[Cite as State v. Rudolph, 2019-Ohio-468.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO 

FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT 

LAWRENCE COUNTY 

STATE OF OHIO, : 

 : Case No. 17CA12 

 Plaintiff-Appellee, : 

 : 

 vs. : DECISION AND JUDGMENT 

 : ENTRY 

BRUCE J. RUDOLPH : 

 : 

 Defendant-Appellant. : Released: 02/05/19 

_____________________________________________________________ 

APPEARANCES: 

Alex Kochanowski, Cincinnati, Ohio, for Appellant. 

Brigham M. Anderson, Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney, and W. 

Mack Anderson, Assistant Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney, Ironton, 

Ohio, for Appellee. 

_____________________________________________________________ 

 

McFarland, J. 

{¶1} Bruce J. Rudolph appeals two judgment entries of the Lawrence 

County Court of Common Pleas dated July 20, 2017. Appellant was 

convicted of one count of Complicity to Tampering with Evidence, R.C. 

2923.03(A)(2)/R.C. 2921.12(A)(1)(b), a felony of the third degree. On 

appeal, he asserts that (1) the trial court erred in overruling his Crim.R. 29 

Motion for Acquittal; (2) the trial court erred by finding the State of Ohio 

possessed subject matter jurisdiction in his case; and (3) the trial court erred 

in overruling Appellant’s objection to inadmissible and highly prejudicial 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 2

evidence. Based upon our review of the record, we find no merit to 

Appellant’s assignments of error. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of 

the trial court. 

FACTS 

{¶2} On November 29, 2016, Appellant was indicted on one count of 

Tampering With Evidence, R.C. 2921.12(A)(1)(b). The indictment was 

related to another criminal case, that of Marvin Sexton, who pleaded guilty 

to attempted murder, burglary, and tampering with evidence, after he 

severely beat and injured his ex-girlfriend, Melissa Howard, on November 3, 

2016, who was in a coma and on life support. The assault took place in 

Chesapeake, Ohio. 

{¶3} Appellant was accused of tampering with evidence because he 

admittedly burned Sexton’s jeans and socks after Sexton called him and 

requested he “get rid of” the items Sexton was wearing at the time he beat 

Ms. Howard. At the time of the assault, Sexton had been staying with 

Appellant and another man, Frank Smith, in Huntington, West Virginia. 

Appellant burned Sexton’s jeans and socks outside his residence in West 

Virginia. 

{¶4} Appellant eventually proceeded to trial. Prior to trial, his 

attorney, Brian J. Cremeans, filed a Motion in Limine barring use of any and 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 3

all evidence against Defendant for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. 

Counsel argued that the State had disclosed no evidence through the 

discovery process indicating that the tampering statute had been violated in 

the State of Ohio. The State’s response submitted that the evidence at trial 

would support a conviction of complicity to tampering with evidence and 

that the State planned to request a complicity jury instruction. The trial 

court denied the Motion in Limine. 

{¶5} Defense counsel also filed a Motion in Limine requesting the 

trial court prohibit the use of any pictures, video, testimony, or documentary 

evidence describing the details of the attempted murder of Melissa Howard. 

Counsel requested the State be limited to providing the facts as alleged in the 

Bill of Particulars. Counsel argued Appellant would be unfairly prejudiced 

due to the high probability that the jury would equate Appellant’s actions 

with the crimes of Marvin Sexton. The trial court also denied this motion. 

{¶6} Appellant proceeded to a jury trial on July 13 and 14, 2017. The 

trial court issued a complicity instruction to the jury. Appellant was 

convicted of Complicity to Tampering with Evidence, also a third-degree 

felony. On July 18, 2017, Appellant was sentenced to a term of 

incarceration of two (2) years in the appropriate state penal institution. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 4

{¶7} Appellant’s notice of appeal was filed August 1, 2017 by 

Attorney Warren Morford. The notice of appeal attached two entries, a 

judgment entry which indicated Appellant’s conviction and established the 

sentencing date, and a judgment entry final appealable entry [sic], which set 

forth the entire sentence. Both entries were stamp-filed July 20, 2017. In 

addition, the record transmitted to this court contained an amended judgment 

entry final appealable entry [sic] stamp-filed August 29, 2017. 

{¶8} Where necessary, additional facts will be set forth below. 

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR 

I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING 

APPELLANT’S MOTION FOR ACQUITTAL WHEN 

THE EVIDENCE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO FINDING 

GUILT BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. 

II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE 

STATE OF OHIO POSSESSED SUBJECT MATTER 

JURISDICTION. 

III. THE TRIAL OCURT ERRED IN OVERRULING 

APPELLANT’S OBJECTION TO THE 

PRESENTATION OF INADMISSIBLE AND HIGHLY 

PREJUDICIAL EVIDENCE. 

{¶9} Before we proceed to analysis of Appellant’s arguments herein, 

we note that that Amended entry filed August 29, 2017 was not 

supplemented in some manner to the notice of appeal filed by Attorney 

Morford. Our review of the record indicates the only difference between the 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 5

Amended entry and the Amended Judgment Entry Final Appealable Entry is 

that in the twelfth paragraph on page three of the Amended entry, it is stated: 

“Defendant is granted credit for time served, to-wit: 12 days, along with 

future days while Defendant awaits transport to the appropriate state penal 

institution.” In the appealed from Judgment Entry Final Appealable Entry, 

that same paragraph sets for the number of days granted credit for time 

served, along with setting forth the actual dates previously served. Both 

entries were signed by the prosecuting attorney and Appellant’s trial 

counsel, Attorney Cremeans. 

{¶10} Appellate counsel was granted two extensions of time to file the 

appellate brief. On March 9, 2018, Attorney Morford filed a motion to 

withdraw as counsel, and this motion was granted. On March 23, 2018, 

Appellant’s current counsel, Attorney Kochanowski, was appointed. 

{¶11} Generally, after a notice of appeal has been filed, a lower court 

loses jurisdiction to issue any orders that would impair the ability of the 

appellate court to exercise jurisdiction over the issue that has been appealed. 

Conley v. Warden, CM Newspapers, Inc. v. Dawson (Jan. 28, 1992), 10th 

Dist. No. 91AP–1067, 1992 Ohio App. LEXIS 344. The impairment “must 

be of a nature that actually interferes with the exercise of appellate 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 6

jurisdiction by the appellate court.” Olen Corp. v. Franklin Cty. Bd. of 

Elections, 43 Ohio App.3d 189, 200, 541 N.E.2d 80 (1st Dist.1988). 

{¶12} A similar situation to Appellant’s here occurred in State v. 

Kase, 187 Ohio App.3d 590,932 N.E.2d 990, 2010-Ohio-2688 (7th Dist.). 

There, after Kase filed a notice of appeal, the trial court sua sponte issued an 

amended judgment entry of sentencing. The appellate court observed at 38: 

“Once a case has been appealed, the trial court loses jurisdiction 

except to take action in aid of the appeal.” In re S.J., 106 Ohio 

St.3d 11, 2005-Ohio-3215, 829 N.E.2d 1207, at ¶ 9, citing State 

ex rel. Special Prosecutors v. Judges, Court of Common Pleas, 

55 Ohio St.2d 94, 97, 378 N.E.2d 162 (1978). In other words, 

“the trial court retains all jurisdiction not inconsistent with the 

court of appeals' jurisdiction to reverse, modify, or affirm the 

judgment.” Yee v. Erie Cty. Sheriff's Dept., 51 Ohio St.3d 43, 

44, 553 N.E.2d 1354 (1990), citing In re Kurtzhalz, 141 Ohio 

St. 432, 48 N.E.2d 657 (1943), paragraph two of the syllabus.” 

The Kase court concluded that because the trial court's amended judgment 

entry of sentencing did not change the sentence, but simply provided 

additional reasoning underlying the court's sentencing decision, the amended 

entry was not inconsistent with the appellate court's jurisdiction. Id. at ¶ 12. 

Therefore, the Kase court considered the appeal. 

{¶13} This reasoning is also applicable herein. The amended entry 

issued after the notice of appeal was filed does not change Appellant’s 

sentence. Nor does it impair this court’s ability to exercise its jurisdiction 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 7

over the issues Appellant has raised. Therefore, we proceed to consideration 

of his assignments of error. 

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR ONE AND TWO 

{¶14} Appellant was convicted of Complicity to Tampering with 

Evidence.1

 In the first assignment of error, Appellant asserts the trial court 

erred in overruling his Crim.R. 29 Motion for Acquittal when the State’s 

evidence was insufficient to prove that Appellant knew anything about 

Sexton’s criminal acts at the time he burned Sexton’s clothing. He also 

argues there was insufficient evidence of subject matter jurisdiction in the 

State of Ohio. 

{¶15} In the second assignment of error, Appellant focuses on his 

argument that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to show that 

Appellant tampered with evidence in the State of Ohio. Appellant points out 

that the facts in this record indicate that (1) he was located in West Virginia 

throughout the events alleged, and (2) the actions which gave rise to the 

allegations occurred entirely within West Virginia. Therefore, Appellant 

concludes, the State of Ohio lacked subject-matter jurisdiction and his 

conviction must be vacated. 

 

1

 While Appellant was indicted on Tampering with Evidence and convicted of Complicity, it appears the 

pleadings have not been amended to conform to the evidence. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 8

STANDARD OF REVIEW 

{¶16} Under Crim.R. 29(A), “[t]he court on motion of a defendant * 

* *, after the evidence on either side is closed, shall order the entry of 

acquittal * * *, if the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction of such 

offense or offenses.” State v. Colley, 2017-Ohio-4080, 92 N.E.3d 1 (4th

Dist.), at ¶ 39, quoting State v. Wright, 2016-Ohio-7654, 74 N.E.3d 695, ¶ 

21. “A motion for acquittal under Crim.R. 29(A) is governed by the same 

standard as the one for determining whether a verdict is supported by 

sufficient evidence.” Id. quoting State v. Tenace, 109 Ohio St.3d 255, 2006-

Ohio-2417, 847 N.E.2d 386, ¶ 37; State v. Husted, 2014-Ohio-4978, 23 

N.E.3d 253, ¶ 10 (4th Dist.). 

{¶17} In State v. Young, 4th Dist. Meigs No. 458, 1992 WL 18845 

(July 28, 1992), Young, who was tried in Meigs County, asserted that there 

was insufficient evidence of venue. Young argued that all elements of the 

charged offense, kidnapping, were committed in West Virginia. This court 

observed that Section 10, Article I of the Ohio Constitution fixes venue, or 

the proper place to try a criminal matter, by stating that an accused shall be 

allowed a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the “county in which the 

offense is alleged to have been committed * * *.” State v. Headley, 6 Ohio 

St.3d 475, 477, 453 N.E.2d 716 (1983). Further, Crim.R. 18(A) provides that 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 9

the venue of a criminal case shall be as provided by law. We noted that the 

provisions of R.C. 2901.12 were controlling. 

{¶18} Although it is not a material element of the offense charged, 

venue is a fact which must be proved in criminal prosecutions unless it is 

waived by the defendant. Young, supra, at *3, citing State v. Giffin, 62 Ohio 

App.3d 396, 398, 575 N.E.2d 887, (10th Dist.1991); see also State v. 

McCartney, 55 Ohio App.3d 170, 547 N.E.2d 1189, (9th Dist.1988). In the 

prosecution of a criminal case, it is not essential that the venue of the crime 

be proved in express terms, provided it be established by all the facts and 

circumstances, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the crime was committed in 

the county and state as alleged in the indictment or criminal affidavit. State 

v. Vrona, 47 Ohio App.3d 145, 150 (1988), citing State v. Gribble, 24 Ohio 

St. 85, 150, 263 N.E.2d 904 (1970). R.C. 2901.12(G) vests venue in the 

jurisdiction where the defendant's offense, or any element thereof, was 

committed. Headley, supra, at paragraph one of the syllabus. In Young, we 

observed that although venue is not an essential element of the crime, “it 

appears intuitively logical that the sufficiency of the evidence standard of 

review should apply here since, as with essential elements of the charged 

crime, the state must prove venue beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 10

{¶19} Therefore, because the standard of review applicable to 

Appellant’s arguments under the first and second assignments of error is the 

“sufficiency-of-the-evidence” standard, we will address both assignments of 

error jointly. “When a court reviews a record for sufficiency, ‘[t]he relevant 

inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to 

the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential 

elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.’ ” Id. at 22, 

quoting State v. Maxwell, 139 Ohio St.3d 12, 2014-Ohio-1019, 9 N.E.3d 

930, ¶ 146, quoting State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 

(1991), paragraph two of the syllabus; Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 

S.Ct. 2781(1979). In making its ruling a court does not weigh the evidence 

but simply determines whether the evidence, if believed, is adequate to 

support a conviction. In other words, the motion does not test the rational 

persuasiveness of the State's case, but merely its legal adequacy. State v. 

Reyes–Rosales, 4th Dist. Adams No. 15CA1010, 2016-Ohio-3338, at ¶ 15. 

Over a century of well-established jurisprudence clearly mandates that a 

motion for judgment of acquittal must be granted when the evidence is 

insufficient for reasonable minds to find that venue is proper. State v. 

Hampton, 134 Ohio St.3d 447, 2012-Ohio-5688, 983 N.E.2d 324, ¶ 24. 

LEGAL ANALYSIS AS TO WHETHER JURISDICTION TO TRY 

APPELLANT LIES IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, OHIO. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 11

{¶20} Appellant was indicted on one count of Tampering with 

Evidence. However, at trial, the State proceeded on a theory of complicity. 

Appellant was convicted of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2)/2921.12(A)(1)(b). R.C. 

2923.03(A)(2), Complicity, provides: “No person, acting with the kind of 

culpability required for the commission of an offense, shall * * * [a]id or 

abet another in committing the offense * * *.” R.C. 2921.12(A)(1), 

Tampering with Evidence provides: “No person, knowing that an official 

proceeding or investigation is in progress, or is about to be or likely to be 

instituted, shall * * * [a]lter, destroy, conceal, or remove any record, 

document, or thing, with purpose to impair its value or availability as 

evidence in such proceeding or investigation * * *.” The trial court 

instructed the jury as follows: 

COMPLICITY 

“The State of Ohio has presented a theory that the Defendant 

acted in complicity with the principle offender in the 

commission of tampering with evidence. A person who is 

complicit with another in the commission of a criminal offense 

is regarded as guilty as if he personally performed every act 

constituting the offense. This is true even if he did not 

personally perform every act constituting the original offense or 

was not physically present at the time the offense was 

committed.* * *.” 

JURISDICTION 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 12

“A person is subject to criminal prosecution and punishment in 

this state if any of the following occur. The person commits an 

offense under the laws of this State, any element of which takes 

place in this state or while out of this state, the person conspires 

or attempts to commit or is guilty of complicity in the 

commission of an offense in this state. When the offense is 

complicity under division (A)(3) of section 2901.11 of the 

Revised Code. The offender may be tried in any jurisdiction in 

which the principle offender may be tried.” 

{¶21} At trial, Marvin Sexton testified on behalf of the State. Sexton 

acknowledged he had previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder, 

burglary, and tampering with evidence in the Lawrence County Court of 

Common Pleas. Sexton testified his convictions were for crimes which 

occurred on November 3, 2016 in Chesapeake, Ohio. The court admitted 

into evidence a certified copy of Appellant’s conviction as State’s Exhibit 

15. 

{¶22} Sexton testified that on the date he assaulted Melissa Howard, 

he had been living intermittently in West Virginia with Frank Smith and 

Appellant. Sexton had known Frank Smith for years, but had become 

acquainted with Appellant only within the previous year. Sexton testified he 

was heavily intoxicated on suboxone and beer. After assaulting Ms. 

Howard, Sexton ran to the Ohio River and swam to the other end of 

Chesapeake, where his truck was parked nearby. When Sexton reached his 

truck, he used a cell phone to call Frank Smith and ask him to pick him up. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 13

{¶23} When Smith arrived in Chesapeake, he drove Sexton back to 

Appellant’s residence in West Virginia. Sexton quickly changed his clothes, 

gathered his belongings, and left. Frank Smith then drove Sexton to 

Steubenville, Ohio. 

{¶24} On the way to Steubenville, Sexton made one phone call to 

Appellant. He told Appellant to “get rid of” his pants because he knew they 

were evidence. Sexton testified he was in West Virginia when he told 

Appellant this.2

{¶25} Detective Aaron Bollinger testified he obtained a recorded 

statement from Appellant on November 5, 2016. The State also introduced 

Appellant’s recorded statement into evidence as Exhibit 15. The pertinent 

portion of Appellant’s statement reads as follows: 

Bollinger: What’s the next thing you know? 

Rudolph: Frank got a call from him. * * * 

Rudolph: Yeah, same morning. Told him he had to pick him 

up or something. Then he said no, I’m just going to jump in the 

river. Then Frank, then he got a call back, after he hung up he 

got a call back and told Frank to pick him up, he was over 

 

2

 The State was unable to provide evidence of phone records establishing from where Sexton made his call 

to Appellant. Given that Sexton was traveling to Steubenville, Ohio, it is possible that the call was made in 

Ohio. The jury was instructed that the testimony of an accomplice was a matter for their determination. If 

the call was made in Ohio, this may be interpreted as some evidence of Sexton’s tampering activity in Ohio 

and thus, an element of Appellant’s crime occurring in Ohio. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 14

laying in his truck at his ex-old lady’s house. And Frank went 

over there I guess to pick him up and brought him up here. 

Then they took off. 

Bollinger: So they come up here, Marty and Frank Smith 

came up here to your all’s house? 

Rudolph: Yeah. 

Bollinger: Did he pack some clothes or what? 

Rudolph: He took all of his clothes. * * * 

Bollinger: What was Marty wearing when he got here? 

Rudolph: He was wearing a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. 

He put the sweatshirt back on when he left. * * * 

Bollinger: And he had, took off his pants? 

Rudolph: Took off his pants, they were soaking wet. Took 

off his pants and a pair of socks and I just threw them in the 

burn pile out here and burned them. * * * 

Bollinger: Did Marty call you at some point while him and 

Frank, after him and Frank Left? 

Rudolph: He didn’t call me. 

Bollinger: Because Frank’s indicating to me that Marty called 

you and said he, did Marty have his clothes in the washer at 

some point? 

Rudolph: He had them, no, he threw them in the washer and 

he told me to get them out of there and throw them in the burn 

pile. 

Bollinger: Who did? 

Rudolph: Marty did. * * * 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 15

Bollinger: He called your cell phone? 

RudolphL Yeah. * * * 

Bollinger: And that was on Thursday they called you? It was 

after they left? 

Rudolph: Yeah, the same day after they left. * * * 

Bollinger: And he said burn his clothes huh? 

Rudolph: Yeah. And there wasn’t nothing wrong with the 

clothes. There wasn’t nothing on them. 

Bollinger: My understanding is that you seen one spot of 

blood. 

Rudolph: One spot down here, I think it was the right or left 

knee. I forget which one it was. Because it had a hole in the 

knee. But there was like a small, a real small red spot on it. 

And I thought it was paint because they was always painting 

and shit too. But that was the only spot there’s any spots on the 

fucking jeans. * * * 

* * * 

Bollinger: Where did you burn them at? 

Rudolph: Right here in this pit. * * * 

Bollinger: Okay. If they’re damp, was it hard to burn them? 

Rudolph: No, I threw them in the dryer first. 

Bollinger: So you dried them first? 

Rudolph: Yeah. 

Bollinger: And then you burned them? 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 16

Rudolph: Yeah. 

Bollinger: What else did you burn with it? 

Rudolph: A pair of socks and the jeans. That’s the only 

thing he left. The socks, because he changed the socks. * * * 

{¶26} The evidence adduced at trial clearly demonstrates that 

Appellant’s actions of burning Sexton’s clothing took place in West 

Virginia, and that at no time was Appellant present in Lawrence County, 

Ohio. Given the absence of any evidence tying Appellant to Lawrence 

County, we find jurisdiction necessarily hinges on R.C. 2901.11(A)(3), 

given that Sexton, the principal offender, was tried in Lawrence County. A 

certified copy of Sexton’s conviction states as follows at Paragraph 3: 

“The Defendant previously entered a plea of guilty on March 

15, 2017, to the Indictment charging * * * Tampering with 

Evidence, as charged in Count three of the Indictment, a felony 

of the third degree and Ohio Revised Code Section 2911.12 

* * *.” 

{¶27} Crim.R. 11 governs the process that a trial court must use 

before accepting a felony plea of guilty or no contest.” State v. Meade, 4th

Dist. Scioto No. 17CA3816, 2018-Ohio-3541, at ¶ 7, quoting State v. Veney,

120 Ohio St.3d 176, 2008-Ohio-5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, at ¶ 8. Before 

accepting a guilty plea in a felony case, a trial court must address the 

defendant personally and determine that “the defendant is making the plea 

voluntarily, * * *.” Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a). The court must both inform and 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 17

determine that the defendant understands that he is waiving various 

constitutional rights including the right “to require the state to prove the 

defendant's guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at a trial * * *.” Crim.R. 

11(C)(2)(a). In addition to the various rights that would be waived, the court 

must determine that the defendant “understands the effect of the plea of 

guilty or no contest, * * *.” Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(b). 

{¶28} While in Ohio, Sexton, by fleeing, removed the clothes from 

the scene of the crime. Sexton knew his clothing would be considered 

evidence when he asked Appellant to “get rid of” them. He entered a guilty 

plea to tampering with evidence and we presume that the court properly 

applied the law with regard to the acceptance of his guilty plea. National 

City Real Estate Services LLC v. Frazier, 2018-Ohio-982, 96 N.E.3d 311 

(4th Dist.) at ¶ 77, citing Savage v. Savage, 4th Dist. Pike No. 15CA856, 

2015-Ohio-5290, at ¶ 23 (stating that “in the absence of evidence to the 

contrary, we presume the regularity of the trial court proceedings and 

presume that the trial court properly applied the law to the facts of the 

case”). While we don’t know whether Sexton requested Appellant to “get 

rid of” the clothing while he was in Ohio or West Virginia, his initial act of 

removing the clothing from the crime scene occurred in Ohio. At least one 

element of Sexton’s crime of tampering with evidence occurred in Ohio. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 18

{¶29} Appellant aided and abetted Sexton by obliging his request, 

albeit from a location in West Virginia. “When an individual acts to aid or 

abet a principal in the commission of an offense, the individual and principal 

are equally guilty and the individual is prosecuted and punished as if he were 

a principal offender.” State v. Phillips, 9th Dist. Summit C.A. No. 27552, 

2017-Ohio-1186, quoting State v. Shabazz, 146 Ohio St.3d 404, 2016–Ohio–

1055, ¶ 21, citing R.C. 2923.03(F). 

{¶30} For the foregoing reasons, we find any rational trier of fact 

could have found that venue was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. As 

such, Appellant’s argument that venue is Lawrence County was not proper 

has no merit. Accordingly, the portion of Appellant’s first assignment of 

error relating to this argument and the second assignment of error are hereby 

overruled. 

LEGAL ANALYSIS AS TO APPELLANT’S 

KNOWLEDGE OF SEXTON’S CRIMINAL ACTS 

{¶31} Under the first assignment of error in which Appellant asserts 

error with regard to the trial court’s ruling on the Crim.R. 29 Motion for 

Acquittal, he argues that the State failed to provide sufficient evidence that 

Appellant knew anything about Sexton’s criminal acts or that the clothing 

was evidence of a crime. Therefore, he was unaware he was destroying 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 19

potential evidence sought for use in an official investigation. For the reasons 

which follow, we disagree. 

{¶32} Appellant contends that the record demonstrates he barely knew 

Sexton and that he was unaware Sexton had brutally beaten his ex-girlfriend, 

Melissa Howard. Appellant makes much of the fact that Sexton’s trial 

testimony indicates the matter was not discussed when Sexton briefly 

stopped at Appellant’s residence to change clothes and flee the area. 

Further, the evidence indicates the assault was not discussed when Sexton 

later called Appellant and asked him to “get rid of” the clothing. At 

sentencing, Appellant emphasized: 

“Well, your Honor. Like he was saying, when I got the phone 

call I thought they were just arguing, you know. I didn’t know 

there was a death...you know, someone is going to die or 

anything. I thought they were just arguing and everything. 

* * * I didn’t really know what was going on. I didn’t know it 

was evidence until the police officer showed up at my house.” 

{¶33} However, other evidence within the record, namely 

Appellant’s recorded statement given to Detective Bollinger, Exhibit 

10, belies Appellant’s denial and underscores his knowledge that a 

serious crime had been committed. The relevant portions of his 

recorded statement are set forth as follows: 

Rudolph: * * * Yeah, he [Sexton] stayed up here with us 

about thirty days or something like that. If that. And then we 

got that phone call that night. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 20

Bollinger: Phone call what night? Do you remember? * * * 

Rudolph: I guess he butt dialed his phone or something to 

Frank’s phone and Frank put me on speaker so I could hear it. 

It sounded like she was saying ‘you’re killing me, you’re killing 

me’ and shit. * * * 

Bollinger: And actually the morning of this, according to 

Frank, was Thursday morning. * * * 

Rudolph: It might have been. It might have been. Cause I 

was sitting over there in my chair where I always sit. * * * 

Bollinger: You know about what time it was? 

Rudolph: About seven in the morning. Somewhere in there. 

Bollinger: And what did you hear? 

Rudolph: I heard screaming and shit. 

Bollinger: Okay, what was she saying? 

Rudolph: She was saying ‘please Marty, don’t.’ She was 

saying ‘Marty.’ Said ‘don’t.’ She said ‘you know I love you.’ 

And she said ‘don’t, you’re killing me.’ 

Bollinger: Did you hear what he said? Did you hear Marty’s 

voice? 

Rudolph: No. I heard him call her a fucking whore but that’s 

it. 

Bollinger: Then what do you know next? 

Rudolph: Then I heard glass break and shit and the phone 

went off. That was it. 

{¶34} Later on in the recorded statement, this exchange occurred: 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 21

Bollinger: Then why would you even think about noticing 

blood, I mean, you had to know that something was fucking up. 

You know what I mean? Straight up. 

Rudolph: I was. I was thinking, you know, because I heard 

that on the phone when the speaker was on. So I checked them 

* * *. I said no, I ain’t getting in trouble for this shit and that’s 

why I did go ahead and burn them. Because I wasn’t even 

going to burn them. 

{¶35} Finally, the detective questioned Appellant as follows: 

Bollinger: Anything else you know Bruce? 

Rudolph: That’s it buddy. Just what I heard over the speaker 

of the phone and that shit. That’s the only thing I know. I 

didn’t even know the woman or nothing. 

{¶36} The jury was instructed as follows: 

“Before you can find the Defendant guilty you must find 

beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the third day of 

November, 2016 and in Lawrence County, Ohio. The 

Defendant knowing that an official investigation was in 

progress or about to be instituted. Did aid or abet Marvin 

Sexton in altering, destroying, or concealing anything with 

purpose to impair it/s value or availability as evidence in this 

investigation.” 

{¶37} In this case, we find after viewing the probative evidence and 

inferences reasonably drawn therefrom in the light most favorable to the 

prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found all the essential 

elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Based on his recorded 

statement, a rational trier of fact could find Appellant was aware Sexton was 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 22

committing a criminal act by severely hurting or beating his ex-girlfriend 

given that he overheard the accidental phone call, prior to Sexton’s arrival. 

{¶38} The photographs and the investigating officers’ testimony 

reveal that Sexton left Ms. Howard lying in a large pool of her own blood. 

Additionally, the evidence demonstrates Sexton’s clothing was wet because 

he had swum in the Ohio River to flee the crime scene. Appellant’s 

statement indicates there was one red dot, which Appellant thought was 

blood or possibly paint on a leg of the jeans. It is reasonable to infer 

Appellant looked closely at the jeans to discover this dot. Not only did 

Appellant burn the clothing, he dried it first to make sure it would burn 

easily. Based on his statement that he wasn’t “going to get in trouble for this 

shit,” a rational trier of fact could find Appellant was aware that the clothing 

was evidence of a crime which was going to be investigated. 

{¶39} The jury was instructed about direct and circumstantial 

evidence, inferences which may be made, the credibility of witnesses, and 

the exhibits. Specifically, the trial court instructed that, as to exhibits and 

the testimony relating to them, “You will determine what weight, if any, the 

exhibits should receive in light of all the evidence.” As to a sufficiency 

analysis, we are mindful that “[i]n determining whether a conviction is based 

on sufficient evidence, we do not address whether the evidence is to be 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 23

believed, but whether, if believed, the evidence against defendant would 

support a conviction.” Id., citing State v. Smith, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 

08AP-736, 2009-Ohio-2166, ¶ 26, State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 

N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus, and State v. Yarbrough,

95 Ohio St.3d 227, 2002-Ohio-2126, 767 N.E.2d 216, ¶ 79. As with proof 

of any element of an offense, complicity may be proved by circumstantial 

evidence, which has the same probative value as direct evidence. Phillips at 

19. See State v. Ward, 9th Dist. No. 24105, 2008–Ohio–6133, ¶ 18.

{¶40} For the foregoing reasons, we find the trial court did not 

commit error by overruling the Crim.R. 29 Motion for Acquittal. The State 

presented sufficient evidence which, if believed, would support Appellant’s 

conviction. We find no merit to Appellant’s argument that he had a lack of 

knowledge about Sexton’s having committed a criminal act and a lack of 

knowledge that Sexton’s clothing could be evidence for use in an official 

investigation. Assignment of error number one is also overruled on this 

basis. 

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR THREE 

{¶41} Appellant argues the trial court erred by overruling his Motion 

in Limine and then his trial objections as to the unfairly prejudicial pictorial 

and testimonial evidence concerning the crime scene and Melissa Howard’s 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 24

appearance and injuries. Appellant points out that he was not charged with 

attempted murder or burglary and that he was unfairly prejudiced by 

cumulative, gruesome photographic and testimonial evidence from the 

State’s witnesses. He concludes that the jury was led astray by the highly 

prejudicial photographs and evidence and improperly convicted Appellant of 

complicity to tampering with evidence by equating his actions with those of 

Sexton. 

STANDARD OF REVIEW 

{¶42} We initially note that the admission or exclusion of evidence is 

within the sound discretion of the trial court, and the trial court's decision to 

admit or exclude such evidence cannot be reversed absent an abuse of 

discretion. State v. Hogue, 23; State v. Craft, 4th Dist. Athens No. 97CA53, 

1998 WL 255442, *7 (Internal citations omitted.). The term “abuse of 

discretion” connotes more than an error of judgment; it implies that the 

court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Id.; citing State 

v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 584 N.E.2d 715 (1992); State v. Montgomery, 61 

Ohio St.3d 410, 575 N.E.2d 167 (1991) (reversed on other grounds). When 

applying the abuse of discretion standard of review, we are not free to 

merely substitute our judgment for that of the trial court. Craft at *7; citing 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 25

In re Jane Doe 1, 57 Ohio St.3d 135, 137–138, 566 N.E.2d 1181 (1991); 

citing Berk v. Matthews, 53 Ohio St.3d 161, 169, 559 N.E.2d 1301 (1990). 

LEGAL ANALYSIS 

{¶43} Melissa Howard was brutally beaten and the photographs of the 

crime scene, in particular, State’s Exhibits 5-8, are difficult to view. These 

photographs depict Ms. Howard lying in a large pool of blood appearing to 

flow from her head and upper body. The record and Detective Bollinger’s 

testimony indicate that the crime was committed in two instances. Ms. 

Howard was first attacked outside her home with a lead pipe. She was later 

attacked inside her home with a shovel. There was blood inside and outside 

her home. Detective Bollinger testified “blood was strung everywhere,” and 

that it was a “fairly bloody scene.” 

{¶44} Appellee argues that the photographs were necessary to 

establish the significant amount of the victim’s blood at the crime scene and 

likely on Sexton’s clothing, the key item of evidence which Sexton directed 

Appellant to destroy. While we agree with Appellee that it was reasonably 

necessary for the State to establish that a significant amount of blood was at 

the scene and likely on Sexton’s clothing, these four photographs and the 

associated testimony is arguably unnecessary and cumulative. This is 

especially true in light of the facts that Appellant’s crime was only 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 26

tampering with evidence and that he had no part in the attack on Melissa 

Howard. 

{¶45} Evid.R. 403(A) provides that “[a]lthough 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.” State v. Maher, 12th Dist. Fayette No. CA2016-10-015, 2017-Ohio7807, at ¶ 31. Under Evid.R. 403(A), only evidence that is unfairly 

prejudicial is excludable. See State v. Crotts, 104 Ohio St.3d 432, 2004-

Ohio-6550, 820 N.E.2d 302. As the Ohio Supreme Court stated, “Evid.R. 

403 speaks in terms of unfair prejudice. Logically, all evidence presented by 

a prosecutor is prejudicial, but not all evidence unfairly prejudices a 

defendant. It is only the latter that Evid.R. 403 prohibits.” State v. Skatzes,

104 Ohio St.3d 195, 2004-Ohio-6391, ¶ 107, 819 N.E.2d 215; State v. 

Barnett, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2008-03-069, 2009-Ohio-2196, ¶ 44. 

{¶46} Regardless, even if we were to find the trial court erred by 

overruling Appellant’s motion in limine and objections regarding the 

photographs and the testimony, due to other strong evidence of Appellant’s 

guilt, the trial court's decision would constitute harmless error. “A 

reviewing court properly finds the erroneous admission of evidence harmless 

error where there is overwhelming evidence of guilt or some other indicia 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 27

the error did not contribute to the conviction.” State v. Gearhart, 12th Dist. 

Warren No. 2017-12-168, 2018-Ohio-4180, at ¶17, quoting State v. Rowley,

12th Dist. Clinton No. CA2016-10-019, 2017-Ohio-5850, ¶ 24, citing State 

v. Pottorf, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2014-03-046, 2014-Ohio-5399, ¶ 20. 

And, we find that is certainly the case here. 

{¶47} We find no merit to Appellant’s argument that he was unfairly 

prejudiced by admission of the evidence. Accordingly, the second 

assignment of error is also overruled. 

 JUDGMENT AFFIRMED. 
Lawrence App. No. 17CA12 28

JUDGMENT ENTRY 

 It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and costs be 

assessed to Appellant. 

 The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal. 

 It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing 

the Lawrence County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into 

execution. 

 IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE 

UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL 

COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to 

exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a 

continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio 

an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If 

a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the 

expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a 

notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day appeal 

period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme 

Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the 

appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date 

of such dismissal. 

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

Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. 

Abele, J.: Concurs in Judgment Only. 

Harsha, J.: Dissents. 

 For the Court, 

 BY: _____________________________ 

 Matthew W. McFarland, Judge

NOTICE TO COUNSEL 

 Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final 

judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from 

the date of filing with the clerk.