[Cite as State v. Staley, 2021-Ohio-3086.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
STATE OF OHIO, : APPEAL NOS. C-200270 C-200271 Plaintiff-Appellee, : C-200272 TRIAL NOS. 19CRB-19555A vs. : 19CRB-19555B 19CRB-19555C SONYA STALEY, : O P I N I O N. Defendant-Appellant. :
Criminal Appeals From: Hamilton County Municipal Court
Judgments Appealed From Are: Affirmed
Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: September 8, 2021
Andrew Garth, City Solicitor, William T. Horsley, Chief Prosecuting Attorney, and Meagan D. Woodall, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee City of Cincinnati,
Raymond T. Faller, Hamilton County Public Defender, and Krista Gieske, Assistant Public Defender, for Defendant-Appellant Sonya Staley. OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
CROUSE, Judge.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Sonya Staley appeals from three municipal court
judgments in which she was convicted of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and
resisting arrest. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgments of the trial
court.
I. Facts and Procedure
{¶2} On August 1, 2019, Cincinnati Police Officer Carlos Sherman was
working an off-duty detail for the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation
(“3CDC”) at Ziegler Park. Around 5:30 p.m., Sherman received a request for
assistance from a 3CDC staff member. When Sherman arrived on the scene, he saw
Staley lying flat on a cement park bench with sunglasses covering her eyes.
According to Sherman, 3CDC had recently implemented a rule that prohibited park
goers from lying down in Ziegler Park. He testified that the policy was put into effect
that summer as a means of decreasing the number of false overdose calls received by
the city.
{¶3} Sherman testified that he approached Staley and asked her to sit up in
accordance with park policy. Sherman claimed that he repeated the order three or
four times before Staley briefly sat up. Staley testified that she informed Sherman
that she could not sit for extended periods of time due to a medical condition. She
then lay back down on the bench. At that point, Sherman activated his body-worn
camera. The body camera captured the remainder of the encounter.
{¶4} The video footage shows Staley lying on the bench with Sherman and a
3CDC member standing next to her. Sherman told Staley, “I’m going to ask you one
more time ma’am to sit up. * * * They don’t want you laying down at the park. I
already had to tell one person to leave.” When Staley refused, Sherman instructed
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her to leave the park. Sherman ordered her to leave four more times before she
stood up. Staley then gathered her belongings, got her son from the playground and
put on his shoes, and began walking out of the park. The entire time Staley argued
with Sherman and loudly berated him in front of the other park goers. The body
camera captured Staley using the following language toward Sherman: “Uncle Tom,”
“Fuck you,” “Fuck you, dickhead,” “puttin’ on for these honkeys,” and “ass kissin’ for
these honkeys.” Sherman warned Staley that if she continued to use such language
around the children in the park, he would arrest her for disorderly conduct. Staley
persisted in using the derogatory language.
{¶5} Approximately four minutes into the encounter, Sherman informed
Staley that she was under arrest and contacted other officers for assistance. Instead
of complying with Sherman’s demands, Staley walked across the street, entered the
Ziegler Park basketball court, and continued causing a scene. Sherman attempted to
handcuff Staley on three separate occasions, but she pulled away. Staley was
eventually arrested by another responding officer. The body-cam footage shows that
eight minutes elapsed between Sherman’s first request for Staley to leave the park
and Staley’s arrest.
{¶6} Staley was subsequently charged with criminal trespass, disorderly
conduct, and resisting arrest. On February 19, 2020, Staley waived her right to be
tried by a jury and proceeded to a bench trial. The trial court found Staley guilty on
all charges. Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, Staley’s sentencing was continued until
July 29, 2020.
{¶7} On the morning of sentencing, Staley filed a motion for a new trial
pursuant to Crim.R. 33(A)(2). Staley argued that the state had failed to disclose
prior citizen complaints against Sherman. Staley posited: “In preparing for
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sentencing, defense counsel has been made aware of at least 20 complaints from
2009-2013 that were made to the [Citizen Complaint Authority], two being
substantiated.” None of the complaints were provided in the record or attached to
Staley’s motion. The trial court denied the motion and proceeded to sentencing.
Staley received a suspended 90-day jail sentence and one year of probation. Staley
filed this timely appeal, raising four assignments of error for our review.
II. Sufficiency and Weight of the Evidence
{¶8} In her first assignment of error, Staley argues that her convictions are
supported by insufficient evidence and are against the manifest weight of the
evidence.
{¶9} A sufficiency-of-the-evidence argument challenges the adequacy of the
evidence on each element of the offense. In reviewing a sufficiency challenge, “[t]he
relevant inquiry is 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.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 274,
574 N.E.2d 492 (1991).
{¶10} A manifest-weight-of-the-evidence argument challenges the
believability of the evidence. In reviewing a challenge to the weight of the evidence,
we sit as a “thirteenth juror.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678
N.E.2d 541 (1997). We must review the entire record, weigh the evidence, consider
the credibility of the witnesses, and determine whether the trier of fact clearly lost its
way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice. Id.
1. Criminal Trespass
{¶11} Staley was convicted of criminal trespass in violation of R.C.
2911.21(A)(1), which provides: “No person, without privilege to do so, shall * * *
4 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
[k]knowingly enter or remain on the land or premises of another[.]” Staley argues
that she was not without privilege to remain in Ziegler Park, or if she was without
privilege, that she left the premises when told to do so.
{¶12} “Privilege” is the distinguishing characteristic between criminal
trespass and lawful presence. State v. Casey, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99742, 2014-
Ohio-1229. “As a general rule, a person has a privilege to enter and be upon the
public areas of public property.” State v. Shelton, 63 Ohio App.3d 137, 578 N.E.2d
473 (4th Dist.1989). However, the rule is not all encompassing, and a criminal
trespass can be committed on public land under certain circumstances. State v.
Newell, 93 Ohio App.3d 609, 611, 639 N.E.2d 513 (1st Dist.1994), citing Adderley v.
Florida, 385 U.S. 39, 87 S.Ct. 242, 17 L.Ed.2d 149 (1966). The General Assembly has
made it clear that a trespass is not excused simply because the property involved is
publicly owned. See R.C. 2911.21(B) (“It is no defense to a charge under this section
that the land or premises involved was owned, controlled, or in custody of a public
agency.”).
{¶13} Because “the status of land as public property cannot be a defense to a
charge of trespass * * * then, concomitantly, the public official or agency into whose
charge the property is put can withdraw or revoke the privilege otherwise enjoyed by
a member of the public.” Dayton v. Moore, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 13369, 1993
WL 81966, *3 (Mar. 25, 1993). Thus, regardless of an individual’s initial privilege to
enter and be upon public property, “an owner or agent may revoke consent to remain
on the premises.” State v. Carr, 3d Dist. Union No. 14–11–20, 2012-Ohio-1679, ¶ 24.
{¶14} In this case, Staley asks us to take judicial notice that Ziegler Park is a
city-owned space, managed by 3CDC. Ziegler Park, https://zieglerpark.org/about/
(accessed August 25, 2021). Evid.R. 201(B) permits a court to take judicial notice of
5 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
adjudicative facts of the case that “are not subject to reasonable dispute in that it is
either (1) generally known within the territorial jurisdiction of the trial court or (2)
capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy
cannot reasonably be questioned.” Judicial notice may be taken at any stage in the
proceeding, even on appeal. Evid.R. 201(F); Noe v. Housel, 2020-Ohio-1537, 153
N.E.3d 941 (6th Dist.), quoting State v. Mays, 83 Ohio App.3d 610, 614, 615 N.E.2d
641 (4th Dist.1992).
{¶15} 3CDC is a nonprofit real estate company entrusted with the
maintenance, safety, and security of Ziegler Park. Ziegler Park,
https://zieglerpark.org/about/about-3cdc/ (accessed August 27, 2021). The testimony
at trial established that 3CDC hires off-duty city police officers to enforce the rules
and regulations of the park. Sherman testified that on August 1, 2019, he was
working an off-duty detail for 3CDC.
{¶16} It is undisputed that Sherman revoked Staley’s privilege to remain in
Ziegler Park. The key question is whether he had the proper authority to do so.
{¶17} R.C. 2911.21 does not require a particular basis for revoking an
individual’s privilege to be on public property. However, the majority of Ohio courts
have held that “the privilege to enter or remain upon specific property, once granted
or conferred, may not be withdrawn arbitrarily or capriciously.” City of Columbus v.
Andrews, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 91AP-590, 1992 WL 41243, *7 (Feb. 27, 1992). See
State v. Manley, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-97-52, 1998 WL 122213, *2 (Mar. 18, 1998);
State v. Donahue, 5th Dist. Fairfield No. 2004-CA-20, 2005-Ohio-1478, ¶ 61. Those
courts require a “reasonable or legitimate basis for withdrawing the privilege.”
Andrews at *11. According to the Tenth District:
6 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
This is particularly true with regard to persons charged with the
supervision of public property. As they are not the actual owners of
the property, they have no right to exclude persons from the property
for any reason or no reason at all. As public officers, they must act
reasonably and within the scope of their authority. When a person
charged with the supervision of public property acts unreasonably or
exceeds the scope of his or her authority, the purported revocation of
the privilege to enter the property is void and of no further effect.
Id.
{¶18} In this case, Sherman testified that he acted at the behest of a 3CDC
employee, who can be seen standing next to Sherman in the body-cam footage.
According to Sherman, the 3CDC employee requested his assistance because Staley
was violating a recently-implemented rule prohibiting park goers from lying on the
premises. When Sherman approached Staley, she was lying flat on her back on a
cement park bench. Sherman testified that he asked Staley to sit up three or four
times. When Staley did not comply, Sherman instructed her to leave the park.
{¶19} Staley disputes the existence of 3CDC’s park rule, and thus, Sherman’s
authority to revoke her privilege to remain in the park. However, even if 3CDC’s
alleged park rule does not provide Sherman with the proper authority, we take
judicial notice of the city of Cincinnati’s Park Board Rule 37, entitled “Lying Upon
Park Property.” City of Cincinnati, Park Board Rules,
https://www.cincinnatiparks.com/about-us/park-board-rules/ (accessed August 25,
2021). Rule 37 provides in pertinent part, “No person may lie upon any bench or
ledge on park property.” Id. Thus, we find that Sherman had a reasonable and
legitimate basis to revoke Staley’s privilege to remain in Ziegler Park.
7 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
{¶20} Staley claims that she was in the process of leaving Ziegler Park when
she was arrested. The state counters that Sherman repeatedly asked Staley to leave,
and yet, she remained on the premises until she was arrested.
{¶21} R.C. 2911.21 does not provide a time limit for leaving the premises
once privilege is revoked. However, several courts have held that a guest must
immediately leave once the privilege to remain on the premise is withdrawn. See
City of Kettering v. Kemp, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 13396, 1993 WL 106142, *1
(Mar. 29, 1993) (“[I]f one remains on the premises once he’s requested to leave, the
offense is complete.”); State v. Todd, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA 2001–04–0929, 2001
WL 1079622 (Sept. 17, 2001) (“If the complainant asked the guest to leave, had the
authority to ask the guest to leave, and the guest did not immediately leave the
premises, then the guest was trespassing.”). Thus, “[e]vidence that a guest was asked
to leave the premises repeatedly and failed to make an effort to do so supports a
conviction for criminal trespass.” State v. Tingler, 7th Dist. Belmont No. 16 BE 0015,
2017-Ohio-4158, ¶ 11, citing City of Steubenville v. Johnson, 7th Dist. Jefferson No.
96JE17, 1997 WL 467582, *3 (Aug. 7, 1997).
{¶22} A review of the record shows that Staley remained in Ziegler Park
despite numerous instructions to leave. Over the course of one minute, Sherman
asked Staley to leave the park six or seven times. After the second request, Sherman
threatened to arrest Staley for criminal trespass. After the fifth request, Staley
actively began leaving. Staley got her son from the playground, put on his shoes, and
collected her belongings. However, the entire time Staley prolonged the process by
questioning and arguing with Sherman. Staley stopped walking and turned around
to video record Sherman on her cell phone approximately six times on her way out of
the park. When Sherman instructed Staley to “head out to the sidewalk” and “keep
8 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
walking,” Staley responded “you ain’t gonna touch me and make me” and “I’m taking
my time.” Under these circumstances, there was sufficient evidence to support
Staley’s conviction for criminal trespass under R.C. 2911.21(A)(1).
{¶23} There being sufficient evidence to support the conviction for criminal
trespass, we next consider whether the conviction was against the manifest weight of
the evidence.
{¶24} Staley contends that her conviction was against the manifest weight of
the evidence because it was the product of racial targeting. However, this argument
does not concern the weight of the evidence. It instead sounds in selective
prosecution, which Staley did not properly raise. To the extent that Staley is
claiming Sherman is racially biased, and thus, not credible, that is a determination
best left to the trier of fact. Because Sherman’s testimony was corroborated by the
body-cam footage, which showed Staley lying on the park bench and failing to leave
the premises when repeatedly asked to do so, we do not hold that the trial court
clearly lost its way and created such a manifest injustice that Staley’s conviction for
criminal trespass must be reversed.
2. Disorderly Conduct
{¶25} Staley was also convicted of disorderly conduct in violation of R.C.
2917.11(A)(2), which provides: “No person shall recklessly cause * * * alarm to
another by * * * communicating unwarranted and grossly abusive language to any
person[.]” Staley claims that her words neither caused alarm nor constituted
unconstitutional speech, and thus, were insufficient to support a conviction under
R.C. 2917.11(A)(2).
{¶26} The Ohio Supreme Court has held that a person may not be found
guilty of disorderly conduct under subsection (A)(2) unless the words spoken are
9 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
“fighting words.” State v. Hoffman, 57 Ohio St.2d 129, 133, 387 N.E.2d 239 (1979),
paragraph one of the syllabus. That is, the words spoken are “likely by their very
utterance, to inflict injury or provoke the average person to an immediate retaliatory
breach of the peace.” Id.
{¶27} In determining whether Staley’s language rose to the level of fighting
words, we must consider the totality of her conduct, both verbal and physical. State
v. Beamer, 5th Dist. Coshocton No. 11CA14, 2012-Ohio-2222, ¶ 11; Middletown v.
Carpenter, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2006-01-004, 2006-Ohio-3625, ¶ 14. Here,
Staley used derogatory language in the midst of a public park playground,
surrounded by numerous children and other park goers. Over the course of four
minutes, Staley used several profane epithets to reflect her anger toward Sherman.
Staley called Sherman an “Uncle Tom” a dozen times; told Sherman, “Fuck you,”
multiple times; and stated “Fuck you, dickhead,” to Sherman as she left the park.
Staley also shouted that Sherman was “puttin’ on for these honkeys” and “ass kissin’
for these honkeys.” Furthermore, Staley displayed aggressive behavior toward
Sherman by throwing her elbow at him and stating “You ain’t gonna touch me and
make me [leave]. I bet you won’t touch me.” Sherman warned Staley, “you use one
more cuss word in front of these kids, I’m gonna take you to jail for DC.”
Nonetheless, Staley continued to draw attention to the incident and openly involve
other park goers. A review of the footage shows several alarmed children and
onlookers. Under these circumstances, Staley’s words and behavior together
constituted “fighting words” not protected by the Constitution. Accordingly, there
was sufficient evidence to support Staley’s conviction for disorderly conduct under
10 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
{¶28} We likewise find that the conviction was supported by the manifest
weight of the evidence. Staley largely reiterates her arguments under the sufficiency
challenges. She contends that the manifest weight of the evidence does not support a
conviction for disorderly conduct because her speech neither caused alarm nor rose
to the level of fighting words. However, as described above, the video footage
provides credible evidence that Staley used abusive language and displayed
aggressive behavior in the midst of a public park, surrounded by children and other
park goers. Therefore, we do not hold that the trial court clearly lost its way and
created such a manifest injustice that Staley’s conviction for disorderly conduct must
be reversed.
3. Resisting Arrest
{¶29} Staley was further convicted of resisting arrest in violation of R.C.
2921.33(A), which provides: “No person, recklessly or by force, shall resist or
interfere with a lawful arrest of the person or another.”
{¶30} Staley argues that Sherman lacked probable cause to believe she had
committed a criminal offense, and thus, she was not lawfully under arrest. However,
as detailed above, we find that Staley’s conduct amounted to two arrestable offenses:
criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. Because there was a lawful basis on which
to arrest Staley, there was sufficient evidence to support her conviction under R.C.
2921.33(A).
{¶31} Staley further argues that the manifest weight of the evidence does not
support her conviction for resisting arrest because Sherman used excessive force to
effectuate the arrest. In particular, Staley contends that Sherman “snatched her hair
and tried to pull her away.” The state counters that Sherman simply put his hand on
Staley’s hair and did not use any force against her.
11 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
{¶32} It is true that “an officer’s use of excessive force is an affirmative
defense to resisting arrest.” In re M.H., 2021-Ohio-1041, 169 N.E.3d 971, ¶ 35 (1st
Dist.). However, “resisting arrest and resisting an officer’s use of excessive force in
making an arrest are two different things.” State v. Elko, 2020-Ohio-4466, 158
N.E.3d 929, ¶ 40 (8th Dist.). Specifically, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has
determined that only “pre-arrest excessive force is an affirmative defense to a charge
of resisting arrest in Ohio.” Hayward v. Cleveland Clinic Found., 759 F.3d 613 (6th
Cir.2014). Thus, where a defendant’s resistance precipitates an officer’s use of force,
the defendant cannot successfully assert the defense of excessive force.
{¶33} That is exactly what happened in this case. Approximately four
minutes into the encounter, Sherman told Staley that she was under arrest. Instead
of complying with Sherman’s demands, Staley walked across the street, entered the
basketball court, and continued causing a scene. Sherman attempted to handcuff her
on three separate occasions, but Staley pulled away. Staley only submitted to the
arrest after a female officer arrived on the scene. It was not until the female officer
was effectuating the arrest that Sherman grabbed ahold of Staley’s hair. Because
Sherman’s use of force occurred after Staley’s resistance, Staley failed to establish the
affirmative defense of excessive force. Accordingly, the trial court did not clearly lose
its way and create such a manifest injustice that Staley’s conviction for resisting
arrest must be reversed.
{¶34} Staley’s first assignment of error is overruled.
III. Alleged Brady Material
{¶35} In her second, third, and fourth assignments of error, Staley presents
several challenges based on the state’s alleged violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373
U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963). In her second and third assignments
12 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
of error, Staley contends that her due-process and fair-trial rights were violated when
the state committed prosecutorial misconduct by failing to disclose material
impeachment evidence, e.g., citizen complaints filed against Officer Sherman. In her
fourth assignment of error, Staley argues that the trial court erred in denying her
motion for a new trial on those same grounds. For ease of discussion, we start with
her fourth assignment of error.
{¶36} We review a trial court’s denial of a motion for a new trial under an
abuse-of-discretion standard. State v. Smith, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-180439 and
C-180604, 2019-Ohio-5350, ¶ 15.
{¶37} Pursuant to Crim.R. 33(A)(2), a new trial may be granted on the
grounds of prosecutorial misconduct. Prosecutorial misconduct includes the failure
to disclose materially exculpatory evidence, including evidence that undermines a
witness’s credibility. State v. Campbell, 2019-Ohio-3142, 140 N.E.3d 987, ¶ 43 (1st
Dist.). Motions for a new trial based on prosecutorial misconduct must be filed
within 14 days after the decision of the trial court. Crim.R. 33(B). Motions for a new
trial may be filed beyond the 14-day period only where the defendant was
“unavoidably prevented” from filing the motion. Id.
{¶38} In this case, the trial court entered its decision on February 19, 2020.
Staley did not file her motion for a new trial until July 29, 2020, over 160 days later.
Following a hearing on the motion, the trial court found that Staley was not
unavoidably prevented from filing the motion within the 14-day period prescribed by
Crim.R. 33(B), and denied the motion.
{¶39} A review of the record supports the trial court’s conclusion. Staley’s
counsel received the citizen complaint records by preforming a search on a public
database. There is no evidence that the database was unavailable prior to July 29,
13 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
2020. Counsel claimed only that “she didn’t know it existed” until July 28, 2020.
Thus, there is no evidence that Staley was unavoidably prevented from discovering
the undisclosed complaint records within the time prescribed by Crim.R. 33.
Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Staley’s motion for
a new trial based on that evidence.
{¶40} Even assuming Staley was unavoidably prevented from discovering the
citizen complaint records, her motion still fails on its merits.
{¶41} “The suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an
accused violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or
punishment[.]” State v. Johnston, 39 Ohio St.3d 48, 529 N.E.2d 898 (1988),
paragraph four of the syllabus, citing Brady, 373 U.S. at 87, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d
215. Evidence is materially exculpatory “ ‘only if there is a reasonable probability
that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of the proceeding
would have been different. A “reasonable probability” is a probability sufficient to
undermine confidence in the outcome.’ ” Johnston at 61, quoting United States v.
Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 682, 105 S.Ct. 3375, 87 L.Ed.2d 481 (1985). “The test is
stringent,” and thus, “ ‘[t]he mere possibility that an item of undisclosed information
might have helped the defense, or might have affected the outcome of the trial, does
not establish “materiality” in the constitutional sense.’ ” State v. Jackson, 57 Ohio
St.3d 29, 33, 565 N.E.2d 549 (1991), quoting United States v. Agurs, 427 U.S. 97,
109-110, 96 S.Ct. 2392, 49 L.Ed.2d 342 (1976).
{¶42} The defendant bears the burden of proving that withheld evidence is
materially exculpatory. State v. Benson, 152 Ohio App.3d 495, 2003-Ohio-1944, 788
N.E.2d 693, ¶ 11 (1st Dist.), citing State v. Benton, 136 Ohio St.3d 801, 805, 737
N.E.2d 1046 (2000).
14 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
{¶43} To satisfy the materiality requirement, Staley suggests that the
complaint records would have negatively affected the credibility of the state’s sole
witness, Officer Sherman. Staley speculates that the undisclosed records might have
contained instances of police misconduct, racial bias, and a history of untruthfulness
on behalf of Sherman. According to Staley, there is a “strong possibility that the
civilian complaints would have supported the defense’s theory that Officer Sherman
unfairly targeted and harassed Ms. Staley on the day in question and thereby
impeached the state’s sole witness.”
{¶44} But there is nothing in the record to support that claim. Counsel
posited that from 2009 to 2013, 20 complaints were filed with the Citizen Complaint
Authority against Sherman. Counsel provided brief descriptions of the complaints,
such as “lack of service,” “off-duty conduct,” and “discourtesy.” Counsel alleged that
two of the complaints were substantiated. However, counsel claims she could not
access the entirety of the complaints and did not know any specific details from the
complaints. Counsel even admitted, “I don’t know what these things are.” None of
the complaints were provided in the record. Thus, Staley failed to show that the
undisclosed complaint records contained materially exculpatory information.
{¶45} Staley’s second, third, and fourth assignments of error are overruled.
V. Conclusion
{¶46} For the foregoing reasons, Staley’s assignments of error are overruled
and the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.
Judgments affirmed.
W INKLER , J., concurs. Z AYAS , P.J., concurs in judgment only.
15 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
Please note: The court has recorded its own entry on the date of the release of this opinion.