[Cite as State v. Seely, 2024-Ohio-2409.]
COURT OF APPEALS DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES: STATE OF OHIO : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J. : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J. Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J. : -vs- : : Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 JOSHUA SEELY : : Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, Case No 22 CRI 090518
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: June 24, 2024
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
MELISSA A. SCHIFFEL APRIL F. CAMPBELL Delaware County Prosecutor Campbell Law, LLC BY: KATHERYN L. MUNGER 546 Metro Place South, Ste. 100 Assistant Prosecutor Dublin, OH 43017 145 North Union Street, 3rd Floor Delaware, OH 43015 Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 2
Gwin, J.,
{¶1} This case involves the theft of equipment from a construction trailer located
on rural property in Delaware County, Ohio. Defendant-appellant Joshua Seely [“Seely”]
contends that the state failed to introduce substantial, credible evidence upon which a
jury could reasonably conclude that he stole the property, and that the stolen property
was worth in excess of $1,000.00. Because we find the state introduced circumstantial
evidence, in addition to video surveillance footage of the theft, upon which the jury could
find that it was Seely who stole the property worth more than $1,000.00, we affirm the
judgment of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On February 2, 2022, a construction trailer was parked on a ten-acre plot of
undeveloped land on Trenton Road, Sunbury, Delaware County, Ohio. A video camera
positioned outside the trailer captured a pick-up truck parked in the roadway at the end
of the driveway. 2T. at 1851. Two people were seen getting out of the truck. 2T. at 186.
The pickup truck was described as potentially an old Ford truck. Id. At 5:32 a.m. two
individuals were captured on black and white surveillance video entering the construction
trailer. State’s Exhibit 2, 4, 5, 7, 8-12; 2T. at 178-181. The break-in was reported to the
Delaware County Sherriff’s Office. 2T. at 175-176. The suspects were described as white
men. One was wearing a hooded jacket and jeans and was wearing a flat-billed ball cap.
3T. at 303. The other was wearing a ball cap, a hooded sweatshirt, jeans, white tennis
shoes, and a mask. Id.
1 For clarity, the transcript of Seeley’s jury trial will be referred to as “__T.__” signifying the volume
and page number. Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 3
{¶3} The owner of the trailer described the property that was stolen as a
generator, a heater burner kit, a propane tank, the connection line for that unit, and a
strap kit. 2T. at 199; 3T. at 301. A picture of the Coleman 6250 generator that was stolen
was entered into evidence. State’s Exhibit 20. The replacement value of the generator
alone was placed at $1,200.00. 2T. at 200.
{¶4} Deputies created a Facebook post about the break-in on the Delaware
County Sherriff’s Office Facebook page. 3T. at 304; 306; State’s Exhibit 25. Included in
that post was a description of “a silver pick-up truck, possibly a Ford 150.” 3T. at 306 -
307. Through further investigation, deputies were able to obtain a license plate number
of a silver Ford 150 pickup truck. Id. at 311. The license plate was registered to Seely’s
co-defendant, F.L. Id. at 312. Deputies initially identified F.L. as the person who could be
seen in the video surveillance footage as the unmasked individual holding the flashlight.
3T. at 345. However, after interviewing Seely in March 2022, the deputy changed her
mind and identified Seely as the person holding the flashlight. Id. at 323. Seely denied
any involvement in the break-in. State’s Exhibit 26; 3T. at 317-324.
{¶5} During the investigation, Wi-Fi location data placed F.L.’s cell phone near
the incident location at the time of the theft. 3T. at 335-336. Text messages retrieved from
Seely’s phone suggested that he and F.L. planned to meet up that night to "make money''.
3T. at 383. Google records showed that Seely had photographs of the Coleman
Generator Model 6250, that had been sent in a text message to F.L. Id. at 340-341;
366. Text messages were exchanged indicating F.L.’s needing to get some money after
he installed a washer and dryer at his grandparents’ home. Id. at 256. The next text
messages came the day after the break-in at around 6:00 p.m. Id. at 256. That text from Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 4
Seely concerned his leaving a lotto ticket in F.L.'s truck. Id. at 256. Further, law
enforcement found texts in which Seely was showing, “$275.” Id. at 258. The message
continues, “New they are 599 used I see them for as low as 300.” Id. To which a reply of
“o.k.” was received. Id.
{¶6} On September 15, 2022, Seely was indicted with co-defendant F.L. for one
count of Breaking and Entering in violation of R.C. 2911.13(B) / (C), a felony of the fifth
degree, and one count of Theft, in violation of R.C. 2913.02(A)(1) / (B)(2), also a felony
of the fifth degree.
{¶7} During deliberations, the jurors asked for clarification on “breaking and
entering with the value of $1,000.00 or more. On page 10, clarify the additional issue of
value.” 3T. at 433. The jurors further asked, “And can we be a hung jury on one of the
counts?” Id. The trial judge referred the jurors to the definitions previously given and
further, provided the jurors with the deadlocked jury instructions. 3T. at 436-439.
{¶8} The jury found Seely “not guilty” of Breaking and Entering, but “guilty” of
Theft, with a finding that the state proved that the value of the items stolen was
over $1,000.00. On June 9, 2023, the trial judge sentenced Seely to a prison term
of nine month’s consecutive to prison sentences imposed by Franklin County,
and restitution in the amount of $2,360.
Assignments of Error
{¶9} Seely raises two Assignments of Error,
{¶10} “I. THE STATE'S EVIDENCE OF SEELY'S [sic.] OF HIS THEFT, HIS
IDENTITY, AND THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY WAS LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT AS
A MATTER OF LAW. Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 5
{¶11} “II. THE TRIAL COURT'S DECISION TO FIND SEELY GUILTY OF THEFT
SHOULD BE REVERSED, BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE WEIGHED MANIFESTLY
AGAINST CONVICTION.”
I & II.
{¶12} Although Seely has presented two Assignments of Error, he provides only
a single argument. Therefore, we too shall consider his First and Second Assignments of
Error together.
Standard of Appellate Review – Sufficiency of the Evidence
{¶13} The Sixth Amendment provides, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused
shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury....” This right, in
conjunction with the Due Process Clause, requires that each of the material elements of
a crime be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Alleyne v. United States, 570
U.S. 99 (2013); Hurst v. Florida, 577 U.S. 92 (2016). The test for the sufficiency of the
evidence involves a question of law for resolution by the appellate court. State v. Walker,
2016-Ohio-8295, ¶30; State v. Jordan, 2023-Ohio-3800, ¶13. “This naturally entails a
review of the elements of the charged offense and a review of the state's evidence.” State
v. Richardson, 2016-Ohio-8448, ¶13.
{¶14} When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court does not
ask whether the evidence should be believed. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991),
paragraph two of the syllabus, superseded by State constitutional amendment on other
grounds as stated in State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 102 at n.4, (1997); Walker, 150
Ohio St.3d at ¶30. “The relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light
most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 6
elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jenks at paragraph two of
the syllabus. State v. Poutney, 2018-Ohio-22, 97 N.E.3d 478, ¶19. Thus, “on review for
evidentiary sufficiency we do not second-guess the jury's credibility determinations;
rather, we ask whether, ‘if believed, [the evidence] would convince the average mind of
the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.’” State v. Murphy, 91 Ohio St.3d 516,
543 (2001), quoting Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus; Walker 150 Ohio St.3d at
¶31. We will not “disturb a verdict on appeal on sufficiency grounds unless ‘reasonable
minds could not reach the conclusion reached by the trier-of-fact.’” State v. Ketterer,
2006-Ohio-5283, ¶ 94, quoting State v. Dennis, 79 Ohio St.3d 421, 430 (1997); State v.
Montgomery, 2016-Ohio-5487, ¶74.
Issue for Appellate Review: Whether, after viewing the evidence in the light
most favorable to the prosecution, the evidence, if believed, would convince the
average mind that Seeley was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of Theft in an amount
greater than or equal to $1,000
{¶15} Seely was convicted of one count of Theft in violation of R.C. 2913.02
(A)(1),
(A) No person, with purpose to deprive the owner of property or
services, shall knowingly obtain or exert control over either the property or
services in any of the following ways:
(1) Without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give
consent Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 7
{¶16} If the value of the stolen property is one thousand dollars or more and is
less than seven thousand five hundred dollars, Theft is a felony of the fifth degree. R.C.
2913.02(B)(2).
{¶17} Seely does not argue that a theft did not occur; rather, he argues that the
state failed to prove that he stole the equipment and that the value of the stolen items
was more than $1,000.00.
After viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution,
the evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind that Seely was guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt of obtaining or exerting control over the property
without the consent of the owner of the trailer.
{¶18} The state has the burden to prove every element of the crime charged
beyond a reasonable doubt, including the identity of the person who committed the crime.
State v. Smith, 2021-Ohio-2866, (4th Dist.), ¶ 90 citing State v. Bailey, 2017-Ohio-2679
(2nd Dist.), ¶ 18; State v. Tate, 2014-Ohio-3667, ¶ 15 (Internal citations omitted). However,
there is no general requirement that the defendant must be visually identified in court by
a witness. State v. Smith, 2020-Ohio-3618(5th Dist.), ¶ 13; State v. Lawwill, 2008-Ohio-
3592(12th Dist.), ¶ 11, appeal not allowed, 2008-Ohio-6813; State v. Collins, 2013-Ohio-
488(8th Dist.), ¶ 19; Cleveland v. Williams, 2015-Ohio-1739(8th Dist.), ¶ 25. Direct or
circumstantial evidence is sufficient to establish the identity of the accused as the person
who committed the crime. Smith at ¶ 13.
{¶19} Circumstantial evidence is defined as “‘testimony not based on actual
personal knowledge or observation of the facts in controversy, but of other facts from
which deductions are drawn, showing indirectly the facts sought to be proved.’” State v. Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 8
Nicely, 39 Ohio St.3d 147,150 (1988), quoting Black's Law Dictionary (5th Ed. 1979).
“Circumstantial evidence and direct evidence inherently possess the same probative
value.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991), paragraph one of the syllabus,
superseded by State constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated in State v.
Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 102 at n.4 (1997). “‘[C]ircumstantial evidence is sufficient to
sustain a conviction if that evidence would convince the average mind of the defendant's
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.’” State v. McKnight, 2005-Ohio-6046, ¶ 75, quoting
State v. Heinish, 50 Ohio St.3d 231, 238(1990).
{¶20} In the case at bar, ample circumstantial evidence existed to allow the jury
to conclude that Seely obtain or exerted control over the property from the trailer without
the consent of the owner of the trailer.
{¶21} The jurors were able to observe Seely during his trial. The jurors reviewed
the video surveillance tapes and the photographs made from those tapes. State’s Exhibit
2, 4, 5, 7, 8-12. Text messages retrieved from Seely’s phone contained pictures of the
stolen generator and a discussion of the value of that item. F.L.’s cell phone was tracked
to the vicinity of the trailer at the time of the break-in. Seely texted F.L. that he left his
lottery ticket in F.L.’s truck, indicating that recently Seely was with F.L. in his pick-up truck.
{¶22} Viewing this evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, we
conclude that a reasonable person could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that
Seely did commit the crime of theft. We hold, therefore, that the state met its burden of
production regarding identification of Seely as one of the thieves for the crime of theft for
which Seely was indicted and, accordingly, there was sufficient evidence to submit the
charge to the jury and to support Seely’s conviction. Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 9
After viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution,
the evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind beyond a reasonable
doubt that the value of the stolen items exceeded one thousand dollars
{¶23} In relevant part, R.C. 2913.61 provides:
(A) When a person is charged with a theft offense… that involves
property or services valued at one thousand dollars or more, property or
services valued at one thousand dollars or more and less than seven
thousand five hundred dollars… the jury or court trying the accused shall
determine the value of the property or services as of the time of the offense
and, if a guilty verdict is returned, shall return the finding of value as part of
the verdict. In any case in which the jury or court determines that the value
of the property or services at the time of the offense was one thousand
dollars or more, it is unnecessary to find and return the exact value, and it
is sufficient if the finding and return is to the effect that the value of the
property or services involved was one thousand dollars or more, was one
thousand dollars or more and less than seven thousand five hundred
dollars…
(D) The following criteria shall be used in determining the value of
property or services involved in a theft offense:
(2) The value of personal effects and household goods, and of
materials, supplies, equipment, and fixtures used in the profession,
business, trade, occupation, or avocation of its owner, which property is not
covered under division (D)(1) of this section and which retains substantial Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 10
utility for its purpose regardless of its age or condition, is the cost of
replacing the property with new property of like kind and quality.
{¶24} In the case at bar, the Coleman 6250 generator, as well as the heater burner
kit, propane tank, the connection line for that unit and a strap kit were “materials, supplies,
equipment, and fixtures used in the profession, business, trade, occupation, or avocation
of its owner,” and therefore its value, for purposes of R.C. 2913.02(B) was its replacement
cost. State v. Adams, 39 Ohio St.3d 186, 187(1988). Generally, the price at which
property is held for sale is prima facie evidence of its value. See, R.C. 2913.61(E)(1). Id.
{¶25} In the case at bar, the owner of the property testified that the replacement
cost of the items stolen was over $1,000.00. 2T. at 200; 203-204. A victim's testimony is
sufficient to prove value of the stolen property for purposes of a theft charge. State v.
Milem, 2016-Ohio-1096 (2nd Dist.), ¶ 18; State v. Bartolomeo, 2009-Ohio-3086 (10th Dist.),
¶25, citing State v. Lockhart, 115 Ohio App.3d 370, 374 (8th Dist. 1996) (holding victim's
testimony was sufficient to prove value of stolen property for purposes of theft charge);
State v. Noble, 2015–Ohio–652 (12th Dist.), ¶22 (finding victim's testimony regarding the
value of property stolen was sufficient to elevate theft offense to a fifth-degree felony);
State v. Jones, 2003-Ohio-445(5th Dist.), ¶ 41 (same); State v. Allen, 2003-Ohio-229(5th
Dist.), ¶15 (same).
{¶26} Viewing this evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, we
conclude that a reasonable person could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the
value of the stolen property exceeded one thousand dollars and was less than seven
thousand five hundred dollars. We hold, therefore, that the state met its burden of
production regarding the value of the stolen property for the theft for which Seely was Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 11
indicted and, accordingly, there was sufficient evidence to submit the charge to the jury
and to support Seely’s conviction.
Standard of Review – Manifest Weight
{¶27} The term “‘manifest weight of the evidence’. . . relates to persuasion.”
Eastley v. Volkman, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶19. It “concerns ‘the inclination of the greater
amount of credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather than
the other.’” (Emphasis deleted.) State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387(1997),
superseded by constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated by State v. Smith,
80 Ohio St.3d 89, 102 at n.4 (1997); State v. Martin, 2022-Ohio-4175, ¶ 26.
{¶28} As to the weight of the evidence, the issue is whether the jury created a
manifest miscarriage of justice in resolving conflicting evidence, even though the
evidence of guilt was legally sufficient. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d at 386–387;
State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67 (2001).
{¶29} Weight of the evidence addresses the evidence's effect of inducing belief.
Thompkins, at 386-387; State v. Williams, 2003-Ohio-4396, ¶83. 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 fact
finder’s resolution of the conflicting testimony. State v. Jordan, 2023-Ohio-3800;
Thompkins at 387, citing Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42(1982) (quotation marks
omitted); State v. Wilson, 2007-Ohio-2202, ¶25, citing Thompkins.
{¶30} In weighing the evidence, the court of appeals must always be mindful of
the presumption in favor of the finder of fact.” Eastley, 2012-Ohio-2179 at ¶ 21. “The
underlying rationale of giving deference to the findings of the trial court rests with the Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 12
knowledge that the [trier of fact] is best able to view the witnesses and observe their
demeanor, gestures and voice inflections, and use these observations in weighing the
credibility of the proffered testimony.” Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d
77, 80 (1984).
{¶31} When there is conflicting testimony presented at trial, a defendant is not
entitled to a reversal on manifest weight grounds merely because inconsistent evidence
was presented. “‘If the evidence is susceptible of more than one construction, the
reviewing court is bound to give it that interpretation which is consistent with the verdict
and judgment, most favorable to sustaining the verdict and judgment.’” Seasons Coal Co.,
Inc at fn. 3, quoting 5 Ohio Jur.3d, Appellate Review, §603, at 191-192 (1978); In re Z.C.,
2023-Ohio-4703, ¶14.
{¶32} The interplay between the presumption of correctness and the ability of an
appellate court to reverse a verdict based on the manifest weight of the evidence has
been stated as follows, “’Judgments supported by some competent, credible evidence
going to all the essential elements of the case will not be reversed by a reviewing court
as being against the manifest weight of the evidence.’” Seasons Coal Co., 10 Ohio St.3d
at 80, quoting C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley Construction Co., 54 Ohio St.2d 279, 280 - 281.
See, also, Frankenmuth Mut. Ins. Co. v. Selz, 6 Ohio St.3d 169, 172 (1983); In re
Sekulich, 65 Ohio St.2d 13, 16 (1981). “The central question is whether ‘there is
substantial evidence upon which a jury could reasonably conclude that all the elements
have been proved beyond a reasonable doubt.’ (Emphasis sic.) State v. Getsy, 84 Ohio
St.3d 180, 193-194, 702 N.E.2d 866 (1998), citing State v. Eley, 56 Ohio St.2d 169, 383
N.E.2d 132 (1978), syllabus, superseded by constitutional amendment on other grounds Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 13
as stated in Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 102 at n.4, 684 N.E.2d 668(1997).” State v.
Nicholson, 2024-Ohio-604, ¶71. A manifest-weight challenge should be sustained “‘only
in the exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.’”
Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, (1st
Dist. 1983); Nicholson at ¶71.
{¶33} Further, to reverse a jury verdict as being against the manifest weight of the
evidence, a unanimous concurrence of all three judges on the court of appeals panel
reviewing the case is required pursuant to Article IV, Section 3(B)(3) of the Ohio
Constitution. Bryan-Wollman v. Domonko, 2007-Ohio-4918, ¶ 2-4, citing Thompkins at
paragraph four of the syllabus.
Issue for Appellate Review: Whether the jury clearly lost their way and created
such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the convictions must be reversed and a new
trial ordered
The Jury Did Not Lose Its Way Concluding that Seely was Guilty of Theft
and That the Value of the Stolen Property Exceeded $1,000.00
{¶34} The jury saw the video surveillance footage, the still photographs taken from
the footage, and was able to observe Seely during the trial. The jurors further saw the
witnesses subjected to cross-examination during trial and heard Seely’s attorney’s
arguments concerning the lack of fingerprints, the lack of cell phone tracking data showing
Seely in the area of the theft, and the fact the deputy initially identified someone else as
being depicted in the black and white video surveillance footage. While Seely was free to
argue that he did not commit the theft, the jury rejected his contention. Delaware County, Case No. 23 CAA 07 0039 14
{¶35} Finally, upon careful consideration of the record in its entirety, we find as
set forth above, there is substantial evidence on which the jury could properly conclude
beyond a reasonable doubt that Seeley obtain or exerted control of property worth one
thousand dollars or more and less than seven thousand five hundred dollars from the
trailer without the consent of the owner of the property. State v. Nicholson, 2024-Ohio-
604, ¶75. Therefore, in light of the evidence, as well as the record in its entirety, we find
the jury clearly did not lose its way concluding that Seely was guilty of theft, a felony of
the fifth degree. We find that the jury did not disregard or overlooked compelling evidence
that weighed against conviction.
{¶36} Seely’s First and Second Assignments of Error are overruled.
{¶37} The judgment of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas is sustained.
By Gwin, J.,
Delaney, P.J., and
Baldwin, J., concur