[Cite as State v. Slaughter, 2014-Ohio-862.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT MONTGOMERY COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO
Plaintiff-Appellee
v.
LEVI A. SLAUGHTER
Defendant-Appellant
Appellate Case No. 25215
Trial Court Case No. 2012-CR-233
(Criminal Appeal from (Common Pleas Court) ...........
OPINION
Rendered on the 7th day of March, 2014.
...........
MATHIAS H. HECK, JR., by CARLEY J. INGRAM, Atty. Reg. No. 0020084, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Appellate Division, Montgomery County Courts Building, P.O. Box 972, 301 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45422 Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
PETER GALYARDT, Atty. Reg. No. 0085439, Office of the Public Defender, 250 East Broad Street, Suite 1400, Columbus, Ohio 43215 Attorney for Defendant-Appellant
.............
WELBAUM, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant, Levi A. Slaughter, appeals from his conviction and 2
sentence following a jury trial in the Common Pleas Court of Montgomery County, Ohio.
Slaughter was convicted on one count of felony murder with the predicate offense of felonious
assault, one count of discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises, one count of having
weapons while under disability, and two firearm specifications. The trial court imposed a prison
term of 21 years to life and court costs.
{¶ 2} Slaughter argues that the trial court erred in failing to include the consecutive
sentence findings required under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) in the sentencing entry. He also contends
that his felony murder conviction is unconstitutional, because it is based on the predicate offense
of felonious assault. In addition, Slaughter claims that the trial court abused its discretion in
allowing his girlfriend to testify as a witness of the court solely for impeachment purposes and
without showing surprise or affirmative damage as required by Evid.R. 607(A). He further
claims that his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to move for a bench trial on the weapons
under disability charge before trial commenced. Finally, Slaughter argues that the trial court
erred in failing to notify him of the consequences for failing to pay court costs.
{¶ 3} We conclude that Ohio law does not require a sentencing court to include the
consecutive-sentence findings required under R.C. 2929.14(C) in sentencing entries. We also
conclude that a felony murder conviction based on the predicate offense of felonious assault is
not unconstitutional under Ohio law. Ohio does not recognize the independent-felony/merger
limitation that requires the underlying felony to be independent of the homicide.
{¶ 4} In addition, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it permitted
Slaughter’s girlfriend to testify as a witness of the court. The testimony of Slaughter’s girlfriend
was beneficial to ascertaining the truth of the matter, and there was an indication that her trial
testimony would contradict her prior statements to police. Furthermore, when the court calls a 3
witness, a party need not satisfy the surprise and affirmative-damage requirements of Evid.R.
607(A) in order to impeach the witness.
{¶ 5} We further conclude that Slaughter’s trial counsel was not ineffective, because
there is no evidence that Slaughter wanted to waive a jury trial before trial began. Additionally,
Slaughter did not demonstrate that there was a reasonable probability that the outcome of trial
would have been different had the jury been waived prior to trial.
{¶ 6} Finally, we conclude that the trial court erred in failing to notify Slaughter that he
would be required to perform community service if he failed to pay court costs. Former R.C.
2947.23(A)(1) applies to this case and it requires such notification. However, the State has
conceded to having the judgment modified in part to eliminate the requirement that Slaughter
perform community service if he fails to pay court costs. Accordingly, the judgment will be
modified in part to eliminate the community service requirement, and we will affirm the
judgment as modified.
I. Facts and Course of Proceedings
{¶ 7} On February 15, 2012, Levi A. Slaughter was indicted in the Common Pleas
Court of Montgomery County, Ohio, on one count of felony murder in violation of R.C.
2903.02(B), an unclassified felony; one count of discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited
premises in violation of R.C. 2923.162(A)(3), a felony of the first degree; one count of having
weapons while under disability in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(2), a felony of the third degree;
and two firearm specifications. The charges arose from the shooting death of Douglas E. Byrd
Jr. Slaughter pled not guilty to the charges, and the matter proceeded to a jury trial.
{¶ 8} During voir dire, the trial court referenced Slaughter’s prior juvenile adjudication 4
for complicity to commit robbery when it read the weapons under disability charge to the jury
venire. Shortly thereafter, Slaughter advised the trial court that he wanted to waive his right to a
jury trial on the weapons under disability charge. Since the jury had not yet been empaneled and
sworn, the trial court permitted the waiver. The remaining charges of felony murder,
discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises, and the firearm specifications were then
tried before the jury. The following facts were elicited at trial.
{¶ 9} During the afternoon of January 17, 2012, Byrd died on Pittsburg Avenue in
Harrison Township, Ohio, as the result of gunshot wounds to his forehead, left upper chest, and
left hip. Earlier that day, Byrd accompanied his girlfriend to a residence at the corner of
Falmouth Avenue and Pittsburg Avenue for purposes of picking up her vehicle. From that
residence, Byrd decided to walk to a nearby Sunoco station located at 3900 Salem Avenue.
While at Sunoco, Byrd ran into Slaughter, who was pumping gas into a 2005 gray Honda Accord
with severe front-end damage. The vehicle belonged to Slaughter’s girlfriend, Dominique
McCoy, who was with Slaughter at Sunoco. Dominique was sitting in the vehicle’s
front-passenger seat, and Slaughter’s cousin, Darryl Slaughter, was sitting in the backseat.
{¶ 10} When Byrd spotted Slaughter pumping gas, he waved and made contact with
him. After a couple of moments, both men got inside the gray Honda. Slaughter got in the
driver’s seat and Byrd got in the backseat next to Darryl. Sunoco’s security cameras captured
the encounter between Byrd and Slaughter and showed both men climbing in the damaged
Honda. The video also depicted Byrd wearing a maroon jacket and dark pants, and Slaughter
wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans. They left the Sunoco station and began driving
toward Pittsburg Avenue. Slaughter turned on Pittsburg Avenue and stopped the vehicle near an
Advanced Autoparts store. 5
{¶ 11} Lacrisha Gibson, an Advanced Autoparts employee, testified that she was inside
a vehicle parked in the Advanced Autoparts parking lot when her attention was drawn to a
damaged, gray Honda sitting on Pittsburg Avenue. She heard arguing coming from inside the
vehicle, and she saw a man wearing a maroon jacket exit the vehicle from the backseat. The
man began walking fast down Pittsburg Avenue when Gibson saw a second man exit the gray
Honda from the driver’s seat. The second man was wearing jeans and a gray sweatshirt with the
hood up. The man in the gray sweatshirt quickly followed the man in maroon, pulled out a
semiautomatic gun, and shot him in the head. Upon seeing this, Gibson ducked and ran into
Advanced Autoparts. She heard more gunshots once she was inside the store. When Gibson
went back outside, she saw the man in maroon lying on Pittsburg Avenue and she called 9-1-1.
{¶ 12} Slaughter’s cousin, Darryl Slaughter, testified that he was in the gray Honda with
Slaughter and Dominique on January 17, 2012. Darryl claimed that he was riding in the
backseat smoking marijuana while Slaughter drove him and Dominique around. He confirmed
that they stopped for gas at the Suncoco station and picked up Byrd in the process. Darryl did
not recognize Byrd or know why he got in the vehicle. He testified that Slaughter and Byrd
spoke with each other inside the vehicle, but that he did not pay attention to their conversation.
However, Darryl heard Byrd ask Slaughter to use his cell phone, which Slaughter allowed. He
also heard Byrd instruct Slaughter where to drive and ask to be dropped off on Pittsburg Avenue.
{¶ 13} When Slaughter stopped on Pittsburg Avenue, Darryl testified that he saw Byrd
get out of the vehicle and walk away. Shortly thereafter, Slaughter exited the vehicle and ran
after Byrd. Darryl also testified that he saw Slaughter and Byrd struggle with each other for a
moment, and then he saw Slaughter shoot Byrd with a semiautomatic gun. Slaughter then got 6
back in the car and they fled the scene leaving Byrd lying in the street. When Darryl asked
Slaughter what happened, Slaughter said, “you didn’t hear what he said, what he was talking
about on the phone. Them my nig* * *.” Trans. Vol. II, p. 521, ln. 10-12. Two days later,
Darryl called the sheriff’s office and reported what he saw that afternoon.
{¶ 14} Dominique, who still considers herself Slaughter’s girlfriend, testified that
Slaughter was driving her and Darryl around in her damaged, gray Honda on January 17, 2012.
She stated that she was high and drinking alcohol while riding in the front-passenger seat. At
trial, she identified her vehicle in photo stills taken from Sunoco’s surveillance video. She also
identified Slaughter in the photo stills as the man in the gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans.
Dominique confirmed that they picked up a man she did not recognize at the Sunoco station.
According to Dominique, the man got in the backseat of the vehicle and directed Slaughter where
to drive. She also heard the man tell Slaughter to drop him off on Pittsburg Avenue. She
claimed that she did not listen to the rest of their conversation.
{¶ 15} Dominique testified that when they stopped on Pittsburg Avenue, she saw the
man get out of the vehicle and walk away. She then saw Slaughter get out of the vehicle, and
shortly thereafter, she heard three or four gunshots. A few moments later, Slaughter returned to
the vehicle and drove away with her and Darryl. She claimed that she saw “something” in the
road, but she would not confirm whether it was the man’s body. Trans. Vol. III, p. 655, ln.
12-25. According to Dominique, she and Slaughter did not talk about what happened on
Pittsburg Avenue, and she did not learn of Byrd’s death until she saw the local news.
{¶ 16} Dominique’s trial testimony conflicted with prior statements she made to
investigating detectives. On January 18, 2012, she told detectives that when Byrd got out of the
car, Slaughter turned to her and Darryl and said “I’m about to rob him.” Trans. Vol. III, p. 645, 7
ln. 3-11. She also told detectives that she saw someone lying in the street after Slaughter
returned to the vehicle.
{¶ 17} Dominique was also interviewed in the prosecutor’s office on two occasions
prior to trial. During these interviews, she made it evident that she was aligned with Slaughter
and that she did not want to testify against him. See Motion for Court to Take Witness as Its Own
(Apr. 19, 2012), Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Case No. 2012-CR-233, Docket No.
32, p. 3. As a result, the State moved the court to call Dominique as a witness under Evid.R.
614(A). Slaughter objected, but the trial court ultimately allowed the State to cross-examine
Dominique as a witness of the court.
{¶ 18} The State was also permitted to admit evidence of a March 2012 letter written by
Slaughter while he was in jail. Slaughter sent the letter to his uncle, Terrence Poole, who is an
inmate at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio. After the letter was redacted to
omit unfairly prejudicial statements, the trial court allowed it to be read into evidence. The
redacted letter states in pertinent part, the following:
They don’t have any evidence but three shell casings, no prints, no gun, none of
my clothes, a dead body, one shot in the chest, one shot in the back, one shot in
the head. A witness that seen my bitch’s car leaving the scene and got the plates.
A witness statement from my cuz Darryl, Dex’s son, saying I did the shit. Yeah,
he snitching on me, Bra. Nobody that can point me out as the shooter though but
Darryl. I pick [Byrd] up at Sunoco gas station and dropped him off by Advance
Auto Parts next to Rally’s and he got out of the car. Then I got out of the car and
you put the rest together.
It was only me, Darryl, and my bitch in the car. So no other witnesses was there 8
to see. Trans. Vol. IV, p. 966, ln. 19-25; 967, ln. 1-9.
{¶ 19} In light of the evidence presented at trial, the jury found Slaughter guilty of
felony murder, discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited area, and a firearm specification on
each count. The trial court also found Slaughter guilty of having a weapon while under
disability.
{¶ 20} The charges for felony murder and discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited
area were merged at sentencing, and Slaughter received 15 years to life in prison. He was also
given three years for the weapons under disability charge and three years for the firearm
specifications. All of his sentences were ordered to run consecutively for a total prison term of
21 years to life. The trial court’s sentencing entry does not state the court’s
consecutive-sentence findings under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), but the entry does state that Slaughter’s
sentences are to be served consecutively. The trial court also ordered Slaughter to pay court
costs, but failed to notify him that he could be ordered to perform community service if he failed
to pay.
{¶ 21} Slaughter appeals from his criminal conviction and sentence.
II. Did the Trial Court Err in Failing to Include Its
Consecutive-Sentence Findings in the Sentencing Entry?
{¶ 22} Slaughter’s First Assignment of Error states as follows:
THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) AND CRIM.R. 32(A)(4),
AND ERRED WHEN IT FAILED TO INCLUDE ITS
CONSECUTIVE-SENTENCE FINDINGS IN THE SENTENCING ENTRY.
{¶ 23} Under this assignment of error, Slaughter argues that the issue of whether R.C. 9
2929.14(C)(4) and Crim.R. 32(A)(4) require the trial court to include its consecutive-sentence
findings in the sentencing entry will be addressed in the near future by the Supreme Court of
Ohio in State v. Bonnell, Supreme Court Case No. 2013-0167, on appeal from State v. Bonnell,
5th Dist. Delaware No. 12CAA030022, 2012-Ohio-5150. Bonnell was accepted for appeal by
the Supreme Court on April 24, 2013, and oral arguments were held on January 7, 2014.
Slaughter asks that we wait to render a decision in this case until after the Supreme Court has
ruled on Bonnell.
{¶ 24} We note that the defendant in Bonnell originally appealed from the trial court’s
sentence on grounds that the court imposed consecutive sentences without making the findings
required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). Id. at ¶ 5, 12-14. However, the issue of whether the trial
court’s consecutive-sentence findings must be included in the sentencing entry was not raised by
the defendant nor ruled on by the Fifth District. While the defendant requested the Supreme
Court to determine whether consecutive-sentence findings must be made in the sentencing entry,
we question whether the Supreme Court will address this precise issue given that it was not
addressed in the Fifth District’s opinion. Therefore, instead of staying this matter for the
Supreme Court’s decision in Bonnell, we will move forward with analyzing whether R.C.
2929.14(C)(4) and Crim.R. 32(A)(4) require trial courts to include consecutive-sentence findings
in sentencing entries.
{¶ 25} Pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), a sentencing court must make certain findings
when imposing consecutive sentences. Specifically, R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) allows for the
imposition of consecutive sentences if the trial court determines that: (1) “consecutive service is
necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the offender;” (2) “consecutive
sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and to the danger 10
the offender poses to the public;” and (3) one or more of the following three findings are
satisfied:
(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses while
the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction imposed
pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was
under post-release control for a prior offense.
(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or more
courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the multiple offenses
so committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the
offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the
seriousness of the offender's conduct.
(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive
sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the offender.
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c).
{¶ 26} Crim.R. 32(A)(4) governs the imposition of consecutive sentences and states in
pertinent part that:
Sentences shall be imposed without unnecessary delay. Pending sentence, the
court may commit the defendant or continue to alter the bail. At the time of
imposing sentence, the court shall do all of the following:
***
(4) In serious offenses, state its statutory findings and give reasons supporting
those findings, if appropriate. (Emphasis added.) Crim.R. 32(A)(4).
{¶ 27} Nothing in the text of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) or Crim.R. 32(A)(4) suggests that a 11
sentencing court is required to state its consecutive-sentence findings in a sentencing entry. There
is also no such requirement in R.C. 2929.19(B)(2)(b), which states that:
[I]f the sentencing court determines at the sentencing hearing that a prison term is
necessary or required, the court shall do all of the following:
(b) In addition to any other information, include in the sentencing entry the name
and section reference to the offenses or offenses, the sentence or sentences
imposed and whether the sentence or sentences contain mandatory prison terms, if
sentences are imposed for multiple counts whether the sentences are to be served
concurrently or consecutively, and the name and section reference of any
specification or specifications for which sentence is imposed and the sentence or
sentences imposed for the specification or specifications; * * *. (Emphasis added.)
R.C. 2929.19(B)(2)(b).
{¶ 28} In State v. Just, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 12CA0002, 2012-Ohio-4094, the Ninth
District discussed how 2011 Am.Sub.H.B. No. 86 impacted R.C. 2929.19(B)(2), and ultimately
eliminated the requirement to include consecutive-sentence findings in sentencing entries. Just
states that:
Although [in 2011 Am.Sub.H.B. No. 86] the General Assembly reinserted
language requiring the court to make certain findings before issuing consecutive
prison terms, it excised the statutory subsection requiring a trial court to explicitly
set forth those findings in imposing its sentence. Former R.C. 2929.19(B)(2)(c)
provided: “The court shall impose a sentence and shall make a finding that gives
its reasons for selecting the sentence imposed * * * [i]f it imposes consecutive 12
sentences under section 2929.14 of the Revised Code * * *.” In enacting the
latest version of R.C. 2929.19, the General Assembly struck the foregoing
provision entirely. R.C. 2929.19(B) now only requires a court to consider the
record and other pertinent information before imposing a sentence and to include
in its sentencing entry “whether the sentences are to be served concurrently or
consecutively.” Thus, although the General Assembly has expressed an intent
that a trial court impose consecutive sentence [sic] only if it first finds that certain
conditions exist, the General Assembly has eliminated the requirement that the
court codify those findings in its sentencing entry. Id. at ¶ 49.
{¶ 29} Just like the Ninth District in Just, both the Twelfth and Eighth Districts have
also held that a sentencing court is not required to set forth its consecutive sentence findings in
sentencing entries. State v. Smith, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2012-01-004, 2012-Ohio-4523, ¶
34; State v. Young, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99483, 2013-Ohio-5425, ¶ 15.
{¶ 30} We agree that Ohio law does not currently require a sentencing court to include
consecutive-sentence findings in sentencing entries. Instead, R.C. 2929.19(B)(2) provides that
sentencing entries must simply indicate whether multiple sentences are to be served
consecutively. In this case, the trial court’s sentencing entry indicates that the Appellant must
serve his prison sentences consecutively. The record also establishes that the trial court made
the necessary findings under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing hearing to impose consecutive
sentences. Accordingly, we find no error.
{¶ 31} We also note that if the Supreme Court determines in Bonnell that
consecutive-sentence findings must be included in sentencing entries, this case could be resolved
by a nunc pro tunc entry that corrects the sentencing entry to include the consecutive-sentencing 13
findings made by the trial court at the sentencing hearing. This would be appropriate because
the entry would “reflect what the trial court did decide but recorded improperly.” State v. Miller,
127 Ohio St.3d 407, 2010-Ohio-5705, 940 N.E.2d 924, ¶ 15.
{¶ 32} Slaughter’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.
III. Is a Felony Murder Conviction Based on the Predicate
Offense of Felonious Assault Constitutional?
{¶ 33} Slaughter’s Second Assignment of Error is as follows:
THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED LEVI SLAUGHTER’S CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS AND ERRED WHEN IT FOUND HIM GUILTY OF FELONY
MURDER WITH FELONIOUS ASSAULT AS THE PREDICATE OFFENSE.
FIFTH, SIXTH, AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS, UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION; SECTIONS 10 AND 16, ARTICLE I, OHIO
CONSTITUTION; R.C. 2903.02(B).
{¶ 34} Under this assignment of error, Slaughter argues that his conviction for felony
murder with the predicate offense of felonious assault is unconstitutional, because it violates the
independent-felony/merger doctrine.
{¶ 35} Ohio’s felony murder statute, R.C. 2903.02(B), states that: “No person shall
cause the death of another as a proximate result of the offender's committing or attempting to
commit an offense of violence that is a felony of the first or second degree * * *.” Therefore, in
order to convict a defendant of felony murder, the State is not required to prove that the
defendant had an intent to kill, but instead must prove that the defendant intended to commit the
underlying felony that proximately caused the victim’s death. State v. Mays, 2d Dist. 14
Montgomery No. 24168, 2012-Ohio-838, ¶ 6.
{¶ 36} In response to widespread criticism concerning felony murder’s intent
requirement, many jurisdictions have developed ways to confine the application of the offense.
Id. at ¶ 7-8. For example, other jurisdictions utilize the independent-felony/merger doctrine,
which “ ‘precludes certain particularly dangerous felonies–the archetype is assault with a deadly
weapon–from qualifying [as the underlying felony].’ ” Id. at ¶ 8, quoting Tomkovicz, The
Endurance of the Felony–Murder Rule: A Study of the Forces that Shape Our Criminal Law, 51
Wash. & Lee L.Rev. 1429, 1467 (1994). In other words, the independent-felony/merger doctrine
is a limitation that requires “ ‘the underlying felony be independent of the killing.’ ” Id., quoting
State v. Dixon, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 18582, 2002 WL 191582, *4 (Feb. 8, 2002). (Other
citation omitted.) Accordingly, “a felonious assault that is an integral element of the homicide
cannot be the predicate felony to support the felony murder.” (Footnote omitted.) Id. at ¶ 10.
{¶ 37} However, in Mays, we concluded that Ohio does not recognize the
independent-felony/merger doctrine. Id. at ¶ 13. The General Assembly’s adoption of R.C.
2903.02(B) evidenced “ ‘a clear legislative intent to subject those who commit the most serious
felonies to liability for murder, where commission of those felonies results in death.’ ” Id. at ¶
10, quoting State v. Cherry, 9th Dist. Summit No. 20771, 2002-Ohio-3738, ¶ 43. Therefore, “
‘in adopting R.C. 2903.02(B) the General Assembly rejected the independent felony/merger
doctrine.’ ” Id., quoting Cherry at ¶ 27.
{¶ 38} We also noted in Mays that Ohio courts have consistently held that the absence of
the independent-felony/merger limitation is not unconstitutional. Mays, 2d Dist. Montgomery
No. 24168, 2012-Ohio-838 at ¶ 12, citing Cherry at ¶ 31; State v. Smathers, 9th Dist. Summit
No. 19945, 2000 WL 1859836, *2-3 (Dec. 20, 2000); State v. Pickett, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. 15
C-000424, 2001 WL 1591318, *3 (Dec. 14, 2001); State v. Hayden, 11th Dist. Lake No.
99-L-037, 2000 WL 973413, *4 (July 14, 2000).
{¶ 39} Slaughter has asked that we reconsider our decision in Mays; however, we
decline to change our position on the matter. Following Mays, we find no error with respect to
Slaughter’s felony murder conviction.
{¶ 40} Slaughter’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.
IV. Did the Trial Court Abuse Its Discretion in Calling
Dominique McCoy as a Witness of the Court?
{¶ 41} Slaughter’s Third Assignment of Error is as follows:
THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED LEVI SLAUGHTER’S DUE PROCESS
RIGHTS AND ABUSED ITS DISCRETION WHEN IT DECLARED A
STATE’S WITNESS ITS OWN SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
IMPEACHING HER THROUGH PRIOR INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS
WITHOUT A SHOWING OF SURPRISE OR AFFIRMATIVE DAMAGE TO
THE STATE. FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS, UNITED
STATES CONSTITUTION; SECTIONS 10 AND 16, ARTICLE I, OHIO
CONSTITUTION, EVID.R. 614; EVID.R. 607(A).
{¶ 42} Under this assignment of error, Slaughter contends that the trial court abused its
discretion in calling Dominique, Slaughter’s girlfriend, as the court’s witness solely for
impeachment purposes and without showing surprise or affirmative damage to the State.
{¶ 43} Pursuant to Evid.R. 614(A), “[t]he court may, on its own motion or at the
suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties are entitled to cross-examine witnesses thus 16
called.” “When the court calls a witness on its own motion, a party need not satisfy the surprise
and affirmative-damage requirements of Evid.R. 607(A) in order to impeach the witness.” State
v. Arnold, 189 Ohio App.3d 507, 2010-Ohio-5379, 939 N.E.2d 218, ¶ 44 (2d Dist.), citing State
v. Apanovitch, 33 Ohio St.3d 19, 22, 514 N.E.2d 394 (1987).
{¶ 44} “The purpose of calling a witness as a court's witness is to allow for a proper
determination in a case where a witness is reluctant or unwilling to testify.” State v. Renner, 2d
Dist. Montgomery No. 25514, 2013-Ohio-5463, ¶ 23, citing State v. Curry, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 89075, 2007-Ohio-5721, ¶ 18. “ ‘A witness whose appearance is important to the proper
determination of the case, but who appears to be favorable to the other party, is a principal
candidate for application of Evid.R. 614(A).’ ” Id., quoting Curry at ¶ 18. (Other citations
omitted.) “The prime candidate is a victim and an eyewitness who will not otherwise cooperate
with the party originally planning to call him.” Id., citing Curry at ¶ 18.
{¶ 45} We review a trial court’s decision to call a witness under Evid.R. 614(A) for an
abuse of discretion. (Citations omitted.) Id. at ¶ 24. A trial court abuses its discretion when it
makes a decision that is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Id., citing Blakemore v.
Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶ 46} “ ‘It is well-established that a trial court does not abuse its discretion in calling a
witness as a court's witness when the witness's testimony would be beneficial to ascertaining the
truth of the matter and there is some indication that the witness's trial testimony will contradict a
prior statement made to police.’ ” Arnold, 189 Ohio App.3d 507, 2010-Ohio-5379, 939 N.E.2d
218 at ¶ 44 , quoting State v. Schultz, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2003-L-156, 2005-Ohio-345, ¶ 29;
State v. Lather, 171 Ohio App.3d 708, 2007-Ohio-2399, 872 N.E.2d 991, ¶ 3 (6th Dist.).
{¶ 47} In this case, Dominique is a prime candidate for being called as a witness of the 17
court under Evid.R. 614(A). Her testimony was beneficial to ascertaining the truth in this
matter, because she was an eyewitness and she was with Slaughter before, during, and after
Byrd’s death. Dominique also made statements to detectives which implicated Slaughter in the
crime. Prior to trial, she made it clear to the State that she was aligned with Slaughter and that
she did not want to testify against him. Given that her testimony was important to the
determination of the case, and that there was an indication that she would align herself with
Slaughter and contradict prior statements, it was not an abuse of discretion for the trial court to
call her as the court’s witness under Evid.R. 614(A).
{¶ 48} Slaughter cites our decision in State v. Cleary, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24217,
2011-Ohio-3725, ¶ 85, citing Arnold, 189 Ohio App.3d 507, 2010-Ohio-5379 at ¶ 45. We stated,
“ * * * it is error to declare an individual a court’s witness, solely for the purpose of allowing the
party calling that witness to impeach the credibility of its own witness by means of a prior
inconsistent statement.”
{¶ 49} However, that quotation from State v. Cleary was not only dicta but also an
incorrect statement of law. In Cleary, this court determined that the appellant did not object to the
State’s request to declare a recalcitrant witness a court’s witness. Therefore, only plain error
concerning the issue was under review. This court found none, meaning that it was unable to
conclude that the result would have been any different. Accordingly, the quoted sentence from
Cleary was purely dicta and unnecessary for the result reached.
{¶ 50} More importantly, in our view, the quoted sentence is an incorrect statement of
law. Purportedly, Cleary cites State v. Arnold, 189 Ohio App.3d 507, 2010-Ohio-5379, 939
N.E.2d 218 (2d Dist.), in support of the quoted proposition. However, what Arnold actually said
about the court calling a witness is that it should not be allowed when done as “a mere subterfuge 18
to get evidence before the jury which is not otherwise admissible.” Id. at ¶ 45, quoting 53 A.L.R.
Fed. at 500-501. The Arnold decision goes on to say “[t]he fact that evidence offered for
impeachment would otherwise be inadmissible does not necessarily portray a subterfuge,
however. “ Id. It is apparent Arnold does not say what Cleary quotes it for, and thus the sentence
quoted above from Cleary should be ignored.
{¶ 51} Finally, Evid.R. 614, which allows the court to call a witness as its own, is an
exception to the limitation imposed by Evid.R. 607(A), regarding the impeachment of witnesses.
Evid.R. 614 is therefore not limited to circumstances where impeachment is allowed under
Evid.R. 607(A). A witness often can be convinced to correct his or her trial testimony when
confronted with a prior inconsistent statement and to adopt the inconsistent statement as the
accurate rendition of facts. The goal of a trial is to seek the truth. We should leave it to the sound
discretion of the trial court if, when, and why a witness is called by the court. Moreover, the trial
court can, and perhaps should, instruct the jury that a prior inconsistent statement tests the
credibility of a witness and, except in limited circumstances, is not substantive evidence.
{¶ 52} Slaughter’s Third Assignment of Error is overruled.
V. Did Appellant Receive Ineffective Assistance of Counsel?
{¶ 53} Slaughter’s Fourth Assignment of Error is as follows:
LEVI SLAUGHTER WAS DEPRIVED OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT
TO THE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL. FIFTH, SIXTH, AND
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS, UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION;
SECTIONS 10 AND 16, ARTICLE I, OHIO CONSTITUTION.
{¶ 54} Under this assignment of error, Slaughter argues that he was denied effective 19
assistance of counsel when his trial counsel failed to waive a jury trial on the weapons under
disability charge before the start of trial. As a result of counsel’s failure, Slaughter claims that
the jury was exposed to prejudicial statements when the trial court recited the weapons under
disability charge and referenced his past juvenile adjudication. Slaughter also claims that he was
further prejudiced when his counsel made statements regarding the adjudication during voir dire.
Under these circumstances, Slaughter contends that it was impossible for him to receive a fair
trial.
{¶ 55} We review alleged instances of ineffective assistance of trial counsel under the
two-prong analysis set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80
L.Ed.2d 674 (1984), and adopted by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio
St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989). Pursuant to those cases, trial counsel is entitled to a strong
presumption that his or her conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable assistance.
Strickland at 688. To reverse a conviction based on ineffective assistance of counsel, it must be
demonstrated that trial counsel's conduct fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and
that his or her errors were serious enough to create a reasonable probability that, but for the
errors, the result of the trial would have been different. Id.
{¶ 56} In State v. Rogers, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2007-T-0003, 2008-Ohio-2757, the
Eleventh District discussed the same ineffectiveness issue that Slaughter has raised here. Like
Slaughter, the defendant in Rogers claimed that his counsel was ineffective in failing to waive a
jury trial on his weapons under disability charge as a means to prevent the jury from hearing his
criminal history. The Eleventh District rejected this argument, however, by stating the
following:
[T]he right to waive jury trial belongs not to counsel but to [the defendant] himself. 20
See State v. Adams, 12th Dist. No. CA2006-07-160, 2007-Ohio-2583, at ¶ 74
(“Ultimately, the decision whether or not to waive his right to a jury trial rest[s]
with appellant.”). In the absence of any evidence that [the defendant] expressed a
desire to waive his rights to a jury trial prior to trial, we cannot conclude that his
counsel was ineffective for failing to assert a right which did not belong to him.
Id. at ¶ 82.
{¶ 57} In this case, there is nothing in the record indicating that Slaughter wanted to
waive a jury trial on the weapons under disability charge prior to trial. In fact, the transcript of
proceedings indicates that Slaughter notified his counsel of his decision in the middle of voir
dire. As defense counsel stated at trial:
Probably better to talk about it now before we go any further. Mr. Slaughter has
raised the issue. I know the court read the charges lodged against him. Mr.
Slaughter would like to waive his right to a jury with the specific charge weapons
under disability. I don’t believe there has been any harm necessarily the court
reading the charges at this point to the jury. He would like to waive his right to a
jury with respect to the weapons under disability offense and have that tried to the
Court specifically. And before I get up and do my voir dire, you know, I would
like to present that to the Court at this time. Transcript Vol. I, p. 142, ln.15-25;
143, ln. 1-2.
{¶ 58} Without evidence of Slaughter’s desire to waive the jury prior to trial, we cannot
find that defense counsel was ineffective in requesting the waiver when he did. In addition,
Slaughter has not demonstrated that he was prejudiced by the references to his juvenile
adjudication. Defense counsel’s statements regarding the adjudication were not prejudicial, but 21
amelioratory, as counsel simply explained to the jury that it could only consider the adjudication
for the purpose of the weapons under disability charge. Furthermore, the State presented
substantial evidence against Slaughter, which included testimony from three eyewitnesses; video
stills showing Slaughter getting in a car with the victim minutes before the shooting; and an
incriminating letter written by Slaughter. Given all the evidence against him, it is unlikely the
jury would have decided the case any differently had it not been informed of Slaughter’s prior
juvenile adjudication.
{¶ 59} Slaughter’s Fourth Assignment of Error is overruled.
VI. Did the Trial Court Err in Failing to Notify Appellant of the
Consequences for Failing to Pay Court Costs?
{¶ 60} Slaughter’s Fifth Assignment of Error is as follows:
THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED R.C. 2947.23(A)(1) AND ERRED BY
IMPOSING COURT COSTS WITHOUT NOTIFYING LEVI SLAUGHTER
THAT FAILURE TO PAY THOSE COSTS MAY RESULT IN THE COURT’S
ORDERING HIM TO PERFORM COMMUNITY SERVICE. R.C. 2947.23.
{¶ 61} Under this assignment of error, Slaughter argues that the trial court violated R.C.
2947.23(A)(1) when it failed to notify him that he could be ordered to perform community
service if he failed to pay court costs. As a result of the error, Slaughter claims that he cannot be
required to perform community service if he does not pay.
{¶ 62} The version of R.C. 2947.23(A)(1) in effect at the time Slaughter was sentenced
in May 2012 required the sentencing court to notify the defendant of the consequences for failing
to pay court costs at sentencing. See former R.C. 2947.23(A)(1). Specifically, the trial court 22
was required to notify Slaughter of the following:
(a) If the defendant fails to pay that judgment [for costs] or fails to timely make
payments towards that judgment under a payment schedule approved by the court,
the court may order the defendant to perform community service in an amount of
not more than forty hours per month until the judgment is paid or until the court is
satisfied that the defendant is in compliance with the approved payment schedule.
(b) If the court orders the defendant to perform the community service, the
defendant will receive credit upon the judgment at the specified hourly credit rate
per hour of community service performed, and each hour of community service
performed will reduce the judgment by that amount. Former R.C.
2947.23(A)(1)(a)-(b).
{¶ 63} The transcript of Slaughter’s sentencing hearing clearly indicates that the trial
court failed to notify Slaughter that he could be required to perform community service if he
failed to pay court costs. Therefore, the trial court erred by not instructing him as required by
former R.C. 2947.23(A)(1).
{¶ 64} The State conceded in its appellate brief to having Slaughter’s judgment modified
to eliminate any requirement that he be mandated to perform community service in the event he
fails to pay court costs. In circumstances similar to Slaughter’s, with agreement of the State, we
have modified the defendant's sentence to eliminate any possibility that the defendant can be
mandated to perform community service in lieu of court costs. See State v. Veal, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 25253, 2013-Ohio-1577, ¶ 20. We therefore modify Slaughter's sentence to
remove the possibility that he be required to perform community service should he fail to pay
court costs. 23
{¶ 65} Slaughter’s Fifth Assignment of Error is sustained.
VII. Conclusion
{¶ 66} Having overruled Slaughter’s First, Second, Third, and Fourth Assignments of
Error, the trial court’s judgment with respect to those assignments of error will be affirmed.
Furthermore, having sustained Slaughter’s Fifth Assignment of Error, we hereby modify the trial
court’s judgment in accordance with this opinion, and affirm the judgment as modified.
DONOVAN and HALL, JJ., concur.
Copies mailed to:
Mathias H. Heck Carley J. Ingram Peter Galyardt Hon. Dennis J. Langer