Court Opinion

ID: 2699591
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 18:06:53.700732+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:23:22.558677
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Calzo v. Lynch, 2012-Ohio-1353.]

                                       COURT OF APPEALS
                                    RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
                                   FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

KARRIE J. CALZO                               :      JUDGES:
                                              :
                                              :     Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J.
                        Petitioner-Appellee   :     Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
                                              :     Hon. Julie A. Edwards, J.
-vs-                                          :
                                              :     Case No. 11CA45
TIMOTHY J. LYNCH                              :
                                              :
                                              :
                    Respondent-Appellant      :      OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                          Appeal from the Richland County Court of
                                                  Common Pleas, Case No. 2011-CPO-0319

JUDGMENT:                                         AFFIRMED

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                           March 20, 2012

APPEARANCES:

For Appellant:                                      For Appellee:

JEFFREY S. REAM                                     KARRIE J. CALZO, Pro Se
Benham & Ream Co., L.P.A.                           Address Not Available
150 Mansfield Ave.
Shelby, Ohio 44875
[Cite as Calzo v. Lynch, 2012-Ohio-1353.]

Delaney, J.

        {¶1} Respondent-Appellant Timothy J. Lynch appeals the April 19, 2011

Order of Protection granted by the Richland County Court of Common Pleas.

                             FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

        {¶2} Appellant and Petitioner-Appellee Karrie J. Calzo were involved in a

romantic relationship from April 2007 until December 1, 2010. Appellant and Appellee

were not married but lived together at Appellant’s residence with Appellee’s daughter,

K.C. (DOB Jan. 29, 2004). Appellant is not the biological or adoptive father of K.C.

        {¶3} On March 28, 2011, Appellee filed a Petition for a Domestic Violence

Civil Protection Order pursuant to R.C. 3113.31 against Appellant. In the petition,

Appellee stated she broke off her relationship with Appellant on November 26, 2010

due to Appellant’s behavior during the relationship towards her and her daughter.

However, Appellant and Appellant’s sister continued to contact Appellee through

numerous text messages, emails, and phone calls. Although Appellant and Appellee

were no longer in a relationship, Appellant attended the school Christmas program of

Appellee’s daughter, came to the home of Appellee’s babysitter looking for Appellee,

and came to the home of Appellee’s mother on Christmas day to propose marriage to

Appellee. Appellee feared for her and her daughter’s safety. An ex parte hearing was

held before the magistrate and the ex parte CPO was granted on March 28, 2011.

The trial court scheduled a full hearing on the CPO for April 11, 2011.

        {¶4} Appellant and Appellee appeared for the full hearing represented by

counsel. The hearing was held before the magistrate. The following evidence was

adduced at the hearing.
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                    3

       {¶5} Appellee testified in June 2010, Appellant was working in his barn and

K.C. was outside riding her bicycle. Appellant called to K.C. and K.C. parked her bike

in the driveway and went to Appellant. Appellant told K.C. to stay where she was and

Appellant proceeded to pull his truck out of the barn, running over K.C.’s bicycle.

Appellee alleged Appellant knew K.C.’s bicycle was in the driveway before he pulled

out of the barn and he refused to purchase K.C. a new bicycle to teach her a lesson

about leaving her bicycle in the driveway. Appellee stated Appellant was angry with

her for purchasing K.C. a new bicycle.

       {¶6} Appellant admitted he ran over K.C.’s bicycle, but denied running over

the bicycle on purpose. He did not know K.C.’s bicycle was in front of the truck when

he pulled it out of the barn.

       {¶7} In November 2010, Appellee testified she and Appellant got into an

argument about putting new rotors on Appellee’s car.      At dinner, Appellee asked

Appellant if he could put new rotors on her car or if she should have someone else

change them.     Appellee stated Appellant stood up from the table, threw his plate

down, and started screaming that he hated Appellee. He went out to the garage,

picked up the jack, and began repeatedly slamming the jack under the car while

screaming he hated Appellee and he hated their relationship. K.C. witnessed the

incident and brought out her own suitcase because she wanted to leave the home.

       {¶8} Appellant denied Appellee’s version of that night’s events. He stated

Appellee and Appellant possibly had an argument that night. However, he did not

repeatedly slam the jack under Appellee’s car. Appellant stated that while the car was
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                        4

on the jack, Appellee got into the car and drove the car off the jack. Appellant testified

he left that night for a short period of time.

       {¶9} On November 26, 2010, Appellee met Appellant for dinner at the

Mansfield Restaurant. Appellee told Appellant she was ending the relationship and

was moving out.      Appellee states after she told this to Appellant, Appellant “bent

across the table and looked at me, and he said, Karrie, you don’t care about me. You

just care whether you’re going to get hurt tonight or I’m going to get hurt tonight. And

you go home and you wait for me, and I’ll be there in a little while.” (T. 24.) Appellee

did not return to the home that night out of fear for herself and her daughter. Appellant

denied making that statement.

       {¶10} Appellee and her daughter returned to the home on December 1, 2010,

to retrieve their belongings. Appellant was present when she and her daughter went

to the home.

       {¶11} Appellee also testified while she considered Appellant and Appellee to

have terminated their relationship, Appellant continued to contact Appellee. Appellant

went to see K.C. at the Christmas program at K.C.’s elementary school. Appellant did

not feel he needed to be invited to the Christmas program because it was an open

program in a school within his district. On December 25, 2010, Appellant appeared at

the home of Appellee’s mother. Appellee and Appellant spoke outside and Appellant

proposed marriage to Appellee. Appellee states Appellant also presented her with a

clock wrapped in a towel. Appellee testified Appellant stated he was there to take

back control of the relationship, she had long enough to do what she needed to do,
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                    5

and it was time for her to come home. Appellant agreed he asked her to marry him

and returned Appellee’s clock to her, but denied making those statements to Appellee.

      {¶12} Appellant also went to the home of Appellee’s babysitter. On March 19,

2011, Appellant went to the babysitter’s home and no one answered the door. He

returned on March 21, 2011 and spoke to the babysitter. Appellant first stated he was

visiting a neighbor, but then stated the neighbor had been Appellee’s babysitter for

over a year while Appellant and Appellee were dating. He stated he went to the

neighbor to make sure Appellee and her daughter were okay. Appellant then called

the babysitter on March 22, 2011 to tell her she was a liar and he would never contact

her again.

      {¶13} Appellee testified she has saved 53 text messages and email messages

from Appellant. Appellee has also received phone calls from Appellant’s sister.

      {¶14} On March 21, 2011, Appellee contacted the Richland County Sheriff’s

Department.    The Sheriff’s Department contacted Appellant to tell him to stop

contacting Appellee.      (Appellee’s Exhibit 1.)   Since the Sheriff’s Department

communicated with Appellant, Appellee testified Appellant has ceased contacting her.

      {¶15} Appellee stated Appellant never physically harmed her or her daughter.

She did consider Appellant’s statement and demeanor on November 26, 2010 to be a

threat to Appellee.    Appellee filed for the CPO because Appellant would not stop

contacting her even though she has asked him to stop. Appellee is afraid Appellant

will come by her house or will make physical contact with her daughter. Appellee’s

daughter requests that Appellee put chairs under the locked doors because she is

concerned can break through the door if he is angry. Appellee’s daughter is afraid to
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                         6

participate in school activities because she is fearful Appellant will come to the activity

and take her.

       {¶16} At the conclusion of the hearing, the magistrate notified the parties on

the record they would receive a magistrate’s decision.          The parties would have

fourteen days to file written objections.

       {¶17} On April 19, 2011, the trial court granted Appellee a Domestic Violence

Civil Protection Order against Appellant for five years. The trial court utilized Form

10.01-I, authorized by Sup.R.10.01, as the Order of Protection. The order states the

court made findings of fact and refers to Exhibit A, attached. Attached to the Order of

Protection is “Exhibit A: Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.”         Form 10.01-I

provides a space for the signature of the magistrate and to the right of the magistrate’s

signature line, there is a second signature line for the judge beneath the phrase

“APPROVED AND ADOPTED.” In this case, the magistrate and the judge both signed

the Order.      Form 10.01-I also includes a section entitled, “NOTICE OF FINAL

APPEALABLE ORDER.”

       {¶18} Appellant did not file objections to the Order of Protection, but rather filed

an immediate appeal of the April 19, 2011 Order.

                              ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

       {¶19} Appellant raises five Assignments of Error:

       {¶20} “I. THE MAGISTRATE’S DECISION AND THE JUDGMENT ENTRY

ADOPTING SAME ARE DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRE REVERSAL AND REMAND

FOR THE PURPOSE OF ISSUING A MAGISTRATE’S DECISION THAT COMPLIES
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                  7

WITH CIVIL RULE 53 AND PROVIDES THE PARTIES WITH A MEANINGFUL

OPPORTUNITY TO FILE OBJECTIONS.

        {¶21} “II. THE COURT ERRED IN FINDING BY A PREPONDERANCE OF

THE EVIDENCE THAT APPELLANT HAS ENGAGED IN THE OFFENSE OF

MENACING BY STALKING AGAINST APPELLEE AND HER DAUGHTER AND THE

FINDING IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.

        {¶22} “III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT APPELLANT

COMMITTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN THE MEANING OF R.C. 3113.31 AND

SUCH FINDING IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.

        {¶23} “IV. THE COURT COMMITTED ERROR IN GRANTING THE EX PARTE

ORDER, AS THERE WAS NO GOOD CAUSE SHOWN AND THE PROVISIONS

UNDER R.C. 3113.21(D)(1) WERE NOT MET.

        {¶24} “V. THE MAGISTRATE’S FINDINGS IN FAVOR OF THE CPO AND THE

TRIAL     COURT’S    IMMEDIATE     ADOPTION      OF   THE    SAME     CONSTITUTE

REVERSIBLE ERROR UNDER THE ABUSE OF DISCRETION STANDARD.”

                                    ANALYSIS

                                         I.

        {¶25} Appellant argues in his first assignment of error the issuance of the

Order of Protection on April 19, 2011 does not comply with Civ.R. 53, therefore

requiring a reversal and remand. In this case, the full hearing was held before the

magistrate on April 11, 2011. On April 19, 2011, the trial court issued the Order of

Protection utilizing Form 10.01-I, signed by the magistrate and approved and adopted

by the judge. The magistrate attached her findings of fact and conclusions of law to
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                     8

the Order. Form 10.01-I contains final, appealable order language, but does not state

the Civ.R. 53 language applicable to matters heard by a magistrate. Appellant did not

file objections to the Order of Protection, but instead appealed the decision

      {¶26} Appellant’s first assignment of error raises the question as to the

applicability of Civ.R. 53 to the use of the standardized civil protection order forms

created and recommended by the Supreme Court of Ohio pursuant to Sup.R. 10.01.

While not cited by Appellant in his Assignment of Error, research by this Court has

shown the Ninth District and the Third District Courts of Appeal have specifically

addressed the issue presented by Appellant.        We review both cases in turn and

conclude that while an Order of Protection issued under R.C. 3113.31 is a final,

appealable order, the mandates of Civ.R. 53 are applicable to this case because the

matter ultimately arose from a magistrate’s decision.

      {¶27} R.C. 3113.31 governs the issuance of a domestic violence civil

protection order.   It states that any order that grants or denies a petition for a

protection order or a motion to modify or terminate a protection order is a final,

appealable order. R.C. 3113.31(G); Yun v. Yun, 5th Dist. No. 2002CA00353, 2003-

Ohio-2644, ¶ 35.

      {¶28} The Supreme Court of Ohio, in consultation with the Domestic Violence

Task Force and by request from the General Assembly under H.B. 335, developed

forms to allow a petitioner to file a petition for a civil protection order without the

assistance of an attorney. Sup.R. 10.01(C). The further goal of the creation of the

forms was to create uniform protection orders that were easily recognizable to law

enforcement agencies across the state. Id. Under Sup.R. 10.01(C), the courts of
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                      9

common pleas are required to use forms provided by the Supreme Court of Ohio or

substantially similar forms to issue civil protection orders. The rule states, “In every

case in which the domestic relations division of a court of common pleas issues or

approves an ex parte civil protection order, a full hearing civil protection order, or a

consent agreement pursuant to section 3113.31 of the Revised Code, the court shall

use, as applicable, forms that are substantially similar to ‘Forms 10.01-H through

10.01-J.’” The Form in the present case is Sup.R. Form 10.01-I. This form is used to

issue an Order of Protection after the full hearing on a domestic violence civil

protection order petition.

       {¶29} With this background, the Ninth District Court of Appeals in Tabatabai v.

Tabatabai, 9th Dist. No. 08CA0049-M, 2009-Ohio-3139, analyzed the question of

whether a civil protection order entered on Form 10.01-I and signed simultaneously by

a magistrate and judge was a final, appealable order.         The Court overruled its

previous holding in Mills v. Mills, 9th Dist. No. 24063, 2008-Ohio-3774, to find that

such an order was final and appealable. The court stated:

              Form 10.01-I, authorized by Rule 10.01, is the Order of Protection

       recommended by the Supreme Court of Ohio. It consists of four pages,

       on which the court of common pleas must fill in all appropriate blanks

       and check all boxes that apply to the petition at hand. These options

       reflect the restrictions that may be imposed by the court of common

       pleas pursuant to R.C. 3113.31(E). In other words, the form permits the

       court of common pleas to define in a concise and standard way the

       contours of the order of protection in a given case. Page one of Form
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                   10

     10.01-I sets forth a “Federal Full Faith & Credit Declaration” pursuant to

     the Violence Against Women Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2265. The last page of

     Form 10.01-I sets forth instructions to the clerk of court for service upon

     the parties, local law enforcement agencies, and other agencies specific

     to the terms of the order.    The body of the final page ends with the

     statement, “IT IS SO ORDERED.”

           The form contains three notice components: (1) notice to the

     respondent of the consequences of violating the order; (2) notice to the

     petitioner that the terms of the order can only be changed by order of the

     court; and (3) notice to law enforcement agencies that the terms of the

     protection order must be enforced.      In this respect, use of the form

     adopted by the Supreme Court of Ohio is especially significant because

     the concise, uniform nature of the document enables agencies that

     receive notice to verify the validity and terms of a civil protection order

     efficiently and to act in furtherance of the order without unnecessary

     delay or confusion.

           R.C. 3113.31(G) explains that the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure

     apply to proceedings for civil protection orders.    Consequently, these

     proceedings may be heard by a magistrate as provided by Civ.R. 53.

     Form 10.01-I contemplates this scenario by providing space for the

     signature of a magistrate and, immediately to the right of the magistrate's

     signature line, a second signature line for the judge beneath the phrase

     “APPROVED AND ADOPTED.” It is in this context that R.C. 3113.31(G)
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                                     11

       provides that any order that grants or denies a petition for a protection

       order or a motion to modify or terminate a protection order is a final,

       appealable order.

               We conclude that a civil protection order that is entered on Form

       10.01-I, or such other form approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio, and

       signed by a magistrate and a judge is, pursuant to R.C. 3113.31(G), a

       final, appealable order.         See, generally, Dobos v. Dobos, 179 Ohio

       App.3d 173, 901 N.E.2d 248, 2008-Ohio-5665, at ¶ 8 (concluding that a

       magistrate's decision on a civil protection order “was later signed by the

       trial court, making the decision a final, appealable order.”); Burke v.

       Melton, 8th Dist. No. 81994, 2003-Ohio-7054, at ¶ 21-23 (determining

       that a civil protection order was final and appealable when it “was signed

       by both the magistrate and the judge [,][o]n a preprinted section of the

       journal entry[.]”); Burke v. Brown, 4th Dist. No. 01CA731, 2002-Ohio-

       6164, at ¶ 18-25 (analyzing the merits of an appeal from a civil protection

       order when “the magistrate decided to issue the civil protection order as

       evidenced by its signature on the order [and][t]he trial court adopted the

       magistrate's decision as indicated by its signature on the same order.”)

Tabatabai at ¶ 8-11.

        {¶30} In making this decision, the Ninth District overruled its earlier holding in

Mills v. Mills, supra, where a CPO was signed by the magistrate and the trial court

judge before objections were filed.1 Tabatabai at ¶ 5. In Mills, the court held that

1
  Judge Whitmore dissented in Tabatabai, stating she could not agree with the majority’s departure
from the precedent set in Mills, supra.
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                      12

because it appeared the trial court judge did not make an independent review of the

order granting the CPO, the appellate court lacked jurisdiction over the appeal. Id.

Based on R.C. 3113.31(G) and Sup.R. 10.01, the Tabatabai court overruled Mills to

find a CPO was a final, appealable order and therefore the appellate court had

jurisdiction to review the case. The Tabatabai court went on then to analyze the

merits of the Order of Protection.      In that case, unlike the case sub judice, the

appellant filed objections to the magistrate’s decision, which the trial court overruled.

The appellant argued the judge did not conduct an independent review of the subject

matter of his objections and erred by overruling his objections. The Ninth District

utilized the standards found in Civ.R. 53 under which a trial court judge is to review a

magistrate’s decision to affirm the trial court’s decision. Tabatabai at ¶ 14.

       {¶31} In summary, it was the decision of the Ninth District Court of Appeals in

Tabatabai that an Order of Protection using Form 10.01-I, granted by a magistrate and

approved and adopted by the judge on the same day, is a final, appealable order

pursuant to R.C. 3113.31. The Third District Court of Appeals in Larson v. Larson, 3rd

Dist. No. 13-11-25, 2011-Ohio-6013, further discussed the use of Form 10.01-I and

Civ.R. 53.

       {¶32} In Larson, the magistrate granted a CPO using Form 10.01-I. The trial

court signed the order the same day. The appellant filed a motion for a magistrate’s

decision and requested the magistrate issue findings of fact and conclusions of law.

The magistrate denied the motion. Larson at ¶ 4-5. The appellant appealed, arguing

the magistrate must still proceed under Civ.R. 53 regardless of the forms promulgated

under Sup.R. 10.01. Id. at ¶ 10. The issue on appeal was whether the magistrate’s
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                        13

use of Form 10.01-I as written complied with Civ.R. 53. Id. The Larson court found it

did not.

       {¶33} The Larson court recognized Form 10.01-I contemplated magistrates

hearing petitions for civil protection orders because the form provided a space for the

magistrate’s signature. Id. at ¶ 11 citing Tabatabai, 2009-Ohio-3139 at ¶ 10. The

form, however, does not provide a designated space to note the decision was a

“magistrate’s decision” and does not contain the Civ.R. 53 language regarding

objections   to   a   magistrate’s   decision.     Civ.R.    53(D)(3)(a)(i)   states   that

“a magistrate shall prepare a magistrate’s decision respecting any matter referred

under Civ.R. 53(D)(1).” Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(iii) provides:

       A magistrate's decision shall be in writing, identified as a magistrate's

       decision in the caption, signed by the magistrate, filed with the clerk, and

       served by the clerk on all parties or their attorneys no later than three

       days after the decision is filed.   A magistrate's decision shall indicate

       conspicuously that a party shall not assign as error on appeal the court's

       adoption of any factual finding or legal conclusion, whether or not

       specifically designated as a finding of fact or conclusion of law under

       Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(ii), unless the party timely and specifically objects to

       that factual finding or legal conclusion as required by Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b).

       {¶34} The Larson court noted Form 10.01-I fails to meet the Civ.R. 53

requirements. Id. at ¶ 11. As such, it held a magistrate issuing a domestic violence

civil protection order under R.C. 3113.31 may not use Form 10.01-I as written. Id.

The court found Sup.R. 10.01(C) allowed adjustment to Form 10.01-I to comply with
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                       14

Civ.R. 53 in that the rule did not require the courts of common pleas to use the exact

forms found in 10.01-H to 10.01-J. Id. at ¶ 12. Sup.R. 10.01(C) stated courts could

use forms “substantially similar to Forms 10.01-H through 10.01-J,” allowing a

magistrate to comply with both Sup.R. 10.01(C) and Civ. R. 53 by including the

necessary language of Civ.R. 53 on Form 10.01-I. Id.

       {¶35} In reviewing the CPO on appeal, the Larson court found the CPO failed

to comply with Civ.R. 53 because it did not designate it was a magistrate’s decision

and did not give notice to the parties they may file objections to the decision with

fourteen days. Id. at ¶ 14. The court noted, however, if the order fails to give notice to

the parties of the requirement to file objections, the appealing parties are relieved from

the waiver rule found in Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iv) and are permitted to raise their

arguments for the first time on appeal. Id. In the Larson case, the appellant’s sole

assignment of error was the magistrate’s failure to abide by Civ.R. 53, so the court

reversed and remanded the decision for the magistrate to issue findings of fact and

conclusions of law and to allow the appellant to file objections before the magistrate.

Id.

       {¶36} We reconcile the holdings of Tabatabai and Larson to find pursuant to

R.C. 3113.31(G), an order that grants a protection order or refuses to grant a

protection order is a final, appealable order. However, the dictates of Civ.R. 53 still

come into play with an Order of Protection granted by a magistrate utilizing Form

10.01-I. Specifically, Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(iii) requires a magistrate's decision to include

conspicuous language informing the parties of their responsibility to object to the

decision. As the Larson case noted, however, if the magistrate fails to provide the
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                      15

parties with the notice pursuant to Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(iii), a party may raise their

arguments for the first time on appeal. Larson at ¶ 14. See also, In re A.W.C., 4th

Dist. No. 09CA31, 2010-Ohio-3625, ¶ 18; Picciano v. Lowers, 4th Dist. No. 08CA38,

2009-Ohio-3780, ¶ 17; Chibinda v. Depositors Ins., 12th Dist. No. CA2010-09-254,

2011-Ohio-2597, ¶ 37; D.A.N. Joint Venture III, L.P. v. Armstrong, 11th Dist. No. 2006-

L089, 2007-Ohio-898, ¶ 22-23; Ulrich v. Mercedes-Benz USA, L.L.C., 9th Dist. No.

23550, 2007-Ohio-5034, ¶ 15.       Accordingly, an Order of Protection issued by a

magistrate and simultaneously signed by a judge utilizing Form 10.01-I is a final,

appealable order and because Form 10.01-I does not contain Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(iii)

language, parties are relived from the waiver rule and may raise their arguments for

the first time on appeal. This resolution is supported by both the rationale for adoption

of the forms under Sup.R. 10.01 and the dictates of Civ.R. 53.

      {¶37} In our case, the April 19, 2011 Order of Protection does not contain

language stating it was a magistrate’s decision or give notice to the parties of the

requirement to file objections. As such, we find Appellant is relieved of the waiver rule

and is permitted to raise his arguments for the first time on appeal.       Further, the

magistrate issued findings of fact and conclusions of law with the Order of Protection,

obviating the need to remand the decision for further proceedings as was required in

Larson.

      {¶38} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.

                                         II., V.

      {¶39} Appellant argues in his second assignment of error the trial court erred in

finding Appellant committed domestic violence in violation of R.C. 3113.31(A)(1)(b).
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                          16

Appellant reiterates his argument in his fifth assignment of error utilizing a different

standard of review. Under both standards, manifest weight of the evidence or abuse

of discretion, we find the trial court did not err in granting the Order of Protection.

       {¶40} R.C. 3113.31(A)(1)(b) defines domestic violence as “the occurrence of

one or more of the following acts against a family member: * * * (b) [p]lacing another

person by the threat of force in fear of imminent serious physical harm or committing a

violation of section 2903.211 or 2911.211 of the Revised Code.”              The trial court

determined Appellant was in violation of R.C. 3113.31(A)(1)(b) pursuant to R.C.

2903.211, menacing by stalking.        According to R.C. 2903.211(A), “[n]o person by

engaging in a pattern of conduct shall knowingly cause another person to believe that

the offender will cause physical harm to the other person or cause mental distress to

the other person.”

       {¶41} The statute further defines “pattern of conduct” as two or more actions or

incidents closely related in time, whether or not there has been a prior conviction

based on any of those actions or incidents. R.C. 2903.211(D)(1). “Mental distress”

means any of the following: (a) any mental illness or condition that involves some

temporary substantial incapacity; (b) any mental illness or condition that would

normally require psychiatric treatment, psychological treatment, or other mental health

services, whether or not any person requested or received psychiatric treatment,

psychological treatment, or other mental health services. R.C. 2903.211(D)(2).

       {¶42} The decision whether to grant a civil protection order lies within the

sound discretion of the trial court.      Halton v. Crossley, 5th Dist. Nos. 11CA10,

11CA11, 2012-Ohio-550, ¶ 49 citing Olenik v. Huff, 5th Dist. No. 02-COA-058, 2003-
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                         17

Ohio-4621, at ¶ 21. Therefore, an appellate court should not reverse the decision of

the trial court absent an abuse of discretion. In order to find an abuse of discretion,

this court must determine that the trial court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary or

unconscionable and not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v. Blakemore,

5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).

       {¶43} We further note a judgment supported by some competent, credible

evidence will not be reversed by a reviewing court as against the manifest weight of

the evidence. C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley Construction Co., 54 Ohio St.2d 279, 280, 376

N.E.2d 578 (1978). A reviewing court must not substitute its judgment for that of the

trial court where there exists some competent and credible evidence supporting the

judgment rendered by the trial court. Myers v. Garson, 66 Ohio St.3d 610, 614 N.E.2d

742 (1993). The underlying rationale for giving deference to the findings of the trial

court rests with the knowledge that the trial judge is best able to view the witnesses

and observe their demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections, and use these

observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered testimony. Seasons Coal Co.

v. City of Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984).

       {¶44} The weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the

witnesses are issues for the trier of fact, in this case, the trial court. State v. Jamison,

49 Ohio St.3d 182, 552 N.E.2d 180 (1990), certiorari denied, 498 U.S. 881, 111 S.Ct.

228, 112 L.Ed.2d 183 (1990). The trier of fact “has the best opportunity to view the

demeanor, attitude, and credibility of each witness, something that does not translate

well on the written page.” Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 674 N.E.2d 1159

(1997).
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                    18

       {¶45} Appellant contends in this case Appellee has failed to establish a pattern

of conduct or that Appellee suffered mental distress. We disagree. The trial court’s

decision to issue a protection order was not against the manifest weight of the

evidence nor did the trial court abuse its discretion in issuing the order. The record

shows Appellant’s behavior in sending Appellee at least 53 text messages and emails,

appearing at the Christmas program of Appellee’s daughter, appearing at Appellee’s

mother’s home on Christmas day, and twice coming to Appellee’s babysitter’s home

all after Appellee had broken off their relationship establishes a pattern of conduct.

Appellee further testified to the mental distress suffered by Appellee and her daughter

by Appellant’s appearances. Appellee’s daughter asks that her mother place a chair

under the locked doors in case Appellant breaks down the door. Appellee’s daughter

is concerned Appellant will take her from her mother and avoids participating in school

activities.

       {¶46} We find the record establishes Appellant, by continuously contacting

Appellee after the termination of their relationship, has knowingly caused Appellee and

her daughter mental distress. The magistrate, who was in the best position to observe

the witnesses, noted often in her findings of fact she determined Appellee’s testimony

was more credible than Appellant is based upon the parties’ demeanor in the

courtroom.    This court has previously noted that in civil protection order cases,

demeanor and attitude are very important but do not translate well on the written page.

Halton v. Crossley, supra at ¶ 56.
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                     19

      {¶47} Upon these facts, we find the trial court’s decision to grant the Order of

Protection was based on competent, credible evidence and was not an abuse of

discretion. Appellant’s second and fifth assignments of error are overruled.

                                          III.

      {¶48} Appellant contends in his third assignment of error the trial court erred in

finding Appellant committed domestic violence pursuant to R.C. 3113.31(A)(1)(b). At

the full hearing, Appellee testified on November 26, 2010, Appellant made the

following statement to her after Appellee informed Appellant she was breaking up with

him: “You just care whether you’re going to get hurt tonight or I’m going to get hurt

tonight. And you go home and you wait for me, and I’ll be there in a little while.”

Based on Appellant’s statement and demeanor, Appellee and her daughter did not

return to Appellant’s home that evening because she feared for their safety. The trial

court found Appellant’s statement and his angry demeanor while making the statement

was an implied threat of domestic violence.

      {¶49} R.C. 3113.31(A)(1)(b) defines domestic violence as placing another

person by the threat of force in fear of imminent serious physical harm.

      {¶50} Appellant argues Appellee could not have perceived Appellant’s

statement as a threat of imminent serious physical harm because Appellee came to

Appellant’s home unescorted on December 1, 2010 to retrieve her belongings. Upon

our review of the record, we find there was competent, credible evidence upon which

the trial court could support its decision that on November 26, 2010, Appellant’s

statement to Appellee was a perceived threat of force placing Appellee in fear of

imminent serious physical harm to herself or her daughter that evening. As stated
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                           20

above, the trial court is in the best position to determine the credibility of the

witnesses. Appellee may have returned to Appellant’s home on December 1, 2010,

but the record shows on November 26, 2010, Appellant’s statement caused Appellee

to be in fear of imminent serious physical harm.

       {¶51} Appellant’s third assignment of error is overruled.

                                            IV.

       {¶52} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error contends the trial court erred in

granting Appellee’s petition for an ex parte civil protection order.

       {¶53} On March 28, 2011, Appellee filed a petition for an ex parte domestic

violence civil protection order. The trial court granted the ex parte civil protection

order after finding Appellee was in immediate and present danger of domestic

violence and for good cause shown. The ex parte order was set for a full hearing on

April 11, 2011. After the full hearing, the trial court granted the Order of Protection.

       {¶54} Based on our findings that the Order of Protection was supported by

competent and credible evidence, we find no error in granting the ex parte civil

protection order.

       {¶55} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
Richland County, Case No. 11CA45                                                 21

                                  CONCLUSION

      {¶56} For the reasons stated herein, Appellant’s five assignments of error are

overruled. The judgment of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

By: Delaney, P.J.

Farmer, J. and

Edwards, J. concur.

                                     HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY

                                     HON. SHEILA G. FARMER

                                     HON. JULIE A. EDWARDS
[Cite as Calzo v. Lynch, 2012-Ohio-1353.]

             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO

                                   FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

KARRIE J. CALZO                                 :
                                                :
                                                :
                        Petitioner-Appellee     :
                                                :
-vs-                                            :   JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                                :
TIMOTHY J. LYNCH                                :
                                                :
                                                :   Case No. 11CA45
                    Respondent-Appellant        :

       For the reasons stated in our accompanying Opinion on file, the judgment of the

Richland County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs assessed to Appellant.

                                              HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY

                                              HON. SHEILA G. FARMER

                                              HON. JULIE A. EDWARDS