State v. Rasawehr , 2020 Ohio 429 ( 2020 )

[Cite as State v. Rasawehr, 2020-Ohio-429.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
MERCER COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 10-19-15
v.
JEFFERY E. RASAWEHR, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Celina Municipal Court
Trial Court No. 16CRB00943
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: February 10, 2020
APPEARANCES:
Michael H. Stahl and William V. Stephenson for Appellant
Matthew K. Fox and Amy B. Ikerd for Appellee
Case No. 10-19-15
ZIMMERMAN, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Jeffery E. Rasawehr (“Rasawehr”), appeals the
July 12, 2019 judgment entry of sentence of the Celina Municipal Court. For the
reasons that follow, we affirm.
{¶2} On October 25, 2016, a criminal complaint was filed in the Celina
Municipal Court, charging Rasawehr with thirteen counts: Counts One, Two,
Three, Four, and Five of menacing by stalking in violation of R.C. 2903.211(A)(1),
first-degree misdemeanors, and Counts Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven,
Twelve, and Thirteen of telecommunications harassment in violation of R.C.
2917.21(A)(6), first-degree misdemeanors. (Doc. No. 2). On November 23, 2016,
Rasawehr filed a written plea of not guilty to the charges. (Doc. No. 6).
{¶3} On July 21, 2017, the State filed a motion to join this case with another
criminal case of Rasawehr’s (case number 16CRB00942), which the trial court
granted on August 1, 2017. (Doc. Nos. 27, 29). The cases proceeded to a jury trial
on May 21-24, 2019. During the trial, the trial court dismissed Counts One, Two,
Three, Four, Eight, Nine, Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen.1 (Doc. No. 107); (May 21-
24, 2019 Tr., Vol. IV, at 961).
1
During the trial (in case number 16CRB00942), the trial court dismissed Count Three and the State filed a
motion to dismiss Count Thirteen, which the trial court dismissed. (Doc. No. 107).
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{¶4} On May 24, 2019, the jury found Rasawehr guilty of Counts Five and
Six, but not guilty of Counts Seven and Ten.2 (Doc. Nos. 97, 104). On July 12,
2019, the trial court sentenced Rasawehr to five years of community-control
sanctions. (Doc. No. 105).
{¶5} Rasawehr filed a notice of appeal on August 9, 2019 and raises five
assignments of error for our review.3 (Doc. No. 19). For ease of our discussion, we
will address Rasawher’s first assignment of error, followed by his second and third
assignments of error together, then his fourth and fifth assignments of error together.
Assignment of Error No. I
Mr. Rasawehr was denied his rights to a fair trial, before an
impartial jury, his right to remain silent, and his right due [sic]
process under the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions when, over the
objection of the defense, the trial judge instructed the jury that
Freedom of Speech was an Affirmative Defense which Mr.
Rasawehr had to prove by a preponderance of the evidence
{¶6} In his first assignment of error, Rasawehr argues that the trial court
committed structural error by instructing the jury that he “bore a burden to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that that [sic] he had Freedom of Speech * * * .”
(Appellant’s Brief at 12). Rasawehr also argues under his first assignment of error
that the State committed structural error during its closing argument by stating that
2
The jury found Rasawehr not guilty of all charges in case number 16CRB00942. (Doc. No. 104).
3
Rasawehr did not file a notice of appeal in case number 16CRB00942.
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the affirmative-defense instruction applied to Rasawehr’s menacing-by-stalking and
telecommunications-harassment charges.
Standard of Review
{¶7} “A structural error is a constitutional defect that defies analysis by
harmless error standards, because it affects the framework within which the trial
proceeds, rather than simply being an error in the trial process itself.” State v.
Fields, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2005-03-067, 2005-Ohio-6270, ¶ 27, citing State v.
Perry, 101 Ohio St. 3d 118, 2004-Ohio-297, ¶ 17.
Structural error affects the substantial rights of a criminal defendant,
even absent a specific showing that the outcome of the trial would
have been different, and requires automatic reversal. Because a
defendant is relieved of his burden to show prejudice, the finding of
structural error is rare and limited to exceptional cases.
State v. Martin, 103 Ohio St. 3d 385, 2004-Ohio-5471, ¶ 53 (Moyer, J., concurring
in judgment only), citing Perry at ¶ 18, citing Johnson v. United States, 520 U.S.
461, 468, 117 S. Ct. 1544 (1997). The “‘limited class of cases’” recognizing
structural error are cases “in which the errors permeate the ‘entire conduct of the
trial from beginning to end,’ so that the trial court cannot ‘“reliably serve its function
as a vehicle for determination of guilt or innocence.”’” Fields at ¶ 27, quoting
Arizona v. Fulminante, 449 U.S. 279, 309-310, 111 S. Ct. 1246 (1991), quoting Rose
v. Clark, 478 U.S. 570, 577-578, 106 S. Ct. 3101 (1986). Those “‘limited number
of cases’” in which structural errors have been recognized include “‘a total
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deprivation of the right to counsel; lack of an impartial trial judge; unlawful
exclusion of grand jurors of the defendant’s race; the right to self-representation at
trial; the right to a public trial; erroneous reasonable doubt instruction to the jury.’”
Id., quoting Johnson at 468-469.
Analysis
{¶8} Before addressing whether the trial court’s jury instruction amounts
structural error, we must examine whether the jury-instruction error that Rasawehr
alleges to be structural error is properly before this court. In this case, Rasawehr
was charged with menacing by stalking and telecommunications harassment. In
case number 16CRB00942, Rasawehr was charged with obstructing official
business. Prior to the start of trial, the trial court (at the State’s request) joined the
charges in this case with Rasawehr’s charges in case number 16CRB00942.
Importantly, Rasawehr neither objected to the joinder nor sought severance of the
cases under Crim.R. 14. See State v. Gordon, 152 Ohio St. 3d 528, 2018-Ohio-259,
¶ 21.
{¶9} Contrary to Rasawehr’s contention on appeal, the trial court’s jury
instructions were not unclear as to which case the instructions applied. In particular,
in its jury instructions, the trial court instructed the jury as to the instructions
relevant to each case. (See May 21-24, 2019 Tr., Vol. IV, at 1021, 1031); (Doc. No.
100). After the trial court concluded its instructions relative to case number
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16CRB00942, the trial court informed the jury that the remainder of its instructions
related to both cases. (Id. at 1031). Importantly, with respect to the affirmative-
defense instruction, the trial court specifically stated that it concluded “the
instruction in Case Number 943” and that it was “mov[ing] on to instruction in Case
Number 942” before giving the affirmative-defense instruction. (Id. at 1021). In
other words, the affirmative-defense instruction to which Rasawehr objects is
included with the trial court’s instructions in case number 16CRB00942. (See id. at
1027-1031). Because the affirmative-defense instruction to which Rasawehr
objects relates to case number 16CRB00943 and Rasawehr did not appeal from that
case, that issue is not properly before this court and we cannot consider any alleged
errors relating to it. See State v. Novak, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92586, 2009-Ohio-
6220, ¶ 9.
{¶10} Accordingly, we turn to Rasawehr’s argument that the State’s
suggestion in its closing argument that the affirmative-defense instruction applied
to his menacing-by-stalking and telecommunications-harassment charges amounts
to structural error. However, Rasawehr cites no authority that the principle of
structural error applies to this type of error, and we see none. See State v.
Cleavenger, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2019-P-0036, 2020-Ohio-73, ¶ 12; State v.
Cassel, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 26708, 2016-Ohio-3479, ¶ 58. See also State v.
Wamsley, 117 Ohio St. 3d 388, 2008-Ohio-1195, ¶ 24.
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{¶11} Because an error with the State’s closing argument does not fall into
any recognized definition of structural error, and because Rasawehr’s trial counsel
did not object to the State’s closing argument, this case calls for a plain-error
analysis. See Wamsley ¶ 25; Cleavenger at ¶ 13. See also State v. Smith, 3d Dist.
Hardin No. 6-14-14, 2015-Ohio-2977, ¶ 63, citing State v. Diar, 120 Ohio St. 3d
460, 2008-Ohio-6266, ¶ 139 and State v. Saleh, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 07AP-431,
2009-Ohio-1542, ¶ 68. “Crim.R. 52(B) governs plain-error review in criminal
cases.” State v. Bagley, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-13-31, 2014-Ohio-1787, ¶ 55, citing
State v. Risner, 73 Ohio App. 3d 19, 24 (3d Dist.1991). “To demonstrate plain error,
the defendant must demonstrate that the trial court deviated from a legal rule, the
error was an obvious defect in the proceeding, and the error affected a substantial
right.” State v. Howard, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-10-50, 2011-Ohio-3524, ¶ 83, citing
State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St. 3d 21, 27 (2002). “The defendant must also demonstrate
that the outcome of his trial would clearly have been different but for the trial court’s
errors.” Id., citing State v. Waddell, 75 Ohio St. 3d 163, 166 (1996), citing State v.
Moreland, 50 Ohio St. 3d 58 (1990). “We recognize plain error ‘“with the utmost
caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage
of justice.”’” Id., quoting State v. Landrum, 53 Ohio St. 3d 107, 110 (1990), quoting
State v. Long, 53 Ohio St. 2d 91 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus.
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{¶12} “Prosecutors are afforded considerable latitude in closing argument.”
State v. Encarnacion, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 16AP-817, 2017-Ohio-5530, ¶ 9,
citing State v. Ballew, 76 Ohio St. 3d 244, 255 (1996). “A prosecutor may comment
on ‘“what the evidence has shown and what reasonable inferences may be drawn
therefrom.”’” Id., quoting State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St. 3d 160, 165 (1990), quoting
State v. Stephens, 24 Ohio St. 2d 76, 82 (1970), and citing State v. Leonard, 104
Ohio St. 3d 54, 2004-Ohio-6235, ¶ 159 (“A prosecutor may state an opinion if based
on evidence presented at trial.”). See State v. McGuire, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-13-47,
2015-Ohio-1887, ¶ 81 (“In closing arguments, prosecutors are entitled to some
latitude regarding what the evidence has shown and the inferences that can be
drawn.”), citing Ballew at 255.
{¶13} “The test regarding prosecutorial misconduct in closing arguments is
whether the remarks were improper and, if so, whether they prejudicially affected
substantial rights of the defendant.” Encarnacion at ¶ 9, citing State v. Smith, 14
Ohio St. 3d 13, 14 (1984). “A prosecutor’s isolated comments are not to be taken
out of context and given their most damaging meaning.” Id., citing State v. Noling,
98 Ohio St. 3d 44, 2002-Ohio-7044, ¶ 94, citing Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416
U.S. 637, 647, 94 S. Ct. 1868 (1974). “Instead, an appellate court must review a
closing argument in its entirety to determine whether prejudicial error occurred.”
Id., citing Noling at ¶ 94, citing State v. Frazier, 73 Ohio St. 3d 323, 342 (1995).
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Case No. 10-19-15
{¶14} Here, Rasawehr directs us to the beginning of the State’s closing
argument during which it recites the First Amendment and acknowledges
Rasawehr’s theory of the cases as being about the First Amendment. However,
contrary to Rasawehr’s argument on appeal, the State did not reference Rasawehr’s
argument that his conduct was privileged under the First Amendment as an
affirmative defense at that juncture of its closing argument. Rather, the State was
responding to the evidence presented at trial by Rasawehr that his conduct was
privileged under the First Amendment, which it is permitted to do. Moreover, the
only reference to the issue appears in the State’s rebuttal-closing argument in
relation to case number 16CRB00943, which is not before us. (See May 21-24,
2019 Tr., Vol. IV, at 1002-1003). Accordingly, we cannot say that the State’s
remarks were improper.
{¶15} Nevertheless, even if the State’s remarks were improper, Rasawehr
cannot demonstrate that he was prejudiced by the State’s closing argument—that is,
Rasawehr cannot demonstrate that the outcome of his trial would have been
different. See State v. Thompson, 3d Dist. Henry No. 7-16-10, 2017-Ohio-792, ¶
26. Indeed, in its jury instructions, the trial court not only instructed the jury that
the affirmative-defense instruction applied only as to case number 16CRB00942 (as
we previously discussed), but the trial court instructed the jury prior to opening
statements (and in its jury instructions) that “[e]vidence does not include * * *
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closing arguments of counsel.” (May 21-24, 2019 Tr., Vol. IV at 1011); (Doc. No.
100). (See also May 21-24, 2019 Tr., Vol. I, at 159-160). “A jury is presumed to
follow and comply with instructions given by the trial court.” State v. Palmer, 12th
Dist. Butler No. CA2013-12-243, 2014-Ohio-5491, ¶ 27, quoting State v.
Carpenter, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2005-11-494, 2007-Ohio-5790, ¶ 20, citing
Pang v. Minch, 53 Ohio St. 3d 186 (1990). See also State v. Jones, 135 Ohio St. 3d
10, 2012-Ohio-5677, ¶ 194. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the jury failed
to follow the trial court’s jury instructions because the jury found Rasawehr not
guilty of two of the charges that it was presented in this case and all of the charges
that it was presented in case number 16CRB00942. Therefore, Rasawehr cannot
demonstrate that he was prejudiced by the State’s closing argument.
{¶16} Accordingly, Rasawehr’s first assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error No. II
As to Count Five the prosecution failed to present sufficient
evidence to prove every element of Menacing by Stalking as
required by the United States and Ohio Constitutions
Assignment of Error No. III
As to Count Six, the prosecution failed to present sufficient
evidence to prove every element of Telecommunications
Harassment as required by the United States and Ohio
Constitutions
{¶17} In his second and third assignments of error, Rasawehr contends that
his menacing-by-stalking and telecommunications-harassment convictions are
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based on insufficient evidence. In particular, under his second assignment of error,
Rasawehr argues that his menacing-by-stalking conviction is based on insufficient
evidence because the State failed to prove that the victim suffered mental distress.
In his third assignment of error, Rasawehr specifically argues that his
telecommunications-harassment conviction is based on insufficient evidence
because the State presented insufficient evidence that he “uttered a threatening,
intimidating, menacing, coercive or obscene” statement. (Appellant’s Brief at 16).
Standard of Review
{¶18} “An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at
trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average
mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio
St.3d 259 (1981), paragraph two of the syllabus, superseded by state constitutional
amendment on other grounds, State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St. 3d 89 (1997). Accordingly,
“[t]he 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. “In deciding if the
evidence was sufficient, we neither resolve evidentiary conflicts nor assess the
credibility of witnesses, as both are functions reserved for the trier of fact.” State v.
Jones, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-120570 and C-120571, 2013-Ohio-4775, ¶ 33,
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Case No. 10-19-15
citing State v. Williams, 197 Ohio App. 3d 505, 2011-Ohio-6267, ¶ 25 (1st Dist.).
See also State v. Berry, 3d Dist. Defiance No. 4-12-03, 2013-Ohio-2380, ¶ 19
(“Sufficiency of the evidence is a test of adequacy rather than credibility or weight
of the evidence.”), citing Thompkins at 386.
Analysis
{¶19} We begin by addressing Rasawehr’s sufficiency-of-the-evidence
argument as it relates to his menacing-by-stalking conviction, followed by his
sufficiency-of-the-evidence argument as it relates to his telecommunications-
harassment conviction. See State v. Velez, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-13-10,
2014-Ohio-1788, ¶ 68, citing State v. Wimmer, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-98-46, 1999
WL 355190, *1 (Mar. 26, 1999).
{¶20} Rasawehr was convicted of menacing by stalking in violation of R.C.
2903.211(A)(1), which provides
No person by engaging in a pattern of conduct shall knowingly cause
another person to believe that the offender will * * * cause mental
distress to the other person * * * . In addition to any other basis for
the other person’s belief that the offender will cause * * * mental
distress to the other person * * * , the other person’s belief or mental
distress may be based on words or conduct of the offender that are
directed at or identify a corporation, association, or other organization
that employs the other person or to which the other person belongs.
{¶21} On appeal, Rasawehr argues only that there is insufficient evidence
that the victim suffered mental distress. Because it is the only element that
Rasawehr challenges on appeal, we will review the sufficiency of the evidence
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supporting only the mental-distress element of the offense. The statute defines
mental distress as “[a]ny mental illness or condition that involves some temporary
substantial incapacity” or “[a]ny mental illness or condition that would normally
require psychiatric treatment, psychological treatment, or other mental health
services, whether or not any person requested or received psychiatric treatment,
psychological treatment, or other mental health services.” R.C. 2903.211(D)(2).
{¶22} Rasawehr does not dispute that the State presented evidence that he
“exacerbated an already existing mental illness for which the [victim] had been
under in-patient psychiatric care on multiple occasions” and “[d]ue to [his] actions,
[the victim] claim[ed] to have needed to see her counselor more often, and that her
medication changed.” (Appellant’s Brief at 15). Instead, Rasawehr argues that he
cannot be convicted of menacing by stalking because the State did not present
evidence “of a ‘mental illness or condition’ suffered by the [victim], triggered solely
by Mr. Rasawehr’s conduct * * * .” (Id. at 15). Rasawehr’s argument is misplaced.
“[T]he statute does not require that the victim actually suffered mental distress.”4
State v. Beckwith, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104683, 2017-Ohio-4298, ¶ 14, citing
State v. Horsley, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 05AP-350, 2006-Ohio-1208, ¶ 47. “‘The
4
Ohio courts of appeal disagree as to “whether R.C. 2903.211(A)(1) requires an alleged stalking victim to
show actual mental distress.” Fondessy v. Simon, 142 Ohio St. 3d 147, 2014-Ohio-4638, ¶ 2, 18 (Kennedy,
J., dissenting). See also R.G. v. R.M., 7th Dist. No. 17 MA 0004, 2017-Ohio-8918, ¶ 13-14 (acknowledging
the conflict). This district has concluded that R.C. 2903.211(A)(1) requires only that the victim believe that
the stalker will cause him or her mental distress. See, e.g., Holloway v. Parker, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-12-
50, 2013-Ohio-1940, ¶ 23. Nevertheless, under either application of the statute, the result is the same in this
case.
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state need only show that a defendant knowingly caused the victim to believe that
he would cause her mental distress or physical harm.’” Id., quoting Horsley at ¶ 47.
Accordingly, the victim’s testimony (as conceded by Rasawehr above) was
sufficient to meet the statutory definition of mental distress. See Horsely at ¶ 48;
State v. Szloh, 189 Ohio App. 3d 13, 2010-Ohio-3777, ¶ 27 (2d Dist.).
{¶23} Furthermore, Rasawehr contends that he cannot be convicted of
menacing by stalking because “impos[ing] criminal liability for commentary about
a wrongful killing because it upsets the killer is an unreasonable construction of the
statute and contrary to good public policy.” (Appellant’s Brief at 15). Under the
State’s theory of the case, based on the bill of particulars, the menacing-by-stalking
charge alleged in Count Five relates to Rasawehr’s conduct on September 26, 2016.
(Doc. No. 11). (See also May 21-24, 2019 Tr., Vol. IV, at 1014); (Doc. No. 100).
At trial, the State presented evidence that (on September 26, 2016) Rasawehr sent
the victim text messages stating the following:
What did you do twenty year [sic] ago today
Are u [sic] with kids or are u [sic] in a mental institution
Josh implied u r [sic] in a mental institution
If I do not get an answer I am going to have police stop and check
tonight
Calling police now
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(May 21-24, 2019 Tr., Vol. II, at 448-452); (State’s Exs. 34, 35). The State also
presented a September 26, 2016 voicemail message left by Rasawehr on the
victim’s phone, which was played for the jury. (May 21-24, 2019 Tr., Vol. II, at
462-463); (State’s Ex. 50). In the voicemail message, Rasawehr can be heard
saying that the victim “should remember th[at] day well” because “21 years ago
[she] took [her] pills and murdered” two men, and Rasawehr can be heard asking
the victim if she “remember[ed] murdering those two men.” (State’s Ex. 50).
Further, Rasawehr can be heard stating that the victim “never paid the price for
what [she] did” and that she should “sit at church and pray for killing those two
men.” (Id.).
{¶24} A rational trier of fact could infer from the series of text messages and
voicemail message that Rasawehr knew that the messages would cause the victim
to believe that he would cause her mental distress. See State v. Hoying, 2d Dist.
Greene No. 2004-CA-71, 2005-Ohio-1366, ¶ 24. That is, a rational trier of fact
could find that threatening to call (or actually calling) law enforcement to a person’s
home is an act which will cause that person to believe that the caller will cause them
mental distress. See Beckwith at ¶ 14 (noting that “the trier of fact can refer to its
own experiences to determine whether the defendant’s conduct caused the
emotional distress”), citing State v. Bilder, 99 Ohio App. 3d 653, 665 (9th
Dist.1994). Likewise, drawing on its own life experiences, a rational trier of fact
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could find that the voicemail message in which Rasawehr accuses the victim of
murder was intended to cause the victim to believe that he would cause her mental
distress. See id.
{¶25} Nevertheless, “[t]he parties’ history is also relevant to establishing the
elements of menacing by stalking.” State v. Erker, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107790,
2019-Ohio-3185, ¶ 75, citing State v. Spaulding, 151 Ohio St. 3d 378, 2016-Ohio-
8126, ¶ 114, citing State v. Hart, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2008-06-079, 2009-
Ohio-997, ¶ 12 (“In prosecutions for menacing by stalking, the victim’s belief that
the defendant will cause physical harm is an element of the offense which is often
intertwined with their past interactions.”). See also State v. Smith, 3d Dist. Seneca
No. 13-02-11, 2002-Ohio-5095, ¶ 18 (“While each of Smith’s actions taken alone
may not rise to the level of criminal behavior under 2903.211, that determination
changes when considering the cumulative effect of these encounters along with
Smith’s intent to upset Donor and her actual mental distress.”). Here, the victim
(who was married to Rasawehr) testified regarding Rasawehr’s pattern of conduct.
Specifically, she testified that she “thought after the marriage was over, that the
verbal abuse would stop but it never did. * * * [J]ust constant berating, constant * *
* abuse, the verbal abuse continued through texts, voicemail, through [her]
answering machine, through other people.” (May 21-24, 2019 Tr., Vol. II, at 442).
Through the State’s Exhibits, the victim shared some of those texts, voicemails, and
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social-media posts. (See id. at 443-467); (State’s Exs. 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,
39).
{¶26} Therefore, based on this evidence, we conclude that a rational trier of
fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Rasawehr caused the victim
to believe that he would cause her mental distress. See State v. Shaver, 12th Dist.
Warren No. CA96-09-094, 1997 WL 423138, *4 (July 28, 1997); Cleveland v. Scott,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108305, 2019-Ohio-5244, ¶ 27. Accordingly, Rasawehr’s
menacing-by-stalking conviction is based on sufficient evidence.
{¶27} Having concluded that Rasawehr’s menacing-by-stalking conviction
is based on sufficient evidence, we turn to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting
Rasawehr’s telecommunications-harassment conviction. As an initial matter, we
note that Rasawehr offers no support for his argument that his telecommunications-
harassment conviction is based on insufficient evidence. “[A] defendant has the
burden of affirmatively demonstrating the error of the trial court on appeal.” State
v. Stelzer, 9th Dist. Summit No. 23174, 2006-Ohio-6912, ¶ 7, citing State v. Cook,
9th Dist. Summit No. 20675, 2002-Ohio-2646, ¶ 27. “Moreover, ‘[i]f an argument
exists that can support this assignment of error, it is not this court’s duty to root it
out.’” Id., quoting Cook at ¶ 27. “App.R. 12(A)(2) provides that an appellate court
‘may disregard an assignment of error presented for review if the party raising it
fails to identify in the record the error on which the assignment of error is based or
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fails to argue the assignment separately in the brief, as required under App.R.
16(A).’” State v. Jackson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-670, 2015-Ohio-3322, ¶
11, quoting App.R. 12(A)(2). “Additionally, App.R. 16(A)(7) requires that an
appellant’s brief include ‘[a]n argument containing the contentions of the appellant
with respect to each assignment of error presented for review and the reasons in
support of the contentions, with citations to the authorities, statutes, and parts of the
record on which appellant relies.’” (Emphasis added.) Id., quoting App.R.
16(A)(7). Although Rasawehr failed to provide citations to the authorities and
statutes that support his argument, in the interest of justice, we will address the
merits of Rasawehr’s sufficiency-of-the-evidence argument. See State v. Thomas,
3d Dist. Mercer No. 10-10-17, 2011-Ohio-4337, ¶ 25.
{¶28} Telecommunications harassment is codified under R.C. 2917.21,
which provides, in relevant part:
(A) No person shall knowingly make or cause to be made a
telecommunication, or knowingly permit a telecommunication to be
made from a telecommunications device under the person’s control,
to another, if the caller does any of the following:
***
(6) Knowingly makes any comment, request, suggestion, or
proposal to the recipient of the telecommunication that is threatening,
intimidating, menacing, coercive, or obscene with the intent to abuse,
threaten, or harass the recipient.
R.C. 2917.21(A)(6).
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{¶29} On appeal, Rasawehr argues only that there is insufficient evidence
that he “uttered a threating, intimidating, menacing, coercive or obscene” statement.
(Appellant’s Brief at 16). Because it is the only element that he challenges on
appeal, we will review the sufficiency of the evidence supporting only whether
Rasawehr made a threatening, intimidating, menacing, coercive, or obscene
statement. Although the terms “threatening,” “intimidating,” “menacing,”
“coercive,” and “obscene” have not been defined within the meaning of R.C.
2917.22, “[t]he fact that the statute does not place legal definitions on each of these
terms demonstrates that the General Assembly intended to prohibit conduct that is
easily definable by the common everyday meaning of these words.” State v.
Stanley, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-65, 2006-Ohio-4632, ¶ 13, citing State v.
Dennis, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-97-42, 1997 WL 691448, *2 (Oct. 30, 1997). See
Hamilton v. Combs, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2018-02-026, 2019-Ohio-190, ¶ 21.
Indeed, several of the terms have been defined (by applying the everyday meaning
of the word) in other circumstances under Ohio’s criminal code. See, e.g., State v.
Cress, 112 Ohio St. 3d 72, 2006-Ohio-6501, ¶ 39-40 (defining the terms “threat” and
“intimidation” under R.C. 2921.04); State v. Woods, 48 Ohio St. 2d 127, 136 (1976)
(defining the term “coercion” under R.C. 2929.04), vacated on other grounds, sub
nom. Woods v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 910, 98 S. Ct. 3133 (1978).
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{¶30} The term “threat” “has been defined as ‘an expression of an intention
to inflict evil, injury, or damage on another usu[ally] as retribution or punishment
for something done or left undone.’” In re C.W., 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-180677,
2019-Ohio-5262, ¶ 16, quoting Cress at ¶ 36, citing Webster’s Third New
International Dictionary 2382 (1986). “‘It connotes almost any expression of intent
to do an act of harm against another person irrespective of whether that act is
criminal.’” Id., quoting Cress at ¶ 36. “The term ‘threat’ represents a range of
statements or conduct intended to impart a feeling of apprehension in the victim,
whether of bodily harm, property destruction, or lawful harm, such as exposing the
victim’s own misconduct.’” State v. Price, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 2019 CA 00019,
2020-Ohio-132, ¶ 29, quoting Cress at ¶ 39.
{¶31} “Intimidation” by definition involves the creation of fear in a victim,
and the very nature of a threat is the creation of fear of negative consequences for
the purpose of influencing behavior.” Cress at ¶ 40. And, “menacing” generally
means “a show of intention to inflict harm: a threatening gesture, statement, or act.”
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1409 (2002).
{¶32} Further, “[c]oercion is generally defined more broadly to include
undue influence and other lesser forms of compulsion.” Woods at 136. “‘Coercion’
may include a compulsion brought about by moral force or in some other manner
with or without physical force.’” State v. Moore, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105285,
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2018-Ohio-1825, ¶ 36, quoting Woods at 136. “These judicial definitions of
coercion correspond to the common use of the word.” Woods at 136. Indeed,
“Webster’s Third New International Dictionary defines coercion as ‘the act of
coercing: use of physical or moral force to compel to act or assent,’ and to coerce
as ‘to restrain, control or dominate, nullifying individual will or desire (as by force,
power, violence, or intimidation).’” Id., quoting Webster’s Third New International
Dictionary.
{¶33} Finally, the everyday meaning of “obscene’ is something that is
“disgusting to the senses * * * because of some filthy, grotesque, or unnatural
quality”; “grossly repugnant to the generally accepted notions of what is
appropriate”; “offensive or revolting as countering or violating some ideal or
principle: in the lewd or lustful [or] inciting or designed to incite the lewd or
lustful”; or “marked by violation of accepted language inhibitions and by the use of
words regard as taboo in polite usage;” “repulsive by reason of malignance,
hypocrisy, cynicism, irresponsibility, crass disregard of moral or ethical principles.”
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1557 (2002). See also State v. White,
2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27749, 2018-Ohio-3076, ¶ 57 (applying R.C. 2907.01(F)
to define the term “obscene materials”).
{¶34} Under the State’s theory of the case, based on the bill of particulars,
the telecommunications-harassment charge alleged in Count Six relates to
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Rasawehr’s conduct in September 2016. (Doc. No. 11). (See also May 21-24, 2019
Tr., Vol. IV, at 1016-1017); (Doc. No. 100). In addition to the text messages and
voicemail sent to the victim by Rasawehr on September 26, 2016 (that we addressed
above), the State also played a voicemail message which was left by Rasawehr on
the victim’s phone in September 2016. (May 21-24, 2019 Tr., Vol. II, at 464-465);
(State’s Ex. 5). In that voicemail message, Rasawehr can be heard saying that the
victim can “record all that [she] wants” because “the hillbillies in Mercer County
will cover [her] ass” but that he is “going to take [the Mercer County Sheriff] out,
[he] is still taking that mother fucker out.” (State’s Ex. 50). Rasawehr can further
be heard informing the victim that she should change her voice recording because
she sounds “measly,” “pathetic,” and “whiny,” and Rasawehr declares “no wonder
[she] pops so many pills.” (Id.).
{¶35} Based on that evidence, we conclude that a rational trier of fact could
have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Rasawehr made a threating, intimidating,
menacing, coercive, or obscene statement. Indeed, the September voicemail
includes Rasawehr’s expression of an intention to inflict injury to the Mercer
County Sheriff—that is, a threating and menacing statement—as a means of
creating fear in the victim, which results in an intimidating and coercive statement.
Further, Rasawehr uses profane language during the call as well as demeaning terms
for Mercer County officials and the victim—statements, which fit within the
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everyday meaning of the word “obscene.” Accordingly, Rasawehr’s
telecommunications-harassment conviction is based on sufficient evidence.
{¶36} For these reasons, Rasawehr’s second and third assignments of error
are overruled.
Assignment of Error No. IV
As applied to the facts of this case, a conviction under the
Menacing by Stalking statute violates the United States First
Amendment, and Sect. 10, Art I of the Ohio Constitution and Due
Process under both Constitutions
Assignment of Error No. V
As applied to the facts of this case, a conviction under the
Telecommunications Harassment statute violates the United
States First Amendment, and Sect. 10, Art I of the Ohio
Constitution and Due Process under both Constitutions.
{¶37} In his fourth and fifth assignments of error, Rasawehr argues that the
menacing-by-stalking and telecommunications-harassment statutes are
unconstitutional as applied to him. In particular, under his fourth assignment of
error, Rasawehr contends that the menacing-by-stalking statue is unconstitutional
because “[n]o one could ever know what speech would cause a mentally ill person
distress * * * .” (Appellant’s Brief at 18). Under his fifth assignment of error,
Rasawehr specifically argues that the telecommunications-harassment statute is
unconstitutional because “if the statute is construed in such a way that his comment
was, ‘threatening, intimidating, menacing, coercive, or obscene[,] the limited
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language in the statute would become meaningless and the so [sic] would fail to
provide the required notice under the void for vagueness doctrine.” (Id. at 19).
{¶38} As an initial matter, we note that Rasawehr failed to challenge the
constitutionality of R.C. 2903.211 or 2917.21 prior to or at trial. “The Supreme
Court of Ohio has held that, ‘“[f]ailure to raise at the trial court level the issue of the
constitutionality of a statute or its application, which issue is apparent at the time of
trial, constitutes a waiver of such issue and a deviation from this state’s orderly
procedure, and therefore need not be heard for the first time on appeal.”’” State v.
Heft, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-09-08, 2009-Ohio-5908, ¶ 29, quoting State v. Rice, 3d
Dist. Allen Nos. 1-02-15, 1-02-29, and 1-02-30, 2002-Ohio-3951, ¶ 7, quoting State
v. Awan, 22 Ohio St. 3d 120 (1986), syllabus. “However, the waiver doctrine set
forth by Awan is discretionary; thus, ‘even where waiver is clear, a reviewing court
may consider constitutional challenges to the application of statutes in specific cases
of plain error or where the rights and interests involved may warrant it.’” Id.,
quoting Rice at ¶ 7, citing In re M.D., 38 Ohio St. 3d 149 (1988), syllabus.
Nevertheless, “‘“discretion will not ordinarily be exercised to review such claims,
where the right sought to be vindicated was in existence prior to or at the time of
trial.”’” Id., quoting Rice at ¶ 7, quoting State v. 1981 Dodge Ram Van, 36 Ohio
St.3d 168, 170-171 (1988), quoting State v. Woodards, 6 Ohio St. 2d 14, 21 (1966).
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{¶39} The constitutional issues Rasawehr raises on appeal were available to
him before and at the time of his trial. Therefore, Rasawehr waived the issues on
appeal, and we decline to address them.
{¶40} Rasawehr’s fourth and fifth assignments of error are overruled.
{¶41} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the
particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Judgment Affirmed
SHAW, P.J. and PRESTON, J., concur.
/jlr
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