Court Opinion

ID: 9930340
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-06 17:07:20.678865+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:12:55.914027
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Harper, 2024-Ohio-413.]

             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                             SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                COLUMBIANA COUNTY

                                            STATE OF OHIO,

                                            Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                                    v.

                                      JEFFREY L. HARPER,

                                        Defendant-Appellant.

                        OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                            Case No. 23 CO 0023

                                  Criminal Appeal from the
                      Court of Common Pleas of Columbiana County, Ohio
                                   Case No. 2021 CR 232

                                            BEFORE:
                          Mark A. Hanni, Carol Ann Robb, Judges,
            William A. Klatt, Retired Judge of the Tenth District Court of Appeals,
                                     Sitting by Assignment.

                                               JUDGMENT:
                                                 Affirmed.

Atty. Vito J. Abruzzino, Columbiana County Prosecutor, and Atty. Shelley M. Pratt,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Columbiana County Prosecutor's Office, for Plaintiff-
Appellee and

Atty. Christopher P. Lacich, Roth, Blair, for Defendant-Appellant.

                                        Dated: February 5, 2024
                                                                                         –2–

HANNI, J.

       {¶1}    Defendant-Appellant, Jeffrey L. Harper, appeals from a Columbiana County
Common Pleas Court judgment convicting him of operating a motor vehicle under the
influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) and driving with a suspended license, following a
bench trial.
       {¶2}    On January 9, 2021, State Highway Patrol Trooper Isaac Garlough was
travelling west on Route 62 in West Township, Columbiana County at approximately 1:11
a.m. The trooper observed a vehicle approaching him travelling east on Route 62.
Trooper Garlough clocked the vehicle traveling at 66 miles per hour. The posted speed
limit was 55 miles per hour. The trooper followed the vehicle and stopped it.
       {¶3}    Appellant was operating the vehicle. When Trooper Garlough made contact
with Appellant, he immediately noticed an odor of an alcoholic beverage. The trooper
informed Appellant he had stopped him for speeding and Appellant admitted he was “a
little bit over” on his speed. The trooper noticed that Appellant had some difficulty locating
his identification in his wallet and that his eyes appeared to be bloodshot. When asked if
he had anything to drink, Appellant first told Trooper Garlough “not really.”          Later,
however, Appellant told the trooper he had two glasses of wine with dinner an hour or two
ago.
       {¶4}    When Appellant exited his vehicle, the trooper noticed Appellant could not
walk in a straight line. Trooper Garlough then asked Appellant to submit to field sobriety
tests. On the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test, the trooper observed six out of six
clues indicating impairment.     He also observed multiple clues of impairment when
Appellant performed the walk-and-turn test. Appellant refused to perform the one-leg-
stand test.    The trooper also administered a portable breath test, which registered
Appellant’s breath alcohol concentration (BAC) at .295. The legal BAC limit in Ohio is
.08. The trooper then placed Appellant under arrest for OVI and transported him to the
State Highway Patrol Post.
       {¶5}    At the post, Trooper Garlough administered the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath test.
The test indicated Appellant had a BAC of .161. The trooper also obtained Appellant’s
criminal history from the dispatcher. He learned that Appellant was under three driver’s

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                       –3–

license suspensions and had previous felony OVI convictions, the most recent being less
than two months prior.
       {¶6}   On May 12, 2021, a Columbiana County Grand Jury indicted Appellant on
one count of OVI in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(d), a third-degree felony; one count of
OVI in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a), a third-degree felony; and driving under
suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor in violation of R.C. 4510.11(A). The indictment
indicated that the OVI counts were elevated to third-degree felonies based on Appellant’s
prior felony OVI convictions.
       {¶7}   After several continuances and a change in counsel, the matter proceeded
to a bench trial on March 6, 2023. Trooper Garlough was the sole witness. The trial court
found Appellant guilty as charged. The court then set the matter for a sentencing hearing.
       {¶8}   At the sentencing hearing, the trial court found that the two OVI counts
merged for purposes of sentencing. The trial court then sentenced Appellant to 24
months in prison for OVI and 180 days in jail for driving under suspension, to be served
concurrently. The court also imposed a mandatory fine of $1,350 and a lifetime driver’s
license suspension.
       {¶9}   Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal on April 21, 2023. He now raises
three assignments of error.
       {¶10} Appellant’s first assignment of error states:

       THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR AND AN ABUSE
       OF DISCRETION WHEN IT FAILED TO GRANT THE APPELLANT’S
       MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE ON THE MORNING OF HIS BENCH
       TRIAL, AND WITH NO OBJECTION, PLAIN ERROR IS IMPLICATED.

       {¶11} The trial court held a status conference on February 23, 2023. Appellant’s
trial was set for March 6, 2023. Appellant requested a continuance of his trial. Counsel
informed the court that Appellant was currently undergoing an eight-week treatment
program for Hepatitis C and Appellant had blood work scheduled, along with a potential
CAT scan, in regard to a suspected pancreas issue.              The trial court denied the
continuance. It reasoned that Appellant’s issues were “longstanding chronic problems
that are not likely to be resolved * * * in the near future.” (Feb. 23, 2023 Tr. 3).

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                         –4–

        {¶12} Appellant argues the trial court both abused its discretion and committed
plain error when it denied his request for a continuance. He asserts he had a lot on his
mind due to his medical issues and the court had a “lack of humanity.”
        {¶13} We review a trial court's judgment denying a motion to continue for an abuse
of discretion. State v. Unger, 67 Ohio St.2d 65, 423 N.E.2d 1078 (1981), at the syllabus.
Abuse of discretion implies that the court acted in an unreasonable, arbitrary, or
unconscionable manner. State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144
(1980).
        {¶14} In determining whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying a
requested continuance, we should consider: (1) the length of the delay requested; (2)
whether other continuances have been requested and granted; (3) the inconvenience to
the parties, witnesses, opposing counsel and the court; (4) whether the requested delay
is for legitimate reasons or whether it is dilatory, purposeful, or contrived; (5) whether the
defendant contributed to the circumstance giving rise to the request for a continuance;
and (6) any other relevant factors. Unger, 67 Ohio St.2d at 67-68.
        {¶15} In this case, in requesting a continuance, Appellant cited his current medical
issues, which included an eight-week Hepatitis treatment and a pancreas issue. He did
not indicate that either of these conditions would prevent him from attending the trial
scheduled for March 6, 2023. He did not provide the court with appointment dates that
might interfere with the scheduled trial. And he was well enough to attend the February
23, 2023 status conference. Appellant did not indicate how long he wished to continue
the trial.
        {¶16} Additionally, by the time he requested the continuance, Appellant’s case
had been pending for almost two years. The continuances were attributable to the death
of a judge, Appellant’s request for a continuance, a sanity evaluation, and the withdrawal
of Appellant’s counsel and appointment of new counsel.
        {¶17} Based on the above, we cannot conclude that the trial court abused its
discretion in denying Appellant’s requested continuance. There was nothing preventing
Appellant from attending his scheduled trial. He was well enough to proceed with the
pretrial and trial process. As the court noted, it appeared Appellant’s health conditions
were chronic and longstanding, so they would not be soon resolved. And Appellant was

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                          –5–

requesting an indefinite continuance. Moreover, the case had been pending for almost
two years, with the court having granted several continuances already.
       {¶18} Accordingly, Appellant’s first assignment of error is without merit and is
overruled.
       {¶19} Appellant’s second assignment of error states:

       TRIAL    COUNSEL        RENDERED        INEFFECTIVE        ASSISTANCE        OF
       COUNSEL BY HIS FAILURE TO OBJECT TO THE TRIAL COURT’S
       DENIAL OF THE MOTION TO CONTINUE THE TRIAL DUE TO
       APPELLANT’S MEDICAL CONDITION AND BY FAILING TO FILE A
       MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE (OVI TEST PROCEDURES).

       {¶20} Here, Appellant contends his counsel was ineffective for (1) failing to object
to the trial court’s denial of his motion for a continuance and (2) failing to file a motion to
suppress evidence.
       {¶21} To prove an allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel, the appellant
must satisfy a two-prong test. First, appellant must establish that counsel's performance
has fallen below an objective standard of reasonable representation.             Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v. Bradley,
42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989), paragraph two of the syllabus. Second,
appellant must demonstrate that he was prejudiced by counsel's performance. Id. To
show that he has been prejudiced by counsel's deficient performance, appellant must
prove that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the trial would have been different.
Bradley, at paragraph three of the syllabus.
       {¶22} Appellant bears the burden of proof on the issue of counsel's
ineffectiveness. State v. Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d 279, 289, 714 N.E.2d 905 (1999). In
Ohio, a licensed attorney is presumed competent. Id.
       {¶23} Appellant first claims his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
trial court’s denial of his motion to continue, which he claims made that alleged error
subject to a plain error review. But counsel was not required to lodge another objection
to the denial of his motion. And we have reviewed Appellant’s assignment of error on this

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                        –6–

claim for abuse of discretion, not plain error.       Thus, Appellant cannot demonstrate
prejudice. Therefore, Appellant’s counsel was not ineffective on this basis.
       {¶24} Appellant next claims his counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion
to suppress. He points out that at trial, counsel objected to the Alcohol and Drug Testing
Subject Report (State’s Exhibit 2) on the basis that the officer did not observe him for 20
minutes prior to giving him the Intoxilyzer test as is required by protocol. Appellant argues
that his counsel was required to file a motion to suppress on this basis in order to preserve
the issue.
       {¶25} In State v. French, 72 Ohio St.3d 446, 449, 650 N.E.2d 887 (1995), the Ohio
Supreme Court held: “[A] defendant who does not object to the admissibility of a breath-
alcohol test through a pretrial motion to suppress on the basis of a failure by the state to
comply with Ohio Department of Health regulations may not object to the admissibility of
the test results at trial on those grounds.” The Court went on to instruct:

       The chemical test result is admissible at trial without the state's
       demonstrating that the bodily substance was withdrawn within two hours of
       the time of the alleged violation, that the bodily substance was analyzed in
       accordance with methods approved by the Director of Health, and that the
       analysis was conducted by a qualified individual holding a permit issued by
       the Director of Health pursuant to R.C. 3701.143. (Defiance v. Kretz [1991],
       60 Ohio St.3d 1, 573 N.E.2d 32, approved; Cincinnati v. Sand [1975], 43
       Ohio St.2d 79, 72 O.O.2d 44, 330 N.E.2d 908, modified.) This does not
       mean, however, that the defendant may not challenge the chemical test
       results at trial under the Rules of Evidence.           Evidentiary objections
       challenging the competency, admissibility, relevancy, authenticity, and
       credibility of the chemical test results may still be raised.

Id. at 451-452.
       {¶26} “Courts in Ohio have generally recognized that one of the elements in a
breath test is that the person being tested must be observed for twenty minutes before
the test to prevent the oral intake of any material.” State v. Miller, 3d Dist. Seneca No.
13-20-14, 2021-Ohio-4472, ¶ 8. In the present case, Appellant’s counsel objected at trial

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                        –7–

to the admission of the Alcohol and Drug Testing Subject Report, which was the
Intoxilyzer test report indicating Appellant’s BAC to be .161. Counsel argued that the
State failed to prove that the trooper followed the protocol of observing Appellant for 20
minutes before administering the test to ensure that he did not ingest anything. (Trial Tr.
43-44). The trial court overruled the objection. (Trial Tr. 44).
       {¶27} Because Appellant’s counsel failed to file a motion to suppress the
Intoxilyzer test results in this case, Appellant may have been precluded from objecting to
the test results on the basis that the trooper did not follow the protocol of observing
Appellant for 20 minutes before administering the test. The trial court did not indicate this
was the basis for overruling the objection, however.
       {¶28} Nonetheless, Appellant cannot demonstrate the prejudice necessary to
prove ineffective assistance of counsel. In other words, Appellant cannot show that the
result of his trial would have been different had his counsel filed a motion to suppress.
       {¶29} Whether or not the results of the Intoxilyzer test were admitted into
evidence, the State presented ample evidence to convict Appellant of OVI.
       {¶30} Trooper Garlough testified that he first noticed Appellant’s vehicle travelling
at a high rate of speed at approximately 1:00 a.m. (Trial Tr. 6-7). He activated his radar
and found that Appellant was travelling 66 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone.
(Trial Tr. 7). The trooper activated his lights and initiated a traffic stop of Appellant’s
vehicle. (Trial Tr. 7). When he approached the vehicle, Trooper Garlough detected the
odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. (Trial Tr. 8). The trooper asked
Appellant for his driver’s license. (Trial Tr. 8). He noticed that Appellant flipped through
his wallet, passing up his license. (Trial Tr. 8). The trooper stated this was a sign of
possible impairment. (Trial Tr. 9). Trooper Garlough informed Appellant that he stopped
him due to his speed and Appellant acknowledged “going a little bit over” the speed limit.
(Trial Tr. 10). While speaking with Appellant, the trooper noticed that Appellant’s eyes
were bloodshot. (Trial Tr. 10). Trooper Garlough testified that bloodshot eyes can be an
indicator of impairment. (Trial tr. 10-11). He asked Appellant if he had anything to drink
and Appellant stated, “not really.” (Trial Tr. 10).
       {¶31} At that point, the trooper asked Appellant to step out of his vehicle. (Trial
Tr. 11). When Appellant exited, the trooper noticed Appellant was not able to walk in a

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                         –8–

straight line. (Trial Tr. 11). Trooper Garlough asked Appellant to stand near his cruiser’s
rear wheel, but Appellant attempted to sit down instead. (Trial Tr. 12). The trooper then
asked Appellant to perform three field sobriety tests. Prior to starting the HGN test,
Trooper Garlough detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Appellant’s
breath and noticed that Appellant’s speech was slurred. (Trial Tr. 14). He testified that
these are both signs of impairment. (Trial Tr. 14).
         {¶32} In administering the HGN test, the trooper found six of six clues indicating
impairment. (Trial Tr. 14-15). In administering the walk-and-turn test, Trooper Garlough
noted that Appellant moved his feet to keep his balance during the instructions, he twice
started the test before being told to start, he did not walk heel-to-toe, he stepped off of
the line, and he raised his hands higher than permitted. (Trial Tr. 16). The trooper
testified these signs indicated impairment. (Trial Tr. 16). Trooper Garlough then offered
Appellant the one-leg-stand test, which Appellant declined. (Trial Tr. 16). Appellant told
the trooper he would rather take a breathalyzer test. (Trial Tr. 16). The trooper stated
that he administrated a portable breathalyzer test to Appellant, which gives a rough
estimate of a person’s BAC. (Trial Tr. 17). Trooper Garlough testified that Appellant
registered a .295 BAC on the test and that the legal limit is .08. (Trial Tr. 17).
         {¶33} Based on all of the above observations, Trooper Garlough opined that
Appellant was impaired and placed him under arrest for OVI. (Trial Tr. 18). After placing
him under arrest, Appellant told the trooper that he had consumed two glasses of wine
with dinner. (Trial Tr. 19).
         {¶34} As can be seen from the trooper’s testimony, the trial court would have
convicted Appellant of OVI even without the admission of the Intoxilyzer test results.
Therefore, Appellant cannot demonstrate that, but for counsel's error, the result of the trial
would have been different as is required to prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel
claim.
         {¶35} Accordingly, Appellant’s second assignment of error is without merit and is
overruled.
         {¶36} Appellant’s third assignment of error states:

         THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR AND ABUSED
         ITS   DISCRETION      WHEN      IT   OVERRULED        THE    APPELLANT’S

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                           –9–

       OBJECTIONS TO EXHIBITS 3, 4, AND 5 AS TO THEIR ADMISSIBILITY,
       AS WELL AS HIS RULE 29 MOTION, AND THUS HIS CONVICTIONS
       WERE BASED ON LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.

       {¶37} In his final assignment of error, Appellant argues the trial court erred in
admitting State’s Exhibits 3, 4, and 5. Without these exhibits, Appellant claims his
convictions would not be supported by sufficient evidence.
       {¶38} A trial court has broad discretion in determining whether to admit or exclude
evidence and its decision will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. State v.
Mays, 108 Ohio App.3d 598, 617, 671 N.E.2d 553 (8th Dist.1996). Abuse of discretion
means that the trial court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable.
State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144 (1980).
       {¶39} Appellant contends that State’s Exhibits 3, 4, and 5 were not properly
authenticated and, therefore, should have been excluded on the basis of hearsay or
failure to authenticate.
       {¶40} State’s Exhibit 3 is a copy of Appellant’s driver’s license information along
with a history of his driver’s license suspensions and OVI convictions. This information
was obtained from LEADS, a law enforcement database, by Trooper Garlough the night
he arrested Appellant. (Trial Tr. 28). Appellant points out that at trial his counsel objected
on the basis that the LEADS printout was not generated by the trooper who testified, thus
it did not have a proper foundation. (Trial Tr. 44).
       {¶41} Hearsay is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while
testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter
asserted. Evid.R. 801(C). Hearsay is generally not admissible at trial. Evid.R. 802.
       {¶42} There are various exceptions to the hearsay rule. One such exception is
for public records and reports:

       Records, reports, statements, or data compilations, in any form, of public
       offices or agencies, setting forth (a) the activities of the office or agency, or
       (b) matters observed pursuant to duty imposed by law as to which matters
       there was a duty to report, excluding, however, in criminal cases matters
       observed by police officers and other law enforcement personnel, unless

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                           – 10 –

       offered by defendant, unless the sources of information or other
       circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness.

Evid.R. 803(8).
       {¶43} This Court has previously held that LEADS printouts are properly admissible
under the public records exception to hearsay. State v. Lett, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 08
MA 194, 2009-Ohio-5268, ¶ 22. Moreover, Trooper Garlough authenticated State’s
Exhibit 3. The trooper testified the LEADS printout contained Appellant’s driver’s license
information. (Trial Tr. 28). He stated that he obtained the LEADS report on the night of
this investigation and that the printout was a fair and accurate copy of the report. (Trial
Tr. 28). Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Exhibit 3.
       {¶44} State’s Exhibit 5 is a certified copy of Appellant’s felony OVI conviction from
Mahoning County dated December 7, 2020. (Trial Tr. 31). Appellant points out that his
counsel objected to its admission because it did not identify Appellant by his social
security number. (Trial Tr. 46).
       {¶45} Certain documents are admissible as self-authenticating:

       Extrinsic evidence of authenticity as a condition precedent to admissibility
       is not required with respect to the following:

       (1) Domestic Public Documents Under Seal. A document bearing a seal
       purporting to be that of the United States, or of any State, district,
       Commonwealth, territory, or insular possession thereof, or the Panama
       Canal Zone, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or of a political
       subdivision, department, officer, or agency thereof, and a signature
       purporting to be an attestation or execution.

       (2) Domestic Public Documents Not Under Seal. A document purporting to
       bear the signature in the official capacity of an officer or employee of any
       entity included in paragraph (1) hereof, having no seal, if a public officer
       having a seal and having official duties in the district or political subdivision
       of the officer or employee certifies under seal that the signer has the official
       capacity and that the signature is genuine.

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                            – 11 –

       ***

       (4) Certified Copies of Public Records. A copy of an official record or report
       or entry therein, or of a document authorized by law to be recorded or filed
       and actually recorded or filed in a public office, including data compilations
       in any form, certified as correct by the custodian or other person authorized
       to make the certification, by certificate complying with paragraph (1), (2), or
       (3) of this rule or complying with any law of a jurisdiction, state or federal, or
       rule prescribed by the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Evid.R. 902(1)(2)(4).
       {¶46} Exhibit 5 is a certified copy of a judgment entry. It contains a raised seal
from the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and is signed by a deputy clerk. Thus,
it meets the self-authentication requirements of Evid.R. 901(1). Moreover, while it does
not identify Appellant by social security number, the conviction is corroborated by the
LEADS report for Appellant. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting
Exhibit 5.
       {¶47} State’s Exhibit 4 is a copy of Appellant’s felony OVI conviction from Stark
County dated October 16, 2006. (Trial Tr. 32). Appellant notes that his counsel objected
to its admission on the basis that it did not have a raised seal. (Trial Tr. 44-45).
       {¶48} State’s Exhibit 4 is a photocopy of a judgment entry from Stark County
Common Pleas Court convicting and sentencing Appellant for felony OVI on October 16,
2006. It is not an original nor does it have a raised seal to certify it. It contains a stamp
indicating: “A TRUE COPY TESTE: LYNN M. TODARO, CLERK” and it is then signed
by a deputy clerk and dated April, 27, 2021. But this is not an original stamp and
signature; the judgment entry is a photocopy. Thus, the trial court may have abused its
discretion in admitting Exhibit 4 into evidence.
       {¶49} But any error here is harmless. “An offender who previously has been
convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A) of this section that was a felony,
regardless of when the violation and the conviction or guilty plea occurred, is guilty of a
felony of the third degree.” R.C. 4511.19(G)(1)(e). “When the existence of a prior
conviction affects the degree of the offense and not just the punishment available upon

Case No. 23 CO 0023
                                                                                    – 12 –

conviction, it is an essential element of the offense.” State v. Gwen, 134 Ohio St.3d 284,
2012-Ohio-5046, 982 N.E.2d 626, ¶ 11. Thus, the State was required to prove that
Appellant had previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a single felony OVI. It
was not, however, required to prove that Appellant had been convicted of more than one
felony OVI.
       {¶50} Because Exhibit 5 was properly certified and admitted and because Exhibit
5 demonstrated that Appellant was previously convicted of a felony OVI, the State
provided the evidence necessary to elevate Appellant’s OVI conviction to a third-degree
felony. Thus, even without Exhibit 4, the evidence was sufficient to convict Appellant of
third-degree felony OVI.
       {¶51} Accordingly, Appellant’s third assignment of error is without merit and is
overruled.
       {¶52} For the reasons stated above, the trial court’s judgment is hereby affirmed.

Robb, P.J., concurs.

Klatt, J., concurs.

Case No. 23 CO 0023
[Cite as State v. Harper, 2024-Ohio-413.]

        For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, the assignments of error
are overruled and it is the final judgment and order of this Court that the judgment of the
Court of Common Pleas of Columbiana County, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs to be taxed
against the Appellant.
        A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate in
this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that a
certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into execution.

                                        NOTICE TO COUNSEL

        This document constitutes a final judgment entry.