State v. Flow
Citation203 N.E.3d 201, 2022 Ohio 4416
Date Filed2022-12-09
DocketL-21-1212
JudgeDuhart
Cited3 times
StatusPublished
Syllabus
Remanding the case for proper sentencing under Reagan Tokes. Affirming trial court's decision to allow Evid.R. 404(B) evidence relating to appellant's membership in a gang. Affirming convictions for felony murder, aggravated robbery and felonious assault as supported by sufficient evidence and by the manifest weight of the evidence.
Full Opinion (html_with_citations)
[Cite as State v. Flow,2022-Ohio-4416
.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICTW
LUCAS COUNTY
State of Ohio Court of Appeals No. L-21-1212
Appellee/Cross-Appellant Trial Court No. CR0202001605
v.
Secarr Flow DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Appellant/Cross-Appellee Decided: December 9, 2022
*****
Julia R. Bates, LucasCounty Prosecuting Attorney, and
Evy M. Jarrett, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.
Lawrence A. Gold, for appellant.
*****
DUHART, P.J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, Secarr Flow, appeals from a judgment entered by the Lucas
County Court of Common Please, sentencing him for one count of complicity in the
commission of murder and for two counts of complicity in the commission of felonious
assault. Appellee, the State of Ohio, filed a cross-appeal from the same judgment. For
the reasons that follow, we affirm in part and reverse in part the judgment of the trial
court. We remand the case to the trial court so that a minimum and maximum term can
be imposed for the second count of felonious assault in accordance with R.C.
2929.14(A)(2) and so that an aggregate sentencing range can be determined and imposed
by the trial court in accordance with R.C. 2929.144.
Statement of the Case
{¶ 2} Appellant was one of three people who were accused of planning and
executing an armed robbery of a man who sold marijuana. The armed robbery took place
on July 9, 2019, while the seller (âSellerâ) was seated in a car, along with the driver
(âDriverâ) and the driverâs boyfriend (âBoyfriendâ). Although Seller was not injured,
both of his companions were shot, resulting in the partial paralysis of Driver and the
death of Boyfriend.
Indictments
{¶ 3} On April 16, 2020, appellant was indicted on a charge of murder in violation
of R.C. 2903.02(A) and 2929.02, and on an alternative charge of murder in violation of
R.C. 2903.02(B) and 2929.02. He was also charged with one count of aggravated
robbery in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1) and (C), and with three counts of felonious
assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2) and (D). All of the charges carried a firearm
specification pursuant to R.C. 2941.145(A), (B), (C), and (F). Lastly, appellant was
charged with one count of participating in a criminal gang in violation of R.C.
2923.42(A) and (B).
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{¶ 4} Dai Johntae King was also charged with crimes related to the incident, and
the charges against both men were tried together. The third individual who was involved
in the offenses, âJuvenile B.M.,â was the subject of juvenile court proceedings, and he
testified for the state at the trial for the other two defendants.
Consolidation and severance of the gang participation charge
{¶ 5} Appellant moved to sever the gang participation charge from the other
charges, a few weeks before trial. On the morning of trial, just prior to jury selection, the
trial court granted the motion, concluding that joinder was not appropriate pursuant to
Crim.R. 8(A). The court observed that the felonious assault and murder charges arose
from a single incident that took place on July 9, 2019, while the gang participation charge
involved activity alleged to have taken place over the course of a five-year period,
beginning on April 16, 2015 and ending on April 16, 2020. The court found no evidence
that the gang charge met the requirements of Crim.R. 8(A) for joinder with the remaining
charges related to the July 9, 2019 shooting.
Objections and ruling on gang evidence
{¶ 6} Immediately after severing the gang charge, the trial court clarified to
counsel that the severance did ânot mean that any and all testimony regarding gang
affiliation or gang activity [would be] summarily barred from presentation throughout the
course of [the] trial,â and that âgang affiliation can be relevant in cases in which the
interrelationship between people is a central issue.â The trial court stated that any
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objections to gang testimony would be addressed as they arose over the course of the
trial.
{¶ 7} Appellantâs counsel raised the first such objection during the stateâs
examination of Juvenile B.M., when the prosecutor asked Juvenile B.M. whether he,
appellant, and a third individual, Davion Johnson, belonged to the same group, and what
group that was. The basis for the objection was that evidence related to gangs was
âpropensity evidenceâ whose prejudicial effect would outweigh any probative value.
{¶ 8} A lengthy discussion about the admissibility of such evidence ensued, with
the prosecutor stating that she had purposely used the generic term âgroup,â rather than
âgang,â during her questioning of the witness, and that she intended to ask the witness to
identify King and appellantâs social media profiles without any reference to gang
affiliation in order to show the connections among appellant, King, and Juvenile B.M.
The prosecutor also said that she intended to ask Detective Nicholas Bocik of the Toledo
Police gang task force about the association of the three young men and to introduce
evidence of their social media posts in order to corroborate certain testimony by Seller.
Finally, the prosecutor said that testimony regarding the recovery of a firearm linked to
the charged crimes would involve testimony about the relationship between appellant and
King with Davion Johnson and a fourth individual, Tyon Hughes. The prosecutor stated
that she did not intend to offer evidence of prior convictions or other prior criminal acts,
except for some information regarding a shooting at the home of appellantâs mother.
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{¶ 9} The trial court concluded that the proposed evidence of gang association was
relevant to show a relationship between the defendants, to provide background
information in order to explain how the witness and the defendants knew each other, and
to provide context regarding the defendantsâ role in committing the crimes. The gang
evidence was also determined to be relevant to show a common purpose in connection
with appellantâs prosecution under a complicity theory. The court then found that the
evidence was not unduly prejudicial, and that any prejudicial effect had been minimized
by severance of the gang charge. The court ruled that the prosecution could not introduce
evidence regarding prior convictions of appellant or King unless they testified. In
addition, the state would not be permitted to introduce expert testimony regarding the
specifics of the gang in question -- namely, âSG the Familyâ -- âor any other evidence
designated for purposes of proving the participating in a criminal gang.â However, the
court said that a detective with the gang task force would be permitted to testify that SG
the Family is a known criminal street gang.
{¶ 10} Appellantâs counsel renewed his objection to all testimony related to âSG
the Familyâ before the detective testified. He also objected to one of the photos that
Kingâs attorney sought to introduce, depicting Kingâs bare torso, on the grounds that the
tattoos that were visible in the photo could be used as a factor suggestive of gang activity.
The state acknowledged that the gang task force detective might testify that tattoos could
sometimes be indicators of gang membership, and that some of the tattoos might be a
method by which Detective Bocik identified appellant as a member of SG the Family.
5
However, the prosecutor said that the state did not intend to introduce photos of gang-
related tattoos.
Acquittal of the gang charge
{¶ 11} Appellant waived his right to a jury trial with respect to the gang charge.
Although the trial transcript does not include the transcript of the bench trial, the court
apparently heard the evidence related to the gang charge while the jury deliberated on the
remaining charges. The court announced at sentencing appellantâs acquittal of the gang
participation charge.
Convictions
{¶ 12} Appellant was convicted on one count of complicity in the commission of
murder in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A) and R.C. 2903.02(B) (felony murder), one count
of complicity in the commission of aggravated robbery, and three counts of complicity in
the commission of felonious assault. All of the counts carried three-year firearm
specifications.
Sentencing
{¶ 13} At sentencing, the trial court treated the conviction for complicity in the
commission of aggravated robbery and one conviction for complicity in the commission
of felonious assault as merged into the count for complicity in the commission of murder.
The state elected to proceed to sentencing on the count of complicity to murder.
{¶ 14} The court sentenced appellant to 15 years to life for the murder charge. For
the charge of felonious assault of Driver, the court imposed a minimum term of eight
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years with a maximum term of 12 years. For the charge of felonious assault of Seller, the
court imposed a term of four years. The court also imposed the applicable three-year
terms for each of the firearm specifications.
Statement of the Facts
{¶ 15} Evidence of the following was adduced at trial.
The shooting
{¶ 16} On July 9, 2019, Driver was with Boyfriend when Boyfriendâs friend,
Seller, wanted to go make a sale. Although Seller did not mention what he intended to
sell, Driver drove Boyfriend and Seller, in Driverâs white Impala, to the address where
the sale was arranged to take place. When they arrived at their destination, Driver
stopped the car. She had not yet put the car in park, when she looked over to the right
rear passenger window and saw that one man had a gun pointed toward the back of
Boyfriendâs head, while another man had a gun pointed at her.
{¶ 17} Seller initially said, â[I]tâs cool, itâs cool, I know them.â But then he said,
â[G]o, just go.â When Driver hit the gas, she heard a gunshot and realized that she had
been hit. The car was still moving, but it began to slow as her legs gradually went numb.
She saw that Boyfriend had a bullet hole in his neck. She started to scream, and the car
came to a stop because she could not move her legs. Seller got out of the back seat,
pushed Driver over into Boyfriendâs lap, and drove the car to the hospital.
{¶ 18} The bullet lodged in Driverâs left flank area and caused her to be paralyzed
from the hips down. Although she had begun to regain some movement at the time of
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trial, she testified that she remained completely paralyzed from the knees down and was
in constant pain due to her injuries.
{¶ 19} A bullet entered the far right side of Boyfriendâs neck and exited under the
left side of his jaw. He suffered a fracture of the C-2 vertebra, which paralyzed him,
leaving him incapable of breathing on his own or controlling his bowel or bladder
functions. On February 11, 2020, he died as a result of complications from the gunshot
wound.
{¶ 20} Driver could not remember the faces of the gunmen, but she said that she
recalled that they had dreadlocks tipped in a gold color. Because both men had dark skin,
she said they looked to her like âtwins.â
{¶ 21} Driver was experienced with guns and said that the shots sounded like a
â40 or a 45.â She thought that bullet that struck her was the same one that had struck her
boyfriend.
The 911 call
{¶ 22} On July 9, 2019, at 8:55, witness Chris Schlachter called 911 and reported
that shots had been fired on the 1600 block of Lawnview. He said that two young black
males, about 16 to 20 years old, had approached a white car, after which Schlachter heard
âbang-bang-bang.â Both males carried handguns, and Schlachter saw one of them pick a
gun up off of the ground. One of the suspects was wearing jeans and maybe a bandana,
and one was not wearing a shirt. Schlachter had seen the two young men earlier as they
were walking down the street.
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Crime scene investigation
{¶ 23} Officers responding to the 911 call located a bag of marijuana and a spent
shell casing between the sidewalk and curb area in front of 1602 Lawnview. They also
procured a Ring doorbell video from neighboring 1526 Lawnview, which is located just
south of 1602 Lawnview. The video depicted a black male with a short, flat-top hairstyle
stepping in front of 1526 Lawnview and then immediately stepping out of view of the
camera. The video also depicted two individuals working in the front yard of a house
across the street.
Investigation of the car
{¶ 24} While responding officers were still at the scene of the shooting, an officer
at Toledo Hospital called to report a walk-in patient with a gunshot wound. Officers
arrived at the hospital and saw a white Impala parked outside the ER. The car had a
broken window, an open door, and blood âcoming from the vehicle.â Officers spoke
briefly with Seller, who had driven the Impala to the hospital with two injured and
unconscious passengers inside.
{¶ 25} After securing the car, police discovered that the Impala had a bullet defect
in the driverâs side rear bumper, in an area below the taillight. The defectâs circular
shape suggested a gunshot straight into the vehicle from behind. Paint was still clinging
to the edges of the defect, even though paint is typically fragile. A bullet was recovered
from the inside of trunk, near the area of the taillight.
9
{¶ 26} Another defect, low on the driverâs side door, appeared to have been
caused by a bullet ricochet. There was no rust around the defect, despite the fact that rust
develops rapidly, often in as little as a day or two.
{¶ 27} Still another bullet had traveled from outside, through the passengerâs side
C-pillar, located at the rear of the passenger compartment, and into the passenger
compartment of the vehicle. Once inside, the bullet crossed in front of the rear driverâs
side seat, and finally lodged in the adjacent shoulder harness assembly. According to
Toledo Police Detective Jeffrey Jackson, anyone seated in a normal position when the
shot was fired most likely would have been struck.
{¶ 28} The passengerâs side of the vehicle was processed for palm prints and
fingerprints, and most of the usable prints were identified as belonging to Seller. King
was eliminated as the source of palm prints, and several other prints were insufficient for
comparison.
The Schlachtersâ trial testimony
{¶ 29} Teenage witness Harrison Schlachter testified that he was positioned across
from the stopped car, mowing the front yard of a house, when he looked up and saw two
men pointing handguns at the car. He said that both males were African American, and
that they were probably in their teens or early 20âs. He heard two or more shots, but
could not be sure whether it was one or both men who fired them. Following the
shooting, the men ran off âbetween the houses.â
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{¶ 30} Harrisonâs father, Christopher Schlachter, was in the driveway of 1525
Lawnview when he saw a car pull up and saw two males walk over to it. He said that
earlier that evening he had passed the two men on the sidewalk, one block away. He
heard three or four shots, which he initially thought might have been fireworks, and then
he saw a man reach down and pick up a gun before running off. He said that both men
were younger black males. He thought that one of the men might have worn a bandana
or âsomethingâ on his head.
Sellerâs trial testimony
{¶ 31} Seller testified that he had sold marijuana four or five times to appellant,
whom Seller knew as âScrew.â Appellant called Seller on July 9 and asked to buy seven
grams of marijuana, but at the time Seller only had a couple of grams left to sell. After
three phone calls, Seller agreed to sell the marijuana he did have. The sale was initially
supposed to take place at Oakwood Gardens, but then appellant told Seller to come to
appellantâs grandmotherâs house on Lawnview, which had been a previous location for
sales between the two. Seller was with Driver and Driverâs boyfriend. They all got into
Driverâs white Impala to take Seller the location of the sale. Seller was seated in the car
behind Driver, and Seller believed the window on his side of the car was closed. The
right rear passengerâs side window was open.
{¶ 32} When the car pulled up, Seller saw two young black males on the sidewalk.
They walked up to the car, both meeting at the back window on the passengerâs side.
One man was skinny and the other was shorter and âa little more built.â The taller one
11
had some little dreadlocks and the other had a âcut,â but not a lot of hair. The taller man
had a Hi-Point firearm, maybe a 9mm, and the shorter man, King, had a 40 caliber gun
with a beam on it.
{¶ 33} One of the men said â[G]ive me everything,â and Seller threw a bag of
weed, saying âHere, you can have this.â When the man then said, ârun your pockets,â
Seller told the driver to âpull off.â Seller saw a green beam from a gun âacross [his]
eye,â and he ducked as the shooting started. Seller said that the shorter man, King, fired
the first shot, but that the other man also fired his gun.
{¶ 34} Seller testified that when he spoke with police at the hospital, he did not
admit that he went to Lawnview to sell marijuana, and he did not identify appellant as the
intended purchaser. Instead, Seller made up a story that he and his companions had
pulled to the side of the road to look for an address, when two guys came up to rob them.
Seller said that he initially lied to police because he intended to take revenge for the
incident himself. When he subsequently realized that investigators had other information
about the crime, he gave the detective the phone number that appellant used to contact
him. He also provided the detective with a photo depicting appellant and King. Seller
had found the photo on Facebook and had given it to his âpeopleâ for purposes of getting
revenge. When asked to review a photo array, Seller identified King.
Juvenile B.M.âs testimony
{¶ 35} Juvenile B.M. testified that he is in the custody of the Department of Youth
Services until he turns 21, as a result of adjudications on delinquency complaints for
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murder, felonious assault, robbery, and three firearm specifications, all related to the
events of July 9, 2019. He admitted to committing the offenses in exchange for an
agreement that the state would not pursue certification of him for prosecution as an adult.
He identified the proffer agreement and testified that he was obligated to tell the truth and
that any lies could result in the proffer being used against him at a trial or other hearing.
{¶ 36} Juvenile B.M. said he knew King as âDailow,â and that King âused to
always like just be around.â Juvenile B.M. identified appellant as his cousin, and said
that their grandmother lives at 1602 Lawnview. Another cousin, known to Juvenile B.M.
as âBigLoyal Bang,â introduced Juvenile B.M. to King. According to Juvenile B.M.,
they all hung out together and they all belonged to the same group, known as âSG the
Family.â Juvenile B.M. identified his own Facebook profile along with that belonging to
King, and another belonging to appellant. Kingâs used the profile name âDailow
Staylow,â and appellant used the profile name, âScrewedup Nutz.â Juvenile B.M.
described his relationship with appellant as âvery close.â
{¶ 37} Juvenile B.M. met King in 2019, and he stated that they had been around
each other âten or more times.â On July 9, 2019, Juvenile B.M., King, and appellant had
played basketball together. Eventually, appellant decided that he wanted some weed.
None of them had money, but appellant said that he knew somebody they could rob who
would not have a gun or âa lot of people.â Juvenile B.M. testified that appellant gave
him a 9mm gun with a laser. King already had a Hi-Point 40, which Juvenile B.M. had
seen before.
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{¶ 38} According to Juvenile B.M., appellant handed his phone over to King, and
then Juvenile B.M. and King went into the back yard to wait for Sellerâs arrival while
appellant waited around the corner. When the Seller called appellantâs phone, Juvenile
B.M. and King walked up to the car. Juvenile B.M. first walked up to the carâs driverâs
side, and then went around to rear window of the passenger side, where he met King.
Both he and King put their guns in the window, at which point the man in the back seat
âjust automatically threw the weed out the window.â The car started pulling off and then
King started shooting. Juvenile B.M. denied firing his gun. He said that he and King ran
toward the area where appellant was parked and waiting, but that as King started to run,
he lost a slip-on shoe. Juvenile B.M. picked up the shoe. Juvenile B.M. met up with
appellant at his car and got in. Appellant dropped him off, and Juvenile B.M. left the
9mm gun in the car when he got out.
{¶ 39} Juvenile B.M. admitted that he had spent the previous day with appellant
and King, and that they had run from police. His brother had given him a gun, which he
tossed away as they ran.
{¶ 40} Juvenile B.M. identified King in a photo array, as well as in a photo with
BigLoyal Bang. Juvenile B.M. also identified himself as appearing in the neighborâs
Ring video recording. He acknowledged that his hair was standing high in the video
because he had some âtwistiesâ in it.
Recovery of the firearm
14
{¶ 41} Sergeant Ryan Babcock testified that on August 9, 2019, he was asked to
locate Davion Johnson and Tyon Hughes in a silver Dodge Avenger, because the two
men were suspected of planning to commit a shooting from the vehicle. Sergeant
Babcock and his partner made a traffic stop of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle
were very nervous, and one kept looking at the floor as his chest heaved. When the
driver, Davion Johnson, was removed from the car, a 9mm Taurus firearm fell to the
ground. A Hi-Point pistol was subsequently discovered under Tyon Hughesâ seat.
Comparison of casings and projectiles to the firearm
{¶ 42} The shell casing that was recovered at the scene of the shooting was
compared to the Hi-Point model JCP 40 caliber pistol that was retrieved from under
Hughesâ seat, and firearms examiner David Cogan concluded that the casing was, in fact,
fired from the same High-Point pistol. Although both the projectile recovered from the
shoulder belt assembly and the projectile retrieved from Driverâs body had rifling
characteristics consistent with a Hi-Point model JCP 40 caliber pistol, it was determined
that neither was fired from the gun that was found beneath Hughesâ seat. The projectile
removed from the trunk was also not fired from the gun associated with Hughes. That
projectile was consistent with a 9 millimeter or 357 caliber projectile.
{¶ 43} The projectile removed from Driverâs body was compared to the projectile
recovered from the shoulder belt assembly, and it was determined to be âinconclusiveâ as
to whether they were fired from the same firearm. The projectile removed from Driverâs
body was also compared to the projectile that was removed from the trunk, and it was
15
determined that those two projectiles were not fired from the same firearm. Based on the
totality of his findings, Cogan concluded that âmost likelyâ two 40-caliber guns were
used at the scene.
Sellerâs pretrial interviews
{¶ 44} Sergeant Roy Kennedy testified that he and Detective Danielle Mooney
first interviewed Seller on the date of the incident. Soon after, Sellerâs father contacted
Detective Mooney and provided her with a photo of appellant and King. Detective
Mooney immediately recognized appellant in the photo. Members of the gang task force
assisted her in identifying King.
{¶ 45} During the second interview with Seller, which took place on July 18,
2019, Seller provided Detective Mooney with appellantâs phone number. Detective
Mooney was subsequently able to verify several contacts between Sellerâs phone and
appellantâs phone that had been made on July 9, 2019. In addition, Seller viewed a photo
array and identified King.
{¶ 46} In February 2020, Seller did not identify Juvenile B.M. when presented
with a folder line-up.
SG the Family
{¶ 47} Detective Bocik testified that he investigated SG the Family, a Toledo gang
with approximately 20 members. As part of that investigation Detective Bocik learned
that King was associated with appellant, Juvenile B.M., Davion âBigLoyal Bangâ
Johnson, and Tyon Hughes, through SG the Family.
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{¶ 48} Detective Bockik said that Juvenile B.M. posted a picture on his Facebook
page captioned âhashtag LLB free my brotha.â A video posted on Juvenile B.M.âs
account depicted himself, appellant, and King.
{¶ 49} Kingâs Facebook page, âDailow Staylow,â included a photo of himself
making a sign with his hand while wearing an SG the Family shirt and a red bandana.
Davion Johnson was also depicted in the photo. Another photo depicted appellant, King,
and Johnson at 539 East Stryker, an address associated with both Johnson and Hughes.
{¶ 50} Appellantâs Facebook page, âScrewedup Nutz,â included a photo of
appellant with King, Johnson, and Hughes. Another post depicted a flier for a concert
with SG the Family as the presenting artist, and the photo on the flier depicted King,
appellant, Johnson, and Hughes. Finally, a still photo of a posted video depicted Juvenile
B.M., appellant, King, and Johnson.
Assignments of Error
{¶ 51} Appellant asserts the following assignments of error on appeal:
I. The trial courtâs judgment entry does not comply with the requirements
of R.C. 2929.144(A)(B)(2) under the Reagan Tokes Act.
II. The trial court abused its discretion and erred to the prejudice of
Appellant by allowing the State to introduce 404(B) evidence of
Appellantâs alleged participation in a criminal gang.
III. The trial court erred in denying Appellantâs Crim.R. 29 motion.
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IV. The juryâs verdict was against the manifest weight of the evidence
presented at trial.
Analysis
{¶ 52} Appellant argues in his first assignment of error that the trial courtâs
judgment entry does not comply with the requirements of R.C. 2929.144(B)(2) under the
Reagan Tokes Law. The Reagan Tokes Law provides that a sentence for a felony of the
second degree âshall be an indefinite prison term with a stated minimum term selected by
the court of two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight years and a maximum term that is
determined pursuant to section 2929.144 of the Revised Code,â except when the statute
defining the offense requires a different minimum term. R.C. 2929.14(A)(2). When the
court imposes a sentence for more than one felony:
* * * the court shall add all of the minimum terms imposed on the offender
under division (A)(1)(a) or (2)(a) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code
for a qualifying felony of the first or second degree that are to be served
consecutively and all of the definite terms of the felonies that are not
qualifying felonies of the first or second degree that are to be served
consecutively, and the maximum term shall be equal to the total of those
terms so added by the court plus fifty per cent of the longest minimum term
or definite terms for the most serious felony being sentenced.
R.C. 2929.144(B)(2).
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{¶ 53} In the instant case, appellant was convicted for two counts of felonious
assault, both second degree felony offenses which are subject to the provisions of the
Reagan Tokes Law. For one of those convictions, the trial court properly imposed a
minimum term of eight years up to a maximum of 12 years. For the second conviction,
however, the court imposed a flat term of four years. As R.C. 2929.14(A)(2) requires
imposition of a minimum and a maximum term for a felony of the second degree
committed after the effective date of the Reagan Tokes Law, this matter will be remanded
to correct appellantâs sentence in accordance with the statute.
{¶ 54} Appellant points out that the trial court failed to include in its original
sentencing entry an aggregate minimum and maximum sentencing range. Pursuant to
R.C. 2929.144(B)(2), a sentencing court must first add all of the consecutively imposed
terms, in order to determine the aggregate minimum term, and then it must compute the
maximum aggregate term. State v. Martinez, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-21-1020, 2021-Ohio-
3994, ¶ 33-36. R.C. 2929.144(C) provides that the stated minimum term and the
calculated maximum term must be imposed at sentencing and, further, must be included
in the sentencing entry. See Martinez at ¶ 37-38 (case remanded so aggregate sentencing
range could be determined and imposed by the trial court); State v. Searles, 2022-Ohio-
858, 186 N.E.3d 328 (2d Dist.) (holding that both the stated minimum term and the
calculated maximum term must be included in the sentencing entry).
{¶ 55} Because the record reflects that the trial court failed to sentence appellant
in accordance with R.C. 2929.14(A)(2) with respect to one of the two counts of felonious
19
assault, and because the sentencing entry failed to include a stated minimum and
calculated maximum term in accordance with R.C. 2929.144(C), we find appellantâs first
assignment of error well-taken. 1
{¶ 56} Appellant argues in his second assignment of error that the trial court
abused its discretion and erred to the prejudice of appellant by allowing the state to
introduce evidence of appellantâs participation in a gang. Specifically, appellant alleges:
(1) that the state failed to provide notice of its intent to use such evidence under Evid. R.
404(B); and (2) that the trial court erred in admitting the evidence, after it had previously
ruled that gang-related evidence was, by its very nature, unfairly prejudicial to appellant.
{¶ 57} Admission of evidence rests within the sound discretion of the trial court,
and a reviewing court will not reverse absent an abuse of discretion. State v. Conway,
109 Ohio St.3d 412,2006-Ohio-2815
,848 N.E.2d 810, ¶ 62
, citing State v. Issa,93 Ohio St.3d 49, 64
,752 N.E.2d 904
(2001). An abuse of discretion implies that the courtâs attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. State v. Adams,62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157
,404 N.E.2d 144
(1980). âWhen applying the abuse of discretion standard, a reviewing court is not free to merely substitute its judgment for that of the trial court.â In re Jane Doe 1,57 Ohio St.3d 135, 137-138
,566 N.E.2d 1181
(1991).
1
The state asserts in its brief that its cross-appeal âwas intended to raise the same issueâ
that was asserted in appellantâs first assignment of error and that it incorporated by
reference into the cross-appeal the stateâs analysis of appellantâs first assignment of error.
In light of our decision with respect to appellantâs first assignment of error, we find
appelleeâs cross-appeal to be well taken.
20
{¶ 58} Evid. R. 404 addresses the use of evidenced of other crimes, wrongs or
acts. Although other acts evidence is inadmissible to show a defendantâs allegedly bad
character, such evidence âmay be admissible for another purpose, such as proving
motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or
lack of intent.â Evid.R. 404(B).
{¶ 59} Evid. R. 404 requires that the proponent of other acts evidence provide
reasonable notice in advance of trial, or during trial if the court excuses the lack of
pretrial notice for good cause. Evid.R. 404(B)(2). The purpose of the notice provision is
to prevent unfair surprise. See State v. Plevyak, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2013-T-0051,
2014-Ohio-2889, ¶ 22. âWhether notice is âreasonableâ will depend on the facts and
circumstances of each case.â Id. at 19. In addition, absent a showing of bad faith, the
notice provision of Evid.R. 404 should not be construed to exclude otherwise relevant
and admissible evidence solely because of a lack of notice. Id. at ¶ 21.
{¶ 60} In the instant case, appellant observes that there is nothing in the record to
indicate either that defense counsel had reasonable pretrial notice of the stateâs intention
to introduce evidence of appellantâs association with a gang or that the trial court excused
the lack of such notice. As explanation for this apparent failure, the state argues that
because the gang participation charge -- pursuant to which the gang-related evidence
would have been admitted -- was part of the indictment scheduled for trial, and because
the motion to sever was not granted until the first day of trial, the need to provide notice
in advance of trial was simply not expected in this case. Given the unique circumstances
21
with which the prosecution was faced, we are not prepared to find that the stateâs failure
to provide pretrial notice of its intent to use Evid.R. 404(B) evidence was the result of
bad faith. In addition, because appellantâs counsel was fully aware of the gang
participation charge, as indicated by the indictment and by discovery, appellant cannot
demonstrate either unfair surprise or prejudice resulting from the lack of notice. Any
error resulting from the alleged failure was harmless and, thus, does not constitute
grounds for reversal. See Plevyak; see also State v. Stuits, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-18-
1036, 2019-Ohio-657, ¶ 42-45.
{¶ 61} Next, we turn to appellantâs claim that the trial court abused its discretion
by allowing into evidence references to appellantâs membership in âSG the Family,â and
that admission of such evidence violated Evid.R. 404(B). The basis of appellantâs
claimed error is his contention that âthe court had previously ruled that gang-related
evidence was, by its very nature, unfairly prejudicial to Appellant.â In fact, the trial court
had previously ruled only that the gang participation charge was not properly joined to
the remaining claims.
{¶ 62} Ohioâs gang participation charge requires proof of a gangâs âpattern of
criminal gang activity,â which, in turn, requires a demonstration of certain crimes
committed within a certain timeframe. See R.C. 2923.42; R.C. 2923.41(A) and (B). In
ruling on the severance issue, the trial court looked first to Crim.R. 8(A), which requires
for joinder either charges of similar character or some connection between the charges.
Specifically, Crim.R. 8(A) provides:
22
Two or more offenses may be charged in the same indictment, information
or complaint in a separate count for each offense if the offenses charged,
whether felonies or misdemeanors or both, are of the same or similar
character, or are based on the same act or transaction, or are based on two
or more acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a
common scheme or plan, or are part of a course of criminal conduct.
The trial court found that the state did not demonstrate that the gang participation
charge met the requirements for joinder with the remaining charges, stating:
In the first six counts of the indictment we have one incident, one date, a
course of events that happened in what is described as a short period of
time, a plan to commit a robbery is hatched. A robbery is committed. That
robbery led to a shooting which ends in a death and an injured victim, and
the alleged shooter and his conspirators fleeing. * * * This all occurred on
July 9th of 2019.
Conversely, Count 7 of the indictment, the charge of participating in a
criminal gang, includes a 5-year time span, stretches from April 16th, 2015
through April 16 of 2020 and seeks to prove the active gang participation of
defendants Secarr Flow and DaiâJontae King. * * * There has been no
evidence presented to the court that the gang charge is of the same or
similar nature to the murder, aggravated robbery, or felonious assault
charged. Thereâs nothing contained in the stateâs brief to indicate so,
23
thereâs been no testimony proffered from any of the stateâs witnesses
indicating as such. Thereâs been no evidence presented to this court that
the offenses are connected or constitute part of a common scheme or plan,
nor has the court heard any evidence that these charges are part of a course
of criminal conduct. There is nothing in the record to indicate that the
defendantsâ alleged active gang participation was connected to the alleged
robbery, murder, and felonious assault that occurred on July 9th of 2019.
Iâve heard nothing to indicate that this was done in the furtherance of a
criminal gang, that any proceeds went back to support the criminal gang,
that the targets of this robbery were rival gang members, or that they were
encroaching on the defendantâs gang territory. The connection here is
missing and has not been articulated for the record.
Thus, the trial court held only that joinder was improper under Crim.R. 8(A), and not that
evidence related to gang affiliation was so prejudicial as to be excluded under all
circumstances.
{¶ 63} When, during the trial, the court actually considered the prejudicial impact
of gang references, it arrived at the conclusion that some evidence of gang affiliation was
suitable to explain motive and the relationships of the defendants with other individuals.
Specifically, the court ruled:
So the State of Ohio will be permitted to make limited reference to the SG
organization as that information relates to relationships between various
24
characters involved in events involved in the instant matter and to show
what it believes to be a motive for committing the crimes alleged in the
indictment or a common scheme or plan. The state may utilize whatever
evidence it deems appropriate to do so, but subject to review via objections
by defendants during the course of trial. The state will not be permitted to
introduce evidence to a jury regarding prior convictions of either defendant
unless either defendant chooses to testify or other alleged members of the
SG the Family gang or the SG organization. Certainly that does not include
[Juvenile B.M.] as he is currently testifying. The state will also not be
permitted to introduce any expert testimony regarding the specifics of this
organization or any other evidence specifically designated for purposes of
proving the participating in a criminal gang.
Thus, as required by the trial courtâs ruling, references to gang membership were limited
at trial to proof of the relationships between appellant, King, Juvenile B.M., Johnson, and
Hughes.
{¶ 64} The Supreme Court of Ohio, in State v. Williams, 134 Ohio St.3d 521,983 N.E.2d 1278
,2012-Ohio-5695
, has provided a three-step analysis for determining
whether other acts evidence is admissible. Id. at ¶ 19. âThe first step is to consider
whether the other acts evidence is relevant to making any fact that is of consequence to
the determination of the action more or less probable than it would be without the
evidence.â Id. at ¶ 20, citing Evid. R. 401. The second step is to âconsider whether
25
evidence of the other crimes, wrongs, or acts is presented to prove the character of the
accused in order to show activity in conformity therewith or whether [it] is presented for
a legitimate purpose, such as those stated in Evid.R. 404(B).â Id. The third step is to
consider whether the probative value of the other acts evidence is substantially
outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.â Id., citing Evid.R. 403.
{¶ 65} As to the first step of the Williams test, Ohio courts have held that evidence
of gang affiliation can be relevant and is admissible in cases in which the
interrelationship between people is a central issue. See State v. Bethel, 110 Ohio St.3d
416,2006-Ohio-4853
,854 N.E.2d 150, ¶ 170
; State v. Drummond,111 Ohio St.3d 14
,2006-Ohio-5084
,854 N.E.2d 1038
, ¶ 112. In this case, references to gang membership,
which were limited to proof of the relationships between appellant, King, Juvenile B.M.,
Johnson, and Hughes, were relevant to show connectivity among the individuals who
were involved in this case and, further, provided context regarding appellantâs role in
committing the offenses charged. See State v. Peterson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 07AP-
303, 2008-Ohio2838, ¶ 38 (Evidence of gang affiliation was relevant to show relationship
between appellant and others and to âput the crimes in context.â).
{¶ 66} Evidence of gang membership may also demonstrate a common purpose
where, as here, individuals are charged with complicity in the commission of crimes.
Peterson at ¶ 38.
{¶ 67} Finally, Ohio courts admit other acts evidence when relevant to proof of
identity, including where establishing a connection between a firearm and a defendant.
26
See State v. Brown, 100 Ohio St.3d 51,2003-Ohio-5059
, 796 N.E.2d. 506, ¶ 24. Here,
references to gang membership were relevant to show a connection between appellant
and certain physical evidence that was recovered in this case, including the firearm that
was recovered from beneath Hughesâ seat and the shell casing that was recovered from
the scene of the shooting.
{¶ 68} The second step of the Williams test relates to whether the evidence was
presented to prove appellantâs character and to show that the conduct was in conformity
with that character. In this case, the trial courtâs strict limitations regarding the
admissibility of gang-related evidence ensured that such evidence was presented for the
narrow and proper purposes of demonstrating identity and the interrelationships among
the individuals involved in this case, and not for the improper purpose of proving
appellantâs character.
{¶ 69} The third step of the Williams test requires us to consider whether the
probative value of the gang evidence is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice. We find, in this case, that it is not. Here, the prosecution did not seek to
introduce evidence of prior convictions or criminal acts of the defendants or fellow
members of SG the Family. Rather, the gang evidence in this case merely established the
associations between appellant, King, Juvenile B.M., Johnson, and Hughes, which
explained their relationships, provided context for the crimes at issue, and offered the
means by which the defendants in the present case had access to a firearm later found in
the car occupied by Johnson and Hughes.
27
{¶ 70} Appellant complains that co-counsel was permitted to introduce a photo of
Kingâs torso, depicting multiple tattoos, âallow[ing] the jury to infer that a gang
affiliation links Appellant * * * with a propensity to commit [violent crimes].â Appellant
does not, however, identify which, if any, of the tattoos were associated with gang
membership. In addition, there was no testimony explaining the significance of the
tattoos or actually linking the tattoos to gang membership. Absent any testimony that the
tattoos have a particular gang-related significance, we find that the photo should not be
presumed to be prejudicial.
{¶ 71} Lastly, we recognize that the trial court expressly instructed the jury
regarding the limited purpose of the gang-related evidence, stating:
Evidence was received about the defendantsâ association with a gang. That
evidence was received only for the limited purpose of proving identity and
the interrelationship between defendants and/or accomplices and should not
be considered for any other purpose.
Such an instruction reduces the danger of undue prejudice caused by the admission of
evidence. See State v. Kirkland, 140 Ohio St.3d 73,2014-Ohio-1966
,15 N.E.3d 818, ¶ 70
. As the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of gang
membership, the second assignment of merit is found not well-taken.
{¶ 72} Appellant argues in his third assignment of error that the trial court erred in
denying his Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal on all of the charges. In reviewing a denial
of a Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal we use a sufficiency standard. State v. Crenshaw,
28
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108830, 2020-Ohio-4922, ¶ 16. The test for sufficiency of the evidence requires an appellate court to determine whether the prosecution met its burden of production at trial. State v. Bowden, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92266,2009-Ohio-3598
, ¶ 12. This determination focuses on the question of whether the evidence admitted at trial, if believed, would convince the average mind of the defendantâs guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Murphy,91 Ohio St.3d 516, 543
,747 N.E.2d 765
(2001). ââThe 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.ââ State v. Walker,150 Ohio St.3d 409
, 2016- Ohio-8295,82 N.E.3d 1124
, ¶ 12, quoting State v. Jenks,61 Ohio St.3d 259
,574 N.E.2d 492
(1991), paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶ 73} R.C. 2923.03(A), defines the offense of complicity as follows:
(A) No person, acting with the kind of culpability required for the commission of an
offense shall do any of the following:
(1) Solicit or procure another to commit the offense;
(2) Aid or abet another in committing the offense;
(3) Conspire with another to commit the offense in violation of section
2923.01 of the Revised Code;
(4) Cause an innocent or irresponsible person to commit the offense.
R.C. 2903.02(B), which defines the offense of felony murder, states in relevant
part:
29
(B) No person shall cause the death of another as a proximate result of the offenderâs
committing or attempting to commit an offense of violence that is a felony of the first or
second degree and that is not a violation of section 2903.03 or 2903.04 of the Revised
Code.
{¶ 74} Here, the predicate offense for the felony murder charge was aggravated
robbery, in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1) and (C). R.C. 2911.01(A)(1) and (C)
provide:
(A) No person, in attempting or committing a theft offense, as defined in
section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, or in fleeing immediately after the
attempt or offense, shall do any of the following:
(1) Have a deadly weapon on or about the offenderâs person or under the
offenderâs control and either display the weapon, brandish it, indicate that
the offender possesses it, or use it;
***
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of aggravated robbery, a felony
of the first degree.
{¶ 75} Appellant was also convicted for felonious assault, in violation of R.C.
2903.11(A)(2) and (D). As set forth in those provisions:
(A) No person shall knowingly * * *
***
30
(2) Cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to anotherâs
unborn by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance.
(D)(1)(a)Whoever violates this section is guilty of felonious assault.
Except as otherwise provided in this division or division (D)(1)(b) of this
section, felonious assault is a felony of the second degree.
Id.
{¶ 76} We begin with appellantâs conviction for complicity in the commission of
murder. âUnder Ohio law, a defendant can be held criminally responsible for a killing
âregardless of the identity of * * *the person whose act directly caused the death, so long
as the death is the âproximate resultâ of Defendantâs conduct in committing the
underlying offense.ââ State v. Rudasill, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 19AP-61, 2021-Ohio-45,
¶ 77, quoting State v. Dixon, 2d Dist. No. 18582,2002 WL 191582
(Feb.8, 2002). Death
is the âproximate resultâ of a defendantâs conduct when it is âa direct, natural, reasonably
foreseeable consequence, as opposed to an extraordinary or surprising consequence,
when viewed in the light of ordinary experience.â Dixon at *5.
{¶ 77} âForeseeability should be assessed from the viewpoint of what the
defendant knew or should have known in light of ordinary experience.â State v. Long,
2021-Ohio-2656,175 N.E.3d 1021, ¶ 33
(10th Dist.). â[W]hen a person, acting individually or in concert with another, sets in motion a sequence of events, the foreseeable consequences of which were known or should have been known to him at the time, he is criminally liable for the direct, proximate and reasonably inevitable 31 consequences of death resulting from his original criminal act.âId.
It is not necessary that an accused be in a position to foresee the precise consequence of his conduct, âonly that the consequences be foreseeable in the sense that what transpired was natural and logical in that it was within the scope of the risk created by [the accusedâs] conduct.â State v. Hubard, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 83389,2004-Ohio-5204, ¶ 40
.
{¶ 78} The only mental state required for conviction under R.C. 2903.02(B) is the
mental state required for the underlying felony offense. See e.g., State v. Miller, 96 Ohio
St.3d 384,2002-Ohio-4931
,775 N.E.2d 498
, syllabus (holding that a conviction for felony murder with felonious assault as the underlying offense is supported by evidence that the defendant knowingly caused physical harm to the victim). âThe felony-murder statute imposes what is in essence strict liability[;] [t]hough intent to commit the predicate felony is required, intent to kill is not.â State v. Nolan,141 Ohio St.3d 454
,2014-Ohio-4800
,25 N.E.3d 1016, ¶ 9
. The felony-murder statute is intended âto characterize a homicide, though unintended and not in the common design of the felons, as an intentional killing.âId.
{¶ 79} Because the predicate offense for the felony murder charge was aggravated
robbery in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1) and (C), the only applicable mental state was
âknowingly,â for theft. See State v. Horner, 126 Ohio St.3d 466,2010-Ohio-3830
,935 N.E.2d 26, ¶ 55
. The deadly-weapon element of aggravated robbery does not require a mens rea. State v. Lester,123 Ohio St.3d 396
,2009-Ohio-4225
,916 N.E.2d 1038
.
32
{¶ 80} Felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2) requires proof that
appellant knowingly caused or attempted to cause physical harm by means of a deadly
weapon. See id.
{¶ 81} The prosecutionâs theory of complicity required evidence that appellant
âsupported, assisted, encouraged, cooperated with, advised, or incited the principal in the
commission of the crime, and that the defendant shared the criminal intent of the
principal.â See State v. Johnson, 93 Ohio St.3d 240,2001-Ohio-1336
, syllabus (holding that to support a conviction for complicity by aiding and abetting pursuant to R.C. 2923.03(A)(2), the evidence must show that the defendant supported, assisted, encouraged, cooperated with, advised, or incited the principal in the commission of the crime, and that the defendant shared the criminal intent of the principal.) Intent may be inferred from an individualâs presence, companionship and conduct before and after the offense is committed. Id. at 245. The state is not required to establish the principal offenderâs identity in seeking a conviction for complicity. State v. Perryman,49 Ohio St.2d 14
,358 N.E.2d 1040
(1976), paragraph four of the syllabus, vacated on other grounds,438 U.S. 911
, 98 S.Ct.3136,57 L.Ed.2d 1156
(1978); see also State v. Washington, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 79300,2002-Ohio-505
(when witnesses either identified another defendant as a shooter or could not identify the shooter, an aider and abettor could still be convicted of crimes related to the shooting). And leadership in a criminal plan is not a required element of the offense; rather, evidence that the defendant provided support, assurances, and cooperation or advice to a principal in the commission 33 of a crime with shared criminal intent is sufficient. See State v. Terrell, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-020194,2003-Ohio-3044
, ¶ 10.
{¶ 82} Ohio law recognizes that death and injuries are reasonably foreseeable
consequences of firing shots into an occupied vehicle. See State v. Tuggle, 6th Dist.
Lucas No. L-09-1317, 2010-Ohio-4162, ¶ 110-111. And firearm specifications are appropriate even where a defendant only aided and abetted a shooter, where a finding of assistance and cooperation with those using a firearm is supported by testimony regarding planning and execution of the crime in question. See e.g., State v. Gist, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 21436,2007-Ohio-5571, ¶ 12-13
.
{¶ 83} Appellant does not dispute that there was sufficient evidence that he acted
with the mens rea necessary for a theft offense. That mens rea was sufficient to support a
theory of criminal liability for all actions taken by appellantâs complicitors during the
commission of the armed robbery.
{¶ 84} Here, there was testimony that before the shooting, appellant planned the
armed robbery of Seller, contacted Seller in order to set up the robbery, and provided his
accomplices with a phone and a firearm to facilitate the robbery.
{¶ 85} Juvenile B.M. and King stood by at the address where appellant told Seller
to come and wait until Seller phoned. Once Seller phoned, Juvenile B.M. and King went
to the car, armed with their handguns, and confronted the carâs three occupants. The
driver attempted to flee, but shots were fired.
34
{¶ 86} The gunshots indisputably injured two of the carâs occupants, and caused
the death of one of them. Seller testified that he ducked down when he saw the laser
beam of one of the guns across his eyes, and there was testimony that the trajectory of a
bullet in the car would have struck someone seated in a normal position in the seat behind
the driver. The jury could reasonably infer that the shots were fired in an attempt to
cause physical harm to Seller. As indicated above, death is a reasonably foreseeable
consequence of firing one or more guns into a car occupied by three individuals. See
Tuggle at ¶ 110-111.
{¶ 87} After the shooting, appellant was waiting in a car to which the other two
men ran, and then appellant gave Juvenile B.M. a ride home. Appellant provided
assistance, cooperation, encouragement, and advice, both before and after the shooting,
while sharing the criminal intent to rob Seller.
{¶ 88} The evidence, taken in a light most favorable to the state, was clearly
sufficient to support appellantâs conviction for complicity in the commission of
aggravated robbery, which is a first degree felony. Because the murder was foreseeable
and occurred during the commission of that felony, there was also sufficient evidence to
support the conviction for complicity in the commission of felony murder. The evidence
was also sufficient to support the three convictions for felonious assault and the firearms
specifications that were attendant to each of the offenses charged. Accordingly,
appellantâs third assignment of error is found not well-taken.
35
{¶ 89} Finally, appellant argues in his fourth assignment of error that the verdicts
in this case were against the manifest weight of the evidence due to inconsistencies in
Juvenile B.M.âs testimony and credibility issues arising from Juvenile B.M.âs cooperation
with law enforcement and resulting favorable plea agreement.
{¶ 90} In considering a manifest weight challenge, the court reviews âthe entire
record, weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, and considers the credibility of
all witnessesâ to determine âââwhether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury
clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction
must be reversed.âââ State v. McKelton, 148 Ohio St.3d 261,2016-Ohio-5735
,70 N.E.3d 508, ¶ 328
, quoting State v. Thompkins,78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387
,678 N.E.2d 541
(1997).
(Additional quotation omitted.)
{¶ 91} Ohio law is clear that discretionary power to grant a new trial should be
exercised only in exceptional cases where the evidence presented weighs heavily in favor
of the appellant and against conviction. State v. Lindsey, 87 Ohio St.3d 479, 483,721 N.E.2d 995
. A defendant is not entitled to a reversal on manifest weight grounds simply because inconsistent evidence was presented at trial. State v. Gunn, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-20-1034,2021-Ohio-2253, ¶ 41
, citing State v. Lowery, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-18-1170,2020-Ohio-5549, ¶ 80
, appeal not allowed,162 Ohio St.3d 1421
,2021-Ohio-1201
,166 N.E.3d 13
. (Additional citation omitted.) Weight and credibility determinations are appropriately left to the trier of fact, who ââis in the best position to take into account inconsistencies, along with the witnessesâ manner and demeanor and determine whether 36 the witnessesâ testimony is credible.ââId.
Therefore, we afford ââdefer[ence] to the trial courtâs credibility determination and conclusion.ââ State v. Higgens, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-220043,2022-Ohio-2754, ¶ 13
, quoting Kinnett v. Corporate Document Solutions, Inc., 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-180189,2019-Ohio-2025, ¶ 21
.
{¶ 92} Appellantâs manifest weight challenge focuses on the perceived advantage
incurred by Juvenile B.M. through his cooperation with law enforcement, as well as on
several inconsistencies between Juvenile B.M.âs testimony and other evidence, including
Juvenile B.M.âs statement that he had a 9mm firearm provided to him by appellant but
never fired it. But the jury heard details regarding Juvenile B.M.âs agreement to testify
and the stateâs decision not to pursue an adult prosecution. And Juvenile B.M. was
subjected to rigorous cross-examination exploring the alleged inconsistencies in his
testimony. The jury was in the best position to weigh his demeanor and those
inconsistencies and to determine whether his testimony was credible. The fact that the
jury rejected appellantâs arguments does not render the verdicts against the manifest
weight of the evidence. Appellantâs fourth assignment of error is found not well-taken.
{¶ 93} For all of the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Lucas County Court of
Common Pleas is affirmed in part and reversed in part, consistent with this opinion. We
remand the case to the trial court so that a minimum and maximum term can be imposed
for the second count of felonious assault in accordance with R.C. 2929.14(A)(2) and so
that an aggregate sentencing range can be determined and imposed by the trial court in
37
accordance with R.C. 2929.144. The costs of this appeal are ordered to be divided
between appellant and appellee, pursuant to App.R. 24.
Judgment affirmed in part,
reversed in part, and remanded.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Mark L. Pietrykowski, J. ____________________________
JUDGE
Thomas J. Osowik, J.
____________________________
Myron C. Duhart, P.J. JUDGE
CONCUR.
____________________________
JUDGE
This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
Ohioâs Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Courtâs web site at:
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/.
38