Toledo v. Ebraheim , 2015 Ohio 4055 ( 2015 )

[Cite as Toledo v. Ebraheim, 2015-Ohio-4055.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
LUCAS COUNTY
State of Ohio Court of Appeals No. L-14-1157
Appellee Trial Court No. CRB-13-20594
v.
Nabil A. Ebraheim DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Appellant Decided: September 30, 2015
*****
David Toska, City of Toledo Chief Prosecutor, and
Henry Schaefer, Assistant Prosecutor, for appellee.
Jerome Phillips and Peter J. McHugh for appellant.
*****
OSOWIK, J.
{¶ 1} This is an appeal from a judgment of the Toledo Municipal Court, following
a bench trial, in which appellant, Nabil A. Ebraheim, was found guilty of one count of
vehicular manslaughter. The relevant, undisputed facts are as follows.
{¶ 2} On August 30, 2013, at approximately 6:30 a.m., a Mercedes Benz E350
driven by appellant entered the intersection of Richards and Dorr Streets in Toledo, Ohio,
where it was struck by a 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by Lawrence Hilton.
At the time of the accident, appellant was driving southbound on Richards Street, and
Hilton was driving eastbound on Dorr Street. Traffic on Richards was controlled by a
flashing red light, and traffic on Dorr Street was controlled by a flashing yellow light. As
a result of the impact, appellant’s vehicle was rotated 180 degrees. Hilton was ejected
from the motorcycle and sustained extensive head and bodily injuries. He was taken to
Toledo Hospital, where he died the next day. The accident was investigated and, on
December 4, 2013, appellant was charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter in
violation of R.C. 2903.06(A)(4), a second degree misdemeanor.
{¶ 3} On May 7, 2014, the city filed a trial brief, in which the city cited R.C.
2903.06(A)(4) and asserted that, as a predicate offense, appellant failed to: (1) stop at the
direction of a traffic control device, i.e., the flashing red light, in violation of R.C.
4511.12, and (2) properly proceed after stopping at a flashing red light, in violation of
R.C. 4511.13 and 4511.43. After recounting the conflicting evidence to be presented at
trial as to the speed of Hilton’s motorcycle, the city argued that, even if the motorcycle
was “travelling at an excessive speed,” appellant still had a duty as a reasonable, prudent
driver, to take notice of the motorcycle and anticipate the dangers of proceeding into the
intersection.
2.
{¶ 4} A bench trial was held in Toledo Municipal Court on June 26, 2014.
Testimony was presented on behalf of the city by Bridgette and Robert Maher, and
Toledo Police Officer Jeffrey Scott.
{¶ 5} Bridgette Maher testified that she was driving behind Hilton on Dorr Street
before the accident. She said that it was still dark, however, the road was dry and no fog
was present. She stated that, before reaching the intersection, she and her husband,
Robert, noticed that Hilton was wearing a helmet. Bridgette also stated that appellant did
not come to a complete stop at the intersection of Richards and Dorr. On cross-
examination, Bridgette testified that appellant’s vehicle was going “quite fast” as it
entered the intersection, and that the impact with the motorcycle caused appellant’s car to
spin around.
{¶ 6} Robert Maher testified that he was in the car with his wife, and that he first
saw Hilton prior to the accident, at the intersection of Dorr and Reynolds Road. Robert
said he could tell that Hilton was an experienced motorcycle driver, and that Hilton
appeared to be going approximately 40 or 45 m.p.h. as he entered the intersection at Dorr
and Richards. Robert also said that he saw appellant’s vehicle accelerate as it entered the
intersection. On cross-examination, Robert testified that he saw Hilton change lanes just
before the accident, and he thought that appellant did a “rolling stop” at the flashing red
light before accelerating into the intersection.
{¶ 7} Toledo Police Officer Jeffrey Scott testified that he arrived at the
intersection of Dorr and Richards shortly after the accident occurred. Scott said there
3.
was an accident reconstructionist on the scene when he arrived, and that the scene was
photographed and paint markings were made to aid in an accident reconstruction. Scott
testified that appellant told him he did not see Hilton’s motorcycle until he was already in
the intersection. Scott further testified that visibility was approximately 1,000 feet in
either direction, except for some “patchy fog” around nearby Sleepy Hollow pond, and
the view was unobstructed except for a pole that may have briefly impeded appellant’s
view of the motorcycle.
{¶ 8} On cross-examination, Scott testified that lights from other vehicles may
have affected appellant’s ability to see a motorcycle. He stated that appellant’s car spun
around as a result of the off-center impact, and he estimated appellant’s speed at 23
m.p.h. at the time of impact. Scott opined, based on his observations and calculations,
that the motorcycle’s speed was around 50 m.p.h. as it entered the intersection, and
Hilton applied only the rear brakes which locked up, causing the motorcycle to create a
101-foot skid mark.
{¶ 9} At the close of Scott’s testimony the city rested, and the defense presented
testimony by Toledo Police Sergeant Tyson Coates, Toledo Police Officer George Roush,
Dr. Steven Kramer, and Frederick Greive. Sergeant Coates testified that he is an accident
reconstructionist. Coates stated that the best way to stop a motorcycle is to lock the rear
brake and simultaneously “modulate” the front brake however “novice” motorcycle
drivers do not usually use both the front and rear brakes in an emergency. On cross-
examination, Coates stated that he assisted Scott in his investigation by participating in a
4.
reenactment of the accident, in which he used his own motorcycle to simulate the
conditions faced by Hilton. Coates said that, because his motorcycle has an automatic
braking system, he had to turn off his rear brakes and use only his front brakes during the
simulation. On redirect, Coates stated that he was not aware of Hilton’s skill level as a
motorcycle rider. He also stated that his own bike weighs over 1000 pounds, while
Hilton’s bike was 700 pounds.
{¶ 10} Officer Roush testified that he arrived at the scene of the accident at 6:40
a.m., and there was no fog present at that time. Roush stated that he measured the skid
mark at 106 feet, and made some paint marks on the pavement to assist in the accident
reconstruction. Roush opined that, if Hilton had used both his front and rear brakes, the
accident would not have happened. He further opined based on his own investigation
that, if Hilton used only his rear brakes, his speed would have been between 50 and 52
m.p.h. as he entered the intersection. He noted a change in the direction of the last two
feet of the skid, which he attributed to the impact with appellant’s vehicle. On cross-
examination, Roush stated that the “fog” observed at the accident scene could have been
caused by police flares. On redirect, he testified that he believed Hilton was 222 feet
from the point of impact when he perceived the danger, and he skidded for approximately
four seconds before hitting appellant’s Mercedes. However, he conceded that there could
be errors in his calculations.
{¶ 11} Kramer, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Toledo,
testified that he reviewed Scott’s, Roush’s, and Coates’ expert reports in preparation for
5.
his testimony. Based on those reports, Kramer outlined four possible scenarios: (1)
Hilton locked his front brakes and did not use his rear brakes, (2) Hilton did not use his
front brakes but did lock his rear brakes, (3) Hilton hit the front brakes “hard” and also
locked his rear brakes, and (4) Hilton locked both his front and rear brakes. Of those four
possibilities, Kramer stated that, in his opinion, third option was the most plausible.
Kramer also stated that a four-second skid would have produced a mark on the pavement
that was over 270 feet long. He opined that the motorcycle’s speed was 65.9 m.p.h. as it
entered the intersection. He also stated that the motorcycle would have to be going at
least 49 m.p.h. at impact to rotate appellant’s vehicle 180 degrees, in contrast to Scott’s
conclusion that the motorcycle’s speed decreased from 50 m.p.h. to 45.13 m.p.h., and
Roush’s calculation that the decrease in speed was from 52 m.p.h. down to 40 m.p.h.
{¶ 12} On cross-examination, Kramer testified that Hilton’s body made contact
with appellant’s vehicle after he was thrown from the motorcycle. He also testified that
Hilton, an experienced rider, must have used both his front and rear brakes and that, in
his opinion, Hilton was approximately 376 feet from the intersection when he first
perceived the danger.
{¶ 13} Grieve, a traffic crash reconstructionist, testified that he performed his own
independent investigation of the accident. He stated that Scott’s and Roush’s estimates
“just don’t add up,” and opined that the motorcycle was going between 68 and 72 m.p.h.
when the brakes were first applied, and 60 m.p.h. at the point of impact. He also stated
that Hilton hit the motorcycle’s windshield and handlebars, as well as the “C pillar” of
6.
appellant’s vehicle, and the fact that the vehicle’s axle was bent indicates that the
motorcycle was going at a high rate of speed at the time of impact. He concluded that
there would have been no accident if the motorcycle’s speed had been less than 50 m.p.h.
On cross-examination, he further stated that the accident would not have happened if
appellant had waited for the motorcycle to go by before entering the intersection.
{¶ 14} At that point, the defense rested, and rebuttal testimony was presented by
Toledo Police Officer Dennis Cole. Cole testified that he assisted Coates in
reconstructing the accident. He agreed with Roush’s conclusion that the motorcycle was
traveling at 47 m.p.h. at the point of impact. He stated that using the front brakes is an
“acquired skill” that even experienced riders must practice to perform correctly. He also
stated that appellant’s line of sight down Dorr Street from the stop line at the intersection
would have been 500 feet. He agreed with Scott’s statement that, past the stop line, there
was only a pole that might have briefly blocked appellant’s view. He calculated that
Hilton was going 47 m.p.h. at the start of the skid, it took him two seconds to see
appellant and lock his brakes, and 1.71 seconds from that time until the impact. He also
calculated that, if the Mercedes stopped at the stop bar, it would have traveled 76 feet
from there to the point of impact. Cole acknowledged that, at 22 m.p.h. the distance
would have been covered in four seconds, creating a quarter-second discrepancy in the
two time lines.
{¶ 15} On cross-examination, Cole testified that the type of damage to the
motorcycle indicates a 40 to 45 m.p.h. speed at braking, and a 33 m.p.h. speed at impact.
7.
Cole further testified that it was “impossible” for the skid to last for four seconds, as
Roush calculated, and all police calculations were made on the assumption that Hilton
applied only his rear brakes.
{¶ 16} At the conclusion of Cole’s testimony, closing arguments were made by
counsel for the city and the defense. During his closing argument, the prosecutor stated
that, pursuant to R.C. 4511.13, vehicular traffic is required to stop at a stop line if there is
a flashing red signal at an intersection. Then, pursuant to R.C. 4511.43, after having
stopped, the vehicle must yield the right of way to any vehicle that is either in the
intersection, or so close that entering the intersection would cause a hazard. The
prosecutor also stated that appellant had the burden at trial to overcome the presumption
that Hilton had the right of way.
{¶ 17} In his closing argument, defense counsel stated that, pursuant to R.C.
2903.06, proximate cause is an issue in determining whether appellant is guilty of
vehicular homicide. Specifically, counsel argued that evidence was presented to show
that Hilton was not “lawfully” in the intersection because he was speeding therefore his
actions proximately caused the accident. Defense counsel stated that it was dark and
foggy when the accident occurred. In addition, defense counsel argued that, although the
complaint stated that appellant failed to yield the right of way as a predicate offense
under R.C. 2903.06, the city presented evidence at trial that appellant failed to completely
stop at the stop line, which is a different predicate offense.
8.
{¶ 18} In rebuttal, the city argued that competing evidence was presented as to the
speed of the motorcycle, and whether only the rear brakes were applied. The prosecutor
also argued that the Bridgette and Robert Maher testified that Hilton was not driving in
an unsafe manner, nor was he speeding before the accident and that, although it was still
dark, the road conditions were generally good and there was no fog at the time. The
prosecutor concluded by saying that, regardless of Hilton’s speed, appellant was able to
see Hilton and he should not have proceeded into the intersection.
{¶ 19} After the parties’ arguments the trial court found, after reviewing the trial
testimony and exhibits, as well as the experts’ reports and applicable case law, that: (1)
appellant did not see Hilton’s motorcycle before he entered the intersection, (2) no clear
evidence was presented to establish that appellant did not come to a complete stop at the
flashing red light, (3) testimony that the motorcycle was going as fast as 65 m.p.h. was
not credible, and (4) Hilton’s speed was not unreasonable for the road conditions at the
time. Based on those conclusions, the trial court found that “a reasonable, ordinary,
prudent person in [appellant’s] position would have been able to see that motorcycle and
yield to that motorcycle.” Accordingly, the trial court found appellant guilty of vehicular
manslaughter “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
{¶ 20} After hearing victim impact statements from Hilton’s widow, children and
sister-in-law, and a statement by defense counsel as to appellant’s remorse, the trial court
stated that, despite the devastating effect the accident had on Hilton’s family and friends,
“this was an accident. There was no intentional conduct.” In addition, the trial court
9.
noted that appellant had “a number of other [traffic] violations,” however, they were all
minor misdemeanors. Accordingly, the trial court sentenced appellant to “90 days, all of
which will be suspended, $750 fine and costs * * * [and a] One-year license suspension
with work privileges.” In addition, the trial court placed appellant on one year of
probation “on the condition of a victim impact panel attendance, as well as a defensive
driving course.”
{¶ 21} On June 30, 2014, appellant filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, in
which he asserted that the charge against him was insufficient, because the complaint
“did not reference the statute number or include each element of the predicate offense and
therefore did not put the Defendant on notice of the charge against him.” In support,
appellant cited R.C. 2903.06(A)(4), which states:
(A) No person, while operating or participating in the operation of a
motor vehicle, motorcycle, snowmobile, locomotive, watercraft, or aircraft,
shall cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another’s
pregnancy in any of the following ways:
***
(4) As the proximate result of committing a violation of any
provision of any section contained in Title XLV of the Revised Code that is
a minor misdemeanor or of a municipal ordinance that, regardless of the
penalty set by ordinance for the violation, is substantially equivalent to any
10.
provision of any section contained in Title XLV of the Revised Code that is
a minor misdemeanor.
{¶ 22} In support, appellant asserted that the following statement in the complaint
was insufficient to establish a predicate offense pursuant to R.C. 2903.06(A)(4): “The
defendant stated he stopped for a flashing red light at the intersection of Dorr and
Richards, but failed to yield the right of way to the motorcycle on Door St. [sic.]”
{¶ 23} On July 8, 2014, the city of Toledo filed a response in opposition to the
motion to dismiss. On July 18, 2014, the trial court denied the motion to dismiss finding
that it was filed after trial. The trial court also noted that, in its trial brief, the city cited
R.C. 2903.06(A)(4), the vehicular manslaughter statute, and also R.C. 4511.13(F)(1),
which governs “flashing red traffic control devices.” Accordingly, the trial court
concluded that appellant had sufficient notice of “the essential elements and predicate
offense for which he was tried.”
{¶ 24} Appellant filed a notice of appeal from the judgment of conviction and the
denial of his motion to dismiss on July 22, 2014, in which he sets forth the following two
assignments of error:
1. The Trial Court erred by disregarding the fact that Appellant was
not charged with a predicate offense required to obtain a conviction for
Vehicular Manslaughter under O.R.C. 2903.06(A).
2. Appellant’s conviction was based upon insufficient evidence and
was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
11.
{¶ 25} In his first assignment of error, appellant asserts that the trial court erred
when it denied his motion to dismiss the complaint. In support, appellant argues that he
was never properly charged with vehicular manslaughter because the complaint did not
either fully describe or cite to the statutory number of a predicate offense that was a
minor misdemeanor, as required by R.C. 2903.06(A)(4). Accordingly, appellant
concludes that the charging document did not contain “information sufficient to give him
fair notice of the charge against him” and, on that basis, the complaint should have been
dismissed. In support, appellant cites to State v. Buehner, 110 Ohio St. 3d 403, 406,
2006-Ohio-4707, 853 N.E.2d 1162, in which the Ohio Supreme Court stated that an
indictment is sufficient to provide constitutional notice to an accused if it “tracks the
language of the charged offense and identifies a predicate offense by reference to the
[applicable] state number.” Appellant also argues that the criminal complaint in this case
is “the functional equivalent of the Indictment * * *.” We disagree with appellant’s
argument, for the following reasons.
{¶ 26} Ordinarily, the jurisdiction of a municipal court is initially invoked through
the filing of a complaint. Parma v. Mentch, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101222, 2014-Ohio-
5690, ¶ 9, citing State v. Mbodji, 129 Ohio St. 3d 325, 2011-Ohio-2880, 951 N.E.2d 1025,
¶ 12. (Other citation omitted.) Ohio courts have held that a complaint differs from an
indictment because:
A complaint is the basic charging instrument in all criminal
proceedings in this state. State v. Wood, 48 Ohio App. 2d 339, 343, 357
12.
N.E.2d 1106 (8th Dist.1976). It is a written statement of the essential facts
constituting the offense charged and may be made by either a police officer
or a private citizen having knowledge of the facts. Crim.R. 3; R.C.
2935.09. In contrast, an indictment is issued by the grand jury after twelve
jurors have concurred on the charges. Ohio Const., Article I, Section 10;
R.C. 2939.20. It specifies that the defendant has committed a public
offense “in ordinary and concise language without technical averments or
allegations not essential to be proved.” Crim.R. 7(B). State v. Hess, 7th
Dist. Jefferson No. 02 JE 36, 2003-Ohio-6721, ¶ 16.
{¶ 27} “The purpose of an indictment * * * or complaint is to inform the accused
of the offense with which he is charged so that he may prepare for trial.” State v. Sottek,
6th Dist. Lucas No. L-87-150, 1988 WL 28113 *2 (Mar.4, 1988), citing State v. Morris, 8
Ohio App. 3d 12, 16, 455 N.E.2d 1352 (8th Dist.1982). “However, the requirements of a
complaint are not as strictly construed as those for an indictment.” Id., citing Toledo v.
Tucker, 99 Ohio App. 346, 347, 133 N.E.2d 411 (6th Dist.1954). In most instances, it is
only when the complaint fails to state essential facts sufficient to inform a defendant of
the offense with which he or she is charged that “reference to a numerical designation of
the applicable ordinance becomes pivotal.” Id.
13.
{¶ 28} Crim.R. 3 states:
The complaint is a written statement of the essential facts
constituting the offense charged. It shall also state the numerical
designation of the applicable statute or ordinance. * * *
{¶ 29} A complaint satisfies the requirements of Crim.R. 3:
“when all the elements constituting the offense charged are sufficiently set
forth and nothing therein contained is ambiguous.” * * * “A complaint is
generally deemed to be sufficient if it charges an offense in the words of the
statute or ordinance upon which it is based.” * * * “While all the specific
facts relied upon to sustain the charge need not be recited, the material
elements of the crime must be stated.” Parma, at ¶ 10 (Other citations
omitted.)
{¶ 30} “In general, defects in a complaint must be objected to by motion prior to
trial or the objection is deemed waived.” Sottek, supra.; Crim.R. 12(B)(2). “When not
raised at trial, the complaint must be so defective that under any reasonable construction
it does not charge the offense for which the party was convicted.” Id., citing State v.
Stone, 30 Ohio App. 2d 49, 56, 283 N.E.2d 188 (4th Dist.1971). Appellate review of the
sufficiency of a criminal complaint is de novo. Parma, ¶ 12.
{¶ 31} In this case, the complaint specifically charged appellant with vehicular
manslaughter, in violation of R.C. 2903.06(A)(4). As for a predicate offense, the
complaint stated that appellant “failed to yield the right of way” to Hilton’s motorcycle.
14.
As set forth above, the city referenced a violation of R.C. 4511.13(F)(1) in its brief that
was filed before trial. That statute states, in relevant part:
(F) Flashing red signal indication:
(1) Vehicular traffic, on an approach to an intersection, facing a
flashing circular red signal indication, shall stop at a clearly marked stop
line * * *; or * * * at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the
driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before
entering the intersection. The right to proceed shall be subject to the
provisions that are applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(Emphases added.)
{¶ 32} The statute referenced in R.C. 4511.13(F)(1) which governs a driver’s
response to a stop or yield sign is R.C. 4511.43(A). That statute states, in relevant part
that, after stopping at a stop sign or clearly marked stop line, “the driver [of a vehicle]
shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on an other
roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is
moving across or within the intersection or junction or roadways.”
{¶ 33} In addition to the city’s citation of R.C. 4511.13(F)(1) in its trial brief, the
record shows that, at trial, the prosecutor stated that the city was prepared to establish
“beyond a reasonable doubt” that appellant failed to stop at the flashing red light and then
proceed into the intersection with caution as required by R.C. 4511.43. Later, in his own
opening remarks, defense counsel argued that Hilton forfeited the right-of-way as defined
15.
in R.C. 4511.01(UU) by “traveling at an unreasonable speed for the conditions then
existing on the morning of the accident.” Therefore, counsel argued, appellant “cannot
be guilty of the underlying traffic offense and therefore cannot be guilty of the * * *
vehicular manslaughter.”
{¶ 34} On consideration of the entire record that was before the trial court, we
cannot say that the complaint was so defective that under any reasonable construction it
does not charge the offense for which the party was convicted, or that appellant did not
receive adequate notice of the charges against him. Accordingly, the trial court did not
err by denying appellant’s motion to dismiss the complaint after trial, and appellant’s first
assignment of error is not well-taken.
{¶ 35} In his second assignment of error, appellant asserts that his conviction was
based on insufficient evidence and was against the manifest weight of the evidence. In
support, appellant argues that the evidence presented at trial showed that the accident
occurred because Hilton’s motorcycle was traveling well above the posted speed limit.
Appellant supports his argument by referring to Kramer’s testimony that the motorcycle
could have been traveling over 65 m.p.h. as it entered the intersection. Appellant also
argues that Hilton’s excessive speed is demonstrated by the length of the skid marks and
the fact that appellant’s vehicle was rotated 180 degrees by the impact. We will address
appellant’s sufficiency and manifest weight arguments separately.
16.
Sufficiency of the Evidence
{¶ 36} Sufficiency of the evidence is a legal standard that tests whether the
evidence submitted at trial is legally sufficient to support a verdict. State v. Thompkins,
78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 386, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). On appeal, the test is whether, when
“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.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the
syllabus. Criminal convictions should not be overturned on the basis of insufficient
evidence unless reasonable minds could not reach the same conclusion as the trier of fact.
State v. Smith, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-14-1119, 2015-Ohio-2676, ¶ 8.
{¶ 37} Appellant was convicted of vehicular manslaughter pursuant to R.C.
2903.06(A)(4), which states: “No person, while operating or participating in the operation
of a motor vehicle, * * * shall cause the death of another * * * [a]s the proximate result of
committing a violation of any provision of any section contained in Title XLV of the
Revised Code that is minor misdemeanor * * *.” As discussed in our analysis of
appellant’s first assignment of error, the predicate offense of which appellant was found
guilty is R.C. 4511.43(A), which requires the driver of a vehicle to yield the right-of-way
to other vehicles that are either in an intersection or so close “as to constitute an
immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection or
junction or roadways.”
17.
{¶ 38} As set forth above, testimony was presented at trial that the collision
between appellant and Hilton occurred when appellant stopped at a flashing red traffic
signal before driving his vehicle in a southbound direction into the intersection of
Richards and Dorr Streets, where it was struck by a motorcycle ridden by Hilton. It is
undisputed that Hilton was driving eastbound on Dorr Street, and that a flashing yellow
traffic signal controlled the traffic driving in that direction. As a result of the collision
Hilton was thrown from the motorcycle and later died.
{¶ 39} On appeal, appellant argues at length that his conviction should be
overturned because Hilton forfeited the right-of-way when he proceeded into the
intersection in an “unlawful manner,” i.e., at an unsafe rate of speed. In support,
appellant relies on Kramer’s and Greive’s testimony that, “to a reasonable degree of
scientific certainty,” the motorcycle was going over 60 m.p.h. when Hilton first applied
the brakes to avoid a collision. Accordingly, appellant asks this court to find that Hilton
violated R.C. 4511.01(UU)(1), which defines the right-of-way as the right to proceed in a
“lawful manner.”
{¶ 40} By making the above argument, appellant focuses on the “causation”
element of R.C. 2903.06(A)(4) by arguing that, but-for Hilton’s excessive, unsafe speed,
the accident would not have occurred. However, unless it is determined to be the sole
proximate cause of an accident, contributory negligence of the decedent is not a defense
to vehicular manslaughter. State v. Dendak, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2013 CA 00065, 2013-
18.
Ohio-5694, ¶ 14, relying on State v. Langenkamp, 137 Ohio App. 3d 614, 621, 739
N.E.2d 404 (3d Dist.2000).
{¶ 41} In addition to the conflicting expert testimony regarding the speed of
appellant’s vehicle and the motorcycle, as well as Hilton’s attempt to apply his brakes,
Bridgette Maher testified that appellant stopped at the flashing red light and then
proceeded into the intersection. She and her husband also testified that Hilton was not
speeding or otherwise driving his motorcycle in an unsafe manner, the pavement was dry,
and there was no fog present. In addition to Bridgette and Robert Maher, Officer Scott
testified that the intersection was visible from a distance that would have allowed
appellant to see and avoid Hilton’s motorcycle.
{¶ 42} On consideration we find, after viewing the evidence in a light most
favorable to the prosecution, that any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the crime of vehicular manslaughter proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Accordingly, appellant’s argument that his conviction was not supported by sufficient
competent, credible evidence is without merit.
Manifest Weight of the Evidence
{¶ 43} This court recently held that:
When an appellate court considers a claim that a conviction is
against the manifest weight of the evidence, the court must dutifully
“examine the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable
inferences, and consider the credibility of witnesses, and determine whether
19.
the [trier of fact] ‘clearly lost its way and created such a manifest
miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial
ordered.’” Smith, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-14-1119, 2015-Ohio-2676, at ¶ 11,
quoting Tibbetts, 92 Ohio St. 3d 146 at 163, 749 N.E.2d 226 (2001).
(Additional citations omitted.)
{¶ 44} The decision to grant a new trial “should be exercised only in the
exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.” State v.
Dendak, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2013 CA 00065, 2013-Ohio-5694, ¶ 16, citing State v.
Martin, 20 Ohio App. 3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983). A conviction is not
against the manifest weight of the evidence merely “because the trier of fact believed the
state’s version of events over the appellant’s version.” State v. Parks, 10th Dist. Franklin
No. 09AP-810, 2010-Ohio-2105, ¶ 9. On appeal, we give great deference to the
determination of the trial court, which was “in the best position to take into account
inconsistencies, along with the witnesses’ manner and demeanor, and determine whether
the witnesses’ testimony is credible.” Id. (Citations omitted.)
{¶ 45} The transcript of appellant’s trial shows that, after taking time to review the
testimony, exhibits and evidence presented in this case, the trial court made the following
relevant findings:
I think it’s clear from the testimony and from the fact of the accident
that [appellant] did not see the motorcycle, and he entered the intersection.
20.
There was testimony from the Officer that [appellant] made a statement
that, I saw something as I was in the intersection.
***
Going to the expert testimony and the determination of speed, I
suspect all of you may agree with this that the true speed [of the
motorcycle] is probably somewhere in the middle. I do not believe the
motorcycle was going as high as 65 or 71 miles and hour. I don’t see that
from the damage to the vehicles; and there is plenty of testimony going
both ways.
***
What I can say is based on all of the facts and evidence surrounding
this case; in particular, Ms. Maher’s testimony that she was able to see
[appellant’s] vehicle, I believe that based on the totality of the
circumstances, the speed was not unreasonable for the conditions.
In other words, a reasonable, ordinary, prudent person in
[appellant’s] position would have been able to see that motorcycle and
yield to the motorcycle. Because I find, therefore, that the speed of the
motorcycle was not unreasonable for the conditions, I find that [appellant]
is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
{¶ 46} After considering the entire record that was before the trial court, weighing
the evidence and all reasonable inferences, and considering the trial court’s determination
21.
of the credibility of witnesses as set forth above, we find that appellant’s conviction was
not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 47} For the foregoing reasons, appellant’s second assignment of error is not
well-taken. The judgment of the Toledo Municipal Court is hereby affirmed. Appellant
is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24.
Judgment affirmed.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Arlene Singer, J. _______________________________
JUDGE
Thomas J. Osowik, J.
_______________________________
James D. Jensen, .J. JUDGE
CONCUR.
_______________________________
JUDGE
This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/newpdf/?source=6.
22.