[Cite as State v. Jarrell, 2017-Ohio-520.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT GALLIA COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, : : Case No. 15CA8 Plaintiff-Appellee, : : vs. : DECISION AND JUDGMENT : ENTRY CHAD V. JARRELL : : Defendant-Appellant. : Released: 02/06/17
APPEARANCES:
Timothy P. Gleeson, Gleeson Law Office, Logan, Ohio, for Appellant.
Adam R. Salisbury, Gallipolis City Solicitor, Gallipolis, Ohio, for Appellee.
McFarland, J.
{¶1} Chad Jarrell appeals his conviction for a violation of R.C.
4511.19(A)(1), operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OVI), in the
Gallipolis Municipal Court, entered November 18, 2015. Appellant argues the trial
court erred by admitting testimony from a Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper
regarding the numerical display during an incomplete BAC Datamaster test.
Specifically, Appellant argues the admission of the trooper’s testimony was plain
error and also ineffective assistance of counsel. Upon review of the record and
relevant Ohio law, we find no reasonable probability that any error resulted in Gallia App. No. 15CA8 2
prejudice to Appellant. Accordingly, we overrule the sole assignment of error and
affirm the judgment of the trial court.
FACTS
{¶2} On October 7, 2014, Trooper Large of the Ohio State Highway Patrol
arrested Appellant for OVI.1 The Appellant was arraigned, entered a plea of not
guilty, and was given court-appointed counsel. Numerous pretrial conferences
were held. Subsequently, Appellant’s first attorney was removed and another
attorney was appointed.
{¶3} On November 9, 2015, Appellant filed a motion to suppress
challenging the stop and arrest. After a hearing on Appellant’s motion, the trial
court denied the motion to suppress and Appellant proceeded to jury trial. The
State of Ohio presented the testimony of Trooper Large of the Ohio State Highway
Patrol (OSHP) and Patrolman Adkins of the Gallipolis Police Department.
{¶4} To summarize, Trooper Large testified that he is employed by the
Ohio State Highway Patrol, Gallipolis Post, and had been a trooper 3 years. He
was working in that capacity on October 7 and 8, 2014. Trooper Large was
watching traffic near the BP gas station and store outside of Gallipolis when he
observed the vehicle operated by Appellant. He identified a video recording,
State’s Exhibit F, made from his cruiser’s camera video system, which captured
1 Appellant was also charged with and convicted of violations of R.C. 4511.39 (no turn signal); 4511.25 (left of center); and R.C. 4513.263 (seatbelt violation). Gallia App. No. 15CA8 3
Appellant’s driving, stop, and arrest. Trooper Large observed and the video noted
that Appellant failed to use his turn signal, was driving left of center and in the
oncoming lane. At this point, Trooper Large initiated a traffic stop.
{¶5} Appellant was the only occupant of his vehicle and while he was still
inside, Trooper Large noticed signs of alcohol consumption, which included
bloodshot and glassy eyes, an odor of alcoholic beverage “just pouring out of the
vehicle,” slurred speech, and his pupils were constricted, which indicated to the
trooper use of narcotics. And, he was not wearing his seatbelt. After a
conversation with Appellant’s cousin, who had come from a nearby house, Trooper
Large asked Appellant to step outside of the vehicle to conduct standardized field
sobriety testing.
{¶6} Trooper Large performed the horizontal gaze nystagmus test (“HGN”).
On each eye, the trooper was looking for lack of smooth pursuit, nystagmus at
maximum deviation, and nystagmus within an onset prior to a 45 degree angle.
Trooper Large testified Appellant was only partially following instructions after
multiple repetitions, which he considered another clue of impairment. There are 3
clues for each eye and Appellant showed all 6 clues. Appellant advised the trooper
he had multiple back and leg issues so he was not asked to take the one-leg stand
and walk-and-turn field sobriety tests. Trooper Large also testified that Appellant
stumbled and swayed a few times. Gallia App. No. 15CA8 4
{¶7} After the field sobriety testing, Trooper Large proceeded to have
Appellant perform a portable breath test (PBT). Despite multiple instructions,
Appellant did not follow them. Trooper Large considered this lack of following
instructions to be an indicator of alcohol impairment. He also opined Appellant
was trying to defeat the test. At this point, Trooper Large decided to place
Appellant under arrest. Appellant volunteered that he was on pain medication.
{¶8} Trooper Large testified he completed an impaired driver report,
Exhibit B, and listed Appellant as having a strong odor of alcohol, very slurred
speech, and evidence of drug use.2
{¶9} Trooper Large continued, testifying that he was the only trooper on
patrol that night. He needed to conduct a breath test and needed a witness as he
read the BMV 2255 form to Appellant. He determined to go to the Gallipolis
Police Department. Trooper Large’s direct testimony concluded by his testimony
that Patrolman Adkins was there to observe his reading of the form and operation
of the BAC Datamaster machine. Appellant did not complete the breath test
properly after being given multiple chances. Trooper Large then offered him a
urine test. Appellant first indicated he wanted to, and then he later did not take the
test because he could not do it at a time he chose. Additional testimony of the
trooper will be set forth below.
2 Trooper Large clarified that he had made a mistake on the report, regarding Appellant’s pupil size. He used “dilated” when he should have used “constricted.” Gallia App. No. 15CA8 5
{¶10} Patrolman Adkins testified he had been employed by the Gallipolis
Police Department as a patrolman for 17 years. He witnessed Trooper Large’s
attempted administration of the breath test, completion of required forms, and
signed the BMV 2255 form as a witness. He was not the arresting officer or the
investigating officer in Appellant’s case. He recalled only “smelling a strong odor
of alcohol coming from [Appellant’s] person.” He also recalled Appellant was
instructed multiple times on how to take the test but he was “not providing enough
sample for the machine to accept.”
{¶11} Patrolman Adkins testified he is the person that performs a
calibration check on the BAC Datamaster. The machine had to be tested every 7
days. The machine was tested on October 1st, and Appellant took his test on
October 8th. Patrolman Adkins testified between October 1st and October 8th, he
had no reason to suspect the machine was not working properly. On recross, he
reiterated that Appellant’s test was the only one done that week and the machine
failed to produce a reading. Additional testimony from Patrolman Adkins is
discussed below.
{¶12} The State also played the DVD recording, Exhibit F, showing
Appellant’s traffic violations, his stop and arrest. Appellant did not present
evidence. At the close of trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts. Gallia App. No. 15CA8 6
{¶13} On November 18, 2015, Appellant was sentenced to a 60-day jail
sentence, $900.00 fine and costs, one-year operator’s license suspension, and
intensive probation until November 2017. This timely appeal followed. Where
relevant, additional facts are set forth below.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
“I. THE ADMISSION OF TESIMONY OF THE NUMERICAL DISPLAY DURING AN INCOMPLETE BAC DATAMASTER TEST PREJUDICED JARRELL AND DEPRIVED HIM OF DUE PROCESS, WHETHER BY PLAIN ERROR ANALYSIS OR BY INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL FOR FAILING TO OBJECT.”
STANDARD OF REVIEW
{¶14} Appellant did not object and ask for a curative instruction for the
testimony at issue herein. As such, Appellant’s arguments are to be reviewed
under the “plain error” standard of review. Crim.R. 52(B) affords appellate courts
discretion to correct “[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights”
notwithstanding the accused's failure to meet his obligation to bring those errors to
the attention of the trial court. State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-
2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, ¶ 22. However, the accused bears the burden of proof to
demonstrate plain error on the record, Id.; State v. Quarterman, 140 Ohio St.3d
454, 2014-Ohio-4034, 19 N.E.3d 900, at ¶ 16, and must show “an error, i.e., a
deviation from a legal rule” that constitutes “an ‘obvious’ defect in the trial
proceedings,” State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). Gallia App. No. 15CA8 7
However, even if the error is obvious, it must have affected substantial rights, and
“[w]e have interpreted this aspect of the rule to mean that the trial court's error
must have affected the outcome of the trial.” Id.
{¶15} But even if an accused shows that the trial court committed plain
error affecting the outcome of the proceeding, an appellate court is not required to
correct it; we have “admonish[ed] courts to notice plain error ‘with the utmost
caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest
miscarriage of justice.’ ” (Emphasis added.) Rogers, supra, at ¶ 23; Barnes at ¶ 27,
759 N.E.2d 1240, quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978),
paragraph three of the syllabus.
LEGAL ANALYSIS
{¶16} Appellant argues Trooper Large’s testimony regarding the BAC
Datamaster’s screen – that the screen displayed a blood alcohol level value as high
as .156 – was non-responsive to a question posed during cross-examination, yet
trial counsel did not object to the testimony or seek a curative instruction.
Appellant first argues this was plain error because the impact of the testimony
about Jarrell’s possible blood alcohol level of .156 must have affected the outcome
of the proceedings, given that (1) Trooper Large characterized the case as
“borderline”; and (2) Patrolman Adkins did not notice any indicia of impairment
other than an odor of alcohol. Gallia App. No. 15CA8 8
{¶17} In response, the State contends that Appellant has not shown any
error by permitting the testimony affected the outcome of the proceedings.
Appellee contends that Appellant has grossly misrepresented the testimony of
Trooper Large and Patrolman Adkins. Trooper Large explained what he meant by
“borderline” during his redirect testimony. And, Patrolman Adkins explained his
limited involvement in Appellant’s case during his redirect testimony.
Furthermore, the jury had the benefit of a video of the entire exchange between
Appellant and Trooper Large during the entire traffic stop. The State concludes,
based upon the above, the assertion that the incomplete BAC result testimony must
have affected the outcome of the trial is not supported.
{¶18} Appellant directs us to State v. Zamorski, 141 Ohio App.3d 521, 526,
752 N.E.2d 288 (1st Dist.2000). There, Zamorski was involved in a head-on
collision when her car swerved left of the centerline. Zamorski was charged and
found guilty by a jury of operating her car under the influence of alcohol. On
appeal, Zamorski raised two assignments of error: (1) that the trial court abused its
discretion to Zamorski's material prejudice by allowing an officer to testify about a
temporary visual display appearing on an intoxilyzer during an invalid breath-
alcohol test; and (2) ineffective assistance of counsel as a result of the prejudicial
testimony. The First District Court of Appeals agreed that the trial court abused its Gallia App. No. 15CA8 9
discretion to Zamorski’s material prejudice and found, based upon disposition of
the first assignment of error, the ineffective assistance claim to be moot.
{¶19} The appellate court noted that at Zamorski's trial, the State introduced
testimony that Zamorski smelled of alcohol and may have been acting erratically
immediately after the accident. Additionally, the investigating officer testified that
when he arrived at the accident scene, Zamorski's eyes appeared bloodshot and
watery. The officer testified that he conducted six standard field sobriety tests at
the scene of the accident, and that Zamorski failed five of the six tests. Based on
his initial observations and Zamorski's performance during the field-sobriety tests,
the officer arrested Zamorski and transported her to the police station for an
intoxilyzer test.
{¶20} At the station, the officer attempted to obtain a breath sample from
Zamorski so that an intoxilyzer machine could provide an analysis of Zamorski's
breath-alcohol content. Because the officer discovered that Zamorski had a mint in
her mouth, he was required to wait thirty minutes before conducting the test.
When the officer finally attempted the test, the printed result first read “Invalid
Test,” and the second line read “Invalid Sample.” The officer attributed the invalid
sample to Zamorski's failure to blow hard enough into the machine. By this time,
the test was outside the two-hour limit prescribed for such tests by statute, and the
officer recorded that Zamorski had refused to participate in the intoxilyzer test. Gallia App. No. 15CA8 10
{¶21} By contrast, Zamorski's trial counsel introduced testimony from
Zamorski's doctor regarding her history of migraine headaches and her diagnosis
with “Adies Tonic Pupil,” in which one pupil is larger than the other. The doctor
testified that Zamorski began treatment in 1996 and that, generally, migraine
headaches could manifest in such a way as to explain how Zamorski lost control of
her car. Other testimony accounted for Zamorski's whereabouts on the evening in
question and indicated that Zamorski did not appear impaired approximately thirty
minutes before the accident. Also, Zamorski suffered a broken nose and a
concussion in the accident, potentially accounting for her poor performance during
the field sobriety tests.
{¶22} Further, Zamorski directly testified regarding her consumption of
alcohol before the accident. She testified that she had erroneously received a
mixed drink earlier in the evening but had returned it when she discovered that it
contained alcohol. The record indicated that while Zamorski never specifically
testified that she drank any part of this particular drink, she also never directly
denied that she drank any alcohol.
{¶23} After the defense rested, the State moved to introduce testimony
regarding the officer's observation of the intoxilyzer's visual display of breath-
alcohol content during the invalid test. The State claimed that Zamorski had
testified that she had not consumed any alcohol that night, and that the desired Gallia App. No. 15CA8 11
testimony of the officer would impeach her. Zamorski's trial counsel objected.
However, the trial court ruled that the defense would be allowed to reopen its case
and clarify through Zamorski's testimony that she had indeed tasted the alcoholic
drink before she returned it. Despite trial counsel's strenuous objections, the trial
court also allowed the officer to testify about the visual display appearing on the
intoxilyzer during the invalid test. The officer testified that he saw a reading of
“.141” displayed on the machine, well over the prohibited level of .10 that the State
incidentally mentioned in its earlier voir dire of prospective jurors.
{¶24} Zamorski claimed that the trial court abused its discretion in
admitting the officer's testimony and the appellate court agreed. In its opinion, the
appellate court pointed out Evid.R. 401 defines “relevant evidence” as evidence
that has “any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to
the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be
without the evidence,” as well as Evid.R. 402, “[e]vidence which is not relevant is
not admissible.” The Zamorski court noted:
“It is settled in Ohio that a trial court has broad discretion in applying the rules of evidence to determine whether evidence is relevant and therefore generally admissible. A trial court's decision as to the admissibility of relevant evidence should not be disturbed on review unless the trial court has abused that broad discretion and the party affected by the abuse has consequently suffered material prejudice. We hold that both prongs of that test are satisfied here.”
{¶25} The Zamorski court reasoned: Gallia App. No. 15CA8 12
“There is no evidence in the record before us, and we find no case law, to support in any way the contention that a visual display appearing during an invalid intoxilyzer test is at all relevant. We also find nothing to suggest that a visual display, occurring during an invalid test, may even be relevant for the limited purpose of proving that a person has consumed some quantity of alcohol at some point in the recent past. An invalid test, without some explanation to the contrary, is, by the plain meaning of the word “invalid,” simply without basis in fact. Evidence without a basis in fact is irrelevant. Without a detailed explanation and justification for how a visual display during an invalid test is relevant, which would necessarily involve expert testimony, any reference to that visual display is irrelevant, and therefore inadmissible. We can discern no sound reasoning process from the record before us to support the admission of the officer's testimony.”
{¶26} Zamorski further pointed out that Evid.R. 403(A) states that even
relevant evidence must be excluded “if its probative value is substantially
outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, of confusion of the issues, or of
misleading the jury.” The danger of unfair prejudice to the defendant is the reason
that expert testimony is required to explain the significance of a valid breath-
alcohol test result below the prohibited level of .10. In cases involving a charge of
driving under the influence, the concern is that “prejudice could result from a jury
giving too much weight to the test result itself rather than focusing on the critical
issue of the defendant's conduct.”
{¶27} The Zamorski court first held that the trial court erred in admitting
irrelevant testimony, and went on to consider whether Zamorski suffered material
prejudice as a result of the error. The court observed: Gallia App. No. 15CA8 13
“Prejudicial error is an error that affects the outcome of a case. Where a particular record contains other overwhelming evidence of a defendant's guilt, we have previously held that an error in the admission of evidence is not prejudicial. But, in this case, there is no overwhelming evidence of Zamorski's guilt in the record before us. The state presented evidence that Zamorski may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. But the defense presented credible evidence to the contrary. We hold that the erroneously admitted evidence, testimony concerning the temporary display of a prohibited breath-alcohol level during an invalid test, could well have upset the balance and affected the outcome in an otherwise close case.”
{¶28} This court has addressed similar arguments in Gallipolis v. Russell,
4th Dist. Gallia No. 98CA4, 1998 WL 833612 (Nov. 27, 1998). There, the
evidence disclosed in the early hours of May 23, 1997, at about 1:00 a.m.,
Gallipolis police officers observed Russell’s vehicle weaving, almost striking a
parked car, and failing to stop at a stop sign. When the officers stopped the car,
they administered a field sobriety test and arrested Ms. Russell for OVI and other
offenses. She was convicted and on appeal, argued that the trial court committed
prejudicial error in allowing one of the officers to testify about the breathalizer
results when the test was incomplete and she was charged with a refusal to submit
to the breath test.
{¶29} At Russell’s trial, one of the arresting officers was permitted to
testify, over objection, that she tried to take the test but did not give a sufficient
breath sample; that the State alleged she refused to take the test; and that she did
not complete the test as instructed. The officer’s testimony continued as follows: Gallia App. No. 15CA8 14
Q. And what did you actually see on that before she stopped blowing?
MR. CONLEY: Your honor, we have entered an objection so, as for the record, so the jury understands that.
COURT: Right. And I, I think that I had indicated that the, for the record, I don't think we need to remove the jury for this, that these are observations only made in the course of this and having to do with the refusal. And are the, we get into areas where it would have to do with the actual, ultimate into the A(3) charge that will be stricken.
Q. Okay, how high did these numbers actually get up to before she stopped blowing?
A. .218
Q. .218
A. Yes.
Q. And what happens if you continue blowing into that machine for the prescribed period of time?
A. It gives, what the machine does, when it gets the sufficient breath sample, it shuts down and gives a printed readout of what her test would, what the suspect test would be.
Q. That's if you breathe the prescribed period of time?
A. That's correct.
Q. Did you get a printout for the defendant?
A. No, I did not.”
{¶30} Then, in closing argument, the prosecution was permitted to comment
upon the testimony of the officers as follows: Gallia App. No. 15CA8 15
“However, Sergeant Jacks told you that the readout on the machine got up to a .218 before she stopped blowing and didn't blow long enough for it to print out and register. Otherwise, we would have had that evidence here today. So he wrote her down for a refusal. That she refused to take the test because she refused to blow long enough to get the machine to actually print out a ticket. However again he saw the machine with a .218, over twice the limit.”
{¶31} In our decision, we concluded:
“Once having determined that they were unable to get an accurate print-out from the machine, and having concluded that Russell's conduct was tantamount to a refusal to take the test, the reference to a blood alcohol content of .218, without some detailed explanation and justification, was not admissible for any purpose. In fact, the defendant's refusal to take the breath test, while admissible in a criminal prosecution for drunk driving, cannot be reconciled with the admission of any test results.
Here, the investigating officers had already determined that the test results were unacceptable because Russell ‘would not take the test properly’ and because ‘she was trying to fool the machine.’ Hence, the doubtful reliability of the supercharged reference to a blood alcohol content of ‘.218’ was also substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Accordingly, the second assignment of error is well made.”
{¶32} The Tenth District Court of Appeals’ decision in Columbus v.
Mullins,10th Dist. Franklin No. 03AP-623, 2004-Ohio-1059, cited Zamorski when
considering similar issues, although it reached a different conclusion regarding
prejudice to the defendant. Mullins was at a bar in Columbus, Ohio, between 9:00
p.m. and 12:00a.m. on the evening of November 26, 2002. According to a friend,
Mullins consumed two 12-ounce cans of beer during this period of time. Mullins
left the bar but returned at approximately 1:00 a.m. to pick up her friend and give Gallia App. No. 15CA8 16
her a ride home. At approximately 1:45 a.m., Mullins was driving southbound on
High Street when a Columbus police officer observed Mullins’ vehicle drift across
the broken white line separating the two southbound lanes and straddle the lane
marker for approximately one block. The officer shortly thereafter initiated a
traffic stop. Upon approaching Mullins’ vehicle, the officer detected an odor of an
alcoholic beverage. The officer conducted several field sobriety tests upon Mullins
and after determining that she had either failed or refused to complete the tests, he
placed her under arrest and transported her to the Franklin County Jail. At the jail,
the officer attempted to administer a breath test. Mullins blew into the machine,
but ultimately stopped blowing before a valid result could be obtained, and the
machine registered the test as having been refused. Mullins was charged and
convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to obey traffic signs.
{¶33} On appeal, Mullins argued the arresting officer’s testimony that while
administering a breath test to appellant, “[s]he started to blow into the machine,
and she was giving a steady tone, and she continued to give a steady tone. The
BAC went up above .10—,” warranted a mistrial. However, defense counsel
objected and argued at the bench that any testimony regarding numerical values
was irrelevant and inadmissible because a valid test result was never obtained and
thus should not be introduced by appellee. The court agreed in part, ruling that the
officer would be prohibited from testifying as to any numerical results displayed Gallia App. No. 15CA8 17
by the breath test machine, but he would be allowed to testify as to his
observations regarding whether the numerical display was “changing.” There was
no further objection. The court then stated to the jury, “[t]he jury is to disregard
any testimony as to any specific result. The officer's testimony as indicated would
only be as to any nonspecific result as to the test.”
{¶34} The arresting officer continued to testify as follows:
“As I stated, the tone was not beeping, it was going, ‘doo, doo,’ gives a steady tone, like an audible steady tone. You can see the display rise up, the person's level of the sample that they're giving rise [sic] up. It continued to rise to–continued to rise as she gave a sample. And then at a certain point in time, the tone stopped, and she had her cheeks kind of puffy and they were a little bit red. And I said, ‘The machine's telling me you're not blowing. Why did you stop blowing? Continue to keep blowing.’ And she let loose and said, ‘I can't, I can't. I've already blown. * * *’ ” (Tr. at 62).
{¶35} Mullins asserted that the trial judge's admonition regarding numerical
display testimony did not cure the error that occurred when the officer testified
regarding the .10 “result.” She also urged reversal of her conviction on account of
the officer's subsequent testimony that the breath test machine's display “continued
to rise.” In analyzing Mullins’ arguments, the appellate court noted:
“The record reflects, and appellant does not dispute, that the trial court immediately sustained her objection to testimony regarding any specific numerical ‘result’ displayed on the machine while appellant was attempting to blow into it. Further, the court told the jury to ‘disregard any testimony as to any specific result.’ We recognize that the court's next statement to the jury (regarding a ‘nonspecific result’) is somewhat unclear; however, the fact remains that the court properly instructed the jury to disregard numerical results and admonished Gallia App. No. 15CA8 18
appellee to eliminate further reference to numerical results from the remainder of the officer's testimony. The jury is presumed to have followed the court's instruction. Woodard, supra. We find nothing in the record that overcomes this presumption and demonstrates that the numerical result testimony was so prejudicial as to require a reversal. Prejudicial error is an error that affects the outcome of a case. State v. Zamorski, 141 Ohio App.3d 521, 526, 752 N.E.2d 288 (1st Dist.2000). Because the jury was presented with sufficient evidence upon which it could have based its guilty verdict, we cannot say that the testimony concerning the temporary numerical display was prejudicial.”
***
“We likewise find no prejudicial error in the officer's testimony that the BAC visual display ‘continued to rise.’ We note that appellant made no objection to this testimony, even though the trial judge gave counsel advance notice of its ruling during a bench conference. Thus, appellant waived all but plain error. On the state of the record, and for the reasons discussed above, we find this testimony was not prejudicial and decline to reverse appellant's conviction on that basis. For all of the foregoing reasons, appellant's first assignment of error is overruled.”
{¶36} In the case sub judice, Trooper Large testified on direct examination
as follows in response to a question as to how Appellant did not complete the
breath tests:
“Same thing as the, what he was doing with the PBT, he just wasn’t blowing into it for the full um, sample period. I guess you would say that enough air to complete the sample. He would start to blow into it, uh, and you know you would hear the steady tone as he was you know, as you were supposed to be doing and then you know the, where he was sitting and where the Datamaster machine is, is right next to each other and on the screen of it, it actually shows your blood alcohol level um, on the screen. Um, and as it was rising, uh, he would then stop blowing like you’re supposed to and then blow you know, either loosen his lips up or blow or not blow at all and then you Gallia App. No. 15CA8 19
know, the percentage on the screen would go down because there’s no, you know the breath was not continued, it stopped and then it would beep. And we’d you know, coach him again * * *.”
{¶37} Notably, there was no objection to this testimony that the blood
alcohol level displayed on the screen “was rising,” and the trooper did not state a
numerical value. The testimony at issue was elicited on Trooper Large’s cross-
examination at page 311 of the trial transcript. The exchange is set forth as
follows:
Q. Okay. When he was in the station and blew into the Datamaster did it generate a tone indicating that he was blowing into it?
A. Uh, yes and no.
Q. Okay.
A. It was, throughout both tests he did, he did both things. He would start to blow into it and then he would stop.
Q. Okay. So he would blow into it for a time and, and the computer would generate a signal showing that he was blowing correctly into it?
A. Yes, the tone would, all the time he would do it you know, the continuous tone and the, like I said earlier, there’s a screen on the DataMaster that actually shows what the blood alcohol level is um, and it went up to a, at one point it went up to a .156 and then it, obviously when he, when someone would stop blowing into it, it would decrease and go back down.
{¶38} We agree with Appellant that the trooper’s testimony that “at one
point it went up to a .156” is irrelevant under Evid.R. 401 and non-responsive to
the question posed. However, because no objection was made requesting to strike Gallia App. No. 15CA8 20
the testimony and issue a curative instruction, we are constrained to analyze
Appellant’s argument under the plain error standard. Therefore, we begin by
considering whether, on the record before us, there is a reasonable probability that
the impact of the improper testimony resulted in prejudice, i.e. affected the
outcome of the proceeding.
{¶39} In essence, Appellant characterizes the evidence in his case as
“weak,” and that the allegedly prejudicial testimony must have affected the
outcome of the proceeding, given that Trooper Large described the case as
“borderline,” and Patrolman Adkins did not notice any indicia of impairment other
than the odor of alcohol. In closing, the State emphasized Appellant’s traffic
violations and that Appellant intentionally interfered with the PBT test and the
BAC test. Defense counsel emphasized there were no chemical tests. He also
challenged the credibility of Trooper Large, a relatively new trooper, who testified
he saw bloodshot glassy eyes, slurred speech, stumbling and swaying, in contrast
to the testimony of Patrolman Adkins, with 17 years of experience, who testified
only to a strong odor of alcohol.
{¶40} When Trooper Large initially encountered Appellant at his vehicle,
Appellant’s cousin Connie came outside a nearby house and asked if Appellant
was going to jail. Trooper Large testified as to his conversation with the cousin as
follows: Gallia App. No. 15CA8 21
Q. And, and she asked you whether or not he was going to jail didn’t she?
Q. And what did you tell her at that point?
A. At that point that he wasn’t going to jail, that I would still need to do more field sobriety. Uh, that was after I got him out and stuff that I said that he was on the borderline at that point without even doing anymore field sobriety if he would be under arrest or not, but at that point he was still kind and cooperative and stuff and so he…inaudible…going to jail.
Q. So just to be clear you hadn’t made your mind up yet whether or not even to arrest Mr. Jarrell, isn’t that true?
A. Yes, that’s correct.
Q. And even if you effectuated an arrest of Mr. Jarrell don’t you have the option of either releasing into the care and custody of a family member or taking him to jail?
A. That is correct.
Q. And, and you can, you can choose whether or not to do that?
A. Yes. No matter, it’s up to me uh, when people are arrested for OVI or people call it DUI, it’s a misdemeanor of the first degree, it’s a jailable offense. Uh, a lot of times when I arrest people for that it all depends on their cooperation and how they act and their attitude and stuff like that or their, their point of intoxication if it’s even safe for them to be around other people or possibly they could get back to the vehicle still at that point they would be incarcerated for that reason. And if not, a lot of times even if you get arrested for OVI and after the paperwork’s done, all of that stuff, we have a family member or a friend come and get the person and take care of them for the rest of the…inaudible… Gallia App. No. 15CA8 22
Q. Okay. And so you’ve got two different decisions to make there, isn’t that right? You’ve got one decision to make on whether or not to arrest him and then you’ve got a separate decision to make as to whether or not to incarcerate him?
Q. Okay. So when you’re talking to his cousin at this point you’re talking to her about both decisions aren’t you?
Q. And when you speak with her and you tell her that he’s borderline, that you haven’t done the field sobriety yet, which decision are you talking about? The decision to arrest him or the decision to release him?
A. Arrest him.
{¶41} Trooper Large’s testimony that Appellant was “on the borderline
even before doing any field sobriety,” is irrelevant, given that there was reason to
believe Appellant was operating his vehicle while impaired. Before an officer may
order an individual to perform field sobriety tests, he or she must have a
reasonable, articulable suspicion that the individual was operating a motor vehicle
while under the influence of alcohol. See Columbus v. Anderson , 74 Ohio App.3d
768, 600 N.E.2d 712, (10th Dist.1991), citing State v. Bobo, 37 Ohio St.3d 177,
524 N.E.2d 489 (1988). In State v. Coates, 4th Dist. Athens No. 01CA21, 2002-
Ohio-2160, *5, we cited State v. Evans , 127 Ohio App.3d 56, 711 N.E.2d 761,
(11th Dist.1998), fn. 2, wherein the Eleventh District Court of Appeals noted Gallia App. No. 15CA8 23
several factors indicating operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of
alcohol that a court should consider when reviewing the totality of the
circumstances surrounding an officer's decision to administer field sobriety tests.
The Eleventh Appellate District noted the following factors, with no single one
being determinative of this issue:
“(1) the time and day of the stop (Friday or Saturday night as opposed to, e.g., Tuesday morning); (2) the location of the stop (whether near establishments selling alcohol); (3) any indicia of erratic driving before the stop that may indicate a lack of coordination (speeding, weaving, unusual braking, etc.); (4) whether there is a cognizable report that the driver may be intoxicated; (5) the condition of the suspect's eyes (bloodshot, glassy, glazed, etc.); (6) impairments of the suspect's ability to speak (slurred speech, overly deliberate speech, etc.); (7) the odor of alcohol coming from the interior of the car, or, more significantly, on the suspect's person or breath; (8) the intensity of that odor, as described by the officer (“very strong,” “strong,” “moderate,” “slight,” etc.); (9) the suspect's demeanor (belligerent, uncooperative, etc.); (10) any actions by the suspect after the stop that might indicate a lack of coordination (dropping keys, falling over, fumbling for a wallet, etc.); and (11) the suspect's admission of alcohol consumption, the number of drinks had, and the amount of time in which they were consumed, if given. Id.”
{¶42} Here, we do not find the Trooper’s cross-examination testimony
about Appellant’s possible BAC level of .156 affected the outcome of the
proceeding. Appellant’s case is unlike that in Zamorski, where the evidence was
equally balanced and the improper testimony upset the balance and affected the
outcome of an otherwise close case. Appellant exhibited many of the above
factors indicating impairment. For example, Appellant exhibited erratic driving Gallia App. No. 15CA8 24
which included failing to use his turn signal and traveling left of center, which the
video demonstrates happened for an extended period of time. Appellant was
stopped in the late evening of October 7, 2014. Trooper Large testified a strong
odor of an alcoholic beverage “poured” out of the vehicle and Appellant was
traveling alone. When Appellant was removed from the vehicle, a strong odor was
on Appellant’s person. Trooper Large also testified Appellant’s speech was
slurred and Appellant stumbled and swayed.
{¶43} Trooper Large also testified he had to repeat the directions for the
HGN test, the PBT, and the BAC later, multiple times. He considered Appellant’s
inability to understand and follow the directions to be another indicator of
impairment. This is corroborated, in part, on the video.
{¶44} Appellant also makes much of Patrolman Adkins’ testimony, on
cross-examination, when he admitted he spent approximately 20 minutes in the
same small room with Appellant and Trooper Large and they were in close
proximity. Patrolman Adkins admitted he did not observe signs of impairment,
such as staggering, lack of coordination, and falling. However, on redirect,
Patrolman Adkins also advised he was not the investigating officer that night and
he did not look into Appellant’s eyes. He did notice a strong odor of alcohol
coming from Appellant. Gallia App. No. 15CA8 25
{¶45} We are mindful that an appellate court must bear in mind the
factfinder's superior, first-hand perspective in judging the demeanor and credibility
of witnesses. State v. Watts, 3rd Dist. Hancock No. 12-5-34, 2016-Ohio-257, ¶ 55;
State v. Phillips, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-79, 2014-Ohio-5612, ¶ 125. See
State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212, (1967), paragraph one of the
syllabus. The jury was in the best position to evaluate the testimony of Trooper
Large and Patrolman Adkins. In addition, the jury viewed the video recording of
the stop which corroborated much of the testimony and also revealed Appellant’s
demeanor which changed from cooperative to belligerent, which is also a factor
compiled on the Evans list.
{¶46} For the foregoing reasons, we find the admission of Trooper Large’s
cross-examination testimony regarding Appellant’s possible BAC level of .156 did
not rise to the level of plain error. We cannot say that there exists a reasonable
probability that the alleged error resulted in prejudice to Appellant and affected the
outcome of his trial. While Trooper Large used the term “borderline,” and
Patrolman Adkins testified to noticing only a “strong odor” of alcohol emanating
from Appellant’s person, as in Mullins, there was sufficient other evidence upon
which Appellant was convicted.
{¶47} Appellant also argues he was rendered ineffective assistance of
counsel, given the importance of the alleged blood alcohol numerical value to the Gallia App. No. 15CA8 26
outcome of the OVI case. The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution
and Article I, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution provide that defendants in all
criminal proceedings shall have the assistance of counsel for their defense. State v.
Jenkins, 4th Dist. Ross No. 13CA3413, 2014-Ohio-3123, ¶ 14. The United States
Supreme Court has generally interpreted this provision to mean a criminal
defendant is entitled to the “reasonably effective assistance” of counsel. Strickland
v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, (1984); McMann v. Richardson, 397
U.S. 759, 770, 90 S.Ct. 1441, (1970); State v. Creech, 188 Ohio App.3d 513, 2010-
Ohio-2553, 936 N.E.2d 79, ¶ 39 (4th Dist.).
{¶48} To establish constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel, a
defendant must show (1) that his counsel's performance was deficient and (2) that
the deficient performance prejudiced the defense and deprived him of a fair trial.
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, (1984); State v.
Powell, 132 Ohio St.3d 233, 2012-Ohio-2577, 971 N.E.2d 865, ¶ 85; Jenkins,
supra, at ¶ 15. “In order to show deficient performance, the defendant must prove
that counsel's performance fell below an objective level of reasonable
representation. To show prejudice, the defendant must show a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the proceeding would have
been different.” State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, 848 Gallia App. No. 15CA8 27
N.E.2d 810, ¶ 95 (citations omitted); accord State v. Wesson, 137 Ohio St.3d 309,
2013-Ohio-4575, 999 N.E.2d 557, ¶ 81.
{¶49} When considering whether trial counsel's representation amounts to
deficient performance, “a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's
conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.”
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689; Jenkins, supra, at ¶ 16. Thus, “the defendant must
overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action
might be considered sound trial strategy.” Id. “A properly licensed attorney is
presumed to execute his duties in an ethical and competent manner.” State v.
Taylor, 4th Dist. Washington No. 07CA11, 2008-Ohio-482, ¶ 10, citing State v.
Smith, 17 Ohio St.3d 98, 100, 477 N.E.2d 1128 (1985). Therefore, a defendant
bears the burden to show ineffectiveness by demonstrating that counsel's errors
were so serious that he or she failed to function as the counsel guaranteed by the
Sixth Amendment. State v. Gondor, 112 Ohio St.3d 377, 2006-Ohio-6679, 860
N.E.2d 77, ¶ 62; State v. Hamblin, 37 Ohio St.3d 153, 156, 524 N.E.2d 476 (1988).
{¶50} To establish prejudice, a defendant must demonstrate that a
reasonable probability exists that but for counsel's errors, the result of the trial
would have been different. State v. Short, 129 Ohio St.3d 360, 2011-Ohio-3641,
952 N.E.2d 1121, ¶ 113; State v. White, 82 Ohio St.3d 16, 23, 693 N.E.2d 772
(1998); State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989), paragraph Gallia App. No. 15CA8 28
three of the syllabus; Jenkins, supra, at ¶ 17. Furthermore, courts may not simply
assume the existence of prejudice, but must require the defendant to affirmatively
establish prejudice. State v. Clark, 4th Dist. Pike No. 02CA684, 2003-Ohio-1707,
¶ 22; State v. Tucker, 4th Dist. Ross No. 01CA2592 (Apr. 2, 2002).
{¶51} To show plain error, an accused is required to demonstrate a
reasonable probability that the error resulted in prejudice–the same deferential
standard for reviewing ineffective assistance of counsel claims. United States v.
Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74, 81-83, 124 S.Ct. 2333 (2004) (construing
Fed.R.Crim.P. 52(b), the federal analog to Crim.R. 52(B), and also noting that the
burden of proving entitlement to relief for plain error “should not be too easy”).
The existence of plain error satisfies the prejudice prong of the test for ineffective
assistance of counsel. State v. Mohamed, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102398, 103602,
2016-Ohio-1116, ¶ 37. In the case sub judice, we have found no plain error.
“Failure to establish either element is fatal to [an ineffective assistance] claim.”
State v. Jones, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 06CA3116, 2008-Ohio-968, ¶ 14. Therefore, if
one element is dispositive, a court need not analyze both. State v. Madrigal, 87
Ohio St.3d 378, 389, 721 N.E.2d 52 (2000) (stating that a defendant's failure to
satisfy one of the elements “negates a court's need to consider the other”).
Therefore, we need not consider Appellant’s ineffective assistance claim.
{¶52} Moreover, we cannot say that Appellant’s counsel’s elicitation of the Gallia App. No. 15CA8 29
testimony of the .156 BAC reading on cross-examination should not be construed
as part of a reasonable trial strategy to challenge the functionality of the
DataMaster machine. Counsel questioned Patrolman Adkins vigorously regarding
his calibration checks of the machine, emphasizing that the machine was supposed
to be calibrated every 7 days and the last time it had been calibrated prior to
Appellant’s test Patrolman Adkins admitted the machine failed to produce a
reading in the week prior.
{¶53} Furthermore, defense counsel repeated the .156 numerical value
within a line of questioning apparently undertaken to call into doubt the
functionality of the breath test machine. After counsel elicited the trooper’s
testimony regarding the .156 result, counsel repeated the number and the trooper’s
testimony continued as follows:
Q. Okay. But it, it never gave a value of .156 in its results did it?
A. No.
Q. It didn’t show anything other than zero on any of those result slips did it?
A. That’s correct. It was an invalid sample.
Q. Okay. So after you got these multiple invalid samples what kind of testing did you do to make sure that the machine was working right?
A. I didn’t, I don’t test that machine at all.
Q. Okay. And we’ve already gotten testimony that the machine had not been used in at least a week and maybe longer, we don’t know, but we’ve seen records for a week, right? Gallia App. No. 15CA8 30
A. Yes, all of the records are there.
Q. So did anyone blow into the machine that night to see if it worked?
A. I, I have no idea.
Q. Did, did you blow in?
Q. Um, did Patrolman Adkins blow in?
Q. Okay. So you’re just assuming that the machine worked?
{¶54} Under the invited error doctrine, “a party is not entitled to take
advantage of an error that he himself invited or induced.” State v. Doss, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 84433, 2005-Ohio-775, ¶ 5, quoting State ex rel. Kline v. Carroll,
96 Ohio St.3d 404, 2002-Ohio-4849, 775 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 27; State ex rel. v. Cos. v.
Marshall, 81 Ohio St.3d 467, 471, 692 N.E.2d 198 (1998). The doctrine precludes
a defendant from making “an affirmative and apparent strategic decision at trial”
and then complaining on appeal that the result of that decision constitutes
reversible error. Doss at ¶ 7, quoting United States v. Jernigan, 341 F.3d 1273,
1290 (11th Cir.2003). The doctrine applies when defense counsel is “actively
responsible” for the trial court's error. State v. Campbell, 90 Ohio St.3d 320, 324,
2000-Ohio-183, 738 N.E.2d 1178. Furthermore, in Jenkins, supra, at fn. 2, we Gallia App. No. 15CA8 31
observed that some courts refuse to recognize an ineffective assistance of counsel
claim when the allegation is that trial counsel invited the alleged error.3 However,
as in Jenkins, we also resolve Appellant’s claim regarding ineffective assistance on
the basis that he has failed to show material prejudice affecting the outcome of his
trial. “ ‘[W]here the failure to object does not constitute plain error, the issue
cannot be reversed by claiming ineffective assistance of counsel.’ ” State v.
Teitelbaum, 2016-Ohio-3524, - -N.E. 3d - -, ¶113; State v. Roy, 10th Dist. No.
14AP–223, 2014-Ohio-4587, ¶ 20, quoting State v. Carson, 10th Dist. No. 05AP–
13, 2006-Ohio-2440, ¶ 51. See also State v. Murphy, 91 Ohio St. 3d 516, 540,
2001-Ohio-112, 747 N.E.2d 765.
{¶54} For the foregoing reasons, we find no merit to Appellant’s sole
assignment of error. As such, we overrule the assigned error and affirm the
judgment of the trial court.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
3 In Jenkins, we explained: The Eighth District Court of Appeals explained the rationale as follows: “[T]o allow such a claim, where counsel induced the error, would defeat the purpose of the invited error doctrine: ‘[C]onsidering an ineffective assistance of counsel claim brought about as a result of invited error would necessarily vitiate our ruling on invited error. There is no point in having a stringent invited error doctrine only to allow it to be overcome by finding counsel ineffective for having invited the error.’ State v. West, 8th Dist. Nos. 97391 and 97900, 2013-Ohio-96, ¶ 27, quoting Doss, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 84433, 2005-Ohio-775, ¶ 9. Regardless, invited error involves the exercise of trial strategy, and courts have consistently held that an appellate court ‘will not question matters of trial strategy.’ Id.” State v. Benitez, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98930, 2013-Ohio-2334, ¶ 35. In the case at bar, we do not deem it necessary to consider the merits of this rationale. Instead, we can dispose of appellant's ineffective assistance of counsel claim due to the lack of prejudice. Gallia App. No. 15CA8 32
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and costs be assessed to Appellant.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Gallipolis Municipal Court to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Abele, J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion. Hoover, J.: Concurs in Judgment Only.
For the Court,
BY: ____________________________ Matthew W. McFarland, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.