[Cite as State v. Newett, 2016-Ohio-7605.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION No. 103518
STATE OF OHIO PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
DARNELL NEWETT DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Case No. CR-13-572437-A
BEFORE: Laster Mays, J., Boyle, P.J., and Blackmon, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: November 3, 2016
-i- ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Russell S. Bensing 1360 East 9th Street, Suite 600 Cleveland, Ohio 44114
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Timothy J. McGinty Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
By: Hannah Smith Mahmoud Awadallah Andrew Rogalski Assistant County Prosecutors Justice Center, 9th Floor 1200 Ontario Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 ANITA LASTER MAYS, J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Darnell Newett (“Newett”) appeals his convictions of
two counts of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery,
kidnapping, and tampering with evidence. Newett was sentenced to a total of 35 years to
life. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm.
I. BACKGROUND
{¶2} Newett was indicted in Cuyahoga C.P. No. CR-13-572437-A on a total of
eight counts relating to the death of Rhonda Jackson (“Jackson”). Newett’s charges
include Count 1, aggravated murder in violation of R.C. 2903.01(A); Count 2, aggravated
murder in violation of R.C. 2903.01(B); Count 3, murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02(B);
Count 4, felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1); Count 5, aggravated
robbery in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(3); Count 6, aggravated burglary in violation of
R.C. 2911.11(A)(1); Count 7, kidnapping in violation of R.C. 2905.01(A)(3); and Count
8, tampering with evidence in violation of R.C. 2921.12(A)(1). On July 20, 2015, the
case proceeded to a jury trial. At the close of the state’s case and again after the
defense’s case, the defense moved for a Crim.R. 29 acquittal. The trial court denied the
defense’s motion each time. The jury found Newett guilty on all counts. {¶3} Newett was sentenced on August 20, 2015. The trial court merged Counts 1,
2, 3, 4, and 7. The state elected to proceed to sentencing on Count 1, aggravated murder
in violation of R.C. 2903.01(A). Newett was sentence to 25 years to life without
parole. On Count 5, aggravated robbery, Newett was sentenced to ten years; Count 6,
aggravated burglary, ten years; and on Count 8, tampering with evidence, three years to
be served concurrently but consecutive to aggravated murder. Newett was sentenced to
an aggregate of 35 years to life without parole.
II. FACTS
{¶4} During the jury trial, the state presented a litany of witnesses. The state’s
first witness was Jackson’s mother, Delores Lacey (“Lacey”). Lacey testified that on a
Sunday in March 2013, she was visiting Cleveland from her home in Detroit. She picked
Jackson up to assist her in taking care of an ill cousin while she stayed at a hotel. On
March 5, 2013, Lacey dropped Jackson off at her home on Clare Avenue around 11:00
a.m. or 11:30 a.m., giving Jackson around $40 or $50. Lacey did not notice anything out
of the ordinary. Lacey returned to Detroit. Later that evening, Lacey received a call
from the Maple Heights Police Department (“MHPD”) informing her that her daughter
was murdered. On cross-examination, Lacey testified that Jackson used drugs in the
past.
{¶5} Jackson’s boyfriend, Michael Boyd (“Boyd”), was the next witness to testify.
Boyd had known Jackson for 20 to 25 years. They dated in the past and rekindled their
relationship about three years prior to Jackson’s death. Boyd testified that he works a
regular job, Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm. Boyd was working March 5, 2013, as verified by his supervisor Bette Baltakis and his time card. (Tr. 296
and 297.) Boyd testified that Jackson received a monthly disability check between $600
to $800 a month. Jackson’s money was received between the first and third of the
month. Boyd testified that he and Jackson had a daily routine; each day after work
Jackson would call him when she thought that Boyd was near and she would meet him at
her side door to go to his home for the evening.
{¶6} On March 5, 2013, Boyd testified that he spoke with Jackson, while at work
around 12:30 p.m. When Boyd left work, Jackson did not call him. Boyd called her; she
did not answer. Boyd arrived at Jackson’s apartment and Jackson was not waiting
outside. Boyd thought this was strange and worried something happened. Boyd parked
his car, went to the back of Jackson’s apartment and noticed her patio door open. Boyd
called her cell as he was entering the apartment, heard the cell phone ringing and tripped
over Jackson’s legs. Boyd felt for a pulse and called 911. Boyd also testified that he
met several of Jackson’s neighbors in the past and Newett was one of them. Newett
lived in the same apartment building about two or three apartments away. Boyd stated
that he was aware of Jackson’s drug problems.
{¶7} Gloria Watts (“Watts”) testified that she and Jackson had been friends for
over 20 years. Watts stated that in 2011 at the request of Jackson, she became her payee.
Watts remembered that she was starting a new job in March and wanted to give Jackson
her money. She recalled giving Jackson around $800 in cash from Jackson’s social
security check as she usually did at the beginning of the month. (Tr. 412.)
{¶8} William David Nelson (“Nelson”), the building maintenance custodian, who had been employed at Clare Apartments for 12 years and was also a resident, testified.
Nelson was familiar with Jackson and Newett. He testified that Jackson’s and Newett’s
apartments were four apartments from each other on the same floor. Nelson testified that
he would see Jackson and Newett congregating in the hallway together and would
sometimes go into one another’s apartment. Nelson continued by stating that Jackson and
Newett were friends and that he had knowledge that the two used drugs together. (Tr.
937 and 938.) On March 5, 2013, Nelson heard Jackson around 11:00 a.m. talking while
she was getting her hair done at his neighbor’s house. (Tr. 937 and 938.)
{¶9} Nathan Word (“Word”) testified that he knew Jackson and Newett from the
apartment building. On March 5, 2013, he saw Newett earlier in the day but did not pay
much attention to him. However, later in the day Word noticed that Newett had
“freshened up.” (Tr. 1146.) Word testified that “freshened up” meant that Newett had
changed his clothes from what he had on earlier.
{¶10} Schlena Braxton (“Braxton”) is the ex-wife of Newett. Braxton testified
that Newett loved to cook and that he used knives and other utensils when cooking. (Tr.
805.) She testified that Newett spoke of Jackson because they used drugs together. (Tr.
806.) Braxton stated that Newett informed her that his apartment had been broken into
and that he thinks Jackson set him up. Braxton continued to state that Newett was angry
and said that he “was going to f**k her up.” (Tr. 807 and 808.) Newett’s apartment
was broken into twice and each time he thought Jackson had set him up. Braxton stated
that Jackson knew when Newett was not home because she would call him and Newett
would tell Jackson that he was with Braxton. (Tr. 808.) These break-ins happened around Christmas, 2012, or October or November. (Tr. 809.) Braxton continued to
testify that she heard about the murder at Clare Apartments, learned it was Jackson and
remembered what Newett had said, and therefore contacted MHPD.
{¶11} Dr. Thomas Gilson (“Dr. Gilson”) of the Cuyahoga County Medical
Examiner’s Office testified regarding Jackson’s injuries. Dr. Gilson supervised the
autopsy of Jackson on March 6, 2013. Dr. Gilson testified that Jackson’s death was from
a combination of different types of injuries.
“There is a component of what we call cervical compression or compression of the neck. There is also a component of what we call sharp force injuries which means there are injuries received with a cutting object, knife, or something that has a sharp blade. Then there are blunt force injuries, as well, which are injuries that are caused by an object that doesn’t have a sharp edge. These are more like strikes or blows or things like that. We certify her death as cervical compression and sharp and blunt force injuries of the * * * head and neck, torso, or trunk and her right extremity or right arm.”
(Tr. 611 and 612.) Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide. Jackson had over 70 stab,
slicing, or cutting wounds about her person.
{¶12} Detective Gerald Prusha (“Det. Prusha”) testified that he arrived on the
scene after hearing a radio call. He stopped at the station to retrieve a camera and gear
from the police station. Upon arrival at the Clare Apartments, the crime area was already
taped off. It was around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Detective Sergeant
Bruening (“Sgt. Bruening”) had given Det. Prusha the assignment. Det. Prusha ensured
that the entire area was secure and began to take pictures of the crime scene. Amongst
the items photographed was a comb and footprints. Sgt. Bruening went over to a
dumpster because it was in close proximately to the crime scene. Inside the dumpster was a pile of clothes. (Tr. 1290.) Det. Prusha was called over to photograph and collect
any items that could be evidence. Det. Prusha collected a beige shirt, two wallets, a pair
of black Cadillac boots, a pair of jeans, a pair of black gloves, and a knife with a broken
tip. (Tr. 855.) Det. Prusha removed the jeans and discovered they had what “I
suspected to be blood evidence on them.” He also discovered a sweatshirt or thermal
long-sleeve shirt lying underneath the boots with suspected blood evidence on the cuff of
the sleeve. (Tr. 321.) Det. Prusha secured the items and waited for the Bureau of
Criminal Investigation (“BCI”) to arrive on the scene to process the remaining items.
BCI special agents Brenda McNeely (“Agent McNeely”) and George Staley (“Agent
Staley”) arrived on the scene.
{¶13} Agent Staley testified that he completed a report with his analysis of the
blood stain patterns. (Tr. 747.) He went on to explain different blood stain patterns and
what actions would cause blood to deposit in a certain way. (Tr. 749.) Agent Staley
testified that the blood stains on the shirt were consistent with being worn by somebody at
the time of the spatter-producing event (tr. 716), as well as the boots. (Tr. 773.) He
stated that a violent attack involving a knife could be a spattering- producing event. (Tr.
760.) Agent Staley testified that the blood stains found on the jeans were “consistent
with the kneeling on the floor, the knees of the pants had come in contact with the blood
source that would have been on the floor.” (Tr. 767.)
{¶14} Christine Hammett (“Hammett”) is a forensic scientist for BCI. She
testified that she examined items of evidence such as blood, semen, or saliva. Hammett
stated that she collected samples for DNA analysis and sent them forward. Hammett testified while examining the jeans discovered in the dumpster, she discovered nine items
in the front pockets. Those items consisted of one Ohio ID card, one Medicaid card, one
Medicare card, an RTA card, a Humana prescription card, and three business cards. The
Medicare and Humana cards had the name Darnell Newett on them. The Ohio ID and
RTA cards had the name Darnell Newett, Sr. on them. Hammett then sent the samples
collected to Emily Feldenkris (“Feldenkris”), a DNA analyst at BCI. (Tr. 844.)
{¶15} Feldenkris testified regarding the chain of custody and the quality assurance
standards of the DNA process. Feldenkris testified that the DNA profile from the
interior ankle area of the boots was consistent with Newett being the major contributor
and the DNA profile from the swab of the stain of the outside right boot was consistent
with Jackson. (Tr. 1061 and 1062.) Feldenkris went on to testify that the DNA profile
from the swab of the interior of the jeans was consistent with Newett being the major
contributor and the outside minor DNA contributor was consistent with Jackson.
Additionally, the blood stain on the front knee area of the jeans was consistent with
Jackson. (Tr. 1062.) Feldenkris testified that the swab of the stain on the gray wallet
indicated that Jackson’s DNA was the main contributor and that Newett’s DNA indicated
that he was the minor contributor. (Tr. 1062 and 1063.) Boyd had testified earlier that
the grey wallet belonged to Jackson. (Tr. 204.) DNA profile of the stain on the outside
of the right glove was consistent with Jackson, while the DNA profile of the interior wrist
area of the gloves was consistent with Newett. (Tr. 1062 and 1063.) The interior DNA
profile of a stain on the left glove was consistent with Jackson and the major DNA profile
was consistent with Newett. (Tr. 1064.) There was not enough DNA on the knife to determine a full DNA profile. (Tr. 1065.)
{¶16} At the conclusion of the state’s case, defense counsel requested acquittal of
the case via a Crim.R. 29 motion. The trial court denied Newett’s motion. Defense
counsel called Regina Newett (“Regina”), Newett’s sister, to testify. Regina testified
that she picked Newett up around 12:30 p.m. to take him to pick up his keys for his new
apartment in Lakewood. Regina stated that afterwards they went to eat at Cracker Barrel
off SOM Center Road. Regina stated that she dropped Newett off at the Clare
Apartments about 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. (Tr. 1450-1452.) At the conclusion of Newett’s
case, defense counsel moved for a Crim.R. 29 acquittal. The trial court denied the
motion.
{¶17} The case was sent to the jury. The jury found Newett guilty of all charges.
Newett was sentenced to 35 years to life without parole. Newett filed this instant appeal.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶18} Newett proffers four assignments of error:
I. The trial court erred by failing to grant a judgment of acquittal, pursuant to Crim.R. 29(A), on the charge of aggravated murder under R.C. 2903.01(A), and thereafter entering a judgment of conviction of that offense which was not supported by sufficient evidence, in derogation of defendant’s right to due process of law, as protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
II. The trial court erred by failing to grant a judgment of acquittal, pursuant to Crim.R. 29(A), on the charge of aggravated murder under R.C. 2903.01(B), and thereafter entering a judgment of conviction of that offense which was not supported by sufficient evidence, in derogation of defendant’s right to due process of law, as protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
III. The trial court erred by failing to grant a judgment of acquittal, pursuant to Crim.R. 29(A), on the charge of aggravated robbery, and thereafter entering a judgment of conviction of that offense which was not supported by sufficient evidence, in derogation of defendant’s right to due process of law, as protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
IV. The trial court erred by entering a conviction for murder which was against the manifest weight of the evidence, in derogation of defendant’s right to due process of law, as protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
III. LAW AND ANALYSIS
A. Crim.R. 29(A) Motion for Acquittal
{¶19} We will address the first three assignments of error together because
Newett challenges the trial court’s denial of his Crim.R. 29(A) motion as it relates to two
charges of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated robbery. Crim.R. 29 states,
The court on motion of a defendant or on its own motion, after the evidence on either side is closed, shall order the entry of a judgment of acquittal of one or more offenses charged in the indictment, information, or complaint, if the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction of such offense or offenses. The court may not reserve ruling on a motion for judgment of acquittal made at the close of the state’s case.
{¶20} Under Crim.R. 29(A), a trial court “shall not order an entry of acquittal if
the evidence is such that reasonable minds can reach different conclusions as to whether
each material element of a crime has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v.
Bridgeman, 55 Ohio St.2d 261, 381 N.E.2d 184 (1978), syllabus. A motion for
judgment of acquittal under Crim.R. 29 should only be granted where reasonable minds
could not fail to find reasonable doubt. Id. at 263, citing State v. Farraj, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 89543, 2008-Ohio-1084, ¶ 40.
{¶21} A Crim.R. 29(A) motion for acquittal tests the sufficiency of the evidence. State v. Capp, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102919, 2016-Ohio-295, ¶ 19. Crim.R. 29
mandates that the trial court issue a judgment of acquittal where the state’s evidence is
insufficient to sustain a conviction for an offense. Id. Accordingly, an appellate court
reviews a trial court’s denial of a defendant’s motion for acquittal using the same
standard it applies when reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence claim. Id.
{¶22} When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, the appellate court must
determine whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at ¶ 20. When performing a sufficiency inquiry,
an appellate court does not assess whether the state’s evidence is to be believed but
whether, if believed, the evidence admitted at trial supported the conviction. Id.
{¶23} Newett argues that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction for
aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. R.C. 2903.01(A) states “[n]o person shall
purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the death of another * * *.” The
phrase “prior calculation and design” is not statutorily defined but, instead, has been
honed by subsequent case law. After a comprehensive review of legislative history and
prior case law, the Ohio Supreme Court determined that, “it is not possible to formulate a
bright line test that emphatically distinguishes between the presence or absence of prior
calculation and design. Instead each case turns on the particular facts and evidence
present at trial.” State v. Taylor, 78 Ohio St.3d 15, 20, 1997-Ohio-243, 676 N.E.2d 82.
{¶24} Prior calculation and design “requires ‘more than a few moments of
deliberation’ and ‘a scheme designed to implement the calculated decision to kill.’” State v. Conway, 108 Ohio St.3d 214, 2006-Ohio-791, 842 N.E.2d 996, ¶ 38, quoting
State v. Cotton, 56 Ohio St.2d 8, 381 N.E.2d 190 (1978), paragraph one of the syllabus.
“Prior calculation and design can be found even when the killer quickly conceived and
executed the plan to kill within a few minutes.” State v. Coley, 93 Ohio St.3d 253, 264,
754 N.E.2d 1129 (2001).
{¶25} “Neither the degree of care nor the length of time the offender takes to
ponder the crime beforehand are critical factors in themselves,” but “momentary
deliberation” is insufficient. Legislative Service Commission Comment to R.C.
2903.01; see State v. Pierce, 64 Ohio St.2d 281, 286-287, 414 N.E.2d 1038 (1980).
State v. D’Ambrosio, 67 Ohio St.3d 185, 196, 616 N.E.2d 909 (1993).
{¶26} Methodologies the state may employ to prove prior calculation and design
include proving:
(1) “evidence of a preconceived plan leading up to the murder”; (2) “evidence of the [defendant’s] encounter with the victim, including evidence necessary to infer that the defendant had a preconceived notion to kill regardless of how the [events] unfolded” or (3) “evidence that the murder was executed in such a manner that circumstantially proved the defendant had a preconceived plan to kill,” such as where the victim is killed in a cold-blooded, execution-style manner. State v. Orr, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100841, 2014-Ohio-4680, ¶ 75, citing State v. Dunford, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2009-A-0027, 2010-Ohio-1272, ¶ 53; State v. Trewartha, 165 Ohio App.3d 91, 2005-Ohio-5697, 844 N.E.2d 1218 (10th Dist.); State v. Hough, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 91691, 2010-Ohio-2770, ¶ 19 (“[I]f the victim is killed in a cold-blooded, execution-style manner, the killing bespeaks aforethought, and a jury may infer prior calculation and design.”).
State v. Hicks, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102206, 2015-Ohio-4978, ¶ 40.
{¶27} Additional factors to be considered are: (1) Did the accused and the victim know each other, and if so, was that relationship strained?; (2) Did the accused give thought or preparation to choosing the murder weapon or murder site?; and (3) Was the act drawn out or an almost spontaneous eruption of events?
Taylor, 78 Ohio St.3d 15, 19, 1997-Ohio-243, 676 N.E.2d 82, ¶ 23; State v. Shabazz, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100021, 2014-Ohio-1828, ¶ 26.
{¶28} Considering the Taylor factors, Boyd, Nelson, Word, and Braxton testified
that Jackson and Newett knew each other. Braxton testified that Jackson’s and Newett’s
relationship was strained. Braxton stated that Newett was angry because he thought
Jackson had set him up and his apartment had been burglarized twice. Additionally,
Newett told Braxton that he was “going to f**k her [Jackson] up.” (Tr. 807 and 808.)
Braxton also testified that Newett “loved to cook and used knives when he cooked and I
guess other accompanying utensils that he needed for food.” (Tr. 805.) This gives
credence to the murder weapon being an item such as a knife. Dr. Gilson testified that
Jackson’s homicide involved “a component of what we call sharp force injuries which
means there are injuries received with a cutting object, knife or something that has a sharp
blade.” (Tr. 611.)
{¶29} Finally, Word testified that he saw Newett earlier in the day on March 5,
2013, and when he later saw Newett, Newett had “freshened up,” in other words, changed
clothes. (Tr. 1146.) Det. Prusha testified that in a nearby dumpster, items were
recovered including a pair of black gloves. Feldenkris, the DNA analyst, testified that
the blood on the outside of the gloves belonged to Jackson, while the DNA profile of the
interior of the gloves belonged to Newett. (Tr. 1062 and 1063.) The usage of the gloves goes to prior calculation and design. Dr.
Gilson testified that Jackson’s death was the result of a combination of injuries that would
be evidence of an act drawn out. We find that the record supports that Newett gave
thought or consideration in choosing the murder weapon and murder site. Newett knew
that Jackson lived alone. Jackson’s murder took place while Boyd was at work and
Jackson was at home as she routinely was. Newett had plenty of time to commit the
offense of aggravated murder. The discovery of blood-stained items in the dumpster and
Newett changing clothes supports all the factors of Taylor. Also compelling is the fact
that inside the front pockets of the blood-stained jeans were Newett’s health and
identification cards, further linking Newett to Jackson’s homicide.
{¶30} The state has also met its burden on proving aggravated murder under R.C.
2903.01(B) and aggravated robbery. R.C. 2903.01(B) states,
[N]o person shall purposely cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another’s pregnancy while committing or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit, kidnapping, rape, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated robbery, robbery, aggravated burglary, burglary, trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, terrorism, or escape.
{¶31} “A person commits felony murder pursuant to R.C. 2903.02(B) by
proximately causing another’s death while possessing the mens rea element set forth in
the underlying felony offense of violence. In other words, the predicate offense contains
the mens rea element for felony murder.” See State v. Sandoval, 9th Dist. Lorain
No. 07CA009276, 2008-Ohio-4402, ¶ 21, citing State v. Driggins, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 98073, 2012-Ohio-5287, ¶ 77; State v. Durham, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102654, 2016-Ohio-691, ¶ 151.
{¶32} A person acts purposely when it is his “specific intention to cause a certain
result, or, when the gist of the offense is a prohibition against conduct of a certain nature,
regardless of what the offender intends to accomplish thereby, it is his specific intention
to engage in conduct of that nature.” R.C. 2901.22(A). “Purpose,” therefore, depends on
an intended result. State v. Orr, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100841, 2014-Ohio-4680, ¶ 72,
citing State v. Peterson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 100897 and 100899, 2015-Ohio-1013, ¶
79. Intent can be established by circumstantial evidence. State v. Ratliff, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 70445, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 1957 (May 8, 1997). See also State v.
Nicey, 39 Ohio St.3d 147, 529 N.E.2d 1236 (1988). Therefore, intent may be
ascertained from the surrounding facts and circumstances in the case. Ratliff, supra,
citing State v. Carter, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 87705, 2006-Ohio-6427, ¶ 31.
{¶33} The underlying predicate offense in this case is aggravated robbery. R.C.
2911.01 states,
[N]o person, in attempting or committing a theft offense, as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, or in fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, shall do any of the following: * * * (3) [i]nflict, or attempt to inflict, serious physical harm on another.
The state demonstrated that Newett in attempting or committing a theft offense, as
defined in R.C. 2913.01, or in fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, inflicted
serious physical harm on Jackson. Serious physical harm is defined as “any physical
harm that involves some permanent disfigurement or that involves some temporary,
serious disfigurement.” R.C. 2901.01(A)(5)(d). {¶34} The record reveals that Jackson had received approximately $800 from her
payee, Watts, and an additional $40 or $50 from her mother, Lacey. However, there was
no evidence of money found in Jackson’s home or in her wallet that was discovered in the
dumpster. There is evidence that Newett had come into contact with Jackson’s wallet
where his DNA was found on her wallet and that wallet was found in the dumpster.
This is evidence of the theft offense. While Newett was committing the theft offense, he
inflicted serious physical harm upon Jackson. The serious physical harm, blunt force
trauma, strangulation, and stab wounds, resulted in the death of Jackson. Newett’s jeans
were found to have Jackson’s blood on its knees with blood splatter. The testimony
regarding the blood splatter revealed that Newett kneeled over Jackson while he beat her.
Newett’s first, second, and third assignments of error are overruled.
B. Manifest Weight
{¶35} In Newett’s fourth and final assignment of error, he contends that his
conviction for murder was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Newett argues
that all of the convictions hinge on the idea that Newett was the killer, and the murder
conviction was based solely on forensic evidence that was contaminated at the scene of
the crime. We disagree.
{¶36} In State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), the
court distinguished between sufficiency of the evidence and manifest weight of the
evidence, finding that these concepts differ both qualitatively and quantitatively. Id. at
386. The court held that sufficiency of the evidence is a test of adequacy as to whether
the evidence is legally sufficient to support a verdict as a matter of law, but the weight of the evidence addresses the evidence’s effect of inducing belief. Id. at 386-387.
{¶37} In other words, a reviewing court asks whose evidence is more persuasive
— the state’s or the defendant’s? We went on to hold that although there may be
sufficient evidence to support a judgment, it could nevertheless be against the manifest
weight of the evidence. Id. at 387. “When a court of appeals reverses a judgment of a
trial court on the basis that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence, the appellate
court sits as a ‘thirteenth juror’” and disagrees with the factfinder’s resolution of the
conflicting testimony. Id. at 387, citing Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42, 102 S.Ct.
2211, 72 L.Ed.2d 652 (1982).
* * * [T]his court is mindful that weight of the evidence and the credibility of witnesses are primarily for the trier of fact and a reviewing court must not reverse a verdict where the trier of fact could reasonably conclude from substantial evidence that the state has proven the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
State v. Chavez, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99436, 2013-Ohio-4700, citing State v. DeHass,
10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212 (1967), at paragraphs one and two of the syllabus.
{¶38} Further, because the factfinder has the opportunity to see and hear the
witnesses, the cautious exercise of the discretionary power of a court of appeals to find
that a judgment is against the manifest weight of the evidence requires that substantial
deference be extended to the factfinder’s determinations of credibility. State v.
Robinson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99290, 2013-Ohio-4375, citing State v. Lawson, 2d
Dist. Montgomery No. 16288, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 3709 (Aug. 22, 1997).
{¶39} A manifest weight inquiry looks at whether the evidence was substantial enough for a jury to reasonably conclude that all of the elements of the alleged crime have
been proved beyond a reasonable doubt. We sit “as a thirteenth juror.” Thompkins at
387, quoting Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42, 102 S.Ct. 2211, 72 L.Ed.2d 652 (1982).
{¶40} We review the entire record, consider the credibility of the witnesses,
weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, and determine whether the jury 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. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d
717 (1st Dist.1983); State v. Leonard, 104 Ohio St.3d 54, 2004-Ohio-6235, 818 N.E.2d
229, ¶ 81. “Weight is not a question of mathematics, but depends on its effect in
inducing belief.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1594 (6th Ed.1990). Thompkins at 387.
The discretionary power to grant a new trial should be exercised only in the exceptional
case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction. Martin at 175.
{¶41} The record is replete with evidence supporting Newett’s convictions beyond
a reasonable doubt. R.C. 2911.11, aggravated burglary, states,
(A) No person, by force, stealth, or deception, shall trespass in an occupied structure or in a separately secured or separately occupied portion of an occupied structure, when another person other than an accomplice of the offender is present, with purpose to commit in the structure or in the separately secured or separately occupied portion of the structure any criminal offense, if any of the following apply:
(1) The offender inflicts, or attempts or threatens to inflict physical harm on another;
(2) The offender has a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance on or about the offender’s person or under the offender’s control.
R.C. 2903.11, felonious assault, states, (A) No person shall knowingly do either of the following:
(1) Cause serious physical harm to another or to another’s unborn;
(2) Cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another’s unborn by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance.
R.C. 2905.01, kidnapping, states,
(A) No person, by force, threat, or deception, * * * , or by any means, shall remove another from the place where the other person is found or restrain the liberty of the other person, for any of the following purposes:
***
(3) To terrorize, or to inflict serious physical harm on the victim or another.
R.C. 2921.12, tampering with evidence, states,
(A) No person, knowing that an official proceeding or investigation is in progress, or is about to be or likely to be instituted, shall do any of the following:
(1) Alter, destroy, conceal, or remove any record, document, or thing, with purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence in such proceeding or investigation * * *.
{¶42} The evidence shows that Jackson and Newett were friends. Newett
believed that Jackson had his home broken into on two occasions. Newett vowed to get
revenge. It was the first of the month when Jackson received her social
security check. Jackson had approximately $850 in her wallet. Jackson’s apartment
was entered and/or exited through her rear patio door. Jackson was forced to remain in
her apartment and was murdered there. Jackson’s wallet was found in the dumpster near
her apartment with Newett’s DNA on it. Several items including boots, a sweatshirt, jeans, and gloves linked to Jackson’s murder were discovered in a nearby dumpster.
This was an attempt to get rid of the items. Newett’s clothes and gloves containing
Jackson’s blood were found in the dumpster. Newett changed his clothes and went back
around other neighbors. Finally, government health and identification cards were found
in Newett’s jeans that were located in the dumpster near Jackson’s apartment.
{¶43} Therefore, witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, and forensic
evidence provided sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Newett
was guilty. State v. Lang, 129 Ohio St.3d 512, 2011-Ohio-4215, 954 N.E.2d 596, ¶ 227.
The aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, kidnapping, aggravated burglary, and
tampering with evidence convictions were not against the manifest weight of the
evidence.
{¶44} We reject Newett’s contention that the forensic items were fatally
compromised because at least 15 police officers rummaged through Jackson’s apartment
and yard. We also reject Newett’s contention that Agent Staley changed gloves when he
could and not every time he collected a piece of evidence, and the lack of hair nets and
booties could have contaminated the evidence. (Tr. 792 and 793.)
{¶45} The cross-examination of Agent Staley went as follows,
[STATE]: Agent Staley, when you and Agent McNeely responded to the crime scene and investigated the crime scene, to the best of your training and experience, did you and Agent McNeely follow proper protocol?
[STALEY]: Yes.
[STATE]: Any time that anyone goes into a crime scene, is it ever possible to 100 percent eliminate all possible contamination?
[STALEY]: No.
[STATE]: Or cross-contamination?
[STATE]: What is your goal regarding contamination?
[STALEY]: To follow our policies and procedures and do the best job that I can.
[STATE]: Is it your goal to minimize it?
[STATE]: A mask every time you go into a crime scene?
[STALEY]: No sir.
(Tr. 794.)
[STATE]: Having had the opportunity to go through that scene and work that scene, what do you think about characterizing that as a cesspool of contamination?
[STALEY]: Well, it was contaminated from other people. I mean, it was not a clean environment to begin with.
[STATE]: I mean regarding the actions of the responding investigative agents from BCI, BCI’s contribution to the contamination?
[STALEY]: We used our personal protective equipment to the best of its ability to reduce any contamination or cross-contamination.
(Tr. 800.) {¶46} Agent Staley testified that his goal was to follow procedures and to
minimize contamination. The jury heard Agent Staley’s testimony and additional
testimony regarding data collection, chain of custody, and DNA analysis. Nevertheless,
“‘[b]ecause the factfinder * * * has the opportunity to see and hear the witnesses, the cautious exercise of the discretionary power of a court of appeals to find that a judgment is against the manifest weight of the evidence requires that substantial deference be extended to the factfinder’s determinations of credibility. The decision whether, and to what extent, to credit the testimony of particular witnesses is within the peculiar competence of the factfinder, who has seen and heard the witness.’”
State v. Ross, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 22096, 2008-Ohio-1760, ¶ 18, quoting State v.
Lawson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 16288, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 3709 (Aug. 22, 1997).
{¶47} “Only in exceptional circumstances should a judgment be reversed as being against the manifest weight of the evidence.” Id., citing State v. Parker, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 18926, 2002-Ohio-3920, ¶ 70, citing State v. Molen, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 21941, 2008-Ohio-6237, ¶ 16-17. We find that this is not that exceptional case.
{¶48} Finally, we also reject Newett’s idea that MHPD did not consider anyone
else for the homicide of Jackson, when they did not investigate another individual that
was known to have threatened Jackson. (Tr. 1356.) Defense counsel questioned Sgt.
Bruening regarding this accusation. Sgt. Bruening testified as follows,
[COUNSEL]: Well, Michael Boyd tells you that in the days leading up to the murder, Michael Bourn, Big Mike had been calling Rhonda threatening her regularly. You heard the testimony?
[SGT. BRUENING]: Yes, I did.
[COUNSEL]: Then you hear the testimony from Michael Bourn saying I didn’t call that woman at all. They can’t both be true, can they? [SGT. BRUENING]: No, they cannot.
[COUNSEL]: So you trusted Michael Boyd and you went and talked to Michael Bourn or someone went and talked to Michael Bourn, correct?
[SGT. BRUENING]: Correct.
[COUNSEL]: And it was determined that he was at Harbor Light on the day in question?
[SGT. BRUENING]: That was the information we had.
(Tr. 1357 and 1358.)
{¶49} Defense counsel questioned Det. Bruening regarding additional theories and
possible suspects for the murder of Jackson. The record reveals that MHPD received
information regarding Michael Bourn threatening Jackson over an undetermined period of
time before her murder. MHPD did not retrieve buccal swabs, obtain a DNA standard
from Michael Bourn (tr. 156), or subpoena Jackson’s phone records. (Tr. 1359.) The
record reveals that the lead detective passed away right before the trial began (tr. 1387),
and Det. Bruening was unable to testify to the extent of a follow-up investigation. The
record reveals that defense counsel adequately placed all theories into evidence. The
trier of fact was in the best position to weigh the evidence and the witnesses’ credibility.
A trier of fact may believe or disbelieve all, part, or none of a witnesses’ testimony.
State v. Brown, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98881, 2013-Ohio-2690, ¶ 39. Accordingly, any
theory regarding another suspect in the murder of Jackson is to be weighed by the trier of
fact. {¶50} In light of our review of the record, we find that the trial court did not lose
its way or create a manifest miscarriage of justice. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387,
678 N.E.2d 541. We find that the record contains substantial credible evidence that
supports Newett’s conviction for murder. As a result, Newett’s conviction for murder is
not against the manifest weight of the evidence. This is not one of those rare cases
where the evidence presented weighs heavily against conviction. State v. Hudson, 7th
Dist. Mahoning No. 09 MA 89, 2011-Ohio-1343, ¶ 49. Newett’s fourth assignment of
error is overruled.
{¶51} The trial court’s judgment is affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common
pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The appellant’s conviction having
been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
__________________________________________ ANITA LASTER MAYS, JUDGE MARY J. BOYLE, P.J., and PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, J., CONCUR
.