Court Opinion

ID: 2701664
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 19:39:09.718538+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:35:24.251043
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Smith, 2014-Ohio-2186.]

                 Court of Appeals of Ohio
                               EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                  COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

                              JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
                                      No. 100338

                                      STATE OF OHIO
                                                     PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE

                                               vs.

                                  DEMETRIUS SMITH
                                                     DEFENDANT-APPELLANT

                                            JUDGMENT:
                                             AFFIRMED

                                   Criminal Appeal from the
                            Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
                                  Case No. CR-12-569766-A

        BEFORE: McCormack, J., Rocco, P.J., and Blackmon, J.

        RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: May 22, 2014
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT

Joseph V. Pagano
P.O. Box 16869
Rocky River, OH 44116

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor

By: Andrew T. Gatti
Carl Sullivan
Assistant County Prosecutors
8th Floor, Justice Center
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
TIM McCORMACK, J.:

       {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Demetrius Smith, appeals from his conviction of

aggravated robbery, kidnapping, petty theft, having a weapon while under disability, and

possession of criminal tools, with firearm specifications. On appeal, he claims his

conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence and against the manifest weight of

the evidence. He also complains the trial court failed to address his pro se motion to

dismiss on grounds of speedy trial violations.        After a careful review of the record and

applicable law, we affirm the trial court.

       {¶2} Smith and his codefendant, Antoine Tate, were involved in a robbery

incident.    The incident led to an indictment of Smith for aggravated robbery, 1

kidnapping (both accompanied with a one-year and three-year firearm specification),

petty theft, having a weapon while under disability, and possession of criminal tools.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty and were tried together to the bench after they

waived the jury trial.      At trial, the state presented five witnesses:         the victim, his

girlfriend, and three police officers.

           Smith was charged with and convicted of aggravated robbery as defined in R.C.
       1

2911.01(A)(1), which states: “(A) No person, in attempting or committing a theft offense * * * or in
fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, shall * * * (1) Have a deadly weapon on or about
the offender’s person or under the offender’s control and either display the weapon, brandish it,
indicate that the offender possesses it, or use it[.]”
                                      Testimony at Trial

       {¶3} The victim, Demetrius Patterson, testified that, around 10:20 p.m. on

December 10, 2012, he and his girlfriend, Charice Littlejohn, and a friend, “Ron,” went

to Patterson’s cousin’s apartment to have him fix Littlejohn’s computer. After they

arrived, Patterson exited his car and walked toward his cousin’s apartment. Littlejohn

and “Ron” walked about five feet behind him. His cousin came to the window, and

they started to exchange greetings.

       {¶4} Suddenly, two men, appellant Smith and his codefendant Tate — Smith in

a red hoodie under a jacket and Tate in a black hoodie — came around the corner and

they “pulled a gun out on him.” Tate put the gun to Patterson’s head and said, “Give

me your gun.” Patterson responded, “My gun? * * * I don’t roll like that.” Tate then

smacked Patterson with his gun and passed it to Smith. According to Patterson, Smith,

who seemed to be taking orders from Tate and “acted like he really didn’t want to do it,”

lightly tapped Patterson with the gun. Smith went through his pockets and took his cell

phone and wallet. Smith and Tate then told Patterson to lie face down on the ground

and started to kick him. Patterson yelled for help, fearing for his life. The two men

then casually walked away.    Patterson ran to his cousin’s apartment to call the police.

       {¶5} Patterson testified that, after the police officers arrived, he got into his car

and drove to meet them. He identified Smith, who was quickly apprehended by the

police. When Smith was placed in the back of the police vehicle, he kept shaking his

head and accused Patterson of “snitching.”       Patterson testified that, after identifying
Smith to the police, he used an app in his girlfriend’s cell phone to locate his cell phone.

 He found his phone 10 or 15 feet away from where the police apprehended Smith.

       {¶6} Patterson described the gun involved in the incident as chrome or

silver-colored, with a black handle. The gun was submitted as the state’s exhibit No. 7,

and Patterson identified it in court. On cross-examination, Patterson testified he was

robbed of a $100 bill.      He denied he went to the area that night to purchase drugs or

pulled a gun on Tate in an attempt to rob Tate.

       {¶7} Patterson’s girlfriend, Littlejohn, substantially corroborated his testimony.

She testified that on the night of the incident, she and Patterson drove to his cousin’s

house to get her computer repaired and upgraded so she could do a PowerPoint

presentation for a class.    When they arrived, Patterson exited his vehicle first and she

followed behind.    The next thing she knew, she heard him scream.      She looked up and

saw he was being robbed by two men, one in a red hoodie and one in a black hoodie.

Patterson was lying face down on the ground. The one in the red hoodie (Smith) had a

gun and passed the gun to the other man (Tate), who was kicking Patterson, patting him

down, and going through his pockets. Watching the event and feeling helpless, she

called the police immediately.     The two men then walked away “peacefully,” as if they

did nothing wrong. She corroborated the majority of Patterson’s testimony, except she

testified that Patterson did not have any money in his wallet except for a “good-luck” $2

bill. She identified Smith in court as the man in the red hoodie.
       {¶8} CMHA Officer Larry Jones testified he and his partner, Officer Demetrius

Jackson, responded to a dispatch regarding a victim robbed at gunpoint at 4908 Quincy.

The suspects were reported to wear dark clothing, one of them in a red hoodie.         The

officers soon arrived near the scene and observed two men walking northbound, one

wearing a red hoodie, less than 100 feet away from 4908 Quincy.              Officer Jones

recognized Smith, the one in the red hoodie, from previous encounters with him. The

officers then pulled over in a parking lot to stop the two men. As Officer Jackson

approached them, Tate took off running.         Officer Jackson chased after Tate while

Officer Jones took Smith into custody.

       {¶9} Officer Jones testified that, while he placed Smith inside his police vehicle,

Patterson drove up and jumped out of his vehicle, saying “[t]hat’s him” and “[t]hat’s one

of them.”      Patterson informed Officer Jones he was the one who reported the robbery

and told the officer his cell phone and some money were taken.          Officer Jones then

helped Patterson locate his cell phone.     Officer Jones testified that the cell phone was

found in a grassy area, three feet from where the two men were stopped by the officers.

       {¶10} Officer Jones testified that, while sitting in the back of the police vehicle,

Smith kept saying “You don’t have anything.”           Officer Jones then heard Officer

Jackson, who chased Tate on foot, reporting over the radio that he recovered a silver or

chrome-colored automatic .45. When Officer Jones informed Smith of the fact, Smith

“got quiet.”     Officer Jones testified that, after Tate was apprehended and placed in the
backseat of the same police vehicle where Smith was being held, Smith said, “All right.

The gun’s mine’s [sic] and the drugs is [sic] his.”

       {¶11} CMHA Officer Demetrius Jackson, Officer Jones’s partner, testified that

on the night of the incident, he and Officer Jones received a broadcast about a robbery at

4908 Quincy involving two suspects, one in a black hoodie and one in a red hoodie.

When they found two men matching the description, the one in red stopped, the one in

black fled, and Officer Jackson gave chase on foot.        While being chased, the man

removed a weapon from his waistband and threw it on top of an overhang.           Officer

Jackson eventually caught up with the man but had to tase him, because he would not

comply with the order to show his hands. He was found with crack cocaine and $205 in

his person.   On cross-examination, Officer Jackson acknowledged that there was no

physical evidence linking Smith to the gun retrieved from the scene.

       {¶12} CMHA Officer Kyle Flagg testified he received a call for an armed robbery

in progress at 4908 Quincy around 10:00 p.m. on the night of the incident. His patrol

vehicle was in the vicinity. He arrived at the scene in less than 30 seconds. Patterson

and Littlejohn appeared very emotional and told the officer they just got robbed at

gunpoint. They pointed to the direction the suspects were walking. Officer Flagg saw

two men walking away, one in black and the other man in a red hoodie.      He radioed the

information to Officer Jones and Officer Jackson.     While Officer Jackson chased one of

the suspects on foot, Officer Flagg drove his zone car and tried to intercept the suspect.

He learned over the radio the suspect removed a gun from his waistband and threw it.
         {¶13} Appellant Smith did not testify but his codefendant Tate took the stand and

offered a drastically different account of the event than what Patterson and his girlfriend

described.    Tate testified he sold drugs for a living and the incident was a drug deal

gone bad. On the day of the incident, he received a call from “Lisa,” a “crack head,” who

informed him that there were individuals in the area of 4908 Quincy wanting to buy

drugs.    Tate went over to the area with Smith.    When he got there, he saw a man in

front the apartment building. Tate asked him, “Did Lisa send you down?” The man

answered “yes” and asked if Tate had any “good stuff.”            Tate showed the man the

drugs, and the man asked how much the drugs cost and started to reach into his pocket.

Instead of money, he pulled out a black handgun.       Tate “rushed” him, “tussled” with

him, and grabbed the gun. They both fell to the ground. Tate then got up and took

off. He was walking when a police vehicle pulled up to him. He fled because he had

drugs and a gun with him.      While being chased by a police officer, he tossed the gun

onto a roof. Tate denied taking Patterson’s money or cell phone.

         {¶14} The trial court found Smith guilty of aggravated robbery, kidnapping, petty

theft, having a weapon while under disability, and possession of criminal tools, and the

firearm specifications.    The trial court merged aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and

petty theft as allied offenses and sentenced Smith to three years for aggravated robbery,

consecutive to a three-year term for the firearm specification.    The court also imposed a

concurrent 36-month term for having weapons while under disability and a concurrent

12-month term for possession of criminal tools. On appeal, Smith claims his conviction
is not supported by sufficient evidence and against the manifest weight of the evidence.

He also argues his speedy trial rights were violated.

                                        Sufficiency

         {¶15} When assessing a challenge of sufficiency of the evidence, a reviewing

court examines the evidence admitted at trial and determines whether such evidence, if

believed, would convince the average mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable

doubt.    State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the

syllabus. “The 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. A reviewing court is

not to assess “whether the state’s evidence is to be believed, but whether, if believed, the

evidence against a defendant would support a conviction.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio

St.3d 380, 390, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997).

         {¶16} The gist of Smith’s sufficiency claim is that he did not have the gun in his

possession during the robbery incident or afterwards. Smith is correct that the state did

not present physical or forensic evidence linking him to the gun disposed of by his

codefendant and retrieved by the police.     However, although physical evidence may be

helpful to prove a case, it is not necessary.   Patterson and Littlejohn each testified that

both Smith and Tate robbed Patterson and Smith had possession of the gun at one point

during the robbery.      Patterson also testified Smith used the gun to hit him, albeit

reluctantly.   These eyewitnesses’ testimony, if believed, was sufficient direct evidence
upon which a rational trier of fact could rely in finding Smith guilty beyond a reasonable

doubt.    “The lack of physical evidence does not undermine an eyewitness’s testimony

that, if found credible, is sufficient to sustain a conviction.” State v. Totty, 2d Dist.

Montgomery No. 23372, 2010-Ohio-1234, ¶ 21.                 When assessing evidentiary

sufficiency, we do not second-guess the factfinder’s credibility determinations; rather,

we ask whether, if believed, the evidence would convince the average mind of the

defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.     State v. Murphy, 91 Ohio St.3d 516, 543,

747 N.E.2d 765, citing Jenks, paragraph two of the syllabus. Construed in favor of the

state, the witnesses’ testimony in this case was sufficient to support the trial court’s

finding of guilt. The first assignment lacks merit.

                                     Manifest Weight

         {¶17} Smith also claims his conviction of the various offenses was against the

manifest weight of the evidence.       Having concluded the evidence on the record is

sufficient to support his conviction, we now review the record to determine his

conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence. Unlike sufficiency of the

evidence, manifest weight of the evidence raises a factual issue.

         “The court, reviewing the entire record, weighs the evidence and all

         reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses and

         determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, 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.       The discretionary
       power to grant a new trial should be exercised only in the exceptional case

       in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.”

Thompkins at 387, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717

(1st Dist.1983).   “[T]he weight to be given the evidence and the credibility of the

witnesses are primarily for the trier of the facts.” State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230,

227 N.E.2d 212 (1967), paragraph one of the syllabus. When examining witness

credibility, “the choice between credible witnesses and their conflicting testimony rests

solely with the finder of fact and an appellate court may not substitute its own judgment

for that of the finder of fact.” State v. Awan, 22 Ohio St.3d 120, 123, 489 N.E.2d 277

(1986).   A factfinder is free to believe all, some, or none of the testimony of each

witness appearing before it.        State v. Ellis, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98538,

2013-Ohio-1184, ¶ 18.

       {¶18} Smith claims the evidence shows he was “merely present” at the scene, and

also argues that the account offered by his codefendant Tate — that Patterson tried to

rob Tate at gunpoint of Tate’s drugs — was more credible.       The weight to be given the

conflicting evidence and the credibility of the witnesses is for the trier of fact — in this

case, the trial court — who had an opportunity to view the witnesses and observe their

demeanor.    The trial court was aware of the slight inconsistencies in the witnesses’s

recounting of the incident. For example, Patterson testified he had a $100 bill in his

wallet, and his girlfriend testified he had a $2 bill, but the police found neither.

Although we consider the credibility of the witnesses in a manifest-weight challenge, we
are mindful that the determination regarding witness credibility rests primarily with the

trier of fact.   State v. Clark, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94406, 2010-Ohio-5600, ¶ 39.

Having considered the entire record, we cannot conclude that, in resolving the conflict in

the evidence, the trial court clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage

of justice in finding Smith guilty. The second assignment of error is also without merit.

                                      Speedy Trial

        {¶19} Prior to trial, Smith filed a pro se motion to dismiss for speedy trial

violations. The trial court never ruled on it. On appeal, Smith claims his statutory and

constitutional rights to a speedy trial were violated because the trial court did not

address his motion.

        {¶20} As an initial matter, we note that when the record demonstrates that the

trial court never ruled on a motion, the motion is deemed denied. State v. Ogle,

2012-Ohio-3693, 975 N.E.2d 563, ¶ 15.

        {¶21} Pursuant to R.C. 2945.71, a defendant must be brought to trial within 270

days of arrest in order to effectuate a speedy trial.    R.C. 2945.71(C)(2).    Moreover,

pursuant to R.C. 2945.71(E), each day spent in jail on a pending charge counts as three

days toward speedy trial time. Thus, 90 days time in jail would equate to 270 days

under the triple-count provision.    See, e.g., State v. Loder, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos.

93242 and 93865, 2010-Ohio-3085, ¶ 10.

        {¶22} Here, the docket does not clearly reflect when Smith was placed in jail.

Smith claims he was arrested on December 10, 2012, and placed in county jail by
December 20, 2013. It also appears he was in jail until August 5, 2013, when the trial

took place.   The triple-count provision would seem to apply here.

      {¶23} The statute, however, provides that a continuance sought by the defense or

a reasonable continuance sought by the state is a tolling event for speedy trial purposes.

R.C. 2945.72(H). Requests for discovery also tolls the statute. State v. Boynton, 8th

Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97926, 2010-Ohio-4248, ¶ 56, citing R.C. 2945.72(E) and (H).

      {¶24} Here, the docket reflects that on January 4, and 15, 2013, a pretrial was

held but continued at the request of the defense because of ongoing discovery.        On

January 29, 2013, Smith’s counsel withdrew and new counsel was appointed, and pretrial

was continued at the request of the defense due to ongoing discovery.            Another

continuance was granted at the defense’s request on February 6, 2013, again due to

ongoing discovery.

      {¶25} On February 14, 2013, yet another request by the defense for continuance,

this time citing plea negotiations, was granted.   On February 28, 2013, a pretrial was

held and the trial was scheduled for April 22, 2013, at the request of the defense. On

April 17, 2013, the April 22 trial date was cancelled at the defense’s request due to plea

negotiations. A final pretrial was held on April 29, 2013, but continued to May 29,

2013, at the defense’s request, for the reason of plea negotiations.    A trial was then

scheduled for June 3, 2013, but subsequently rescheduled for June 17, 2013, again at the

defense’s request, because of plea negotiations.   That trial date was then rescheduled

for July 10, 2013, at the defense’s request, for plea negotiations, and then for August 5,
2013, by a joint request of the state and the defense.     Because all continuances were

granted at the defense’s request, for reasons of discovery and/or plea negotiations, we

find no violation of a statutory speedy trial right. Therefore, a denial of the motion to

dismiss on speedy trial grounds would be proper.

       {¶26} Smith also claims a violation of his constitutional speedy trial right. The

statutory speedy trial provisions of R.C. 2945.71 and the constitutional guarantees found

in the Ohio and United States Constitutions are coextensive. State v. King, 70 Ohio

St.3d 158, 160, 637 N.E.2d 903 (1994). Furthermore, when there is no statutory speedy

trial violation, the burden is upon the defendant to show that his constitutional right to a

speedy trial has been denied.        State v. Wells, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98388,

2013-Ohio-3722, citing State v. Gettys, 49 Ohio App.2d 241, 244, 360 N.E.2d 735 (3d

Dist.1976).

       {¶27} For a claim of constitutional speedy trial right violation, the courts have

employed a balancing test enumerated in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 523, 92 S.Ct.

2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972), which requires a court to consider (1) the length of delay,

(2) the reason for the delay, (3) whether the defendant has asserted his right, and (4) the

amount of prejudice to the defendant.

       {¶28} Although Smith asserts a violation of his constitutional speedy trial right,

he has made no demonstration under the Barker test, either before the trial court or on

appeal. Because Smith never developed the issue regarding his constitutional right to a

speedy trial, we need not undertake the balancing analysis under Barker.     Wells at ¶ 56,
citing State v. Stokes, 193 Ohio App.3d 549, 2011-Ohio-2104, 952 N.E.2d 1192, ¶ 9

(12th Dist.). The third assignment of error is without merit.

      {¶29} Judgment affirmed.

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

      The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

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

pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s conviction having

been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court

for execution of sentence.

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

the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

______________________________________________
TIM McCORMACK, JUDGE

KENNETH A. ROCCO, P.J., and
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, J., CONCUR