State v. Weger

2022 Ohio 2204

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 27, 2022
• Docket: 2021 CA 00062
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Weger, 2022-Ohio-2204.]

COURT OF APPEALS LICKING COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO JUDGES: Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. John W. Wise, J. Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J. -vs- Case No. 2021 CA 00062 JAMIE L. WEGER

Defendant-Appellant OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Appeal from the Licking County Municipal Court, Case No. 21 CRB 00221

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: June 27, 2022

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

TRICIA MOORE ANDREW T. SANDERSON Licking County Law Director 73 North Sixth Street City of Newark Newark, Ohio 43055

J. MICHAEL KING Licking County Assistant Law Director City of Newark 40 Wet Main Street – Fourth Floor Newark, Ohio 43055 Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 2

Hoffman, P.J. {¶1} Defendant-appellant Jamie L. Weger appeals her conviction and sentence

entered by the Licking County Municipal Court, on one count of child endangering, in

violation of R.C. 2919.22, a misdemeanor of the first degree, following a bench trial.

Plaintiff-appellee is the state of Ohio.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

{¶2} Newark Police arrested Appellant on February 20, 2021, after her 9-year-

old autistic son was found outside, unattended, in below freezing temperatures. On

February 22, 2021, a complaint was issued against Appellant, charging her with one count

of child endangering. Appellant entered a plea of not guilty to the charge at her

arraignment on February 22, 2021.

{¶3} After five continuances, the matter proceeded to bench trial on July 20,

2021. The trial court issued an App. R. 9(C) statement of evidence after “a thorough

search” of the court’s audio and video recording system “failed to locate any record of the

trial.” December 17, 2021 Judgment Entry of Settlement and Approval. The following

facts are taken therefrom.

{¶4} Prior to commencing the bench trial, the trial court asked Appellant if she

wished to be represented by counsel. Appellant indicated she would like to proceed

without counsel. After the trial court discussed the dangers of self-representation with

Appellant, the trial court asked Appellant if she would like to proceed without the benefit

of counsel. Appellant “confirmed [her desire] to resolve the case via a bench trial without

the assistance of counsel.” Id. at ¶ 1. Thereafter, Appellant executed a written waiver of

counsel. The trial court confirmed Appellant had read and understood the waiver prior to

signing it. The waiver was filed prior to the trial court commencing the trial. Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 3

{¶5} Officer Stevens of the Newark Police Department testified he responded to

the scene at approximately 2:30 p.m. on February 20, 2021, and found a child, Aidan.

Aidan’s hands and face were red and the child complained of being cold. Officer Stevens

placed Aidan in his cruiser to warm him up. Officer Stevens asked Aidan where he lived,

but Aidan did not know his address. An adult at the scene, who was familiar with the child

and his family, provided information which led officers to 103 Dewey Avenue.

{¶6} Officers proceeded to the address. Officer Stevens remained in the cruiser

with Aidan while Officer Cortez spoke to the resident at 103 Dewey Avenue. The resident

advised Officer Cortez Aidan did not live at the residence, but she knew his mother, who

was later identified as Appellant, and could reach her. Appellant arrived 45 minutes later

and, according to Officer Stevens, did not seem concerned about the child’s welfare.

Officer Stevens noted it was approximately 25 degrees at the time, and there was snow

on the ground. Officer Stevens learned Aidan was 9 years old and was autistic.

{¶7} The individual who made the 9-1-1 call stated she almost hit Aidan with her

vehicle because the child was chasing a truck down the road. Officers responded to the

scene within 15-20 minutes after receiving the 9-1-1 call. Officer Stevens recalled, when

Appellant finally arrived, she and her daughter drove past his cruiser and walked down

the sidewalk towards the officers.

{¶8} When Officer Stevens asked Appellant if she knew where her son was,

Appellant seemed dumbfounded and responded she did not know. Officer Stevens asked

Appellant if she knew where Aidan was supposed to be. Appellant answered she did not

know exactly at which house he should be. Officer Stevens told Appellant she was the

mother and was supposed to know where her son was at all times. Officer Stevens Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 4

arrested Appellant, instructed Appellant’s daughter to take Aidan, and contacted Child

Protective Services (“CPS”). CPS placed Aidan in the temporary custody of Appellant’s

daughter.

{¶9} Officer Cortez identified a picture of Aidan as the child in question. Officer

Cortez also identified Appellant in the courtroom as the mother of the child. The officer

stated he arrived at the scene at approximately 2:30 p.m. on February 20, 2021, and

spoke with the individual who had called dispatch. Thereafter, he proceeded to 103

Dewey Avenue and spoke with Sydney Pepe and Victoria Knowles, who advised him

Appellant used to live at the address, but did not currently live there. Officer Cortez asked

Knowles to have Appellant call him regarding what she wants the officers to do with Aidan.

Shortly thereafter, Appellant called and informed Officer Cortez she would be there as

soon as possible. When Appellant arrived in the area, she drove past the police vehicles

rather than stopping. Appellant and her daughter then walked down the sidewalk towards

the officers. Appellant admitted she did not look for Aidan from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.,

and did not know where he was. Appellant indicated she lived approximately two miles

away from Dewey Avenue.

{¶10} On cross-examination, Officer Cortez stated Aidan was unable to tell the

officer where he lived. Officer Cortez repeated he instructed Knowles to have Appellant

call the officers. When Appellant asked Officer Cortez if he told her she did not deserve

to have any children, he responded he did not recall, but it was possible as he was upset

by the situation.

{¶11} Officer O’Neal identified a picture of Aidan as the child in question. Officer

O’Neal also identified Appellant in the courtroom as the mother of the child. When Officer Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 5

O’Neal spoke to Aidan, he asked the child where he and his family were staying. Aidan

could not remember, but an onlooker informed the officer the family was staying at 103

Dewey Avenue. Officer O’Neal noted Appellant did not seem concerned and blamed

Aidan for the situation. After Appellant was placed under arrest, Officer O’Neal left the

scene to respond to another call.

{¶12} Appellant did not cross-examine Officer O’Neal. Thereafter, the state

rested.

{¶13} Appellant called her boyfriend, Ron Warfle, to testify on her behalf. Warfle

testified, on the day of the incident, Appellant arrived at the home of his sister, Victoria

Knowles, to help look for an apartment. Appellant then took a nap because her daughter

needed a ride to work. When Warfle and Appellant left, they asked Knowles to look after

Aidan if he returned to her residence. Warfle acknowledged they did not see or know

when Aidan left. Warfle recalled the officers treated Appellant with disrespect. He further

stated Appellant’s daughter was driving the truck when they arrived at the scene.

{¶14} On cross-examination, Warfle confirmed Appellant had custody of Aidan.

Warfle indicated Aidan had been gone since 9:30 a.m., and from that point until they

arrived at the officers’ location, no one had looked for Aidan.

{¶15} Appellant testified in her own defense. She stated she arrived at Knowles’

residence at approximately 7:30 a.m. to help find an apartment. Appellant explained,

after she arrived, she needed to rest before driving her daughter to work. Appellant left

Knowles’ residence to take her daughter to work. Appellant received a phone call from

Knowles informing her she (Appellant) needed to come back because the police had

Aidan. Appellant called the officers and was instructed to hurry because they were not Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 6

her babysitters. Appellant indicated her daughter was driving and she drove past the

officers and parked the vehicle. Appellant and her daughter walked back towards the

officers. Appellant recalled the officers asked her why she was not concerned about her

son or his whereabouts. Appellant informed the officers Aidan was autistic and he was

supposed to be at one of two houses. Appellant added the officers told her she was unfit

to be a mother and placed her under arrest.

{¶16} On cross-examination, Appellant recalled the temperature on February 20,

2021, was 25 degrees. Appellant knew Aidan had gone outside to play at 9:30 a.m., and

she had instructed him to return by noon. Appellant admitted Aidan had not returned by

2:00 p.m., but she had things to do so she left. When shown a picture of Aidan, Appellant

acknowledged it accurately depicted the clothing Aidan was wearing that day, but added

he had long johns underneath his clothing which could not be seen in the picture. Upon

conclusion of her cross-examination, Appellant rested her defense.

{¶17} The state did not present any rebuttal evidence. Neither party made closing

arguments.

{¶18} The trial court found Appellant guilty and sentenced her to 180 days in jail

with 120 days suspended and two days credit for time served. The trial court placed

Appellant on probation for a period of one year. As a condition of her probation, Appellant

was required to successfully complete a parenting skills class.

{¶19} The trial court memorialized Appellant’s conviction and sentence via

Judgment Entry of Conviction filed July 20, 2021.

{¶20} It is from this conviction and sentence Appellant appeals, raising the

following assignments of error: Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 7

I. THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DENIED THE EFFECTIVE

ASSISTANCE OF TRIAL COUNSEL HEREIN.

II. THE CONVICTION OF THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS

OBTAINED WITHOUT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE BEING PRESENTED TO

ESTABLISH EACH AND EVERY ELEMENT OF THE OFFENSE IN

QUESTION.

I

{¶21} In her first assignment of error, Appellant asserts she was denied the

effective assistance of counsel. Specifically, Appellant asserts the trial court failed to

properly protect the proceedings by allowing her to proceed without counsel.

{¶22} A defendant's right to counsel during critical stages of the prosecution is

guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, made applicable

to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, and by Article I, Section 10, of the Ohio

Constitution. Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 342, 83 S.Ct. 792, 9 L.Ed.2d 799

(1963); State v. Martin, 103 Ohio St.3d 385, 2004-Ohio-5471, 816 N.E.2d 227. The right

to counsel “implicitly embodies a ‘correlative right to dispense with a lawyer's help.’ ”

Martin, supra at ¶ 23 (Citation omitted). The right to represent oneself “is thwarted when

counsel is forced upon an unwilling defendant, who alone bears the risks of a potential

conviction.” State v. Obermiller, 147 Ohio St.3d 175, 2016-Ohio-1594, 63 N.E.3d 93, ¶ 26

(Citation omitted).

{¶23} The United States Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Ohio have

recognized a criminal defendant's right to defend himself at trial without counsel when the Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 8

defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily chooses to do so. See, Faretta v.

California , 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975); State v. Gibson, 45 Ohio

St.2d 366, 377, 345 N.E.2d 399 (1976). In Ohio, Crim.R. 44 governs the procedure for

the appointment of counsel and the waiver thereof. The waiver of counsel “shall be in

open court and the advice and waiver shall be recorded.” Crim.R. 44(C).

{¶24} This matter was scheduled and rescheduled for bench trial at least 5 times.

On April 12, 2021, prior to one of the scheduled trial dates, Appellant executed a written

waiver of counsel. Thereafter, the matter was continued three more times. Via Judgment

Entry filed June 15, 2021, the trial court granted Appellant’s motion to continue, adding,

“No further continuances of your trial/hearing will be granted.” June 15, 2021 Judgment

Entry. Appellant claims this admonition “made it clear to [Appellant]. . . no continuance

would be granted to allow her time to obtain counsel.” Brief of Appellant at 6. We find

the record belies Appellant’s assertion.

{¶25} The record reveals, notwithstanding this admonition, prior to commencing

the bench trial on July 20, 2021, the trial court again advised Appellant of her right to

counsel. Appellant again waived that right and executed a written waiver, which was time

stamped and filed on July 20, 2021, prior to the presentation of evidence. Appellant

concedes the “waiver was “executed in a knowing, intelligent and voluntary manner.” Id.

There is nothing to establish the trial court would not have permitted Appellant to obtain

counsel had she made such a request.

{¶26} Additionally, Appellant argues “the trial court not only allowed inadmissible

evidence to be admitted, but relied upon the same in reaching its conclusion that

[Appellant] should be found guilty of the offense charged. Id. at 6-7. Appellant submits, Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 9

“The failure of the trial court to protect the constitutional rights to a fair trial herein of

[Appellant] is tantamount to a denial of her rights to both due process and the effective

assistance of trial counsel.” Id. at 7.

{¶27} We can assume Appellant is taking issue with the testimony of the officers

relative to the information they received from individuals at the scene. The information

the officers discovered as a result of their conversations with the individual who called 9-

1-1 and the women at 103 Dewey Avenue was merely part of their investigation, not

offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted; therefore, not hearsay. See, State v.

Bound, 5th Dist. Guernsey No. 03 CA 21, 2004-Ohio-6530, ¶ 34.

{¶28} Based upon the foregoing, we find Appellant was not denied the effective

assistance of counsel.

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

II

{¶30} In her second assignment of error, Appellant contends her conviction was

based upon insufficient evidence. We disagree.

{¶31} “An appellate court's function when reviewing the sufficiency of the

evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to

determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind of the

defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574

N.E.2d 492 (1991) at paragraph two of the syllabus. “The 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.”

Id. Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 10

{¶32} Appellant was convicted of one count of child endangering, in violation of

R.C. 2919.22, which provides, in pertinent part:

No person, who is the parent, guardian, custodian, person having

custody or control, or person in loco parentis of a child under eighteen years

of age or a mentally or physically handicapped child under twenty-one years

of age, shall create a substantial risk to the health or safety of the child, by

violating a duty of care, protection, or support.

{¶33} Appellant argues, while “the record demonstrates the child was found in a

situation that was inappropriate,” the record lacks “any indication of how the child got into

that situation.” Brief of Appellant at 10. We disagree with Appellant’s interpretation of the

evidence.

{¶34} At approximately 2:00 p.m. on February 20, 2021, officers were dispatched

in response to a call from a motorist who almost hit a child with her vehicle because the

child was chasing a truck down the road. When the officers arrived at 2:30 p.m., they

found the child. His hands and face were red and he complained of being cold. The

temperature was 25 degrees and there was snow on the ground Officer Stevens placed

the child in his cruiser to warm him up. The child did not know his address.

{¶35} The officers were directed to 103 Dewey Avenue, where they spoke with

Sydney Pepe and Victoria Knowles. Knowles indicated she knew Appellant and could

contact her. Officer Cortez asked Knowles to have Appellant call him. Appellant called

and informed Officer Cortez she would be there as soon as possible. Appellant arrived Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 11

45 minutes later. When the officers asked Appellant if she knew where her son was,

Appellant seemed dumbfounded and responded she did not know. Appellant was asked

if she knew where Aidan was supposed to be. Appellant answered she did not know

exactly at which house he should be.

{¶36} Appellant admitted Aidan left at 9:30 a.m. and she instructed him to return

by noon. When the child was not back by 2:00 p.m., she left because she had “things to

do.” Appellant acknowledged she did not look for Aidan from 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.,

and did not know where he was. Appellant’s boyfriend testified Appellant had asked

Knowles to look after the child “if he came back.”

{¶37} The record clearly establishes Appellant was unaware of her son’s

whereabouts for approximately 5 hours. We find, given the frigid temperatures of the day

of the incident and the fact the child was 9 years old and autistic, Appellant created a

substantial risk to Aidan’s safety.

{¶38} Appellant also argues the state failed to establish venue. We disagree.

{¶39} “Although it is not a material element of the offense charged, venue is a fact

which must be proved in criminal prosecutions unless it is waived by the defendant.” State

v. Headley, 6 Ohio St.3d 475, 477, 453 N.E.2d 716 (1983), citing State v. Draggo (1981),

65 Ohio St.2d 88, 90, 418 N.E.2d 1343 [19 O.O.3d 294]. “The standard of proof is beyond

a reasonable doubt, although venue need not be proved in express terms so long as it is

established by all the facts and circumstances in the case.” Id., citing State v. Dickerson

(1907), 77 Ohio St. 34, 82 N.E. 969, paragraph one of the syllabus.

{¶40} In its December 17, 2021 Judgment Entry of Settlement and Approval, the

trial court noted the the officers the state called as witnesses were “employed by the Licking County, Case No. 2021 CA 00062 12

Newark Division of Police.” Id. at footnote 1, p. 1. Because the record reflects the officers

were employed by Newark Division of Police and they were dispatched to a specific area

then proceeded to Dewey Avenue, we find there was circumstantial evidence to establish

venue.

{¶41} Based upon the foregoing, we find Appellant’s conviction was not based

upon insufficient evidence.

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

{¶43} The judgment of the Licking County Municipal Court is affirmed.

By: Hoffman, P.J. Wise, John, J. and Delaney, J. concur