State v. Allison , 2012 Ohio 1046 ( 2012 )

[Cite as State v. Allison, 2012-Ohio-1046.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 96895
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
DERRICK S. ALLISON
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-546703
BEFORE: Celebrezze, P.J., S. Gallagher, J., and Kilbane, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: March 15, 2012
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Michael P. Maloney
24441 Detroit Road
Suite 300
Westlake, Ohio 44145
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
William D. Mason
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
BY: Vincent I. Pacetti
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
The Justice Center
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., P.J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Derrick Allison, appeals from his convictions following
a jury trial for having a weapon while under disability, improperly handling a firearm in a
motor vehicle, assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, and two counts of carrying a
concealed weapon. After careful review of the record and relevant case law, we affirm
appellant’s convictions.
{¶2} On February 10, 2011, appellant was named in a six-count indictment
charging him with having a weapon while under disability in violation of R.C.
2923.13(A)(3), a felony of the third degree (Count 1); improperly handling a firearm in a
motor vehicle in violation of R.C. 2923.16(B), a felony of the fourth degree (Count 2);
carrying a concealed weapon in violation of R.C. 2923.12(A)(2), a felony of the fourth
degree (Count 3); carrying a concealed weapon in violation of R.C. 2923.12(A)(2), a
felony of the fourth degree (Count 4); assault in violation of R.C. 2903.13(A), a felony of
the fourth degree (Count 5); and resisting arrest in violation of R.C. 2921.33(B), a
misdemeanor of the first degree (Count 6).
{¶3} Appellant pled not guilty at his arraignment, and the matter proceeded to a
jury trial on May 2, 2011. At the close of trial, appellant was found guilty of all counts,
including the forfeiture specifications.1 On May 16, 2011, appellant was sentenced to
Counts 1-4 of appellant’s indictment included forfeiture specifications
1
regarding appellant’s firearm and its ammunition.
four years in prison on Count 1 and six months in prison on Counts 5 and 6, to run
concurrently with Count 1. Appellant was not sentenced on Counts 2, 3, and 4 because
those were determined to be allied offenses of similar import with Count 1.
{¶4} Appellant appeals his convictions, raising four assignments of error for
review.2
Law and Analysis
I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
{¶5} In his first and second assignments of error, appellant argues that the trial
court erred in denying his Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal when there was insufficient
evidence to support his weapon convicitons. For the purposes of judicial economy and
clarity, we will consider appellant’s first and second assignments of error together.
{¶6} “A motion for acquittal under Crim.R. 29(A) is governed by the same
standard used for determining whether a verdict is supported by sufficient evidence.”
State v. Tenace, 109 Ohio St.3d 255, 2006-Ohio-2417, 847 N.E.2d 386, ¶ 37. “The
relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
proven beyond a reasonable doubt. * * *.” Id.{¶7} Initially, appellant contends that the prosecution failed to present sufficient
evidence to support his convictions for having a weapon while under disability and
2 Appellant’s assignments of error are included in the appendix to this
opinion.
carrying a concealed weapon. The offense of having a weapon while under disability is
governed by R.C. 2923.13. The statute provides in relevant part:
Unless relieved from disability * * * no person shall knowingly acquire,
have, carry, or use any firearm or dangerous ordnance, if * * * the person is
under indictment for or has been convicted of any felony offense involving
the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking
in any drug of abuse * * *.
{¶8} The offense of carrying a concealed weapon is governed by R.C. 2923.12.
Pursuant to R.C. 2923.12, “[n]o person shall knowingly carry or have, concealed on the
person’s person or concealed ready at hand * * * a handgun other than a dangerous
ordnance.”
{¶9} Appellant contends that the state failed to present sufficient evidence that he
possessed a firearm as required by R.C. 2923.13 and 2923.12. In order to “have” a
firearm, one must either actually or constructively possess it. State v. Hardy, 60 Ohio
App.2d 325, 397 N.E.2d 773 (8th Dist. 1978). Actual possession requires ownership
and, or, physical control. Id. Alternatively, a person has constructive possession of
something when he is able to exercise dominion or control over that item. State v.
Wolery, 46 Ohio St.2d 316, 329, 348 N.E.2d 351 (1976).
{¶10} Here, direct evidence exists to sustain the finding that appellant actually
possessed a firearm on or about January 25, 2011. At trial, Cleveland Police Patrolman
Thomas Tohati testified that on January 25, 2011, he and his partner, Officer Barry
Bentley, conducted a traffic stop of a green Dodge Intrepid while on patrol. After
slowing down momentarily, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop in the middle of Avon
Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. At that time, appellant exited the driver’s seat of the vehicle
and ran up a nearby driveway and around a garage. Officer Tohati testified that he
immediately exited his patrol vehicle and pursued appellant on foot. Officer Bentley
stayed with appellant’s vehicle because there was a passenger in that vehicle.
{¶11} As Officer Tohati pursued appellant, he witnessed a “handgun [fall] from
[appellant]’s right side,” near the garage. Officer Tohati testified that the garage area
was well lit by a spotlight on the property. After yelling for appellant to stop with no
success, Officer Tohati managed to apprehend appellant a few blocks from the initial
traffic stop. Subsequent to appellant’s arrest, police officers retrieved a handgun from
the area where Officer Tohati reported the handgun falling. Officer Tohati confirmed
that State’s Exhibit 11 was, in fact, the same handgun he witnessed appellant drop.
Additionally, Officer Tohati testified that the handgun was fully loaded at the time it was
recovered by the officers.
{¶12} While it is undisputed that appellant did not possess a firearm at the time of
his arrest, Officer Tohati unequivocally testified that appellant was in physical control of
a firearm prior to the weapon falling from appellant’s side:
Q. Okay. And as far as handling the gun, I feel the need to ask it again,
did you see the defendant throw the gun — or I’m sorry, did you see the
defendant drop the gun?
A. Yes.
Q. Was there any doubt about that in your mind?
A. No.
***
Q. So the gun was on the defendant, you saw him drop it?
A. Correct.
{¶13} Although Officer Tohati was unable to state with certainty whether
appellant dropped the firearm on purpose or by accident, such a determination is
irrelevant to our analysis. Viewing this evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, as we must, we find that any rational trier of fact could have found that
appellant knowingly possessed the firearm, thereby satisfying the elements of having a
weapon while under disability and carrying a concealed weapon.
{¶14} Next, appellant contends that the prosecution failed to present sufficient
evidence to support his conviction for improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Pursuant to R.C. 2923.16(B), “[n]o person shall knowingly transport or have a loaded
firearm in a motor vehicle in such a manner that the firearm is accessible to the operator
or any passenger without leaving the vehicle.”
{¶15} Despite appellant’s argument to the contrary, the record reflects that the
prosecution presented sufficient evidence that appellant possessed a loaded firearm while
in a motor vehicle. While we recognize that Officer Tohati was unable to physically
observe appellant in possession of a loaded firearm while appellant was in the vehicle, we
find that appellant’s conviction for improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle was
supported by circumstantial evidence.
{¶16} It is well established that “‘circumstantial evidence is sufficient to sustain a
conviction if the evidence would convince the average mind of the defendant’s guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt.’” State v. McKnight, 107 Ohio St.3d 101, 2005-Ohio-6046,
837 N.E.2d 315, ¶ 75, quoting State v. Heinish, 50 Ohio St.3d 231, 238, 553 N.E.2d 1026(1990). Circumstantial evidence is proof of facts or circumstances by direct evidence
from which the trier of fact may reasonably infer other related or connected facts that
naturally or logically follow. State v. Beynum, 8th Dist. No. 69206, 1996 WL 273777(May 23, 1996).
{¶17} Officer Tohati testified that the firearm he witnessed appellant drop was in
appellant’s possession when he left the vehicle and that there was no indication that
appellant was handed the firearm by a third party as appellant fled. Furthermore, Officer
Tohati testified that the handgun dropped by appellant was fully loaded at the time it was
recovered by the officers. Based on Officer Tohati’s testimony, we find that a reasonable
jury could logically conclude that appellant possessed a loaded firearm in his vehicle prior
to fleeing the scene.
{¶18} Based on the foregoing, appellant’s first and second assignments of error are
overruled.
II. Manifest Weight of the Evidence
{¶19} In his third assignment of error, appellant contends that his convictions for
carrying a concealed weapon and having a weapon while under disability were against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶20} In determining that a conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, the appellate court sits as a “thirteenth juror” and disagrees with the factfinder’s
resolution of the conflicting testimony. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678
N.E.2d 541 (1997), citing Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42, 102 S.Ct. 2211, 72 L.Ed.2d
652 (1982). The reviewing court must examine the entire record, weigh the evidence and
all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of the witnesses, and determine whether
the jury “clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the
conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.” Id., quoting State v. Martin, 20
Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983).
{¶21} The appellate court may not merely substitute its view for that of the jury,
and reversal on manifest weight grounds is reserved for “the exceptional case in which
the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.” Id., quoting Martin.
{¶22} In this matter, after examining the entire record and weighing the evidence
and all reasonable inferences, we are unable to conclude that the jury clearly lost its way
and created a manifest miscarriage of justice in convicting appellant of having a weapon
while under disability and carrying a concealed weapon. As mentioned above, Officer
Tohati testified that he observed a firearm “fall” from appellant’s right side as he pursued
appellant on foot. Subsequently, a firearm matching Officer Tohati’s description was
retrieved in the area where Officer Tohati witnessed appellant drop the weapon.
{¶23} Here, the jury, as the trier of fact, was in the best position to weigh the
credibility of Officer Tohati. The jury could determine based on the facts in the
testimony of Officer Tohati that appellant knowingly possessed and concealed a firearm
while under disability. Accordingly, we find that appellant’s convictions for having a
weapon while under disability and carrying a concealed weapon were not against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶24} Appellant’s third assignment of error is overruled.
III. Hearsay Testimony
{¶25} In his fourth assignment of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in
admitting hearsay testimony. A trial court has broad discretion concerning the admission
or exclusion of evidence, and, in the absence of an abuse of such discretion that
materially prejudices a defendant, a reviewing court generally will not reverse an
evidentiary ruling. State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 64, 2001-Ohio-1290, 752 N.E.2d 904,
cert. denied, 535 U.S. 974, 122 S.Ct. 1445, 152 L.Ed.2d 387 (2002); Krischbaum v.
Dillon, 58 Ohio St.3d 58, 66, 567 N.E.2d 1291 (1991); State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d
21, 23, 2002-Ohio-68, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (noting a trial court abused its discretion when it
“acted unreasonably, arbitrarily, or unconscionably”).
{¶26} “Hearsay” is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while
testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter
asserted. Evid.R. 801(C). Evid.R. 802 contains the general prohibition against the
admission of hearsay. It provides:
Hearsay is not admissible except as otherwise provided by the Constitution
of the United States, by the Constitution of the State of Ohio, by statute
enacted by the General Assembly not in conflict with a rule of the Supreme
Court of Ohio, by these rules, or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme
Court of Ohio.
{¶27} Appellant specifically contends that the trial court erred in admitting hearsay
statements made by Detective James Bellanca. Det. Bellanca testified that he was
assigned to conduct a follow up investigation in this matter. At trial, Det. Bellanca was
asked the following questions regarding a conversation he had with Officer Tohati during
the course of his investigation:
Q. Can you please describe for me how you became involved, and your
actions that you took in this investigation?
A. After I reviewed the report, I did have some questions due to previous
experience, so I contacted Officer Tohati to make sure that there was a
definite citing of the pistol falling from Mr. Allison. * * * During that
time, that’s when Officer Tohati told me that, yes, I saw it —
[Mr. Kraus]: Objection.
[THE COURT]: Overruled.
Q. Continue.
A. That he saw the pistol fall, and that it was definitely from him that it fell.
* * * There was no need to really fingerprint it, because the officer did
see the firearm fall from his pocket, it was definite that the firearm did
come from Mr. Allison.
{¶28} The state argues that Officer Tohati’s statements in Det. Bellanca’s
testimony are not hearsay because they constitute prior statements by a witness.
{¶29} Pursuant to Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b):
A statement is not hearsay if: * * * [t]he declarant testifies at trial or hearing
and is subject to cross-examination concerning the statement, and the
statement is * * * consistent with declarant’s testimony and is offered to
rebut an express or implied charge against declarant of recent fabrication or
improper influence or motive.
{¶30} While it is evident that Det. Bellanca’s testimony was consistent with the
testimony of Officer Tohati, we cannot conclude that the state’s purpose in asking Det.
Bellanca about what Officer Tohati told him was to rebut any charge that Officer Tohati
had recently fabricated his testimony. The more likely explanation is that the state simply
sought to introduce more evidence that appellant committed the offense for which he was
being tried.
{¶31} Nevertheless, we find that appellant was not prejudiced by this error. As
discussed above, Officer Tohati’s testimony, standing alone, was sufficient to support
appellant’s convictions.
{¶32} We conclude that the outcome of the trial would not have been any different
absent this testimony from Det. Bellanca. The admission of this hearsay testimony, while
error, was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. Kebe, 8th Dist. No. 73398,
1998 WL 787393 (Nov. 12, 1998); State v. Johnson, 8th Dist. No. 45861, 1983 WL 5528(June 30, 1983); Crim.R. 52(A).
{¶33} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶34} Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common
pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s convictions having
been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court
for execution of sentence.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., PRESIDING JUDGE
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, J., CONCURS;
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., CONCURS ON ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR I
THROUGH III AND CONCURS IN JUDGMENT ONLY ON ASSIGNMENT OF
ERROR IV
APPENDIX
Appellant’s assignments of error:
I. The trial court erred in denying appellant’s Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal when
there was insufficient evidence to prove the elements of carrying a concealed weapon and
having a weapon while under disability.
II. The trial court erred in denying appellant’s Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal when
there was insufficient evidence to prove the elements of improperly handling firearms in a
motor vehicle.
III. The appellant’s convictions for carrying a concealed weapon and having a weapon
while under disability were against the manifest weight of the evidence.
IV. The trial court erred in admitting hearsay statements.