regarding the element of ‘harm.’” Id. at 338-339. Thus, the
appellate court reversed Robison’s conviction for disorderly conduct. Id. at 339.
{¶22} Even if Robison had been charged under R.C. 2917.11(A)(2), the case
before this Court is still distinguishable.3 In Robison, the Eleventh District held that
“under most circumstances, cursing at an officer does not in and of itself constitute
disorderly conduct * * *.” (Emphasis added.) Robison at 339. Further, the State
did not establish that Robison “engage[d] in any threatening conduct or ma[d]e any
overt threats against the complaining officer.” (Emphasis added.) State v.
Imperatore, 9th Dist. Medina No. 2354-M, 1995 WL 256176, *2 (May 3, 1995)
(distinguishing Robison from the case before that court).
{¶23} In the case before this Court, Harvey did not merely utter obscenities
at the police. His profanity was accompanied by threatening conduct. Harvey
refused to remove his hands from his pockets, gripped his key as though it were a
2 Warren Codified Ordinance 509.03 reads the same as R.C. 2917.11(A)(1). Harvey, however, was charged with a violation of R.C. 2917.11(A)(2). 3 We note that courts have held that a defendant’s refusal to show his or her hands to the police, after being ordered to do so, is disorderly conduct under R.C. 2917.11(A)(1). City of Garfield Heights v. Timoneri, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 67085, 1994 WL 723705, *3 (Dec. 29, 1994); State v. Cookingham, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2017-A-0023, 2017-Ohio-8362, ¶¶ 4, 26. However, in the case before this Court, the State charged Harvey with a violation of R.C. 2917.11(A)(2). Thus, in our analysis, we will consider whether the State established a violation of R.C. 2911.17(A)(2).
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“stabbing weapon,” and refused to drop the key when ordered to do so. Tr. 187.
The police testified at trial that this key could have been used as a weapon. Tr. 168,
200. Further, the record indicates that the police did not move to arrest Harvey until
after he was warned multiple times to remove his hands from his pockets and refused
to do so. Tr. 101.
{¶24} The testimony of the police officers indicates that Harvey’s conduct
alongside his profane utterances and aggressive demeanor were the impetus for the
police to arrest him for disorderly conduct. Tr. 101. Officer Wheeler stated:
He [Harvey] wouldn’t take his hands out of his pockets. He—he’s like ‘don’t F’ing touch me.’
So at this point, our main concern was; one, what’s in his hands? We can’t see what’s in his pockets. At this point he’s under arrest. So we struggled to get, you know, his hands out from inside of his pockets.
Tr. 101. Thus, the police did not act to arrest Harvey for disorderly conduct simply
because Harvey was uttering obscenities at them. The police only acted to arrest
him after he refused to take his hands out of his pockets. Tr. 101.
{¶25} Harvey next cites State v. Lamm and State v. Maxson to argue that the
State failed to establish that his statements constituted fighting words. Lamm, supra,
at 510. Maxon, supra, at 404. In Lamm, the defendant was speeding. Lamm, supra,
at 512. After the defendant had parked and exited his car, a police officer
approached him. Id. Lamm responded by yelling profanity at the police and
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continued to do so after being warned to stop by the police officer. Id. At trial, the
police officer testified as follows:
Q. At no time during this entire night did you, none of what Keith said moved you to fight did it?
[Police Officer:] It wasn’t what he said that would, would cause an altercation, it was his resistance after the point of arrest.
Q. Well, we’re not here about what happened after the arrest. What I’m asking you is based on your training and experience as a police officer. What Keith Lamm was saying to you really did not upset you at all did it?
[Police Officer:] I’ve been called those names before sir.
Q. Okay. And it’s something that you just let it roll off your back, you just go along, you just go do your job, isn’t that correct?
[Police Officer:] I usually make an arrest in those events, but yes, that, that doesn’t bother me. I don’t lose any sleep over it.
(Emphasis added.) Id. at 514. The Fourth District held that Lamm’s statements did
not constitute fighting words. Id. at 515.
{¶26} In Maxson, a police officer was writing a citation for an illegally
parked vehicle. Maxson, supra, at 35. Maxson yelled multiple profane statements
at the officer. Id. Maxon was told multiple times to refrain from uttering obscene
statements. Id. On appeal, the First District reversed Maxon’s conviction for
disorderly conduct, determining that the State did not establish that Maxon’s
statements were “likely to provoke the average person to an immediate retaliatory
breach of their peace.” Id. at 34.
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{¶27} In the case before this Court, Officer Wheeler testified that Harvey
was yelling “let me see an F’ing search warrant”, “F you guys”, “this is a declaration
of war”, and “this means war.” Tr. 97. He further testified that he has “been called
very, very horrific things that [he has] * * * not arrested individuals for because it
doesn’t bother me.” Tr. 114. Officer Wheeler first pointed to the fact that Harvey
was yelling obscenities in the middle of the street. Tr. 118. Officer Wheeler then
testified that Harvey ultimately “was not arrested for those statements alone.” Tr.
116. These statements were accompanied by Harvey being “aggressive at that point
with what he was saying, the way his body posture was, putting his hands—how he
was saying the things he was saying.” Tr. 104-105. Officer Wheeler also testified
that he was also concerned when Harvey put his hands in his pockets because the
people who lived across the street were “interconnected” with Mullett. Tr. 100.
{¶28} Lt. Elliott similarly testified that he did not “personally find
[Harvey’s] language offensive.” Tr. 153. He stated that hearing the phrase “this is
a declaration of war,” put the police “obviously * * * a lot more on high alert than
we already [were].” Tr. 100. However, Lt. Elliott testified that Harvey’s “actions
and shoving his hands in his pockets would make me believe that he had a weapon,
which is why we made contact with him and grabbed his arms.” Tr. 155. He also
noted that Harvey was yelling obscenities “in the middle of the street.” Tr. 153-
154.
{¶29} Lt. Harris also testified as followed:
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[Prosecutor]: Then again before the arrest began, did you hear any of the specific statements Mr. Harvey said?
[Lt. Harris]: He made a declaration—I believe he said ‘an act of war.’ At that point he puts his hands in his pockets.
Tr. 182. Lt. Harris stated that Harvey’s “tone of voice sounded angry.” Tr. 189.
{¶30} The testimony at trial indicates that Harvey was “aggressive,”
“agitated,” and “angry.” Tr. 104, 136, 189. Further, he was screaming about an
“act of war” and a “declaration of war” in conjunction with putting his hands into
his pockets. Tr. 100-101. The act of putting his hands into his pockets led the police
to believe that Harvey may have had a weapon. Tr. 101. Because Harvey did not
simply utter profane language in the presence of the police, we find Lamm and
Maxson to be distinguishable from the case before us.
{¶31} Second, Harvey cites State v. Miller to argue that a defendant’s actions
do not amount to disorderly conduct “when [a police officer is] affected in his
official, and not personal, needs and comfort * * *.” State v. Miller, 67 Ohio App.2d
127, 128, 426 N.E.2d 497, 498 (3d Dist. 1980). In Miller, a police officer came
upon the defendant (“Miller”) wrestling with another man. Id. The two men
“immediately stopped” wrestling when the police officer arrived on the scene. Id.
Miller “was charged with inconveniencing [the police officer].” Id. However,
during his trial testimony, the police officer affirmed that Miller “caused [him]
absolutely no trouble * * *.” Id. This Court concluded that this “altercation created
not an inconvenience [for the police officer], but a job.” Id.
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{¶32} We conclude that Miller is distinguishable from the case before us. In
Miller, the defendant’s conduct was “directed toward another party,” not the police
officer. State v. Freewalt, 3d Dist. Auglaize No. 2-87-11, 1988 WL 72400, *3 (June
30, 1988) (holding “that simply because a police officer must routinely expect to
encounter the language or conduct proscribed in R.C. 2917.11 in the course of
performing his job, such conduct or language is not actionable as to him under that
statute.”). Further, the police officer testified at trial that Miller caused him
“absolutely no trouble.” Miller at 128. Thus, this Court held that Miller’s conduct
was not “actionable as to the [police officer] * * *.” (Emphasis added.) Freewalt
at *3. By contrast, Harvey’s conduct was directed at the police. The police testified
at trial that Harvey’s behavior was “aggressive” and that he appeared “agitated.”
Tr. 104, 136. The police also testified that Harvey did not comply with orders and
yelled at them. Tr. 97, 102, 119, 135-136.
{¶33} In the end, the State, at trial, presented evidence that Harvey
approached the police in an aggressive and agitated manner. Tr. 104. He was
yelling profanity in the middle of the street that was directed at the police officers.
Tr. 101, 118, 136. Then, as he was yelling that the police officers’ actions were a
“declaration of war” and an “act of war,” Harvey put his hands into his pockets. Tr.
97, 100, 136, 182. These actions, in conjunction with each other, led the police to
be concerned that Harvey may have had a weapon and prompted the police to arrest
Harvey. Tr. 101. The testimony at trial further indicates that the police ordered
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Harvey multiple times to take his hands out of his pockets and that Harvey refused
to comply with these orders. Tr. 101, 119, 138. Under these specific circumstances,
we conclude that Harvey’s statements constitute fighting words. Thus, after
reviewing this evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, we conclude
that Harvey’s conviction for disorderly conduct is supported by sufficient evidence.
Manifest Weight Analysis
{¶34} Harvey also argues that his conviction is against the manifest weight
of the evidence because Donna and Misty’s testimony contradicted the police
officers’ testimony. At trial, Donna testified that she went outside because she
wanted to check on Mullett’s dogs. Tr. 223. She stated that she was “spazzing out”
and “yelling.” Tr. 224. She said that Harvey did not make any profane statements
towards the police or behave aggressively towards them, though she did admit that
she behaved aggressively towards the police. Tr. 223.
{¶35} Misty testified that Harvey did not swear at the police officers and
“politely” asked them if they had a warrant. However, she did say that Donna was
yelling obscene language at the police officers. Tr. 236. She stated that the police
grabbed Harvey as he turned away from them. Tr. 237. She remembered hearing
the police order Harvey to drop his key. Tr. 240. She also testified that she had “no
relationship” with Harvey prior to the day of this incident. Tr. 240.
{¶36} Further, Harvey testified that he approached the police officers and
asked “may I please see an arrest warrant[?]” He also testified that the police
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officers were “lying.” Tr. 269. He denied ever behaving belligerently or directing
profane language towards the police officers. Tr. 269. He did, however, admit to
putting his hands in his pockets. Tr. 269.
{¶37} In this case, there is conflicting testimony as to what happened.
“However, a conviction is not against the manifest weight of the evidence simply
because the testimony presented at trial is in conflict and the jurors chose to believe
the State’s witnesses.” State v. Garey, 3d Dist. Auglaize No. 2-19-03, 2019-Ohio-
4525, ¶ 17. After reviewing the evidence in the record, we do not find any indication
that the jury lost its way and returned a verdict that was against the manifest weight
of the evidence. For these reasons, Harvey’s first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶38} In this assignment of error, Harvey first argues that his conviction for
resisting arrest is not supported by sufficient evidence because he was not lawfully
arrested. He then argues that his conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence because some of the testimony presented at trial suggests that he did not
physically resist his arrest.
Legal Standard
{¶39} We herein reincorporate the sufficiency of the evidence and manifest
weight standards set forth under Harvey’s first assignment of error. In order to
establish that Harvey resisted arrest in violation of R.C. 2921.33(A), the State had
to demonstrate that Harvey “[1] recklessly or by force, [2] * * * resist[ed] or
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interfere[d] [3] with a lawful arrest * * *.” R.C. 2921.33(A). “Under the plain
language of R.C. 2921.33(A), the arrest must be lawful in order to be convicted of
the crime of resisting arrest.” State v. Nye, 3d Dist. Seneca Nos. 13-97-18 and 13-
97-19, 1997 WL 762824, *2 (Dec. 12, 1997). “An arrest is “lawful” if under the
surrounding circumstances, the police officer had a reasonable basis or probable
cause to believe that an offense has been committed.” Id.
{¶40} Harvey argues that his arrest was not lawful because he did not
commit the offense of persistent disorderly conduct. To support this assertion, he
largely reiterates the arguments that he made in his first assignment of error. For
several reasons, we find that Harvey’s conviction for resisting arrest is supported by
sufficient evidence. First, we determined that the arguments in his first assignment
of error were without merit and found that his conviction for persistent disorderly
conduct was supported by sufficient evidence. In other words, we concluded that
the State was able to present some evidence at trial that established that Harvey
committed the offense of persistent disorderly conduct in the presence of the police.
{¶41} Second, the State presented evidence that persistent disorderly
conduct was an arrestable offense. Officer Wheeler testified that the police are
authorized to make an arrest for persistent disorderly conduct. Tr. 93. Further, Lt.
Elliott testified that the police do not make arrests for disorderly conduct but do
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make arrests for persistent disorderly conduct. Tr. 153.4 Third, Lt. Elliott also
testified that he believed, at the time of the arrest, that Harvey was engaged in
persistent disorderly conduct. Tr. 153.
{¶42} This evidence demonstrates that the police had “a reasonable basis or
probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed.” Nye, supra, at *2.
After reviewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, we
conclude that there was some evidence presented at trial that substantiates the
element of lawful arrest. Thus, Harvey’s conviction for resisting arrest is supported
by sufficient evidence.
{¶43} Harvey argues that, even if his arrest was lawful, he did not resist his
arrest. To support this argument, he points to the testimony of Misty and Donna.
Misty testified that the police “grabbed” Harvey. Tr. 237. Similarly, Donna stated
that the police officers “came up behind us and grabbed [Harvey] * * *.” Tr. 219.
Donna testified that she did not see Harvey use the key in his hand as a weapon or
swing this key at the police officers. Tr. 227. She also characterized the police
officers’ treatment of Harvey as “assault.” Tr. 226.
4 While disorderly conduct is a minor misdemeanor, persistent disorderly conduct is a fourth degree misdemeanor. R.C. 2917.11(E)(3)(a). A “[v]iolation of a minor misdemeanor ordinarily is not an arrestable offense.” State v. Ewing, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 09-AP-776, 2010-Ohio-1385, ¶ 28, citing R.C. 2935.26 (stating the general rule that police officers should issue citations for minor misdemeanors rather than make an arrest). Thus, this testimony is evidence that supports the lawful arrest element of resisting arrest.
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{¶44} Harvey testified that he did not resist arrest. He stated that the police
did not give him a chance to take his hands out of his pocket and that the police did
not tell him that he was under arrest. Tr. 257. He denied fighting with the officers
or “swing[ing] at them.” Tr. 256. He also stated that he could not release his keys
from his hands because his “hands were being held closed” by the police. Tr. 258,
270-271. He said that the police “did not give [him] time to respond * * *” to their
orders. Tr. 270.
{¶45} At trial, however, Officer Wheeler testified that Harvey “wouldn’t
take his hands out of his pockets” after Lt. Elliott informed Harvey that he was under
arrest. Tr. 101. Harvey, at this point, told the officers “don’t F’ing touch me.” Tr.
101. Officer Wheeler stated that he “struggled” with Harvey to get his hands out of
his pockets and that the police had to “take [Harvey] to the ground” because this
would enable him to “get better control over” him. Tr. 102. He also stated that the
officers repeatedly told Harvey to “stop resisting, place your hands behind your
back, you’re under arrest.” Tr. 102. Officer Wheeler stated that officers ultimately
had to use a taser in order to get the keys out of Harvey’s hands and to put him in
handcuffs. Tr. 103.
{¶46} Lt. Harris testified that “Lieutenant Elliott and Officer Wheeler were
going to conduct an arrest on [Harvey]. He was being, at that point, not necessarily
combative, but * * * at that point they actually picked [Harvey] up and [were]
walking with him, that turned more aggressive, he was pushing, pulling away,
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resisting.” Tr. 181. He stated that Harvey was “actively pulling away from me
when he’s under arrest” and that Harvey would “not give me his hands.” Tr. 183.
Lt. Harris stated that “pressure points and joint manipulation” were ineffective at
getting Harvey into handcuffs. Lt. Harris testified that the police had to use a taser
“to release the key out of [Harvey’s] hand” and to “place[] him in handcuffs behind
his back.” Tr. 188.
{¶47} Again, the fact that there is conflicting testimony presented at trial
does not establish that a conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
State v. Dendinger, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-18-38, 2019-Ohio-2158, ¶ 21. “The
finder of fact is free to believe all, some, or none of the testimony of each witness
appearing before it.” State v. Houdeshell, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-18-02, 2018-
Ohio-5217, ¶ 39. After examining the evidence in the record, we do not find any
indication that the jurors lost their way and returned a verdict that was against the
manifest weight of the evidence. Harvey’s second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶48} Harvey argues that the trial court erred by admitting video evidence
that he alleges should have been excluded pursuant to the trial court’s ruling on the
State’s motion in limine of April 30, 2019.
{¶49} A motion in limine “serves the useful purpose of raising and pointing
out before trial, certain evidentiary rulings that the Court may be called upon to
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make.” State v. Maurer, 15 Ohio St.3d 239, 259, 473 N.E.2d 768, 787 (1984). “A
ruling on a motion in limine reflects the court’s anticipated treatment of an
evidentiary issue at trial and, as such, is a tentative, interlocutory, precautionary
ruling.” State v. French, 72 Ohio St.3d 446, 650 N.E.2d 887 (1995). “It is not a
ruling on evidence * * * [but] adds a procedural step prior to the offer of evidence.”
Maurer at 259.
{¶50} “In deciding such motions, the trial court is at liberty to change its
ruling on the disputed evidence in its actual context at trial. Finality does not attach
when the motion is granted.” City of Defiance v. Kretz, 60 Ohio St.3d 1, 4, 573
N.E.2d 32, 35 (1991). “Finality does not attach to the court’s ruling until the trial
court makes its final determination as to the admissibility of the evidence at trial.”
Kinn v. HCR ManorCare, 2013-Ohio-4086, 998 N.E.2d 852, ¶ 44 (6th Dist.), citing
State v. Grubb, 28 Ohio St.3d 199, 202, 503 N.E.2d 142 (1986).
{¶51} Further, “[u]nder the invited-error doctrine, ‘a party is not entitled to
take advantage of an error that he himself invited or induced the court to make.’”
State v. Jackson, 149 Ohio St.3d 55, 2016-Ohio-5488, 73 N.E.3d 414, ¶ 108, quoting
State ex rel. Kline v. Carroll, 96 Ohio St.3d 404, 2002-Ohio-4849, 775 N.E.2d 517,
¶ 27. “[I]t is invited error when a party asks a court to take some action later claimed
to be erroneous.” State v. Harper, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-05-79, 2007-Ohio-109, ¶
20. “A stipulation is a voluntary agreement between opposing counsel concerning
disposition of some relevant point so as to obviate the need for proof or to narrow
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the range of litigable issues.” State v. Easterling, 2d Dist. 2019-Ohio-2470, ---
N.E.3d ---, ¶ 66 (2d Dist.), quoting 89 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Trial § 60. “Pursuant
to [the] doctrine [of invited error], a party cannot claim that a trial court erred by
accepting the party’s own stipulation.” State v. Richey, 2018-Ohio-3498, 118
N.E.3d 1147, ¶ 61 (10th Dist.), quoting State v. McClendon, 10th Dist. Franklin No.
11AP-354, 2011-Ohio-6235, ¶ 37.
Legal Analysis
{¶52} On April 30, 2019, the State filed a motion in limine that sought to
prohibit the Defense from “making any argument in reference to * * * events
occurring after the Defendant was arrested and placed in the ambulance.” Doc. 32.
In particular, this motion addressed video footage of Harvey’s ambulance ride from
Adams Street to the hospital. Tr. 11. The State wanted the footage from the
ambulance ride excluded, but Harvey wanted this footage admitted. Tr. 11. The
following discussion occurred just prior to trial:
[Court]: The motion in limine regarding the evidence presented, or the fact presented after the arrest, is that anything you want to talk about now?
***
[Prosecutor]: Basically that the three charges before the Court today all occur prior to the Defendant’s arrest and transport in the ambulance. There’s very little probative value, if anything, that occurs after the Defendant’s placement in the ambulance and transport to the hospital. And then sitting at the hospital, interacting with the officers and the nurses, any probative value is significantly outweighed by undue delay considerations, and the
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whole crux of the case * * * occurs prior to the transport in the ambulance, so there’s no reason to bring that in. Thank you, Your Honor.
[Defense Counsel]: Your Honor, my client would like to play other portions of the video. It goes to show the mindstate [sic] of the officers, that they were behaving unprofessionally that day, and it would show that they had tended to behave unprofessionally earlier in the day by arresting my client for exercising his First Amendment right to free speech, Your Honor. There are statements made that are using profane language, telling my client to shut up, and other things of that nature. And, you know, it’s just gonna go to show that he didn’t do the things that he did earlier. They were making things up in cahoots to make these charges stick because he was an African American male, Your Honor.
[The Court]: * * * I’m gonna tentatively rule on [the motion in limine]. * * * [T]here won’t be any evidence brought in after the arrest. But I will listen to objections as we proceed through the trial. If I believe that the evidence should come in after the arrest, then I may change that tentative decision.
Tr. 11. At trial, Harvey did not proffer the video footage of the ambulance ride.
{¶53} However, the State did introduce a seven-minute video recording
from Officer Guerkink’s body camera (“Joint Exhibit One”). Tr. 143, 304. Ex. 1.
This video was admitted pursuant to the stipulation of both parties. Tr. 5, 247. Joint
Exhibit One included roughly two and a half minutes of footage from after Harvey
had been arrested and before he went into the ambulance. Ex. 1. While the record
does not indicate that this two and a half minutes of footage was played at trial, this
footage was on the disc that was admitted into evidence and given to the jury for its
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deliberations. Ex. 1. On appeal, Harvey argues that this footage was admitted in
violation of the trial court’s ruling on the State’s motion in limine.
{¶54} In this case, the wording of the State’s motion in limine specifically
addresses the “events occurring after the Defendant was arrested and placed in the
ambulance.” (Emphasis added.) Doc. 32. The discussion before the trial court also
indicates that this motion in limine was directed at the video footage of Harvey’s
ambulance ride to the hospital. Further, immediately preceding the trial court’s
ruling on the State’s motion in limine, the parties discussed the admission of Joint
Exhibit One as a matter that was separate and distinct from the State’s motion in
limine. Tr. 5. Joint Exhibit One was admitted into evidence by the stipulation of
both parties prior to the parties’ discussion of the State’s motion in limine. Tr. 5.
Thus, contrary to Harvey’s argument, the evidence in the record indicates that the
admission of Joint Exhibit One was not inconsistent with the trial court’s decision
regarding the State’s motion in limine.
{¶55} While Harvey opposed the State’s motion in limine before the trial
court, he stipulated to the admission of Joint Exhibit One. Thus, even if the trial
court erred by admitting this evidence, this was an error that Harvey invited. The
doctrine of invited error does not permit Harvey to stipulate to the admission of Joint
Exhibit One at trial and then argue the trial court erred in admitting Joint Exhibit
One on appeal. See State v. Kasler, 5th Dist. Fairfield No. 11-CA-59, 2012-Ohio-
6073, ¶ 87 (concluding that it was invited error for the defendant to argue on appeal
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that the trial court erred by admitting an exhibit that was stipulated to by the Defense
at trial). Thus, Harvey’s third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶56} Harvey argues that he was denied his right to the effective assistance
of counsel because his attorney failed to object to the admission of evidence on four
separate occasions.
{¶57} “Under Ohio law, ‘a properly licensed attorney is presumed to carry
out his duties in a competent manner.’” Beaver, supra, at ¶ 26, quoting State v. Gee,
3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-92-9, 1993 WL 270995 (July 22, 1993). For this reason,
the appellant has the burden of proving that he or she was denied the right to the
effective assistance of counsel. Brown, supra, at ¶ 42. “In order to prove an
ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the appellant must carry the burden of
establishing (1) that his or her counsel’s performance was deficient and (2) that this
deficient performance prejudiced the defendant.” State v. McWay, 3d Dist. Allen
No. 1-17-42, 2018-Ohio-3618, ¶ 24, quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).
{¶58} In order to establish deficient performance, the appellant must
demonstrate that trial “counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.”
State v. Howton, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-16-35, 2017-Ohio-4349, ¶ 35, quoting
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Strickland at 687. “Tactical or strategic trial decisions, even if unsuccessful, do not
generally constitute ineffective assistance.” State v. Harrison, 2015-Ohio-1419, 31
N.E.3d 220, ¶ 75 (3d Dist.). “[T]rial counsel’s failure to object is generally viewed
as trial strategy and does not establish ineffective assistance.” State v. Turks, 3d
Dist. Allen No. 1-08-44, 2009-Ohio-1837, ¶ 43. “Counsel need not raise meritless
issues or even all arguably meritorious issues.” State v. Mayse, 88 N.E.3d 1208,
2017-Ohio-1483, ¶ 24 (3d Dist.).
{¶59} In order to establish prejudice, “the defendant must show a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would have
been different.” Davis, supra, at ¶ 36, quoting State v. Bibbs, 3d Dist. Hancock No.
5-16-11, 2016-Ohio-8396, ¶ 13. If the appellant does not establish one of these two
prongs, the appellate court does not need to consider the facts of the case under the
other prong of the test. State v. Baker, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-17-61, 2018-Ohio-3431,
¶ 19, citing State v. Walker, 2016-Ohio-3499, 66 N.E.3d 349, ¶ 20 (3d Dist.).
{¶60} Failure to Object to Joint Exhibit One: Harvey argues that his trial
counsel should have objected to the admission of the portion of Joint Exhibit One
that contained footage of Harvey after his arrest. Harvey has not demonstrated that
the admission of Joint Exhibit One was improper or how an objection to the
admission of this evidence would have changed the outcome of his trial. See State
v. Were, 118 Ohio St.3d 448, 2008-Ohio-2762, 890 N.E.2d 263, ¶ 231.
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{¶61} Failure to Object to Officer Wheeler’s Statements: At trial, Lt. Harris
stated that the people who live at 841 Adams Street “frequently travel from house
to house” and that the houses in this area were “interconnected.” Tr. 100. Harvey
argues that his trial counsel should have objected to these statements because they
were hearsay. However, Harvey has not even demonstrated that these statements
were hearsay. See Beaver, supra, at ¶ 33. Further, Harvey has not advanced any
argument as to how he would have been acquitted in the absence of these statements.
See State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, 848 N.E.2d 810, ¶ 103.
{¶62} Failure to Object to Lt. Harris’s Statements: At trial, Lt. Harris stated
that he knew, from his prior police activities, that the individuals who lived at 841
Adams Street and at 848 Adams Street were connected. Tr. 184. While Harvey
argues that his trial counsel should have objected to this statements, he has not
demonstrated that these statements were improperly admitted. See Beaver at ¶ 33.
He also has not demonstrated how he would have been acquitted in the absence of
these statements. See Conway at ¶ 103.
{¶63} Failure to Object to Lt. Elliott’s Statements: At trial, the State
introduced Joint Exhibit One and questioned Lt. Elliott about this video recording’s
contents. After the jury had viewed the video footage of Harvey’s arrest, Lt. Elliott
and the prosecution engaged in the following colloquy:
Prosecutor: Was everything that happened up to [the] point [of arrest] that day the basis for your three charges?
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[Elliott]: Yes.
[Prosecutor]: So there’s nothing that happened afterwards [after the arrest] on which you based a charge?
[Elliott]: He continued to refuse to tell us who he was.
Tr. 150. In his brief, Harvey has not advanced an argument that demonstrates how
he would have been acquitted in the absence of this statement.
{¶64} Harvey has not demonstrated, in these four arguments, how different
actions by his trial counsel in these situations would have changed the outcome of
his trial. Thus, Harvey has not carried the burden of establishing that he did not
receive the effective assistance of counsel at trial. For these reasons, his fourth
assignment of error is overruled.
Conclusion
{¶65} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant in the particulars
assigned and argued, the judgment of Municipal Court of Marion County is
affirmed.
SHAW, P.J. and PRESTON, J., concur.
/hls
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