[Cite as State v. Davis, 2021-Ohio-237.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS 

ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT 

LAKE COUNTY, OHIO 

STATE OF OHIO, : O P I N I O N 

 Plaintiff-Appellee, : 

 CASE NO. 2019-L-170

 - vs - : 

MICHAEL B. DAVIS, : 

 Defendant-Appellant. : 

Criminal Appeal from the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2018 CR 

000266. 

Judgment: Affirmed. 

Charles E. Coulson, Lake County Prosecutor, and Karen Sheppert, Assistant 

Prosecutor, Lake County Administration Building, 105 Main Street, P.O. Box 490, 

Painesville, Ohio 44077 (For Plaintiff-Appellee). 

Vanessa R. Clapp, Lake County Public Defender, and Melissa A. Blake, Assistant Public 

Defender, 125 East Erie Street, Painesville, Ohio 44077 (For Defendant-Appellant). 

MARY JANE TRAPP, P.J. 

{¶1} Appellant, Michael B. Davis, appeals from the Lake County Court of 

Common Pleas judgment convicting him of multiple counts of murder, felonious assault, 

and attempted murder, and sentencing him on two merged counts of murder and 

attempted murder. Mr. Davis, who had a long-standing history of mental illness and 

psychiatric treatment, attempted to commit suicide by swerving left of center at an 
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excessive speed into an oncoming automobile, killing the driver and severely injuring the 

passenger. 

{¶2} Mr. Davis assigns eight errors on appeal, arguing that: (1) the trial court 

erred by failing to instruct the jury on the lesser included offenses for the charges of 

murder and felonious assault and by including within the jury instruction for his affirmative 

defense of not guilty by reason of insanity (“NGRI”) an instruction for the affirmative 

defense of involuntary intoxication; (2) the trial court interfered with deliberations and 

confused the jury by providing them with a decision tree and new instructions in the court’s 

response to a jury question; (3) his rights to due process and a fair trial were violated 

when the trial court limited the number of experts the defense was permitted to call; (4) 

the trial court erroneously allowed his statement asserting his right to remain silent to be 

played for the jury and permitted the state to use the statement in its closing argument; 

and (5) the trial court erred by permitting the admission of gruesome death photos that 

were highly prejudicial. (6) & (7) Mr. Davis further challenges both the sufficiency and 

manifest weight of the evidence. (8) Finally, Mr. Davis claims the trial court erred in 

meting out consecutive, maximum sentences that are unsupported by the record and, 

thus, contrary to law. 

Summary of Our Findings 

{¶3} We find Mr. Davis’s assignments of error to be without merit. 

{¶4} (1) The trial court did not abuse its discretion in its instructions to the jury 

because the evidence did not support jury instructions for the lesser included offenses for 

murder and felonious assault or a separate instruction on involuntary intoxication apart 

from the instruction on insanity. 
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{¶5} (2) The court’s “decision tree” instruction did not likely confuse the jury. 

Rather, it was an aid to assist the jury with the verdict form. The court’s response to the 

jury’s question merely clarified the instructions already given and did not give the jury new 

or different instructions. 

{¶6} (3) The court properly excluded the testimony of two experts because they 

were likely to be confusing to the jury. One expert was unable to form an opinion as to 

insanity using the correct legal standard, and another was unable to distinguish insanity 

from diminished capacity, which is not recognized in Ohio. 

{¶7} (4) We also find that Mr. Davis’s statement was not improperly used as 

evidence of his guilt because Mr. Davis did not invoke his right to remain silent while 

giving the statement. 

{¶8} (5) While the photographs that depicted the scene of the collision and the 

victims were painful to view, we cannot say they were prejudicial in nature, repetitive, or 

cumulative. 

{¶9} (6) & (7) We find the state introduced sufficient evidence that Mr. Davis 

purposely drove his vehicle at an excessive speed and crossed the center lane in order 

to collide headfirst with an oncoming vehicle, and the manifest weight of the evidence 

supports the jury’s verdict. 

{¶10} (8) Lastly, Mr. Davis’s consecutive sentences are supported by the record 

and are not contrary to law. 

{¶11} The judgment of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. 
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Substantive and Procedural Facts 

{¶12} In the early afternoon of July 4, 2017, Mr. Davis was driving westbound on 

Route 6 in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, when he veered left of center and drove at a high speed 

into an eastbound, oncoming car. Mr. Davis’s vehicle violently collided with the other 

vehicle, propelling the other car backward landing in a neighboring yard. The driver of 

the other car, Gregory Morawski, was killed by the blunt force impact to his head, trunk, 

and extremities. When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found he still 

had a pulse but was pinned to the vehicle. They could not remove him until the fire 

department cut off parts of his vehicle. His passenger and fiancé, Heather Culp, was 

severely injured and required several surgeries. 

{¶13} As the crash reconstruction expert would later testify, the speedometer in 

Mr. Davis’s vehicle was frozen at 70 mph, and he estimated Mr. Davis collided with Mr. 

Morawski’s car at a speed of approximately 68 mph. Mr. Davis made no attempt to slow 

his vehicle or swerve out of the path of collision. 

{¶14} Mr. Davis, who also sustained injuries and was hospitalized, told medical 

personnel the morning after the accident that he took a “bunch” of prescribed medication, 

drank some alcohol, and drove into another vehicle at a high rate of speed in an attempt 

to commit suicide. 

{¶15} A few days after the crash and after learning that the driver of the other car 

had died and the passenger had suffered serious injuries, Mr. Davis reported to several 

physicians that he had been hearing voices at the time of the incident. During a recorded 

interview with the court’s forensic psychologist, Dr. Jeffrey Rindsberg, and in an earlier 
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written statement provided to this expert, Mr. Davis related more details of the events 

leading up to the crash. 

{¶16} Mr. Davis explained that for three days before the incident, he had 

experienced hallucinations. Starting on the morning of the incident, Mr. Davis heard 

sirens and loud voices coming from outside his apartment and the electronic devices in 

his apartment. He felt like he was on a “military base” and there was an “invasion” or 

“something bad” going on. He was scared and tried to call his parents’ home, but “the 

line was dead.” He left his phone at his apartment because the “voices and sounds were 

coming out of all the electronic devices” and drove to his parents’ home. He realized they 

were out of town; he had known that, but “for some reason,” he had “forgotten that day.” 

While in the car, he heard the sirens and voices from the radio. He turned off the radio, 

but he could still hear the sounds and voices. At some point during the drive, the sounds 

stopped. The “voices were coming through the radio even though [he] turned it off, but 

they changed and it was more like – it was like interviews with people who were going 

through the invasion and talking about what was coming or something like that.” Those 

“interviews” stopped when he arrived at his parents’ house. 

{¶17} He tried to call his parents from their phone, but it was dead. Worried that 

“the world was coming to an end,” he went out to his car for his first failed suicide attempt 

by carbon monoxide poisoning, followed by a second failed attempt by ingestion of “a lot” 

of Seroquel and a bit of gin. He then looked unsuccessfully for a gun in his parents’ room. 

{¶18} Mr. Davis decided to return to his apartment because he thought he would 

be “safer” there. He first turned the wrong way out of his parents’ drive, turned on a side 

street, and “pictured an ambulance pulling in the driveway,” which “freaked [him] out even 
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more.” He turned around and was driving westbound on Rt. 6 when a voice told him to 

“accelerate and veer left.” He turned into and collided with Mr. Morawski’s oncoming 

vehicle. 

{¶19} He said, “I wasn't aiming at anyone or anything. I didn't know what I was 

doing. I wasn't in control of my body and mind. It didn't even seem real. It was like I just 

was in a dream state.” When asked what he was trying to do, i.e., why he was trying to 

kill himself, he replied, “I was trying to get home because I thought I would be safe. I was 

suicidal, but in that moment I was -- my mind was to get -- drive home.” 

{¶20} While he had never heard voices before this incident, Mr. Davis has suffered 

psychologically since he was very young, mostly dealing with bouts of major depression 

and anxiety. He began treatment at the age of nine. Over the long course of treatment, 

Mr. Davis had used over thirty different prescribed psychotropic medications. He 

described himself as “agoraphobic,” a “hermit,” and “depressed.” There was no dispute 

from the physicians and experts who either treated Mr. Davis and/or evaluated his 

voluminous medical and psychological treatment records that he suffered from a mental 

disease and/or mental defect. 

{¶21} Mr. Davis further described the hallucinations he experienced the days 

leading up to the incident. While watching a crime drama on television, he saw an alien 

come into the show, turning the show into a “sci-fi horror” show, which it was not. He sent 

a garbled text to a friend about Tina Fey and Amy Poehler becoming the “most powerful 

people in the world.” He was hearing voices saying he was worthless. In addition to the 

hallucinations leading up to the incident, Mr. Davis said his body was “tingling.” He 
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“always dealt with high anxiety, but [his] anxiety changed to like a burning sensation, like 

[his] whole body was on fire, and [he] couldn’t stay still.” 

{¶22} At the time of the crash, Mr. Davis was under the care of a psychologist and 

a psychiatrist. He had been trying several new medications and stopped several old ones 

because he was struggling with major depression and experiencing severe insomnia. He 

had been in communication with his prescribing physician for new sleep medication in the 

days leading up to the collision, and both his psychologist and his mother tried to help 

him calm and “soothe” his body. He also reported in communications with friends and 

family prior to the collision and to investigators and treatment providers following the 

collision that he had not slept for several days prior to the crash. He had recently ended 

his five-year relationship with his girlfriend and had been unemployed for sixteen years. 

His parents financially supported him. 

{¶23} After a police investigation, Mr. Davis was indicted on eight counts: murder, 

an unclassified felony, in violation of R.C. 2903.02(A); two counts of murder, unclassified 

felonies, in violation of R.C. 2903.02(B); two counts of felonious assault, second-degree 

felonies, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1); two counts of felonious assault, seconddegree felonies, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2); and attempted murder, a first-degree 

felony, in violation of R.C. 2923.02 and 2903.02(A). 

{¶24} Over the course of pretrial proceedings, the court determined Mr. Davis was 

competent to stand trial and granted Mr. Davis’s motion to enter a plea of NGRI. More 

specific issues that arose during the pretrial and trial are discussed below as they pertain 

to an assigned error. 
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{¶25} A twelve-day jury trial was held, which included a court-ordered jury view of 

the route Mr. Davis took from his parents’ house to the scene of the collision. 

{¶26} Over seventeen witnesses testified during the state’s case in chief. The 

central issue of Mr. Davis’s NGRI defense was whether he appreciated the wrongfulness 

of his actions since no one disputed that he suffered from mental illness. The defense 

called two expert witnesses - one in pharmacology, Dr. Daniel Buffington; and another in 

psychology, Dr. James P. Reardon. The state presented rebuttal testimony from Dr. 

Rindsberg, as well as Mr. Davis’s psychiatrist, Dr. Richard Hill, and a pharmacologist, Dr. 

Michael Reed. 

{¶27} After deliberating for approximately two and half days, the jury returned a 

guilty verdict on all eight counts of the indictment. The jury found that Mr. Davis did not 

prove the affirmative defense of insanity by a preponderance of the evidence. 

{¶28} At the sentencing hearing, the court found that counts two (murder), three 

(murder), four (felonious assault), and five (felonious assault) merged into count one 

(murder) and that counts seven and eight (felonious assaults) merged into count six 

(attempted murder). The court sentenced Mr. Davis to serve a mandatory prison term of 

15 years to life for murder, consecutive to a stated prison term of 11 years for attempted 

murder. 

Pertinent Issues at Trial 

Motions in Limine 

{¶29} Several motions in limine are pertinent to this appeal. 

{¶30} The state filed the first motion in limine to preclude evidence of diminished 

capacity. More specifically, the state argued that the defense’s proposed expert 
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witnesses failed to restrict their opinions in their sanity reports to the appropriate question 

of whether Mr. Davis’s ability to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions was “a result 

of a severe mental disease or defect” and rather than a result of a diminished capacity 

due to voluntary intoxication or merely lack of sleep. 

{¶31} The court held multiple hearings to consider Mr. Davis’s motion to enter a 

plea of NGRI and the state’s motion in limine to preclude evidence of diminished capacity, 

which included hearing testimony from Dr. Rindsberg and Dr. Reardon, as well as two 

additional defense experts, Dr. George S. Glass, a practicing psychiatrist, and Dr. Daniel 

Buffington, a clinical pharmacologist. 

{¶32} The court granted the state’s motion in limine in part, finding that Dr. Glass 

would not be permitted to testify for the defense because diminished capacity is not a 

recognized defense in Ohio pursuant to R.C. 2945.391. More specifically, the court 

determined that Dr. Glass’s opinions concerning Mr. Davis’s sanity at the time of the 

collision were “inextricably intermingled with a finding of diminished capacity” and that he 

could not conform his opinion to the correct legal standard for insanity. 

{¶33} The court further determined that Dr. Buffington and Dr. Reardon were 

qualified to testify as experts for the defense, and Dr. Rindsberg for the state. 

{¶34} The state filed the second relevant motion in limine to prohibit the testimony 

and any mention of the findings of Dr. Joseph Calabrese. The state argued that Dr. 

Calabrese, a consulting psychiatrist for the prosecution, gave conflicting opinions 

regarding the results of his review of Mr. Davis’s records and also expressed difficulty 

with understanding and addressing the legal standard and the salient question of whether 

Mr. Davis knew the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the crash. 
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{¶35} In discovery, the state provided Dr. Calabrese’s preliminary draft report to 

the defense.1 Ultimately, however, despite his initial opinions, the state represented to 

the court that Dr. Calabrese advised the state he was unable to render an opinion in his 

final report that focused on the statutory requirements for NGRI within a reasonable 

degree of psychiatric certainty. The state also argued it was improper for defense counsel 

to forward copies of Dr. Calabrese’s initial and final reports to the court’s expert, Dr. 

Rindsberg, and to an investigator on the case, Detective James Onion (“Det. Onion”). 

{¶36} The defense countered, in its brief in opposition, that exclusion of Dr. 

Calabrese’s opinion would be a violation of Mr. Davis’s right to a fair trial because the 

court’s expert, Dr. Rindsberg, incorporated Dr. Calabrese’s reports into his own findings. 

Thus, the defense would not be allowed to fully present its theory of the case if Dr. 

Calabrese’s opinion was excluded. Defense counsel further argued that the state wanted 

to disregard Dr. Calabrese’s opinion because it supported the defense’s theory of the 

case. 

{¶37} On the first day of trial, the court heard arguments from both sides on the 

issue prior to jury selection. The defense further argued that the state was trying to 

exclude Dr. Calabrese’s opinion because it “ran inconsistent with [the state’s] conclusion, 

that was discarded.” The defense also argued that it should be permitted to offer this 

evidence to prove bias or a predetermined conclusion on the part of the investigators. 

The state disagreed, arguing that Dr. Calabrese’s verbal opinion given to the prosecutors 

was the opposite of what he wrote in a draft and that he gave no opinion in his final report. 

The state represented to the court that Dr. Calabrese advised that the discrepancy was 

 

1 It must be noted that no report from Dr. Calabrese was made a part of the appellate record.
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because he could not reach an opinion. The state asserted it was “very clear that in its 

discussions with Dr. Calabrese, he does not understand the legal standard.” 

{¶38} The court granted the motion, finding that Dr. Calabrese failed to use the 

correct legal standard in rendering his opinion and that he was the state’s expert, who the 

state decided not to call to testify. 

{¶39} The defense filed the third and fourth relevant motions in limine to exclude 

“inflammatory and prejudicial photographs of the decedent and vehicle” and 

“inflammatory and prejudicial photographs of autopsy.” Defense counsel argued that 

these photographs should be excluded as redundant and prejudicial, pursuant to Evid.R. 

401 and 403, because the photographs were not necessary to establish any facts in 

controversy, were graphic, and their prejudicial value far outweighed their probative value. 

{¶40} Prior to the introduction of these photographs through Officer Leonbruno’s 

testimony, admissibility of the photographs was argued at a sidebar conference. 

{¶41} The state explained that they chose the photograph that was “the farthest 

away, it’s a little blurry even, but it’s for proximity and things like that, the purpose of it. 

[Officer Leonbruno] is going to testify this is after the roof was removed that they took the 

photograph, but he is going to testify this is where he was seated in the car and his legs 

were pinned in there, and it shows the proximity of the body, the way the Defendant struck 

the car. 

{¶42} “It’s directly relevant to what the State has to prove here, and it’s the least 

shocking – it’s not shocking, it’s a fact. This is what it was like. This is a murder charge. 

It’s a murder case, Judge. We have to show it.” 
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{¶43} Similarly, a sidebar was called prior to the introduction of the autopsy 

photographs during the testimony of Dr. Daniel Galita, the forensic pathologist and 

medical examiner who performed the autopsy. The defense objected, arguing they were 

not challenging the manner of death; thus, the photographs were unnecessary. The state 

replied that the photographs were necessary to prove the elements of the crimes charged. 

{¶44} The court found the photographs admissible, concluding that “[t]he ones 

that you’re going to use, this is a homicide case, they’re not inflammatory. I’ve seen 

much, much, much worse in a homicide case. This is an auto accident case, an auto 

collision is the cause of death, and they’re fine.” 

Expert Testimony 

{¶45} Dr. Reardon testified for the defense regarding his forensic psychological 

evaluation of Mr. Davis. As part of his evaluation, Dr. Reardon went to Mr. Davis’s 

apartment to conduct an interview. Mr. Davis grew increasingly anxious and progressed 

into a panic attack after approximately two and half hours, terminating the interview. 

{¶46} Dr. Reardon agreed with Dr. Rindsberg’s opinion that Mr. Davis “has a 

severe, long-standing mental disease that has – diseases that have compromised his 

ability to function.” He found the “elements that could lead up to a psychotic episode or 

a psychotic break” were documented in the email exchanges between Mr. Davis and his 

psychiatrist, as well those with his friend. 

{¶47} Based on his interview and a review of Mr. Davis’s lengthy treatment 

records and medical history, Dr. Reardon concluded that Mr. Davis suffered from major 

depressive disorder (recurrent, with mood-congruent psychotic episodes, and panic 

attacks) and generalized anxiety disorder. Dr. Reardon found no evidence that suggested 
 13 

Mr. Davis was not in a psychotic state at the time of the collision. Dr. Reardon opined 

that Mr. Davis could not know the wrongfulness of his actions, observing, “[I]f you’re out 

of touch with reality, if you’re in a psychotic state, you can’t – if you can’t even be in touch 

with reality, how could you know the wrongfulness of your actions?” 

{¶48} The second expert to testify for the defense was clinical pharmacologist, Dr. 

Buffington. He agreed that Mr. Davis had recurrent major depressive disorder that was 

treatment resistant. Dr. Buffington analyzed the total number of medications Mr. Davis 

and his doctor were trying, including the time frames the medications were given, the 

dosages, and the effect of them on neurotransmitters in the brain. In Dr. Buffington’s 

opinion, it was more probable than not that, at the time of the collision, Mr. Davis was 

suffering from psychosis as a result of adverse effects from the prescribed medicines. 

{¶49} He based his opinion on multiple factors: Mr. Davis’s long-standing history 

of multiple, chronic, and treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions; his severe insomnia 

at the time of the incident; multiple medication changes in a specific time frame and the 

negative impact this created “on neurotransmitter stability and function”; and the new 

symptoms experienced by Mr. Davis at the time of the event, i.e., the hallucinations, the 

increased anxiety, and the suicidality. 

{¶50} Mr. Davis’s psychiatrist, Dr. Hill, testified as a rebuttal witness for the state 

and described Mr. Davis’s treatment and medications leading up to the collision. He had 

previously diagnosed and was treating Mr. Davis for a major depressive disorder. He 

testified that Mr. Davis did not previously suffer from any psychotic episodes while under 

his care, and he could not form an opinion whether Mr. Davis was in a psychotic state or 

suffering from side effects of his medications at the time of the incident.
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{¶51} Dr. Rindsberg, the forensic psychologist for the court who had previously 

evaluated Mr. Davis for competency, also conducted an insanity evaluation. As a rebuttal 

witness for the state, he opined “with a reasonable psychological certainty that Mr. Davis 

was suffering from a severe mental disease * * * but that he did know what he was doing 

was wrong at the time of these charges.” Dr. Rindsberg believed Mr. Davis knew the 

wrongfulness of his actions and did not “believe that there was psychosis.” Even if Mr. 

Davis, however, was actively psychotic, he still would have known the wrongfulness of 

his actions. 

{¶52} Pharmacologist, Dr. Reed, another rebuttal witness for the state, reviewed 

the defense pharmacologist’s report and specifically examined Mr. Davis’s medication 

use and the side effects of each medication. While Dr. Reed found Dr. Buffington’s report 

“technically correct,” he found it “appeared contrary to the detailed clinical records of Dr. 

Hill,” since he did not find “drugs were being changed too rapidly.” Thus, he concluded 

that “the medications prescribed, their doses and limited changes, based on close clinical 

monitoring and patient response and tolerability, were completely appropriate.” 

Mr. Davis’s Statement to Detectives

{¶53} Two days after the collision, while he was in the hospital, Mr. Davis was 

interviewed by Detectives Onion and Parmertor. The interview was recorded and played 

during Det. Parmertor’s testimony with no objection from defense counsel. During the 

interview, Mr. Davis acknowledged his Miranda rights and answered questions regarding 

his background, including his history of mental illness and current medications. 

{¶54} Det. Onion asked Mr. Davis to initial the Miranda rights on a form to 

acknowledge that he understood them. Mr. Davis replied, “Okay. Could you read them 
 15 

to me once again * * * so I’m absolutely clear?” Det. Onion reread the Miranda rights, 

and Mr. Davis checked and initialed the form. 

{¶55} Det. Onion asked Mr. Davis what triggered his action on the day of the 

incident. Mr. Davis responded, “Because it’s fuzzy to me, and I don’t want something I 

say one day to not match up with something I say another day because it is still so fuzzy 

and new, so I want to really be able to just put down in an ironclad statement that this is 

to the best of my knowledge what occurred that day and have everything match up 

perfectly.” 

{¶56} Det. Onion, stated, “Okay. All right,” and the interview was concluded. 

{¶57} The prosecutor replayed this statement during the state’s closing argument 

while discussing Mr. Davis’s sanity, remarking afterwards: “The interesting thing is, it’s 

still fuzzy to me, I want to come up with an ironclad statement, I want everything to match 

up, things are matching up. July 4th to Dr. Asfaw, July 5th to Ms. Cimino, July 5th to Dr. 

Mars, July 5th to Dr Feldman, July 5th to Patrolman Vitale, five different people in five 

different roles – trauma, surgeon, social worker, neurologist, psychiatrist, police officer” 

were told “I [Mr. Davis] was trying to commit suicide. I failed with the 20 Seroquel, I drove 

into an oncoming car up to 60 miles per hour. I’m upset that I was unsuccessful.” 

Jury Instructions on Lesser Included Offenses 

{¶58} In determining the appropriate jury instructions, the court heard arguments 

on charging the jury on lesser included offenses. The state argued that instructions on 

the lesser included offenses for murder and felonious assault should not be included 

because the evidence did not support a lesser included offense or “a mens rea for 

anything but purposely and knowingly.” The defense disagreed, arguing that the facts 
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could show Mr. Davis was reckless or negligent in operating a motor vehicle under the 

circumstances. 

{¶59} In concluding there was no evidence to support instructions on the lesser 

included offenses of reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter (for murder), 

assault and aggravated vehicular assault (for felonious assault), and negligent assault 

(for felonious assault), the court stated: 

{¶60} “If there were no statements about intending to commit suicide, then the 

sleepiness would be sufficient in and of itself to get a reckless or a negligent instruction, 

but you have to consider that this was the third in a series of attempts of intentional 

conduct on his part. 

{¶61} “I mean he didn’t accidentally turn on the car in the garage and put the hose 

in the wrong pipe. That was a volitional act. 

{¶62} “He didn’t accidentally do that. He didn’t accidentally take the drugs. He 

brought them with him. So he’s acting volitionally. 

{¶63} “Negligence is not a volitional act, it’s truly an accident. It’s a mistake. It’s 

a lack of due care, a simple lack of due care. And coupled with the three suicidal ideations 

or attempts, three in a row within in a short period of time, there’s only one rational 

explanation, that it was intentional. 

{¶64} “Now, I’m not ignoring the insanity defense because that comes later. I’m 

talking about what has the State introduced evidence on, what’s the state of the evidence 

and what can it support, and I’m agreeing with the State that the only thing in the record 

is that it’s purposeful or knowing conduct. It’s irrelevant whether he knew it was wrong 

for purposes of our discussion here, but it was knowing conduct.” 
 17 

{¶65} Defense counsel noted its objection and also filed a motion “for [the] court 

to submit all relevant jury instructions to trial jury,” arguing that the evidence also 

supported an instruction on an involuntary intoxication affirmative defense since it is a 

legally separate and distinct defense from sanity. The court reviewed its research and 

heard arguments from counsel, concluding that “[t]here is no dearth of authority from other 

jurisdictions holding that the standard for involuntary intoxication is the same as that for 

insanity.” The court further stated, “I have not found more than one case that would take 

it out of the realm as an arm of the insanity defense [when tried together].” 

{¶66} The court determined it would charge the jury on the affirmative defense of 

insanity and include an involuntary intoxication instruction within the insanity instruction 

rather than as a separate instruction. The jury was instructed that “[t]o establish the 

defense of insanity, pursuant to R.C. 2901.01(A)(14), the defendant must prove by a 

preponderance or the greater weight of the evidence that at the time of the offense, the 

defendant did not know, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, and/or 

involuntary intoxication, the wrongfulness of his act. * * * A person is insane and not

responsible for criminal conduct if at the time of his act or acts: (A) He had a severe 

mental disease or defect, and/or was involuntarily intoxicated; (B) As a result, he did not 

know the wrongfulness of his act or acts.” (Emphasis added.) The court distinguished 

and defined “voluntary intoxication” and “involuntary intoxication.” 

{¶67} The court also gave the jury a diagram, entitled, “Decision Tree,” which is 

reproduced below: 
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Jury Question 

{¶68} During deliberations, the jury sent a question to the court. The court 

summoned counsel and started preparation of a response, which the court deemed 

necessary because the jury “seemed to be having a difficult time understanding the order 

of the findings they needed to make, despite the court providing them a ‘decision tree’ to 

assist them.” 

{¶69} Jury question no. 1 stated: “Can you please clarify the element of the law 

‘A person acts knowingly, regardless of purpose, when the person is aware that the 

person’s conduct will probably cause a certain result or be of a certain nature. A person 

has knowledge of circumstances when the person is aware that such circumstances 

probably exist. When knowledge of the existence of a particular fact is an element of an 

offense, such knowledge is established if a person subjectively believes that there is a 
 19 

high probability of its existence and fails to make inquiry or acts with a conscious purpose 

to avoid learning the fact.’ 

{¶70} “Are we supposed to be starting at the top of the decision tree (#1) or wait 

until the bottom of the decision tree (#2)? 

{¶71} “Also can you define the underlined terms?” 

{¶72} After extensive discussion with counsel and research, the court ultimately 

answered the jury question as follows: 

{¶73} “Before we started the trial, the defendant was presumed both innocent and 

sane at the time of the offenses charged. At the conclusion of the evidence, the state 

must prove beyond a reasonable doubt each and every element of the charged offenses. 

If the state does prove the existence of the elements beyond a reasonable doubt (question 

#1 of the decision tree), then the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the 

evidence the elements of the defense of not guilty by reason of insanity (question #2 of 

the decision tree). If the state did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt all of the elements 

of the charged offenses, the verdict must be not guilty. If the state proved beyond a 

reasonable doubt all of the elements of the charged offenses and the defendant did not 

prove the defense of insanity, the defendant must be found guilty. If the state proved 

beyond a reasonable doubt all of the elements of the charged offenses and the defendant 

did prove by a preponderance of the evidence the defense of insanity, the defendant must 

be found not guilty by reason of insanity. Refer to the instructions as to the elements of 

the charged offenses and the defense of insanity. 

{¶74} “The words contained within the definition of ‘knowingly’ must be given the 

meaning as would be commonly used and understood in the English language, except, 
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of course, for the definition of ‘purpose,’ which has been separately defined in the 

instructions. 

{¶75} “If I have provided information which you have not already used or 

considered, please start your deliberations anew with the information provided in this 

answer to your question.” 

{¶76} Defense counsel objected to the court’s reference to a “presumption of 

sanity,” arguing that while there is a presumption of innocence, it was unclear whether 

there is a presumption of sanity. The state disagreed, arguing that “[t]he fact that it is an 

affirmative defense that it must be proven that the Defendant is insane in and out of itself 

shows that there is a presumption of sanity.” After extensively researching the issue, the 

court concluded there is a presumption of sanity. 

Assignments of Error 

{¶77} Mr. Davis raises eight assignments of error on appeal: 

{¶78} “[1.] The trial court abused its discretion and committed reversible error 

when it failed to properly instruct the jury, in violation of the defendant-appellant’s rights 

to due process and fair trial as guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to 

the United States Constitution and Sections 10 and 16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution. 

{¶79} “[2.] The trial court committed reversible error by interfering with jury 

deliberations and in the manner in which it answered a jury question, thus, violating the 

defendant-appellant’s constitutional rights to a fair trial and due process as guaranteed 

by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Sections 

10 and 16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution. 
 21 

{¶80} “[3.] The trial court abused its discretion and committed reversible error by 

limiting the number of experts the defense was permitted to call, in violation of the 

defendant-appellant’s rights to compulosry [sic] process, due process and fair trial as 

guaranteed by the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States 

Constitution and Sections 10 and 16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution. 

{¶81} “[4.] The trial court committed plain error when it allowed the state of Ohio 

to use the defendant-appellant’s assertion of his right to remain silent in its case-in-chief 

and to rebut the defense of insanity, in violation of the defendant-appellant’s constitutional 

rights to remain silent, fair trial and due process as guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth 

Amendments to the United States Constitution and Sections 10 and 16, Article I of the 

Ohio Constitution. 

{¶82} “[5.] The trial court committed an abuse of discretion when it admitted 

gruesome death photos that were highly prejudicial and unnecessary, thus violating the 

defendant-appellant’s constitutional rights to fair trial and due process as guaranteed by 

the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Sections 10 

and 16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution. 

{¶83} “[6.] The trial court erred to the prejudice of the defendant-appellant when 

it denied his motion for acquittal under Crim.R. 29(A). 

{¶84} “[7.] The jury erred to the prejudice of the defendant-appellant when it 

returned a verdict of guilty on all counts, against the manifest weight of the evidence. 

{¶85} “[8.] The trial court erred by sentencing the defendant-appellant to serve 

individual, maximum prison terms consecutively when the consecutive sentences were 

unsupported by the record and thus, contrary to law.” 
 22 

Jury Instructions 

{¶86} In his first assignment of error, Mr. Davis first contends the trial court should 

have instructed the jury on the lesser included offenses for murder and felonious assault. 

He secondly contends that the trial court should not have included the affirmative defense 

of involuntary intoxication within the insanity instruction because it is a legally separate 

and distinct affirmative defense. 

{¶87} After arguments are completed, a trial court must fully and completely give 

the jury all instructions which are relevant and necessary for the jury to weigh the evidence 

and discharge its duty as the fact finder. State v. Petway, 2020-Ohio-3848, 156 N.E.3d 

467, ¶ 40 (11th Dist.); State v. Comen, 50 Ohio St.3d 206 (1990), paragraph two of the 

syllabus (construing Crim.R. 30(A)). 

{¶88} Requested jury instructions should ordinarily be given if they are correct 

statements of law, if they are applicable to the facts in the case, and if reasonable minds 

might reach the conclusion sought by the requested instruction. Petway at ¶ 40. The 

court may refuse to give an instruction as to a matter which is not applicable to the facts 

governing the case. State v. Scott, 26 Ohio St.3d 92, 101 (1986). 

Jury Instructions on Lesser Included Offenses 

{¶89} A lesser-included-offense instruction is not warranted every time “some 

evidence” is offered to support the lesser offense. State v. Bolden, 11th Dist. Lake No. 

2014-L-121, 2016-Ohio-4727, ¶ 51; State v. Shane, 63 Ohio St.3d 630, 632 (1992). 

Rather, there must be “sufficient evidence” to allow the jury to acquit the defendant on the 

indicted offense and to find him guilty on a lesser included offense. Bolden at ¶ 51; 

Shane at 632-633. Whether the evidence presented at trial is sufficient to require a 
 23 

particular instruction is a determination that falls within the sound discretion of the trial 

court. Bolden at ¶ 51. As a result, this court will not disturb a ruling of the trial court 

absent an abuse of discretion. Id. 

{¶90} An abuse of discretion is a term of art, connoting judgment exercised by a 

court, which does not comport with reason or the record. State v. Ferranto, 112 Ohio St. 

667, 676-678 (1925). Stated differently, an abuse of discretion is the trial court’s “‘failure 

to exercise sound, reasonable, and legal decision-making.’” State v. Beechler, 2d Dist. 

Clark No. 09-CA-54, 2010-Ohio-1900, ¶ 62, quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 11 (8th 

Ed.Rev.2004). 

{¶91} We acknowledge, however, that the Supreme Court of Ohio has also held 

that a charge on a lesser included offense is required when the facts warrant it. Bolden

at ¶ 51; see State v. Wine, 140 Ohio St.3d 409, 2014-Ohio-3948, ¶ 20. It is obviously 

difficult to reconcile these two concepts. On the one hand, an instruction is required if 

warranted by the evidence. Yet, on the other, the court has discretion to refuse to give it. 

Despite this apparent inconsistency, the court in Wine made it clear that discretion 

remains a part of the standard of review. The court held that whether to give a jury 

instruction on a lesser-included offense lies within the discretion of the trial court and 

depends on whether the evidence could reasonably support a jury finding of guilty on a 

lesser-included offense. Id. at ¶ 1. 

{¶92} Mr. Davis erroneously contends that the court concluded that “if a defendant 

offers a complete defense to all elements of a crime charged, then the defendant does 

not get the benefit of lesser included offense jury instructions.” 
 24 

{¶93} A review of the trial transcript reveals the court made this statement in a 

conference with counsel in relation to an Eighth District case, State v. Braxton, 102 Ohio 

App.3d 28 (8th Dist.1995). The following day, the court again conferred with counsel on 

the issue and agreed with the state that there was no evidence to support instructions on 

lesser included offenses because “the only thing in the record is that it’s purposeful or 

knowing conduct.” 

{¶94} “‘Even though an offense may be statutorily defined as a lesser included 

offense of another, a charge on such lesser included offense is required only where the 

evidence presented at trial would reasonably support both an acquittal on the crime 

charged and a conviction upon the lesser included offense.’” State v. Hall, 11th Dist. 

Trumbull No. 2017-T-0032, 2019-Ohio-1719, ¶ 26, quoting State v. Thomas, 40 Ohio 

St.3d 213 (1988), paragraph two of the syllabus; see State v. Wilkins, 64 Ohio St.2d 382, 

387 (1980) (“The mere fact that an offense can be a lesser included offense of another 

offense does not mean that a court must instruct on both offenses where the greater 

offense is charged”). 

{¶95} We find no abuse of discretion in the court’s conclusion or application of the 

law. A review of the evidence at trial reveals the evidence did not support an instruction 

on the lesser included offenses because there was no evidence Mr. Davis acted 

recklessly or negligently – he fully intended to swerve into Mr. Morawski’s vehicle. 

Involuntary Intoxication Jury Instruction 

{¶96} Mr. Davis also contends the trial court erred by instructing the jury on 

involuntary intoxication as a part of the insanity instruction when it is a separate and 

distinct affirmative defense. 
 25 

{¶97} Mr. Davis argues that the Ohio Jury Instructions provide that insanity and 

involuntary intoxication are two separate and distinct potential affirmative defenses; thus, 

it was error to merge the instructions. 

{¶98} Ohio Jury Instructions, CR Section 417.27 (Rev. Apr. 13, 2019)2, 

“Affirmative Defense,” Comment 2 provides: 

{¶99} “A defense involving an excuse or justification peculiarly within the 

knowledge of the accused, on which the accused can fairly be required to adduce 

supporting evidence (for example, that the defendant acted for specified lawful purposes 

in a charge of abusing harmful intoxicants under R.C. 2925.31). Intoxication (rendering 

a defendant incapable of forming the criminal purpose in question), duress, and insanity 

are affirmative defenses.” (Emphasis added.) 

{¶100} Ohio Jury Instructions, CR Section 421.25 (Rev. Apr. 13, 2019), “Insanity,” 

states: 

{¶101}“The plea of not guilty by reason of insanity raises the issue of the insanity 

of the defendant at the time of the commission of the act. To establish the defense of 

insanity, the defendant must prove by the greater weight of the evidence that at the time 

of the offense, he/she did not know, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, the 

wrongfulness of his/her act. It is not a defense that the defendant’s reason, at the time of 

the offense, was so impaired that he/she did not have the ability to refrain from doing 

his/her act or acts.” 

{¶102} Thus, Mr. Davis contends involuntary intoxication refers to a condition that 

renders a defendant incapable of formulating culpability, i.e., purpose, whereas insanity 

 

2 Ohio Jury Instructions, CR Section 417.27 was subsequently amended on August 5, 2020, but the 

amendments have no bearing on the assignment of error at issue.
 26 

refers to a condition where the defendant cannot know the wrongfulness of his acts, 

regardless of purpose or culpability. In support of his argument, Mr. Davis cites the 

pattern jury instruction defining “intoxication,” which makes no distinction between 

“voluntary intoxication” and “involuntary intoxication.” Voluntary intoxication is not a 

defense in Ohio. R.C. 2945.391 (“Proof that a person’s reason, at the time of the 

commission of an offense, was so impaired that the person did not have the ability to 

refrain from doing the person’s act or acts, does not constitute a defense”). Mr. Davis’s 

argument appears to be that there is some oversight in the OJI instructions, and the 

defense of involuntary intoxication is a separate and distinct affirmative defense from 

NGRI. 

{¶103} We agree with Mr. Davis that involuntary intoxication is a separate and 

distinct affirmative defense from NGRI, but there must be evidence in this case to support 

a separate and distinct involuntary intoxication instruction. 

{¶104}In conference with counsel, the court considered whether there was 

sufficient evidence in the case to support an instruction on involuntary intoxication as a 

separate and distinct legal defense. After noting that the experts in the case did not 

distinguish Mr. Davis’s medication as a separate cause of his act apart from his mental 

illness, the court remarked: “For the jury to take the involuntary intoxication by itself, they 

would also have to decide that his mental disease had nothing to do with it. They would 

have to make that finding, his mental disease had nothing to do with it. Now, I know 

alternative defenses are put out there, but the alternative defense has to have some 

evidence to support it.” Thus, the court concluded that under the evidence in this case, 

involuntary intoxication should be instructed as “an arm of the NGRI defense.” 
 27 

{¶105} As previously noted, jury instructions must “present a correct, pertinent 

statement of the law that is appropriate to the facts.” State v. White, 142 Ohio St.3d 277, 

2015-Ohio-492, ¶ 46; State v. Griffin, 141 Ohio St.3d 392, 2014-Ohio-4767, ¶ 5; State v. 

Lessin, 67 Ohio St.3d 487, 493 (1993). 

{¶106} A jury instruction regarding an affirmative defense is only required when the 

defendant has produced sufficient evidence to raise a question in the minds of reasonable 

jurors about the existence of the affirmative defense. State v. Jackson, 2017-Ohio-278, 

81 N.E.3d 942, ¶ 23. “If the evidence generates only a mere speculation or possible 

doubt, * * * submission of the issue to the jury will be unwarranted.” State v. Getsy, 84 

Ohio St.3d 180, 198-199 (1988). 

{¶107} We find no error in the court’s jury instructions because the evidence 

introduced at trial did not support a separate and distinct legal defense of involuntary 

intoxication, apart from NGRI. The evidence of Mr. Davis’s involuntary intoxication and 

its effect on his actions and his mental state was intertwined with his underlying mental 

illness and was a factor, but not the sole factor, supporting his insanity defense that he 

could not appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions. 

{¶108} Even if the court had separately instructed the jury, we cannot say the result 

would have been different because the jury was given the correct instruction of law 

regarding involuntary intoxication. 

{¶109} Mr. Davis’s first assignment of error is without merit. 

Jury Deliberations 

{¶110}In his second assignment of error, Mr. Davis contends the trial court 

committed reversible error and abused its discretion by providing the jury with a decision 
 28 

tree and then later answering a jury question in a “manner that was overreaching and 

nonresponsive.” 

Decision Tree Diagram 

{¶111} Because Mr. Davis did not object to providing the jury a decision tree, we 

review under a plain error standard of review. 

{¶112} Crim.R. 30(A) provides, in relevant part, that “a party may not assign as 

error the giving or the failure to give any instructions unless the party objects before the 

jury retires to consider its verdict, stating specifically the matter objected to and the 

grounds of the objection.” This court has held that where an appellant fails to object to 

the jury instructions at trial, absent plain error, he waives any right to appeal this 

issue. State v. Turner, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2015-L-116, 2016-Ohio-4733, ¶ 48; see State 

v. Underwood, 3 Ohio St.3d 12 (1983), syllabus. 

{¶113} Further, Crim.R. 52(B) allows us to correct “[p]lain errors or defects affecting 

substantial rights” that were not brought to the attention of the trial court. Turner at ¶ 49. 

In State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21 (2002), the Supreme Court of Ohio set forth very 

strict limitations on what constitutes plain error. First, there must be an error, i.e., a 

deviation from a legal rule. Id. at 27. Second, the error must be plain, i.e., the error must 

be an “obvious” defect in the proceedings. Id. Third, the error must have affected 

“substantial rights.” Id. In State v. Payne, 114 Ohio St.3d 502, 2007-Ohio-4642, the 

Supreme Court of Ohio held that the defendant has the burden of demonstrating plain 

error. Id. at ¶ 17. 

{¶114} The “decision tree” diagram dissected the questions the jury was required 

to answer, i.e., did the state prove all of the elements beyond a reasonable doubt? If yes, 
 29 

did the defense prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, the defense of insanity? We 

find it was an accurate statement of the law and provided a roadmap for the jury to 

complete the verdict forms appropriately in their consideration of the eight counts and the 

NGRI affirmative defense. 

Jury Question 

{¶115} Mr. Davis further contends the trial court erred in the manner it responded 

to the jury’s question, “Are we supposed to be separating the defendant’s mental state 

from the law starting at the top of the decision tree (#1) or wait until the bottom of the 

decision tree (#2)?” More specifically, he contends the trial court gave the jury a new 

instruction on the “presumption of sanity,” which defense counsel was prevented from 

discussing in closing argument. 

{¶116}“‘Where, during the course of its deliberations, a jury requests further 

instruction, or clarification of instructions previously given, a trial court has discretion to 

determine its response to that request.’” State v. Williams, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2001-

A-0044, 2002-Ohio-6919, ¶ 35, quoting State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545 (1995), 

paragraph one of the syllabus; see also State v. Kirin, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 99-T-0054, 

2000 WL 1140261, *3 (Aug. 11, 2000). Thus, a reversal of a criminal conviction based 

upon a trial court’s response to such a request from the jury requires a showing that the 

lower court committed an abuse of discretion. Williams at ¶ 35. 

{¶117} A review of the court’s answer to the jury’s question reveals the court simply 

reiterated the jury instructions (as did the decision tree) that the jury was required to: first, 

determine if the state proved beyond a reasonable doubt all of the elements charged, and 

if so, second, determine if Mr. Davis had proved the defense of insanity by a 
 30 

preponderance of the evidence. The court did not include a new instruction on “the 

presumption of insanity.” Instead, it stated, “Before we started the trial, the defendant 

was presumed both innocent and sane at the time, of the offenses charged.” This is 

merely an express affirmation of a presumption that exists at the beginning of all criminal 

trials. We do not agree this constituted the introduction of a new instruction or that the 

trial court was “essentially non-responsive to the question asked” and/or “interfered with 

the role of the jurors.” 

{¶118} As the trial court found and noted in its judgment entry documenting the jury 

question and the court’s response, “[s]anity and competence are generally presumed. 

Thus, one who challenges the presumption of sanity or competence must bear the burden 

of proof to challenge that presumption.” (Emphasis added.) State v. Lott, 97 Ohio St.3d 

303, 2002-Ohio-6625, ¶ 21, overruled on other grounds, State v. Ford, 158 Ohio St.3d 

139, 2019-Ohio-4539; see also R.C. 2945.37(G), R.C. 2901.05(C)(2), and R.C. 

2901.01(A)(14) (placing burden on accused to prove incompetence to stand trial, to prove 

an affirmative defense, and to prove insanity, all by a preponderance); State v. Curry, 45 

Ohio St.3d 109, 115 (1989) (upholding the trial court’s finding that the defendant failed to 

overcome the presumption of sanity). 

{¶119} Mr. Davis cites to State v. Harvey, 11th Dist. Lake No. 95-L-192, 1997 WL 

269195 (May 2, 1997), which is not applicable to the present case. In Harvey, the court 

gave extraneous instructions on the issue of causation that were not applicable to the 

facts of that case. Id. at *3. The jury sent a question directly addressing the information 

in the extraneous instructions, which the court failed to answer. Id. We found the court 

should have answered the question, specifically by telling the jury that “if they were not 
 31 

convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant’s bullet killed [the victim], they must 

find him not guilty of aggravated murder.” Id. Thus, we found the trial court abused its 

discretion by leaving the jury to struggle with instructions which were, in light of the facts, 

extraneous and confusing without clarification or a response from the court. Id.

{¶120} Having found the trial court did not abuse its discretion in providing the jury 

a decision tree and in its response to the jury’s question, we find Mr. Davis’s second 

assignment of error is without merit. 

Expert Witnesses 

{¶121}In Mr. Davis’s third assignment of error, he contends the trial court abused 

its discretion in precluding the testimony and evidence of draft reports from Dr. Calabrese, 

an expert the state enlisted to provide a sanity opinion. Mr. Davis also argues the trial 

court erred in excluding defense expert Dr. Glass on the grounds that his opinion 

testimony was “inextricably intermingled with a finding of diminished capacity.” 

{¶122}“When assessing the admissibility of expert testimony, the threshold 

question to determine is whether the testimony is relevant under Evid.R. 401. Relevant 

evidence is defined as ‘evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact 

that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable 

than it would be without the evidence.’ Evid.R. 401. These provisions produce a low 

threshold of admissibility, which ‘reflect[s] the policy favoring the admission of relevant 

evidence for the trier of fact to weigh.’” State v. West, 2017-Ohio-4055, 91 N.E.3d 365, ¶ 

77 (5th Dist.), quoting State v. Kehoe, 133 Ohio App.3d 591, 606 (12th Dist.1999). 
 32 

{¶123} Relevant evidence is not admissible if its probative value is substantially 

outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, of confusion of the issues, or of misleading 

the jury. Evid.R. 403(A). 

{¶124}If the testimony satisfies the threshold determination of relevancy and 

admissibility, our inquiry transitions to the dictates of Evid.R. 702, which provides, in 

pertinent part, as follows: 

{¶125}“A witness may testify as an expert if all of the following apply: 

{¶126}“(A) The witness’ testimony either relates to matters beyond the knowledge 

or experience possessed by lay persons or dispels a misconception common among lay 

persons; 

{¶127}“(B) The witness is qualified as an expert by specialized knowledge, skill, 

experience, training, or education regarding the subject matter of the testimony; 

{¶128}“(C) The witness’ testimony is based on reliable scientific, technical, or other 

specialized information.” 

{¶129} One has specialized knowledge if one “‘has information which has been 

acquired by experience, training or education which would assist the trier of fact in 

understanding the evidence or a fact in issue.’” West at ¶ 80, quoting State v. Nemeth, 

82 Ohio St.3d 202, 211 (1998). The determination of whether a witness possesses 

specialized knowledge so as to be permitted to testify as an expert is within the sound 

discretion of the trial court. Id.

{¶130} When performing this analysis, we are mindful that “‘courts should favor the 

admissibility of expert testimony whenever it is relevant and the criteria of Evid.R. 702 are 

met.’” Id. at ¶ 81, quoting Nemeth at 207. “‘Furthermore, even if the exclusion of the 
 33 

evidence were error, reversal is warranted only on a showing of prejudice to the 

accused.’” Id., quoting State v. Layton, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-90-345, 1992 WL 37774, *4 

(Feb. 28, 1992). 

{¶131}In determining the admissibility of an expert witness’s testimony, a court 

must consider whether that witness will aid the trier of fact in search of the truth. Id. at ¶ 

82; Alexander v. Mt. Carmel Med. Ctr., 56 Ohio St.2d 155, 159 (1978); State v. Clark, 101 

Ohio App.3d 389, 411 (8th Dist.1995). 

{¶132} Evidentiary rulings are generally within the broad discretion of the trial court 

and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. West at ¶ 38; see also 

State v. Thomas, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2019-L-085, 2020-Ohio-4635, ¶ 43 

(“A trial court's ruling on evidentiary issues, including the admissibility of expert opinions, 

will not be reversed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion and proof of material 

prejudice”). 

{¶133} While we apply an abuse of discretion standard to evidentiary rulings on 

matters such as relevance and the admission of expert testimony, the trial court does not 

have the discretion to admit evidence that is clearly not permitted by law; thus for those 

matters, such as whether testimony constitutes hearsay, we apply a de novo standard of 

review. State v. Tackett, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2018-A-0052, 2019-Ohio-5188, ¶ 50-

51. 

Dr. Calabrese 

{¶134} Mr. Davis first contends that the trial court erred in excluding the testimony 

of Dr. Calabrese without holding a hearing. 
 34 

{¶135}In granting the state’s motion, the court concluded that “the State asked for 

an opinion, and [Dr. Calabrese] used the wrong standard. He told different stories to the 

State, one orally and one in writing, and this would require my having a trial within a trial 

on just the issue of that witness, which has nothing to do with this case. The State’s 

motion is granted. Calabrese won’t be mentioned in this case.” 

{¶136} We agree with the trial court that an expert employing the wrong legal 

standard is not relevant pursuant to Evid.R. 401(A). Even if it were relevant, it was 

properly excluded pursuant to Evid.R. 403(A), since its probative value would be 

“substantially outweighed by considerations of undue delay, or needless presentation of 

cumulative evidence.” 

{¶137} The cases Mr. Davis cites in support of his argument do not present the 

same issues we confront here -- where the expert was unable to apply the correct legal 

standard and render an opinion. 

{¶138} For instance, in State v. Spisak, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 47458 & 47459, 

1984 WL 13992 (July 19, 1984), the expert’s testimony was stricken because it was 

irrelevant to the issue of legal insanity since the expert indicated the defendant was legally 

sane at the time of the acts. Id. at *4. 

{¶139} Likewise, in State v. Reynolds, 2017-Ohio-1478, 89 N.E.3d 235 (6th Dist.), 

the expert who testified did not give an ultimate opinion, remarking that it was a “close 

call” and should be resolved by a trier of fact, but that there was “at least some partial 

evidence that [the appellant] did not know the wrongfulness of his act.” Id. at ¶ 38. 
 35 

{¶140} Lastly, in State v. Ramos, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103596, 2016-Ohio-7685, 

the experts were discussing whether the appellant “appreciated the wrongfulness of his 

acts.” Id. at ¶ 30. 

{¶141} Thus, none of the experts in those cases were excluded because they could 

not understand or utilize the correct legal standard and render an opinion. 

{¶142} We cannot say the trial court abused its discretion in determining Dr. 

Calabrese’s testimony should be excluded under these circumstances. 

Dr. Glass 

{¶143} The basis for the trial court’s exclusion of Dr. Glass’s testimony was that he 

did not distinguish the legal test for insanity from diminished capacity in formulating an 

opinion as to Mr. Davis’s sanity. 

{¶144} R.C. 2945.391, entitled, “applicability of not guilty by reason of insanity plea; 

impairment of reason not defense,” provides, in relevant part, that “[p]roof that a person’s 

reason, at the time of the commission of an offense, was so impaired that the person did 

not have the ability to refrain from doing the person’s act or acts, does not constitute a 

defense.” 

{¶145} We do not find an abuse of discretion in the trial court’s determination that 

Dr. Glass inextricably intermingled his opinion that Mr. Davis suffered from a severe 

mental illness with psychosis on the day of the collision with a finding of diminished 

capacity. A review of the hearing transcript reveals there was some confusion as to 

whether Dr. Glass understood the distinction between the “impairment” of diminished 

capacity and “severe mental disease or defect” for insanity, as he alternated between the 

two and did not distinguish between them. 
 36 

{¶146} The following colloquy during the motion in limine hearings demonstrates 

this confusion: 

{¶147}“[Defense Counsel:] Dr. Glass, I guess I’m still focused on one word, the 

word ‘impairment’ and what that means. You had indicated a moment ago that you 

misunderstood the use of the word ‘impairment’ as it relates to this inquiry. I’m just going 

to—because I think there’s a little confusion – just ask you again. Was there – Did you 

find that Michael Davis suffered a mental disease on July 4, 2017, at the time of the 

collision? 

{¶148}“[Dr. Glass:] Yes. 

{¶149}“[Defense Counsel:] Was it that mental disease or impairment, as the Court 

and the State have read to you, that prevented him from appreciating the wrongfulness 

of his conduct at the time of the collision on July 4, 2017? 

{¶150}“[Dr. Glass:] In my medical opinion, it was his mental disease and not an 

impairment from some substance. 

{¶151}“[Defense Counsel:] The judge was asking about an impairment of a 

psychological condition. I apologize if I didn’t get your wording exact. I think you had 

said ‘mental health.’ 

{¶152}“[The Court:] I’m not talking an introduced impairment, an intoxicant or an 

overdose by a drug. I’m talking about the impairment of his reason by a mental disease. 

So, does the impairment of his reason by some mental disease render him incapable of 

refraining from what he did?” 

{¶153}“[Defense Counsel:] Judge, if I may. I’m trying to get the right question here. 

I’m not trying to argue with the Court at all, but I don’t understand, frankly. If someone 
 37 

has a mental disease to the point that it is a severe mental disease, isn’t impairment 

inherent in that? 

{¶154}“[The Court:] If someone has a severe – 

{¶155}“[Defense Counsel:] -- severe mental disease. Isn’t that in and of itself an 

impairment? 

{¶156}“[The Court:] Yes. 

{¶157}“[Defense Counsel:] Okay; so, I’m just trying to figure it out.

{¶158}“[The Court:] But the point, as it relates to the statute, is, are we talking that 

this command was so irresistible that he could not refrain from doing what he was 

commanded to do? Do you understand that question? 

{¶159}“[Dr. Glass:] I believe the command was such that he could not obey it at 

that time. 

{¶160}“[Defense Counsel:] I’m sorry; your answer was . . .? 

{¶161}“[Dr. Glass:] That he had to obey the command. His mental incapacity, 

mental illness, his psychosis was such that he could not...that the [sic] had to obey the 

command. 

{¶162}“[Defense Counsel:] Was the mental disease so severe, so overwhelming 

that he was unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct? 

{¶163}“[Dr. Glass:] Yes, I believe it was. 

{¶164}“[Defense Counsel:] And do you see that as different than the question 

posed to you by the Court a moment ago? 

{¶165}“[Dr. Glass:] I’m having trouble –” 
 38 

{¶166} The state argued that Dr. Glass could not disassociate voluntary intoxication 

or diminished capacity in rendering an opinion. A review of Dr. Glass’s testimony supports 

this argument, and we find no error in the trial court’s exclusion of this expert’s testimony 

at trial pursuant to Evid.R. 403(A). We cannot say the trial court abused its discretion in 

determining that the probative value of his testimony was substantially outweighed by the 

danger of unfair prejudice, of confusion of the issues, or of misleading the jury. Dr. Glass 

did not conform his opinion to the legal standard of insanity. 

{¶167} As the Fourth District observed in State v. Wong, 95 Ohio App.3d 39 (4th 

Dist.1994), “[i]nitially, we note that a close reading of the transcript reveals that the trial 

court did not issue a ruling that would have prevented counsel from offering the testimony 

of [the expert doctor witnesses] to prove insanity. Instead, the trial court prevented the 

doctors from taking the stand to testify as to appellant’s ability to form the necessary intent 

to commit felonious assault, i.e., diminished capacity.” Id. at 47. Similarly here, the trial 

court prevented Dr. Glass from testifying as to Mr. Davis’s diminished capacity rather than 

the legal test for insanity. 

{¶168} Mr. Davis’s third assignment of error is without merit. 

Mr. Davis’s Statement to the Investigators 

{¶169}In his fourth assignment of error, Mr. Davis argues that the state improperly 

elicited testimony regarding his post-Miranda silence as evidence of guilt during the 

state’s direct examination of Det. Parmertor. He also asserts that in closing argument, 

the prosecutor “relied heavily” on Mr. Davis’s statement -- that he did not want to say 

something in this interview that would “not match up with something [he would] say 

another day” -- to rebut Mr. Davis’s insanity defense. Mr. Davis argues that the use of his 
 39 

post-Miranda silence may not be used as evidence of his sanity and constitutes 

reversable error. 

{¶170} Mr. Davis acknowledges that defense counsel failed to object to the use of 

this statement at trial. Thus, we also review this assignment of error for plain error. 

{¶171} Before we can consider whether the prosecutor erroneously used Mr. 

Davis’s post-Miranda silence as evidence of his sanity at the time of the offense, we must 

determine whether he invoked his right to remain silent. 

{¶172} Missing in Mr. Davis’s statement to the detectives was an invocation of his 

right to remain silent. In fact, he was willing to “put down” an “ironclad statement,” just 

not at that particular moment. Mr. Davis did not express a wish to remain silent or to 

speak with an attorney, nor did he refuse to answer the detectives’ questions, either 

explicitly or implicitly. 

{¶173} Although a suspect “need not ‘speak with the discrimination of an Oxford 

don,’” a suspect “must articulate his or her desire to remain silent or cut off questioning 

‘sufficiently clearly that a reasonable police officer in the circumstances would understand 

the statement to be’ an invocation of the right to remain silent.” State v. Murphy, 91 Ohio 

St.3d 516, 520, quoting State v. Ross, 203 Wis.2d 66, 78 (Wis.1996), quoting Davis 459; 

see, also, United States v. Mikell, 102 F.3d 470, 476 (C.A. 11, 1996). If the suspect says 

something that may or may not be an invocation of the right, police may continue to 

question him; they need not treat the ambiguous statement as an invocation or try to clear 

up the ambiguity. Id.; see Ross at 432; State v. Owen, 696 So.2d 715, 717–718 

(Fla.1997); State v. King (Me.1998), 708 A.2d 1014, 1017 (Me.1998). Thus, “appellant’s 
 40 

claim turns on whether his statement was an unambiguous invocation of his right to stop 

talking.” Id.

{¶174} The Second District confronted a similar situation in State v. Gray, 2d Dist. 

Montgomery No. 27207, 2017-Ohio-563. The court found that the trial court erred in 

suppressing the incriminating statements the defendant made based on a perceived 

violation of his right to remain silent. Id. at ¶ 11. The court determined that the 

defendant’s statement about wanting to “leave it like that” was “at most ambiguous as to 

whether he had nothing more to say about a particular question or whether he more 

broadly desired to terminate the interview.” Id. at ¶ 10. 

{¶175} The court noted that “a suspect expressing a desire not to elaborate on a 

prior answer because he has nothing else to say about it is not the same as expressing 

a desire to invoke the right to remain silent and to terminate the interview.” Id. at ¶ 

11. See State v. Blythe, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24961, 2013-Ohio-1688, ¶ 22, quoting 

State v. House, 54 Ohio St.2d 297, 299–300 (1978), quoting State v. Anspaugh, 547 P.2d 

1124 (Idaho 1976) (finding no rescission of a Miranda waiver where in response to a 

certain question the defendant stated that he would “rather not make any other comments 

at this time”). Because [the defendant] never unambiguously invoked his right to remain 

silent, the trial court erred in suppressing the incriminating statements he made based on 

a perceived violation of that right.) See also State v. White, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 

27749, 2018-Ohio-3076, ¶ 27 (holding it was not a clear and unambiguous invocation of 

the right to remain silent where the suspect expressed that he “really do[es]n’t now even 

want to answer any questions”). 
 41 

{¶176}“Invocation of the Miranda right to [remain silent] ‘requires, at a minimum, 

some statement that can reasonably be construed to be an expression of a desire [to 

cease all questioning].’” Davis at 459, quoting McNeil v. Wisconsin, 501 U.S. 171, 178, 

(1991). 

{¶177} Since we do not find Mr. Davis invoked his right to remain silent by informing 

the detectives that he would give them an “ironclad statement” at a later time, the use of 

his statement during Det. Parmertor’s testimony and in the prosecutor’s closing argument 

could not have been a “misuse of his right to remain silent as evidence of his guilt and 

sanity,” as Mr. Davis contends. 

{¶178} Mr. Davis’s fourth assignment of review is without merit. 

Gruesome Photographs 

{¶179}In his fifth assignment of error, Mr. Davis contends the trial court abused its 

discretion when it allowed the admission of gruesome photographs of Mr. Morawski and 

the crime scene, as well as photographs from the autopsy that were “repetitive, highly 

prejudicial, and unnecessary.” 

{¶180} A gruesome photograph is admissible only if its “‘probative value * * * 

outweigh[s] the danger of prejudice to the defendant.’” Ford, supra, at ¶ 237. Moreover, 

even a photo that satisfies the balancing test is inadmissible if it is repetitive or cumulative. 

Id.; see State v. Thompson, 33 Ohio St.3d 1, 9 (1987). A trial court’s decision that a 

photo satisfies the standard is reviewable only for abuse of discretion. Ford at ¶ 237; see 

State v. Vrabel, 99 Ohio St.3d 184, 2003-Ohio-3193, ¶ 69. See also State v. York, 11th 

Dist. Portage No. 94-P-0111, 1996 WL 200596, *3 (Jan. 26, 1996) (“Under Evid.R. 403, 

the admission of graphic photographs is a matter within the trial court’s sound discretion”). 
 42 

{¶181} The admitted photographs depicted the scene of the collision, including one 

blurry photograph of Mr. Morawski pinned inside the vehicle after the fire department 

removed the roof and parts of the front of the vehicle. The other photographs were taken 

during Mr. Morawski’s autopsy and showed his injuries. 

{¶182} We do not find an abuse of discretion in the court’s determination. The state 

was sensitive in their selection of the photographs. The photographs were probative, 

illustrative of the scene of the collision, and showed the extent of Mr. Morawski’s injuries. 

Further, they were not duplicative or cumulative in nature. Each identified a specific injury. 

{¶183} As the Supreme Court of Ohio so aptly stated in Ford, supra: 

{¶184}“Although we find no prejudice here, we caution trial courts to closely 

scrutinize the crime-scene and autopsy photos that are offered as exhibits in murder trials. 

The admission of gruesome photos exposes the jurors to horrific images, and when those 

photographs go to an element of the offense that is clearly proven by other evidence, they 

serve no useful purpose whatsoever. Instead, such exposure only serves to inflame the 

passions of jurors and risks subjecting them to harm. A few crime-scene photos showing 

the body along with the coroner's testimony will often suffice.” Id. at ¶ 257. 

{¶185} Mr. Davis’s fifth assignment of error is without merit. 

Sufficiency of the Evidence 

{¶186}In his sixth assignment of error, Mr. Davis submits that the trial court erred 

in denying his Crim.R. 29 motion for judgment of acquittal because the state failed to 

provide sufficient evidence of the requisite mens rea for murder and felonious assault, 

which are, respectively, purposely and knowingly. Mr. Davis submits that there was 

insufficient evidence to prove that he purposely intended to cause the death of Mr. 
 43 

Morawski and that the evidence is “unclear” that he was aware of the probable result of 

his conduct; rather, his intent was only to end his own life. 

{¶187}“‘[T]he standard of review for a sufficiency of the evidence claim is “whether 

after viewing the probative evidence and the inference[s] drawn therefrom in the light most 

favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found all the elements of 

the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. The claim of insufficient evidence invokes an 

inquiry about due process. It raises a question of law, the resolution of which does not 

allow the court to weigh the evidence.” * * * ‘In essence, sufficiency is a test of adequacy[;] 

[w]hether the evidence is legally sufficient to sustain a verdict * * *.’” State v. Rice, 2019-

Ohio-1415, 135 N.E.3d 309, ¶ 65, quoting State v. McFeely, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 

2008-A-0067, 2009-Ohio-1436, ¶ 23. “‘Sufficiency of the evidence tests the burden of 

production.’” Id., quoting McFeely at ¶ 23. 

{¶188} At the outset, we note that the four counts of felonious assault merged into 

count six (attempted murder) for purposes of sentencing. Therefore, we only discuss the 

sufficiency of the evidence for the mens rea of “purposely” for murder, which necessarily 

includes the lesser mens rea of “knowingly.” See State v. Rafter, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 

106787, 2019-Ohio-529, ¶ 10 (holding that any error on merged counts is harmless). 

{¶189} Mr. Davis was convicted of murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02(A), and 

attempted murder in violation of R.C. 2923.02 and R.C. 2903.02(A). Pursuant to R.C. 

2903.02(A), “[n]o person shall purposely cause the death of another * * *.” Per R.C. 

2923.02(A), which governs “attempt,” “[n]o person, purposely or knowingly, and when 

purpose or knowledge is sufficient culpability for the commission of an offense, shall 

engage in conduct that, if successful, would constitute or result in the offense.” 
 44 

{¶190} Pursuant to R.C. 2901.22(A), “[a] person acts purposely when it is the 

person’s specific intention to cause a certain result, or, when the gist of the offense is a 

prohibition against conduct of a certain nature, regardless of what the offender tends to 

accomplish thereby, it is the offender’s specific intention to engage in conduct of that 

nature.” 

{¶191} A review of the state’s evidence reveals more than sufficient evidence from 

which a jury could find Mr. Davis purposely crossed the center lane and collided his 

vehicle into an oncoming car in the opposite lane. It is inconsequential whether Mr. Davis 

wanted to commit suicide or murder; he intended to engage in the homicidal conduct of 

operating his vehicle at the excessive speed of 70 mph with the intent to collide headfirst 

with another vehicle. 

{¶192} The state introduced evidence of Mr. Davis’s own remarks to the police and 

medical personnel in the days following the collision, which indicated that he intended to 

drive into an oncoming vehicle crossing the center line at an excessive speed. In fact, 

there was no evidence that Mr. Davis tried to stop his vehicle after he turned into the 

trajectory of Mr. Morawski’s oncoming car, and evidence showed he fully intended to hit 

that vehicle. 

{¶193} The Eighth District considered a similar sufficiency argument in Rafter, 

supra. In that case, the appellant was driving the wrong way on an interstate highway, 

when he struck another vehicle at high speed, instantly killing the sole occupant. Id. at ¶ 

1. The appellant had ongoing mental issues and suicidal thoughts. Shortly before the 

crash, he telephoned his son to tell him he loved him and “that he’s going to drive into a 

wall.” Id. 
 45 

{¶194} The court explained that “[w]hat [the appellant] is really arguing is that in 

trying to kill himself by colliding with another vehicle, he did not desire the victim’s death. 

‘Deliberately to do something that one knows will have a particular result is often in the 

criminal law enough to establish the requisite intention to bring about that result.’ United 

States v. Gage, 183 F.3d 711, 718-719 (7th Cir.1999) (Posner, J., concurring). But 

whether [the appellant] ‘desired’ the victim’s death is immaterial; he knew that the manner 

in which he would take his life would bring about her death, too. See id. A rational trier 

of fact could conclude that [the appellant] purposely collided with the victim’s vehicle. A 

rational trier of fact could also conclude that [the appellant] knew that at the high rate of 

speed he was traveling, a collision with another vehicle that was severe enough to cause 

his death would surely cause the death of the driver of the other vehicle.” Id. at ¶ 8. 

{¶195} Similarly here, a rational trier of fact could conclude that Mr. Davis knew that 

the high rate of speed he was traveling at in order to collide with another vehicle was 

severe enough to cause his own death – and would surely cause the death of the driver 

of the other vehicle. 

{¶196} Mr. Davis’s sixth assignment of error is without merit. 

Manifest Weight of the Evidence 

{¶197}In his seventh assignment of error, Mr. Davis contends the manifest weight 

of the evidence does not support the jury’s verdicts. He contends that the defense 

introduced substantial proof that he was suffering from sleep deprivation and was hearing 

command hallucinations. Further, he argues no one disputed that he suffered from a 

mental disease and there was expert testimony that one in a psychotic state does not 

know right from wrong. He argues that the state’s evidence centered around his day-to-
 46 

day activities and the manner in which he was driving the car at the time of the collision, 

to which a defense expert countered that people could still perform rational activities while 

operating in a psychotic state. 

{¶198} Mr. Davis also argues there was substantial evidence that he did not know 

the wrongfulness of his conduct because of involuntary intoxication caused by the abrupt 

cessation of Latuda and reintroduction of Seroquel at an amount that reached a 

substantially higher dosage at the time of the incident. 

{¶199}“‘When reviewing a claim that a judgment was against the manifest weight 

of the evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh both the evidence 

and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of the witnesses, and determine 

whether in resolving conflicts, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a 

manifest miscarriage of justice that a new trial must be ordered.’” Rice, supra, at ¶ 81, 

quoting McFeely, supra, at ¶ 77. 

{¶200}“‘The discretionary power to grant a new trial should be exercised only in 

the exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against a conviction. * * * The 

role of the appellate court is to engage in a limited weighing of the evidence introduced 

at trial in order to determine whether the state appropriately carried its burden of 

persuasion. * * * The reviewing court must defer to the factual findings of the trier of fact 

as to the weight to be given to the evidence and credibility of witnesses.” Id. at ¶ 82, 

quoting McFeely at ¶ 78. 

{¶201} Based on the evidence and testimony at trial, we cannot conclude the jury 

so lost its way or created a manifest miscarriage of justice. Mr. Davis’s arguments go to 

the credibility of the testimony of witnesses and evidence at trial. From the state’s 
 47 

evidence presented, a jury could find that Mr. Davis intentionally crossing the center lane 

and driving into an oncoming car at an excessively high speed would be severe enough 

to cause death. Simply because a defense expert testified to the contrary of the state’s 

theory of the case does not mean the manifest weight of the evidence does not support 

the verdict. 

{¶202} An insanity defense ultimately rests on the credibility and persuasiveness 

of the expert’s testimony. The jury heard extensive testimony from defense and 

prosecution witnesses qualified to give opinions as to mental illness, psychosis, and its 

effect on one’s ability to appreciate right from wrong, and the pharmacological impact of 

the dosing and timing of administration of Mr. Davis’s various medications during the 

period of time leading to the day of the incident and on the day of the incident itself. 

{¶203}“‘It is well-settled that when assessing the credibility of witnesses, “[t]he 

choice between the credibility of witnesses and their conflicting testimony rests solely with 

the finder of fact and an appellate court may not substitute its own judgment for that of 

the finder of fact.” * * * Furthermore, if the evidence is susceptible to more than one 

interpretation, a reviewing court must interpret it in a manner consistent with the verdict.’” 

Id. at ¶ 84, quoting McFeely at ¶ 81. 

{¶204}In sum, the jury was free to believe the version of events and the opinions 

regarding Mr. Davis’s sanity at the time of the incident presented by the evidence and 

testimony of the state’s witnesses. 

{¶205} Mr. Davis’s seventh assignment of error is without merit. 

Consecutive Sentences 
 48 

{¶206}In his eighth and final assignment of error, Mr. Davis contends the trial court 

erred when it sentenced him to serve consecutive sentences for a total prison term of 26 

years to life because the trial court’s findings were not supported by the record and were 

contrary to law pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C). 

{¶207} The standard of review for the imposition of consecutive prison terms is 

governed by the clearly and convincingly standard set forth in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). See 

State v. Gwynne, 158 Ohio St.3d 279, 2019-Ohio-4761, ¶ 16. 

{¶208} R.C. 2929.41(A) provides, in pertinent part: “Except as provided in * * 

* division (C) of section 2929.14, * * * a prison term, jail term, or sentence of imprisonment 

shall be served concurrently with any other prison term, jail term, or sentence of 

imprisonment imposed by a court of this state * * *.” 

{¶209} Pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), a trial court may order multiple prison terms 

for convictions of multiple offenses to be served consecutively if the court finds that 

“consecutive service is necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the 

offender and that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of 

the offender’s conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the public * * *.” The trial 

court must also find that one of the following statutory factors applies: 

{¶210}“(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiples offenses while the 

offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction imposed pursuant to 

section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-release 

control for a prior offense. 

{¶211}“(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or 

more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the multiple offenses 
 49 

so committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses 

committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness 

of the offender’s conduct. 

{¶212}“(c) The offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates 

that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the 

offender.” 

Sentence Contrary to Law

{¶213}“In order to impose consecutive terms of imprisonment, a trial court is 

required to make the findings mandated by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing hearing 

and incorporate its findings into its sentencing entry * * *.” State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio 

St.3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, ¶ 37. Otherwise, the imposition of consecutive sentences is 

contrary to law. See id. The trial court is not required “to give a talismanic incantation of 

the words of the statute, provided that the necessary findings can be found in the record 

and are incorporated into the sentencing entry.” Id.

{¶214} Mr. Davis contends the trial court relied on R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(b) to justify 

consecutive sentences, but that this crime was a single act rather than a “continuous act.” 

{¶215} As to consecutive sentences imposed at the sentencing hearing, the court 

stated: 

{¶216}“The court determines that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect 

the public and punish this offender. It would not be disproportionate to his conduct and 

the danger he poses, and that the harm is so great or unusual that a single term would 

not adequately reflect the seriousness of this conduct.” 
 50 

{¶217} The court also stated in its findings that it determined Mr. Davis had 

“committed the worst form of attempted murder and poses the greatest likelihood of 

recidivism because of his mental condition.” 

{¶218} Thus, it is clear the necessary findings are in the record and are 

incorporated into the sentencing entry, and the trial court’s imposition of consecutive 

sentences is not contrary to law. Moreover, a plain reading of the statute belies Mr. 

Davis’s arguments – he committed two or more multiple offenses “as part of one or more 

courses of conduct.” In other words, Mr. Davis was convicted of murder and attempted 

murder as part of one course of conduct, i.e., driving a vehicle into an oncoming vehicle 

at an excessive rate of speed with the intent to collide. 

{¶219} Mr. Davis’s eighth assignment of error is without merit.

{¶220} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Lake County Court of 

Common Pleas is affirmed.

CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, J., 

TIMOTHY P. CANNON, J., 

concur.