Court Opinion

ID: 4417926
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-07-18 15:50:37.702413+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:51:58.659267
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Smith, 2019-Ohio-2926.]

                                        COURT OF APPEALS
                                      LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                       JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO                                  :       Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
                                               :       Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
                         Plaintiff-Appellee    :       Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
                                               :
-vs-                                           :
                                               :       Case No. 18-CA-77
TAMMI S. SMITH                                 :
                                               :
                     Defendant-Appellant       :       OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                           Criminal appeal from the Licking County
                                                   Municipal Court, Case No.17-TRC-08915

JUDGMENT:                                          Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                            July 17, 2019

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                             For Defendant-Appellant

MARK GARDNER                                       JEFFERY BLOSSER
Utica Prosecutor                                   765 South High Street
18 North 2nd Street, Ste. 201                      Columbus, OH 43206
Newark, OH 43055
[Cite as State v. Smith, 2019-Ohio-2926.]

Gwin, P.J.

        {¶1}     Defendant-appellant Tammi S. Smith [“Smith”] appeals her conviction and

sentence in the Licking County Municipal Court on one count of OVI “prohibited level” in

violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(h). Plaintiff-appellee is the State of Ohio.

                                            Facts and Procedural History

        {¶2}     Smith was cited on July 10, 2017 with the offenses of OVI, “Under the

Influence”, in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) OVI, “prohibited level” in violation

of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(h) and Physical control in violation of R.C. 4511.194

        {¶3}      Smith filed her first Motion to Suppress on August 29, 2017 and an

additional Motion to Suppress was filed on October 20, 2017. After a number of

continuances, the oral hearing on the Motions to Suppress was held on January 4,

2018. On March 6, 2018, the Court denied the Motions to Suppress and an Entry

was filed on May 15, 2018. A jury trial commenced on July 26, 2018.

        {¶4}     Kevin Benson testified that as he headed northbound on State Route

13 and he saw a vehicle tailgating the car in front of it, slam the brakes on causing

the car to “nose dive down” and then almost going off the roadway several times.

He followed the car to an intersection and noticed the traffic light turn from red to

green several times before the car proceeded. Benson approached the car to see

if the driver was ok. Benson testified that Smith looked to be asleep, her head was

down and her eyes were closed. When he knocked on the driver's side window,

the car abruptly turned right onto eastbound U.S. 62 and then a left on Wells

Avenue. He saw a police car and stopped to tell the officer to follow the suspect.

He then continued to follow the suspect to a residence in Utica and remained on
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                            3

the scene until the officer arrived, parked, and approached the house. He did see

Smith exit the vehicle and go into the house.

       {¶5}       Chief Cameron Dailey 1 of the Utica Police Department testified that on

the evening of July 10, 2017, he was at the intersection of Wells Avenue and U.S. 62 facing

southbound. He saw a vehicle travelling approximately 20-25 miles per hour on U.S. 62, and

as the vehicle turned onto Wells, Dailey made eye contact with the driver. He felt that she was

slumping in her seat and appeared like a person who had overdosed on heroin.

       {¶6}       Chief Dailey further testified that as he started to pull out to get turned

around, Benson pulled up quickly and stated that Dailey should stop her, she

almost hit a car, and she almost hit a guardrail. Dailey turned incorrectly at Mill Street

and lost sight of the suspect and Benson but was directed to the residence by his dispatcher

based on the registered owner's address. Dailey testified that as he pulled into the driveway

Smith was walking towards the residence, toward the front door, and was not

maintaining her balance very well. She stumbled a couple of times as she was

going in the door. He went to the door and made eye contact with Smith. He

"urged" her to come outside and speak with him. Smith complied. Smith denied

at that time that she had consumed any alcohol but admitted that she had a

prescription for muscle relaxers.

       {¶7}       Upon approaching Smith, Dailey could smell the odor of an alcoholic

beverage. After speaking with Smith, Dailey asked her to perform field sobriety tests.

[“FST”] He was unable to successfully administer the horizontal gaze nystagmus ("HGN")

test because of the defendant repeatedly moving her head instead of just her eyes. He

       1   Chief Dailey was a K-9 officer at the time of the incident. T. at 93.
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                   4

tried to conduct the walk and turn ("WAT") test, however, Smith stumbled twice, nearly

falling to the ground. For safety, Dailey did not perform other field tests.

       {¶8}   Chief Dailey then placed Smith under arrest for OVI and advised her

of her Miranda rights. At the police station, Smith had trouble providing her social

security number. Chief Dailey read BMV Form 2255 to Smith and she agreed to

take the requested BAC Datamaster breath test with a result of .253

       {¶9}   Jolanda Davila, a friend of Smith, testified that they had made plans

to get together after work that evening. Davila was aware Smith had an argument

with her husband that day and was upset about it. By the time Davila got home

from work, Smith was already there. She stated that the door was shut at first, but

then Smith came outside with Davila’s dog. After greeting each other, they went

back into the house and left the door open. Ms. Davila testified that Smith did not

seem intoxicated when she had contact with her at the residence and that she did

not see Smith consume any alcohol. Davila testified that she had both wine and

liquor in her house that day. She noted that she felt there was less liquid in the

liquor bottle when she got home than when she left for work that morning.

       {¶10} After the testimony was completed, the Jury found Smith guilty of the two

OVI charges. The Physical Control charge was dismissed. The state elected to

proceed on the R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(h), “prohibited level.”

                                      Assignments of Error

       {¶11} Smith raises two assignments of error,

       {¶12} “I. THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL WAS INSUFFICIENT TO

SUPPORT A CRIMINAL CONVICTION FOR OVI.
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                                5

       {¶13} “II. THE CONVICTIONS FOR OVI WERE AGAINST THE MANIFEST

WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE.”

                                                 I & II.

       {¶14} In her first assignment of error, Smith argues that there was insufficient evidence to

convict her of OVI. In her second assignment of error, Hayes contends that the jury’s findings are

against the manifest weight of the evidence.

       STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.

       Sufficiency of the Evidence.

       {¶15} The Sixth Amendment provides, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused

shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury....” This right, in

conjunction with the Due Process Clause, requires that each of the material elements of

a crime be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Alleyne v. United States, 570

U.S. __, 133 S.Ct. 2151, 2156, 186 L.Ed.2d 314 (2013); Hurst v. Florida, 136 S.Ct. 616,

621, 193 L.Ed.2d 504 (2016). The test for the sufficiency of the evidence involves a

question of law for resolution by the appellate court. State v. Walker, 150 Ohio St.3d 409,

2016-Ohio-8295, 82 N.E.3d 1124, ¶30. “This naturally entails a review of the elements

of the charged offense and a review of the state's evidence.” State v. Richardson, 150

Ohio St.3d 554, 2016-Ohio-8448, 84 N.E.3d 993, ¶13.

       {¶16} When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court does not

ask whether the evidence should be believed. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574

N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus: Walker, at ¶30. “The relevant inquiry

is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any

rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                           6

a reasonable doubt.” Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus. State v. Poutney, 153 Ohio

St.3d 474, 2018-Ohio-22, 97 N.E.3d 478, ¶19. Thus, “on review for evidentiary sufficiency

we do not second-guess the jury'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 (2001),

quoting Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus (emphasis added); Walker at ¶31. We

will not “disturb a verdict on appeal on sufficiency grounds unless ‘reasonable minds could

not reach the conclusion reached by the trier-of-fact.’” State v. Ketterer, 111 Ohio St.3d

70, 2006-Ohio-5283, 855 N.E.2d 48, ¶ 94, quoting State v. Dennis, 79 Ohio St.3d 421,

430, 683 N.E.2d 1096 (1997); State v. Montgomery, 148 Ohio St.3d 347, 2016-Ohio-

5487, 71 N.E.3d 180, ¶74.

       ISSUE FOR APPEAL

       A.   Whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the

prosecution, the evidence, “if believed, would convince the average mind of the

defendant's guilt on each element of the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.”

       {¶17} Smith was convicted of Operating A Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of

Alcohol and/or a Drug of Abuse a violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(h), which states, “(A)(1)

No person shall operate any vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley within this state, if, at

the time of the operation, any of the following apply…(h) The person has a concentration

of seventeen-hundredths of one gram or more by weight of alcohol per two hundred ten

liters of the person's breath.”
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                             7

           {¶18} In prosecutions for “under the influence” pursuant to R.C. 4511.19 (A)(1)(a),

“the behavior of the defendant * * * is the crucial issue. However, in State v. Lucas, the

Supreme Court observed,

                  The per se offenses define “the point the legislature has determined

           an individual cannot drive without posing a substantial danger, not only to

           himself, but to others.” State v. Tanner (1984), 15 Ohio St.3d 1, 6, 15 OBR

           1, 5, 472 N.E.2d 689, 693. In determining whether one of these per se

           offenses was committed by the defendant, the trier of fact is not required to

           find that the defendant operated a vehicle while under the influence of

           alcohol or drugs, but only that the defendant operated a vehicle within the

           state and that the defendant's chemical test reading was at the proscribed

           level. The critical issue at trial is the accuracy of the test, not the behavior

           of the accused. See Katz & Sweeney, Ohio's New Drunk Driving Law: A

           Halfhearted Experiment in Deterrence (1983-1984), 34 Case W.Res.L.Rev.

           239, 243.

40 Ohio St.3d 100, 103, 532 N.E.2d 130(1988). Smith has not challenged the accuracy

of the BAC test in this appeal. Smith tested a .253 at 7:38 pm on July 10, 2017.

           {¶19} Kevin Benson and Chief Dailey each testified that he observed Smith driving

the car. Each testified that Chief Dailey arrived at the home within minutes of Smith

arrival.

           {¶20} Viewing the evidence in the case at bar in a light most favorable to the

prosecution, we conclude that a reasonable person could have found beyond a

reasonable doubt that Smith had committed the crime of OVI in violation of R.C.
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                        8

4511.19(A)(1)(h).   We hold, therefore, that the state met its burden of production

regarding each element of the crime of OVI and, accordingly, there was sufficient

evidence to submit the charge to the jury and to support Smith’s conviction.

      Manifest weight of the evidence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

             “[I]n determining whether the judgment below is manifestly against

      the weight of the evidence, every reasonable intendment and every

      reasonable presumption must be made in favor of the judgment and the

      finding of facts.

                                           ***

              “If the evidence is susceptible of more than one construction, the

      reviewing court is bound to give it that interpretation which is consistent with

      the verdict and judgment, most favorable to sustaining the verdict and

      judgment.”

Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984), fn.

3, quoting 5 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Appellate Review, Section 60, at 191–192 (1978).

      {¶22} The reviewing court must bear in mind, however, that credibility generally is

an issue for the trier of fact to resolve. State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67, 752 N.E.2d
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                             9

904 (2001); State v. Murphy, 4th Dist. Ross No. 07CA2953, 2008–Ohio–1744, ¶ 31.

Because the trier of fact sees and hears the witnesses and is particularly competent to

decide whether, and to what extent, to credit the testimony of particular witnesses, the

appellate court must afford substantial deference to its determinations of credibility.

Barberton v. Jenney, 126 Ohio St.3d 5, 2010–Ohio–2420, 929 N.E.2d 1047, ¶ 20. In

other words, “[w]hen there exist two fairly reasonable views of the evidence or two

conflicting versions of events, neither of which is unbelievable, it is not our province to

choose which one we believe.” State v. Dyke, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 99 CA 149, 2002–

Ohio–1152, at ¶ 13, citing State v. Gore, 131 Ohio App.3d 197, 201, 722 N.E.2d 125(7th

Dist. 1999). Thus, an appellate court will leave the issues of weight and credibility of the

evidence to the fact finder, as long as a rational basis exists in the record for its decision.

State v. Picklesimer, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 11CA9, 2012–Ohio–1282, ¶ 24.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

       ISSUE FOR APPEAL.

       B. Whether the jury clearly lost their way and created such a manifest miscarriage

of justice that the convictions must be reversed and a new trial ordered.
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                      10

      {¶24} Smith argues that Jolanda Davila's testimony proves alcohol was most likely

consumed at her residence.

      {¶25} The jury as the trier of fact was free to accept or reject any and all of the

evidence offered by the parties and assess the witness’s credibility. “While the trier of

fact may take note of the inconsistencies 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. Craig, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 99AP–739, 1999 WL

29752 (Mar 23, 2000) citing State v. Nivens, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 95APA09–1236, 1996

WL 284714 (May 28, 1996). Indeed, the trier of fact need not believe all of a witness’

testimony, but may accept only portions of it as true. State v. Raver, 10th Dist. Franklin

No. 02AP–604, 2003–Ohio–958, ¶ 21, citing State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67, 197

N.E.2d 548 (1964); State v. Burke, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 02AP–1238, 2003–Ohio–2889,

citing State v. Caldwell, 79 Ohio App.3d 667, 607 N.E.2d 1096 (4th Dist. 1992). Although

the evidence may have been circumstantial, we note that circumstantial evidence has the

same probative value as direct evidence. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 272, 574

N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph one of the syllabus, superseded by State constitutional

amendment on other grounds as stated in State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 102 at n.4,

684 N.E.2d 668 (1997).

      {¶26} In the case at bar, the jury heard the witnesses and viewed the evidence.

The jury further heard Smith’s attorney’s arguments and explanations about her actions.

The jury further heard Ms. Davila testify that Smith did not seem intoxicated when

she had contact with her at the residence and that she did not see Smith consume

any alcohol. Chief Dailey testified that Smith denied at Davila residence that she
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                                        11

had consumed any alcohol but admitted that she had a prescription for muscle

relaxers. Thus, a rational basis exists in the record for the jury’s decision.

       {¶27} We find that this is not an “‘exceptional case in which the evidence weighs

heavily against the conviction.’” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386–387, 678

N.E.2d 541 (1997), quoting Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d at 175, 485 N.E.2d 717. Based upon

the foregoing and the entire record in this matter we find Smith’s conviction is not against

the sufficiency or the manifest weight of the evidence. To the contrary, the jury appears

to have fairly and impartially decided the matters before them. The jury heard the

witnesses, evaluated the evidence, and was convinced of Smith’s guilt. The jury neither

lost his way nor created a miscarriage of justice in convicting Smith of OVI.

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

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

crime for which Smith was convicted.

       {¶29} Smith’s First and Second Assignments of Error are overruled.
Licking County, Case No. 18-CA-77                                             12

      {¶30} The judgment of the Licking County Municipal Court is affirmed.

By Gwin, P.J.,

Hoffman, J., and

Delaney, J., concur