State v. Taylor

2012 Ohio 5029

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Taylor, 2012-Ohio-5029.]

COURT OF APPEALS DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO JUDGES: Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. William B. Hoffman, J. Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J. -vs- Case No. 12CAA020007 RONALD TAYLOR, JR.

Defendant-Appellant OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Delaware Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 11 CR I 06 0345

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: October 25, 2012

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

CAROL HAMILTON O'BRIEN BRIAN G. JONES Delware County Prosecuting Attorney The Law Office of Brian Jones 2211 U.S. Highway 23 North DOUGLAS N. DUMOLT Delaware, Ohio 43015 Delaware County Prosecutors Office 140 North Sandusky Street, 3rd Floor Delaware, Ohio 43015 Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 2

Hoffman, J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant Ronald Taylor, Jr. appeals his conviction and

sentence entered by the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, on one count of

felonious assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2), a felony of the second degree; and

one count of failure to stop after accident, in violation of R.C. 4549.02(A), a

misdemeanor of the first degree, following a bench trial. Plaintiff-appellee is the state of

Ohio.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE AND FACTS

{¶2} On June 24, 2011, the Delaware County Grand Jury indicted Appellant on

the aforementioned charges. Appellant appeared before the trial court for arraignment

on July 8, 2011, and entered a plea of not guilty to the Indictment. The matter

proceeded to bench trial on October 18, 2011.

{¶3} The following evidence was adduced at trial. Rozlynn Metzger was

traveling southbound on U.S. Rte 23 on her way to work on the morning of May 14,

2011. Metzger was driving a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon at the time. While she was stopped

at a stoplight at the intersection of Rte 23 and Orange Road, she heard a truck

approaching her from behind. The driver of the truck was ultimately identified as

Appellant. Metzger looked through her rearview mirror and saw the grill and windshield

of the truck.

{¶4} After the light changed to green, Metzger accelerated her vehicle and

proceeded with the flow of traffic. She heard the truck and knew from the sound it was

“too close”. Out of the rearview mirror, Metzger could only see the truck’s grill. She

continued to drive, keeping her speed at approximately 35 mph. Appellant was so close Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 3

“there was no distance between” the two vehicles. Metzger heard an increase in the

truck’s acceleration then Appellant struck the back of her vehicle, pushing it for

approximately 20 seconds. Metzger attempted to use her brakes to stop the vehicles,

but was unsuccessful. Metzger’s vehicle broke away, spun into the left hand turn lane

and onto Rte 23 North, rotating approximately 180 degrees. Appellant did not stop, but

rather sped off.

{¶5} Amber Zempter was traveling southbound on U.S. Rte 23 at the same

time as Metzger, when she noticed Appellant’s truck approaching at a high rate of

speed. From her rearview mirror, she watched Appellant weave his truck in and out of

traffic three or four times before passing her. When Appellant was approximately one or

two and a half car lengths in front of her, Zempter heard the revving of an engine and

tires squealing. Zempter saw smoke and then a silver Tiburon swing out into the left

hand lane, toward oncoming traffic. Appellant never appeared to brake his truck or

even slow down. Immediately after the accident, Appellant drove away without

stopping. Zempter checked on Metzger then called the Sheriff’s Department.

{¶6} Deputy Shane Van Dyke was dispatched to the scene and found the silver

Tiburon, facing west on Rte 23 North. Deputy Van Dyke spoke with Metzger. He

radioed a description of Appellant’s truck to all available deputies. The deputy

proceeded to take photographs of the scene including the skid marks from Metzger’s

vehicle. He did not observe any skid marks created by Appellant’s truck.

{¶7} Deputy Rashad Pitts was on routine patrol on the morning of May 14,

2011, when he was dispatched regarding a hit and skip at Rte 23 and Orange Road.

The dispatch included a description of Appellant’s truck. Within minutes, Deputy Pitts Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 4

observed Appellant’s truck stopped at a traffic light approximately 2 miles from the

accident site. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with Appellant.

When asked, Appellant denied having been driving on Rte 23. Deputy Pitts did not

believe Appellant, recalling Appellant did not look him in the eyes as they were talking.

Additionally, based upon Appellant’s location, Deputy Pitts knew he would have had to

travel on Rte 23. The deputy advised Appellant he would be taking him back to the

scene to see if any witnesses could identify him. At that point, Appellant became

volatile and challenged the deputy to “kill me”. Deputy Pitts removed Appellant from his

truck and placed him in handcuffs. Appellant immediately apologized, and

acknowledged he had anger issues and had not been taking his medication. Appellant

also admitted to his involvement in the incident on Rte 23. Deputy Pitts arrested

Appellant on unrelated charges and transported him to the jail.

{¶8} After hearing the evidence, the trial court found Appellant guilty of both

counts of the Indictment. The trial court ordered a presentence investigation report.

The trial court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate term of imprisonment of four (4)

years, ordered him to pay restitution to the victim, and suspended his driver’s license.

{¶9} It is from this conviction and sentence Appellant appeals, assigning as

error:

{¶10} “I. RONALD TAYLOR WAS DENIED DUE PROCESS OF LAW WHEN

THE STATE OF OHIO DID NOT PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THE TRUCK

WAS BEING USED AS A WEAPON, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED THAT

THE TRUCK WAS A DEADLY WEAPON, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE

PRESENTED THAT SHOWS KNOWING ATTEMPT TO CAUSE PHYSICAL HARM. Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 5

{¶11} “II. THE COURT’S CONVICTION OF RONALD TAYLOR IS AGAINST

THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.”

I

{¶12} In his first assignment of error, Appellant challenges his conviction for

felonious assault on the basis the State failed to present sufficient evidence of the

elements of the offense.

{¶13} When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, our inquiry focuses

primarily upon the adequacy of the evidence; that is, whether the evidence, if believed,

reasonably could support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v.

Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386, 1997–Ohio–52, 678 N.E.2d 541, State v. Jenks, 61

Ohio St.3d 259, 273, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991). The standard of review is whether, after

viewing the probative evidence and inferences reasonably drawn therefrom in the light

most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found all the

essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jenks, supra.

{¶14} Appellant was convicted of one count of felonious assault, in violation of

R.C. 2903.11(A), which provides, in pertinent part:

{¶15} “(A) No person shall knowingly do either of the following:

{¶16} “* * *

{¶17} “(2) Cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another's

unborn by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance.”

{¶18} Specifically, Appellant maintains the State failed to present sufficient

evidence he used his truck as a weapon and the truck was a deadly weapon. Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 6

{¶19} R.C. 2923.11(A) defines the term “deadly weapon” as “any instrument,

device, or thing capable of inflicting death, and designed or specially adapted as a

weapon, or possessed, carried or used as a weapon.” “[A]n automobile can be

classified as a deadly weapon when used in a manner likely to produce death or great

bodily harm.” State v. Kilton, Cuyahoga App. No. 80837, 2003–Ohio–423, ¶ 25. “[A]

court should not only consider the intent and mind of the user, but also the nature of the

weapon, the manner of its use, the actions of the user, and the capability of the

instrument to inflict death or serious bodily injury. The question of whether an

automobile is used as a deadly weapon is a question of fact for the trier of fact.”

(Internal citations omitted.) Id.

{¶20} The evidence at trial revealed Appellant was tailgating Metzger so closely

she could only see the truck’s grill in her rearview mirror. Metzger heard the truck

engine rev then felt the collision. Metzger tried to stop both vehicles, but Appellant

continued to push her vehicle along the highway until it broke away. Amy Zempter, who

was traveling Rte 23 North at the same time, observed Appellant weaving through traffic

and making a number of rapid lane changes shortly before Appellant’s truck struck

Metzger’s vehicle.

{¶21} Revving the engine of his truck while Metzger’s vehicle was situated so

closely is inherently dangerous and involves a substantial likelihood of serious bodily

injury. Causing Metzger’s vehicle to spin into another lane of travel created a great risk

of serious injury to both her and the occupant(s) of any vehicle which might then have

collided with her vehicle. Looking at the size difference of the vehicles, the manner of its

use, the actions of Appellant, and the truck’s capability to inflict serious harm, we find Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 7

the State presented sufficient evidence to support a finding the truck was used as

deadly weapon.

{¶22} Appellant further asserts the State failed to present sufficient evidence he

knowingly attempted to cause physical harm to the victim.

{¶23} R.C. 2901.22(B) defines the culpable mental state of “knowingly” as

follows:

{¶24} “(B) A person acts knowingly, regardless of his purpose, when he is aware

that his conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably be of a certain

nature. A person has knowledge of circumstances when he is aware that such

circumstances probably exist.”

{¶25} Appellant asserts he was not attempting to cause physical harm to

Metzger. Appellant claims he “bumped into the back of Ms. Metzger’s car and then

nudged it to the side of the road,” and that “(h)e was in control the entire time.” Brief of

Appellant at 9. Appellant adds he did not act knowingly because Metzger did not suffer

physical harm.

{¶26} Based upon the aforementioned evidence and the inferences which can

be reasonably drawn therefrom, we find the trial court could find the State established

the essential element of knowingly beyond a reasonable doubt. As set forth supra,

Appellant was weaving in and out of traffic prior to finding himself behind Metzger.

Appellant accelerated toward Metzger’s vehicle and travelled extremely close. He

continued behind Metzger, revving the truck engine, then finally hitting the other vehicle.

Appellant did not brake his truck or in any other way try to extricate Metzger’s vehicle

from his front bumper. He pushed Metzger at the rate of 35 mph for a substantial period Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 8

of time. After Metzger’s vehicle finally broke away, spinning into another lane of travel,

Appellant sped off. We find the evidence supports the trial court’s conclusion Appellant

was or should have been aware his actions would probably result in harm to Metzger or

another under the totality of these circumstances.

{¶27} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.

II

{¶28} In his second assignment of error, Appellant challenges his conviction for

felonious assault as against the manifest weight of the evidence. Specifically, Appellant

argues Metzger was not a credible witness.

{¶29} On review for manifest weight, a reviewing court is to examine the entire

record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of the

witnesses and determine whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact

clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the judgment

must be reversed. The discretionary power to grant a new hearing should be exercised

only in the exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the

judgment.” Thompkins, supra at 387, citing State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175,

485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983). Because the trier of fact is in a better position to

observe the witnesses' demeanor and weigh their credibility, the weight of the evidence

and the credibility of the witnesses are primarily for the trier of fact. State v. DeHass, 10

Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212, (1967), syllabus 1.

{¶30} Appellant contends Metzger was not a credible witness because she could

not explain why Appellant “would intentionally run into the back of her car unprovoked.”

Brief of Appellant at 14. Appellant insists Metzger is leaving something out of her story; Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 9

therefore, the trial court should not have believed her testimony. Appellant refers to

points during Metzger’s testimony which he claims are inconsistent.

{¶31} We have often said a trier of fact is free to accept or reject any or all of the

testimony of the witnesses. The trial court obviously believed Metzger’s version of the

events, which was corroborated Zempter. Based upon all the evidence, we find

Appellant’s conviction was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶32} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.

{¶33} The judgment of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

By: Hoffman, J.

Gwin, P.J. and

Farmer, J. concur

s/ William B. Hoffman _________________ HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN

s/ W. Scott Gwin_____________________ HON. W. SCOTT GWIN

s/ Sheila G. Farmer __________________ HON. SHEILA G. FARMER Delaware County, Case No. 12CAA020007 10

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO : : Plaintiff-Appellee : : -vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY : RONALD TAYLOR, JR. : : Defendant-Appellant : Case No. 12CAA020007

For the reasons stated in our accompanying Opinion, the judgment of the

Delaware County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs to Appellant.

s/ William B. Hoffman _________________ HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN

s/ W. Scott Gwin _____________________ HON. W. SCOTT GWIN

s/ Sheila G. Farmer __________________ HON. SHEILA G. FARMER