[Cite as State v. Smith, 2018-Ohio-1756.]

Court of Appeals of Ohio 

EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT 

COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA 

JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION 

No. 105662

STATE OF OHIO

PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE 

vs. 

DEANDREW SMITH

DEFENDANT-APPELLANT 

JUDGMENT:

REVERSED AND REMANDED 

Criminal Appeal from the 

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas 

Case No. CR-16-605525-A 

BEFORE: Celebrezze, J., S. Gallagher, P.J., and Blackmon, J. 

RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: May 3, 2018 
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT

Marcus S. Sidoti 

Jordan & Sidoti, L.L.P. 

Terminal Tower, Suite 1900 

50 Public Square 

Cleveland, Ohio 44113 

Mary Catherine Corrigan 

4403 St. Clair Avenue 

Cleveland, Ohio 44103 

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

Michael C. O’Malley 

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor 

BY: Mary McGrath 

Khalilah A. Lawson 

Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys 

The Justice Center, 8th Floor 

1200 Ontario Street 

Cleveland, Ohio 44113 

FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., J.: 

{¶1} Appellant, De’Andrew Smith,1

 appeals from his motion to preclude the state from 

retrying him on charges of felonious assault. Appellant claims principles of double jeopardy 

preclude retrial for felonious assault after a jury found him not guilty of that crime but could not 

reach a verdict on the inferior offense of aggravated assault. After a thorough review of the 

record and law, this court reverses and remands for further proceedings consistent with this 

 1 The record before this court contains two spellings of appellant’s first name: 

De’Andrew and Deandrew. 
opinion. 

I. Factual and Procedural History

{¶2} Appellant, a student at Westlake High School, was involved in a fight with another 

student in a restroom near the cafeteria of the school. The fight was recorded by at least one 

other student. The video shows appellant and the student exchanging blows, and then appellant 

picks up the other student and drops him on his head. This other student suffered significant 

injuries and spent several days in the hospital. Appellant and the other student involved in the 

fight were suspended from school. 

{¶3} Appellant was indicted and charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony 

violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1); and abduction, a third-degree felony violation of R.C. 

2905.02(A)(2). A jury trial commenced on December 5, 2016. Near the close of evidence, the 

state requested a jury instruction for the inferior offense of aggravated assault, which the court 

gave. At the close of the trial, the jury returned a not-guilty verdict for the felonious assault 

count. However, the jury could not reach a verdict for the inferior offense of aggravated assault 

or the abduction count. 

{¶4} The court declared a mistrial and scheduled a new trial for the charge of abduction 

only. In February 2017, the state filed a motion seeking retrial of felonious assault and 

abduction, and appellant orally moved to dismiss the felonious assault count based on double 

jeopardy. The issue was then briefed by the parties. 

{¶5} On April 10, 2017, the trial court granted the state’s motion, finding that principles 

of double jeopardy did not preclude retrial. The court also found that the jury’s findings 

regarding felonious assault and aggravated assault constituted an inconsistency that could result 

in retrial for felonious assault. The trial court denied appellant’s motion to dismiss. Appellant 
filed the instant appeal from this order, assigning two errors for review: 

I. The trial court erred by finding that the appellant could be re-tried on the count 

of felonious assault as well as on the inferior offense instruction of aggravated 

assault. 

II. The trial court erred in instructing the jury on the inferior offense of 

aggravated assault. 

II. Law and Analysis 

A. Final Appealable Order 

{¶6} As noted above, the jury found appellant not guilty of felonious assault as charged in 

Count 1 of the indictment. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the inferior offense of 

aggravated assault or on the abduction offense charged in Count 2. 

{¶7} Appellant concedes that the state can retry him on the abduction count. 

Accordingly, the appeal before this court is an interlocutory appeal. As an initial matter, we 

address whether the trial court’s judgment denying appellant’s motion to dismiss the felonious 

assault count is a final appealable order. 

{¶8} Generally, the denial of a motion to dismiss is not a final appealable order. State v. 

Mitchell, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104314, 2017-Ohio-94, ¶ 11, citing State v. Eberhardt, 56 Ohio 

App.2d 193, 198, 381 N.E.2d 1357 (8th Dist.1978), and State v. Lile, 42 Ohio App.2d 89, 330 

N.E.2d 452 (7th Dist.1974). However, “[t]he denial of a motion to dismiss on double jeopardy 

grounds is a final appealable order subject to immediate appellate review.” Cleveland v. Jones, 

8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104965, 2017-Ohio-7320, ¶ 11, citing State v. Anderson, 138 Ohio St.3d 

264, 2014-Ohio-542, 6 N.E.3d 23, ¶ 26. 

{¶9} In Anderson, the Ohio Supreme Court emphasized that “[t]he denial of an 

interlocutory appeal to an accused arguing that a prosecution is barred by double jeopardy vitiates 
one of the very protections the Constitution provides: the right not to be improperly forced to 

stand trial repeatedly for the same offense.” Id. at ¶ 55. 

“[The] protections [of the Double Jeopardy Clause] would be lost if the accused 

were forced to ‘run the gauntlet’ a second time before an appeal could be taken; 

even if the accused is acquitted, or, if convicted, has his conviction ultimately 

reversed on double jeopardy grounds, he has still been forced to endure a trial that 

the Double Jeopardy Clause was designed to prohibit. Consequently, if a 

criminal defendant is to avoid exposure to double jeopardy and thereby enjoy the 

full protection of the Clause, his double jeopardy challenge to the indictment must 

be reviewable before that subsequent exposure occurs.” 

(Emphasis deleted, and footnote omitted.) Anderson at ¶ 56, quoting Abney v. United States, 

431 U.S. 651, 662, 97 S.Ct. 2034, 52 L.Ed.2d 651 (1977). The court went on to conclude that a 

postconviction appeal is not an adequate remedy “‘because the protection against double 

jeopardy is not just protection against being punished twice for the same offense, it is also the 

protection against being tried twice for the same offense.’” (Emphasis added.) Anderson at ¶ 

58, quoting Wenzel v. Enright, 68 Ohio St.3d 63, 68, 623 N.E.2d 69 (1993) (Wright, J., 

dissenting). 

{¶10} Based on the Anderson rationale, we find that the trial court’s judgment denying 

appellant’s motion to dismiss the felonious assault count on double jeopardy grounds and 

permitting the state to commence a second prosecution on both the felonious assault and 

abduction counts is a final appealable order subject to immediate appellate review. 

A. Double Jeopardy

{¶11} In his first assignment of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred by 

permitting the state to proceed with a second prosecution on the felonious assault count and by 

determining that the second prosecution would not violate the principles of double jeopardy. 

We agree. 
{¶12} The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States 

Constitution, and Article I, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution protect a defendant from being 

twice put in jeopardy for the same offense. In re A.G., 148 Ohio St.3d 118, 2016-Ohio-3306, 69 

N.E.3d 646, ¶ 8. Both the Supreme Court of the United States and Supreme Court of Ohio have 

acknowledged, 

“[t]he Double Jeopardy Clause protects against three abuses: (1) ‘a second 

prosecution for the same offense after acquittal,’ (2) ‘a second prosecution for the 

same offense after conviction,’ and (3) ‘multiple punishments for the same 

offense.’ North Carolina v. Pearce, 395 U.S. 711, 717, 89 S.Ct. 2072, 23 

L.Ed.2d 656 (1969), overruled on other grounds, Alabama v. Smith, 490 U.S. 794, 

109 S.Ct. 2201, 104 L.Ed.2d 865 (1989).” 

In re A.G. at ¶ 8, quoting State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d 892, ¶ 10. 

 In Richardson v. United States, 468 U.S. 317, 104 S.Ct. 3081, 82 L.Ed.2d 242 (1984), the 

United States Supreme Court explained that “the protection of the Double Jeopardy Clause by its 

terms applies only if there has been some event, such as an acquittal, which terminates the 

original jeopardy.” (Emphasis added.) Id. at 325, citing Justices of Boston Mun. Court v. 

Lydon, 466 U.S. 294, 308-310, 104 S.Ct. 1805, 80 L.Ed.2d 311 (1984), and Price v. Georgia, 

398 U.S. 323, 329, 90 S.Ct. 1757, 26 L.Ed.2d 300 (1970). 

{¶13} In the instant matter, in instructing the jury on the inferior offense of aggravated 

assault, the trial court stated that “[i]f you find that the [s]tate failed to prove beyond a reasonable 

doubt that the defendant knowingly caused serious physical harm to [the victim], then your 

verdict must be not guilty [on Count 1].” (Tr. 770.) The trial court continued by instructing 

the jury that it should only consider the mitigating element — that appellant was under the 

influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage, either of which was brought on by serious 

provocation occasioned by the victim — if it found that the state proved beyond a reasonable 
doubt that appellant knowingly caused serious harm to the victim. (Tr. 770-771.) During 

deliberations, the trial court received the following communication from the jury: “Question: 

Can [appellant] be found guilty of aggravated assault without meeting all the criteria (specifically 

‘knowingly’) of the charge of felonious assault[?]” (Tr. 826.) 

{¶14} Thereafter, on December 13, 2016, the jury returned its verdict. The jury found 

appellant not guilty of felonious assault. (Tr. 844-845.) The jury was unable, however, to reach 

a verdict on the inferior offense of aggravated assault or the abduction offense charged in Count 

2. (Tr. 846.) 

{¶15} After reviewing the record, it is evident that either the jury failed to follow the 

court’s instructions regarding the offenses of felonious assault and the inferior offense of 

aggravated assault, or the jury was confused by the instructions. Although the jury found that 

the state failed to prove at least one element of felonious assault beyond a reasonable doubt, the 

jury proceeded to consider, but failed to reach a verdict on the inferior offense of aggravated 

assault. 

{¶16} The jury’s confusion is evidenced by the question that the jury submitted to the 

trial court during deliberations. Because the essential elements of felonious assault and 

aggravated assault are identical, the answer to the jury’s question, of course, is no — the jury 

could not find appellant guilty of aggravated assault without finding that the state proved, beyond 

a reasonable doubt, that he knowingly caused serious physical harm to the victim. Had the jury 

followed the trial court’s instructions, they would not have considered the aggravated assault 

offense after finding appellant not guilty of felonious assault. 

{¶17} Despite the fact that the jury either failed to follow or was confused by the trial 

court’s jury instructions, the trial court remedied this issue by accepting the jury’s verdict of not 
guilty on the felonious assault charge and declaring a mistrial on only the abduction charge. (Tr. 

848.) After excusing the jury, the trial court explained, “the [inferior offense of aggravated 

assault] was given by the judge so it’s not part of the indictment. So the case will go back as a 

mistrial only on Count Two, the abduction charge.” (Tr. 849.) 

{¶18} In applying the Richardson holding to the facts of this case, we find that jeopardy 

attached when appellant was acquitted of the felonious assault count. Accordingly, the Double 

Jeopardy Clause barred the state from retrying appellant on the felonious assault count. The trial 

court’s judgment permitting the state to proceed on the felonious assault count is reversed. 

{¶19} The Double Jeopardy Clause does not apply, however, when the jury fails to agree 

on a verdict. It is well-established that a mistrial as a result of a deadlocked jury does not invoke 

double jeopardy implications because “a hung jury is not an event that terminates the original 

jeopardy to which [the defendant] was subjected.” Richardson 468 U.S. at 326, 104 S.Ct. 3081, 

82 L.Ed.2d 242. “In other words, a hung jury is not the equivalent of an acquittal.” Id. at 325. 

Accordingly, “a retrial following a ‘hung jury’ does not violate the Double Jeopardy Clause.” 

Id. at 324. 

{¶20} In this case, because the jury was unable to agree on a verdict on the abduction 

count charged in Count 2, the Double Jeopardy Clause did not bar the state from retrying 

appellant on this count. Accordingly, the trial court’s judgment permitting the state to proceed 

on the abduction count is affirmed. 

{¶21} For all of the foregoing reasons, appellant’s first assignment of error is sustained. 

B. Improper Jury Instructions

{¶22} In his second assignment of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in 

instructing the jury on the inferior offense of aggravated assault. 
{¶23} The appeal before this court is limited in nature. The order that appellant is 

appealing from is a finding that appellant can be retried for felonious assault and abduction after 

overruling his arguments regarding double jeopardy. This constitutes a final, appealable order. 

Anderson, 138 Ohio St.3d 264, 2014-Ohio-542, 6 N.E.3d 23, at ¶ 61. However, it does not 

mean that appellant can bootstrap other issues to this final order. See State v. Lawson, 9th Dist. 

Medina No. 16CA0081-M, 2018-Ohio-694, ¶ 8, quoting State v. Hartman, 9th Dist. Medina No. 

15CA0090-M, 2017-Ohio-1089, ¶ 11 (an appellate court’s review in an interlocutory appeal 

taken from a trial court’s denial of a motion to dismiss based on double jeopardy is “‘strictly 

limited to the double jeopardy issue(s).’”). 

{¶24} Accordingly, at this time, the issue regarding the jury instructions in the first 

prosecution is not appropriately before this court. Appellant’s second assignment of error is 

overruled. 

III. Conclusion

{¶25} After thoroughly reviewing the record, we find that the trial court erred by 

permitting the state to retry appellant on the felonious assault count. Because the jury acquitted 

appellant of felonious assault, retrial on this count is barred by the Double Jeopardy Clause. The 

trial court’s judgment permitting the state to retry appellant for felonious assault is reversed. 

The Double Jeopardy Clause does not bar the state from retrying appellant on the abduction 

count. 

{¶26} Due to the limited nature of this appeal, we are unable to consider appellant’s 

assertion that the trial court erred in instructing the jury on the inferior offense of aggravated 

assault. 

{¶27} The trial court’s judgment is reversed and remanded for a new trial on only the 
abduction count. 

It is ordered that appellant recover of said appellee costs herein taxed. 

The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal. 

It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas 

court to carry this judgment into execution. 

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the 

Rules of Appellate Procedure. 

FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., JUDGE 

SEAN C. GALLAGHER, P.J., and 

PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, J., CONCUR