State v. Knight

2020 Ohio 6709

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: December 16, 2020
• Docket: 29057
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Knight, 2020-Ohio-6709.]

STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS )ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COUNTY OF SUMMIT )

STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 29057

Appellee

v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT ENTERED IN THE WILLIAM M. KNIGHT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY OF SUMMIT, OHIO Appellant CASE No. CR 17 04 1153

DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY

Dated: December 16, 2020

CARR, Presiding Judge.

{¶1} Defendant-Appellant, William Knight, moved to reopen his appeal from the

judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas after this Court affirmed his convictions

in State v. Knight, 9th Dist. Summit No. 29057, 2019-Ohio-2990. We granted the application to

reopen, and this matter is now before us for decision. For the following reasons, we confirm our

prior decision.

I.

{¶2} In State v. Graves, this Court explained its obligations in a reopened appeal as

follows:

Under Rule 26(B)(9) of the Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure, “[i]f th[is] [C]ourt finds that the performance of appellate counsel was deficient and the applicant was prejudiced by that deficiency, [it] shall vacate its prior judgment and enter the appropriate judgment. If th[is][C]ourt does not so find, [it] shall issue an order confirming its prior judgment.” Deficient performance by a lawyer is a performance that falls below an objective standard of reasonable representation. State v. Hale, 119 Ohio St.3d 118, 2008-Ohio-3426, at ¶ 204 (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-88 (1984)). A defendant is prejudiced by the 2

deficiency if there is a reasonable probability that, but for his lawyer’s errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Id. (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 694 (1984)). “A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.

(Alterations sic.) 9th Dist. Lorain No. 08CA009397, 2011-Ohio-5997, ¶ 9. With those obligations

in mind, we turn to the facts underlying the instant appeal.

{¶3} Someone stole a dirt bike from Knight’s son-in-law. About a year later, the son-

in-law spotted his bike for sale on Facebook. A friend of his contacted the individual who posted

the bike for sale (J.B.) and feigned interest in purchasing it. Once contact was established, the son-

in-law assumed his friend’s identity and asked to see the bike in person. J.B. instructed the son-

in-law to come to his home before dark to see the bike. He did not have the bike, however, as he

had merely posted it for sale on behalf of a friend. His friend, the victim in this matter, planned to

drive the bike to J.B.’s residence for the meeting.

{¶4} The victim stored the bike at his uncle’s house on Danmead Avenue, a residential,

dead-end street. The cold weather made it difficult for him to start the bike that evening, so he

ultimately instructed J.B. to lead the son-in-law to him. J.B. and the son-in-law then drove their

respective vehicles to Danmead Avenue. All the while, the son-in-law sent his wife updates by

text message and instructed her and her father, Knight, to meet him there. Knight and his daughter

arrived while the son-in-law and the victim were discussing the bike, and the daughter immediately

called 911. After she exited Knight’s truck, he pulled further down the street, circled, and parked

facing toward Eastwood Avenue. Eventually, he exited his truck and stood just outside it.

{¶5} Accounts varied with respect to what occurred after Knight and his daughter

arrived, but the situation quickly escalated once the son-in-law revealed his true identity, produced

the title for the bike, and demanded that the victim hand it over. Words were exchanged, and the

victim, who was seated on the bike as it ran, attempted to take off. He was prevented from doing 3

so by the son-in-law, who had a hold of the clutch and refused to let go. As the victim revved the

accelerator and redlined the engine, Knight fired a gun into the air in the hopes of ending the

confrontation. The victim then managed to break the son-in-law’s hold and quickly accelerated

toward Eastwood Avenue. He sideswiped a car parked nearby, however, and the bike spun away

from Eastwood Avenue. The front of the bike then came up off the ground, as if the victim had

executed a “wheelie[,]” and Knight fired a second shot. The second shot struck the victim in the

head, killing him instantly.

{¶6} A grand jury indicted Knight on one count of murder, one count of felony murder,

two counts of felonious assault, and four attendant firearm specifications. He argued self-defense

and defense of others at trial, but a jury rejected his defenses and found him guilty on all counts.

After merging his convictions and specifications, the trial court sentenced him to 18 years in

prison.

{¶7} On direct appeal, Knight argued that the trial court erred when it issued the jury an

instruction on defense of property. Knight, 2019-Ohio-2990, at ¶ 9-12. Additionally, he argued

that (1) his attorney was ineffective for failing to renew his objection to the instruction, id.; and

(2) his convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence, id. at ¶ 13-15. This Court

rejected his challenge to the jury instruction on the basis that he had forfeited his argument in the

lower court and had not argued plain error on appeal. See id. at ¶ 10-11. Though he assigned as

error that his counsel was ineffective for not preserving his objection, we rejected his ineffective

assistance argument because it was underdeveloped and conclusory in nature. Id. at ¶ 12.

Likewise, we conducted an abbreviated review of his manifest weight challenge and rejected it

“based upon the limited argument presented * * *.” Id. at ¶ 15. Having overruled all of Knight’s

assignments of error, this Court affirmed his convictions. Id. at ¶ 16. 4

{¶8} Following this Court’s decision, Knight moved to reopen his appeal on the basis

that he had received ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. This Court granted his application

to reopen and appointed new counsel. Knight now raises five assignments of error for our review,

the last of which he has sub-divided into two parts. Pursuant to App.R. 26(B)(7), he also has

addressed the claim that his prior appellate counsel was deficient and that he was prejudiced by

that deficiency. To facilitate our review, we reorder and consolidate several of the assignments of

error.

II.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V PART A

THE CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES VIOLATE OHIO’S CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. DUE COURSE AND PROCESS OF LAW REQUIRED APPLICATION OF THE BENEFIT IN THE SWITCH OF THE BURDEN OF PROOF FOR CLAIMS OF SELF-DEFENSE AND DEFENSE OF OTHERS IN ANY CASE OF DIRECT APPELLATE REVIEW PENDING ON AND AFTER MARCH 28, 2019.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V PART B

THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THE ACCUSED DID NOT USE FORCE IN SELF-DEFENSE OR DEFENSE OF OTHERS UNDER THE BURDEN- SHIFTING STATUTE OF SELF-DEFENSE AND DEFENSE OF OTHERS NOW IN EFFECT.

{¶9} In his fifth assignment of error, Knight argues, in two parts, that his convictions are

based on insufficient evidence. Because the self-defense statute was amended when this matter

was pending on appeal, Knight argues that the amended version of the statute applies and his

convictions may stand only if the State set forth sufficient evidence to convict him under the

amended statute. According to Knight, the State’s evidence does not support a conviction under

the current version of R.C. 2901.05(B). For the following reasons, we reject his arguments. 5

{¶10} “Section 28, Article II of the Ohio Constitution prohibits the General Assembly

from passing retroactive laws.” State v. Adkins, 129 Ohio St.3d 287, 2011-Ohio-3141, ¶ 12. “A

statute is presumed to be prospective in its operation unless expressly made retrospective.” R.C.

1.48. “[I]f the statute is silent on the question of its retroactive application, we must apply it

prospectively only.” Hyle v. Porter, 117 Ohio St.3d 165, 2008-Ohio-542, ¶ 10. A court may not

infer retroactivity from merely “suggestive language.” Id. “[T]o overcome the presumption that

a statute applies prospectively, a statute must ‘clearly proclaim’ its retroactive application.” Id.,

quoting State v. Consillio, 114 Ohio St.3d 295, 2007-Ohio-4163, paragraph one of the syllabus.

{¶11} The crimes that led to Knight’s convictions occurred on March 20, 2017. His trial

commenced on April 2, 2018, and he was sentenced on April 30, 2018. On March 28, 2019, while

his direct appeal was pending, the General Assembly amended Ohio’s self-defense statute. See

2019 A.m.Sub.H.B. No. 228. The amendments reallocated the burden of proof in self-defense

cases, making it the State’s burden to disprove a claim of self-defense or defense of others if

evidence tending to support either theory was presented. See R.C. 2901.05(B); State v. Williams,

9th Dist. Summit No. 29444, 2020-Ohio-3269, ¶ 10. Because his appeal was pending when the

statute was amended and is currently pending before this Court on reopening, Knight argues that

the Ohio Constitution requires us to review his convictions under the amended version of the

statute. According to Knight, his convictions are based on insufficient evidence because the State

failed to satisfy its burden under R.C. 2901.05(B), as amended.

{¶12} The newly enacted version of the self-defense statute reads, in pertinent part:

(A) * * * The burden of going forward with the evidence of an affirmative defense, and the burden of proof * * * for an affirmative defense other than self-defense[ or] defense of another * * * is upon the accused.

(B)(1) A person is allowed to act in self-defense[ or] defense of another * * *. If, at the trial of a person who is accused of an offense that involved the person’s use 6

of force against another, there is evidence presented that tends to support that the accused person used the force in self-defense[ or] defense of another * * *, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused person did not use the force in self-defense[ or] defense of another * * *.

The statute does not contain any express language evidencing the legislature’s intent to have it

apply retroactively. See Hyle, 117 Ohio St.3d 165, 2008-Ohio-542, at ¶ 10. Accordingly, its plain

language supports the conclusion that it applies prospectively. See id.; R.C. 1.48.

{¶13} Notably, our sister districts have reached different conclusions when asked to

identify the exact point at which the amendments to R.C. 2901.05(B) apply prospectively. Some

districts have concluded that the amendments apply only if they were already in effect when an

offender committed his offense(s). See, e.g., State v. Irvin, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28495, 2020-

Ohio-4847, ¶ 26; State v. McEndree, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2019-A-0038, 2020-Ohio-4526, ¶

46; State v. Brooks, 5th Dist. Richland No. 2019 CA 0104, 2020-Ohio-4123, ¶ 43; State v.

Williams, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-19-39, 2019-Ohio-5381, ¶ 12, fn. 1. Other districts have concluded

that the amendments apply if they were in effect at the time of the offender’s trial, regardless of

when he committed his offense(s). See, e.g., State v. Reyes-Figueroa, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

108609, 2020-Ohio-4460, ¶ 23; State v. Lewis, 12th Dist. Butler No. 2019-07-128, 2020-Ohio-

3762, ¶ 26; State v. Carney, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 19AP-402, 2020-Ohio-2691, ¶ 31. In spite of

the split of authority on that issue, however, this Court is unaware of any appellate court that has

applied the amendments to R.C. 2901.05(B) in a case where an offender was convicted before the

effective date of the statute. To the contrary, our sister districts have uniformly found that the

amendments to R.C. 2901.05(B) do not apply retroactively. See State v. Zafar, 10th Dist. Franklin

No. 19AP-255, 2020-Ohio-3341, ¶ 28-32; State v. Fisher, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108494, 2020-

Ohio-670, ¶ 24, fn. 2; State v. Moore, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2019-0030, 2020-Ohio-342, ¶

8-12; State v. Koch, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28000, 2019-Ohio-4099, ¶ 97-104; State v. Lechner, 7

4th Dist. Highland No. 19CA3, 2019-Ohio-4071, ¶ 34-38; State v. Hudson, 1st Dist. Hamilton No.

C-170681, 2019-Ohio-3497, ¶ 15, fn.1; State v. Thomas, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2017-P-0094,

2019-Ohio-2795, ¶ 36, fn.1. Likewise, this Court has refused to apply the amendments

retroactively. See State v. Robinson, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 19CA011495, 2020-Ohio-4502, ¶ 17;

State v. Brown, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 19AP0004, 2020-Ohio-529, ¶ 23.

{¶14} Knight attempts to frame the question of R.C. 2901.05(B)’s retroactivity as an issue

of due process and equal protection. He claims that his right to a fair trial under the Ohio

Constitution will be offended if he is deprived of a review under the newly enacted burden-shifting

scheme. Yet, the Ohio Constitution expressly eschews retroactive laws. See Section 28, Article

II of the Ohio Constitution. At the time R.C. 2901.05(B) was amended, Knight’s trial had been

over for nearly a year. Compare Isaac v. Engle, 646 F.2d 1122 (6th Cir.1980), rev’d, 646 F.2d

1129 (6th Cir.1980), rev’d, 456 U.S. 107 (1982) (pertaining to application of burden-shifting

statute that was enacted before the trials of the defendants therein). He has failed to cite any

authority standing for the proposition that he is entitled to have his convictions reviewed under a

statute that was not enacted until after he was convicted. See App.R. 16(A)(7). The change to the

self-defense statute “does not involve the recognition of a new constitutional rule.” Koch at ¶ 101.

Compare Griffith v. Kentucky, 479 U.S. 314 (1987) (defendant entitled to application of

constitutional rule newly declared while his case was pending on direct review). Moreover, “‘it

does not equate to [a] finding [that] the former statute [was] unconstitutional.’” Koch at ¶ 101,

quoting State v. Krug, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2018-L-056, 2019-Ohio-926, ¶ 24. Because the current

version of R.C. 2901.05(B) is not retroactive and was not enacted until after Knight was convicted,

it does not apply here. See Koch at ¶ 97-104; Zafar, 2020-Ohio-3341, at ¶ 28-32. See also State 8

v. Brown, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 19AP0004, 2020-Ohio-529, ¶ 23. Accordingly, both portions of

Knight’s fifth assignment of error are overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III

THE CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES ARE CONTRARY TO LAW IN VIOLATION OF OHIO’S CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.

{¶15} In his third assignment of error, Knight argues that his convictions are against the

manifest weight of the evidence. Specifically, he argues that the jury lost its way when it failed to

conclude that his sole purpose in shooting the victim was to protect himself and his family. We

disagree.

{¶16} A conviction that is supported by sufficient evidence may still be found to be

against the manifest weight of the evidence. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387 (1997).

In determining whether a criminal conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.

State v. Otten, 33 Ohio App.3d 339, 340 (9th Dist.1986). “A manifest-weight challenge can be

successful ‘‘‘only in the exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the

conviction.’’” State v. Hundley, Slip Opinion No. 2020-Ohio-3775, ¶ 80, quoting Thompkins at

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

{¶17} To establish self-defense when deadly force has been used, a defendant must prove

that

“(1) [he] was not at fault in creating the violent situation, (2) [he] had a bona fide belief that [he] was in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that [his] only means of escape was the use of force, and (3) [he] did not violate any duty to retreat or avoid the danger.” 9

State v. Goff, 128 Ohio St.3d 169, 2010-Ohio-6317, ¶ 36, quoting State v. Thomas, 77 Ohio St.3d

323, 326 (1997); Former R.C. 2901.05. “[T]he elements of self-defense are cumulative. * * * If

the defendant fails to prove any one of [the] elements by a preponderance of the evidence he has

failed to demonstrate that he acted in self-defense.” State v. Jackson, 22 Ohio St.3d 281, 284

(1986).

{¶18} The defense of others doctrine affords a person the privilege “to defend family

members to the same extent he is entitled to protect himself.” State v. Skinner, 9th Dist. Lorain

No. 06CA009023, 2007-Ohio-5601, ¶ 20, citing State v. Williford, 49 Ohio St.3d 247, 249-250

(1990). “A person who asserts that he was defending another * * * ‘acts at his own peril * * *.’”

State v. Campbell, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 97CA006973, 1999 WL 492595, *5 (July 14, 1999),

quoting State v. Wenger, 58 Ohio St.2d 336, 339 (1979). “The intervenor ‘stands in the shoes of

the person whom he is aiding, and if the person aided is the one at fault, then the intervenor is not

justified in his use of force * * *.’” Campbell at *5, quoting Wenger at 339.

{¶19} J.B. testified that he led Knight’s son-in-law to Danmead Avenue because the son-

in-law lied about his identity and posed as someone who was interested in purchasing a dirt bike

from the victim. When they arrived at the victim’s uncle’s house, J.B. parked his car in the street

in front of the house, facing toward the dead-end, and the son-in-law parked his truck directly

behind him. The victim already had the bike out, and the son-in-law spent time inspecting it and

feigning interest. The victim then rode the bike up and down the street a few times to show the

son-in-law that it worked. When he finished, he stayed on the bike, facing toward Eastwood

Avenue, and once again spoke with the son-in-law.

{¶20} Not long after the victim and the son-in-law resumed their conversation, J.B.

noticed a truck turn down Danmead Avenue. He testified that a woman emerged from the truck, 10

walked toward the bike, and called the police from her cell phone. At the same time, the son-in-

law informed the victim that the bike was his and produced a title. J.B. testified that the son-in-

law demanded the victim give him the bike, but the victim refused to relinquish it without payment.

He recalled that the victim had left the engine running and, as the two men argued, the son-in-law

lunged forward and grabbed the bike’s clutch to prevent the victim from driving off. As the son-

in-law held onto the bike, J.B. saw the victim using his feet to scoot it forward, away from the son-

in-law and toward Eastwood Avenue. He also heard the bike “revving up” as the victim engaged

the accelerator. Uncomfortable with the turn of events that had occurred, J.B. decided to leave.

{¶21} As J.B. got into his car, he heard a popping noise and saw a man in the distance,

holding a gun in the air. The man was standing in the middle of the street in front of J.B.’s car,

but several houses down. J.B. testified that he only took notice of the man when he heard the

popping noise and realized the man had fired a gun. According to J.B., the victim and the son-in-

law either failed to hear the gunshot or chose to ignore it because they kept arguing over the bike.

As J.B. drove north toward the dead-end and passed the man in the street, he heard “two more

pops,” looked in his rearview mirror, and saw the man “standing in the middle of the road in a

stance.” He then reached the end of the road and waited before circling back toward Eastwood

Avenue. As he closed in on the area where he had been parked, J.B. saw people huddled in the

street. He testified that the son-in-law emerged from the huddle and told him to stop, but J.B.

ignored him. J.B. then noticed the dirt bike lying in the road and swerved around it. He testified

that the bike was lying just south of the son-in-law’s truck (i.e., closer to Eastwood Avenue).

{¶22} B.W., a close friend of the victim’s, also witnessed the events that transpired that

evening. He testified that he and the victim were on their way to a bar when the victim received

word that someone was interested in purchasing his dirt bike. B.W. drove the victim to the victim’s 11

uncle’s house to get the bike and parked his car in the driveway, nearby the uncle’s detached

garage. He recalled that J.B. and the son-in-law were already there when he and the victim arrived,

but acknowledged that he might have been mistaken on that point. He testified that the victim had

trouble starting the bike, but eventually succeeded and rode it up and down the street. The victim

then returned to his uncle’s driveway, turned off the bike, and remained seated while he and the

son-in-law discussed a possible sale.

{¶23} B.W. testified that the son-in-law eventually revealed his identity and demanded

the return of his bike. The victim still wanted money for the bike, however, and asked to see the

bike’s title. When the son-in-law produced it, the victim restarted the bike and tried backing up.

B.W. testified that the son-in-law grabbed onto the bike to try to stop him, but the victim eventually

broke free and accelerated toward Eastwood Avenue. At that point, B.W. testified, the victim

almost struck a car and lost control of the bike. He stated that the bike swayed to one side and

spun in the opposite direction with the victim just managing to hold on. As the victim struggled

with the bike, B.W. saw the son-in-law begin walking toward the victim.

{¶24} According to B.W., after the bike spun, its front end raised up and its front tire lost

contact with the ground. He testified that he then heard a gunshot and saw the victim fall to the

ground. B.W. scanned the vicinity in the wake of the gunshot and, for the first time, noticed a man

standing some distance behind him. He could not estimate how far away the man was, but testified

that the man was standing next to a red truck parked on the opposite side of the street. After the

man shot the victim, B.W. testified, the man started walking in the victim’s direction until he

reached a woman that B.W. did not know. B.W. recalled that the woman arrived around the same

time as the son-in-law and called the police when the victim and the son-in-law started arguing

over the bike. He recalled that she told the police the victim was “being aggressive” when, in fact, 12

he was not. B.W. could not remember exactly where everyone was standing when the victim was

shot, but did remember that no one was standing directly in front of the bike. He confirmed that

no one ever threatened the son-in-law or tried to stop him from leaving.

{¶25} The victim’s uncle was home when the shooting occurred and saw the events that

transpired through his living room window. He testified that he initially looked outside because

he heard the victim’s dirt bike being driven up and down the street. From his window, he saw the

victim stop the bike in front of his house and speak with two white males. The uncle testified that

one of the men (i.e., the son-in-law) stood nearby the victim and inspected the bike while the other

stood further back. Apart from the victim and the two males, the uncle also noticed a woman

standing on the sidewalk in front of his house and B.W. standing in the driveway.

{¶26} The uncle testified that the victim turned off the bike when he began speaking to

the son-in-law. Not long after he did so, the two men looked as if they were having a disagreement

and the victim went to restart the bike. The uncle testified that the son-in-law tried to grab at the

bike’s ignition, but the victim pushed his hand away. The victim then accelerated toward

Eastwood Avenue, and the uncle heard a popping noise. Though he was unable to identify the

source of the noise, it caused him to scan the area. As he did so, he noticed an older white male

standing in the middle of the street next to a red truck.

{¶27} The uncle testified that the victim only made it about ten to fifteen feet toward

Eastwood Avenue when he “wreck[ed] the bike and [fell]” by two cars that were parked on the

opposite side of the street. When he fell, the son-in-law ran toward him and once again tried to

grab the bike. The uncle testified that the victim was halfway off the bike, which had spun partway

around so that it was facing his house. The uncle stated that it looked like the victim was trying to

get away when the bike suddenly “roared up in the air” as if the victim had lost control. He then 13

saw the older man in the street raise a gun and shoot the victim. According to the uncle, no one

was standing in front of the bike when it raised up in the air. He recalled that the son-in-law was

standing to the side of the bike, the woman he saw on the sidewalk had remained there, and the

shooter had remained standing in the middle of the street.

{¶28} Officer Preston Arroyo arrived on scene within minutes of the shooting. He

testified that a group of individuals were huddled around the victim, who was lying in the street,

and Knight was standing further down the road next to a red truck. When the officer approached

Knight, Knight complied with his commands and informed him that he had set his gun down next

to a fire hydrant on the tree lawn. Knight told Officer Arroyo that he had fired the gun to protect

his daughter and family because “they were going to get hit with the dirt bike.” Upon frisking

Knight, Officer Arroyo found a holster and two “speedloaders” on his belt, each of which

contained five bullets. The officer explained that “speedloaders” are small pouches that carry

additional ammunition and allow for faster reloading once all the rounds in a revolver have been

spent.

{¶29} Officer John Mostar processed the scene of the shooting as a member of the crime

scene unit. He testified that Knight’s red truck was parked across the street and one house to the

north of the victim’s uncle’s house. Officer Mostar collected Knight’s gun from the tree lawn next

to his truck and found a lockbox for the gun inside the truck. The officer testified that Knight’s

gun was a .357 revolver with a five-shot capacity. When opening its cylinder, he discovered that

the revolver contained three bullets and two spent casings.

{¶30} Detective David Laughlin interviewed several individuals at the police station,

including the son-in-law, and confiscated his phone as well as his wife’s phone (i.e., Knight’s

daughter). He testified that the son-in-law’s phone history showed that he engaged in a steady 14

stream of either text messages or phone calls beginning at 5:30 p.m. that day, when he first

messaged his wife to inform her that he had found his stolen bike posted for sale online. Detective

Laughlin described the son-in-law’s efforts to set up a meeting to see the bike, as well as his

repeated attempts to involve the police. The detective testified that the son-in-law made multiple

calls to the police department that evening, requesting assistance in the recovery of his stolen bike.

The son-in-law was informed, however, that no officers were available and that he should not

proceed without police assistance.

{¶31} The State introduced into evidence a recording of the 911 call that Knight’s

daughter placed at 8:55 p.m. when she arrived on Danmead Avenue. Within two minutes of

placing the call, the daughter can be heard asking for police assistance because the victim was

“starting to get a little aggressive.” Less than one minute later, a loud noise from an engine erupts

and continues while the daughter remains on the line. Approximately seven seconds later, the

daughter gasps and cries out for several seconds before informing the operator that her father shot

the victim. The daughter tells the operator that, just before the gunshot, the victim tried to “take

off” on the bike and her husband hung on to try to stop him. At no point, does she inform the

operator that the victim tried to run her, her husband, or her father over. As the recording continues

and the daughter struggles for words, Knight comes onto the line to speak with the operator.

Knight informs the operator that the victim “was trying to run into [his] daughter, [his] son-in-law,

and [him]” and he had “no choice” but to shoot him.

{¶32} Knight called several witnesses in his defense, including his son-in-law and

daughter. The son-in-law testified that he arranged a meeting with the victim in the hopes that a

police officer would meet him there. He decided to proceed even when no officers were available,

however, because he feared his bike would be gone if he waited. The son-in-law testified that he 15

updated his wife by text message that evening and asked her and Knight to meet him on Danmead

Avenue once he learned the victim was keeping the bike there. According to the son-in-law, he

asked Knight to come because he wanted to be able to put the bike in the bed of Knight’s truck.

{¶33} The son-in-law testified that, when he arrived on Danmead Avenue, he looked over

the bike and the victim rode it up and down the street. The victim then returned and sat on the

bike while they chatted. Around the same time, Knight and his daughter arrived, and she called

the police. The son-in-law testified that he confronted the victim with the title to the bike, but the

victim still wanted him to pay for it. He recalled that the bike was running as they began to argue,

and the victim tried to leave. The son-in-law testified that he stepped in front of the bike and

grabbed the handlebars to stop the victim. The victim then began revving the engine while the

son-in-law cautioned him against pushing the engine beyond its limits. The son-in-law admitted

that was not in fear for his life as the victim pushed against him because he understood the victim

just wanted to get away. Eventually, he testified, the victim overpowered him, and he was forced

to let go of the bike. He then stumbled back, and the victim accelerated toward Eastwood Avenue.

{¶34} The son-in-law testified that the victim “did something and bounced off of a car”

before he could reach Eastwood Avenue. The contact spun the bike 90 degrees and knocked the

victim partially off its seat. Rather than leave the victim be, the son-in-law advanced toward him

as he struggled to regain control. The son-in-law recalled that, as soon as the victim was fully

reseated on the bike, “he was in a wheelie.” It was unclear to him whether the victim was in control

of the bike at that point, but he thought the bike’s front tire grazed him as he dove out of the way.

He believed Knight fired his gun when he hit the ground, but could not recall his position relative

to the victim. He also could not recall where his wife was standing when Knight shot the victim. 16

Regardless of their exact locations, the son-in-law conceded that he was only in the vicinity of the

bike because he chose to walk toward it after the victim tried to get away.

{¶35} Knight’s daughter confirmed that she was on the phone with 911 when the victim

began revving the bike and her husband grabbed onto it. She testified that she tried to grab onto

her husband and pull him away, but she was unsuccessful. Eventually, the victim took off on the

bike toward Eastwood Avenue while the daughter remained standing in the street near the front of

her husband’s truck. The victim then ran into a parked car on the opposite side of the street and,

as a result, the bike fell to one side. The daughter testified that she lost track of her husband’s

whereabouts, but, as she watched, the victim climbed back onto the bike and “did a wheelie toward

[her] direction.” The daughter testified that, immediately before Knight shot the victim, she felt

in danger because the bike was coming toward her. Yet, she conceded that she never mentioned

the bike coming toward her or feeling in danger from it when detectives interviewed her directly

after the shooting.

{¶36} Knight testified in his own defense. He confirmed that, at the request of his son-

in-law, he brought his daughter and his truck to Danmead Avenue so that they could help transport

his son-in-law’s dirt bike if he succeeded in retrieving it. He testified that his daughter hopped out

of his truck as soon as they arrived, but he drove further down the road, circled, and parked on the

opposite side of the street, facing toward Eastwood Avenue. Knight agreed that he parked about

four to five car lengths away from his son-in-law’s truck and testified that he remained next to his

truck throughout the entire incident.

{¶37} Though Knight could not hear exactly what his son-in-law and the victim were

saying, it soon became clear to him that they were arguing. He testified that his daughter was

standing apart from the group, but exchanged unpleasantries with a man standing by the victim 17

while she was on the phone with the police. As Knight watched the victim and the son-in-law

argue, the victim started the bike and began “popping the clutch, bumping into [the son-in-law]

and bouncing back a little bit * * *.” Knight could hear the engine revving and testified that he

felt “extreme fear” because it appeared the victim was ramming his son-in-law with the bike.

Seeking to put an end to the situation, Knight fired a warning shot into the air.

{¶38} Knight denied that he brought his gun with him that evening because he was aware

the situation could turn violent. He claimed that he just happened to have it because he bought it

a few weeks earlier and had started carrying it with him most of the time. Knight acknowledged

that he took a concealed carry course and, during the course, his instructor cautioned the class

against firing warning shots. Knight testified that he fired the warning shot out of “desperation”

because he wanted the victim to stop what he was doing.

{¶39} Knight testified that the victim rode off when he fired his warning shot, but struck

a parked car before he reached Eastwood Avenue. According to Knight, the victim came off the

bike when it went down, and the bike shut off. He claimed that the victim then turned around, ran

several paces toward him, looked in his direction, returned to the bike, righted it, restarted it, and

came toward him “with all the mayhem he could [muster] * * *.” At the same time, Knight

claimed, he saw his daughter start crossing the street and his son-in-law step out from the front of

his (the son-in-law’s) truck. Knight testified that he fired a second shot when the bike met up with

his son-in-law. He stated that he fired the shot because he thought he and his family would be

seriously injured as a result of the victim’s “road rage[.]”

{¶40} Although Knight gave detailed testimony about the victim’s alleged actions, he also

testified that it was dark at the time of the shooting and difficult to see. Moreover, he admitted

that his version of the events differed in several respects from the testimony of the other witnesses. 18

For instance, he acknowledged that no one else recalled his daughter walking into the middle of

the street, the bike falling completely to the ground when the victim crashed, or the victim running

in his direction before returning to the bike. Knight also conceded that his trial testimony was not

completely consistent with the testimony he gave before the grand jury. For example, he

acknowledged that he told the grand jury he saw his son-in-law pinned against the grill of his truck

by three or four men. Knight indicated that he may have been mistaken about certain details

because he was overcome with fear.

{¶41} The defense also called as a witness Dr. Jolie Brams, a forensic psychologist who

spent several hours interviewing Knight. Dr. Brams described Knight as an extremely anxious

man with no propensity toward violence. She testified that he had led a sheltered life with his wife

of 40 years and had given up everything to care for her when she fell ill. When his wife died, Dr.

Brams testified, Knight became even more protective of his only child, as she was all that he had.

She interpreted his behavior on the evening of the shooting as being consistent with his

overwhelming need to protect his daughter. Yet, Dr. Brams acknowledged that Knight had

atypical perceptions of the world and a tendency to misinterpret situations due to his anxiety and

fear. She also acknowledged that his anxiety raised concerns about his ability to make good

judgments in stressful situations.

{¶42} Having reviewed the record, we cannot conclude that the jury clearly lost its way

when it found Knight guilty of murder, felony murder, and felonious assault. See Otten, 33 Ohio

App.3d at 340. The jury heard multiple witnesses testify that the victim tried to leave the scene,

but the son-in-law prevented his initial departure and pursued him when he wrecked the bike. The

jury also heard multiple witnesses testify that it appeared the bike’s front tire only came up off the

ground because the victim lost control of the bike. Knight’s claim that the victim aggressively ran 19

toward him on foot before trying to run him and his family over with the bike in a fit of “road

rage” was contrary to the other evidence presented at trial. The jury, as the trier of fact, was in the

best position to judge his credibility, as well as the credibility of the other witnesses, and to decide

which version of the events to believe. See State v. Shealy, 9th Dist. Summit No. 29393, 2020-

Ohio-1019, ¶ 26. Upon review, the jury reasonably could have rejected Knight’s claim of self-

defense on the basis that he lacked a bona fide belief that he was in imminent danger of death or

great bodily harm and that his only means of escape was the use of force. See Goff, 128 Ohio St.3d

169, 2010-Ohio-6317, at ¶ 36, quoting Thomas, 77 Ohio St.3d at 326; Former R.C. 2901.05.

Likewise, the jury could have rejected his defense of others claim on the basis that his son-in-law

either created the violent situation herein or violated a duty to retreat or avoid danger by refusing

to let the victim leave and pursuing him when he attempted to do so. See Goff at ¶ 36, quoting

Thomas at 326; Skinner, 2007-Ohio-5601, at ¶ 20. Knight has not shown that this is the exceptional

case where the evidence weighed heavily against his convictions. See Hundley, 2020-Ohio-3775,

at ¶ 80. Accordingly, his third assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PLAIN AND PREJUDICIAL ERROR BY GIVING A JURY INSTRUCTION ON DEFENSE OF PROPERTY THAT WAS UNCALLED FOR BY EITHER PARTY AND WAS UNSUPPORTED BY THE EVIDENCE[.]

{¶43} In his first assignment of error, Knight argues that the trial court committed plain

error when it issued the jury an instruction on defense of property. Because the only affirmative

defenses he raised were self-defense and defense of others, Knight argues, the court’s erroneous

instruction misled the jury and resulted in his conviction. We disagree.

{¶44} A defendant who fails to preserve an objection to a trial court’s jury instruction is

limited to a claim of plain error. State v. Fry, 9th Dist. Medina No. 16CA0057-M, 2017-Ohio- 20

9077, ¶ 20. See also Crim.R. 52(B). Plain error exists only where there is a deviation from a legal

rule, that is obvious, and that affected the defendant’s substantial rights to the extent that it affected

the outcome of the trial. State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27 (2002). “Notice of plain error * *

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

manifest miscarriage of justice.” State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91 (1978), paragraph three of the

syllabus. “In order to succeed on a plain error claim, the appellant must demonstrate that but for

the errors he alleges, the outcome of the trial would clearly have been different.” State v. Thomas,

9th Dist. Summit No. 26893, 2014-Ohio-2920, ¶ 28, citing State v. Waddell, 75 Ohio St.3d 163,

166 (1996).

{¶45} “[J]ury instructions must be reviewed as a whole.” State v. Tyler, 9th Dist. Summit

No. 29225, 2019-Ohio-4661, ¶ 56.

“If, taken in their entirety, the instructions fairly and correctly state the law applicable to the evidence presented at trial, reversible error will not be found merely on the possibility that the jury may have been misled. Moreover, misstatements and ambiguity in a portion of the instructions will not constitute reversible error unless the instructions are so misleading that they prejudicially affect a substantial right of the complaining party.”

State v. Lollis, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26607, 2014-Ohio-684, ¶ 35, quoting Wozniak v. Wozniak,

90 Ohio App.3d 400, 410 (9th Dist.1993). “A trial court has broad discretion to decide how to

fashion jury instructions * * *.” State v. White, 142 Ohio St.3d 277, 2015-Ohio-492, ¶ 46.

{¶46} At trial, it was undisputed that Knight shot and killed the victim. The only question

was whether the shooting was justified, as he claimed to have acted in either self-defense or the

defense of others. It was Knight’s position that his life and the lives of his daughter and son-in-

law were placed in mortal peril when the victim reared up on the dirt bike and came toward them.

Meanwhile, it was the State’s position that the victim’s death was the result of several significant 21

lapses in judgment on the part of Knight and his son-in-law, both of whom were committed to a

vigilante mission to repossess the bike.

{¶47} It is evident from the transcript that some discussion of the jury instructions took

place off the record. When court reconvened outside the presence of the jury, the judge indicated

that defense counsel had an objection to one of the instructions, which related to defense of

property. Defense counsel asked the court to omit any reference to defense of property, as it was

not being raised as an affirmative defense and might confuse the jury. The judge then ruled as

THE COURT: All right.

The jury instructions have been drafted not for defense of property to be an affirmative defense that the Defendant would have to prove.

There is simply a one-line statement in the jury instruction as to what the law is, which is exactly what [defense counsel] just said, that an individual may use some force to defend his or her family’s property; however, the force used cannot be likely to cause death or great bodily harm.

That is not in the jury instructions related to the counts in the indictment. It’s in kind of the preliminary jury instructions where I am just instructing them as to certain law, so that in case they’re thinking about that, and they may be, given this case, or the facts of the case, that they at least have that.

It is not part of any affirmative defense instructions.

So, that’s why I’m giving it and I’m giving it in a very limited matter just – actually to avoid any confusion on behalf of the jury.

Consistent with its ruling, in its preliminary instructions on the law, the court instructed the jury:

“as a matter of law an individual may use some force to defend his or his family’s property;

however, the force used cannot be likely to cause death or great bodily harm.”

{¶48} Knight concedes that he is limited to a claim of plain error on appeal because his

attorney failed to renew his objection to the court’s instruction when given an opportunity to do

so. See Knight, 2019-Ohio-2990, at ¶ 10-11. He argues that the court plainly erred when it issued 22

its instruction because he never raised defense of property as an affirmative defense and the case

“had nothing to do with ejecting a trespasser or, at the moment the shot was fired, repossession of

property.” According to Knight, the only issue for the jury to decide was whether he was justified

in defending himself and his family when the victim tried to run them over. He asserts that the

defense of property instruction invited confusion and allowed the State to spin the case as one

where he (1) shot the victim during a repossession gone awry, and (2) had no right to defend his

son-in-law, due to his son-in-law’s decision to recover the bike at all costs. He notes that the State

did not request the instruction, but nonetheless used it as “the cornerstone for [its] arguments.”

Because the instruction was not tailored to the facts of the case and misled the jury, Knight argues,

the court committed plain and prejudicial error in issuing it.

{¶49} Assuming without deciding that the trial court erred when it instructed the jury on

defense of property, Knight has not shown that its error affected the outcome of his trial. See

Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d at 27. The court’s instruction that deadly force cannot be used to defend

property amounted to a single statement of law that it issued near the end of its preliminary

instructions. The instruction was extremely brief and divorced from any of the specific instructions

on Knight’s charges and affirmative defenses. As to the latter, the court meticulously instructed

the jury on the elements of self-defense and defense of others. The jury was instructed that Knight

could not avail himself of either defense if he or his son-in-law initiated the confrontation herein

or violated a duty to retreat. The jury also was instructed that Knight’s defenses were not available

if he “used more force than reasonably appear[ed] to be necessary under the circumstances and if

the force used [was] so greatly disproportionate to the apparent danger as to show an unreasonable

purpose to injury [the victim] * * *.” Thus, even if the court should have omitted its defense of 23

property instruction, the remaining jury instructions, taken as a whole, fairly and accurately stated

the applicable law. See Lollis, 2014-Ohio-684, at ¶ 35, quoting Wozniak, 90 Ohio App.3d at 410.

{¶50} While Knight claims that the court’s defense of property instruction formed the

“cornerstone” for the State’s arguments, the record does not support his claim. The State’s

argument was that (1) the son-in-law and/or Knight initiated the affray, (2) the son-in-law violated

a duty to retreat by chasing after the victim as he attempted to flee, and (3) Knight lacked any

reasonable grounds to believe that he, his son-in-law, or his daughter were in immediate danger of

death or great bodily harm. The State, therefore, framed its argument within the context of the

elements of self-defense and defense of others. The jury heard testimony that Knight and his

family ignored the police department’s advice to stay away from the victim until the police could

assist them. They heard testimony that the son-in-law held onto the bike to prevent the victim

from leaving and chased after him when he broke free. They heard testimony that, when the front

of the bike lost contact with the ground, it appeared as if the victim had simply lost control. Finally,

they heard testimony that neither Knight, nor any of his family members, were directly in harm’s

way when Knight fired his gun and killed the victim. Upon review, Knight has not shown that,

but for the court’s solitary instruction on defense of property, the outcome of his trial clearly would

have been different. State v. Thomas, 2014-Ohio-2920, at ¶ 28, citing Waddell, 75 Ohio St.3d at

166. Accordingly, we reject his argument that the court committed plain error when instructing

the jury. His first assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

THE CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES VIOLATE OHIO’S CONSTITUTION AND THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION DUE TO PREJUDICIAL ERROR OF DENIAL OF THE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF TRIAL COUNSEL. 24

{¶51} In his second assignment of error, Knight argues that he received ineffective

assistance of trial counsel when his counsel failed to renew his objection to the trial court’s jury

instruction on defense of property. We do not agree.

{¶52} To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, an appellant must show

that trial “counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and that

prejudice arose from counsel’s performance.” State v. Reynolds, 80 Ohio St.3d 670, 674 (1998),

citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). First, he must show that counsel's

performance was objectively deficient by producing evidence that counsel acted unreasonably.

State v. Keith, 79 Ohio St.3d 514, 534 (1997), citing Strickland at 687. Second, he must

demonstrate that but for counsel’s errors, there is a reasonable probability that the results of the

trial would have been different. Keith at 534. This Court need not address both prongs of the

Strickland test if the appellant fails to satisfy either prong. State v. Ray, 9th Dist. Summit No.

22459, 2005-Ohio-4941, ¶ 10.

{¶53} Knight argues that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel when his

attorney failed to renew his objection to the court’s jury instruction on defense of property, and

therefore, limited Knight to a claim of plain error on appeal. Yet, we have already determined that

the court’s instruction did not affect the outcome of his trial. See Discussion of Assignment of

Error I, supra. Because Knight cannot demonstrate prejudice as a result of his attorney’s

performance, his ineffective assistance claim lacks merit. See State v. El-Jones, 9th Dist. Summit

No. 26136, 2012-Ohio-4134, ¶ 21, citing Strickland at 694; Ray at ¶ 10. His second assignment

of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV

THE CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES VIOLATE OHIO’S CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION DUE TO 25

PREJUDICIAL AND PLAIN ERRORS OF DENIAL OF THE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF APPELLATE COUNSEL.

{¶54} In his fourth assignment of error, Knight argues that he received ineffective

assistance of appellate counsel. He argues that he was prejudiced when his counsel failed to

present this Court with meaningful arguments that (1) the trial court committed plain error in

instructing the jury, (2) he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel, and (3) there was

insufficient evidence to convict him under the burden-shifting framework that ought to have

retroactively applied to his claim of self-defense. For the following reasons, we reject his

argument.

{¶55} As previously noted, App.R. 26(B)(9) instructs appellate courts to review claims of

ineffective assistance of appellate counsel under the standard set forth in Strickland v. Washington,

466 U.S. 668 (1984). See Graves, 2011-Ohio-5997, at ¶ 9. “To show ineffective assistance of

appellate counsel, [Knight] must prove that his counsel was ‘deficient for failing to raise the issues

he now presents and that there was a reasonable probability of success had he presented those

claims on appeal.’” State v. Powell, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 12CA010284, 2017-Ohio-4030, ¶ 26,

quoting State v. Sheppard, 91 Ohio St.3d 329, 329 (2001).

{¶56} This Court has reviewed the merits of each of the underlying arguments Knight has

alleged in support of his claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. Our resolution of

those arguments demonstrates that Knight would not have been successful, had his first appellate

attorney adequately raised those issues on direct appeal. “Since this Court has reopened [Knight’s]

appeal and addressed his additional arguments on the merits, he has received an adequate remedy

for any alleged error by counsel and cannot demonstrate prejudice.” Powell at ¶ 30. As such, his

fourth assignment of error is overruled. 26

III.

{¶57} Knight’s assignments of error are overruled. Pursuant to App.R. 26(B), this Court

confirms its prior decision in State v. Knight, 9th Dist. Summit No. 29057, 2019-Ohio-2990. The

judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.

There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common

Pleas, County of Summit, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy

of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.

Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of

judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period

for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to

mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the

docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.

Costs taxed to Appellant.

DONNA J. CARR FOR THE COURT

HENSAL, J. SCHAFER, J. CONCUR. 27

APPEARANCES:

MARK H. LUDWIG, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.

SHERRI BEVAN WALSH, Prosecuting Attorney, and JACQUENETTE S. CORGAN, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Appellee.