State v. Davis
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
Date FiledAugust 3, 2026
Docket25 CO 0050
JudgeWaite
StatusPublished
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Full Opinion
[Cite as State v. Davis, 2026-Ohio-2993.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COLUMBIANA COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
JACOB ISAAC DAVIS,
Defendant-Appellant.
OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Case No. 25 CO 0050
Criminal Appeal from the
Columbiana County Municipal Court of Columbiana County, Ohio
Case No. 2025 TRD 002564
BEFORE:
Cheryl L. Waite, Mark A. Hanni, Katelyn Dickey, Judges.
JUDGMENT:
Affirmed.
Atty. Vito J. Abruzzino, Columbiana County Prosecutor, and Atty. Christopher R. W.
Weeda, Assistant Prosecutor, for Plaintiff-Appellee
Jacob Davis, Pro se, Defendant-Appellant
Dated: August 3, 2026
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WAITE, P.J.
{¶1} Appellant Jacob Isaac Davis appeals his bench trial conviction in the trial
court on a minor misdemeanor traffic infraction. He alleges that six errors occurred in the
trial process involving his citation for speeding. Appellant was cited for driving 86 m.p.h.
in a 70 m.p.h. zone. Appellant now complains of speedy trial violations, discovery
violations, an abuse of discretion in the court granting the state a continuance, and he
contends the conviction is against the sufficiency and weight of the evidence. Appellant
also raises cumulative error. Appellant filed a waiver of speedy trial, and all his speedy
trial objections fail. The judge had the discretion to grant a continuance to the state, and
Appellant has not pointed to any abuse of discretion in this continuance. The prosecutor
provided Appellant with the required discovery, and any additional discovery Appellant
alleges was not provided was not required under Crim.R. 16(B). His conviction is
supported by the sufficiency and weight of the evidence. As Appellant has not shown
that any errors occurred at trial, he cannot show cumulative error. Based on this record,
all of Appellant’s arguments are meritless and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On May 26, 2025 Sergeant Stephen Murphy of the Ohio State Highway
Patrol initiated a traffic stop of Appellant for excessive speed. Using a radar device, Sgt.
Murphy recorded Appellant traveling at 86 m.p.h. in a 70 m.p.h. zone on State Route 11
in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County. Sgt. Murphy gave Appellant a minor
misdemeanor traffic citation for speeding, pursuant to R.C. 4511.21. The citation was
filed on May 27, 2025.
{¶3} On June 12, 2025 Appellant was arraigned in the Columbiana County
Municipal Court. Appellant proceeded pro se at trial, and pleaded not guilty. During
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arraignment, the trial judge stated: “We'll have you sign the time waiver and schedule the
pretrial for you to come back in to speak to the prosecutor, explain your position, and
hopefully get this resolved. Okay?” (6/12/25 Tr., p. 3.) Appellant answered: “Thank you,
Your Honor.” (6/12/25 Tr., p. 3.) Appellant agreed to set pre-trial on August 26, 2025,
affirming that the date worked with his schedule. (6/12/25 Tr., p. 3.) On June 12, 2025
Appellant signed a written waiver of speedy trial time. He also filed a written request for
discovery.
{¶4} On June 27, 2025 Appellant filed a motion to dismiss for discovery
violations. He also filed an affidavit regarding an alleged speedy trial violation, but did not
file a motion to dismiss on speedy trial grounds. On June 30, 2025 the court ruled that
pending motions would be heard at the August 26, 2025 pre-trial hearing.
{¶5} On July 18, 2025 Appellant filed a motion to advance the hearing on his
pending motions. Appellant claimed to have three motions pending: a motion to dismiss
for speedy trial; a motion to dismiss for failure to provide discovery; and a motion to
exclude evidence.
{¶6} At the August 26, 2025 hearing, Appellant sought to proceed on what he
believed were three pending motions. However, Appellant and the trial court agreed at
the start of the hearing that no motion to exclude evidence had been filed, and so the
issue would not be heard. (8/26/25 Tr., p. 5.) The parties also discussed whether a
pending speedy trial motion existed. It was agreed that no motion was ever filed, although
an affidavit discussing speedy trial issues had been filed. (8/26/25 Tr., p. 10.) The court
stated: “All that was filed was this affidavit.” (8/26/25 Tr., p. 10.) Appellant answered:
“Sure.” (8/26/15 Tr., p. 10.) Appellant agreed that if he actually filed a motion to dismiss
on speedy trial grounds in the future, it could be heard at the time of trial. (8/26/25 Tr., p.
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11.) The court then heard his motion to dismiss for failure to provide discovery. Appellant
argued that the state violated Crim.R. 16 by failing to respond to a written motion for
discovery. The prosecutor noted that discovery had been provided and that Appellant
was not prejudiced, because he had the remaining time until trial to use the materials for
his defense. The court overruled Appellant’s motion and trial was set for October 21,
2025.
{¶7} On August 26, 2025, after the pre-trial hearing had already concluded,
Appellant filed a motion to dismiss for speedy trial. In the motion Appellant alleged that
he had not caused any delay in the case and did not waive his right to speedy trial.
{¶8} On October 20, 2025 the state filed a motion for continuance of the trial
because Sgt. Murphy was unavailable on the scheduled trial date. The court granted a
continuance until November 18, 2025.
{¶9} On October 24, 2025 Appellant filed various motions: a motion to invalidate
the state’s continuance; a motion to dismiss for unnecessary delay; a renewed motion to
dismiss for speedy trial and invalid waiver; a motion in limine to exclude radar-based
evidence; and a supplemental motion to dismiss for failure to provide discovery. The trial
court ordered that the motions would be heard on November 18, 2025.
{¶10} The court dealt with the pending motions immediately prior to the start of
the bench trial on November 18, 2025. Appellant argued that he unknowingly signed his
waiver of time. Appellant admitted he did not read the waiver and did not pay attention
to the court’s orientation video that explained the waiver of speedy trial time. (11/18/25
Tr., pp. 5-6.) In addition to the signed waiver, the state raised the argument that various
actions taken by Appellant tolled the speedy trial clock, and that there were still 13 days
left to bring Appellant to trial. After hearing testimony from Appellant, the court overruled
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his motion to dismiss for speedy trial. The court heard additional testimony regarding the
discovery matter and then overruled Appellant’s supplemental motion to dismiss for
failure to provide discovery. The court then began trial in this matter.
{¶11} Sgt. Murphy, the sole witness at trial, testified about his training and
certifications, the traffic stop, the use of a radar gun, the calibration of the radar gun, how
Appellant’s speed violation was determined, and the identification of Appellant as the
defendant. The state moved to introduce Sgt. Murphy’s qualifications and the radar
device evidence as exhibits. Appellant did not offer any witnesses or evidence. The court
found that Sgt. Murphy’s testimony was credible, the use of a radar gun was established
as a reliable method to determine the speed of Appellant’s vehicle, and that the state
proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court found Appellant guilty and fined
him $75. The court filed the final order in this matter on November 18, 2025. Appellant
then filed a timely appeal, again acting pro se.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 1
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING APPELLANT’S MOTION TO
DISMISS FOR SPEEDY TRIAL VIOLATION WHERE THE STATUTORY
THIRTY-DAY PERIOD UNDER R.C. 2945.71(B)(2) EXPIRED, THE
PURPORTED WAIVER WAS NOT KNOWING, INTELLIGENT, OR
VOLUNTARY, AND THE COURT APPLIED AN INDEFINITE-PENDENCY
TOLLING RATIONALE DIRECTLY FORECLOSED BY STATE V.
SANCHEZ.
{¶12} Appellant argues that he did not waive his right to speedy trial, that the
waiver he signed was only in response to a specific scheduling question, that the court
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made no inquiry about his waiver of speedy trial, and that there is no record that he
watched a video explaining the waiver of speedy trial. He further contends that an affidavit
he filed on June 27, 2025 should be considered as a demand to enforce his right to
speedy trial. Appellant also claims that even if he signed a waiver, the delay in going to
trial constituted indefinite tolling under State v. Sanchez, 2006-Ohio-4478. He contends
that his statutory right to speedy trial pursuant to R.C. 2945.71 was denied and that the
case should be dismissed.
{¶13} An overarching problem with the arguments contained in many of the
assignments of error in this appeal is that Appellant is raising matters for the first time on
appeal that were not raised to the trial court. Matters raised for the first time on appeal
that could have been presented to the trial court are waived. State v. Fox, 2023-Ohio-
4026, ¶ 38 (7th Dist.), citing State v. Lynn, 2011-Ohio-6404, ¶ 9. As this is a recurring
problem in this appeal, waived issues will be noted as they arise in the arguments.
{¶14} A further problem on appeal is that Appellant has filed a non-conforming
brief, well outside of the limits set by the Rules of Appellate Procedure. The brief is set
in a small font, single spaced, and if converted to 12-point font and double-spaced would
well exceed 35 pages and 9,000 words (the word count is over 12,000). Appellant has
also notified this Court that he used generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create his brief.
Since Appellant is not an attorney, he cannot determine whether AI has produced viable
legal arguments. Since he has not tested most of his arguments at the trial court level,
he seeks for this Court to determine the legitimacy of his AI documents and arguments.
{¶15} “It is well established that pro se litigants are presumed to have knowledge
of the law and legal procedures and that they are held to the same standard as litigants
who are represented by counsel.” State ex rel. Neil v. French, 2018-Ohio-2692, ¶ 10.
Case No. 25 CO 0050
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The fact that Appellant does not necessarily understand the Rules of Appellate Procedure
or the law that is pertinent to this appeal does not excuse him. As almost every appellate
district has said: “An appellate court is not a performing bear, required to dance to each
and every tune played on an appeal.” State v. Campbell, 2012-Ohio-1738, ¶ 6 (8th Dist.).
Although we would be well within our discretion to strike Appellant’s brief, as a matter of
fairness we will attempt to review the core issues raised in each assignment of error.
{¶16} The first raises questions involving speedy trial. The Sixth Amendment to
the United States Constitution, and Section 10, Article 1 of the Ohio Constitution,
guarantee a criminal defendant the right to a speedy trial by the state. State v. O'Brien,
34 Ohio St.3d 7, 8 (1987). R.C. 2945.71 was enacted to statutorily protect these
constitutional rights. Id. The rights provided in R.C. 2945.71 et seq. are coextensive with
the constitutional provisions. State v. King, 70 Ohio St.3d 158, 160 (1994). A minor
misdemeanor charge must be brought to trial within 30 days unless the time is properly
tolled under the statute, or the right to speedy trial is waived. R.C. 2945.71(A).
{¶17} Appellant filed a motion to dismiss on speedy trial grounds on August 26,
2025, and the trial court denied the motion. His motion questioned whether his waiver of
speedy trial rights was signed knowingly. An appellate court reviews a trial court's
decision on speedy trial claims for abuse of discretion. State v. Farnsworth, 2009-Ohio-
4642, ¶ 32 (7th Dist.). “Abuse of discretion means an error in judgment involving a
decision that is unreasonable based upon the record; that the appellate court merely may
have reached a different result is not enough.” State v. Dixon, 2013-Ohio-2951, ¶ 21 (7th
Dist.).
{¶18} A criminal defendant may waive the right to speedy trial either in writing or
orally before the court. King at 160. Assuming arguendo that Appellant could show that
Case No. 25 CO 0050
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trial occurred outside the speedy trial time set forth in R.C. 2945.71, this record contains
Appellant’s written waiver of speedy trial. “A waiver that expressly waives the accused's
right to a speedy trial under the statute without mentioning a specific time period is
unlimited in duration, and the accused is not entitled to a discharge for delay in bringing
him to trial unless the accused files a formal written objection and demand for trial.” State
v. Kuriger, 2008-Ohio-1673, ¶ 16 (7th Dist.).
{¶19} Appellant argues that the only waiver of rights of which he is aware involved
simply marking a box on a form. Thus, the sole argument raised in his motion to dismiss
related to whether this check mark amounted to a valid waiver of rights. Contrary to
Appellant’s assertions, the waiver Appellant signed is not merely a check mark on a form.
It is a fully explained waiver of rights, printed in bold letters, signed by him and filed on
June 12, 2025. Appellant testified at the November 18, 2025 motion hearing about his
recollection as to the waiver of rights, but the trial judge rejected his contradictory
testimony and denied the motion. None of the other arguments set forth in this appeal
regarding speedy trial were raised in the trial court, and thus are waived on appeal.
{¶20} The record also reflects that Appellant was shown a video explaining the
waiver of rights. Appellant admitted in his testimony that he did not pay attention when
the video was playing. (11/18/25 Tr., pp. 5-6.) Appellant claims there is no record of the
video being played, and yet the transcript of the motion hearing on November 18, 2025
contains the trial judge’s comments about the video, that the video fully explained the
waiver of speedy trial rights, and also contains Appellant’s own admission that he did not
pay attention to this video.
{¶21} It is not clear what argument Appellant is trying to make regarding the
Sanchez case, cited above. The issue in Sanchez was whether the defendant was being
Case No. 25 CO 0050
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held solely on the pending charge. More specifically, the question in that case was
whether a detainer filed by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement nullified
the triple count provision of R.C. 2945.71(E). This is not an issue in the instant matter.
Sanchez does not discuss the topic Appellant raises and does not mention indefinite
tolling. His citation to this immaterial case may have been as a result of a “hallucination”
by Appellant’s AI queries.
{¶22} Appellant argues that a document he filed on June 27, 2025 should have
been accepted as an official withdrawal of his waiver of speedy trial rights and a demand
for immediate trial. Although Appellant calls the document an affidavit, it is not. In this
document Appellant asserts that he did not sign a waiver of speedy trial rights and that
his “trial date” was set 92 days after the citation was filed. Appellant was actually referring
to his pre-trial date of August 26, 2025. Regardless as to how this document is
characterized, Appellant did not argue at trial that this document amounted to his demand
for immediate trial or a revocation of his written waiver of speedy trial. Under Kuriger,
supra, in order to revoke an unlimited written waiver of speedy trial rights, a defendant
must file a formal written objection to any further continuances and must make a demand
for trial. Id. at ¶ 16, citing State v. O'Brien, 34 Ohio St.3d 7 (1987), paragraph two of the
syllabus. Appellant’s filing did neither of these things, and cannot serve as a revocation
of his waiver of speedy trial rights. Appellant did object to one specific continuance being
granted, but did not file anything that could be interpreted as a standing objection to all
further continuances (including continuances that he or the court might initiate).
{¶23} The state also points out that, regardless, there is no speedy trial error here
because of various tolling events in the record. The state explains that there were still 13
days left on the 30-day speedy trial clock as of the date of trial. Appellant filed numerous
Case No. 25 CO 0050
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motions and took other actions that tolled the speedy trial time. These included multiple
motions to dismiss, a document filed on July 18, 2025 alleging that motions requiring a
hearing had been filed and requesting a hearing, a motion to exclude evidence, and a
motion to invalidate a continuance. The time to bring a defendant to trial may be extended
for any reasonable period to allow the state to respond to such motions and to allow the
court to rule on the motions. State v. Sanchez, 2006-Ohio-4478, ¶ 27.
{¶24} This record reveals that Appellee’s attempt to calculate the exact number
of days left on the speedy trial clock is unnecessary. Once Appellant signed a written
waiver of speedy trial rights, his waiver stopped the speedy trial clock. An unlimited
waiver applies retroactively to the date of arrest or the date the charge was filed. State
v. Mack, 2025-Ohio-4812, ¶ 97 (5th Dist.), appeal not allowed, 2026-Ohio-475. If
Appellant had later filed a valid formal written objection to any further continuances and
a demand for trial, the court would then have been required to bring Appellant to trial in a
reasonable time, not within the statutory time limit. O'Brien at 9. As already noted,
Appellant filed neither an objection to all continuances nor a demand for immediate trial.
Furthermore, Appellant did not argue to the trial court that the trial date was unreasonable.
He argued only that he did not file a waiver of rights (which the current record shows is
incorrect), that the 30-day statutory time period expired, and that he had not caused any
delays requiring the trial date to be moved (which is also incorrect in reviewing this
record). Since he has not argued that the ultimate trial court date was unreasonable,
there can be no error on appeal.
{¶25} Appellant's first assignment of error is overruled.
Case No. 25 CO 0050
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 2
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN GRANTING THE
STATE’S MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE WHERE THE MOTION WAS
FILED OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF AUTHORIZED LEGAL INTERN
PRACTICE UNDER GOV. BAR R. II, SEC. 7(A), IN VIOLATION OF R.C.
4705.01, SUBSTANTIVELY DEFICIENT UNDER R.C. 2945.72(H), AND
WHERE APPELLANT WAS READY TO PROCEED WHILE THE STATE
WAS NOT.
{¶26} Appellant contends that the trial court’s decision to grant a motion for
continuance to the state on October 21, 2025 was an abuse of discretion. The standard
of review of a trial court order granting or denying a continuance is abuse of discretion.
State v. Unger, 67 Ohio St.2d 65, 67 (1981). R.C. 2945.72 provides many reasons why
a trial date may be continued with no violation of a defendant’s speedy trial rights. For
example, a court may grant a continuance on its own motion or based on a motion filed
by the prosecutor. R.C. 2945.72(H). Such a continuance must be reasonable. King at
162. The state filed a motion to continue on October 20, 2025. The reason for the motion
was that the state’s sole witness was unavailable on the trial date. The court’s entry
granting the motion stated that it was being granted for good cause shown, referring to
the prosecutor’s reason for the motion. Appellant has not revealed any abuse of
discretion occurred, here.
{¶27} Appellant’s argument regarding whether a legal intern could file a motion
for continuance was not raised to the trial court and is waived on appeal. Even if Appellant
could raise the argument, Gov.Bar R. II(5) clearly allows an intern to represent the state
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in misdemeanor cases, and file any documents with the court, including pleadings and
motions.
{¶28} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 3
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN DENYING RELIEF
FOR THE STATE’S CONTINUING VIOLATIONS OF CRIM.R. 16 WHERE
FOUNDATIONAL MATERIALS WERE TIMELY REQUESTED, THE
STATE CERTIFIED DISCOVERY WAS COMPLETE, THE WRITTEN
OPERATIONAL POLICIES WERE NEVER PRODUCED, AND
APPELLANT WAS MATERIALLY PREJUDICED.
{¶29} Appellant argues that Appellee violated Crim.R. 16(B) by failing to produce
unspecified written policy manuals regarding the use of radar devices. Appellant filed a
request for discovery on June 12, 2025 that included a request for written policies or
procedures of the agency regarding radar devices. On June 27, 2025 Appellant filed a
motion to dismiss for failure of the state to provide discovery. His motion stated that
discovery had not been provided for four items: radar calibration and maintenance logs,
officer training and certification records, dashcam video footage, and any reports or
evidence intended to be used at trial. On June 30, 2025 the court issued an order setting
the motion to dismiss for hearing on August 26, 2025. At hearing, the state indicated that
discovery had been provided on the four items.
{¶30} Appellant filed a renewed motion to dismiss for discovery violation on
October 24, 2025. In that motion, Appellant alleged the state violated Crim.R. 16(B) by
not providing him with a copy of unspecified operations manuals regarding radar devices.
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Appellant urges that the trial court should have granted either, or both, motions to dismiss
based on the state’s discovery violations.
{¶31} Appellate courts review a trial court’s ruling regarding sanctions for
discovery violations for abuse of discretion. State v. Parson, 6 Ohio St.3d 442, 445
(1983). In addition, “prosecutorial violations of Crim.R. 16 result in reversible error only
when there is a showing that (1) the prosecution's failure to disclose was willful, (2)
disclosure of the information prior to trial would have aided the accused's defense, and
(3) the accused suffered prejudice.” State v. Jackson, 2005-Ohio-5981, ¶ 131.
{¶32} Appellant has not identified any section of Crim.R. 16(B) that would have
required the state to produce an operations manual for an unspecified radar device. Such
a manual is not a police report, lab report, investigative report, criminal record of the
defendant, or a written or recorded statement of the defendant, all of which Appellant
requested. The state provided Appellant with the discovery items listed in his June 27,
2025 motion to dismiss. An operations manual was not mentioned in the motion.
Appellant’s argument as to the state’s alleged failure to follow the rules for admitting
expert evidence are inapplicable, since the state did not intend to offer expert evidence.
Further, Appellant was not prejudiced by the timing of the discovery materials that were
provided, because the date of production was the day of a pre-trial motion hearing and
Appellant had two months to use the discovery material to prepare for trial. Also, there is
no evidence that the manner in which the state provided discovery was in willful violation
of Crim.R. 16, because discovery was provided by the date set by the court to review
Appellant’s discovery request. Appellant has not shown that a discovery violation
occurred, that he was prejudiced by some discovery issue, or that there was reason for
the court to have issued any sanction, much less the sanction of dismissal. Appellant’s
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primary discovery objection was the delay in producing discovery, but because Appellant
signed a waiver of time, he cannot show any prejudice in the alleged delay.
{¶33} Appellant’s third assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 4
THE CONVICTION IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE AND RESTS ON LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
WHERE THE TRIAL COURT FAILED TO PERFORM THE CASE-BY-
CASE EVALUATION MANDATED BY CITY OF BROOK PARK V.
RODOJEV, AND WHERE THE STATE’S OWN WITNESS CREDIBLY
TESTIFIED THAT NO CORROBORATING RECORD OF ANY KIND
EXISTS.
{¶34} Appellant argues his conviction is against both the sufficiency of the
evidence and the manifest weight of the evidence. Sufficiency and manifest weight are
related, but distinct, legal concepts. “Sufficiency of the evidence is a legal question
dealing with adequacy.” State v. Pepin-McCaffrey, 2010-Ohio-617, ¶ 49 (7th Dist.), citing
State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386 (1997). When reviewing a conviction for
sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court does not determine “whether the state's
evidence is to be believed, but whether, if believed, the evidence against a defendant
would support a conviction.” State v. Rucci, 2015-Ohio-1882, ¶ 14 (7th Dist.). “The
testimony of a single witness, if believed by the trier of fact, is sufficient to support a
conviction.” State v. Mock, 2010-Ohio-2747, ¶ 41 (7th Dist.).
{¶35} Weight of the evidence concerns “the inclination of the greater amount of
credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather than the other.”
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(Emphasis deleted.) Thompkins at 387. Under a manifest weight review, the appellate
court reviews the entire record, weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences,
considers the credibility of witnesses, and determines whether, in resolving conflicts in
the evidence the judge acting as the trier of fact in a bench trial clearly lost its way and
created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed. State
v. Lang, 2011-Ohio-4215, ¶ 220. “[T]he weight to be given the evidence and the credibility
of the witnesses are primarily for the trier of the facts.” State v. Hunter, 2011-Ohio-6524,
¶ 118, quoting State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 (1967), paragraph one of the
syllabus.
{¶36} Generally, radar and other speed-measuring devices are deemed
sufficiently reliable to forego the need for expert testimony to establish the scientific
reliability of the devices at trial. City of Brook Park v. Rodojev, 2020-Ohio-3253, syllabus.
{¶37} The issue at trial in this case was whether Appellant was driving in excess
of 70 m.p.h. on the highway in violation of R.C. 4511.21(D)(4). The trial court heard
evidence from Sgt. Murphy that he measured Appellant’s speed at 86 m.p.h. using a BEE
IIIK radar device, that he was trained in using the device, and he had certifications
showing that he was trained. Additionally, the state produced evidence that the radar
device was properly calibrated and in working order on the day the citation was issued.
Appellant offered no evidence in rebuttal. The record clearly contains sufficient evidence
to convict Appellant of speeding and is likewise not against the manifest weight of the
evidence.
{¶38} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
Case No. 25 CO 0050
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 5
THE TRIAL COURT DENIED APPELLANT DUE PROCESS BY
DECLARING PROPERLY FILED MOTIONS NON-EXISTENT FOR
PURPOSES OF HEARING THEM WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY
CREDITING THOSE MOTIONS’ RENEWALS AS INDEFINITE TOLLING
EVENTS.
{¶39} This assignment of error is something of an extension of Appellant’s first
assignment of error regarding speedy trial. Appellant believes that the trial court
contradicted itself by declaring that Appellant did not file a motion to dismiss for speedy
trial on June 27, 2025, but then treated the document that Appellant did file (captioned as
an “affidavit”) as a tolling event for speedy trial purposes. Appellant believes this
“contradiction” constitutes reversible error.
{¶40} Appellant filed a motion on July 18, 2025 asking the court to hold an
immediate hearing on three motions: a motion to dismiss for speedy trial violations; a
motion to dismiss for failure to provide discovery; and a motion to exclude evidence. All
outstanding motions were heard on August 26, 2025. It became clear at the hearing that
Appellant had actually filed only one motion, a motion to dismiss for discovery violations,
and that Appellant was confused about his other filings. The fact that Appellant was
confused and did not file any other actual motions did not allow the court to simply ignore
the July 18, 2025 demand for a hearing, a demand that alleged three pending motions
were outstanding. The record, confusingly, contains information about non-existent
motions, but this is entirely Appellant’s fault and cannot support his contention as to trial
court error. Under the invited error doctrine, a party cannot use an error the party himself
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has created as a basis for establishing reversible error on appeal. State v. McKee, 2004-
Ohio-6370, ¶ 18 (7th Dist.).
{¶41} More importantly, whether or not a document filed on June 27, 2025 was a
tolling event for speedy trial purposes is irrelevant, because as earlier discussed,
Appellant signed a written waiver of time that was not revoked. No tolling timeline
calculation needs to be conducted. His waiver of time is retroactive to the date the citation
was filed. Mack, 2025-Ohio-4812, at ¶ 97.
{¶42} Appellant’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 6
THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THE FOREGOING ERRORS DEPRIVED
APPELLANT OF A FAIR TRIAL AND A RELIABLE ADJUDICATION OF
THE CHARGED OFFENSE, REQUIRING REVERSAL.
{¶43} Appellant claims that cumulative error occurred at trial, and his case should
be reversed or dismissed on that basis. In an appeal where multiple trial errors are found,
but the errors individually do not rise to the level of reversible, a defendant may argue
that cumulative error has occurred. Under this doctrine, “a conviction will be reversed
where the cumulative effect of errors in a trial deprives a defendant of the constitutional
right to a fair trial even though each of numerous instances of trial court error does not
individually constitute cause for reversal. The doctrine is not applicable to the case at bar
as we do not find multiple instances of harmless error.” State v. Garner, 74 Ohio St.3d
49, 64 (1995). As no errors are found in this appeal, the doctrine of cumulative error is
patently inapplicable.
{¶44} Appellant’s sixth assignment of error is overruled.
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Conclusion
{¶45} Appellant raises six assignments of error in appeal of a minor misdemeanor
conviction on a speeding citation. Appellant alleges there were statutory speedy trial
violations, but he signed a waiver of speedy trial that negates this argument. He objects
to a continuance of trial granted to the state, but has not shown how the continuance
amounted to an abuse of discretion. He argues a variety of issues regarding discovery.
The record shows the state provided all discovery materials it planned to use at trial in a
timely manner, and that Appellant cannot show prejudice in discovery. His arguments
regarding the sufficiency and weight of the evidence are likewise not supported by the
record. Finally, as our review shows the trial court committed no errors, cumulative error
clearly does not exist. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Hanni, J. concurs.
Dickey, J. concurs.
Case No. 25 CO 0050
[Cite as State v. Davis, 2026-Ohio-2993.]
For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, Appellant’s assignments of
error are overruled and it is the final judgment and order of this Court that the judgment
of the Columbiana County Municipal Court of Columbiana County, Ohio, is affirmed.
Costs to be taxed against the Appellant.
A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate in
this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that a
certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into execution.
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
This document constitutes a final judgment entry.