Parma Hts. v. Owca , 2017 Ohio 179 ( 2017 )

[Cite as Parma Hts. v. Owca, 2017-Ohio-179.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 103606
CITY OF PARMA HEIGHTS
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
JERRY OWCA
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED IN PART,
REVERSED IN PART AND REMANDED
Criminal Appeal from the
Parma Municipal Court
Case No. 14TRC19791
BEFORE: Blackmon, J., Keough, A.J., and Laster Mays, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: January 19, 2017
-i-
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Paul A. Mancino, Jr.
Mancino, Mancino & Mancino
75 Public Square Building
Suite 1016
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Michael D. Pokorny
Law Director
City of Parma Heights
Thomas J. Kelly
Prosecutor
City of Parma Heights
6281 Pearl Road
Parma Heights, Ohio 44130
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, J.:
{¶1} Appellant Jerry Owca (“Owca”) appeals his convictions for driving under
the influence of alcohol or drug abuse pursuant to R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) and having a
prohibited blood concentration of marijuana metabolite in violation of R.C.
4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii). He assigns 16 assigned errors for our review.1
{¶2} Having reviewed the record and pertinent law, we affirm Owca’s
convictions but reverse and remand for resentencing regarding the merger of allied
offenses. The apposite facts follow.
{¶3} Owca was charged with a felony complaint for the possession of heroin and
also issued traffic citations for driving under the influence of alcohol/drug abuse and
having a prohibited blood concentration of marijuana metabolite. The felony possession
charge was transferred to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, where Owca
entered a guilty plea to two counts of drug possession. The misdemeanor counts
remained in the Parma Municipal Court.
{¶4} Owca filed a motion to suppress evidence related to the misdemeanor
counts, which was denied after a hearing was conducted. The matter proceeded to a jury
trial where the following evidence was presented.
{¶5} On August 5, 2014, at around 6:45 p.m., John Hjort was driving on West
130th Street and Snow Road when he observed a white work van in front of him swerve
several times into oncoming traffic. He stated he followed the van for about three miles
1
See appendix.
until the van pulled into a convenient store parking lot. Hjort called 911 and watched the
van until the police arrived.
{¶6} In response to the call, Officer Brian Hansen proceeded to the parking lot
where he found the van matching the caller’s description. The van was parked so that it
was overlapping two spaces. While the officer waited for a back-up officer to arrive, he
observed Owca from an angle so that Owca could not see him. He watched Owca
putting a sheet of plastic up to his face and rub it on his nose multiple times. Officer
Felkonis arrived and parked in front of the van. When Owca saw Officer Felkonis,
Officer Hansen observed Owca frantically taking things out of his lap and shuffling
around near the radio and center console. Officer Hansen ordered Owca to stop moving,
but he continued to move before eventually stopping.
{¶7} When Owca exited the vehicle, he was unsteady and almost fell to the
ground. Officer Hansen helped him to stand. According to the officer, Owca was
shaking and did not have good control of his body. Based on his behavior, the officer
conducted field sobriety tests. When performing the one-legged stand test, Owca was
unable to keep his foot up for more than a second. He also did not pass the
walk-and-turn test. He started walking before the officer finished the instructions; could
not get into the start position with his feet heel to toe; could not walk heel to toe; stepped
off the line several times; and, turned improperly. Officer Hansen testified that it was
hard to perform the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (“HGN”) test due to Owca’s shaking, but
he conducted the test to the best of his ability. The test showed sustained nystagmus
prior to 45 degrees.
{¶8} Prior to removing Owca from the scene, Officer Felkonis showed Officer
Hansen three baggies of a white substance he found in the van while conducting an
inventory of the vehicle. Based on this discovery, Officer Hansen transported Owca to
the hospital so that a blood draw could be taken. According to the officer, he read Owca
his rights regarding the blood draw and Owca consented.
{¶9} Officer Felkonis testified that in his opinion Owca was having a hard time
following Officer Hansen’s instructions when performing the field sobriety test, and that
in his opinion, Owca did not pass the tests. He stated that he found the three small
baggies of the white powdery substance in the center console area of the van. Along
with the baggies he found a straw made out of a pen.
{¶10} Edward Yingling (“Yingling”) of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Laboratory
testified that he tested Owca’s blood sample. He discovered five different drugs in the
sample: 5.23 nanograms per milliliter of marijuana metabolite, 256.89 nanograms per
milliliter of Diazepam, a.k.a. Valium, 56.29 nanograms per milliliter of Oxycodone,
117.80 nanograms per milliliter of N-Desmethyldiazepam, and 341.98 nanograms per
milliliter of Morphine. He stated that marijuana metabolite is a drug of abuse and that
Ohio law prohibited the amount found in Owca’s blood. The remaining drugs were
prescription drugs but would be drugs of abuse if not used properly. There was no
evidence that Owca had a prescription for these drugs.
{¶11} Dr. Matt Likavec (“Dr. Likavec”), a neurosurgeon for 35 years, reviewed
Yingling’s laboratory report. In his opinion, a person driving with the amount and type
of drugs found in Owca’s blood would be impaired.
{¶12} Based on the evidence presented, the jury found Owca guilty of both
misdemeanor counts. For each count, the trial court sentenced Owca to 180 days
incarceration, imposed a fine of $375, and suspended Owca’s license for three years.
The trial court then merged the sentence on both counts.
Motion to Suppress
{¶13} In his first, second, third, and fourth assigned errors, Owca challenges the
denial of his motion to suppress. Appellate review of the denial of a motion to suppress
presents a mixed question of law and fact. State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St. 3d 152,
2003-Ohio-5372, 797 N.E.2d 71, ¶ 8. When considering a motion to suppress, the trial
court assumes the role of trier of fact and is, therefore, in the best position to resolve
factual questions and evaluate the credibility of witnesses. State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St. 3d
545, 552, 651 N.E.2d 965 (1995); State v. Mills, 62 Ohio St. 3d 357, 582 N.E.2d 972
(1992).
{¶14} Consequently, when reviewing a ruling on a motion to suppress, deference
is given to the trial court’s findings of fact so long as they are supported by competent,
credible evidence. Burnside. However, an appellate court reviews de novo whether the
trial court’s conclusions of law, based on those findings of fact, are correct. State v.
Anderson, 100 Ohio App. 3d 688, 691, 654 N.E.2d 1034 (4th Dist.1995).
{¶15} Owca contends that his right to due process was violated when
the trial court ruled that the arresting officer’s testimony given
on direct examination showed that the officer had probable
cause to arrest Owca. During the cross-examination of the
officer, defense counsel’s questions inferred that the officer
conducted field sobriety tests and arrested Owca even though
there was no indication that Owca had been drinking alcohol.
The court interjected as follows:
He testified they called him in weaving all over the road, he was parked
crooked between two parking spaces, he saw him licking, like in a licking
motion rubbing paper, he had a ton of probable cause. So don’t change it,
there’s no jury here, come on, let’s go.
Tr. 39.
{¶16} The following dialogue then occurred between defense counsel
and the trial court:
Counsel: Has the court already decided this case?
Court: On probable cause, absolutely, he has sufficient probable
cause. Yes, if you can change that somehow then you’re welcome to do
that but yes he has put forth a prima facie case for probable cause,
absolutely he has.
Tr. 39.
{¶17} After further discussion, defense counsel asked again, “are you making a
ruling at this point?” The trial court clarified as follows:
No, I’m telling you to move along. You’ve changed his testimony, and I’m
instructing you not to. You said so you’re saying there was no alcohol, no
slurred speech, no anything and you have no probable cause, which is just
something you made up, it’s not in evidence. What’s in evidence is that he
had a call that he was weaving all over, driving into traffic, he’s parking
between the lines crooked, he’s rubbing plastic against his face, there’s
yellow containers all over there is an abundance of prima facie probable
cause. What I’m telling you is don’t change the facts, let’s keep them what
they are and move on.
Tr. 40.
{¶18} The court’s ruling at this point was not definitive because not all of the
evidence had been presented. The trial court was merely stating that the arresting
officer’s testimony at that juncture established probable cause. Accordingly, we find no
error.
{¶19} Owca also argues that the result of his blood draw should have been
suppressed because his blood was drawn without a warrant and without his consent.
“Without consent, a blood draw requires probable cause and either a warrant, or exigent
circumstances justifying a search without a warrant.” State v. Rawnsley, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 24594, 2011-Ohio-5696, ¶ 15. Although Owca contends otherwise,
there was evidence that Owca consented to the blood draw. Officer Hansen testified that
he read the required BMV Form 2255 to Owca and that in response Owca consented to
having his blood drawn. Aaron Kastanis, the paramedic who drew the blood, testified
that he recalled being present when the officer read the form to Owca. He stated that
there was nothing that would lead him to believe that the consent was involuntary or
coerced. Because the trial court assumes the role of “trier of fact” in motions to
suppress, we defer to the trial court when resolving factual questions. Accordingly, we
find no error.
{¶20} Owca argues that the officers’ warrantless stop and seizure were illegal.
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits warrantless searches
and seizures, rendering them per se unreasonable unless an exception applies. Katz v.
United States, 389 U.S. 347, 88 S. Ct. 507, 19 L. Ed. 2d 576 (1967). One exception is an
investigative stop. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 20, 88 S. Ct. 1868, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 (1968).
A police officer may make a brief, warrantless, investigatory stop of an individual where
the officer reasonably suspects that the individual is or has been involved in criminal
activity. Id. at 21. In reaching that conclusion, the officer must be able to point to
specific and articulable facts which, taken together with rational inferences from those
facts, reasonably warrant the intrusion. State v. Andrews, 57 Ohio St. 3d 86, 87, 565
N.E.2d 1271 (1991), citing Terry. Whether an investigatory stop is reasonable depends
upon the totality of the circumstances surrounding the incident. State v. Williams, 51
Ohio St. 3d 58, 60, 554 N.E.2d 108 (1990). A court evaluating the validity of a Terry
stop must consider the totality of the circumstances as “viewed through the eyes of the
reasonable and prudent police officer on the scene who must react to the events as they
unfold.” Andrews at 87-88.
{¶21} Here, the totality of the circumstances supported the officers’ conducting an
investigatory stop of Owca. Officer Hansen was responding to a call regarding an
impaired driver. Owca claims that because the call was made by an anonymous caller
and the officer did not observe the erratic driving, he could not conduct an investigative
stop based on this information. At trial, it was clear that the caller was not anonymous as
he testified at trial. However, the caller did not testify at the suppression hearing.
Nonetheless, Officer Hansen testified that he found the van matching the description
described by the caller parked across two parking spaces. He did not immediately order
Owca out of the van, but observed Owca put a sheet of plastic up to his face several times
and either rub it on his face or lick it. When Owca saw the back-up officer, Owca
quickly tried to hide items in the middle console area of the car. At that point, Hansen
approached the driver side of the van and ordered Owca to stop moving. Owca
continued to move around before eventually complying. Based on these facts, the
officers had witnessed enough to conduct a Terry stop to investigate.
{¶22} We also conclude the officer did not violate Owca’s Fourth Amendment
rights by ordering him from the car. The officer testified he ordered Owca out of the
vehicle because based on Owca’s movements, he was not sure if Owca had a weapon.2
At trial, Officer Hansen testified that Owca exited the vehicle without being
2
asked.
The United States Supreme Court has stated that asking a lawfully stopped motorist to
exit his vehicle is a de minimus intrusion that does not even rise to the level of a “petty
indignity,” finding that such a mere inconvenience cannot outweigh all of the legitimate
concerns for officer safety, which the officer need not express or fear in a particular case.
Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106, 111, 98 S. Ct. 330, 54 L. Ed. 2d 331 (1977). If
reasonable suspicion thereafter arises, an officer can proceed with other investigatory
steps that require reasonable suspicion such as the pat-down in Mimms (or field sobriety
tests in this case). Id.
{¶23} The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed with the rationale in Mimms and
explained that Mimms dispenses with the requirement that the officer possess reasonable
suspicion of criminal activity before he orders the driver out of an already lawfully
stopped vehicle. State v. Evans, 67 Ohio St. 3d 405, 407-408, 618 N.E.2d 162 (1993).
According to Officer Hansen, when Owca tried to exit the vehicle he stumbled out of the
van and had trouble standing. At that point, he decided to conduct the field sobriety
tests.
{¶24} Owca also argues that the trial court erred by failing to suppress the HGN
test because the officer admitted that he omitted several steps in conducting the test. The
officer testified that Owca’s head was shaking during the HGN test. The trial court denied
the suppression as to the tests, concluding:
The defendant cannot be so under the influence of drugs or alcohol that he
can’t keep his head straight and then challenge the test because I was so
impaired the test shouldn’t count, that’s an absurd argument and it’s not
going to work. The officer conducted the test as provided by the NHTSA
Manual. Many problems that occurred with the tests were created by the
Defendant’s own actions and impairment.
Id. at 103. Moreover, the HGN test was only one factor in determining that Owca was
under the influence. The officer also testified that Owca was shaking and having a hard
time standing and that he was unable to perform the one-legged-stand test and the
walk-and-turn test. Therefore, even without the HGN test, the officer had sufficient
evidence that Owca was under the influence. Accordingly, Owca’s first, second, third,
and fourth assigned errors are overruled.
Expert Witness
{¶25} We will address Owca’s fifth and ninth assigned errors together because
they both concern the state’s expert witnesses.
{¶26} Owca argues that the trial court erred by qualifying and declaring Dr.
Likavec and Yingling to be experts in front of the jury and relies on United States v.
Johnson, 488 F.3d 690 (6th Cir.2007), in support of this argument. This court addressed
a similar argument in State v. Monroe, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94768, 2011-Ohio-3045,
and held:
Defendant relies on United States v. Johnson, 488 F.3d 690 (6th Cir.2007),
in arguing the court erred by identifying Dr. Miller as an expert in front of
the jury. However, in Johnson, the Sixth Circuit upheld the trial court’s
classification of a police officer as an expert. Although the court in Johnson
did indicate a preference that the trial courts refrain from advising the jury
of a qualified witness’s designation as an expert, it determined that the trial
court had not committed plain error by doing so. In this case, the defense
did not object to Dr. Miller’s qualifications as an expert, the record supports
his qualifications as an expert, and the court’s recognition of his expert
qualifications before the jury was not plain error.
Id. at ¶ 52.
{¶27} Likewise, in the instant case, defense counsel did not object to Dr. Likavec’s
or Yingling’s qualifications, and the record supports their qualifications as experts.
Therefore, we find no plain error occurred.
{¶28} Owca also contends that the trial court erred by allowing Dr. Likavec to
testify to the lab results without providing an expert report.3 Crim.R. 16(K) requires that
an expert provide a report summarizing the “expert’s testimony, findings, analysis,
conclusions, or opinion * **.” In the instant case, the trial court allowed Dr. Likavec to
testify without providing an expert report over defense counsel’s objection. His
testimony concerned whether the drugs listed on Owca’s lab results would have impaired
Owca.
We note that this argument only applies to the driving under the influence
3
count because the lab results showed that Owca had a prohibited level of marijuana
metabolite in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(a)(j)(vii); thus, Dr. Likavec’s testimony
was unnecessary.
{¶29} Although we agree that the trial court erred by allowing Dr. Likavec to
testify, we conclude it was not prejudicial error. Other testimony at trial showed that
Owca was impaired by the drugs. Hjort testified he saw Owca swerve into oncoming
traffic several times. The officers testified to Owca’s inabiliity to stand without
assistance and inability to preform the field sobriety tests. The officers also testified to
finding baggies of a white substance in Owca’s car. Officer Hansen observed Owca
sniffing a sheet of plastic. Additionally, Yingling, who tested Owca’s blood, testified to
the lab results and the various drugs and the amounts of each found in Owca’s system.
Based on this evidence, Dr. Likavec’s testimony was unnecessary because there was
sufficient evidence that Owca was impaired by drugs while driving. This was not a case
where there was no evidence regarding what was causing the driver to be impaired. See
Cleveland v. Turner, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99183, 2013-Ohio-3145. Accordingly,
Owca’s fifth and ninth assigned errors are overruled.
Precluded from Cross-Examination
{¶30} In his sixth assigned error, Owca argues the trial court erred by not
permitting defense counsel to cross-examine the arresting officer and paramedic on
information contained in printed authorities.
{¶31} Owca attempted to cross-examine Officer Hansen on information contained
within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) manual to prove
that the manual’s field sobriety tests only applied to driving under the influence of
alcohol, not drugs. Owca also attempted to cross-examine the hospital employee that
drew Owca’s blood regarding information contained in a phlebotomy textbook. The trial
court did not permit cross-examination based on these written materials because they
constituted hearsay.
{¶32} We agree. The Ohio Supreme Court in Stinson v. England, 69 Ohio St. 3d
451, 633 N.E.2d 532 (1994), held that the contents of “learned treatises” are not
admissible to prove the truth of the statements contained therein. Id. at 458. The
court went on to explain that
[I]n Ohio, a learned treatise may be used for impeachment purposes to
demonstrate that an expert witness is either unaware of the text or
unfamiliar with its contents. Moreover, the substance of the treatise may
be employed only to impeach the credibility of an expert witness who has
relied upon the treatise * * * or has acknowledged its authoritative nature.
Id.
{¶33} Because Owca was not seeking to use the books to impeach the witnesses,
the trial court did not err by refusing to allow the books to be used during
cross-examination. Accordingly, Owca’s sixth assigned error is overruled.
Trial Court’s Conduct
{¶34} In his seventh assigned error, Owca argues that the trial court’s conduct
deprived him of a fair trial. He contends that the trial court interrogated his witnesses,
interrupted defense counsel, and accused defense counsel of improper conduct.
{¶35} Pursuant to Evid.R. 614(B), a trial court “may interrogate witnesses, in an
impartial manner, whether called by itself or by a party.” Because Evid.R. 614(B)
permits the trial court discretion to decide whether to question a witness, appellate courts
review the trial court’s questioning under an abuse of discretion standard. State v.
Stadmire, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 81188, 2003-Ohio-873, ¶ 26; State v. Davis, 79
Ohio App. 3d 450, 454, 607 N.E.2d 543 (4th Dist.1992). It has been recognized that in a
jury trial, the court’s participation by questioning must be limited, “lest the court
consciously or unconsciously indicate to the jury its opinion on the evidence or on the
credibility of a witness.” State ex rel. Wise v. Chand, 21 Ohio St. 2d 113, 256 N.E.2d 613
(1970), paragraph three of syllabus. A review of the record shows that the trial court’s
questions were limited and did not permeate the trial. Additionally, the questions did not
indicate that the trial court had abdicated its neutrality in judging the case.
{¶36} Nor does our review of the record show any prejudice occurred when the
trial court chastised defense counsel in front of the jury regarding the jury instructions.
We agree that the trial court did accuse defense counsel of making a false statement of
law; however, a side bar was then called to discuss the matter. Defense counsel at the
side bar requested that the trial court issue a curative instruction, and the trial court
agreed. When the jury reconvened, the trial court stated as follows:
The jury has been returned to the Courtroom. We are going to resume
closing arguments. [Defense Counsel] will get a chance to address the jury
again and we’ll start his 20 minute slate clean. I will inform the jury that
this Court was the source of confusion and I did in cutting and pasting and
putting together you are going to see 11 pages of Jury Instructions and
cutting and pasting and taking off the various websites and statutes that I
needed to put together I inadvertently had in an additional element in these
Jury Instructions that I’ve given to him. So I am in large part to blame for
the confusion that just arose here. The instructions have been fixed by the
Court and the jury will be instructed, the law will be as the Court instructs
you what the law is. As this point in time, I’ll offer my apology once again
and [Defense Counsel].
Tr. 200.
{¶37} Curative instructions are presumed to be an effective way to remedy errors
that occur during trial. State v. Treesch, 90 Ohio St. 3d 460, 739 N.E.2d 749 (2001). A
jury is presumed to follow and comply with the instructions given to them by the trial
court. Pang v. Minch, 53 Ohio St. 3d 186, 559 N.E.2d 1313 (1990). We have no reason
to conclude the jury did not follow these instructions. Accordingly, Owca’s seventh
assigned error is overruled.
Amendment of the Charges
{¶38} In his eighth assigned error, Owca argues that the trial court erred by
amending the charges when instructing the jury by including a charge that combined
operating a vehicle “under the influence of a drug of abuse and/or alcohol” and by also
instructing the jury that Owca was charged with operating a vehicle with a prohibited
drug concentration.
{¶39} We conclude no error occurred. Owca was charged with two counts. The
first count was pursuant to R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) and the second count was pursuant to
R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(I). R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) requires proof that the defendant
operated a vehicle “under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of
them.” R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(I) requires showing the defendant was operating a
vehicle while “under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them”
when the alcohol, drug, or combination is in a certain concentration. Thus, the trial
court’s instruction was proper. Accordingly, Owca’s eighth assigned error is overruled.
Prosecutorial Misconduct
{¶40} In his tenth assigned error, Owca argues that he was deprived of a fair trial
when the prosecutor expressed several times that he thought Owca was guilty.
{¶41} In order to prove prosecutorial misconduct, appellant must demonstrate that
the remarks were improper and that the remarks prejudicially affected his substantial
rights. State v. Treech, 90 Ohio St. 3d 460, 461, 739 N.E.2d 749 (2001). The reviewing
court must evaluate the remarks in the context of the entire trial. Id. In so doing, we
focus on the fairness of the trial not the culpability of the prosecutor. State v. Jones, 90
Ohio St. 3d 403, 420, 739 N.E.2d 300 (2000).
{¶42} The comments that Owca refers to occurred during closing argument where
the prosecutor stated as follows:
Ladies and gentleman there has been an overwhelming amount of evidence
that has been presented to you on each and every element of the offense
such that you should find Mr. Owca guilty on both counts.
***
The law says quite plainly, he’s in the car, he’s operating the car, he has
over 5 nanograms per milliliter, he’s guilty.
***
There’s a blood draw, there’s a test, the test comes over the legal limit. By
law, by statute he’s guilty of that charge.
Tr. 195.
{¶43} Generally, prosecutors are entitled to considerable latitude in opening
statement and closing argument. State v. Ballew, 76 Ohio St. 3d 244, 255, 667 N.E.2d
369 (1996). In closing argument, a prosecutor may comment freely on “what the
evidence has shown and what reasonable inferences may be drawn therefrom.” State v.
Lott, 51 Ohio St. 3d 160, 165, 555 N.E.2d 293 (1990). Here, we find the prosecutor’s
comments were not improper. As the Supreme Court in Lott held, the prosecutor is not
permitted to base an opinion on the defendant’s guilt based on “facts outside the
evidence, or * * * on inferences based on facts outside the evidence.” In the instant case,
the prosecutor’s opinion was based on the evidence submitted at trial; therefore, the
comments were not improper. Accordingly, Owca’s tenth assigned error is overruled.
Insufficient Evidence
{¶44} In his eleventh assigned error, Owca argues that there was insufficient
evidence to support his convictions. Owca contends that he was only charged with
operating a vehicle while under the influence, which only covers operating a vehicle
under the influence of alcohol not drugs.
{¶45} Crim.R. 29 mandates that the trial court issue a judgment of acquittal where
the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction for the offense. Crim.R.
29(A) and sufficiency of evidence review require the same analysis. State v. Taylor, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100315, 2014-Ohio-3134, citing Cleveland v. Pate, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 99321, 2013-Ohio-5571, citing State v. Mitchell, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
95095, 2011-Ohio-1241.
{¶46} A challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a conviction
requires the court to determine whether the prosecution has met its burden of production
at trial. State v. Givan, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94609, 2011-Ohio-100, citing State v.
Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). On review for sufficiency,
courts are to assess not whether the prosecution’s evidence is to be believed, but whether,
if believed, the evidence against a defendant would support a conviction. Id.
{¶47} Owca was charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence
pursuant to R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) and (j)(viii)(I) that provide in relevant part:
(A)(1) No person shall operate any vehicle * * * withinthis state, if, at the
time of the operation, any of the following apply:
(a) The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a
combination of them.
***
(j)Except as provided in division (K) of this section, the person has a
concentration of any of the following controlled substances or metabolites
of a controlled substance in the person’s whole blood, blood serum or
plasma, or urine that equals or exceeds any of the following:
***
(viii)Either of the following applies:
(I)The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a
combination of them, and, as measured by gas chromatography mass
spectrometry, the person has a concentration of marijuana metabolite in the
person’s urine of at least fifteen nanograms of marijuana metabolite per
milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of marijuana
metabolite in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least
five nanograms of marijuana metabolite per milliliter of the person’s whole
blood or blood serum or plasma.
{¶48} A reading of the above sections of the statute clearly shows that they are not
restricted solely to impairment by alcohol. The plain language of the statute clearly
includes drugs of abuse or more specifically, as relevant to the second count, marijuana
metabolite in certain concentrations.
{¶49} The evidence submitted at trial showed that Owca was impaired to the
extent that he swerved out of his lane and directly into oncoming traffic at least twice,
forcing motorists to take evasive action to avoid a collision. When he stepped out of the
vehicle he stumbled and needed assistance to stand. He failed the field sobriety tests
administered by the officer. The toxicology results of Owca’s blood revealed he had five
different drugs in his system: 5.23 nanograms per milliliter of marijuana metabolite,
256.89 nanograms per milliliter of Diazepam, a.k.a. Valium, 56.29 nanograms per
milliliter of Oxycodone, 117.80 nanograms per milliliter of N-Desmethyldiazepam, and
341.98 nanograms per milliliter of Morphine. Based on this evidence, there was
sufficient evidence to support Owca’s convictions. Accordingly, his eleventh assigned
error is overruled.
Sentencing
{¶50} We will consider Owca’s twelfth and thirteenth assigned errors together
because they concern his sentence.
{¶51} Owca argues his Fifth Amendment right was violated when the trial court
interrogated him in front of the jury during sentencing. However, because his conviction
had already occurred, we do not see how Owca’s constitutional right was violated by the
court questioning him in front of the jury for purposes of sentencing.
{¶52} Owca also contends the trial court erred by relying on evidence outside the
record when determining his sentencing. The trial court considered the fact that Owca
had a prior conviction for driving under the influence where he killed three people. The
court also noted that since then, Owca had ten DUI convictions. In considering these
factors, the trial court was complying with R.C. 2929.22. R.C. 2929.22(B) states that in
determining the appropriate sentence for a misdemeanor the court shall consider:
(b) Whether the circumstances regarding the offender and the offense or
offenses indicate that the offender has a history of persistent criminal
activity and that the offender’s character and condition reveal a substantial
risk that the offender will commit another offense;
(c) Whether the circumstances regarding the offender and the offense or
offenses indicate that the offender’s history, character, and condition reveal
a substantial risk that the offender will be adanger to others and that the
offender’s conduct has been characterized by a pattern of repetitive,
compulsive, or aggressive behavior with heedless indifference to the
consequences;
***
(e) Whether the offender is likely to commit future crimes in general, in
addition to the circumstances described in divisions (B)(1)(b) and (c) of this
section;
{¶53} Thus, consideration of Owca’s prior history of driving while impaired was a
relevant consideration in determining his sentence. Owca also contends that the trial
court failed to reveal from what document the court was obtaining the information
regarding Owca’s prior record. However, we note that no objection was made by Owca
at the time of sentencing. If he had objected, the trial court could have identified the
report upon which it was relying. Therefore, Owca has waived his objection to the trial
court’s reliance on the information. State v. Cody, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100797,
2015-Ohio-2261, ¶ 33. Moreover, Owca does not contend that the information was
incorrect.
{¶54} Owca also argues that the trial court’s extensive questioning and berating of
him at sentencing showed that the court was biased. A review of the entire record shows
the trial court was not biased. It is not reversible error for a sentencing judge, in
explaining his sentence, to make critical statements about a defendant’s conduct. State v.
Power, 7th Dist. Columbiana No. 12 CO 14, 2013-Ohio-4254, ¶ 27. Moreover, the
exclusive means by which allegations of judicial bias in common pleas court cases should
be raised is an affidavit of disqualification filed in the Ohio Supreme Court. R.C.
2701.02; State v. Wilson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 91971, 2010-Ohio-1196, ¶ 101.
Accordingly, Owca’s twelfth and thirteenth assigned errors are overruled.
Allied Offenses
{¶55} In his fourteenth assigned error, Owca argues that although the trial court
correctly found the offenses to be allied offenses, the trial court erred by not requesting
the prosecutor to elect which count to sentence on.
{¶56} A defendant may be indicted and tried for allied offenses of similar import,
but may be sentenced on only one of the allied offenses. State v. Brown, 119 Ohio St. 3d
447, 2008-Ohio-4569, 895 N.E.2d 149. ¶ 42, citing Maumee v. Geiger, 45 Ohio St. 2d
238, 244, 344 N.E.2d 133 (1976). Because R.C. 2941.25(A) protects a defendant only
from being punished for allied offenses, the determination of the defendant’s guilt for
committing allied offenses remains intact, both before and after the merger of allied
offenses for sentencing. State v. Whitfield, 124 Ohio St. 3d 319, 2010-Ohio-2, 922
N.E.2d 182, ¶ 27.
{¶57} Here, although the trial court stated that the sentences merged, it first
sentenced Owca on each count to 180 days incarceration, imposed a $375 fine, and
suspended his driver’s license for three years. After imposing the sentence on both
counts, the trial court then stated that the sentences “merged” and that Owca would serve
a total of 180 days, pay a fine of $375, and have his driver’s license suspended for three
years. Although the state argues this was harmless, the trial court was not in fact
“merging” in the sense of sentencing for allied offenses, but instead imposed concurrent
sentences. The court cannot sentence on both counts and then merge the counts when
the counts are allied offenses. The court can only impose a sentence on one count.
{¶58} Thus, while we agree with the trial court that the counts are allied offenses
and merge, the court erred by the manner in which it imposed the sentence. The trial
court must direct the state to elect which count it wishes to proceed for purposes of
sentencing and then proceed to only sentence on that count. State v. Fairfield, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 97446, 2012-Ohio-5060, ¶ 29. Accordingly, the fourteenth assigned error
is sustained and the matter remanded for a new sentencing hearing regarding the allied
offenses. Specifically, the state must elect which count it chooses for the trial court to
proceed to sentencing.
Jury Instructions
{¶59} In his fifteenth assigned error, Owca argues that the trial court usurped the
function of the jury by instructing the jury that marijuana, Diazepam,
N-Desmeithyldiazepam, Oxycodone, and Morphine were all drugs of abuse. Owca
contends that the trial court should have defined the term “drug of abuse” and allowed the
jury to determine if the drugs found in Owca’s blood met the definition.
{¶60} The trial court did not err in instructing the jury that marijuana, Diazepam,
N-Desmeithyldiazepam, Oxycodone, and Morphine were all drugs of abuse. The
determination whether a drug is a “drug of abuse” is one of law. State v. Anderson, 11th
Dist. Lake No. 2005-L-179, 2006-Ohio-5371, ¶ 20; State v. Daugert, 11th Dist. Lake
No. 89-L-14-091, 1990 Ohio App. LEXIS 2719, at *5 (June 29, 1990); State v. Reed, 14
Ohio App. 3d 63, 68, 470 N.E.2d 150 (4th Dist.1983). Pursuant to R.C. 4506.06(M),
R.C. 4729.01(F), and R.C. 3719.01, the drugs qualified as drugs of abuse. Accordingly,
Owca’s fifthteenth assigned error is overruled.
Jury Verdict
{¶61} In his sixteenth assigned error, Owca argues that the trial court erred by
submitting a jury verdict form that did not identify the specific substance of abuse. The
verdict form stated the jury found Owca “guilty or not guilty of Operating Under the
Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs of Abuse.” Owca contends that the jury should have
had to choose which substance of abuse, i.e. alcohol or drugs. We disagree.
{¶62} “[A] general unanimity instruction will ensure that the jury is unanimous
on the factual basis for a conviction, even where an indictment alleges numerous factual
bases for criminal liability.” State v. Johnson, 46 Ohio St. 3d 96, 104, 545 N.E.2d 636
(1989). “[W]hen a jury returns a guilty verdict on an indictment charging several acts in
the conjunctive * * * the verdict stands if the evidence is sufficient with respect to any
one of the acts charged.” Id. Here, the evidence was overwhelming that Owca was
under the influence of drugs not alcohol. Therefore, the trial court’s general unanimity
instruction and the verdict form were sufficient. Accordingly, Owca’s sixteenth assigned
error is overruled.
{¶63} Judgment affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded for a new
sentencing hearing.
It is ordered that the parties pay their respective costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to the Parma Municipal Court to carry
this judgment into execution. The defendant’s conviction having been affirmed, any bail
pending appeal is terminated.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, JUDGE
ANITA LASTER MAYS, J., CONCURS;
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, A.J., DISSENTS;
(SEE ATTACHED DISSENTING OPINION)
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, A.J., DISSENTING
{¶64} I respectfully dissent. I would find merit to Owca’s seventh and ninth
assignments of error, reverse his convictions, and order a new trial.
{¶65} Addressing Owca’s ninth assignment of error, I would find that the trial
court abused its discretion by allowing Dr. Likavec to testify despite the clear violation of
Crim.R. 16(K). The majority recognizes the error, but concludes that the error is
harmless. Even assuming overwhelming evidence of Owca’s guilt was presented, I
cannot support the majority’s harmless error conclusion when the trial court enters a
blanket denial of Owca’s motion in limine without seeking an explanation by the
prosecution for its disregard of Crim.R. 16(K).
{¶66} Pursuant to Crim.R. 16(K),
An expert witness for either side shall prepare a written report summarizing
the expert witness’s testimony, findings, analysis, conclusions, or opinion,
and shall include a summary of the expert’s qualifications. The written
report and summary of qualifications shall be subject to disclosure under
this rule no later than twenty-one days prior to trial, which period may be
modified by the court for good cause shown, which does not prejudice any
other party. Failure to disclose the written report to opposing counsel shall
preclude the expert’s testimony at trial.
(Emphasis added.) Other than the trial court’s discretion in expanding the period of
providing the report, the requirements of this rule are mandatory.
{¶67} In this case, the trial court seemed to be satisfied that the prosecution
complied with Crim.R. 16(K) when the prosecution disclosed Dr. Likavec’s name to
defense counsel a week before trial. However, the record is clear that no report was
prepared by Dr. Likavec and that the defense was not apprised of what Dr. Likavec’s
testimony would entail. This failure to comply with the mandates of Crim.R. 16(K)
equates to a trial by ambush. This type of activity is exactly what the rule was designed
to prevent, and condoning this type of trial practice and declaring discovery violations
harmless only leads to an abuse of process and ultimately renders Crim.R. 16(K)
superfluous.
{¶68} Regarding Owca’s seventh assignment of error, I would find that the trial
judge’s disparaging comments made to defense counsel deprived Owca of a fair trial.
These comments occurred throughout the case proceedings, continued during trial, and
culminated with the trial judge essentially accusing defense counsel of lying to the jury
and misstating the law during closing arguments.
{¶69} Although the trial judge attempted to give an explanation to the jury that he
was the source of the confusion by providing inaccurate jury instructions, the trial judge’s
explanation or curative instruction was insufficient to properly inform the jury that
defense counsel was not misleading the jury and was actually reading the instruction as
provided by the trial court. Furthermore, my reading of the “curative instruction” does
not reveal any type of apology offered to defense counsel; rather, there was a vague
apology to the jury.
{¶70} Based on the record before this court, which includes the affidavit of
disqualification filed by defense counsel against the trial judge, I would find that the trial
judge’s accusation deprived Owca of a fair trial.
{¶71} For these reasons, I would reverse Owca’s convictions and order a new
trial.
APPENDIX
Assignments of Error
I. Defendant was denied due process of law and a fair hearing when the
court ruled during the direct examination of the arresting officer that there
was probable cause.
II. Defendant was denied due process of law when the court overruled his
motion to suppress based on a warrantless draw of blood.
III. Defendant was denied due process of law when the court overruled the
warrantless stopping and seizure of defendant.
IV. Defendant was denied due process of law when the court overruled
defendants motion to suppress concerning the HGN test.
V. Defendant was denied due process of law and a fair trial when the court
declared a witness to be an expert in the presence of the jury.
VI. Defendant was denied a fair trial when the court precluded defense
counsel from cross-examining the arresting officer.
VII. Defendant was denied a fair trial by reason of the court’s
interrogation of witness, interruption of defense counsel, and accusing
defense counsel of improper conduct.
VIII. Defendant was denied due process of law when the court amended
the charges contained in the complaint in its instruction to the jury.
IX. Defendant was denied due process of law when the court allowed a
witness to testify as an expert without a written report to testify.
X. Defendant was denied a fair trial when the prosecutor expressed his
personal opinion of defendant’s guilt.
XI. Defendant was denied due process of law when the court overruled the
motion for acquittal.
XII. Defendant was denied due process of law when the trial court
excoriated defendant in the presence of the jury violated his fifth
amendment right at sentencing.
XIII. Defendant was denied due process of law and a fair trial in
sentencing when the court relied upon matters outside the record.
XIV. Defendant was denied due process of law when the court imposed
multiple sentences without a determination as to which of the two offenses
should merge.
XV. The court usurped a jury function by stating as a matter of law that
certain controlled substances at issue in this case were drugs of abuse.
XVI. Defendant was denied due process of law when the court submitted a
jury verdict which contained and/or instead of identifying the specific
substance.