[Cite as State v. Heatherington, 2022-Ohio-1375.]
COURT OF APPEALS RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO JUDGES: Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., P. J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J. Hon. John W. Wise, J. -vs- Case No. 2021 CA 0021 COLBY HEATHERINGTON
Defendant-Appellant OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2020 CR 0233 R
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: April 22, 2022
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
GARY BISHOP DARIN AVERY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY 105 Sturges Avenue OLIVIA BOYER Mansfield, Ohio 44903 ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR 38 South Park Street, Second Floor Mansfield, Ohio 44902 Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 2
Wise, John, J.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Colby Heatherington (“Appellant”) appeals his
conviction and sentence entered in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas on one
count of Felonious Assault in violation of R.C. §2903.11(A)(1), one count of Abduction in
violation of R.C. §2905.02(A)(2), one count of Assault in violation of R.C. §2903.13(A),
and Aggravated Menacing in violation of R.C. §2903.21(A) following a jury trial. Appellee
is the state of Ohio. The relevant facts leading to this appeal are as follows.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE
{¶2} On February 28, 2020, Mansfield Police arrested Appellant in connection
with an alleged assault.
{¶3} On April 8, 2020, Appellant was indicted on six counts: Count 1, Felonious
Assault, a second-degree felony in violation of R.C. §2903.11(A)(1); Count 2, Felonious
Assault, a second-degree felony in violation of R.C. §2903.11(A)(2); Count 3, Abduction,
a third-degree felony in violation of R.C. §2905.02(A)(2); Count 4, Abduction, a third-
degree felony in violation of R.C. §2905.02(B); Count 5, Assault, a first-degree
misdemeanor in violation of R.C. §2903.13(A); and Count 6, Aggravated Menacing, a
first-degree misdemeanor in violation of R.C. §2903.21(A).
{¶4} On June 17, 2020, Appellant’s counsel moved for a court evaluation of
Appellant’s competency to stand trial and assist in his defense.
{¶5} On July 6, 2020, the trial court ordered an evaluation on Appellant’s
competency to stand trial. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 3
{¶6} On December 10, 2020, after a competency evaluation, the trial court held
a hearing on Appellant’s capacity to stand trial. Both parties stipulated to Appellant’s
competency.
{¶7} On March 8, 2020, a jury trial commenced.
{¶8} At trial, Appellee first called dispatcher Ashley Jeffrey to testify. Jeffrey
testified that on February 28, 2020, she took an emergency call of a female being
assaulted. Jeffrey described the female caller as petrified. The caller, the victim, identified
herself. The victim told Jeffrey she had locked herself in the bathroom trying to get away
from her attacker.
{¶9} The victim identified Appellant as her attacker. On the call, the victim said
she thought Appellant would kill her. The victim described Appellant to Jeffrey and what
he was wearing.
{¶10} Next, Officer Eric Schaaf testified that he is a member of the Mansfield
Police Department and was working on February 28, 2020, with his partner, Officer Jake
Reitschlin. Upon arriving at the victim’s address, the victim came running out of the
bathroom toward the officers. The victim was covered in blood and did not want the police
to leave her. Reitschlin stayed with the victim while Schaaf did a sweep of the apartment
and ascertained Appellant was not present in the apartment. Schaaf testified that he took
photographs at the scene. These included pictures of the victim’s injuries, pictures of the
scene showing blood, pictures of a pill bottle containing white powder and a rolled up
$100 bill, and a large knife on the bed.
{¶11} Schaaf continued that when he came down to the front of the apartment
building, Officers Blair and Rogers were already waiting with Appellant. At that point Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 4
Officer Reitschlin read Appellant his Miranda rights. Schaaf then identified Appellant as
the man apprehended on February 28, 2020.
{¶12} Next, Schaaf identified more photographs of Appellant, his clothing, and
blood on Appellant’s clothing.
{¶13} Schaaf then determined after reading Appellant his rights, it would be
fruitless to talk with him, so they took him to jail. En route to jail, Schaaf asked Appellant
about the incident. Appellant said he strangled her because she asked him to leave her
apartment.
{¶14} Next, Eric Buchanan testified he is a paramedic with the Mansfield Fire
Department. When he arrived on scene, the victim told him she wanted to be transported
to the hospital to be treated for her injuries. She indicated she had been drinking alcohol
and using drugs.
{¶15} Rachel Muir then testified that she is employed as a nurse practitioner at
Mansfield Hospital. Muir testified that the victim suffered significant swelling and
periorbital edema around her eye and right jaw, pain in her chest wall, pain in her left
hand and wrist. Rachel Muir continued that her drug screen showed she had alcohol,
benzodiazepine, THC, and opiates in her system.
{¶16} Next, Officer Clay Blair testified he is employed by the Mansfield Police
Department. On February 28, 2020, Blair contacted Appellant after receiving a description
of Appellant and a request from Officer Schaaf to contact the individual. Officer Blair
instructed the Appellant to remove his hands from his pockets and to approach Officer
Blair. Appellant was not really listening, and attempted to continue to walk away from the
officers. At this point Officer Blair repeated the request and said he detained Appellant. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 5
{¶17} While detained, Officer Blair began questioning Appellant about the
incident. At this point Appellant simply said, “I did it.” Officer Blair testified after Appellant
admitted to committing the assault, he continued to talk with Appellant. Officer Blair put
Appellant in the back of his police car, continued to talk to him as Appellant was
transported to Officer Schaaf, and recorded the conversation.
{¶18} While in the car, Appellant said the victim’s face is going to be black on one
side as he kept hitting her on that side, and that she can take a hit. Officer Blair never
read Appellant Miranda warnings.
{¶19} Next, Dawn Frybeck, a DNA analyst in the Mansfield Police Department’s
crime laboratory testified according to her analysis, Appellant could not be excluded as a
major contributor to the DNA found around the victim’s neck.
{¶20} Appellee then rested its case.
{¶21} Appellee dismissed Count 2.
{¶22} The jury returned a verdict of guilty on Counts 1, 3, 5, 6, and a verdict of not
guilty on Count 4.
{¶23} The trial court sentenced Appellant to eight to twelve years in prison on
Count 1, thirty-six months in prison on Count 3, six months in jail on Count 5, and six
months in jail on Count 6. Counts 1 and 3 are to run consecutively, and Counts 5 and 6
are to run concurrently for an aggregate sentence of eleven to fifteen years. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 6
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
{¶24} Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal. He herein raises the following six
Assignments of Error:
{¶25} “I. THE COURT ERRED IN SENTENCING THE DEFENDANT
SEPARATELY FOR FELONIOUS ASSAULT AND ABDUCTION.
{¶26} “II. THE COURT ERRED IN FINDING THE DEFENDANT COMPETENT
TO STAND TRIAL.
{¶27} “III. APPELLANT DID NOT RECEIVE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF
COUNSEL.
{¶28} “IV. THE COURT ERRED IN ALLOWING UNSCIENTIFIC EXPERT
OPINION IN THE GUISE OF SCIENTIFIC OPINION IN VIOLATION OF EVID.R. 702.
{¶29} “V. THE COURT VIOLATED APPELLANT’S RIGHT TO CONFRONT THE
WITNESS AGAINST HIM.
{¶30} “VI. THE COURT ERRED IN SENTENCING HEATHERINGTON TO AN
INDEFINITE NON-LIFE SENTENCE.”
{¶31} For the purpose of judicial economy, we will address Appellant’s
assignments of error out of order.
II.
{¶32} In Appellant’s Second Assignment of Error, Appellant argues the trial court
erred in finding Appellant competent to stand trial. We disagree.
{¶33} A trial court’s decision on competency will not be disturbed absent an abuse
of discretion. State v. Clark, 71 Ohio St.3d 466, 469, 1994-Ohio-43, 644 N.E.2d 331. The
abuse of discretion standard is more than an error of judgment; it implies the court ruled Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 7
arbitrarily, unreasonably, or unconscionably. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217,
450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983). Therefore, an appellate court will not overrule the trial court’s
competency determination if the record contains credible, reliable evidence in support of
the trial court’s determination that the defendant understood the nature and objective of
the proceedings against him. State v. Williams, 23 Ohio St.3d 16, 19, 490 N.E.2d 906
(1986).
{¶34} Due process requires a criminal defendant be competent to stand trial. State
v. Smith, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 19CA33, 2021-Ohio-2866, ¶14 citing State v. Lechner,
4th Dist. Highland No. 19CA3, 2019-Ohio-4071, ¶25; State v. Berry, 72 Ohio St.3d 354,
359, 1995-Ohio-310, 650 N.E.2d 433. “It has long been accepted that a person who lacks
the capacity to understand the nature and object of the proceedings against him, to
consult with counsel, and to assist in preparing his defense may not be subjected to a
trial.” Drope v. Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 171, 95 S.Ct. 896, 43 L.Ed.2d103 (1975). Thus,
“[c]onviction of an accused while he or she is legally incompetent is a violation of due
process.” Smith, 2021-Ohio-2866 at ¶14, citing State v. Merryman, 4th Dist. Athens No.
12CA28, 2013-Ohio-4810, ¶14.
{¶35} “The United States Supreme Court established the test for competency and
requires the court determine if an accused ‘has sufficient present ability to consult with
his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding – and whether he has a
rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.’ ” Id. at ¶15 citing
Lechner, supra at ¶26, quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 789
4. L.Ed.2d 824 (1960). Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 8
{¶36} R.C. §2945.37(G) states:
A defendant is presumed to be competent to stand trial. If, after a
hearing, the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that, because
of the defendant’s present mental condition, the defendant is incapable of
understanding the nature and objective of the proceedings against the
defendant or of assisting in the defendant’s defense, the court shall find the
defendant incompetent to stand trial and shall enter an order authorized by
section 2945.38 of the Revised Code.
{¶37} Therefore, if a defendant is capable of understanding the nature and
objective of the proceedings and assisting in the defense, then the defendant is
competent to stand trial. “ ‘Incompetency must not be equated with mere mental or
emotional instability or even with outright insanity. A defendant may be emotionally
disturbed or even psychotic and still be capable of understanding the charges against him
and of assisting his counsel.’ ” Smith, supra at ¶16 quoting Lechner, supra, quoting State
v. Bock, 28 Ohio St.3d 108, 110, 502 N.E.2d 1016 (1986).
{¶38} In the case sub judice, both sides stipulated to the findings of a board-
certified forensic psychologist from Heartland Behavioral Healthcare. The report found
Appellant had the capacity to participate in his own defense, that he understood the
charges against him, the process, the meaning of the pleas of guilty and not guilty, the
evidence to be presented, and the events that lead to the charges.
{¶39} Appellant stipulated to the report at a competency hearing on December 20,
2020. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 9
{¶40} We conclude the trial court’s finding of competency was made after
receiving a competency evaluation and holding a hearing on the matter. The
determination was based on the detailed evaluation and report prepared by a board-
certified forensic psychologist. The report was stipulated to by the State and Appellant’s
counsel. Based on our review, the record contains reliable, credible evidence to support
the trial court’s decision that Appellant was competent to stand trial and/or enter a plea.
We find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining Appellant was competent
{¶41} Appellant’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.
III.
{¶42} In Appellant’s Third Assignment of Error, Appellant argues trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to file for dismissal based on speedy trial statutes, for failing to file
an NGRI, for failing to suppress statements and recordings made by Appellant, and failing
to object to hearsay. We disagree.
a. Standard of Review
{¶43} Our standard is set forth in Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668,
104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.674. Ohio adopted this standard in the case of State v. Bradley
(1989), 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373. These cases require a two-pronged analysis
in reviewing a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel. First, we must determine
whether counsel’s assistance was ineffective; whether counsel’s performance fell below
an objective standard of reasonable representation and was violative of any of his
essential duties to the client. If we find ineffective assistance of counsel, we must then
determine whether or not the defense was actually prejudiced by counsel’s Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 10
ineffectiveness such that the reliability of the outcome of the trial is suspect. This requires
a showing there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional error,
the outcome of the trial would have been different. Id.
{¶44} Trial counsel is entitled to a strong presumption that all decisions fall within
the wide range of reasonable professional assistance. State v. Sallie (1998), 81 Ohio
St.3d 673, 675, 693 N.E.2d 267. In addition, the United States Supreme Court and the
Ohio Supreme Court have held a reviewing court “need not determine whether counsel’s
performance was deficient before examining the prejudice suffered by the defendant as
a result of the alleged deficiencies. Bradley at 143, 538 N.E.2d 373, quoting Strickland at
697, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Even debatable trial tactics and strategies do not constitute
ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Clayton, 62 Ohio St.2d 45, 402 N.E.2d 1189
(1980).
b. Speedy Trial
{¶45} Appellant first argues that trial counsel’s failure to file a motion to dismiss
pursuant to Ohio’s Speedy Trial Statutes.
{¶46} Speedy trial provisions are mandatory and are encompassed within the
Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The availability of a speedy trial to a
person accused of a crime is a fundamental right made obligatory on the states through
the Fourteenth Amendment. State v. Ladd, 56 Ohio St.2d 197, 200, 383 N.E.2d 579
(1978). “The statutory speedy trial provisions, R.C. §2945.71 et seq., constitute a rational
effort to enforce the constitutional right to a public speedy trial of an accused charged with
the commission of a felony or a misdemeanor and shall be strictly enforced by the courts
of this state.” State v. Pachay, 64 Ohio St.2d 218, 416 N.E.2d 589 (1980), syllabus. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 11
{¶47} Pursuant to R.C. §2945.71(C)(2), the State must bring a defendant to trial
on felony charges within 270 days of arrest. The statutory speedy-trial period begins to
run on the date the defendant is arrested, although the date of arrest is not counted when
calculating speedy-trial time. State v. Wells, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98388, 2013-Ohio-
3722, ¶44, citing State v. Tatum, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-10-18, 2011-Ohio-3005. Once
the statutory time limit has expired, the defendant has established a prima facie case for
dismissal. State v. Butcher, 27 Ohio St.3d 28, 30-31, 500 N.E.2d 1368 (1986). The burden
then shifts to the state to demonstrate that sufficient time was tolled pursuant to R.C.
§2945.72. Brecksville v. Cook, 75 Ohio St.3d 53, 55-56, 661 N.E.2d 706 (1996). If the
state has violated a defendant’s right to a speedy trial, then the court must dismiss the
charges against the defendant. R.C. §2945.72(B).
{¶48} Speedy trial time is tolled by those events listed in R.C. §2945.72. These
events include any period of delay “necessitated by reason of a plea in bar or abatement,
motion, proceeding, or action made or instituted by the accused, and any continuance
granted upon the accused’s own motion[.]” R.C. §2945.72.
{¶49} A defendant’s demand for discovery tolls the speedy trial time until the state
responds to the discovery, or for a reasonable time. State v. Shabazz, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 95021, 2011-Ohio-2260, ¶26, 31; R.C. §2945.72(E). Courts have held this to be thirty
days. State v. Crawford, 6th Dist. Lucas No. l-17-1297, 2019-Ohio-2660, ¶30.
{¶50} Under the “triple-count provision” contained in R.C. 2945.71(E), each day a
defendant spends in jail in lieu of bail counts as three days in the speedy trial time
calculation. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 12
{¶51} “The Ohio Attorney General has opined that courts may suspend jury trials
to prevent the spread of the corona virus and they may do so consistent with state and
federal speedy-trial obligations.” In re Disqualification of Paris, 161 Ohio St.3d 1285,
2020-Ohio-6875, 164 N.E.3d 509, ¶5; quoting In re Disqualification of Fleegle, 161 Ohio
St.3d 1263, 2020-Ohio-5636, 163 N.E.3d 609, ¶7; citing 2020 Atty.Gen.Ops. No. 2020-
002. In Fleegle, the Ohio Supreme Court held that trial judges have the authority to
continue trials on a case-by-case basis without violating speedy-trial requirements and
continuing a trial because of a pandemic state emergency is reasonable under
R.C.2945.72(H). Id.
{¶52} When reviewing a speedy trial question, an appellate court must count the
number of delays chargeable to each Appellant and Appellee. Next, the appellate court
must determine whether the number of days not tolled exceeded the time limits under
R.C. 2945.71. State v. Ferrell, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 93003, 2010-Ohio-2882, ¶20. When
reviewing legal issues presented in a speedy trial claim, we must strictly construe the
relevant statutes against the state. Brecksville v. Cook, 75 Ohio St.3d 53, 57, 661 N.E.2d
706, 709 (1996); State v. Colon, 5th Dist. Stark No. 09-CA-232, 2010-Ohio-2326, ¶12.
{¶53} Below are the pertinent dates:
{¶54} On February 28, 2020, Appellant was arrested.
{¶55} Speedy trial time started on February 29, 2020.
{¶56} On March 5, 2020, the time was tolled as Appellant refused to go to the
Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing.
{¶57} From March 9, 2020, through July 31, 2020, the time was tolled due to
coronavirus. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 13
{¶58} From July 31, 2020, to December 16, 2020, the time was tolled as the trial
court deliberated on Appellant’s competency to stand trial.
{¶59} From December 29, 2021, to January 8, 2021, time was tolled as Appellant
filed a motion for a substitution of counsel.
{¶60} On February 26, 2021, the time was tolled as Appellant chose not to change
his plea at a scheduled change of plea hearing, and a jury trial was scheduled for March
8, 2021.
{¶61} On March 8, 2021, Appellant’s jury trial commenced. Therefore, time was
not tolled for five days in March of 2020, fourteen days in December of 2021, twenty-four
days in January of 2021, twenty-six days in February of 2021. This totals sixty-nine days
in jail awaiting trial equating to a total of 207 days under the triple-count provision of R.C.
§2945.71(E).
{¶62} Nothing in the record suggests any additional time beyond the 207 days
noted above should be considered for a violation for want of a speedy trial. The total of
207 days does not exceed the 270-day threshold established by R.C. §2945.71(C)(2). As
such, Appellant’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel with respect to trial counsel’s
failure to file a motion to dismiss for want of a speedy trial is overruled.
c. Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
{¶63} Appellant argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise an
insanity defense in the proceedings.
{¶64} “Where facts and circumstances indicate that a plea of not guilty by reason
of insanity would have had a reasonable probability of success, it is ineffective assistance
of counsel to fail to enter the plea.” State v. Brown (1992), 84 Ohio App.3d 414, 616 Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 14
N.E.2d 1179. However, if the facts indicate that counsel was pursuing a reasonable
strategy in not so pleading, or where the likelihood of success for the plea is low, the
decision is not unreasonable. State v. Twyman, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19086, 2002-
Ohio-3558.
{¶65} “A person is ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’ relative to a charge of an
offense only if the person proves [by a preponderance of the evidence] that at the time of
the commission of the offense, the person did not know, as a result of a severe mental
disease or defect, the wrongfulness of the person’s acts.” R.C. §2901.01(A)(14).
{¶66} In the case sub judice, Appellant points to nothing in the record which
indicates he suffers from any type of mental illness at the time of the offense, or at any
time in his life, as providing a basis for an insanity defense. In order to find trial counsel’s
performance deficient, there must be some indication that a not guilty by reason of
insanity plea would have “a reasonable probability of success” based on the facts and
circumstances in the case. State v. Anaya, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-06-1375, 2008-Ohio-
1853, ¶29, citing State v. Brown, 84 Ohio App.3d 414, 421, 616 N.E.2d 1179 (8 th
Dist.1992).
{¶67} With nothing in the record to indicate mental illness, Appellant’s trial counsel
was not deficient in failing to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of mental insanity. Anaya
at ¶29, citing State v. Twyman, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19086, 2002-Ohio-3558, ¶73.
Trial counsel may not be held ineffective for failing to attempt a “futile act.” State v. Leu,
6th Dist. Lucas No. L-17-1265, 2019-Ohio-3404, ¶47. As such, Appellant’s claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel with respect to trial counsel’s failure to enter a plea of
not guilty by reason of insanity is overruled. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 15
d. Motion to Suppress
{¶68} Appellant argues that trial counsel’s failure to file a motion to suppress
Appellant’s statements made while in custody constituted ineffective assistance of
counsel as he was not read Miranda warnings until after he confessed to committing the
crime.
{¶69} “ ‘[F]ailure to file a suppression motion does not constitute per se ineffective
assistance of counsel.’ ” State v. Madrigal, 87 Ohio St.3d 378, 389, 721 N.E.2d 52 (2000),
quoting Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 384, 106 S.Ct. 2574, 91 L.Ed.2d 305
(1986); accord State v. Neyland, 139 Ohio St.3d 353, 2014-Ohio-1914, 12 N.E.3d 1112,
¶126. “ ‘To establish ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to file a motion to
suppress, a defendant must prove there was a basis to suppress the evidence in
question.’ ” State v. Brown, 115 Ohio St.3d 55, 2007-Ohio-4837, 873 N.E.2d 858, ¶65,
citing State v. Adams, 103 Ohio St.3d 508, 2004-Ohio-5845, 817 N.E.2d 29, ¶35. If the
record contains no evidence to support a motion to suppress, or such little evidence that
counsel could have decided that filing such a motion would be futile, then counsel is still
considered effective. State v. Drummond, 111 Ohio St.3d 14, 2006-Ohio-5084, 854
N.E.2d 1038, ¶208, quoting State v. Gibson, 69 Ohio App.2d 91, 95, 430 N.E.2d 954 (8th
Dist.1980); State v. Moon, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101972, 2015-Ohio-1550, ¶28, quoting
State v. Suarez, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2014-02-035, 2015-Ohio-64, ¶13.
{¶70} The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees no
person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself, and the Sixth Amendment to
the United States Constitution guarantees the accused shall have the assistance of
counsel. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 442, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1996). Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 16
The inherently coercive nature of custodial interrogation heightens the risk a suspect will
be denied the Fifth Amendment privilege not to be compelled to incriminate himself
because custodial interrogation can “undermine the individual’s will to resist and * * *
compel him to speak where he would not otherwise do so freely.” J.D.B. v. North Carolina,
564 U.S. 261, 269, 131 S.Ct. 2394, 2401, 180 L.Ed.2d 310 (2011), quoting Miranda at
467; Dickerson v. United States, 530 U.S. 428, 435, 120 S.Ct. 2326, 147 L.Ed.2d 405
(2000).
{¶71} In light of the inherent coercion involved in custodial interrogation, Miranda
established “a set of prophylactic measures” to safeguard the constitutional privilege
against self-incrimination. Dickerson at 435. Miranda held the State may not use a
defendant’s statements from custodial interrogation “unless it demonstrates the use of
procedural safeguards effective to secure the privilege against self-incrimination.”
Miranda at 444, 86 S.Ct. 1602. Prior to questioning, the police must warn the suspect
“that he has a right to remain silent, that any statement he does make may be used as
evidence against him, and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney, either
retained or appointed.” Id. In Miranda, the Supreme Court recognized the importance of
a suspect’s “real understanding” of his rights and his intelligent decision whether to
exercise them. Id. at 469.
{¶72} The sole remedy for a Miranda violation is the suppression of evidence
which was derived from the violation. Bennet v. Passic (C.A.10, 1976), 545 F.2d 1260,
1263; see Miranda, supra, 384 U.S. at 479.
{¶73} In Missouri v. Seibert, 542 U.S. 600, 124 S.Ct. 2601, 159 L.Ed.2d 643
(2004), the United States Supreme Court addressed that whether the technique of Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 17
successive interrogations, with Miranda warnings being read in between the
interrogations, violated Miranda. In determining whether the second statement was
admissible, the Court listed factors to consider:
* * * the completeness and detail of the questions and answers in the first
round of interrogation, the overlapping content of the two statements, the
timing and setting of the first and the second, the continuity of police
personnel, and the degree to which the interrogator’s questions treated the
second round as continuous with the first. Id.
{¶74} Therefore, when Miranda warnings are given in the middle of a “coordinated
and continuing interrogation”, they will likely mislead and “depriv[e] a defendant of
knowledge essential to his ability to understand the nature of his rights and the
consequences of abandoning them.” Id. quoting Moran v. Burbine, 475 U.S. 412, 424,
106 S.Ct. 1135, 89 L.Ed.2d 410 (1986). “[I]t would ordinarily be unrealistic to treat two
spates of integrated and proximately conducted questioning as independent
interrogations subject to independent evaluation simply because Miranda warnings
formally punctuate them in the middle.” Seibert at 611-614.
{¶75} “Seibert points out that in ‘question first’ scenarios when the circumstances
of the given case show that the Miranda warning could not reasonably be found effective,
the post warning statements are inadmissible because ‘the earlier and later statements
are realistically seen as part of a single, unwarned sequence of questioning.’ Id. at 612,
542 U.S. 600, 124 S.Ct.2601, 159 L.Ed.2d 643, fn.4.” State v. Farris, 109 Ohio St.3d 519,
2006-Ohio-3255, 849 N.E.2d 985. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 18
{¶76} In Seibert, the officer interrogated the defendant before reading her Miranda
warnings. Seibert at 614-616. The officer then Mirandized the defendant, and immediately
presented the defendant with her previous statements to which the defendant also
confessed. Id. The Supreme Court held, the objective of the question-first interrogation is
to wait for an opportune time to give Miranda, after the suspect confesses.
{¶77} In the case sub judice, Officer Blair testified he detained Appellant as
Appellant was attempting to walk away, ordered him to approach the officers, and take
his hands out of his pocket. Within one minute of initiating contact with Appellant, Officer
Blair handcuffed Appellant. After questioning Appellant while in handcuffs for nearly two
minutes, Officer Blair asks Appellant for his side of the story. Appellant admits to the
assault. After Officer Blair places Appellant, still restrained, in the back of the police car,
Appellant continues with his confession. Appellant said that the victim grabbed her phone
and hid in the bathroom, and he told her if she stayed still he would not beat her anymore.
He said her nose was bleeding, and that he hit her above her eyebrow and she would be
bleeding. Appellant continued that he bruised one side of the victim’s face because he
only used one hand. Appellant then said the victim can “take a hit.” Officer Blair never
gave Appellant Miranda warnings.
{¶78} About thirty-minutes after making contact with Appellant and within minutes
of Officer’s Blairs interrogation of Appellant, Officer Schaaf took custody of Appellant. At
this point the officers Mirandized Appellant. Appellant argued with Officer Schaaf and
Officer Reitschlin about his rights, telling them he has a right to speak.
{¶79} The officers decide questioning him would be pointless. Officer Schaaf
placed Appellant in the back of his police car and transported him to jail. During the drive Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 19
to jail, Officer Schaaf asked Appellant about the assault. Appellant then told Officer
Schaaf he assaulted and choked the victim. Officer Schaaf asked Appellant if he had a
knife. Appellant denied having a knife.
{¶80} We find, based on the foregoing, that a reasonable probability exists that a
motion to suppress Appellant’s statements before Miranda warnings were given would
have been granted only to those statements made prior to Miranda. Appellant was in
custody at the time the interrogation started when Officer Blair asked Appellant to tell his
side of the story. Appellant admitted to assaulting the victim. While being transported,
Appellant continued to tell his side of the story and did not stop until right before Officer
Schaaf took custody.
{¶81} After Appellant was Mirandized, he argued with officers about his right to
remain silent, saying he had a right to speak. Therefore, he understood he did not have
to say anything but wanted to tell his side of the story. Officer Schaaf then put Appellant
in the back of a police car, where the officer asked Appellant about the incident. Appellant
admitted to assaulting and choking the victim.
{¶82} In this case, the “mid-stream” Miranda warnings were effective enough to
accomplish their objectives, making Appellant’s statements made to officer Schaaf
admissible. Appellant was provided Miranda warnings, argued with police that he did not
wish to remain silent, showing he understood what the officer was saying. The record
shows no coordination of questioning or use of the question-first technique by officers.
Therefore, Appellant’s statements made after Miranda warnings were issued, were
properly admitted. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 20
{¶83} Appellant has not shown that he suffered prejudice by counsel’s failure to
file a motion to suppress. The substance of the statements which would have been
suppressed due to a lack of Miranda warnings came in via Appellant’s post-Miranda
statements. Thus, Appellant has failed to establish the outcome of the trial would have
been different.
{¶84} As such, Appellant’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel regarding
trial counsel’s failure to file a motion to suppress Appellant’s statements to law
enforcement is overruled.
e. Failure to Object to Hearsay
{¶85} Appellant argues his counsel should have objected to certain hearsay
statements made by Officer Schaaf regarding who caused the victim’s injuries.
{¶86} Upon review of the record, trial counsel did object to the testimony. The trial
court admitted the statements under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule.
Even assuming, arguendo, trial counsel should have renewed the objection and it would
have been sustained, the jury heard the same statements and description of what
occurred during Appellant’s post-Miranda confession. Crim.R. 52(A) defines harmless
error as “[a]ny defect, irregularity, or variance which does not affect substantial rights shall
be disregarded.” Before error can be considered harmless, we must be able to “declare
a belief that it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.” Chapman v. California, 386
U.S. 18, 24, 87 S.Ct. 824, 17 L.Ed.2d 705 (1967). Where no reasonable possibility exists
that the unlawful testimony contributed to a conviction, the error is harmless and therefore
will not be grounds for reversal. State v. Lytle, 48 Ohio St.2d 391, 358 N.E.2d 623 (1976),
paragraph three of the syllabus, vacated on other grounds in Lytle v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 910, Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 21
98 S.Ct. 3135, 57 L.Ed.2d 1154 (1978). Therefore, we find no prejudice as a result of
counsel’s failure to renew his objection to Officer Schaaf’s testimony. As such, Appellant’s
claim of ineffective assistance of counsel regarding trial counsel’s failure to object to
hearsay is overruled.
{¶87} Appellant’s Third Assignment of Error is overruled.
IV.
{¶88} In Appellant’s Fourth Assignment of Error, Appellant argues the trial court
erred in allowing the expert testimony of Dawn Fry to be introduced at trial. We disagree.
{¶89} Appellant claims Evid.R. 702(C) requires a blind tester for a DNA test to be
reliable, but only cites R.C. §2933.83(D) in support.
{¶90} Evid.R. 702 states, in pertinent part:
A witness may testify as an expert if all of the following apply:
…
(C) The witness’ testimony is based on reliable scientific, technical,
or other specialized information. To the extent that the testimony reports
the result of a procedure, test, or experiment, the testimony is reliable only
if all of the following apply:
(1) The theory upon which the procedure, test, or experiment is
based is objectively verifiable or is validly derived from widely accepted
knowledge, facts, or principles;
(2) The design of the procedure, test, or experiment reliably
implements the theory; Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 22
(3) The particular procedure, test, or experiment was conducted in a
way that will yield an accurate result.
{¶91} R.C. §2933.83(D) states, “[t]he requirements in this section regarding the
procedures for live lineups or photo lineups conducted by a law enforcement agency or
criminal justice entity do not prohibit a law enforcement agency or criminal justice entity
from adopting other scientifically accepted procedures for conducting live lineups or photo
lineups that the scientific community considers more effective.”
{¶92} A plain reading of the statute permits law enforcement to conduct lineups
that the scientific community considers more effective, but does not require it. This has
no relevance regarding how an expert witness conducts his or her tests. Therefore,
Appellant has presented no support that the trial court erred in admitting Dawn Fryback’s
testimony.
{¶93} Appellant’s Fourth Assignment of Error is overruled.
V.
{¶94} In Appellant’s Fifth Assignment of Error, Appellant argues the trial court
erred in inappropriately admitted hearsay evidence. We disagree.
{¶95} “Ordinarily a trial court is vested with broad discretion in determining the
admissibility of evidence in any particular case, so long as such discretion is exercised in
line with the rules of procedure and evidence.” Rigby v. Lake City, 58 Ohio St.3d 269, 271
(1991). Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 23
a. Statements Made for Purpose of Medical Diagnosis or Treatment
{¶96} Evid.R. 803(4) states:
Statements for Purposes of Medical Diagnosis or Treatment.
Statements made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment
and describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain, or
sensations, or the inception or general character of the cause or external
source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment.
{¶97} Initially, we note that Appellant has failed to identify those portions of
testimony where he claims Appellee’s elicited testimony went beyond disclosures
necessary for diagnosis in violation of the rule against hearsay. Although he has failed to
comply with App.R. 16(A)(7), we nonetheless address Appellant’s argument to the extent
we are able to glean from his brief.
{¶98} As Appellant did not object to the testimony at the trial court proceedings,
Appellant has waived all but plain error. 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, 372 N.E.2d 804
(1978) at paragraph one of the syllabus; Crim.R. 52(B). 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. Id. at paragraph two of the syllabus. 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.
{¶99} Appellant’s argument seems to be any statement made by the victim
through the course of treatment is inadmissible hearsay because the statements went
beyond diagnosis and the victim had benzodiazepine, cannabinoid, opiate, oxycodone, Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 24
and alcohol in the victim’s system. Appellant offers no support for this argument. “The test
under Evid.R. 803(4) goes solely to whether a statement was made for purposes of
medical diagnosis or treatment.” State v. Dever, 64 Ohio St.3d 401, 404, 1992-Ohio-41,
596 N.E.2d 436.
{¶100} Upon review, any testimony the victim made in her hospital file to doctors
regarding her condition, the cause of, or identification of the perpetrator was properly
admitted under the Statements for Purposes of Medical Diagnosis or Treatment. Evid.R.
803(4).
b. Officers testimony on victim identification
{¶101} Appellant also alludes to statements made by the victim to Officer Schaaf
identifying Appellant as her attacker should not have been admitted. These statements
were objected to and the trial court admitted them as an excited utterance exception to
the hearsay rule.
{¶102} Evid.R. 803(2) states, “Excited Utterance. A statement relating to a
startling event or condition made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement
caused by the event or condition.”
{¶103} A statement being entered under the Evid.R. 803(2) exception to the
hearsay rule does not depend on the availability of the declarant as a witness. State v.
Eutsey, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2020 CA 00152, 2021-Ohio-3913, ¶47.
{¶104} In the case sub judice, the state laid a foundation for the statement’s
admission. Officer Schaaf testified to the victim identifying Appellant as her attacker while
the victim was still under the stress of having been beaten, strangled, and chased into
her bathroom by Appellant. The officer described the victim as petrified, upset, crying, Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 25
and afraid to be left alone. Therefore, upon a review of the record we find Officer Schaaf’s
testimony was properly admitted as an excited utterance under Evid.R. 803(2).
{¶105} Appellant’s Fifth Assignment of Error is overruled.
I.
{¶106} In Appellant’s First Assignment of Error, Appellant argues the trial court
erred in declining to merge felonious assault and abduction. We disagree.
{¶107} The jury found Appellant guilty of Felonious Assault in violation of R.C.
§2903.11(A)(1) which states: “No person shall do either of the following: (1) Cause
serious physical harm to another or to another’s unborn[.]” The jury also found Appellant
guilty of Abduction in violation of R.C. §2905.02(A)(2) which states: “No person, without
privilege to do so, shall knowingly do any of the following: * * * By force or threat, restrain
the liberty of another person under circumstances that create a risk of physical harm to
the victim or place the other person in fear[.]”
{¶108} Appellant argues the trial court erred in refusing to merge the two
convictions in violation of R.C. §2941.25, which states the following:
(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to
constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment or
information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the defendant may
be convicted of only one.
(B) Where the defendant’s conduct constitutes two or more
offenses of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more
offenses of the same or similar kind committed separately or with a separate Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 26
animus as to each, the indictment or information may contain counts for all
such offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of all of them.
{¶109} In State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d 892,
syllabus, the Supreme Court of Ohio held:
1. In determining whether offenses are allied offenses of similar
import within the meaning of R.C. 2841.25, courts must evaluate three
separate factors - the conduct, the animus, and the import.
2. Two or more offenses of dissimilar import exist within the
meaning of R.C. 2841.25(B) when the defendant’s conduct constitutes
offenses involving separate victims or if the harm that results from each
offense is separate and identifiable.
3. Under R.C. 2941.25(B), a defendant whose conduct supports
multiple offenses if any one of the following is true: (1) the conduct
constitutes offenses of dissimilar import, (2) the conduct shows that the
offenses were committed separately, or (3) the conduct shows that the
offenses were committed with separate animus.
{¶110} In paragraph 26 of the opinion, the Ruff court stated:
At its heart, the allied-offense analysis is dependent upon the facts
of a case because R.C. 2941.25 focuses on the defendant’s conduct. The
evidence at trial or doing a plea or sentencing hearing will reveal whether
the offenses have similar import. When a defendant’s conduct victimizes
more than one person, the harm for each person is separate and distinct,
and therefore, the defendant can be convicted of multiple counts. Also, a Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 27
defendant’s conduct that constitutes two or more offenses against a single
victim can support multiple convictions if the harm that results from each
offense is separate and identifiable from the harm of the other offense. We
therefore hold that two or more offenses of dissimilar import exist within the
meaning of R.C. 2941.25(B) when the defendant’s conduct constitutes
offenses involving separate victims or if the harm that results from each
offense is separate and identifiable. Id.
{¶111} Offenses that occur close in time and proximity may still “involve separate
conduct for purposes of an allied offense analysis.” State v. Black, 8th Dist. No. 102586,
2016-Ohio-383, 58 N.E.3d 561, ¶27, discretionary appeal not allowed, State v. Black, 145
Ohio St.3d 1461, 2016-Ohio-2807, 49 N.E.3d 322.
{¶112} In State v. Boyd, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 109052, 2020-Ohio-5181, ¶45,
appeal not allowed, 162 Ohio St.3d 1438, 2021-Ohio-1399, 166 N.E.3d 1258, ¶45, the
defendant’s acts of felonious assault and abduction arose close in time and proximity,
were against the same victim, and even if they arose from same animus, the offenses
were committed separately. After a failed attempt to kill his wife, committing felonious
assault, she attempted to escape to the neighbor’s house. The defendant then,
committing abduction, knowingly used force to restrain the victim by dragging her by her
neck back to their house. The defendant then tried to run his wife over with a car,
committing a second felonious assault. The Eighth District Court of Appeals held
Appellant’s separate acts support the conclusion that the felonious assaults and
abduction offenses are not allied offenses of similar import. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 28
{¶113} In the case sub judice, although the felonious assault and abduction
happened in close proximity and time, they were committed separately. Appellant beat
and strangled the victim to the point she passed out, committing a felonious assault. Upon
regaining consciousness, the victim escaped to the bathroom. Appellant then told the
victim he would not beat her again if she remained in the bathroom, by threat, restraining
the victim’s liberty, committing the crime of abduction. Therefore, these two offenses do
not merge as they were committed separately. Appellant’s separate acts support the trial
court’s finding that the felonious assault and abduction offenses are not allied offenses of
similar import.
{¶114} Appellant’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.
VI.
{¶115} Appellant’s Sixth Assignment of Error summarily challenges the
constitutionality of the Reagan Tokes Act, which codified hybrid indefinite prison terms for
first- and second- degree felonies. Appellant generally alleges that indefinite sentences
giving ODRC “the role of judge, jury, and executioner” violates the right to due process
and the separation of powers doctrine. Appellant’s brief 15.
{¶116} This Court has previously found this type of challenge to not yet be ripe for
review. State v. Downard, 5th Dist. Muskingum, CT2019, 2020-Ohio-4227, appeal
allowed, 160 Ohio St.3d 1507, 2020-Ohio-6835, 159 N.E.3d 1152. However, the Ohio
Supreme Court found that the issue of the constitutionality of an indeterminate sentence
imposed under R.C. §2967.271 ripens at the time of sentencing and that the law may be
challenged on direct appeal. State v. Maddox, 2022-Ohio-764, ¶21. Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 29
{¶117} As the challenge is ripe for review, this Court looks to analyze Appellant’s
argument, analysis and support. Appellant summarily argues that his indefinite prison
term violated due process and separation of powers. His argument lacks any specific
reference to the record or citations to legal authority in support of an argument. See, State
v. Gulley, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2006CA00114, 2008-Ohio-887, ¶12.
{¶118} Appellant has the burden of demonstrating an error on appeal. See, App.R.
16(A)(7). “It is the duty of the appellant, not this court, to demonstrate his assigned error
through an argument that is supported by citations to legal authority and facts in the
record.” State v. Untied, 5th Dist. No. CT2006-0005, 2007-Ohio-1804, at ¶141. See, also,
App.R. 16(A)(7).
{¶119} The constitutionality of indefinite sentencing has previously been
challenged on several bases, but we are not at liberty to make Appellant’s arguments for
him. “If an argument exists that can support [an] assignment of error, it is not this court’s
duty to root it out.” State v. Romy, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2020 CA 00066, 2021-Ohio-501,
168 N.E.3d 86, ¶35, citing Thomas v. Harmon, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 08CA17, 2009-
Ohio-3299, ¶14. Therefore, “[w]e may disregard any assignment of error that fails to
present any citations to case law or statutes in support of its assertions.” Id., citing Frye
v. Holzer Clinic, Inc., 4th Dist. Gallia No. 07CA4, 2008-Ohio-2194, ¶12; see, also, App.R.
16(A)(7); App.R.12(A)(2). Richland County, Case No. 2021 CA 0021 30
{¶120} Appellant’s Sixth Assignment of Error is overruled.
{¶121} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas,
Richland County, Ohio, is hereby, affirmed.
By: Wise, John, J.
Wise, Earle, P. J., and
Gwin, J., concur.
JWW/br 0411