[Cite as State v. Beightler , 2019-Ohio-4522.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT HARDIN COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 6-18-11

v. STEPHEN ARTHUR BEIGHTLER, O P I N I O N

DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

Appeal from Hardin County Common Pleas Court Trial Court No. 20182084 CRI Judgment Affirmed Date of Decision: November 4, 2019

APPEARANCES:



### Howard A. Elliott for Appellant 

### Jason M. Miller for AppelleeCase No. 6-18-11

-2- PRESTON, J. {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Stephen A. Beightler (“Beightler”), appeal s the November 13, 2018 judgment of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas. For the reasons that follow, we affirm. {¶2} This case arises from a July 17, 2018 incident in which Beightl er struck his father, Mark Beightler (“Mark”). Christopher Beightler (“C hristopher”), Mark’s son and Beightler’s brother, called the police after witnessing Beightler attack Mark. When the responding officer, Deputy Mason Treen (“Deputy Treen” ), arrived at the scene, he separated Mark, Christopher, and Beightler. Shortly thereafter, additional officers arrived on the scene, and Deputy Treen placed Beightle r in handcuffs. Deputy Treen then led Beightler to Deputy Treen’s patrol vehicl e. At that time, Beightler made an incriminating statement to Deputy Treen. {¶3} On August 22, 2018, the Hardin County Grand Jury indicted Beigh tler on one count of felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11( A)(1), a seconddegree felony. (Doc. No. 2). On August 30, 2018, Beightler ap peared for arraignment. (Doc. No. 6). At the arraignment hearing, Beight ler informed the trial court that he wished to proceed pro se. ( Id. ). Beightler then entered a plea of not guilty to the charge in the indictment. ( Id. ). That same day, the State filed a motion for a competency evaluation of Beightler. (Doc. No. 5).Case No. 6-18-11

-3- {¶4} On September 24, 2018, Beightler filed a motion to suppress evi dence. (Doc. No. 13). Specifically, Beightler sought the suppression of Deputy Treen’s body camera footage, which included an incriminating statement Beightler made to the officer. ( Id. ). On October 17, 2018, a hearing was held on Beightler’s moti on to suppress. (Doc. No. 30). At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court granted the motion in part and ordered the suppression of a portion of the video. ( Id. ); (Oct. 17, 2018 Tr. at 46-47). {¶5} On October 4, 2018, the trial court conducted a hearing on the State’s motion for competency and determined that Beightler was compete nt to stand trial. (Doc. No. 24). That same day, Beightler executed a written wai ver of counsel after the trial court conducted a colloquy with Beightler to ensure t hat he was knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waiving his right to counsel. ( Doc. No. 23); (Oct. 4, 2018 Tr. at 2-11). The trial court appointed standby counsel to assist Beightler. (Doc. No. 23). On October 9, 2018, the trial court filed the w ritten waiver of counsel and warnings concerning self-representation. ( Id. ). {¶6} The case proceeded to a jury trial on November 8-9, 2018 during which Beightler represented himself. (Doc. No. 76). Standby counsel was present at the trial and available to consult with Beightler throughout the pr oceedings. ( Id. ). On November 9, 2018, the jury found Beightler guilty of felonious assault. ( Id. ); (Doc. No. 74). Immediately following the trial, the trial court sent enced Beightler to eightCase No. 6-18-11

-4- years in prison. (Doc. No. 76). The trial court filed its jud gment entry of conviction and sentence on November 13, 2018. ( Id. ). {¶7} On November 21, 2018, Beightler filed his notice of appeal. (D oc. No. 79). He raises two assignments of error. Assignment of Error No. I The trial court committed personal error when it failed to suppress all of the statements of the Defendant made after he h ad been handcuffed, detained, as well as having reserve [sic] the question [sic] and others present at the incident, all prior to him having been given a so called Miranda warning, or Miranda v. Arizona

. {¶8} In his first assignment of error, Beightler argues that the tri al court erred by failing to suppress all of the statements he made after he w as detained by police

but before he received Miranda warnings. {¶9} “Appellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed ques tion of

law and fact.” State v. Burnside , 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8. At a suppression hearing, the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and, as such, is in the best position to evaluate the evidence and the credibili ty of witnesses. Id

. See

also State v. Carter , 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 552 (1995). When reviewing a ruling on a motion to suppress, deference is given to the trial court’s fin dings of fact so long as they are supported by competent, credible evidence. Burnside at ¶ 8, citing State v. Fanning , 1 Ohio St.3d 19 (1982). With respect to the trial court’s co nclusions of law, however, our standard of review is de novo; therefore, we must decide whetherCase No. 6-18-11

-5- the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard. Id. , citing State v. McNamara , 124 Ohio App.3d 706, 710 (4th Dist.1997). {¶10} “The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides a privil ege against self-incrimination.” State v. Edmond , 10th Dist. Franklin No. 15AP-574, 2016-Ohio-1034, ¶ 11, citing State v. Hall , 179 Ohio App.3d 727, 2008-Ohio-6228, ¶ 12 (10th Dist.), citing Minnesota v. Murphy , 465 U.S. 420, 426, 104 S.Ct. 1136 (1984). “To protect this right, the United States Supreme Cour t has held that ‘the prosecution may not use statements, whether exculpatory or incu lpatory, stemming from custodial interrogation of the defendant unless it demonst rates the use of procedural safeguards effective to secure the privilege against self-incrimination.’”

Id. , quoting Miranda v. Arizona , 384 U.S. 436, 444, 86 S.Ct. 1602 (1966). “Thus,

Miranda warnings are required when a suspect is subjected to custodial interrogation.” Id. , citing State v. Garnett , 10th Dist. Franklin No. 09AP-1149, 2010-Ohio-5865, ¶ 30. “Custodial interrogation is defined in Miranda as ‘questioning initiated by law enforcement officers after a pers on has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his freedom of action in any s ignificant way.’”

Id. , quoting Miranda at 444. {¶11} Following the hearing on Beightler’s motion to suppress, the tr ial court ordered the suppression of Beightler’s statements and Deputy Tr een’s body camera footage immediately following Beightler’s statement, “I beat th e shit out of him.”Case No. 6-18-11

-6- This single statement forms the basis of Beightler’s first assi gnment of error. Beightler contends that the trial court erred by not suppressin g this statement as it was made while he was in custody but before Beightler had recei ved Miranda warnings. For the reasons that follow, we disagree. {¶12} During the suppression hearing, Deputy Treen, a sheriff’s deput y with the Hardin County Sheriff’s office, testified that he was dispa tched to Mark’s residence for a complaint of a domestic physical altercation. (Oct. 17, 2018 Tr. at 25-26). Deputy Treen testified that when he arrived at Mark’s residence, Beightler met Deputy Treen at the door. ( Id. at 26-27). Deputy Treen observed “chaos” in the house, indicating that a physical confrontation had occurre d. ( Id. at 28). Deputy Treen also observed injuries to Mark. ( Id. at 28-29). Deputy Treen testified that he separated Mark, Christopher, and Beightler into different areas of the house and patted them down for weapons. ( Id. at 31-32). {¶13} Deputy Treen testified that after speaking briefly to Mark, he believed that Beightler was the aggressor. ( Id. at 32). Deputy Treen handcuffed Beightler and informed him that he was being “detained.” ( Id. at 32-33). Deputy Treen escorted Beightler out of the house and to Deputy Treen’s patro l vehicle. ( Id. at 33- 34). Deputy Treen testified that he placed Beightler in the ri ght rear seat of his patrol vehicle. ( Id. at 34). Thereafter, Deputy Treen opened the front left door o f his patrol vehicle and was in the process of rolling down the w indow to allow freshCase No. 6-18-11

-7- air to circulate in the vehicle when he heard Beightler state, “I beat the shit out of him.” ( Id. ). Deputy Treen testified that the statement was offered spont aneously and was not made in response to any question he posed to Beight ler. ( Id. at 34-35). Defendant’s Exhibit A was identified as Deputy Treen’s body cam era footage and was played in open court. ( Id. at 36-39). ( See Defendant’s Ex. A). Defendant’s Exhibit A was consistent with Deputy Treen’s testimony. ( See Defendant’s Ex. A). {¶14} At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court granted Beigh tler’s motion for suppression in part, and ordered the suppression of Deputy Treen’s body camera footage immediately following Beightler’s statement, “I beat the shit out of

him.” 1 (Oct. 17, 2018 Tr. at 46-47); (Doc. No. 30). {¶15} Beightler argues that because the statement was made while he w as in custody, but before he was given Miranda warnings, it was therefore inadmissible. We disagree. {¶16} “‘The fundamental import of the privilege [against self-incrimi nation] while an individual is in custody is not whether he is allowed to talk to the police without the benefit of warnings and counsel, but whether he can be interrogated .’” (Emphasis sic.) State v. Myers , 154 Ohio St.3d 405, 2018-Ohio-1903, ¶ 56, quoting

Miranda , 384 U.S. at 478. “‘Volunteered statements of any kind are no t barred by

1 At the suppression hearing, the State stipulated to the suppre ssion of all of Beightler’s statements following the incriminating statement at issue. ( See Oct. 27, 2018 Tr. at 44).Case No. 6-18-11

-8- the Fifth Amendment and their admissibility is not affected by [the holding in

Miranda ].’” Id. , quoting Miranda at 478. “‘What are now commonly known as

Miranda warnings are intended to protect a suspect from the coercive p ressure present during a custodial interrogation.’” Id. at ¶ 57, quoting Cleveland v. Oles , 152 Ohio St.3d 1, 2017-Ohio-5834, ¶ 9, citing Miranda at 469. “Thus, Miranda warnings are required ‘only when a suspect is subjected to both custody and interrogation.’” Id. at ¶ 56, quoting State v. Neyland , 139 Ohio St.3d 353, 2014- Ohio-1914, ¶ 119, citing Miranda at 444. {¶17} Here, the trial court concluded that suppression of Beightler’s incriminating statement was not warranted under Miranda because Beightler was not subject to interrogation. In support of its conclusion tha t Beightler was not subject to interrogation, the trial court found that the statem ent was not made in response to a question by Deputy Treen. (Oct. 17, 2018 Tr. at 47). The record reveals that the trial court’s findings are supported by compet ent, credible evidence. {¶18} Nevertheless, Beightler argues that even in the absence of expr ess questioning, he was subject to custodial interrogation under Miranda . In support of his position, Beightler asserts that he was taken into custody and the officers present at the scene had already started questioning other witnesses at the time Beightler made his statement. Beightler asserts that because he was deta ined as a suspect, heCase No. 6-18-11

-9- should have been given Miranda warnings even in the absence of express interrogation. We disagree. {¶19} First, as stated above, Miranda warnings must be given when an individual is subject to custodial interrogation. Thus, in the absence of interrogation, Beightler was not subject to custodial interroga tion for the purposes

of Miranda even if he was in custody at the time he made the incriminating statement. “‘Interrogation’ includes express questioning as we ll as ‘any words or actions on the part of the police (other than those normally at tendant to arrest and custody) that the police should know are reasonably likely to e licit an incriminating response from the suspect.’” State v. Strozier , 172 Ohio App.3d 780, 2007-Ohio4575, ¶ 20 (2d Dist.), quoting Rhode Island v. Innis , 446 U.S. 291, 301, 100 S.Ct. 1682 (1980). However, “‘“[i]nterrogation,” as conceptualized i n the Miranda opinion, must reflect a measure of compulsion above and beyond that inherent in custody itself.’” Id. , quoting Innis at 300. “Statements given before questioning has begun must be considered voluntarily given and not made dur ing a ‘custodial interrogation.’” State v. Andrews , 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-05-70, 2006-Ohio-3764, ¶ 20, citing State v. McGuire , 80 Ohio St.3d 390, 401 (1997), citing State v. Roe , 41 Ohio St.3d 18, 22 (1989). “Moreover, ‘[o]fficers do not interr ogate a suspect simply by hoping that he will incriminate himself.’” Id. , quoting Arizona v. Mauro , 481 U.S. 520, 529, 107 S.Ct. 1931 (1987). “An unsolicited and spon taneous statementCase No. 6-18-11

-10- * * * is not the product of interrogation, so Miranda does not apply.” Neyland , 139 Ohio St.3d 353, 2014-Ohio-1914, at ¶ 119. {¶20} Here, the record indicates that Beightler’s incriminating state ment was unsolicited and spontaneous. Moreover, a review of the record does not reveal any words or actions on the part of Deputy Treen that he should hav e known were reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from the Beightler. Thus, we find that Beightler was not subject to custodial interrogation. Because Beightler was not subject to custodial interrogation at the time he made the incriminating

statement, Miranda does not apply. Therefore, the trial court did not err by admitting Beightler’s incriminating statement. {¶21} Accordingly, Beightler’s first assignment of error is overruled

. Assignment of Error No. IIThe trial court errored [sic] in permitting the DefendantAppellant to engage in pro se representation where it failed to make sufficient inquiry of the Defendant-Appellant as to his understanding of charges against him and potential defenses and procedure, and insufficiently cautioned him as to the potential hazards of self-representation. {¶22} In his second assignment of error, Beightler argues that the tr ial court failed to conduct an adequate inquiry before granting his reque st to exercise his right to self-representation. Specifically, Beightler argues that th e trial court failed to detail the affirmative defenses available to him. Additionally , Beightler argues thatCase No. 6-18-11

-11- the trial court erred by failing to review the elements of the offense with him prior

to the execution of his waiver of counsel. {¶23} We review de novo whether a defendant knowingly, voluntarily, a nd intelligently waived his right to counsel. State v. Yeager , 9th Dist. Summit Nos. 28604 and 28617, 2018-Ohio-574, ¶ 7, quoting State v. Ott , 9th Dist. Summit No. 27953, 2017-Ohio-521, ¶ 5; Lakewood v. Lane , 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104534, 2017-Ohio-1039, ¶ 10, quoting Columbus v. Abrahamson , 10th Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-1077, 2014-Ohio-3930, ¶ 6; State v. Alexander , 4th Dist. Ross No. 15CA3492, 2016-Ohio-5015, ¶ 4, citing State v. Mootispaw , 4th Dist. Highland No. 09CA33, 2010-Ohio-4772, ¶ 21. See State v. Griffin , 10th Dist. Franklin No. 10AP902, 2011-Ohio-4250, ¶ 26 (noting that “[i]n the leading cases on the issue of waiver of the right to counsel, the Supreme Court of Ohio appears to h ave undertaken a de novo review without expressly reciting this standard of review” ). “De novo review is independent, without deference to the lower court’s decision .” State v. Hudson , 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-12-38, 2013-Ohio-647, ¶ 27, citing Ohio Bell Tel. Co. v. Pub. Util. Comm. of Ohio , 64 Ohio St.3d 145, 147 (1992). {¶24} “‘The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provide s that an accused shall have the right “to have the Assistance of Counsel for his

defense.”’” State v. Logan , 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-16-28, 2017-Ohio-8932, ¶ 34, quoting State v. Owens , 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-07-66, 2008-Ohio-4161, ¶ 9, quotingCase No. 6-18-11

-12- the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. However , “the United States Supreme Court has also recognized that the Sixth Amendme nt right to the assistance of counsel implicitly embodies a ‘correlative right to dispense with a lawyer’s help.’” State v. Martin , 103 Ohio St.3d 385, 2004-Ohio-5471, ¶ 23, quoting Adams v. United States ex rel. McCann , 317 U.S. 269, 279, 63 S.Ct. 236 (1942). “While a defendant has a right to counsel, the defenda nt may also waive that right when the waiver is voluntary, knowing, and intellige nt.” State v. Petaway , 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-05-11, 2006-Ohio-2941, ¶ 8, citing State v. Gibson , 45 Ohio St.2d 366 (1976), paragraph one of the syllabus, citing Faretta v. California , 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525 (1975). {¶25} “In order to establish an effective waiver of right to counsel, the trial court must make sufficient inquiry to determine whether defenda nt fully understands and intelligently relinquishes that right.” Gibson at paragraph two of the syllabus. [F]or the defendant’s waiver of counsel to be valid “‘such waiv er must be made with an apprehension of the [nature of the] charges, th e statutory offenses included within them, the range of allowable punishments thereunder, possible defenses to the charges and circumstances in mitigation thereof, and all other facts essent ial to a broad understanding of the whole matter.’”Case No. 6-18-11

-13- Owens at ¶ 10, quoting Gibson at 377, quoting Von Moltke v. Gillies , 332 U.S. 708, 724, 68 S.Ct. 316 (1948). However, the United States Supreme Court “ha[s] not * * * prescribed any formula or script to be read to a defendant who states that he elects to proceed without counsel. The information a defendant must poss ess in order to make an intelligent election * * * will depend on a range of case-specific factors, including the defendant’s education o r sophistication, the complex or easily grasped nature of the cha rge, and the stage of the proceeding.”

State v. Johnson , 112 Ohio St.3d 210, 2006-Ohio-6404, ¶ 101, quoting Iowa v.

Tovar , 541 U.S. 77, 88, 124 S.Ct. 1379 (2004) . State d differently, “the sufficiency of the trial court’s inquiry will depend on the totality of the circumstances * * *.”

State v. Edmonds , 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2014-03-045, 2015-Ohio-2733, ¶ 26, citing Akron v. Ragle , 9th Dist. Summit No. 22137, 2005-Ohio-590, ¶ 11-12. See

Alexander at ¶ 4 (“[A]ppellate courts should * * * independently examine the record to determine whether the totality of circumstances demonstrates a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of the defendant’s right to c ounsel.”), citing Mootispaw at ¶ 21. {¶26} In addition, “Crim.R. 44(A) provides that a criminal defendant charged with a serious offense is entitled to counsel ‘unless t he defendant, afterCase No. 6-18-11

-14- being fully advised of his right to assigned counsel, knowingly , intelligently, and voluntarily waives his right to counsel.’” State v. Schleiger , 141 Ohio St.3d 67, 2014-Ohio-3970, ¶ 20, quoting Crim.R. 44(A). Further, “Crim.R. 44(C) provides that ‘[w]aiver of counsel shall be in open court and the advice and waiver shall be recorded as provided in [Crim.R. 22]’” and that “in serious off ense cases the waiver shall be in writing.” Id. , quoting Crim.R. 44(C). Only substantial compliance with Crim.R. 44(A) is required. See id. , quoting Martin at ¶ 39. {¶27} Although a defendant’s waiver of his right to counsel and decis ion to invoke his right of self-representation are afforded tremendous respect and deference, the right of self-representation is not absolute, an d it is subject to some

limitation on its invocation and exercise. See State v. Buchanan , 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104500, 2017-Ohio-1361, ¶ 12, citing Indiana v. Edwards , 554 U.S. 164, 128 S.Ct. 2379 (2008). See also United States v. Frazier-El , 204 F.3d 553, 559 (4th Cir.2000) (“At bottom, the * * * right to self-representation i s not absolute, and ‘the government’s interest in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the trial at times outweighs the defendant’s interest in acting as his own lawyer. ’”), quoting Martinez v. Court of Appeal of California , 528 U.S. 152, 162, 120 S.Ct. 684 (2000). First, “‘[t]he assertion of the right to self-representation must be c lear and unequivocal.’”

State v. Kramer , 3d Dist. Defiance No. 4-15-14, 2016-Ohio-2984, ¶ 6, quoting Neyland , 139 Ohio St.3d 353, 2014-Ohio-1914, at ¶ 72, citing State v. Dean , 127Case No. 6-18-11

-15- Ohio St.3d 140, 2010-Ohio-5070, ¶ 68 and State v. Cassano , 96 Ohio St.3d 94, 2002-Ohio-3751, ¶ 38. Second, “‘[t]he defendant must also asse rt the right [to selfrepresentation] in a timely fashion.’” Id. at ¶ 7, quoting State v. Steele , 155 Ohio App.3d 659, 2003-Ohio-7103, ¶ 14. “‘A trial court may deny a d efendant’s request for self-representation if it is untimely made.’” Id. , quoting Neyland at ¶ 76, citing

Cassano at ¶ 40, United States v. Young , 287 F.3d 1352, 1354 (11th Cir.2002), Wood v. Quarterman , 491 F.3d 196, 202 (5th Cir.2007) and United States v. Smith , 413 F.3d 1253, 1281 (10th Cir.2005). {¶28} Finally, trial courts may constitutionally deny a defendant his right to self-representation when there are lingering doubts concerning the defendant’s competency to represent himself. The United States Supreme Cou rt has stated that “the Constitution permits States to insist upon representation by counsel for those competent enough to stand trial * * * but who still suffer from severe mental illness to the point where they are not competent to conduct trial proc eedings by

themselves.” Edwards at 178. {¶29} At the competency hearing, Beightler stated that he has a GED. (Oct. 4, 2018 Tr. at 2). Beightler further stated that he has a para legal credential from Wagner College. ( Id. ). Beightler also indicated that he has experience representin g himself in legal proceedings. ( Id. at 3). Beightler stated that he represented himself in a legal proceeding in Logan County. ( Id. ). Beightler also stated that he hasCase No. 6-18-11

-16- represented himself in the federal court system and boasted tha t he has filed briefs with the United States Supreme Court. ( Id. ). {¶30} The trial court then reviewed the written waiver of counsel wit h Beightler. ( Id. at 4-5). ( See Doc. No. 23). The trial court notified Beightler that if he chose to represent himself, he would be held to the same rul es of evidence and procedure as a lawyer and his lack of knowledge of the rules of evidence and procedure would not prevent the court from enforcing the rules. (Oct. 4, 2018 Tr. at 5). Further, the trial court notified Beightler that becaus e of his lack of knowledge of the rules of evidence, he would not be able to ask the quest ions he desires of witnesses “if the question [was] not formed appropriately or th e area of inquiry [was] not proper.” ( Id. at 5). The trial court informed Beightler that it would not function as his lawyer and would not give him any assistance. ( Id. ). {¶31} The trial court reminded Beightler that it appointed standby co unsel to assist him. ( Id. at 5-6). The trial court informed Beightler that standby coun sel was “ready, willing, * * * able, and available to defend [him].” ( Id. at 6). The trial court told Beightler that standby counsel would be present in the cou rtroom and would be available to answer Beightler’s questions. ( Id. at 7). The trial court then stated, “I want you to understand this[,] Mr. Beightler, representing your self may impart a negative impression upon the jury * * *.” ( Id. ).Case No. 6-18-11

-17- {¶32} The trial court informed Beightler that the charge against him was felonious assault, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 8 years and a maximum fine of $15,000. ( Id. ). The trial court told Beightler that a conviction of felonious assault “carries a presumption of prison incarceratio n.” ( Id. at 7-8). Moreover, the trial court informed Beightler: [T]here may be certain defenses available to you. These defens es are known as affirmative defenses. It is your burden to prove thes e defenses. There are other possible defenses called mitigating defenses. Your lack of knowledge of their existence or the app ropriate procedure for introducing them will not be grounds for an appea l if you miss them.

* * * Now concerning affirmative defenses, * * * for the record, you have already filed a number of motions and even some amended motions

. Some of those motions speak, in fact, to affirmative defenses, so I have seen from the file that you have at least a nodding acquai ntance of what affirmative defenses might be. However, I want you to understand that these issues can be extremely complicated in th e law and therefore whether you have sufficient knowledge * * * witho ut many years of experience of a trial attorney or somebody admitt ed toCase No. 6-18-11

-18- the Bar, I find [it] to be just very concerning for your well-b eing. However you understand that you have a Constitution[al] right t o represent yourself. I would never do anything to not allow you to represent yourself if you feel that that’s in your best interes t. * * * [H]owever[,] * * * I believe it is not in your best interest, M r. Beightler, but I will not stand in your way if you choose to do that. ( Id. at 8-9). {¶33} Finally, the trial court told Beightler that he has a right to appeal his case if he was convicted. ( Id. at 8). The trial court warned Beightler that if he failed to preserve an issue at trial, he may waive the issue for appea l. ( Id. ). Beightler then executed the written waiver of counsel. ( Id. at 10). ( See Doc. No. 23). Thereafter, the trial court found that Beightler knowingly, voluntarily, an d intelligently waived his right to counsel and accepted Beightler’s waiver of his rig ht to counsel. (Oct. 4, 2018 Tr. at 10). ( See Doc. No. 23). {¶34} We conclude that Beightler’s waiver of his right to trial couns el was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary—that is, the trial court su bstantially complied with the requirements of Crim.R. 44(A) because it sufficiently inquired whether Beightler fully understood and relinquished his right to counse l and obtained from Beightler a written waiver of counsel.Case No. 6-18-11

-19- {¶35} Beightler’s sole argument is that the trial court did not make sufficient inquiry to determine whether he fully understood and relinquish ed his right to counsel. Specifically, Beightler argues that the trial court d id not apprise him of the elements of the offense and the possible affirmative defenses a vailable to him. Beightler contends that to comply with Gibson, a trial court must explicitly recite the elements of the charge to the defendant and provide the def endant with the specific affirmative defenses available to him. {¶36} In support of his argument, Beightler relies on State v. Robinson , 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106721, 2018-Ohio-5036. In Robinson , the Eighth District Court of Appeals determined that the trial court failed to give the defendant an adequate explanation of the natures of the charges because it d id not review the elements of each charge with the defendant. Id. at ¶ 13. Further, the court determined that the trial court did not discuss possible defens es and mitigating

circumstances with the defendant even in broad terms. Id. at ¶ 14. The court also determined that the trial court compounded its error by imprope rly advising the defendant of the role of standby counsel. Id. at ¶ 16-18. As a result, the court

vacated the defendant’s convictions and remanded the matter for a new trial. Id. at

20. {¶37} However, not only is Robinson distinguishable from the present case, it is also not controlling. First, as detailed above, the Ohio Supreme Court held thatCase No. 6-18-11

-20- there is not a “prescribed * * * formula or script to be read t o a defendant who states that he elects to proceed without counsel.” Johnson , 112 Ohio St.3d 210, 2006- Ohio-6404, at ¶ 101, quoting Tovar , 541 U.S. at 88. Rather, “‘[t]he information a defendant must possess in order to make an intelligent election * * * will depend on a range of case-specific factors, including the defendant’s edu cation or sophistication, the complex or easily grasped nature of the cha rge, and the stage of the proceeding.’” Id. quoting Tovar at 88. Accordingly, this court has consistently found that the sufficiency of the trial court’s inquiry is dete rmined by the totality of

the circumstances. See State v. Godley , 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-17-29, 2018-Ohio4253, ¶ 44; State v. Andrews , 2006-Ohio-3764, at ¶ 15. {¶38} Here, the trial court informed Beightler that there may be affi rmative defenses and mitigating defenses available to him. Moreover, th e trial court referenced that Beightler had filed pro se motions for acquitta l and to instruct the jury on self-defense on September 24, 2018. In his motion for acquittal and the supporting brief, Beightler implored the trial court to dismiss his case on the grounds that his actions on July 17, 2018 were in self-defense. (Doc. No. 17). In his amended brief in support of his motion for acquittal, Beightler specifically referenced the burden of proof for the affirmative defense of s elf-defense. (Doc. No. 19). Beightler also specifically referenced the intent ele ment of felonious assault and the duty to retreat. ( Id. ). Likewise, Beightler referenced the affirmativeCase No. 6-18-11

-21- defense of self-defense in his motion to instruct the jury on s elf-defense. (Doc. No. 12). Although the trial court dismissed Beightler’s motions on the grounds that they concerned issues properly raised at the time of trial, Beightle r’s motion for acquittal and motion to instruct the jury on self-defense establish that Beightler was aware of the affirmative defenses available to him, specifically, the af firmative defense of self-defense. ( See Doc. Nos. 12, 17, 19, 30). Further, the trial court’s referen ce to Beightler’s aforementioned motions establishes that the trial c ourt knew that Beightler was aware of the affirmative defenses available to hi m. ( See id. ). Moreover, “[i]t is not necessary that the court ‘“undertake pse udo-legal representation of a defendant by specifically advising him of p ossible viable defenses or mitigating circumstances * * *.”’” Yeager , 2018-Ohio-574, at ¶ 6, quoting State v. Bloodworth , 9th Dist. Summit No. 26346, 2013-Ohio-248, ¶ 12, quoting Ragle , 2005-Ohio-590, at ¶ 12. Thus, even though the trial court di d not explicitly list the affirmative defenses available to Beightler , the record establishes that Beightler was aware of the affirmative defenses and mitiga ting defenses available to him and that the trial court adequately informed h im of said defenses. See Logan , 2017-Ohio-8932, at ¶ 40 (“Although the trial court did not ex plicitly state that these are ‘the possible defenses to the charges and circumstances in mitigation thereof’ in ascertaining whether [the defendant’s] w aiver of counsel wasCase No. 6-18-11

-22- knowing, intelligent, and voluntary, that does not mean [the de fendant’s] waiver was not valid.”). {¶39} Furthermore, while the trial court did not expressly state the elements of the offense at the October 4, 2018 hearing, the trial court read the felonious assault statute, at Beightler’s request, during his August 29, 2018 arraignment hearing. (Aug. 29, 2018 Tr. at 3). Additionally, Beightler ex pressly referenced the “intent” element in his aforementioned motion for acquittal. ( See Doc. No. 19). {¶40} Finally, Beightler stated that he holds a paralegal credential. Beightler also expressed that he has represented himself in several previ ous legal proceedings. See Logan at ¶ 40 (concluding that Logan’s decision to waive his right t o counsel was intelligent, knowing, and voluntary, in part, because he ha d previous experience representing himself in a criminal proceeding). {¶41} Therefore, we conclude that the trial court substantially compl ied with Crim.R. 44(A) and that, based on the totality of the circumstan ces, Beightler knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his right to c ounsel. See Godley , 2018-Ohio-4253, at ¶ 44. {¶42} Accordingly, Beightler’s second assignment of error is overrule d.Case No. 6-18-11

-23- {¶43} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in th e particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. Judgment Affirmed SHAW and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur. /jlr