Court Opinion

ID: 2700634
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 19:23:32.180384+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:42:33.794284
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Lamb, 2013-Ohio-5683.]

                           STATE OF OHIO, MAHONING COUNTY

                                  IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                                       SEVENTH DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO,                               )
                                             )    CASE NO.    12 MA 224
        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,                  )
                                             )
VS.                                          )    OPINION
                                             )
JAMES LAMB,                                  )
                                             )
        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.                 )

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS:                         Criminal Appeal from County Court No.
                                                  4, Case No. 12CRB816.

JUDGMENT:                                         Affirmed.

APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee:                           Attorney Paul Gains
                                                  Prosecuting Attorney
                                                  Attorney Ralph Rivera
                                                  Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
                                                  21 West Boardman Street, 6th Floor
                                                  Youngstown, Ohio 44503

For Defendant-Appellant:                          Attorney Douglas King
                                                  91 West Taggart Street
                                                  P.O. Box 85
                                                  East Palestine, Ohio 44413

JUDGES:
Hon. Joseph J. Vukovich
Hon. Gene Donofrio
Hon. Mary DeGenaro

                                                  Dated: December 13, 2013
[Cite as State v. Lamb, 2013-Ohio-5683.]
VUKOVICH, J.

        {¶1}    Defendant-appellant James Lamb appeals the decision of Mahoning
County Court No. 4 finding him guilty of child endangering in violation of R.C.
2919.22(B)(1).       Lamb asserts that the state failed to present sufficient evidence.
Specifically, he contends that the state failed to establish venue beyond a reasonable
doubt. For the reasons expressed below, this argument has no merit. The conviction
and sentence are hereby affirmed.
                                   Statement of Case and Facts
        {¶2}    In late June 2012, K.B., an eight year old child diagnosed with epilepsy,
Landau-Kleffner syndrome, behavioral optometry, and PDD, which is on the autism
spectrum, was visiting his grandma Lori Hunter. Tr. 9, 14. During the visit, Hunter
was giving K.B. a bath and noticed bruising on K.B.’s butt, leg and shoulder,
scratches all over him, and what appeared to be rug burn on his back. Tr. 14, 21.
She described the bruising on his butt as being a large handprint. Tr. 15-16.
        {¶3}    Because those injuries alarmed her, she went to the Struthers Police
Department the next morning; she lives in Struthers. Tr. 17. They directed her to go
to the Austintown Police Department; K.B. lives with his mother in Austintown and it
was alleged that the injuries occurred at her home in Austintown. Tr. 18, 99, 131;
State’s Exhibit B - Katrina Bennett’s Voluntary Statement to Police.              At the
Austintown Police Department, Hunter made a statement, an officer took
photographs of the injuries, and K.B. was questioned.
        {¶4}    As a result of the statement, questioning, and photographs, Austintown
Police Department asked Lamb and Katrina Bennett, K.B.’s mother, to come to the
station for questioning. Both Lamb and Bennett voluntarily gave statements.
        {¶5}    Bennett’s statement indicated that she has asked Lamb to help her with
K.B. She explained that Lamb uses military exercises as punishment for K.B., such
as an army crawl and standing against a wall holding a broom.            She stated on
Monday June 25, 2013, Lamb spanked K.B., which consisted of three swats on the
butt. She further explained, “I believe that the scratches on the stomach and arms
are from the crawling on the ground. I’m not positive but the abrasion on the back
                                                                                   -2-

are from all I can think of is his temper tantrums rubbing and pushing himself [K.B.]
across the carpet.” State’s Exhibit B.
      {¶6}   Lamb’s statement indicated that when K.B. gets “out of control”, Lamb
has him “low crawl” 24-30 feet or stand against a wall holding a broom for 30 to 45
seconds. He admitted to spanking K.B. and stated that it happened once. He also
indicated that when K.B. was low crawling, K.B. was scraping his chest/stomach on
the ground. State’s Exhibit C.
      {¶7}   Thereafter, Lamb was charged with child endangering in violation of
R.C. 2919.22(B)(1) and Bennett was charged with child endangering in violation of
R.C. 2919.22(A). 07/13/12 Indictments.
      {¶8}   Lamb and Bennett were tried together before the bench. At trial, the
above information, including Lamb’s and Bennett’s statements and the photographs
of K.B.’s injuries, was admitted. Also discussed was K.B.’s behavior. K.B., as an
autistic child, has what Bennett and Hunter describe as temper tantrums. Tr. 11,
115. Hunter explained that during the tantrums, K.B. tries to hit you and if he cannot
get to you he will try to hurt himself, he calls you names, and also beats his head on
the floor. Tr. 30. Bennett’s testimony confirms that and she also stated that during
the tantrums he will scream “at the top of his lungs,” and spit. Tr. 115-116. During
her testimony, a video of one of the tantrums he had on June 25, 2013 was played.
This video confirms that he does hit himself and others, scream, throw things, and
pushes himself on the carpet.
      {¶9}   Testimony from Lamb and Bennett also indicated on June 25, 2013,
which is when the acts that constituted child endangering occurred, Bennett was at
her “wits end” and asked Lamb for help.       Tr. 111, 126.   K.B. had been having
tantrums almost all day long. Bennett indicated that she had tried the “burrito” wrap
that the doctors had suggested to help him calm down, but that had not worked.
Both Bennett and Lamb indicated that when Lamb arrived at her house, Lamb
spanked K.B., had him stand at the wall with a broom and had him doing army
crawls. Tr. 96-97, 103, 136-142.
                                                                                     -3-

       {¶10} Bennett also testified that the bruise on K.B.’s butt had occurred prior to
June 25, 2013 and was the result of falling out of a bounce house and landing on his
butt on the cement sidewalk. Tr. 124.
       {¶11} After hearing all the evidence, the trial court found both Bennett and
Lamb guilty of the charges against them. Lamb was sentenced to 180 days, 175
days were suspended. He was ordered to pay a $250 fine plus costs, and was
further ordered to have no contact with the victim, K.B.
       {¶12} Lamb appeals from that conviction and sentence.
                               First Assignment of Error
       {¶13} “Defendant/appellant was entitled to his criminal rule 29 judgment of
acquittal because the state failed to establish venue beyond a reasonable doubt.”
       {¶14} Venue is not a material element of the offense, yet it is a fact that must
be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, unless it is waived by the defendant. State v.
Headley, 6 Ohio St. 3d 475, 477, 453 N.E.2d 716 (1983); State v. Barr, 158 Ohio
App.3d 86, 2004-Ohio-3900, 814 N.E.2d 79, ¶ 14 (7th Dist.). Typically the prosecutor
will directly establish venue. However, it does not need to be proven in express
terms. State v. Chintalapalli, 88 Ohio St. 3d 43, 45, 723 N.E.2d 111 (2000). Rather, it
can be established by the totality of facts and circumstances viewed in the light most
favorable to the state. Id.
       {¶15} Pursuant to R.C. 2901.12(A), venue lies in any jurisdiction in which the
offense or any element of the offense was committed. “Venue is satisfied where
there is a sufficient nexus between the defendant and the county of the trial.” State
v. Chintalapalli, 88 Ohio St. 3d 43, 45, 723 N.E.2d 111 (2000).
       {¶16} At the close of the state’s case in chief, Lamb moved for acquittal
pursuant to Crim.R. 29 making the general argument that the state failed to prove the
elements of child endangering by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Tr. 75-76. The
state answered the argument insisting that it had provided sufficient evidence on
every element of the offense, including venue. Tr. 76. The trial court then denied the
motion. Tr. 76.
                                                                                    -4-

       {¶17} Prior to addressing whether the state presented evidence to establish
venue, it is noted that some appellate courts have concluded that a general argument
that the elements of the offense have not been proven is not sufficient to challenge
venue.   State v. Mielke, 12th Dist. No. CA2012-08-079, 2013-Ohio-1612, ¶ 16
(general argument for Crim.R. 29 motion, thus venue deemed not raised and
therefore waived for purposes of appeal); State v. Shedwick, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-
709, 2012-Ohio-2270, ¶ 37 (no objection to venue was made during the Crim.R. 29
motion or at any time during the trial); State v. Dumas, 10th Dist. No. 98AP–581,
1999 WL 77196 (Feb. 18, 1999) (appellant's Crim.R. 29 motion was insufficient to
challenge venue). Therefore, in that instance, the issue is deemed waived. Mielke at
¶ 16; Shedwick at ¶ 37; Dumas. However, these courts have concluded that it is
appropriate to consider the argument under a plain-error analysis. Mielke at ¶ 16-17;
Shedwick at ¶ 38-39 (appropriate to consider the argument under a plain-error
analysis because the failure to prove venue affected a substantial right); Dumas.
       {¶18} Therefore, on that basis, venue may have been waived and the issue
raised can only be reviewed under a plain-error analysis. A plain error is any error or
defect affecting substantial rights. Crim.R. 52(B).
       {¶19} That said, regardless of what standard is used, there was sufficient
evidence presented to establish venue. In the state’s case in chief, Hunter testified
that the injuries occurred while K.B. was with his mother. Tr. 16. She indicated that
she went to Struthers Police Department to make a police report; however, they
directed her to Austintown Township Police Department, the correct agency to look
into the matter. Tr. 17-18. This is an indication that Austintown Township is the
jurisdiction in which the incident occurred. Austintown Township Detective-Sergeant
Jordan Yacovone investigated the matter and testified at trial. Tr. 45-73. During his
testimony, Bennett’s written statement was identified and discussed. Tr. 52-57. This
statement was admitted into evidence and lists her address as Austintown. State’s
Exhibit B; Tr. 75. Furthermore, during the defendants’ cases in chief, both Lamb and
Bennett acknowledged that the conduct that the trial court determined to constitute
child endangering occurred at Bennett’s home. Tr. 85, 99, 131.
                                                                                       -5-

       {¶20} Therefore, although the state could have done a better job at
establishing venue, given the testimony and evidence, venue was sufficiently
established. This assignment of error lacks merit.
                              Anders Assignment of Error
       {¶21} “Defendant/appellant’s conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence.”
       {¶22} After briefing the above assignment of error, counsel sets forth an
Anders Assignment of Error. In the second paragraph, counsel states that Lamb
believes his conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, specifically that
Lamb believes that he, in loco parentis, was entitled to administer the discipline he
delivered to K.B. Counsel disagrees with this position, but sets it forth as an Anders
assignment of error. The state’s brief does not address the Anders assignment of
error and asks us for guidance on how to proceed. The state contends that if we do
address this assignment and find that it has potential merit, we should assign counsel
to fully brief it and then give the state the opportunity to respond.
       {¶23} The appellate brief filed in this case is a hybrid brief; it raises one merit
assignment of error and one Anders assignment of error.
       {¶24} The Second and the Tenth Appellate District Courts have found such a
hybrid brief to be improper and have struck the Anders assignments.              State v.
Vaughn, 2d Dist. No. 1564, 2002-Ohio-4975, ¶ 4; State v. Saaty, 10th Dist. No.
96APA09-777 (Mar. 4, 1997). The position that striking the Anders assignment of
error is supported by the fact that a criminal defendant has a right to act pro se or to
have counsel, but he has no right to “hybrid representation.” See State v. Thompson,
33 Ohio St. 3d 1, 6-76, 514 N.E.2d 407 (1987) (thus defendant cannot act as co-
counsel at trial). The procedure is further supported by the fact that Anders deals
with the situation where counsel finds the case to be “wholly frivolous” and seeks to
withdraw. Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 .E.2d 493 (1967).
       {¶25} That said, we note that the Second Appellate District in one instance
did consider a defendant’s pro se supplemental assignment of error when it had
mistakenly permitted the defendant to supplement; the court specifically noted that
                                                                                      -6-

allowing the defendant to supplement was an administrative mistake. State v. Myles,
2d Dist. No. 21451, 2007-Ohio-189, ¶ 2-3, 16 (and stating that although they
mistakenly permitted the defendant to supplement, it was not done pursuant to
Anders and thus no independent review of the record would occur). See also State
v. White, 71 Ohio App. 3d 550, 551, 594 N.E.2d 1087 (4th Dist.1991) fn.1 (stating
that pro se brief was improper, but court would “choose” to address it). However,
those facts are not present here.
       {¶26} We agree with the reasoning of our sister districts that hybrid briefs are
inappropriate and that Anders assignments of error should be struck. Therefore, the
Anders assignment of error is struck and this court will not consider it.
                                       Conclusion
       {¶27} In conclusion, the sole assignment of error lacks merit; sufficient
evidence was produced to establish venue. The Anders assignment of error is struck
and will not be addressed.
       {¶28} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial court is hereby
affirmed.

Donofrio, J., concurs in part, dissents in part; see concurring/dissenting Opinion.
DeGenaro, P.J., concurs.

DONOFRIO, J. concurring in part and dissenting in part:

       For the following reasons I respectfully dissent with the portion of the
majority’s decision dealing with the hybrid brief issue. I concur with the majority’s
resolution of appellant’s initial assignment of error.
       Firstly, in the past, this court has considered assignments of error such as the
“Anders” manifest weight assignment set out in the instant appeal. For instance, this
court was faced with a hybrid brief where the appointed counsel raised six
assignments of error and also raised two additional assignments of error he did not
feel constituted reversible error. In that case, we addressed both the officially-raised
assignments of error as well as the alleged-meritless assignments of error. See
                                                                                    -7-

State v. Williams, 7th Dist. No. 10-MA-13, 2011-Ohio-2463. We have also been
faced with cases where the appointed counsel filed no merit briefs and requests to
withdraw, yet counsel still raised “arguable” assignments of error. In the Matter of
H.M., 7th Dist. No. 11-NO-381, 2011-Ohio-6376; State v. Tusin, 7th Dist. No. 10-MA-
29, 2011-Ohio-2629; In re K.B., 7th Dist. No. 10-BE-13, 2010-Ohio-6083; In re K.B.,
7th Dist. No. 09 BE 24, 2010-Ohio-1015.        This court considered the “arguable”
assignments of error in each of these cases. Id.
      Secondly, counsel states that he is mentioning the manifest weight
assignment of error only because his client asked him to do so. This court has held
that while an appellant does not have the constitutional right to act as his own co-
counsel where the state has appointed counsel to represent him, we have the
discretion whether to address arguments raised in a pro se brief when the appellant
is represented by counsel who has already filed a brief. State v. Bryant, 7th Dist. No.
99-CA-135, 2001 WL 1568878 (Dec. 4, 2001). Similarly, this court has discretion to
consider assignments of error proposed by counsel at the appellant’s insistence. I
would exercise this discretion and consider the Anders assignment of error.
      Thirdly, even the Second District, one of the two districts on which the majority
relies, has reviewed a hybrid brief when the court deemed it equitable to do so. State
v. Myles, 2d Dist. No. 21451, 2007-Ohio-189. Thus, despite its decision in State v.
Vaughn, 2d Dist. No. 1564, 2002-Ohio-4974, the Second District has recognized that
there are occasions where review of a hybrid brief may be allowed.
      Fourthly, under the majority’s decision, appellant’s only recourse now is to file
an application to reopen his appeal pursuant to App.R. 26(B). In an application to
reopen, appellant could argue that his counsel was ineffective for failing to raise a
manifest weight of the evidence assignment of error.          This would require an
application to reopen, a response from the state, a decision by this court granting or
denying the application, and, if we granted the application, another set of briefs from
the parties and another decision by this court.      However, if we were to simply
consider the assignment of error now, it would serve judicial economy by examining
                                                                                      -8-

the manifest weight issue along with counsel’s assignment of error and rendering a
single decision instead of bringing the case before the court for a second time.
       This is not an endorsement of hybrid representation. It is a statement that we,
as a reviewing court, must address substantive claims raised on appeal, whether
though assignments of error in a merit brief, a pro se litigant’s brief in an Anders-type
case, or a sua sponte plain error analysis required by due process.
       In sum, for the above reasons, I would consider the Anders manifest weight
assignment of error.