Court Opinion

ID: 9376240
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-03-02 15:06:24.451462+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:05.470651
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Becker, 2023-Ohio-601.]

                                        COURT OF APPEALS
                                       STARK COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                       JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO                                  :       Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
                                               :       Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
                          Plaintiff-Appellee   :       Hon. Andrew J. King, J.
                                               :
-vs-                                           :
                                               :       Case No. 2022 CA 0069
ZACHARY BECKER                                 :
                                               :
                     Defendant-Appellant       :       OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                           Criminal appeal from the Stark County
                                                   Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2021
                                                   CR 11111

JUDGMENT:                                          Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                            February 28, 2023

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                             For Defendant-Appellant

KYLE L. STONE                                      DONALD GALLICK
Prosecuting Attorney                               190 North Union Street, #102
BY: TIMOTHY E. YAHER                               Akron, OH 44304
Assistant Prosecutor
110 Central Plaza South, Ste. 510
Canto, OH 44702-1413
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                  2

Gwin, P.J.

       {¶1}   Defendant-appellant Zachary Becker [“Becker”] appeals his conviction and

sentence after a jury trial in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.

                                Facts and Procedural History

       {¶2}   At about 8:00 p.m. on May 19, 2021, Becker visited the apartment of the

decedent Michael Gates for the purpose of discussing Becker’s sale of a handgun to

Gates. 2T. at 395-398. Upon his arrival, Becker was met by a neighbor of Gates, Joseph

Wakeley, who resided in the basement apartment of the building. 1T. at 207-208; 2T. at

297. Wakeley showed Becker to Gate’s apartment on the top floor of the building. 1T. at

214. Gates had two Ring cameras: one on top of his refrigerator in the kitchen, and

another outside the apartment facing the door. 1T. at 252-254; State’s Exhibit 6. The

cameras are motion activated.

       {¶3}    Becker, the neighbor, and Gates were drinking Hennessy. At some

point, the conversation turned to Becker's firearm, a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson

handgun which he was carrying in a hip holster. 1T. at 215. Gates was interested in

buying the handgun from Becker. Becker removed the clip, and handed Gates the

gun. Gates subsequently asked Becker if he could fire the gun to make sure it was

operable. 2T. at 398. Becker agreed and the trio proceeded to an area outside by a

stairwell. 1T. at 221. Gates fired the handgun 10-11 times. 2T. at 399. The gun

jammed two to three times during the demonstration. Id. Wakeley heard Gates ask

about buying the gun, but Becker declined to sell this particular gun; however,

Wakeley heard Becker say he would find another gun to sell to Gates. 1T. at 216-

218.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                      3

       {¶4}   Wakeley testified that Becker asked Gates to sell him some

methamphetamine. 1T. at 218. Becker offered Gates three or four dollars; however,

Gates simply gave Becker some methamphetamine. 1T. at 218-219. Wakeley

testified that Becker put the drugs on the couch. 1T. at 219. Becker then asked Gates

to "front" him more methamphetamine, for which Becker would pay him at a later

date. 1T. at 220-221. Becker showed Gates his driver's license, so Gates would know

where Becker lived and could get his money back. 1T. at 220. A picture of Becker’s

driver’s license was found on Gate’s cell phone. 1T. at 271; State’s Exhibit 7.

       {¶5}   Fearing that the police may come in response to the sound of gunshots,

Wakeley returned to his apartment. 1T. at 222.

       {¶6}   Later that evening, Becker tells Gates that he will not sell the handgun

to him. 2T. at 402. Approximately five minutes later, Becker claimed that Gates

physically attacked him while Becker was sitting on the couch. 2T. at 403. Becker

testified that Gates struck him 3 to 4 times in the head. Id. In response, Becker drew

his handgun and shot Gates. 2T. at 404. The video from the motion activated Ring

camera shows what appears to be Gates swinging at Becker. A gunshot then can

be heard. Becker runs to lock the kitchen door, while telling Gates to "stay down" and

asking "Where's your shit at?" 1T. at 282; 2T. at 405; 407. Becker can then be seen

taking items off the living room table and tossing the couch cushions as if he were looking

for something. 1T. at 285-286; 2T. at 407. Becker can be seen jiggling the apartment door

handle and pouring liquor over the door handle. 2T. at 407; 416-417.

       {¶7}   Gates’s cousin found him dead on the floor later that morning. 1T. at 246-

247. She called 9-1-1, and the Canton Police Department responded to the scene. No
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                              4

weapon was found on the premises; however, marijuana and methamphetamines were

recovered from the premises. 1T. at 267- 269.

      {¶8}   Becker was arrested at a motel in Richland, Summit County, Ohio.

Among the items in his possession, the police found notes that Becker had written.

2T. at 322-323; State’s Exhibit 17. Among other things, the notes said,

             He allegedly took your gun.

             Harassed you about it all night.

             Told you you couldn’t leave.

             Out of nowhere he attacked you.

             Didn’t know he was - - or has a felony.

             The “Ring good.”

                                           ***

             Told you he’d have his cousins come and take it already from you.

             He almost had a chance at possibly taking your life.

             Never hit or took anything.

             And “I was/am terrified that I was goin” [sic.] …be murdered.

2T. at 325-326. Additionally, in a notebook recovered by the police, Becker had

written “I’m afraid the Ring may depict that dude punched me and I shot him.” “Drug

deal gone wrong.” 2T. at 328.

      {¶9}   Becker's girlfriend, who was with him at the Richfield motel, gave

officers consent to search their shared home in Doylestown, Ohio. 1T. at 291-293,

State's Exhibit 10. Officers found the loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun in

Becker's oven, with another clip of ammunition. Id. at 294-295.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                5

      {¶10} Doctor Andrea McCollom of the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's

Office performed the autopsy on Gates on May 21, 2021. 2T. at 375. She ruled his

death was a homicide, and the cause of death was the gunshot wound. Id. at 386-

388. She also performed a toxicology test on Gates and found that his blood alcohol

content was .324 grams per deciliter. 2T. at 384.

      {¶11} On July 15, 2021, the Stark County Grand Jury indicted Becker with one

count of felony murder via felonious assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.02(B)(D);

2929.02(B); felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1)/(2)(D)(1); and

tampering with evidence in violation of R.C. 2921.12(A)(1)(B). The murder and

felonious assault charges each carried a three-year firearm specification pursuant to

R.C. 2941.145(A).

      {¶12} Becker requested and received a jury instruction on self-defense. The

jury found Becker guilty of all charges. The trial judge sentenced Becker to a

mandatory prison term of 15 years to life on the charge of Murder, with a consecutive

mandatory three-year term on the firearm specification. The trial judge merged the

felonious assault with the attendant firearm specification into the murder count. The

trial court further sentenced Becker to a term of 36 months for the charge of

Tampering with Evidence to be served consecutively to Count One. Becker thus

received an aggregate prison term of 21 years to life.

                                   Assignments of Error

      {¶13} Becker raises two Assignments of Error,

      {¶14} “I. THE CONVICTIONS FOR MURDER AND FELONIOUS ASSAULT

ARE AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE BECAUSE THE
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                      6

TESTIMONY AND VIDEO EVIDENCE FAILS TO PROVE APPELLANT WAS NOT

ACTING IN SELF-DEFENSE.

       {¶15} “II. THE MURDER CONVICTION IS THE RESULT OF INEFFECTIVE

ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL, AS PROTECTED BY THE SIXTH AMENDMENT OF

THE    CONSTITUTION        OF    THE    UNITED       STATES     AND    BY    THE    OHIO

CONSTITUTION, BECAUSE TRIAL COUNSEL FAILED TO REQUEST A JURY

INSTRUCTION FOR VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER.”

                                                I.

       {¶16} In his First Assignment of Error, Becker contends that the jury’s

determination that he did not act in self-defense is against the manifest weight of the

evidence.

                      Standard of Appellate Review – Manifest Weight.

       {¶17} As to the weight of the evidence, the issue is whether the jury created a

manifest miscarriage of justice in resolving conflicting evidence, even though the

evidence of guilt was legally sufficient. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386–387,

678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), superseded by constitutional amendment on other grounds as

stated by State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 684 N.E.2d 668, 1997–Ohio–355; State v.

Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67, 752 N.E.2d 904 (2001).

       {¶18} Weight of the evidence addresses the evidence's effect of inducing belief.

State v. Thompkins, supra, 78 Ohio St.3d at 386-387, 678 N.E.2d 541(1997), State v.

Williams, 99 Ohio St.3d 493, 2003-Ohio-4396, 794 N.E.2d 27, ¶83. When a court of

appeals reverses a judgment of a trial court on the basis that the verdict is against the

weight of the evidence, the appellate court sits as a “thirteenth juror” and disagrees with
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                          7

the fact finder’s resolution of the conflicting testimony. Thompkins at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541,

citing Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42, 102 S.Ct. 2211, 72 L.Ed.2d 652(1982) (quotation

marks omitted); State v. Wilson, 113 Ohio St.3d 382, 2007-Ohio-2202, 865 N.E.2d 1244,

¶25, citing Thompkins.

       {¶19} Once the reviewing court finishes its examination, an appellate court may

not merely substitute its view for that of the jury, but must find that “‘the jury clearly lost

its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be

reversed and a new trial ordered.’” State v. Thompkins, supra, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387,

quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717, 720–721(1st Dist.

1983). Accordingly, reversal on manifest weight grounds is reserved for “the exceptional

case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.” Id.

                                            Self-defense

       {¶20} R.C. 2901.05(A) provides,

              (A) Every person accused of an offense is presumed innocent until

       proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and the burden of proof for all

       elements of the offense is upon the prosecution. The burden of going

       forward with the evidence of an affirmative defense, and the burden of proof,

       by a preponderance of the evidence, for an affirmative defense other than

       self-defense, defense of another, or defense of the accused’s residence

       presented as described in division (B)(1) of this section, is upon the

       accused.

Emphasis added.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                         8

       {¶21} “The state’s new burden of disproving the defendant’s self-defense claim

beyond a reasonable doubt is subject to a manifest-weight review on appeal, and the

Tenth District correctly declined to review the state’s rebuttal of self-defense for

sufficiency of the evidence.” State v. Messenger, __Ohio St.3d__, 2022-Ohio-4562, ¶ 27.

       Issue for Appellate Review: Whether the jury clearly lost their way and created

such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the convictions must be reversed and a new

trial ordered.

       {¶22} R.C. 2903.02(B) states “[n]o person shall cause the death of another as a

proximate result of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit an offense of

violence that is a felony of the first or second degree and that is not a violation of section

2903.03 or 2903.04 of the Revised Code.” In Count One, the state alleged that Becker

caused the death of Gates as a proximate result of committing or attempting to commit

felonious assault, an offense of violence, in violation of R.C. 2903.11. Becker does not

challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the jury’s finding of guilt on the felony

murder charge.

       {¶23} At the close of Becker’s jury trial, the trial court provided the jury with an

instruction regarding self-defense, which means that the trial court concluded that the

record contained evidence that tends to support that Becker used the force in self-

defense when he shot and killed Gates. R.C. 2901.05(B)(1); State v. Messenger,

__Ohio St.3d__, 2022-Ohio-4562, ¶ 26. The guilty verdict means that the state met its

burden of persuading the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Becker was not acting

in self-defense when he killed Gates. Id.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                       9

       {¶24} The state is required “‘to disprove self-defense by proving beyond a

reasonable doubt that [the defendant] (1) was at fault in creating the situation giving

rise to the affray, OR (2) did not have a bona fide belief that he was in imminent

danger of death or great bodily harm for which the use of deadly force was his only

means of escape, OR (3) did violate a duty to retreat or avoid the danger.’” State v.

Messenger, 10th Dist. No. 19AP-879, 2021-Ohio-2044, ¶ 36, quoting State v. Carney,

10th Dist. Franklin No. 19AP-402, 2020-Ohio-2691, ¶ 31; State v. Robbins, 58 Ohio

St.2d 74, 79, 388 N.E.2d 755(1979) (citations omitted); See also, State v. Barker, 2nd Dist.

Montgomery No. 29227, 2022-Ohio-3756, ¶27; State v. Evans, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

79895, 2002-Ohio-2610, ¶ 53; State v. Hamilton, 12th Dist. Butler No CA2001-04-098,

2002-Ohio-3862, ¶17..

       {¶25} The second element of self-defense requires that the evidence tends to

show that the accused had reasonable grounds to believe or an honest belief, even if

mistaken, that he was in imminent or immediate danger of death or great bodily harm. In

State v. Thomas, the Ohio Supreme Court explained,

              [T]he second element of self-defense is a combined subjective and

       objective test. As this court established in State v. Sheets (1926), 115 Ohio

       St. 308, 310, 152 N.E. 664, self-defense “is placed on the grounds of the

       bona fides of defendant’s belief, and reasonableness therefor, and whether,

       under the circumstances, he exercised a careful and proper use of his own

       faculties.” (Emphasis sic.) See, also, McGaw v. State (1931), 123 Ohio St.

       196, 174 N.E. 741, paragraph two of the syllabus. In Koss, we once again
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                   10

      stated this test by approving similar jury instructions to those given in the

      case sub judice:

             “In determining whether the Defendant had reasonable grounds for

      an honest belief that she was in imminent danger, you must put yourself in

      the position of the Defendant * * *. You must consider the conduct of [the

      assailant] and determine if such acts and words caused the Defendant to

      reasonably and honestly believe that she was about to be killed or to receive

      great bodily harm.’” (Emphasis added.) Koss, 49 Ohio St.3d at 216, 551

      N.E.2d at 973. Thus, the jury first must consider the defendant’s situation

      objectively, that is, whether, considering all of the defendant’s particular

      characteristics, knowledge, or lack of knowledge, circumstances, history,

      and conditions at the time of the attack, she reasonably believed she was

      in imminent danger. See 1 LaFave & Scott, Substantive Criminal Law

      (1986, Supp.1996) 654, Supp. 71, Section 5.7. See, also, generally, State

      v. Shane (1992), 63 Ohio St.3d 630, 634, 590 N.E.2d 272, 276…Then, if

      the objective standard is met, the jury must determine if, subjectively, this

      particular defendant had an honest belief that she was in imminent danger.

      See 1 LaFave & Scott, Substantive Criminal Law (1986, Supp.1996) 654,

      Supp. 71, Section 5.7. See, also, generally, Shane, supra, 63 Ohio St.3d at

      634, 590 N.E.2d at 276….

77 Ohio St.3d 323, 330-331, 673 N.E.2d 1339(1997).

      {¶26} Here, the evidence does not support that Becker possessed the necessary

objective and subjective beliefs he was in imminent or immediate danger of death or great
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                     11

bodily harm. Generally, neither words alone nor fear itself will constitute evidence of

serious provocation. "[W]ords alone will not constitute reasonably sufficient provocation

to incite the use of deadly force in most situations." State v. Shane, 63 Ohio St.3d 630,

634-45, 590 N.E.2d 272 (1992).” Fear alone is insufficient to demonstrate the kind of

emotional state necessary to constitute sudden passion or fit of rage." State v. Mack, 82

Ohio St.3d 198, 201, 694 N.E.2d 1328. Cases have held that a victim's simple pushing

or punching does not constitute sufficient provocation to incite the use of deadly force in

most situations. See, State v. Koballa, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 82013, 2003-Ohio-3535

(concluding that sufficient provocation did not exist when the victim grabbed the

defendant by the testicles and the arm); State v. Poe 4th Dist. Jackson No. 00CA9, 2000-

Ohio-1966 (concluding that the victim's conduct in approaching the defendant with a

hammer and stating "come on" did not constitute sufficient provocation). State v. Pack,

4th Dist. Pike No. 93CA525, 1994 WL 274429(June 20, 1994) ("We find that a mere shove

and a swing (which appellant by his own testimony ducked) are insufficient as a matter of

law to constitute serious provocation reasonably sufficient to incite or arouse appellant

into using deadly force.").

       {¶27} Although stated in terms of provocation, we find the same analysis would

apply to whether a defendant, by reason of the actions of the victim, possessed the

necessary objective and subjective beliefs he was in imminent or immediate danger of

death or great bodily harm. Even setting aside the question of who the aggressor was,

Becker testified that Gates did not have any sort of weapon in his hands at any time during

the altercation. No evidence was presented that Becker himself was aware of any violent

propensity of Gates. Gates struck Becker with his fist. Becker can be seen pouring
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                        12

alcohol on the apartment’s door handle. No evidence was presented that Becker had

suffered any bruises or other injuries as a result of his claim that Gates had punched him.

If Becker’s fear was only of physical harm, he was allowed by law only to use an amount

of force that was not likely to cause death or great bodily harm. Becker’s decision to shoot

Gates was deadly force and was disproportionate to the threat he faced under these

circumstances.

         {¶28} Becker made no attempt to retreat before using deadly force against Gates.

The evidence presented demonstrated that Gates’s blood alcohol content was .324

grams per deciliter. No one other than Becker and Gates were present in the

apartment at the time of the shooting.

         {¶29} While Becker was free to argue that he was justified in using deadly force,

and the trial court instructed the jury accordingly, the jury may have chosen to discredit

his testimony. The evidence indicated that Gates was injured but alive when Becker

exited the apartment. Becker can be seen pouring alcohol on the apartment’s door

handle. Becker made no attempt to summon assistance for Gates. Becker was found

with notes that he had made to himself concerning the incident. The jury saw Becker and

all the witnesses subjected to cross-examination. The jury also reviewed the Ring camera

video.

         {¶30} Finally, upon careful consideration of the record in its entirety, we find that

there is substantial evidence presented which if believed, proves all the elements of the

crimes for which Becker was convicted. We further find there is substantial evidence

proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Becker was not acting in self-defense when

he killed Gates. Therefore, in light of the evidence discussed above, as well as the record
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                       13

in its entirety, we do not find the jury clearly lost its way concluding that Becker murdered

Gates and that he was not acting in self-defense.

       {¶31} Becker’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.

                                                 II.

       {¶32} In his Second Assignment of Error, Becker maintains that his trial counsel

was ineffective by not requesting the jury be instructed on the inferior degree offense of

voluntary manslaughter.

                                 Standard of Appellate Review

       {¶33} “To prevail on a Sixth Amendment claim alleging ineffective assistance of

counsel, a defendant must show that his counsel’s performance was deficient and that

his counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced him. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.

668, 694 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). To show deficiency, a defendant must

show that ‘counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.’

Id., at 688, 104 S.Ct. 2052. In addition, to establish prejudice, a defendant must show

‘that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the

result of the proceeding would have been different.’ Id. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052.” Andtus

v. Texas, 590 U.S. __, 140 S.Ct. 1875, 1881, 207 L.Ed.2d 335 (June 15, 2020).

       Issue for Appellate Review: Whether there is a reasonable probability that, but

for counsel’s failure to request a jury instruction on voluntary manslaughter, the result of

the proceeding would have been different.

       {¶34} Voluntary manslaughter is defined in R.C. 2903.03(A),

              No person, while under the influence of sudden passion or in a

       sudden fit of rage, either of which is brought on by serious provocation
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                         14

       occasioned by the victim that is reasonably sufficient to incite the person

       into using deadly force, shall knowingly cause the death of another.

       {¶35} Voluntary manslaughter is not a lesser-included offense of murder, but

rather is an inferior degree of murder. State v. Tyler, 50 Ohio St.3d 24, 36, 553 N.E.2d

576(1990), superseded by constitutional amendment in part on other grounds State v.

Smith (1997), 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 103 at n. 4, 684 N.E.2d 668, 684. Nonetheless, when

determining whether an instruction on voluntary manslaughter should have been given,

we apply the same test utilized when determining whether an instruction on a lesser-

included offense should have been given. State v. Shane, 63 Ohio St.3d 630, 632, 590

N.E.2d 272(1992). An instruction on voluntary manslaughter is appropriate when “the

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

crime of murder and a conviction for voluntary manslaughter.” Id.

       {¶36} “Before giving a jury instruction on voluntary manslaughter in a murder

case, the trial judge must determine whether evidence of reasonably sufficient

provocation occasioned by the victim has been presented to warrant such an instruction.”

Shane, 63 Ohio St.3d at 632, 590 N.E.2d 272. “The trial judge is required to decide this

issue as a matter of law, in view of the specific facts of the individual case. The trial judge

should evaluate the evidence in the light most favorable to the defendant, without

weighing the persuasiveness of the evidence.” Id. at 637, citing State v. Wilkins, 64 Ohio

St.2d 382, 388, 415 N.E.2d 303(1980). “An inquiry into the mitigating circumstances of

provocation must be broken down into both objective and subjective components.” Shane

at 634.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                     15

         {¶37} When determining whether provocation was reasonably sufficient to induce

sudden passion or sudden fit of rage, an objective standard must be applied. Shane at

634. “For provocation to be reasonably sufficient, it must be sufficient to arouse the

passions of an ordinary person beyond the power of his or her control.” Shane 63 Ohio

St.3d at 635, 415 N.E.2d 303. Thus, the court must furnish “the standard of what

constitutes adequate provocation, i.e., that provocation which would cause a reasonable

person to act out of passion rather than reason.” (Citations omitted.) Shane at 634, fn. 2.

“If insufficient evidence of provocation is presented, so that no reasonable jury would

decide that an actor was reasonably provoked by the victim, the trial judge must, as a

matter of law, refuse to give a voluntary manslaughter instruction.” Shane at 364. The

subjective component of the analysis requires an assessment of “whether this actor, in

this particular case, actually was under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit

of rage.” Id. “Fear alone is insufficient to demonstrate the kind of emotional state

necessary to constitute sudden passion or fit of rage.” State v. Mack, 82 Ohio St.3d 198,

201, 694 N.E.2d 1328(1998).

         {¶38} Unlike self-defense, the issue of who was the aggressor is not the

determinative issue in a voluntary manslaughter defense; rather the appellant must show

that he acted under a sudden rage or passion. The trial court should have given an

instruction on voluntary manslaughter if the evidence presented at trial demonstrated that

Becker had killed Gates while under the influence of a sudden passion or fit of rage

caused by provocation from Gates that was serious enough to incite him into using deadly

force.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                       16

       {¶39} Testimony that he did not intend to kill his victim does not entitle a defendant

to a lesser-included offense instruction. See State v. Campbell, 69 Ohio St.3d 38, 48, 630

N.E.2d 339; State v. Thomas, 40 Ohio St.3d 213, 217–218, 533 N.E.2d 286(1988). State

v. Wright, 4th Dist. No. 01CA2781, 2002–Ohio–1462, ¶ 26. Even though the defendant’s

own testimony may constitute some evidence supporting a lesser offense, if the evidence

on whole does not reasonably support an acquittal on the murder offense and a conviction

on a lesser offense, the court should not instruct on the lesser offense. Campbell, 69 Ohio

St.3d at 47, 630 N.E.2d 339; Shane, 63 Ohio St.3d 632–633. “To require an instruction *

* * every time “some evidence,” however minute, is presented going to a lesser included

(or inferior-degree) offense would mean that no trial judge could ever refuse to give an

instruction on a lesser included (or inferior-degree) offense.” Shane at 633, 590 N.E.2d

272.

       {¶40} As we discussed in our disposition of Becker’s First Assignment of Error,

supra, Becker was not justified in using deadly force. Becker testified that Gates did not

have any sort of weapon in his hands at any time during the altercation. No evidence was

presented that Becker himself was aware of any violent propensity of Gates. Gates struck

Becker with his fist. Gates’s blood alcohol content was .324 grams per deciliter. No

one other than Becker and Gates were present in the apartment at the time of the

shooting. No evidence was presented that Becker suffered any injury as a result of

Gates punching him. The only act that could arguably provoke a rage is when Gates

punched Becker in his face. However, a punch in the face is far from sufficient to

cause the ordinary person to become angry beyond his or her control. State v. Linzy,

5th Dist. Richland No. 2021-CA-33, 2013-Ohio-1129, ¶82.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 0069                                                     17

       {¶41} In concluding that trial counsel was not ineffective for not requesting an

instruction on voluntary manslaughter, we find that the evidence presented at trial did not

reasonably support both an acquittal on the murder charge and a conviction for voluntary

manslaughter. Where the evidence does not support the instruction, the failure of trial

counsel to request an instruction on a lesser-included offense does not fall below the

objective standard of reasonableness. State v. Daviduk, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2001 CA

00340, 2002–Ohio–773, *2. Therefore, Becker is unable to satisfy the first prong of

Strickland.

       {¶42} Becker’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.

       {¶43} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

By Gwin P.J.,

Delaney, J., and

King, J., concur