State v. Mumford , 2019 Ohio 282 ( 2019 )

[Cite as State v. Mumford, 2019-Ohio-282.]
COURT OF APPEALS
MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO JUDGES:
Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J
Plaintiff – Appellee Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
-vs-
Case No. CT2018-0021
JOSHUA SLADE MUMFORD
Defendant – Appellant O P I N IO N
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Appeal from the Muskingum County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No.
CR2017-0323
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: January 28, 2019
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
D. MICHAEL HADDOX KRISTOPHER K. HILL
Prosecuting Attorney 17 N. Fourth Street
Muskingum County, Ohio P.O. Box 340
Zanesville, Ohio 43702-0340
BY: GERALD V. ANDERSON, II
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
27 North Fifth Street – P.O. Box 189
Zanesville, Ohio 43702-0189
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 2
Hoffman, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Joshua Slade Mumford appeals his convictions and
sentence entered by the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas, on one count of
domestic violence and one count of abduction, following a jury trial. Plaintiff-appellee is
the state of Ohio.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE AND FACTS
{¶2} On September 14, 2017, the Muskingum County Grand Jury indicted
Appellant on one count of domestic violence, in violation of R.C. 2919.25(A), a felony of
the fourth degree; and one count of abduction, in violation of R.C. 2905.02(A)(2), a felony
of the third degree. The charges arose out of a July 17, 2017 incident involving Brittany
Mumford, Appellant's estranged wife. Appellant entered a plea of not guilty to the
Indictment.
{¶3} Prior to trial, Appellant filed a motion in limine, seeking to exclude, inter alia,
any evidence of prior allegations of domestic violence and/or abuse including prior
convictions1 and civil protection orders. The trial court conducted a hearing on the motion.
The parties mainly focused on two incidents of Appellant's prior bad acts; the first involved
Appellant and Mumford at their residence, and the other was an incident involving their
child, which occurred at a mall. These two events served as the catalyst for Mumford's
decision to leave Appellant.
{¶4} At the hearing, the prosecutor advised counsel for Appellant and the trial
court he did not intend to introduce facts contained in the police reports provided to
Appellant in discovery, or evidence of any prior incidents involving Appellant and
1 Appellant stipulated to a prior conviction of domestic violence which was an element of the domestic
violence offense charged herein.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 3
Mumford’s child. However, the prosecutor indicated he did intend to introduce evidence
of events which occurred contemporaneously or nearly contemporaneous with the July
17, 2017 incident. The prosecutor explained, “I’m attempting to keep it close in context
to when this incident happened. She’s leaving him because of these incidents and that
is the precipitation of this incident.” Tr. December 13, 2017 Motion Hearing at 9. The trial
court advised the parties it would allow the testimony “[a]t this point in time”, until it heard
“the foundation in regards to time and location and what happened.” Tr. at 10-11.
{¶5} The matter proceeded to trial on February 27, 2018. Following voir dire, the
trial court, outside the presence of the jury, reviewed the parties' agreement with respect
to the motion in limine. The prosecutor reiterated he was not going to discuss previous
incidents, but expressed concerns about his ability to keep Mumford from disclosing prior
incidents of Appellant abusing their son. The prosecutor noted Mumford was difficult to
control, and he wanted the trial court and defense counsel to know he was making a good
faith effort to do so. The prosecutor further stated he would not use evidence of previous
protection orders and prior convictions except for the one to which Appellant stipulated.
{¶6} Mumford testified she and Appellant were married on November 23, 2013,
and have a three year old son together. Mumford decided to leave Appellant in June,
2017. She left with their son while Appellant was at work, but was unable to take most of
her belongings. Mumford noted Appellant was unhappy with her decision to leave,
constantly calling and threatening her.
{¶7} Mumford explained she made arrangements to meet Appellant during his
lunch hour on July 17, 2017, in order to collect her belongings. Jayleen Bennett,
Mumford's friend, drove her to Genesis Hospital, where Appellant was working
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 4
construction. Mumford asked Bennett to go to McDonald's to get lunch for Appellant so
she could speak with Appellant in private. Mumford recalled Appellant begged for
forgiveness and pleaded with her to take him back. Mumford continually told Appellant
their relationship was over and she was "done". Mumford remarked, "Like, he hurt -- he
blacked our child's eye." Trial Tr. Vol. I at 245. Counsel for Appellant objected and moved
for a mistrial. Outside the presence of the jury, the trial court admonished Mumford and
instructed her not to make further comments about events unrelated to the charges. The
trial court gave a curative instruction to disregard Mumford’s comment about injury to their
child. The prosecutor continued its examination of Mumford.
{¶8} Mumford stated Appellant refused to return her clothes, threatening to burn
them. Mumford left when Bennett returned with Appellant's lunch. She and Bennett
picked up Mya Rush, Mumford's younger sister, and proceeded to a Gabe's store to
purchase clothes for Mumford. The three had been shopping for approximately 15
minutes when Rush saw Appellant enter the store. Appellant found Mumford, grabbed
her by the arm, and demanded she come with him or "it won't be good for you." Tr. at
252. Mumford instructed Bennett and Rush to stay in the store and to come get her or
call somebody if she was not back in five minutes.
{¶9} Appellant grabbed Mumford by her elbow and escorted her out of the store.
Mumford felt threatened and scared. Appellant clutched Mumford's hand, causing it to
become numb and sore, and her palm to tingle. Once outside, Appellant led Mumford to
her vehicle, which he had been using, and instructed her to get into the car. Appellant
begged Mumford to take him back, but she refused and told him she was "done".
Appellant grabbed Mumford by the hair, pulled her toward him, and tried to kiss her.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 5
Mumford resisted and tried to push him away, but Appellant persisted, hurting Mumford
in the process.
{¶10} Bennett arrived at the vehicle and told Appellant to let Mumford out of the
car. Mumford eventually managed to exit the car and make her way to Bennett's vehicle.
As Mumford made her way to Bennett's vehicle, Appellant blocked her efforts, standing
in her way and pushing her. Bennett drove away with Appellant in pursuit. Each time the
cars came to a red light, Appellant exited his vehicle and pounded on the passenger's
side of Bennett's car, screaming at Mumford to get out. Mumford instructed Bennett to
drive to the police station. Appellant followed Mumford inside, but immediately left.
Mumford left without speaking to an officer. However, when Appellant again began to
follow Mumford, Bennett, and Rush, they returned to the police station.
{¶11} Mumford spoke with Patrolman Steven Carles. When Mumford's boyfriend
arrived at the police station, Ptl. Carles' attitude and demeanor changed and he began to
question Mumford about the crime of adultery. The prosecutor then asked Mumford, "Did
you get questioned about why you dropped TPO's in the past, the protection orders?" Tr.
at 270. Defense counsel asked to approach and, after a short discussion, moved for a
mistrial. The prosecutor recognized his error and agreed to move off that line of
questioning. The trial court denied Appellant's request for a mistrial. The trial court
instructed the jury "anything implied in a question that was not answered is not evidence
and is to be completely disregarded by you." Tr. at 275.
{¶12} The prosecutor continued his direct examination of Mumford. The witness
recounted, following the July 17, 2017 incident, she sought a protection order through the
domestic relations court. During the process, Mumford obtained a copy of the police
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 6
report. Mumford testified Patrolman Carles "left pretty much everything out of the report."
Tr. at 276. Mumford met with Patrolman Carles and requested he supplement his report.
After the patrolman failed to amend the report, Mumford contacted his supervisor.
Mumford subsequently met with Patrolman Carles and gave him another statement.
Rush and Bennett accompanied Mumford to the police station. They also provided
statements to Patrolman Carles.
{¶13} After hearing all the evidence and deliberating, the jury found Appellant
guilty as charged. Appellant filed a motion for new trial, which the trial court denied via
judgment entry filed April 12, 2018. The trial court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate
period of incarceration of four years.
{¶14} It is from his convictions and sentence Appellant appeals, raising as his sole
assignment of error:
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING APPELLANT'S MOTION
FOR MISTRIAL AND NEW TRIAL UNDER CRIM. R. 33. APPELLANT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED A MISTRIAL ON TWO SEPARATE
OCCASIONS WHEN HIGHLY PREJUDICIAL MATERIAL WAS INJECTED
INTO THE TRIAL, TWICE, IN VIOLATION OF THE COURT'S ORDER IN
LIMINE.
I.
{¶15} In his sole assignment of error, Appellant contends the trial court erred when
it denied his motion for mistrial and new trial. Appellant points to two incidents during
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 7
Mumford’s direct examination which warranted a mistrial. The first occurred when
Mumford, explaining why she decided to finally end her relationship with Appellant,
commented, "Like, he hurt -- he blacked our child's eye." Trial Tr. Vol. I at 245. The
second instance followed when the prosecutor questioned Mumford whether Patrolman
Carles asked her why she had dropped TPOs against Appellant in the past.
{¶16} A mistrial should not be ordered in a criminal case merely because some
error or irregularity has intervened. State v. Reynolds, 49 Ohio App. 3d 27, 33, 550 N.E.2d
490, 497 (1988). The granting of a mistrial is necessary only when a fair trial is no longer
possible. State v. Franklin, 62 Ohio St. 3d 118, 127, 580 N.E.2d 1, 9 (1991). When
reviewed by the appellate court, we should examine the climate and conduct of the entire
trial, and reverse the trial court's decision as to whether to grant a mistrial only for a gross
abuse of discretion. State v. Draughn, 76 Ohio App. 3d 664, 671, 602 N.E.2d 790, 793–
794 (1992).
{¶17} During her direct examination, Mumford testified about her decision to meet
with Appellant on July 17, 2017, as follows:
MR. LITTLE (PROSECUTOR): At some point on July 17th, did you
end up contacting [Appellant] to get your stuff back?
MUMFORD: Yes.
MR. LITTLE: Okay. Did he still have your car at that point?
MUMFORD: Yes.
MR. LITTLE: Okay. Try and, if you can, explain to the jury, you know,
where was he working, how – how was that arrangement made, if you can.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 8
MUMFORD: He was working at Genesis Hospital doing
construction. And we had texted, and he asked me to come there for his
lunch break to talk about getting back together. And so I ended up going
there.
Jayleen, a family friend, took me there. * * * [Appellant] basically just
begged me to forgive him. He was down on his hands and knees holding
on to my feet asking for forgiveness. I said no, I just wanted my stuff back.
Eventually, a conversation led to him not having lunch * * * I sent
Jayleen to McDonald’s to get him a sweet tea and a cheeseburger.
So him and I continued to talk when she was gone. And he just kept
begging me to forgive him, and I just said I was done. Like, he hurt -- he
blacked our child's eye.
Trial Tr. 244-245.
{¶18} Defense counsel objected and moved for a mistrial. Outside the presence
of the jury, the trial court admonished Mumford and instructed her not to make further
comments about events unrelated to the charges. The trial court gave a curative
instruction to the jury to disregard Mumford’s comment regarding Appellant blacking their
child’s eye.
{¶19} We find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Appellant's
motion for a mistrial at this point in the proceedings because the court admonished
Mumford and advised her not to make any further comments about unrelated events, and
instructed the jury to disregard Mumford’s answer. Juries are presumed to follow and
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 9
obey the instructions given to them by the trial court. See, Parker v. Randolph (1979),
442 U.S. 62, 74-5, 99 S. Ct. 2132, 60 L. Ed. 2d 713; State v. Franklin (1991), 62 Ohio St. 3d
118, 127, 580 N.E.2d 1.
{¶20} The prosecutor subsequently began to question Mumford regarding
changes in Patrolman Carles’ demeanor and attitude towards her, specifically asking,
“Did you get questioned about why you dropped TPO’s in the past, the protection orders?”
Trial Tr. at 270. Defense counsel objected. After stating his objection, defense counsel
moved for a mistrial. The trial court indicated it would deny the motion for mistrial at that
time, explaining, “This isn’t a question that was not permitted under the agreement that
had been reached between counsel, and that the stuff that was provided in the discovery
was not going to be brought up. * * * The way the question was asked I – it just implies
that there’s some kind of other stuff without even getting in to specifics. That’s what we’re
trying to stay away from.” Trial Tr. at 272. When the jury returned to the courtroom, the
trial court sustained the objection and instructed the jury “anything implied in a question
that was not answered is not evidence and is to be completely disregarded.” Trial Tr. at
275. We find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for mistrial
regarding this testimony.
{¶21} Appellant maintains the cumulative effect of “[t]he injected material” was
“incredibly incendiary and highly prejudicial”, thereby tainting the minds of the jury.
Appellant concludes, as a result, the trial court erred in failing to grant his motion for a
mistrial. Appellant relies on this Court’s decision in State v. Weber, Stark App. No. 97 CA
00245, 1998 WL 517868 (August 10, 1998), in support of his position.
{¶22} In Weber, the witness, the appellant’s live-in girlfriend, testified she had
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 10
attended an Al-Anon meeting on the evening of the incident, prior to discovering the
appellant passed out in his vehicle. Id. at *4. The prosecutor then asked, “You were with
Al-Anon?”, and the witness responded, “That's to help friends and family of alcoholics.”
Id. Later on in the proceedings, the responding officer testified regarding the effect of
appellant's refusal to submit to a urine test. Id. at *5. As a result, the jury again heard
evidence the appellant had a problem with alcohol and had a prior conviction as a result
of that problem. Id.
{¶23} This Court found, although the prosecutor’s comment and the witness’s
response thereto were highly prejudicial and had little relevance, the trial court did not err
in denying the appellant's motion for a mistrial at that point in the proceedings because
the court sustained his objection and instructed the jury to disregard the witness's answer.
Id. at *4. However, we concluded the combined effect of the statements of the appellant’s
girlfriend and the officer was “sufficiently prejudicial to undermine appellant’s right to a fair
trial”; therefore, warranting a reversal of the appellant’s conviction. Id. at *5.
{¶24} We find the combined effect of the two statements upon which Appellant
premises his assignment of error was not sufficiently prejudicial to undermine his right to
a fair trial as was the situation in Weber. Mumford made only one inappropriate comment
and such occurred at the beginning of an extensive direct examination. In addition,
Mumford did not respond to the prosecutor’s inquiry, “Did you get questioned about why
you dropped TPO’s in the past, the protection orders?” Further, the trial court gave a
curative instruction each time.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0021 11
{¶25} Based upon the foregoing, Appellant’s sole assignment of error is overruled.
{¶26} The judgment of the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas is
affirmed.
By: Hoffman, J
Gwin, P.J. and
Baldwin, J. concur