Court Opinion

ID: 4410958
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-06-27 18:44:52.252153+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:52:30.151046
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Loomis, 2019-Ohio-2576.]

                              IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                                   TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State of Ohio,                                     :

                 Plaintiff-Appellee,               :
                                                                     No. 17AP-843
v.                                                 :              (C.P.C. No. 17CR-337)

David J. Loomis,                                   :           (REGULAR CALENDAR)

                 Defendant-Appellant.              :

                                             D E C I S I O N

                                      Rendered on June 27, 2019

                 On brief: Ron O'Brien, Prosecuting Attorney, and Seth L.
                 Gilbert, for appellee.

                 On brief: Yavitch & Palmer, Co., L.P.A., and Jeffery A.
                 Linn, II, for appellant.

                   APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
PER CURIAM
        {¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, David J. Loomis, appeals from a judgment of the
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas finding him guilty, pursuant to jury verdict, of one
count of felonious assault, a felony of the second degree, and one count of assault, a
misdemeanor of the first degree. For the reasons which follow, we affirm the judgment of
the trial court.
I. Facts and Procedural History
        {¶ 2} On January 18, 2017 plaintiff-appellee, State of Ohio, indicted appellant on
one count of felonious assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.11, one count of assault, in violation
of R.C. 2903.13, and one count of aggravated menacing, in violation of R.C. 2903.21. The
state moved to dismiss the aggravated menacing charge at trial.
No. 17AP-843                                                                                 2

       {¶ 3}    The events giving rise to the indictment occurred December 11, 2016 at
Zuey's Roundback Bar ("Zuey's") in Columbus, Ohio. Sara Evans, the bartender at Zuey's,
explained that shortly after her shift began that evening, she "noticed somebody trying to
steal from the dart case." (Tr. Vol. I at 62.) Zuey's had a case containing dart equipment
which patrons could purchase located on a small stage near a row of dart boards. Evans
recognized the individual she saw stealing from the dart case as Tyler Loomis. Evans was
familiar with Tyler because, on a previous occasion, he began using the darts from the case
and Evans had "warned him that he has to pay for them." (Tr. Vol. I at 66.) Evans asked
her boyfriend who was present in the bar, Matthew Decker, to go ask Tyler to leave. Decker
went to speak to Tyler.
       {¶ 4} When Evans looked over at the two men it appeared "Tyler was taking offense
and was more aggressive, and [Decker] literally put his hands up and was backing off." (Tr.
Vol. I at 68.) Evans saw Tyler's friend and Tyler's "family, his dad and the brother," all jump
"up and ran to the stage, as if they were all four of them going to jump [Decker]." Evans
identified appellant in court, explaining he was "the dad." (Tr. Vol. I at 69, 89.) As Tyler's
family and friend approached the stage a "couple of people from the bar jumped up,"
including bar regular Tracy Konkler. (Tr. Vol. I at 69.)
       {¶ 5} As Evans walked out from behind the bar and approached the stage area,
Tyler's friend "pulled a knife out, [and] started threatening" Evans and Decker with it.
Evans "looked over" and saw "just everyone fighting." Evans stated Konkler was "on the
ground getting kicked" by the "brothers, the dad." (Tr. Vol. I at 70.) Evans explained three
men were "stomping on [Konkler], they were jumping on him, they were kicking him, very
violent." (Tr. Vol. I at 71.)
       {¶ 6} Evans saw Decker run "past the guy with the knife to go back to the bar," and
saw Tyler run "to go chase him." Evans "got away" at that point and called 911. (Tr. Vol. I
at 70.) Evans explained that, eventually, the brother and dad "gave up on beating up
[Konkler] and came to help Tyler beat up [Decker]" behind the bar. (Tr. Vol. I at 90.) As
Evans was on the phone with 911, the group "finally gave up * * * and left." (Tr. Vol. I at
72.)
       {¶ 7} A couple weeks after the incident, officers presented Evans with a photo
array. Evans selected appellant's photo from the array because he was "the man [she] saw
No. 17AP-843                                                                                3

beating up [Konkler] and trying to attack [Decker]." (Tr. Vol. I at 99.) Reviewing the bar's
surveillance video at trial, Evans explained that "the dad" could be seen "hitting [Decker]"
behind the bar. (Tr. Vol. III at 370.)
       {¶ 8} Decker testified explaining that when he approached a young man standing
near the dart case at Zuey's on the evening of December 11, 2016, the young man became
aggressive. Decker stated that as Konkler and Evans approached the situation, the "older
brother" of the young man and "their dad * * * came up out of nowhere." (Tr. Vol. II at
278.) A "fourth individual" also came up and "pulled out a little box cutter." (Tr. Vol. II at
274.) When the "guy lunge[d] at [Evans] with [the] knife" Decker "kind of took off" and ran
behind the bar. Decker saw Konkler on the ground in the "fetal position" as the "dad and
the two brothers" were "[b]eating him about the - - everywhere, face, neck, kicking him and
stomping on him." (Tr. Vol. II at 278, 284.)
       {¶ 9} When Decker ran behind the bar "the younger of the two brothers * * *
jumped over the bar at [him]." Decker "hit" the young man "a couple of times," but then
started to feel "punches in the back of [his] head." (Tr. Vol. II at 280, 293.) Decker
explained the "same ones that were beating up [Konkler]" began "attacking [him] behind
the bar." (Tr. Vol. II at 280.) Decker stated appellant "and both of his sons were throwing
punches at [him]." (Tr. Vol. II at 321.) Decker identified appellant in court as the one "who
beat - - was helping beat up [Konkler] along with the other two, [and] the one who attacked
[him] behind the bar." Decker was "beat up" as a result of the incident, he "had lumps all
over [his] head." (Tr. Vol. II at 294.)
       {¶ 10} Konkler was exiting the restroom at Zuey's on the evening of December 11,
2016 when he saw three men surrounding Decker. When Konkler approached the situation
one man pushed him "[o]ne of them tried to throw a punch," and Konkler "threw one back."
Konkler "got hit" and fell to the ground. Konkler "couldn't say" who hit him as the hit "came
from the side." (Tr. Vol. II at 188.) As Konkler was on the ground "at least two to three
people" began kicking him. By about "the fourth or fifth kick, [Konkler] knew at least one
rib was broke." Konkler "screamed out," noting it was "the most intense pain [he had] ever
felt." (Tr. Vol. II at 190, 192.) When the kicking stopped, Konkler "just laid there," he was
"bleeding all over the place." (Tr. Vol. II at 193.)
No. 17AP-843                                                                                4

       {¶ 11} Kathleen Eller, Konkler's girlfriend, was sitting at the bar waiting for Konkler
to return from the restroom when the incident occurred. As Konkler exited the restroom
and walked toward "Decker and the two gentlemen," Eller saw an "older gentleman" come
up and "clock[] [Konkler] knocked him to the ground." (Tr. Vol. I at 121.) Eller stated that
the two younger gentleman then ran over and "[a]ll three of them start[ed] kicking" Konkler
in "his face, in his stomach, in his back." (Tr. Vol. I at 123.) Eller identified appellant in
court as the individual she saw punch and kick Konkler.
       {¶ 12} After the melee, paramedics took Konkler to the hospital. Konkler suffered a
black eye, three broken ribs, two fractured vertebrae, and a punctured spleen as a result of
the incident. Konkler underwent surgery to have his spleen removed and remained in the
hospital for ten days.
       {¶ 13} On January 9, 2017, Detective Charles Rosch questioned appellant regarding
the events of December 11, 2016. Appellant admitted he had gone to Zuey's with his sons
that evening and admitted his sons were involved in a fight with other bar patrons that
night. Appellant, however, asserted that he did not participate in the fight.
       {¶ 14} At the close of the state's case-in-chief, appellant made a Crim.R. 29 motion
for acquittal. The trial court denied the motion.
       {¶ 15} The jury found appellant guilty of felonious assault with respect to Konkler,
and guilty of assault with respect to Decker. The trial court entered a nolle prosequi on the
aggravated menacing charge. The court sentenced appellant to a prison term of five years
on the felonious assault charge, to run concurrent with a prison term of 180 days on the
assault charge.   The court ordered that appellant pay restitution in the amount of
$7,059.42.
II. Assignments of Error
       {¶ 16} Appellant appeals and assigns the following four assignments of error for our
review:
              [I.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY OVERRULING THE
              REQUEST FOR MISTRIAL VIOLATING APPELLANT'S DUE
              PROCESS RIGHTS AND THE RIGHT TO PRESENT A
              DEFENSE UNDER THE FIFTH, SIXTH, AND FOURTEENTH
              AMENDMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
              AND SECTION 10, ARTICLE I, OF THE OHIO
              CONSTITUTION.
No. 17AP-843                                                                                5

              [II.] ASSUMING, ARGUENDO, THERE WAS NOT A
              MISTRIAL, THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY NOT STRIKING
              TESTIMONY VIOLATING APPELLANT'S DUE PROCESS
              RIGHTS AND RIGHT TO PRESENT A DEFENSE UNDER
              THE FIFTH, SIXTH, AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS
              OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND SECTION
              10, ARTICLE I, OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

              [III.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AND THEREBY
              DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF DUE PROCESS OF LAW AS
              GUARANTEED BY THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO
              THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND COMPARABLE
              PROVISIONS OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION BY
              OVERRULING APPELLANT'S CRIM.R. 29 MOTION FOR
              JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL, AS THE STATE FAILED TO
              OFFER SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROVE EACH AND
              EVERY ELEMENT OF THE CHARGES BEYOND A
              REASONABLE DOUBT.

             [IV.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY FINDING APPELLANT
             GUILTY AND THEREBY DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF DUE
             PROCESS OF LAW AS GUARANTEED BY PROVISIONS OF
             THE OHIO CONSTITUTION BECAUSE THE VERDICT OF
             GUILTY WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
             EVIDENCE.
III. Analysis
       {¶ 17} Appellant's first assignment of error asserts the trial court erred by denying
his request for a mistrial. Appellant moved for a mistrial based on the delay which occurred
between Evans' direct and cross-examination.
       {¶ 18} The state completed its direct examination of Evans on the morning of
Tuesday, September 26, 2017. Following Evans' direct examination, the prosecutor
informed the court that Evans "had a medical issue come up which made it very
uncomfortable for her to sit here in court." (Tr. Vol. I at 101.) The state asked the court to
allow it to call other witnesses and conclude with Evans' cross-examination the following
day at 1:30 p.m. Defense counsel opposed the state's request. The court agreed to allow
Evans' cross-examination to occur the following day, but indicated it would "strike all of
her testimony" if Evans did not "show up." (Tr. Vol. I at 103.)
       {¶ 19} The court informed the jury that Evans would be "back tomorrow at 1:30 for
the cross-examination of the defense." (Tr. Vol. I at 104.) The court instructed the jury they
were "not to speculate, guess or infer anything from the procedure which is going on here
No. 17AP-843                                                                                6

as to the timing of the witness and the cross-examination." (Tr. Vol. I at 105.) The state
proceeded with its case-in-chief.
       {¶ 20} Evans did not appear for cross-examination on Wednesday, September 27,
2017. The prosecutor informed the court that he had tried to contact Evans, but her phone
went straight to voicemail. Appellant moved for a mistrial, arguing that Evans' absence
impaired "not only his ability to confront witnesses, but also the look of the jurors that we
are not proceeding with the cross-examination of the witness in due course." (Tr. Vol. II at
264.) Alternatively, appellant asked the court to strike Evans' testimony.
       {¶ 21} The court denied the motion for mistrial, and agreed to allow the state to call
Evans at 9:00 a.m. the following morning, September 28, 2017. However, the court again
indicated it would "strike her testimony completely" if Evans did not appear the following
morning. (Tr. Vol. II at 336.)
       {¶ 22} Evans appeared for her cross-examination on the morning of September 28,
2017. Defense counsel asked Evans where she had been the previous day, and Evans replied
she had been "[a]t home in bed," noting that she "didn’t feel good" and "just didn’t leave
[her] bed." (Tr. Vol. III at 347, 365.) Evans admitted she was under subpoena and agreed
with defense counsel that by not appearing in court she had "willfully disobeyed a Court
order." (Tr. Vol. III at 348.) The state rested after Evans' cross-examination concluded.
       {¶ 23} As the trial court is in the best position to determine whether circumstances
warrant a mistrial, a trial court's order granting or denying a request for a mistrial is
reviewed for abuse of discretion. State v. Griffin, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-902, 2011-Ohio-
4250, ¶ 13; State v. Glover, 35 Ohio St.3d 18, 19 (1988). An abuse of discretion connotes
more than an error of law or judgment; it implies that the court's attitude was unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable. State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157 (1980).
       {¶ 24} "Mistrials need be declared only when the ends of justice so require and a fair
trial is no longer possible." State v. Franklin, 62 Ohio St.3d 118, 127 (1991). "A mistrial
should not be ordered in a cause simply because some error has intervened. The error must
prejudicially affect the merits of the case and the substantial rights of one or both of the
parties." Tingue v. State, 90 Ohio St. 368 (1914), paragraph three of the syllabus.
       {¶ 25} Appellant asserts the trial court erred in denying his request for a mistrial as
the delay between Evans' direct and cross-examination impaired his right to present a
No. 17AP-843                                                                                7

complete defense. Appellant argues he "had the right to confront a key witness against him
– Bartender Sara Evans," and that the delay prevented him "from immediately confronting
[Evans] and questioning her about her statements to the State." (Appellant's Brief at 17-
18.)
       {¶ 26} The United States Constitution guarantees criminal defendants " 'a
meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense.' " Crane v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 683,
690 (1986), quoting California v. Trombetta, 467 U.S. 479, 485 (1984). The opportunity
to present a complete defense "would be an empty one if the State were permitted to exclude
competent, reliable evidence * * * when such evidence is central to the defendant's claim of
innocence." Id.
       {¶ 27} The Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment to the United States
Constitution guarantees the right of a criminal defendant to confront and cross-examine
witnesses testifying against him or her. State v. Parsons, 10th Dist. No. 06AP-410, 2007-
Ohio-1204, ¶ 16, citing Pointer v. Texas, 380 U.S. 400, 406 (1965). "[T]he Confrontation
Clause guarantees an opportunity for effective cross-examination, not cross-examination
that is effective in whatever way, and to whatever extent, the defense might wish."
(Emphasis sic.) Delaware v. Fensterer, 474 U.S. 15, 20 (1985). Trial courts retain wide
latitude to impose reasonable limits on cross-examination. Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475
U.S. 673, 679 (1986).
       {¶ 28} Evid.R. 611(A) provides a trial court shall exercise reasonable control over the
mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to: (1) make the
interrogation and presentation effective for the ascertainment of the truth, (2) avoid
needless consumption of time, and (3) protect witnesses from harassment or undue
embarrassment. R.C. 2945.10 sets forth the order of proceedings in a criminal trial, but
specifically provides that "the court, for good reason, in furtherance of justice, may permit
evidence to be offered by either side out of its order." R.C. 2945.10(D). Any decision to
vary the order of proceedings as established in R.C. 2945.10 is within the sound discretion
of the trial court. State v. Jenkins, 15 Ohio St.3d 164 (1984), paragraph eleven of the
syllabus; State v. Graven, 54 Ohio St.2d 114, 115 (1978).
       {¶ 29} In State v. Zander, 9th Dist. No. 24706, 2010-Ohio-631, the court concluded
a ten-day delay between a witness's direct and cross-examination did not impair the
No. 17AP-843                                                                                8

defendant's right to confront the witnesses against him. The witness failed to appear for
her scheduled cross-examination after she was admitted to the hospital for emergency
gallbladder surgery. The court allowed the state to complete its case-in-chief and allowed
the defense to present witnesses in defense while the witness's cross-examination remained
suspended. Upon her release from the hospital, the witness was re-called and testified on
cross-examination. The reviewing court concluded "the trial court had 'good reason' to
deviate from the prescribed order for taking evidence at trial and did not abuse its
discretion in doing so." Id. at ¶ 65, citing R.C. 2945.10(D). See also State v. Henness, 79
Ohio St.3d 53, 59-60 (1997) (finding no abuse of discretion in the trial court's decision to
deny a motion for a mistrial following a witness's disappearance that resulted in a seven-
day delay between the witness's direct and cross-examination); United States v. Williams,
375 Fed.Appx. 682, 685 (9th Cir.2010) (observing the trial court did not abuse its discretion
"by permitting the government to present the direct testimony of three cooperating
witnesses without immediate cross-examination of each witness," as the defendants were
able to "fully cross-examine[] all three cooperating witnesses" at a later time).
       {¶ 30} The state informed the court that Evans had a medical condition which made
it uncomfortable for her to remain in court following her direct examination. The trial court
exercised its discretion to permit Evans' cross-examination to occur out-of-order, and
avoided the needless consumption of time by allowing the state to call other witnesses until
Evans returned for her cross-examination. We find no abuse of discretion by the trial court
in this respect.
       {¶ 31} Moreover, allowing the out-of-order cross-examination of Evans did not
deprive appellant of his right to confront a witness or of his right to present a complete
defense. Appellant had the opportunity to cross-examine Evans. Defense counsel
questioned Evans regarding her reasons for not appearing in court the previous day and
about the statements she made during her direct examination.
       {¶ 32} Appellant asserts that Evans' testimony on cross-examination was
"confusing, and she struggled to recollect her responses to the State's questions."
(Appellant's Brief at 18.) Appellant notes specifically that, although the court sustained the
state's objection to a question regarding Evans' identification of the individuals pictured in
No. 17AP-843                                                                                  9

state's exhibit B-32, "[d]efense counsel's memory of testimony from two days prior was
[Evans] referenced a person in a red shirt as Appellant." (Appellant's Brief at 18.)
       {¶ 33} On direct examination, Evans explained that immediately after the incident
she "went on Facebook on [her] phone and just kind of figured out who was who and
showed the cops that." (Tr. Vol. I at 72.) Evans identified state's exhibit B-32 as "the picture
off [her] phone of the three that were in the fight." Evans identified the individuals in the
photo as Tyler, "the one that had [her] at knifepoint," and "the one that beat up [Konkler]."
Evans specifically stated on direct that she "couldn’t find a picture of the dad." (Tr. Vol. I
at 88.) On cross-examination, defense counsel asked Evans if she recalled "on [Tuesday]
when you testified that you pointed out the gentleman in the red shirt" in the photo as being
appellant. Evans stated "[n]o, that is not the one I pointed out," explaining that the
individual wearing the red shirt was "the brother." (Tr. Vol. III at 363.) Thus, Evans never
identified appellant as being one of the individuals in the photo.
       {¶ 34} Although appellant claims Evans' testimony was confusing, we fail to
perceive how any of the minor inconsistencies in Evans' testimony prejudiced appellant or
deprived him of a fair trial. For instance, Evans stated on direct examination that the
incident lasted five minutes, but was more equivocal on cross-examination asserting first
that she "didn't say five minutes" and then stating that the incident did last "about five
minutes. I am not sure. * * * It was very fast." (Tr. Vol. III at 356-57.) Evans also stated on
direct examination that Konkler was throwing punches at the start of the fight but on cross-
examination Evans stated that Konkler was "more deflective" and "wasn't punching. No, he
had no reason to start punching." (Tr. Vol. III at 357-58.) Notably, Evans consistently
testified on both direct and cross-examination that she saw appellant kick Konkler and hit
Decker.
       {¶ 35} Defense counsel used both the inconsistencies in Evans' testimony and her
failure to appear in court on Wednesday, September 27th to argue Evans lacked credibility.
Defense counsel asserted in closing argument that Evans' decision to "disobey[] a court
order" was a "credibility issue," and that Evans' "story changed" as it "went from, oh,
[Konkler] punching and swinging in the fight to deflecting, trying to protect himself." (Tr.
Vol. III at 403, 405, 406.) The court also instructed the jury they were not to speculate,
guess, or infer anything from the timing of the witnesses and cross-examination. A jury is
No. 17AP-843                                                                                10

presumed to follow the trial court's cautionary instructions. State v. Treesh, 90 Ohio St.3d
460, 480 (2001); State v. Loza, 71 Ohio St.3d 61, 75 (1994).
       {¶ 36} The record demonstrates appellant was given a full and fair opportunity to
explore and expose any infirmities in Evans' testimony through cross-examination.
Accordingly, the two-day delay in Evans' cross-examination did not deprive appellant of a
fair trial. As such, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying appellant's motion
for a mistrial.
       {¶ 37} Based on the foregoing, appellant's first assignment of error is overruled.
       {¶ 38} Appellant's second assignment of error asserts that, if Evans' delayed cross-
examination did not result in a mistrial, the trial court erred by not striking Evans'
testimony. "[T]he admission or exclusion of relevant evidence rests within the sound
discretion of the trial court." State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173 (1987), paragraph two of the
syllabus. We review the trial court's decision to admit Evans' testimony under the abuse of
discretion standard. State v. Ahmed, 103 Ohio St.3d 27, 2004-Ohio-4190, ¶ 79.
       {¶ 39} The court indicated its willingness to strike Evans' testimony if Evans did not
appear for cross-examination. As Evans ultimately appeared for cross-examination, the
court did not strike her testimony. Accordingly, the court's refusal to strike Evans'
testimony was not unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Although appellant argues
the delay in Evans' cross-examination caused him prejudice, we rely on Zander, Henness,
and Williams after having thoroughly reviewed the record and find no prejudice resulted
from the two-day delay between Evans' direct and cross-examination.
       {¶ 40} Based on the foregoing, appellant's second assignment of error is overruled.
       {¶ 41} Appellant's third and fourth assignments of error assert the trial court erred
by denying his Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal, and the guilty verdicts were not supported
by the manifest weight of the evidence.
       {¶ 42} A Crim.R. 29(A) motion for acquittal tests the sufficiency of the evidence.
State v. Reddy, 10th Dist. No. 09AP-868, 2010-Ohio-3892, ¶ 12, citing State v. Knipp, 4th
Dist. No. 06CA641, 2006-Ohio-4704, ¶ 11. In determining whether the trial court erred in
denying a Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal, we apply the same standard applicable to a
sufficiency-of-the-evidence review. Id., citing State v. Darrington, 10th Dist. No. 06AP-
160, 2006-Ohio-5042, ¶ 15.
No. 17AP-843                                                                                 11

       {¶ 43} Sufficiency of the evidence is a legal standard that tests whether the evidence
introduced at trial is legally adequate to support a verdict. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio
St.3d 380, 386 (1997). Whether the evidence is legally sufficient to support a verdict is a
question of law. Id.
       {¶ 44} In determining whether the evidence is legally sufficient to support a
conviction, " '[t]he 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.' " State v. Robinson, 124 Ohio
St.3d 76, 2009-Ohio-5937, ¶ 34, quoting State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991),
paragraph two of the syllabus. A verdict will not be disturbed on sufficiency of the evidence
unless, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, it is
apparent that reasonable minds could not reach the conclusion reached by the trier of fact.
Treesh at 484.
       {¶ 45} The weight of the evidence concerns the inclination of the greater amount of
credible evidence offered to support one side of the issue rather than the other. Thompkins
at 387. Although there may be sufficient evidence to support a judgment, a court may
nevertheless conclude that a judgment is against the manifest weight of the evidence. Id.
       {¶ 46} When presented with a challenge to the manifest weight of the evidence, an
appellate court may not merely substitute its view for that of the trier of fact, but must
review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the
credibility of witnesses and determine whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the
trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the
conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered. Id.at 387. An appellate court should
reserve reversal of a conviction as being against the manifest weight of the evidence for only
the most " 'exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.' "
Id., quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist.1983); State v. Strider-
Williams, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-334, 2010-Ohio-6179, ¶ 12.
       {¶ 47} In addressing a manifest weight of the evidence argument, we are able to
consider the credibility of the witnesses. State v. Cattledge, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-105, 2010-
Ohio-4953, ¶ 6. However, in conducting our review, we are guided by the presumption that
the jury, or the trial court in a bench trial, " 'is best able to view the witnesses and observe
No. 17AP-843                                                                               12

their demeanor, gestures and voice inflections, and use these observations in weighing the
credibility of the proffered testimony.' " Id., quoting Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio
St.3d 77, 80 (1984). Accordingly, we afford great deference to the jury's determination of
witness credibility. State v. Redman, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-654, 2011-Ohio-1894, ¶ 26, citing
State v. Jennings, 10th Dist. No. 09AP-70, 2009-Ohio-6840, ¶ 55. See also State v.
DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230 (1967), paragraph one of the syllabus (credibility
determinations are primarily for the trier of fact).
       {¶ 48} Although sufficiency and manifest weight are different legal concepts,
manifest weight may subsume sufficiency in conducting the analysis; that is, a finding that
a conviction is supported by the manifest weight of the evidence necessarily includes a
finding of sufficiency. State v. McCrary, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-881, 2011-Ohio-3161, ¶ 11,
citing State v. Braxton, 10th Dist. No. 04AP-725, 2005-Ohio-2198, ¶ 15. "[T]hus, a
determination that a conviction is supported by the weight of the evidence will also be
dispositive of the issue of sufficiency." Id.
       {¶ 49} Appellant was convicted of committing felonious assault and assault. R.C.
2903.11(A)(1) defines the crime of felonious assault, providing that "[n]o person shall
knowingly * * * [c]ause serious physical harm to another." R.C. 2903.13(A) defines the
crime of assault, providing that "[n]o person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause
physical harm to another." Physical harm "means any injury, illness, or other physiological
impairment, regardless of its gravity or duration." R.C. 2901.01(A)(3). Serious physical
harm includes any "condition of such gravity as would normally require hospitalization"
and any physical harm that "involves acute pain of such duration as to result in substantial
suffering." R.C. 2901.01(A)(5)(a) and (e).
       {¶ 50} Evans and Decker both testified they saw appellant kick and stomp on
Konkler. Konkler was unable to identify who attacked him, but testified that someone
punched him and two to three people kicked him while he was on the ground. Eller was
"100 percent sure" that appellant was the individual she saw punch and kick Konkler. (Tr.
Vol. I at 167.) As a result of the incident, Konkler suffered broken bones and had to have
his spleen removed; he remained in the hospital for ten days.
       {¶ 51} Evans and Decker both testified that appellant hit Decker when Decker was
behind the bar. Decker was certain that appellant hit him, explaining "I know [appellant]
No. 17AP-843                                                                                13

was punching me. I was there." (Tr. Vol. II at 321.) Decker testified he had lumps all over
his head from the fight.
       {¶ 52} Accordingly, the evidence demonstrates appellant knowingly caused serious
physical harm to Konkler by punching and kicking him, and appellant knowingly caused
physical harm to Decker by hitting him.
       {¶ 53} Appellant argues the evidence does not support the convictions because the
state's witnesses "were inconsistent and intoxicated." (Appellant's Brief at 26.) Eller,
Konkler, and Decker all testified they had consumed some alcohol at the bar before the
incident occurred. Thus, the jury was aware the witnesses had consumed alcohol and it was
within the province of the jury to take the witnesses' alcohol consumption into
consideration when weighing the evidence and assessing the witnesses' credibility. State v.
Jackson, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-693, 2011-Ohio-4362, ¶ 50.
       {¶ 54} While the jury may take note of inconsistencies in the evidence and resolve
or discount them accordingly, " 'such inconsistencies do not render defendant's conviction
against the manifest weight or sufficiency of the evidence.' " State v. Strong, 10th Dist. No.
09AP-874, 2011-Ohio-1024, ¶ 39, quoting State v. Nivens, 10th Dist. No. 95APA09-1236
(May 28, 1996). The testimony of even "one witness, if believed by the jury, is enough to
support a conviction." Id. at ¶ 42. See also State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67 (1964); State
v. Jackson, 10th Dist. No. 01AP-973 (Mar. 19, 2002). Although the witnesses' testimonies
may have contained minor differences, the witnesses were consistent regarding the violent
acts they saw appellant commit against Konkler and Decker. The minor inconsistencies in
the evidence did not render appellant's convictions against the manifest weight or
sufficiency of the evidence.
       {¶ 55} After reviewing the entire record, we find nothing to indicate the jury clearly
lost its way or that any miscarriage of justice resulted as to require a new trial. The record
reflects substantial, credible evidence from which the trier of fact could have reasonably
concluded that all elements of felonious assault and assault were proven beyond a
reasonable doubt. Accordingly, appellant's convictions were supported by both sufficient
evidence and the manifest weight of the evidence.
       {¶ 56} Based on the foregoing, appellant's third and fourth assignments of error are
overruled.
No. 17AP-843                                                                   14

IV. Conclusion
      {¶ 57} Having overruled appellant's four assignments of error, we affirm the
judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
                                                               Judgment affirmed.
                 KLATT, P.J., DORRIAN, and BRUNNER, JJ., concur.