State v. Wallen

254 N.E.2d 716, 21 Ohio App. 2d 27, 50 Ohio Op. 2d 50, 1969 Ohio App. LEXIS 464
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedDecember 22, 1969
Docket3496
StatusPublished
Cited by36 cases

This text of 254 N.E.2d 716 (State v. Wallen) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Wallen, 254 N.E.2d 716, 21 Ohio App. 2d 27, 50 Ohio Op. 2d 50, 1969 Ohio App. LEXIS 464 (Ohio Ct. App. 1969).

Opinion

Gray, J.

This cause is in this court on appeal on questions of law from two verdicts and judgments thereon of a three-judge trial court of Stark County finding defendant guilty of the felony murder and the premeditated murder of Harold “Smiley” McCully.

The defendant, feeling aggrieved by this result of his trial, filed his notice of appeal and assigns the following errors:

“1. The verdict and judgment of the three judge panel in regards to count number one (1) as contained in said indictment is contrary to law and against the manifest weight of the evidence.
“2. The verdict and judgment of the three judge panel in regards to count number two (2) as contained in said indictment is contrary to law and against the manifest weight of the evidence.
“3. The trial court erred in not sustaining a motion of the defendant-appellant made at the close of the state’s case to withdraw from consideration of the panel, murder and a perpetration of the robbery and murder in the first degree.
“4. The trial court erred in overruling objections made by the defendant-appellant during the redirect examination of the state’s witness, Norma Jean Murray, which was prejudicial to the rights of the defendant-appellant.
“5. The panel of judges erred in sentencing the defendant-appellant to death in the electric chair on two separate counts which constitutes cruel and inhuman pun *29 ishment according to the Constitution of the state of Ohio.”

Prom the nature of the assignment of errors it will be necessary to develop the facts fully. Defendant was thirty-two years old at the time of his trial. Previous to his conviction he had served ten years in the Marine Corps and at the time of conviction was serving his fifth year in the U. S. Army. He had the rank of sergeant. He had arrived in the United States on February 7, 1968, from Vietnam where he was stationed. He was due to report at Port Dix on March 18, 1968. He was granted leave to visit his wife and two children in Coshocton, Ohio. When he arrived there he could not locate them. On March 1, 1968, in Coshocton, he became acquainted with Norma Jean Murray, aged 30, the mother of five children. Defendant and Mrs. Murray made their way to Canton, Ohio. There they met Harold “Smiley” McCully, the victim in this murder case. The record shows that Mrs. Murray had known him previously.

McCully invited them to stay at his apartment. Defendant and Mrs. Murray occupied one of the bedrooms. The record discloses that the victim was employed at Republic Steel and had furnished lodging, food and alcoholic beverages for his nonpaying guests.

On April 11, 1968, defendant, Mrs. Murray and Mc-Cully were drinking in the Nu Way Grill in the city of Canton. The victim went to the paymaster’s office of Republic Steel, picked up his pay check in the sum of $76.89, cashed it and returned to the Nu Way Grill.

They had more drinks at the grill. The two men got into an argument over Mrs. Murray. Eventually things quieted down. The victim bought a six-pack of beer, and the three went to his apartment which was nearby.

After arriving at the apartment, they drank some of the beer. Defendant and McCully got into another argument over Mrs. Murray. Mrs. Murray went to the bathroom. When she returned she saw defendant hit ‘ ‘ Smiley, ’ ’ knocking him off the chair. “Smiley” landed on the floor. Defendant started to kick the victim. “Smiley” was badly beaten. Defendant then wrapped a TV lead-in wire around the victim, effectively trussing him in a doubled-up position.

*30 Defendant picked np the victim’s pocketboob, took some money from it, grabbed Mrs. Murray by the arm and took her suitcase. After some wanderings, defendant and Mrs. Murray were observed by Officer Fink of the Fairfield Police Department, Butler County, Ohio, on April 26, 1968, walking along the berm of Ohio Route No. 127. Officer Fink accosted them. They identified themselves as Mr. and Mrs. William C. Wallen. Upon request for identification, defendant produced a Honolulu driver’s license. Defendant and Mrs. Murray were permitted to board a passing bus. Officer Fink relayed the information contained on the driver’s license to the police dispatcher, who ran a check. It was determined that defendant and Mrs. Murray were wanted by the Canton police for investigation of a homicide. The patrolman tried to overtake the bus. While traveling south on route 127, he observed the defendant and Mrs. Murray walking along the roadside. They were arrested and returned to Stark County for prosecution.

The above version concerning the events of April 11, 1968, was that narrated by Norma Jean Murray, who testified as a state witness. Defendant testified in his own behalf, and his version is in conflict with that of Mrs. Murray in some important respects.

Defendant states that on April 11, 1968, after returning from the Nu Way Grill, they were drinking beer at the victim’s apartment when defendant and McCully became involved in an argument over Norma Jean. Defendant claims the deceased hit him first. Defendant testified as follows:

“Well the man wanted me to leave and leave the girl there with him. He said he had a nice deal or something for her. We came to know the man hustled at the bar and I didn’t appreciate it.
<<# * #
“A. I was sitting there drinking a beer. The man [McCully] hit on me again about leaving the girl and he had something for her to do, and so I kind of thought about it and the next thing the man pulled out his wallet and sat *31 it on the table and said, ‘I will give yon $50.00 if yon leave the girl now and go abont yonr business,’ and I told him I wouldn’t leave the girl. The next thing I know I am on the floor.
“Q. Yon say he pulled out his wallet? A. Yes sir.
“Q. What did he do with it? A. Laid it on the table.
“Q. What did he say? A. Offered me $50.00 if I would leave.
“Q. To leave the apartment? A. To leave the apartment and leave her there.
<<# # *
“Q. And are these the boots that have been introduced in evidence? A. Yes, sir, they are.
“Q. All right, do you recall at any time kicking Mr. McCully? A. No, I don’t sir. All I know was hands flying. I really can’t say. I don’t know.
“Q. Then what happened? A. Well, the next thing I know somebody was tugging on me and pulling on me and I turned around and there was Norma Jean. All I did was turn-ah-turn around and I looked and saw the man’s wallet and took the $50.00 and left and grabbed the girl and went down to the street.
“Q. When you left was Mr. McCully living, do you know? A. Yes, he was — he was conscious.
“Q. Was he breathing? A. Yes, he was.
“Q. All right, and after you left where did you go? A.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
254 N.E.2d 716, 21 Ohio App. 2d 27, 50 Ohio Op. 2d 50, 1969 Ohio App. LEXIS 464, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-wallen-ohioctapp-1969.