State v. Laber , 2013 Ohio 2681 ( 2013 )

[Cite as State v. Laber, 2013-Ohio-2681.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
LAWRENCE COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : Case No. 12CA24
vs.
:
DAVID L. LABER, DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
Defendant-Appellant.
:
_________________________________________________________________
APPEARANCES:
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT: Michael A. Davenport, 215 South Fourth Street, P.O. Box
725, Ironton, Ohio 45638
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE: J.B. Collier, Jr., Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney,
and W. Mack Anderson, Lawrence County Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, Lawrence County Courthouse, One
Veterans Square, Ironton, Ohio 45638
CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM COMMON PLEAS COURT
DATE JOURNALIZED: 6-11-13
ABELE, J.
{¶ 1} This is an appeal from Lawrence County Common Pleas Court judgments of
conviction and sentence. A jury found David L. Laber, defendant below and appellant herein,
guilty of making terrorist threats in violation of R.C. 2909.23(A)(1)(a)(2).
{¶ 2} Appellant assigns the following errors for review1:
1
Appellant’s brief does not contain a separate statement of the assignments of error. See App.R. 16(A)(3).
Consequently, we take these assignments of error from the table of contents.
[Cite as State v. Laber, 2013-Ohio-2681.]
FIRST ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR:
“THE JURY’S VERDICT FINDING APPELLANT GUILTY OF
VIOLATING R.C. § 2909.03 WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST
WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.”
SECOND ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR:
“THE TRIAL COURT JUDGE ABUSED HIS DISCRETION BY
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION APPELLANT’S PRIOR
RECORD AND IMPOSING A SENTENCE FOR THREE
YEARS FOR VIOLATING R.C. §2909.23.”
THIRD ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR:
“PROBABLE CAUSE DID NOT EXIST FOR APPELLANT’S
WARRANTLESS ARREST, AND AS A RESULT, THE
ARREST OF APPELLANT VIOLATED HIS FOURTH
AMENDMENT RIGHTS UNDER THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION.”
{¶ 3} On August 1, 2012, appellant was employed at "Emerson Labored” in Ironton,
Ohio.2 While so employed, he engaged in a conversation with Linda Lawless and asked if she
ever thought of shooting someone or bombing their place of employment. Lawless replied in
the negative. Appellant continued that he thought of shooting two co-workers and that he had
three bombs and “would start at the front office.” Lawless contacted her superiors who, later
that day, terminated appellant’s employment and notified authorities.
{¶ 4} Three weeks later, the Lawrence County Grand Jury returned an indictment that
charged appellant with making a terrorist threat. Appellant pled not guilty and the matter
proceeded to a jury trial. At trial, Lawless testified concerning the comments and further related
that she (1) took appellant's threats seriously, and (2) felt like appellant tried to intimidate her.
2
The employer below was referred to, alternatively, as both “Labored” and “Emerson Labored.” For the sake of
simplicity, we use the shorter of the two names.
LAWRENCE, 12CA24 3
In addition, several other Labored employees testified as to the company’s response to
appellant’s remarks.
{¶ 5} After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a guilty verdict and the trial court
imposed a three year prison sentence. This appeal followed.
I
{¶ 6} We first consider, out of order, appellant's third assignment of error. Appellant
asserts that insufficient probable cause existed for a warrantless arrest and, therefore, his arrest
was improper. We, however, need not, and do not, reach the merits of this assignment of error.
{¶ 7} First, a warrantless arrest should be challenged in a motion to suppress. See State
v. Whitt, 2nd Dist. No. 2010 CA 3, 2010-Ohio-5291, at ¶40; State v. Askew, 5th Dist. No.
2004CA275, at ¶¶25-26. We find no such motion after our review of this matter. Second, the
absence of a motion to suppress notwithstanding, it does not appear that appellant used any other
method to raise this particular issue. We must not consider constitutional issues for the first
time on appeal. State v. Johnson, 4th Dist. Nos. 11CA925, 11CA926 & 11CA927,
2012-Ohio-5879, at ¶15; State v. Cotrill, 4th Dist. 11CA3270, 2012-Ohio-1525, at ¶6.
{¶ 8} For these reasons, we hereby overrule appellant's third assignment of error.
II
{¶ 9} In his first assignment of error, appellant challenges the evidence adduced at trial.
The actual assignment of error is couched in terms of his conviction being against the manifest
weight of the evidence. In his argument, however, appellant posits that insufficient evidence
supports his conviction. These arguments are not interchangeable. Manifest weight and
sufficiency arguments are, both quantitatively and qualitatively, different from one another. See
LAWRENCE, 12CA24 4
State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997) at paragraph two of the syllabus;
also see State v. Hill, 4th Dist. No. 09CA30, 2010-Ohio-2552, at ¶13. Nevertheless, we conclude
that appellant’s arguments fail under either standard of review.
{¶ 10} When appellate courts conduct a sufficiency of the evidence review, the court will
look to the adequacy of the evidence and determine whether such evidence, if believed by the
trier of fact, supports a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Thompkins, supra at 386;
State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 273, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991). In other words, after viewing the
evidence, and each inference reasonably drawn therefrom in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, could a rational trier of fact have found all the essential elements of the offense
beyond a reasonable doubt? See State v. Were, 118 Ohio St.3d 448, 890 N.E.2d 263,
2008-Ohio-2762; at ¶132; State v. Hancock, 108 Ohio St.3d 57, 840 N.E.2d 1032,
2006-Ohio-160, at ¶34; State v. Jones, 90 Ohio St.3d 403, 417, 739 N.E.2d 300 (2000).
R.C. 2909.23 states, in pertinent part, as follows:
“(A) No person shall threaten to commit or threaten to cause to be committed a
specified offense when both of the following apply:
(1) The person makes the threat with purpose to do any of the following:
(a) Intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
* * *
(2) As a result of the threat, the person causes a reasonable expectation or fear of
the imminent commission of the specified offense.”
{¶ 11} Appellant first argues that he did not actually make a “threat” for purposes of this
statute. Throughout Lawless's testimony she stated that appellant did not convey to her that he
was going to shoot someone or bomb their place of employment. Rather, he speculated about
LAWRENCE, 12CA24 5
committing these acts. Appellant posits that such comments do not rise to the level of a “threat”
for purposes of R.C. 2909.23(A). However, the statute states that “[i]t is not a defense . . . the
defendant did not have the intent or capability to commit” the threatened offense.” Id. at (B).
(Emphasis added.) In other words, whether the appellant actually intended to carry through on
the remarks that he conveyed to Lawless is irrelevant. The fact that he made those comments is
sufficient for the trier of fact to conclude that they constitute threats.
{¶ 12} Appellant next argues that no evidence was adduced at trial to show that the threat
was made “to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.” Appellant points out that he
communicated the threat to Lawless and no other person. However, in State v. Baughman, 6th
Dist. No. L–11–1045, 2012-Ohio-5327, the court concluded that letters that the defendant sent to
an ex-girlfriend and mother of his children, wherein he threatened to kill “pigs” and “maggots,”
(language the ex-girlfriend explained that the defendant used to describe people involved in the
judicial system) is sufficient for a reasonable trier of fact to conclude that the defendant intended
to intimidate or to coerce a civilian population. Id. at ¶¶ 25-27.
{¶ 13} In the case sub judice, appellant was even less removed from the targets of his
threats than the defendant in Baughman. In Baughman, the defendant was incarcerated when he
threatened the judicial system. Here, appellant conveyed threats to a fellow employee against
his employer while at his place of employment. These facts are sufficient for the trier of fact to
conclude that appellant meant to intimidate the population at the workplace. Moreover, as the
Baughman court noted, it is not a defense to a R.C. 2909.23 violation that the threat was made to
someone other than the subject of the offense. See id. at (B); Baughman, supra at ¶26.
{¶ 14} Finally, appellant asserts that the evidence failed to establish that the threat
LAWRENCE, 12CA24 6
“caused a reasonable expectation or fear” of the imminent commission of the threatened act.
Again, we disagree. During her testimony, Lawless was asked whether she took appellant’s
“threats seriously.” She answered affirmatively. Indeed, Lawless testified that “I did take him
very serious.” Nona Callahan, Human Resources Manager at Labored, also testified as follows:
“Q. Was management concerned about the um, eminent threat that was made?
A. Absolutely, absolutely. As a matter of fact we made arrangements for extra
security, we called law enforcement, we called our corporate security people. We
mobilized.”
{¶ 15} Appellant cites Callahan’s testimony to point out that his employer permitted him
to leave the plant after his shift as evidence that the company did not take him seriously.
Callahan, however, addressed that point and explained that (1) appellant’s shift was over, and (2)
“[w]e were still in the process of deciding what to do.” Here, the trier of fact may have
concluded that it is not unreasonable for an employer to allow someone who threatened fellow
employees to leave the place of employment, rather than keep the employee on site with an
extended opportunity to carry out the threats.
{¶ 16} It is fundamental that evidence weight and credibility are issues that the trier of
fact must determine. See e.g. State v. Frazier, 115 Ohio St.3d 139, 873 N.E.2d 1263,
2007-Ohio-5048, at ¶106; State v. Dye, 82 Ohio St.3d 323, 329, 695 N.E.2d 763 (1998); State v.
Williams, 73 Ohio St.3d 153, 165, 652 N.E.2d 721 (1995). Here, the jury, sitting as the trier of
fact, could opt to believe all, part or none of the testimony of any witness. State v. Colquitt, 188
Ohio App.3d 509, 2010-Ohio- 2210, 936 N.E.2d 76, at ¶10, fn. 1 (2nd Dist.); State v. Nichols, 85
Ohio App.3d 65, 76, 619 N.E.2d 80 (4th Dist. 1993); State v. Caldwell, 79 Ohio App.3d 667, 679,
607 N.E.2d 1096 (4th Dist. 1992). The underlying rationale for deferring to the trier of fact on
LAWRENCE, 12CA24 7
evidence weight and credibility issues is that the trier of fact is best positioned to view the
witnesses, to observe their demeanor, gestures and voice inflections and to use those
observations to weigh witness credibility. See Myers v. Garson, 66 Ohio St.3d 610, 615, 614
N.E.2d 742 (1993); Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273(1984).
{¶ 17} In the case sub judice, it is apparent that the jury, sitting as the trier of fact, found
the evidence, including the testimony of Lawless and Callahan, sufficient to show a reasonable
expectation or fear that appellant may carry out his threat. In light of the evidence adduced at
trial to support that determination, we will not second-guess the jury. For these reasons, we
conclude that sufficient evidence supports appellant’s conviction.
{¶ 18} We again note that although appellant’s argument is largely a challenge to the
sufficiency of evidence, his assignment of error also includes a manifest weight of the evidence
argument. Insofar as a manifest weight challenge is concerned, a reviewing court will not
reverse a conviction on grounds that the conviction is against manifest weight of the evidence
unless it is obvious that the jury lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice
that a reversal of the judgment and a new trial are required. See State v. Earle, 120 Ohio App.3d
457, 473, 698 N.E.2d 440 (11th Dist.1997); State v. Garrow, 103 Ohio App.3d 368, 370–371,
659 N.E.2d 814 (4th Dist.1995); State v. Daniels, 4th Dist. No. 11CA3423, 2011–Ohio–5603, at
¶22. Here, we are not persuaded that the judgment is against the manifest weight of the
evidence. First, appellant offered no evidence in his own defense. Second, ample competent,
credible evidence adduced at trial supports the jury's conclusion. Accordingly, we cannot
conclude that the evidence for an acquittal outweighs the evidence that supports a conviction.
LAWRENCE, 12CA24 8
{¶ 19} For all of these reasons, we find no merit to appellant's first assignment of error
and it is hereby overruled.
III
{¶ 20} In his second assignment of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred by (1)
taking his prior criminal record of misdemeanor violations into account for purposes of
sentencing, and (2) imposing a three year term of imprisonment.
{¶ 21} Generally, appellate review of a criminal sentence involves a two step process.
State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008–Ohio–4912, 896 N.E.2d 124; State v. Leffingwell, 4th
Dist. No. 12CA1, 2013-Ohio-1421, at ¶22. First, an appellate court must determine whether a
trial court complied with all applicable rules and statutes. Kalish, supra at ¶26; also see State v.
Marino, 4th Dist. No. 11CA36, 2013–Ohio–113, at ¶6 State v. Pearson, 4th Dist. No. 10CA17,
2011–Ohio–5910, at ¶5. If so, the appellate court will review the trial court decision for an abuse
of discretion. Kalish, supra, at ¶26; State v. Adams, 4th Dist. No. 10CA3391, 2012–Ohio–255,
at ¶4.
{¶ 22} In the case at bar, appellant does not argue that the trial court violated any
applicable statute. Instead, he argues that the trial court erred by considering his prior
misdemeanor offenses. Appellant, however, cites no authority, as App.R. 16(A)(7) requires, to
support his argument that prior misdemeanor violations should not be taken into account for
sentencing purposes. To the contrary, we find considerable authority for the proposition that a
court’s consideration of prior convictions (of any degree) is highly relevant when determining an
appropriate sentence. See e.g. State v. Connin, 6th Dist. No. L–11–1312, 2012-Ohio-4989, at
¶34; State v. Pettit, 5th Dist. No. 11CA0108, 2012-Ohio-3057, at ¶41.
LAWRENCE, 12CA24 9
{¶ 23} We now turn to the question of whether the trial court's sentence constitutes an
abuse of discretion. A person convicted of making a terrorist threat under R.C. 2909.23 is guilty
of a third degree felony. Id. at (C). Appellant's three year sentence fell within the sentence range
of nine to thirty-six months. R.C. 2929.14 (A)(3)(b). Thus, we will review the sentence under
the abuse of discretion standard. Generally, an “abuse of discretion” is more than an error of
law or judgment; rather, it implies that a trial court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or
unconscionable. State v. Herring, 94 Ohio St.3d 246, 255, 762 N.E.2d 940 (2002); State v.
Adams, 60 Ohio St.2d 151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144 (1980). Additionally, when reviewing for an
abuse of discretion, appellate courts must not substitute their judgment for that of the trial court.
State ex rel. Duncan v. Chippewa Twp. Trustees, 73 Ohio St.3d 728, 732, 654 N.E.2d 1254(1995); In re Jane Doe 1, 57 Ohio St.3d 135, 137-138, 566 N.E.2d 1181 (1991).
{¶ 24} In the case sub judice, the testimony adduced at trial reveals that appellant’s
threats caused panic amongst his fellow employees (Lawless), as well as others who worked for
his employer (Callahan). We cannot conclude that such panic should have been discounted, just
as we cannot conclude the trial court should have disregarded it when it imposed sentence. In
the end, we find nothing arbitrary, unreasonable or unconscionable in the imposition of a three
year sentence for the events that transpired and we hereby overrule appellant's third assignment
of error.
{¶ 25} Having considered all of the errors argued and assigned, we hereby affirm the trial
court's judgment.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
JUDGMENT ENTRY
LAWRENCE, 12CA24 10
It is ordered the judgment be affirmed and appellant to recover of appellee the 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 Lawrence County
Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
If a stay of execution of sentence and release upon bail has been previously granted, it is
continued for a period of sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of said stay is
to allow appellant to file with the Ohio Supreme Court an application for a stay during the
pendency of the proceedings in that court. The stay as herein continued will terminate at the
expiration of the sixty day period.
The stay will also terminate if appellant fails to file a notice of appeal with the Ohio
Supreme Court in the forty-five day period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of
the Ohio Supreme Court. Additionally, if the Ohio Supreme Court dismisses the appeal prior to
the expiration of said sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute that mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
McFarland, P.J. & Hoover, J.: Concur in Judgment & Opinion
For the Court
BY:
Peter B. Abele, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the
time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.