State v. Kramer

2016 Ohio 2984

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: May 16, 2016
• Docket: 4-15-14
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Kramer, 2016-Ohio-2984.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT DEFIANCE COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 4-15-14

v.

ROBERT R. KRAMER, OPINION

DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

Appeal from Defiance County Common Pleas Court Trial Court No. 14CR11927

Judgment Affirmed

Date of Decision: May 16, 2016

APPEARANCES:

W. Alex Smith for Appellant

Russell R. Herman for Appellee Case No. 4-15-14

PRESTON, J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Robert R. Kramer (“Kramer”), appeals the June

12, 2015 judgment entry of sentence of the Defiance County Court of Common

Pleas following his conviction for involuntary manslaughter. For the reasons that

follow, we affirm.

{¶2} This case stems from the heroin-overdose death of Jimmie Matney

(“Matney”), to whom Kramer allegedly sold heroin shortly before Matney’s death

on December 27, 2013. (See Doc. Nos. 1, 27). On May 22, 2014, the Defiance

County Grand Jury indicted Kramer on one count of involuntary manslaughter in

violation of R.C. 2903.04(A), a first-degree felony. (Doc. No. 1). The indictment

alleged that Kramer “did cause the death of [Matney] and such death was the

proximate result of Robert R. Kramer committing or attempting to commit the

felony offense of Trafficking in Heroin.” (Id.). On July 21, 2014, Kramer entered

a plea of not guilty to the count of the indictment. (July 21, 2014 Tr. at 2). (See

also Doc. No. 7). The case proceeded to a jury trial on April 15, 16, and 17, 2015.

(See Doc. No. 64). The jury found Kramer guilty of the count of the indictment.

(Trial Tr., Vol. III, at 383); (Doc. Nos. 59, 64). The trial court sentenced Kramer

on June 9, 2015 and filed its judgment entry of sentence on June 12, 2015. (Doc.

No. 66).

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{¶3} On June 15, 2015, Kramer filed a notice of appeal. (Doc. No. 70). He

raises three assignments of error for our review. We will address Kramer’s first

assignment of error, followed by his third and second assignments of error, in that

order.

Assignment of Error No. I

The trial court erred and it abused its discretion when it denied the defendant’s request to proceed pro se.

{¶4} In his first assignment of error, Kramer argues that the trial court erred

by denying his oral request—made on the second day of trial, during the testimony

of the State’s final witness out of 10 witnesses—to “terminate” his counsel and

represent himself. (Trial Tr., Vol. II, at 272).

{¶5} “‘The Sixth Amendment * * * guarantees that a defendant in a state

criminal trial has an independent constitutional right of self-representation and that

he may proceed to defend himself without counsel when he voluntarily, and

knowingly and intelligently elects to do so.’” State v. Neyland, 139 Ohio St.3d

353, 2014-Ohio-1914, ¶ 71, quoting State v. Gibson, 45 Ohio St.2d 366 (1976),

paragraph one of the syllabus, citing Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct.

2525 (1975). “If a trial court denies the right to self-representation, when properly

invoked, the denial is per se reversible error.” State v. Cassano, 96 Ohio St.3d 94,

2002-Ohio-3751, ¶ 32, citing State v. Reed, 74 Ohio St.3d 534 (1996), citing

McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168, 177, 104 S.Ct. 944 (1984).

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{¶6} “The assertion of the right to self-representation must be clear and

unequivocal.” Neyland at ¶ 72, citing State v. Dean, 127 Ohio St.3d 140, 2010-

Ohio-5070, ¶ 68 and Cassano at ¶ 38. “[C]ourts have held that a request for self-

representation is not unequivocal if it is a ‘“momentary caprice or the result of

thinking out loud,”’ * * * or the result of frustration * * *.” Id. at ¶ 73, quoting

Jackson v. Ylst, 921 F.2d 882, 888 (9th Cir.1990), quoting Adams v. Carroll, 875

F.2d 1441, 1445 (9th Cir.1989) and citing Reese v. Nix, 942 F.2d 1276, 1281 (8th

Cir.1991). Nor is a request unequivocal if it is “an ‘emotional response.’” State v.

Steele, 155 Ohio App.3d 659, 2003-Ohio-7103, ¶ 13 (1st Dist.), quoting Lacy v.

Lewis, 123 F.Supp.2d 533, 548 (C.D.Cal.2000). “Further, given the disfavored

status of the right to self-representation compared to the right to counsel, a

defendant who has made an unequivocal assertion of the right to self-

representation may later waive it by accepting the assistance of counsel.” Id.,

citing Cassano at ¶ 42.

{¶7} “The defendant must also assert the right in a timely fashion.” Id. at ¶

14. “A trial court may deny a defendant’s request for self-representation if it is

untimely made.” Neyland at ¶ 76, citing Cassano at ¶ 40, United States v. Young,

287 F.3d 1352, 1354 (11th Cir.2002), Wood v. Quarterman, 491 F.3d 196, 202

(5th Cir.2007), and United States v. Smith, 413 F.3d 1253, 1281 (10th Cir.2005).

In addition, “[a] request for self-representation may be denied when circumstances

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indicate that the request is made for purposes of delay or manipulation of the trial

process.” Id. at ¶ 72, citing United States v. Frazier-El, 204 F.3d 553, 560 (4th

Cir.2000).

{¶8} We review for an abuse of discretion a trial court’s denial of a request

to proceed pro se asserted after voir dire was complete. State v. Owens, 9th Dist.

Summit No. 25389, 2011-Ohio-2503, ¶ 17, citing State v. Vrabel, 99 Ohio St.3d

184, 2003-Ohio-3193, ¶ 51-53. An abuse of discretion suggests the trial court’s

decision is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. State v. Adams, 62 Ohio

St.2d 151, 157 (1980).

{¶9} In this case, Kramer’s assertion of the right to self-representation was

not clear and unequivocal. Rather, after reviewing the entire record, it is clear that

Kramer’s request for self-representation was a momentary caprice, the result of

thinking out loud, and the result of frustration. At the conclusion of Kramer’s

counsel’s re-cross-examination of Special Agent Kevin Horan (“Horan”) of the

FBI, Kramer interjected in front of the jury, “Your Honor, at this point * * * I

want to move to terminate my lawyer * * * and represent myself.” (Trial Tr., Vol.

II, at 272). Despite the trial court directing Kramer to “be quiet,” Kramer

continued, “You’re denying me the ability to represent myself? He’s not asking

the questions that I want to ask. I want to represent myself from here on out.”

(Id.). The trial court responded, “Be quiet * * * right now. We’ll discuss that

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matter.” (Id. at 272-273). At that point, the prosecutor began further re-direct

examination of Horan. (Id. at 273). Later, not in the presence of the jury, the trial

court indicated that it regarded Kramer’s request as an “outburst” and “didn’t

consider it.” (Id. at 335-336).

{¶10} We can discern from the transcript that Kramer was venting his

frustration when he verbalized his complaint that his counsel was not asking the

questions that Kramer wanted to ask. See State v. Jones, 4th Dist. Athens No.

14CA7, 2014-Ohio-5177, ¶ 18. Kramer’s outburst “was the product of an

emotional response to the situation” in which Kramer found himself, not a clear

and unequivocal self-representation request. See id. at ¶ 18-19. See also Steele,

155 Ohio App.3d 659, 2003-Ohio-7103, at ¶ 20 (“The record shows that [the

defendant’s two pretrial requests to represent himself] were more in the name of

impulsive acts expressing frustration with his first counsel than unequivocal

requests to represent himself.”). This frustration is evidenced by Kramer’s

continuing his outburst in front of the jury, even after the trial court judge directed

him to cease. See Jones at ¶ 18; State v. Montgomery, 5th Dist. Licking No. 2007

CA 95, 2008-Ohio-6077, ¶ 59. Moreover, the trial court was in the best position

to observe Kramer’s demeanor as he vented his frustration to the court. Jones at ¶

18, citing Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77 (1984).

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{¶11} Viewing Kramer’s self-representation request in the context of the

entire trial reinforces the conclusion that the request was not clear and

unequivocal. See State v. Hadden, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2008-T-0029, 2008-

Ohio-6999, ¶ 63. At no other point during the trial did Kramer voice concerns

about his attorney or indicate that he wished to represent himself. Specifically, at

no point after Kramer’s outburst did he raise the issue again during trial. See

Steele at ¶ 21; State v. Perry, 9th Dist. Summit No. 25271, 2011-Ohio-2242, ¶ 15;

State v. Pankey, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 07 MA 2, 2008-Ohio-3091, ¶ 30-31.

{¶12} What is more, after Kramer’s outburst, and after the State rested,

Kramer’s counsel informed the trial court, out of the hearing of the jury, that

Kramer “advised [him] he’d like to testify.” (Trial Tr., Vol. II, at 277). Kramer

later testified, with his counsel conducting the direct examination. (Id. at 303-

320). Therefore, the record reflects that, after Kramer’s outburst, he cooperated

with his attorney to the point that he told his attorney he wished to testify—a fact

that Kramer’s attorney then relayed to the trial court. Accordingly, even assuming

Kramer’s self-representation request was clear and unequivocal, he waived it by

accepting the assistance of his counsel and not raising the issue again during trial.

See Steele at ¶ 21.

{¶13} Finally, we note that Kramer’s self-representation request—which

was made on the second day of trial—was untimely. See Vrabel, 99 Ohio St.3d

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184, 2003-Ohio-3193, at ¶ 53 (holding “that the trial court did not abuse its

discretion and properly refused appellant’s request to represent himself after voir

dire had been completed and on the first day that evidence was to be presented”);

Cassano, 96 Ohio St.3d 94, 2002-Ohio-3751, at ¶ 32 (“find[ing] that Cassano’s

request was untimely because it was made only three days before the trial was to

start”); Steele, 155 Ohio App.3d 659, 2003-Ohio-7103, at ¶ 20 (concluding that

“Steele’s last-minute request on the day of trial was not timely made”);

Montgomery, 2008-Ohio-6077, at ¶ 59 (“[B]ecause the request was made after the

presentation of three witnesses, the self-representation request was untimely.”);

State v. Lozada, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94902, 2011-Ohio-823, ¶ 37 (concluding

that “the inquiry * * * made on the day of trial” was untimely).

{¶14} For the reasons above, we hold that Kramer’s assertion of his right to

self-representation was not clear and unequivocal so as to trigger further inquiry

by the trial court.1 Steele at ¶ 21, citing Cassano at ¶ 38-41. Therefore, the trial

court did not abuse its discretion by refusing Kramer’s request.

{¶15} Kramer’s first assignment of error is overruled.

1 The trial court made a statement during trial, out of the hearing of the jury, suggesting that it might believe that Kramer’s trial counsel was required to move for leave to withdrawal before the defendant’s self-representation request would properly be before the trial court for consideration. (See Trial Tr., Vol. II, at 335). There is no requirement that a self-representation request by a defendant be accompanied by a motion by counsel for leave to withdrawal before a trial court can consider the defendant’s request. See Neyland, 139 Ohio St.3d 353, 2014-Ohio-1914, at ¶ 71-74. At any rate, this issue does not impact our disposition of Kramer’s first assignment of error.

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Assignment of Error No. III

The defendant was found guilty by a jury against the manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶16} In his third assignment of error, Kramer argues that his conviction is

against the manifest weight of the evidence. Specifically, Kramer argues “that the

jury improperly concluded that he provided the heroin that led to the defendant’s

[sic] death.” (Appellant’s Brief at 9).

{¶17} In determining whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of

the evidence, a reviewing court must examine the entire record, “‘weigh[ ] the

evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider[ ] the credibility of witnesses and

determine[ ] whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the [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. Thompkins, 78

Ohio St.3d 380, 387 (1997), quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175

(1st Dist.1983). A reviewing court must, however, allow the trier of fact

appropriate discretion on matters relating to the weight of the evidence and the

credibility of the witnesses. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 231 (1967).

When applying the manifest-weight standard, “[o]nly in exceptional cases, where

the evidence ‘weighs heavily against the conviction,’ should an appellate court

overturn the trial court’s judgment.” State v. Haller, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-11-34,

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2012-Ohio-5233, ¶ 9, quoting State v. Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-

6524, ¶ 119.

{¶18} Kramer was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in violation of

R.C. 2903.04(A). That statute provides, “No person shall cause the death of

another or the unlawful termination of another’s pregnancy as a proximate result

of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit a felony.” Trafficking in

drugs can serve as the predicate offense for involuntary manslaughter. See State v.

Shoemaker, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-06-12, 2006-Ohio-5159, ¶ 68. Accordingly,

the State had the burden to prove that Kramer caused Matney’s death, and that the

death proximately resulted from Kramer’s commission of any felony; in this case,

trafficking in heroin. (See Jury Instructions, Trial Tr., Vol. II, at 366-370). See

also Shoemaker at ¶ 66 (“[T]he State had the burden to prove that Shoemaker

caused [the victim’s] death, and that the death proximately resulted from

Shoemaker’s commission of any felony, in this case, trafficking in drugs.”), citing

State v. Morris, 105 Ohio App.3d 552, 556 (8th Dist.1995). The offense of

trafficking in heroin is set forth in R.C. 2925.03, which provides, in relevant part:

No person shall knowingly * * * [s]ell or offer to sell a controlled

substance or a controlled substance analog * * *. * * * If the drug

involved in the violation is heroin or a compound, mixture,

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preparation, or substance containing heroin, whoever violates

division (A) of this section is guilty of trafficking in heroin.

R.C. 2925.03(A)(1), (C)(6).

{¶19} In his third assignment of error, Kramer disputes only that “he

provided the heroin that led to the defendant’s [sic] death.” (Appellant’s Brief at

9). Therefore, we will address only the trafficking-in-heroin element in our

manifest-weight analysis. See State v. Missler, 3d Dist. Hardin No. 6-14-06, 2015-

Ohio-1076, ¶ 13.

{¶20} At trial, the State called Toby Delaney (“Delaney”), who was a

sergeant with the Defiance Police Department at the time of Matney’s death on

December 27, 2013. (Trial Tr., Vol. I, at 92). Delaney testified that he observed

Matney deceased, face down on the kitchen floor with “a syringe, a cell phone and

a spoon with some type of residue * * * consistent with heroin use” on the

counter. (Id. at 97, 99). On cross-examination, Delaney acknowledged that heroin

“can be” packaged using a folded paper or foil and that he did not notice any paper

or foil at the scene; however, Daleney did not look for any, and other officers

conducted a crime-scene evaluation and processed the scene. (Id. at 105-106).

{¶21} Detective Sergeant Scott Campbell (“Campbell”) of the Defiance

Police Department testified that, at the scene, he observed the syringe, the spoon

with a white substance on it, and the cell phone. (Id. at 110, 115). According to

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Campbell, on top of the phone was “a white substance, kind of white chalky

colored in a clump.” (Id. at 112). The white chalky substance tested positive for

heroin. (Id. at 112-113). Campbell testified that investigators found “an empty

bag that would hold insulin syringes” in Matney’s residence; however, no known

diabetics lived at that residence, and a check of medications at the residence

belonging to Matney revealed nothing that required injection, such as insulin. (Id.

at 113). Campbell testified that the cell phone with the heroin substance on it was

Matney’s cell phone. (Id. at 114). According to Campbell, he and another officer

searched the apartment “for other drug related items such as a piece of paper” used

in the sale of heroin, sometimes called “bindles” or “dose units.” (Id. at 116).

Campbell testified that they did not find any bindle or dose-unit papers; however,

“the apartment wasn’t well kept or clean.” (Id.).

{¶22} Campbell testified that he looked through text messages on Matney’s

cell phone “to help try to determine time of death.” (Id.). According to Campbell,

information on Matney’s cell phone revealed that the most recent contacts on the

phone were between Matney and “a gentlemen [sic] named Bobby” at 12:06 AM

and between Matney and “Nicole” at 12:08 AM on December 27, 2013. (Id. at

117, 135, 138). Campbell testified that “Nicole continued to text after 12:08, but

there was no contact and no return text messages by Jimmie Matney.” (Id. at 117).

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{¶23} With the aid of exhibits, Campbell testified as follows to the calls

and text messages between Matney’s and Kramer’s cell phones between

December 21 and 27, 2013:

December 21, 2013

Time Type From To Duration of Call/ Content of Text Message

3:45 PM Call Kramer Matney 6 minutes, 21 seconds

3:58 PM Text Kramer Matney you got any freshies

4:13 PM Call Kramer Matney 0 minutes, 43 seconds

4:37 PM Call Matney Kramer 0 minutes, 41 seconds

4:50 PM Call Matney Kramer 0 minutes, 34 seconds

(Id. at 126-127, State’s Exs. 18-22). According to Campbell, in his experience

investigating drug-related offenses, “freshies” is slang for “[c]lean needle.” (Id. at

126-127).

December 23, 2013

5:17 PM Text Matney Kramer You have one

5:18 PM Text Kramer Matney No not till later

5:33 PM Text Matney Kramer What time u think?

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8:55 PM Text Kramer Matney hey whats up man I’m coming back into town you still need help

(Id. at 127-128, State’s Exs. 23-26).

December 24, 2013

9:49 AM Call Matney Kramer 0 minutes, 35 seconds

12:34 PM Call Matney Kramer 0 minutes, 32 seconds

10:03 PM Call Matney Kramer 0 minutes, 38 seconds

(Id. at 128, State’s Exs. 27-29).

December 25, 2013

1:43 PM Text Matney Kramer You have anything to day

1:47 PM Text Kramer Matney Yeah

1:56 PM Text Matney Kramer You bring it to josh or sould i stop by and get mine

2:07 PM Call Matney Kramer 0 minutes, 34 seconds

(Id. at 128-129, State’s Exs. 30-33).

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December 26 and 27, 2013

7:46 AM Text Kramer Matney Hey you up

11:25 AM Text Matney Kramer What’s up man

11:27 AM Text Kramer Matney I ran out of gas I was just trying to see if anybody was up to bring me some and you weren’t so I found somebody else thanks though

11:42 AM Text Matney Kramer Cool

6:56 PM Text Matney Kramer You have any thing?

6:57 PM Text Kramer Matney Yeah what the usual

6:57 PM Text Matney Kramer A 40 is that cool

6:59 PM Text Kramer Matney Yeah let me get home and see what is there and I’ll meet you

7:00 PM Text Kramer Matney Then I’m leaving town so it’ll be fast

7:22 PM Call Matney Kramer 3 minutes, 52 seconds

9:14 PM Text Kramer Matney Dude we totally could have made the two hours for real but I took my buddies truck Anne he had no heat what so ever so we took 15 at NJ but its only an extra half hour. Sorry dude its really cold

9:17 PM Text Matney Kramer Thatks cool you’ll come here right

9:18 PM Text Kramer Matney 16 at bk to warm up

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9:18 PM Text Kramer Matney Yeah I can aster I stop to get my weights unless you have some

9:20 PM Text Matney Kramer I do but there off it would be in my faver lol

9:20 PM Text Kramer Matney But I ain’t getting anyone else together. Just your then to you.

10:34 PM Text Kramer Matney Hey man I’m home give me a fee I’m freezing and I’ll head that way

10:35 PM Text Matney Kramer Ok cool

11:20 PM Text Kramer Matney Getting ready to head that way

11:55 PM Text Matney Kramer U on your way

12:06 AM Text Kramer Matney Yeah right more. Sorry man. All hell broke loose at my house

12:06 AM Call Matney Kramer 0 minutes, 4 seconds

12:06 AM Call Matney Kramer 0 minutes, 19 seconds

(Id. at 129-135, State’s Exs. 34-59). According to Campbell, a bindle or a dose

unit contains a tenth of a gram of heroin and sells “for about $20.00 each.” (Id. at

130-131). So a “40” refers to two bindles or dose units. (Id. at 131). Campbell

explained, “Generally drug dealers don’t trust anybody else’s scales other than

their own. * * * [Y]ou don’t want to lose your profit.” (Id. at 133-134).

{¶24} With the aid of exhibits, Campbell also testified to the contacts

between Matney’s cell phone and the cell phone of the mother of Matney’s

children, Nicole Wade (“Wade”). (Id. at 137).

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11:59 PM Call Matney Wade 0 minutes, 35 seconds

11:59 PM Call Matney Wade 0 minutes, 37 seconds

12:00 AM Call Wade Matney 0 minutes, 38 seconds

12:01 AM Call Matney Wade 0 minutes, 21 seconds

12:02 AM Call Matney Wade 0 minutes, 58 seconds

12:03 AM Call Matney Wade 0 minutes, 50 seconds

12:08 AM Call Wade Matney 2 minutes, 47 seconds

3:35 PM Missed Wade Matney Call

(Id. at 137-139, State’s Exs. 60-67).

{¶25} On cross-examination, Campbell explained how heroin is generally

packaged for sale:

Generally, they use – they call them bindles. They use like pieces of

the lottery ticket, lotto stuff. They’ll fold them up into what they call

little packet. Usually each one is about a tenth of a gram, a little less

or more, it’s a little hard to get that much – that’s a small amount.

(Id. at 142). Campbell confirmed that he looked but did not find any of that

packaging or bindle evidence at Matney’s residence. (Id. at 143). Campbell

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acknowledged that, based on the nature of the text-message exchanges between

Matney and Kramer on December 26, 2013, it was possible Kramer was putting

Matney off the whole night, never intending to make a connection:

[Defense Counsel]: Isn’t it possible that Mr. Kramer was putting

him off for whatever reason, no connection was

made and Mr. Matney turned to some other

source, isn’t that possible?

[Campbell]: I believe we have evidence to show otherwise,

but anything is possible.

(Id. at 151-152). Campbell testified that “the rock” of heroin found on Matney’s

phone “was less than a tenth of a gram” that “would be normally what you would

heat up.” (Id. at 153). Campbell also testified that “there was residual found * * *

on the spoon.” (Id.).

{¶26} Defiance County Coroner Dr. Gary Okuley (“Dr. Okuley”) testified

that, following Matney’s autopsy, he concluded that Matney’s cause of death was

morphine intoxication due to heroin abuse. (Id. at 169-170, Ex. 72). The final

death certificate reflects a date and time of death of December 27, 2013 at 1740

hours. (Id., Ex. 72). Dr. Okuley testified, “I probably could have done better on

the time of death on this. * * * [I]f I had to do it again I probably would have

backed it further off into the early morning hours.” (Id. at 170-171). Dr. Okuley

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estimated during his testimony that Matney died a minimum of approximately six

to eight hours before Dr. Okuley arrived at the scene at Matney’s residence. (Id. at

171-172). According to Dr. Okuley, Matney was not deceased more than 36 hours

before he arrived at the scene. (Id.). On cross-examination, Okuley testified that

he arrived at Matney’s residence between 7:30 and 7:45 PM on December 27,

2013. (Id. at 174).

{¶27} Matney’s mother, Pamela Addington (“Addington”), testified that at

the time of Matney’s death, he was residing in a mobile home on Baltimore Road.

(Id. at 191-196).

{¶28} Dr. Maneesha Pandey (“Dr. Pandey”), a deputy coroner and forensic

pathologist at the Lucas County Coroner’s Office, testified that she conducted

Matney’s autopsy. (Trial Tr., Vol. II, at 201, 204). Dr. Pandey testified that, after

conducting the autopsy and reviewing the toxicology report of the substances

present in Matney’s body at the time of his death, she concluded that Matney

“died of morphine intoxication which was a result of heroin metabolite, and it was

an accident.” (Id. at 205-209).

{¶29} Wade testified that she was in a relationship with Matney for about

eight years and that she had three children with Matney, one of whom died in

infancy. (Id. at 211-212). According to Wade, Kramer “was one of Jimmie’s

friends.” (Id. at 212). Wade met Kramer once. (Id.). Wade testified that she used

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heroin in the past, and Matney used heroin in her presence, sometimes together

with Wade. (Id. at 214). According to Wade, in the time before his death, Matney

lived in the trailer park on Baltimore Road in Defiance, Ohio. (Id. at 214-215).

Wade testified that she observed Matney communicate with Kramer by cell phone.

(Id. at 215). According to Wade, she would understand a reference to “a forty” in

a text message to probably refer to “a 40 of heroin.” (Id. at 215-216). Wade

testified that if Kramer asked Matney in a text message if Kramer had any

freshies, Kramer would probably be referring to “a fresh needle.” (Id. at 216).

According to Wade, Matney was not diabetic and did not have a reason to use

needles other than for drug abuse. (Id.).

{¶30} According to Wade, on one occasion, she was at Matney’s residence,

and after Matney left, Kramer arrived and dropped off heroin. (Id. at 217). Wade

received the heroin from Kramer on that occasion. (Id.). Wade testified that, on

December 26, 2013 at 12:08 AM, she had a telephone conversation with Matney.

(Id. at 220). According to Wade, as she was on the phone with Matney, she could

hear him speaking with someone else in his physical presence before Matney

ended the call. (Id. at 220-223).

{¶31} On cross-examination, Wade elaborated on the occasion when she

was at Matney’s residence when Kramer delivered heroin. (Id. at 224). She

testified that it took place in October 2013 around 5:00 PM. (Id. at 225). Kramer

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was by himself, she gave him the money for the heroin, and the transaction took

about two minutes. (Id. at 225-226).

{¶32} Horan, an FBI special agent, was the State’s final witness. (Id. at

228). Using records from Verizon concerning Kramer’s cell phone, Horan

testified to the location of Kramer’s cell phone on December 26, 2013 into the

midnight hour of December 27, 2013. (Id. at 244-259). According to Horan, there

are three Verizon cell-phone towers in Defiance, Ohio—one downtown, one

south, and one north. (Id. at 247-248, Ex. 79).

{¶33} Horan testified that between 7:01 and 7:22 PM, Kramer’s cell phone

was communicating with a sector2 of the downtown tower and a sector of the

south tower in Defiance. (Id. at 248-250). Portions of the coverage areas of these

two sectors overlap, and they include the area around an address provided to

Horan during the investigation—1221 Ayersville Avenue in Defiance.3 (Id. at

251-253, State’s Ex. 79). According to Horan, between 8:23 and 9:25 PM,

Kramer’s cell phone left Defiance and was in Toledo, Ohio and communicating

with cell-phone towers there. (Id. at 250-251). Horan testified that between 10:26

and 11:56 PM, Kramer’s cell phone was back in Defiance, communicating with

the same two cell-phone-tower sectors in Defiance as it was between 7:01 and

2 According to Horan, “cell towers are engineered to cover a [360] degree radius.” (Trial Tr., Vol. II, at 234). However, service providers typically “break down the coverage area [of a cell-phone tower] into sectors, usually three,” each of which “is designed to cover about [120] degrees of that circle.” (Id.). 3 Subsequent trial testimony revealed this address to be that of Kristy Cereghin, Kramer’s alibi witness. (See Trial Tr., Vol. II, at 280-281).

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7:22 PM. (Id. at 251-252). Specifically, at 11:55 PM, Kramer’s cell phone was

within the sector covering the 1221 Ayersville Avenue address. (Id. at 252).

{¶34} Kramer’s cell phone then moved again, Horan testified. (Id.).

Specifically, according to Horan, at 12:06 AM, Kramer’s cell phone

communicated with the sector of the north tower in Defiance that faces Matney’s

residence on Baltimore Road. (Id. at 252-254). According to Horan, at 12:06 AM

on December 27, 2013, Kramer’s cell phone could not have been at 1221

Ayersville Avenue. (Id. at 253-254, 258). Horan testified that by 12:23 AM,

Kramer’s cell phone was communicating with a sector of a tower located in

Paulding, Ohio, southwest of Defiance. (Id. at 253-256, State’s Ex. 79).

According to Horan, between 1:37 and 10:31 AM on December 27, 2013,

Kramer’s cell phone had returned to Defiance and was “exclusively within the

footprint of” the south tower in Defiance. (Id. at 255-256, State’s Ex. 79).

{¶35} On cross-examination, Horan admitted that he cannot say

conclusively that Kramer’s cell phone was at the address of Matney’s residence at

12:06 AM on December 27, 2013. (Id. at 263). Rather, “[i]t could have been

anywhere within the footprint.” (Id.). Horan testified that, had the north tower in

Defiance been malfunctioning, it would not have shown up in Kramer’s cell-phone

records. (Id. at 263-264). Horan was presented with the document recording the

9-1-1 cell-phone call made by Matney’s neighbor when Matney was found

-22- Case No. 4-15-14

deceased in his residence. (Id. at 268-269, Defendant’s Ex. B). Horan admitted

that the cell-phone-tower information in the document indicates that the cell-phone

tower for the 9-1-1 call was a sector of the south Verizon tower in Defiance. (Id.

at 269, 272).

{¶36} On re-direct examination, Horan confirmed that at 12:06 AM on

December 27, 2013—the time of a text message sent from and a phone call to

Kramer’s cell phone—Kramer’s cell phone could not “possibly have been hitting

on the tower that covers 1221 Ayersville Avenue.” (Id. at 271). Horan also

testified that the sector of the south tower identified in the 9-1-1 record faces

southwest—away from 1221 Ayersville Avenue. (Id. at 274).

{¶37} Kramer’s first witness was Kristy Cereghin (“Cereghin”). (Id. at

280). She resides with her three children in an apartment at 1221 Ayersville

Avenue in Defiance and has resided there for a little over five years, including in

December 2013. (Id. at 280-282). According to Cereghin, she has known Kramer

since about 1997 or 1998. (Id. at 283). They are not related, and their relationship

has never been romantic or physically intimate, Cereghin testified. (Id. at 283,

293). Kramer is just a close friend to Cereghin. (Id. at 283). According to

Cereghin, Christmas 2013 was a memorable and particularly emotional time for

her because her three children spent time with their father, and Cereghin was

without her children on the holidays and had not been before. (Id. at 285-286).

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However, Cereghin’s children were with her on Christmas morning to open

presents. (Id. at 286-287). Cereghin testified that she and the children’s father

were following the “normal Schedule A” for child support and visitation. (Id. at

285).

{¶38} Cereghin testified that on December 26, 2013, she picked up her

youngest child from his father’s house, took him to the eye doctor, and returned

him to his father’s house. (Id. at 286-287). She returned to her apartment around

3:00 PM. (Id. at 287). Later that day, she was cleaning up her house and, when

she was taking trash to the dumpster, encountered Kramer, who was coming

across the parking lot. (Id. at 287-288). It was “around” 11:00 PM at that time.

(Id. at 288). According to Cereghin, Kramer looked upset, and Cereghin became

aware that Kramer had some problems “[w]here he was living.” (Id.). Cereghin

testified that she offered her couch to Kramer, and Kramer “told [her] sure, that he

would * * * appreciate that and he might have to take [her] up on that offer.” (Id.

at 289). According to Cereghin, Kramer “decided to go get his belongings that

night.” (Id.). Kramer’s belongings were “[a]cross the parking lot” at another

apartment building in the same apartment complex where Cereghin lives. (Id. at

289-290).

{¶39} Cereghin testified that she helped Kramer retrieve his belongings

from that other apartment building and walk them to Cereghin’s apartment. (Id. at

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289-291). When asked what time it was when she and Kramer finished moving

his belongings, Cereghin testified, “I’d say it probably took a good hour or more to

do that by the time we were in my apartment and done.” (Id. at 291). Cereghin

testified that, after that, Kramer “played a video game” in the living room of her

apartment. (Id.). According to Cereghin, she watched Kramer play the video

game for “about an hour or two” before she “fell asleep watching him play the

game.” (Id. at 291-292). When asked what time she fell asleep, Cereghin

testified, “It was a good couple hours because we were just talking while he

played the game, you know, I want to say I was probably asleep by 2:00 a.m.

Cause I knew the kids were coming home in the morning.” (Id. at 292).

{¶40} Cereghin testified that, from the time she saw Kramer in the parking

lot to the time she fell asleep, Kramer never left her presence. (Id.). According to

Cereghin, she had a vehicle at her apartment, but it had a flat tire, and Kramer

never took her car. (Id. at 290, 292-293). Cereghin testified that she used her

mother’s car to take her son to the doctor earlier in the day. (Id. at 292). Cereghin

testified that Kramer was at her apartment at 12:06 AM on December 27, 2013,

even though Horan testified that Kramer’s cell phone could not have been near

1221 Ayersville Avenue at 12:06 AM. (Id. at 293). When asked when she

realized that December 26, 2013 had significance as it related to Kramer’s case,

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Cereghin responded, “Probably it wasn’t until he was arrested. When he was

telling me what was going on.” (Id.).

{¶41} On cross-examination, Cereghin admitted that, even though she

learned of the significance of this information around the time Kramer was

arrested, she did not come forward to the police and give them this information.

(Id. at 294). In fact, Campbell attempted to contact her on numerous occasions,

but she never had any contact with him aside from attempting to call him one time

after she found his card in her door. (Id. at 294, 299-300). According to

Cereghin, no one else was in the apartment with her and Kramer on the night of

December 26, 2013. (Id. at 296). Cereghin confirmed that she was “following

Schedule A visitation.” (Id.). When asked whether she was aware that, under

Schedule A, she would have had the children at that time in 2013, an odd-

numbered year, Cereghin testified, “Well, then, I’m wrong then.” (Id. at 297-298).

According to Cereghin, she and the children’s father had “an agreement amongst

ourselves.” (Id. at 297). When asked about the series of text messages between

Kramer and Matney during the time that Cereghin says she was with Kramer,

Cereghin responded, “I’m unaware of that.” (Id. at 300). Cereghin testified that,

to her knowledge, he never left on the evening of December 26, 2013, and no one

used Kramer’s cell phone in her presence. (Id. at 300-301).

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{¶42} The final witness at trial was Kramer. (Id. at 303). When asked if he

knew Matney, Kramer explained:

I met Jimmie one time. He was coming to buy drugs off my little

sisters and I was fixing my friend’s truck in our driveway. We were

just doing the brakes and he noticed we were having trouble with

one of the lug nuts when we were taking off the brake pads and said

that we could come out to his house, and he had a torch and he could

cut it off. The lug nut was stripped out.

(Id. at 306). When asked if he “ever sold drugs to Jimmie Matney,” Kramer

responded, “I have.” (Id.). According to Kramer, he “sold pot, and Suboxone,

and * * * heroin” to Matney in October 2013. (Id.). Kramer explained:

And, then, uh, that’s really the last time that I gave, that I actually

gave Jimmie anything, because when I went out there, and I gave

that to [Wade], she was six months pregnant, and I didn’t know that

it was for her. I thought it was for Jimmie, and after that I stopped

selling to Jimmie.

(Id. at 306-307). Still, Kramer saw Matney after October 2013 because they “have

a lot of mutual friends” and because Matney worked on Kramer’s car at Kramer’s

residence. (Id. at 316).

-27- Case No. 4-15-14

{¶43} Kramer then testified concerning his whereabouts on December 26,

2013. (Id. at 307). He testified that he worked on Christmas night, got off work at

about 6:00 or 7:00 AM, ran out of gas on his way home, and then went to sleep

after he got home from work. (Id. at 307-308). According to Kramer, at about

7:30 PM, he went to visit his father in Toledo for a couple of hours. (Id.). At that

time, Kramer was residing with his friend and roommate Janie Muniz (“Muniz”)

“at the garden apartments.” (Id. at 308-309). When he arrived home in Defiance

from Toledo that evening at “about 10:30,” he “got into an argument with

[Muniz], and she told [him] to get out” because “she didn’t want to have [him] as

a roommate anymore.” (Id. at 309, 311).

{¶44} According to Kramer, he owned a vehicle at the time, but he “didn’t

have a valid drivers’ license,” and his truck did not have license plates, so he

parked it at a friend’s house and left it there. (Id. at 310). Before the argument

with Muniz, Kramer used Muniz’s boyfriend’s truck as a means of transportation.

(Id.). However, after the argument with Muniz, that truck was not available to

him. (Id.). Plus, Kramer testified, “[t]he heat had also went out in the truck,” so

Muniz’s boyfriend did not want anyone driving it. (Id. at 311).

{¶45} After his argument with Muniz, Kramer “made a couple of calls” and

“started getting some things around and actually walked over to talk to

[Cereghin].” (Id. at 309). According to Kramer, Cereghin is a “good friend” and

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nothing more than that. (Id. at 311). Kramer ultimately “ran into” Cereghin and

had a conversation with her, in which she said he could stay with her. (Id. at 309-

311). So Kramer “started to move [his] stuff over there.” (Id. at 310). Kramer

testified that on the night of December 26, 2013, other than retrieving his

belongings from Muniz’s apartment and moving them into Cereghin’s apartment

in the adjacent building, Kramer stayed at Cereghin’s apartment “the entire night.”

(Id. at 311-312). According to Kramer, he did not go to Matney’s home on

Baltimore Road on the evening of December 26, 2013 or in the early morning

hours of December 27, 2013. (Id. at 312-313, 319). Kramer testified that the last

time he was at Matney’s home and the last time that he sold Matney heroin was

October 2013. (Id. at 313, 319-320).

{¶46} Kramer then testified concerning the text messages that he

exchanged with Matney on the evening of December 26, 2013. (Id. at 313).

Kramer testified that Matney “was trying to buy drugs off [him].” (Id.). Kramer

elaborated:

Uh, I don’t know if you’ve ever dealt with heroin addicts, but they

don’t like being told no. So, instead of telling Jimmie no I just told

him, oh, yeah, I’ll be there. I told him at least four times I told him

that I’d be there. The last time I told him I’d be there was at 11:30

and at 12:00 o’clock he text me back and asked me if I’m coming,

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and I say – actually that’s was [sic] when I told him, all hell broke

loose at my house, which was me and [Muniz] were fighting, I was

moving out. And, that’s what I did that night, you know, what I

mean.

(Id. at 314). According to Kramer, after he sent the text message at 12:06 AM

informing Matney that “all hell broke loose at [his] house,” Matney called Kramer,

but Kramer “ignored the call” and did not speak with Matney because Kramer

“had other stuff going on and * * * was tired of dealing with him.” (Id.). Kramer

testified that he did not text or call Matney “[a]fter the all hell broke” loose text

message. (Id. at 314-315). Kramer continued, “Actually I never called Jimmie, he

always called me.” (Id. at 315). According to Kramer, after Kramer’s “all hell

broke loose” text message to Matney and the phone calls from Matney that

Kramer ignored, he did not hear from Matney again and was pleased “he didn’t

call back.” (Id.).

{¶47} When asked whether he disregarded Matney’s request after that,

Kramer testified, “I disregarded the request when he first sent it to me.” (Id.).

According to Kramer, his text messages with Matney throughout that evening

were aimed at trying to “put him off.” (Id.). When asked why he did not “just say

no” to Matney, Kramer explained, “Because Jimmie was also a friend of mine,

and, you know, and * * * it’s hard to tell somebody no, you know what I mean.

-30- Case No. 4-15-14

They’re going to keep calling you and calling you, and he knows – he knows I

know where to get it you know what I mean.” (Id. at 315-316). According to

Kramer, his strategy was to put Matney off and hope he found another supplier.

(Id. at 316). Kramer added, “Usually heroin addicts don’t go too long. If you

keep putting them off they’ll find somebody else.” (Id.). At the conclusion of his

testimony, Kramer admitted that he was convicted of a felony, aggravated assault,

in 2009. (Id. at 320).

{¶48} On cross-examination, Kramer admitted that, in the evening on

December 26, 2013 and shortly after midnight, he was communicating with

Matney about Kramer delivering heroin to Matney. (Id. at 320). Kramer admitted

that a week or so before December 26, 2013, he asked Matney whether he had any

fresh needles. (Id. at 321). When asked why he asked Matney that, Kramer

stated, “Because I have other friends that are addicts and I rather them not use

dirty needles. I know a lot of people in Defiance use heroin.” (Id.). Kramer

continued, “I wasn’t asking him if he needed them, I’m asking him if he had any

extra.” (Id.). When asked in response if he was “going to get some freshies from

him,” Kramer responded, “Yes, sir.” (Id. at 321-322).

{¶49} When asked about Kramer’s December 26, 2013 text message, in

which he asked if Matney wanted “the usual,” Kramer admitted that “there was

something usual * * * that [Matney] would get.” (Id. at 323). According to

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Kramer, “[t]he usual was heroin.” (Id. at 324). Based on a conversation that

Kramer had with Matney “a couple days before that,” Kramer initially thought

Matney “was talking about weed” when Matney asked for “a 40.” (Id. at 323).

Kramer explained, “[A]fter the two and a half minute phone conversation at 7:15 I

found out what he was talking about, and I explained to him why I didn’t want

give [sic] it to him anymore. And, he didn’t want to take no for an answer.” (Id.

at 324). When asked about Horan’s testimony concerning the cell-phone data

reflecting the whereabouts of Kramer’s cell phone at 12:06 AM on December 27,

2013, Kramer explained, “Like I said that was him calling me, not me calling him.

So, at 12:06 he called me and that radius, the 484 [north] tower that would have

been his phone calling my phone. Not my phone calling his phone.” (Id. at 327).

{¶50} After reviewing the entire record, we conclude that Kramer’s

involuntary-manslaughter conviction is not against the manifest weight of the

evidence. Specifically, the jury’s conclusion that Kramer’s trafficking in heroin

proximately resulted in Matney’s death is not against the manifest weight of the

evidence. Weighing in favor of Kramer’s conviction are: the cell-phone

communications between Kramer and Matney appearing to set up a transaction of

heroin; the evidence indicating Kramer’s cell phone could have been at Matney’s

residence and could not have been at Cereghin’s apartment at 12:06 AM on

December 27, 2013; Wade’s testimony that she could hear Matney speaking with

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someone during her cell-phone call with Matney at 12:08 AM; and Kramer’s

admission that he sold Matney drugs, including heroin, in the past. See State v.

Hill, 37 Ohio App.3d 72, 74-75 (1st Dist.1987)

{¶51} Weighing against Kramer’s conviction is Cereghin’s alibi testimony

that she was with Kramer at least between approximately 11:00 PM on December

26, 2013 and 2:00 AM on December 27, 2013. However, Cereghin’s credibility

was undermined at trial. She said she was “unaware” of the series of text

messages between Kramer and Matney that were exchanged during the time that

Cereghin says she was with Kramer. In addition, despite attempts by Campbell to

speak with her, Cereghin did not make contact with Campbell. And Cereghin’s

recollection of the events of December 26, 2013 was undermined when she first

testified that she was following “Schedule A visitation” but then testified—when

informed that she would have had her children on December 26, 2013 under

Schedule A—that she and her children’s father did not adhere to Schedule A.

{¶52} Kramer’s credibility and testimony were likewise undermined. For

example, Kramer asserted, “I never called Jimmie, he always called me.” (Trial

Tr., Vol. II, at 315). However, the records from Kramer’s cell phone revealed that

he called Matney twice on December 21, 2013—six days before Matney was

found dead. Kramer made one of those calls after he sent a text message to

Matney asking him if he had any “freshies.” And of course, Kramer’s testimony is

-33- Case No. 4-15-14

undermined by the evidence concerning the whereabouts of his cell phone.

Indeed, Kramer admitted that it was he who was communicating with Matney on

Kramer’s cell phone on the night of December 26, 2013 into the midnight hour the

next day. This admission created a simple question for the jury—either Kramer

was lying or mistaken about his whereabouts, or the evidence of the whereabouts

of Kramer’s cell phone was inaccurate.

{¶53} Kramer’s remaining arguments are unpersuasive, particularly in light

of the evidence supporting his conviction. His argument “that no finger print

evidence was presented as to the syringe that was used” is irrelevant. (Appellant’s

Brief at 9). Kramer does not dispute that Matney died of a drug overdose, and the

State was not required to prove that Kramer provided the syringe to Matney.

Kramer also argues “that there is no eye witness testimony regarding a sale of

heroin.” (Id.). However, eyewitness testimony was not required to convict

Kramer, and the jury was free to consider the absence of eyewitness testimony in

weighing the evidence. See State v. Huff, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 14CA3596, 2015-

Ohio-5589, ¶ 47-48.

{¶54} Kramer argues that there is no “evidence that the text message

exchanges between Mr. Kramer and the victim were pertaining to him actually

selling heroin to the victim.” (Appellant’s Brief at 9). However, Kramer admitted

at trial that the text-message discussion between him and Matney regarded the sale

-34- Case No. 4-15-14

of heroin—only that Kramer never intended to follow through. There is other

evidence—particularly Campbell’s, Wade’s, and Horan’s testimony—that

supports a conviction independent of the content of the text messages. Kramer

also points to the absence of any packaging, bindle, or dose-unit papers in

Matney’s residence. However, when Kramer’s counsel asked Campbell how

heroin “could be packaged,” Campbell did not testify that heroin is always

packaged a certain way. Rather, Campbell testified that heroin is “[g]enerally”

packaged in “bindles.” (Trial Tr., Vol. I, at 142). Delaney similarly testified that

heroin “can be” packaged using a folded paper or foil. (Id. at 105). Moreover,

Campbell testified that “the apartment wasn’t well kept or clean.” (Id. at 116). In

sum, the State was not required to produce a bindle paper to support Kramer’s

conviction, and the jury was again free to consider the absence of any packaging

in weighing the evidence.

{¶55} Finally, Kramer argues, “Without a time of death directly correlating

to the time that the State believes that heroin was provided, there is reasonable

doubt as to the ultimate source of the deadly drug.” (Appellant’s Brief at 9-10).

However, notwithstanding the time of death on the death certificate, the coroner

testified that Kramer could have died any time between 6 and 36 hours before the

coroner arrived at the scene between 7:30 and 7:45 PM on December 27, 2013.

Included within this timeframe are the early morning hours of December 27, 2013

-35- Case No. 4-15-14

after the suspected heroin transaction between Kramer and Matney took place.

Moreover, Campbell testified that “there was no contact and no return text

messages” by Matney after 12:08 AM on December 27, 2013. (Trial Tr., Vol. I, at

117).

{¶56} For the reasons above, we cannot conclude that 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. This is not one of the

“exceptional cases” in which we should overturn the trial court’s judgment.

Haller, 2012-Ohio-5233, at ¶ 9, citing Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-

6524, at ¶ 119. Kramer’s involuntary-manslaughter conviction is not against the

manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶57} Kramer’s third assignment of error is overruled.

Assignment of Error No. II

The defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel in violation of the 6th and 14th Amendment [sic] of the United States Constitution.

{¶58} In his second assignment of error, Kramer argues that he received

ineffective assistance of trial counsel in three instances: (1) “when counsel failed

to raise issues with the victim’s medical records,” particularly that Matney

suffered from heart disease and an 80 percent blocked artery and that

dyphenhydromine “was found in the toxicology report”; (2) “when defense

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counsel failed to cross examine Pamela Addington and did not effectively cross

examine Detective Scott Campbell”; and (3) “trial counsel did not put the State’s

case to the rigorous questioning that is required for a proper defense.”

(Appellant’s Brief at 7-8).

{¶59} A defendant asserting a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel

must establish: (1) the counsel’s performance was deficient or unreasonable under

the circumstances; and (2) the deficient performance prejudiced the defendant.

State v. Kole, 92 Ohio St.3d 303, 306 (2001), citing Strickland v. Washington, 466

U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052 (1984). To show counsel’s conduct was deficient

or unreasonable, the defendant must overcome the presumption that counsel

provided competent representation and must show that counsel’s actions were not

trial strategies prompted by reasonable professional judgment. Strickland at 687.

Counsel is entitled to a strong presumption that all decisions fall within the wide

range of reasonable professional assistance. State v. Sallie, 81 Ohio St.3d 673,

675 (1998). Tactical or strategic trial decisions, even if unsuccessful, do not

generally constitute ineffective assistance. State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 558

(1995). Rather, the errors complained of must amount to a substantial violation of

counsel’s essential duties to his client. See State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136,

141-142 (1989), quoting State v. Lytle, 48 Ohio St.2d 391, 396 (1976). In the

event of deficient or unreasonable performance, prejudice results when “‘there is a

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reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of

the proceeding would have been different.’” Id. at 142, quoting Strickland at 694.

“‘A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in

the outcome.’” Id., quoting Strickland at 694.

{¶60} Kramer first argues that his trial counsel should have cross-examined

Drs. Okuley and Pandey concerning Matney’s supposed heart disease and 80

percent blocked artery and concerning the presence of diphenhydramine in

Matney’s body at the time of his death, according to the toxicology report.

Contrary to Kramer’s assertion, whether to cross-examine a witness and the scope

of cross-examination fall within the ambit of trial strategy, and debatable trial

tactics do not establish ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Phelps, 10th

Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-4, 2015-Ohio-539, ¶ 53, citing State v. Otte, 74 Ohio

St.3d 555, 565 (1996); State v. Singh, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-15-04, 2015-Ohio-

4130, ¶ 12, citing State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, ¶ 101.

Kramer’s theory of the case was that he was not the source of the heroin that

caused Matney’s death. Accordingly, Kramer’s trial strategy did not involve

disputing that Matney died of a heroin overdose.

{¶61} In light of Kramer’s theory of the case and trial strategy, along with

the physical evidence at Matney’s residence indicating substance abuse and the

opinions of Drs. Okuley and Pandey that Matney died of morphine intoxication

-38- Case No. 4-15-14

due to heroin abuse, it is unsurprising that Kramer’s trial counsel chose not to

dispute the doctors’ opinions in front of the jury. Moreover, specifically

concerning Kramer’s diphenhydramine argument, the toxicology report, which

was admitted into evidence, states, “The antihistaminic, diphenhydramine

(Benedryl [sic]), is detected in the urine only and was not exerting an effect at the

time of death.” (State’s Ex. 75). For these reasons, Kramer’s trial counsel did not

perform deficiently or unreasonably by not questioning Drs. Okuley and Pandey

concerning Matney’s supposed heart disease and the diphenhydramine in

Matney’s urine at the time of his death. See State v. Chalky, 7th Dist. Mahoning

No. 96CA165, 2001 WL 1568876, *3 (Dec. 6, 2011).

{¶62} Kramer next argues that his trial counsel was ineffective by not

cross-examining Addington and by “not effectively” cross-examining Campbell.

(Appellant’s Brief at 8). Concerning Addington, Kramer argues that she “made

pre-trial statements that are contrary to statements that she made at trial” and this

“goes directly to witness credibility.” (Appellant’s Brief at 8). Kramer, however,

fails to inform us of the content of either statement—either Addington’s trial

testimony or the pretrial statement that supposedly contradicted it. As to

Campbell, Kramer argues, “The defendant believes that Detective Campbell made

statements that were inconsistent with evidence log sheets and BCI lab reports.”

(Id.). Once again, Kramer fails to identify the supposed inconsistent statements

-39- Case No. 4-15-14

that he believes Campbell made. “Without specifically identifying in the record

the alleged prior inconsistent statements, and without explaining how those

statements likely would have changed the result of the trial, appellant has not

shown ineffective assistance of counsel.” State v. Williams, 10th Dist. Franklin

No. 08AP-719, 2009-Ohio-3237, ¶ 33. See also App.R. 12(A)(2).

{¶63} Kramer also argues, “[T]he defendant believes that a picture of a

‘bindle’ was provided in ‘counsel only’ materials yet was not introduced to

contradict Detective Campbell’s testimony that there was no bindle found.”

(Appellant’s Brief at 8). Again, Kramer’s trial strategy was to dispute that he

provided to Matney the heroin that caused his death. Kramer apparently believed

that the absence of a bindle paper at the scene of Matney’s death would support

his position that he did not sell Matney heroin on December 26 or 27, 2013.

Indeed, in arguing on appeal that his conviction is against the manifest weight of

the evidence, Kramer offers as support that law enforcement officers found no

bindle paper at Matney’s residence. Accordingly, even assuming the existence of

a “picture of a ‘bindle,’” Kramer’s trial counsel did not perform deficiently or

unreasonably in adhering to the defense’s theory of the case and not eliciting

evidence that the defense believed contradicted that theory. See State v. Vielma,

3d Dist. Paulding No. 11-11-03, 2012-Ohio-875, ¶ 49; State v. Foster, 2d Dist.

Montgomery No. 25655, 2014-Ohio-530, ¶ 15. This is a matter of trial strategy.

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Id.; Id. Moreover, considering Kramer’s argument under his third assignment of

error that the absence of a bindle paper weighs against his conviction, he cannot

argue that the result of the proceeding would have been different. See Vielma at ¶

49.

{¶64} Finally, Kramer argues “that his trial counsel did not put the State’s

case to the rigorous questioning that is required for a proper defense.”

(Appellant’s Brief at 8). First, Kramer offers no citations to the record and no

specific instances to support this argument. By failing to cite examples of asserted

ineffectiveness, Kramer has failed to demonstrate either his counsel’s deficient

performance or prejudice arising from the deficient performance. State v. Bey, 85

Ohio St.3d 487, 504 (1999). See also App.R. 12(A)(2). Second, our review of the

record reveals that Kramer’s trial counsel cross-examined those witnesses of the

State who offered testimony contrary to Kramer’s theory of the case, in addition to

calling an alibi witness. See State v. Williams, 99 Ohio St.3d 439, 2003-Ohio-

4164, ¶ 91. For all of these reasons, we reject Kramer’s argument that he received

ineffective assistance of counsel because his trial counsel did not put forth a

rigorous defense.

{¶65} Kramer’s second assignment of error is overruled.

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{¶66} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

SHAW, P.J., concurs.

ROGERS, J., concurs, and concurs in Judgment Only in Assignment of Error No. III

/jlr

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