Court Opinion

ID: 9928075
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-01-30 19:07:09.46828+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:47:58.773601
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Zanesville v. Johnson, 2024-Ohio-289.]

                                       COURT OF APPEALS
                                   MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO
                                   FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                          JUDGES:
CITY OF ZANESVILLE                                :       Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
                                                  :       Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
                         Plaintiff-Appellee       :       Hon. John W. Wise, J.
                                                  :
-vs-                                              :
                                                  :       Case No. CT2023-0042
TISEAN JOHNSON                                    :
                                                  :
                    Defendant-Appellant           :       OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                              Appeal from the Zanesville Municipal Court,
                                                      Case No. 21TRC02052A

JUDGMENT:                                             Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                               January 26, 2024

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                                For Defendant-Appellant

DAVID TARBET                                          CHRIS BRIGDON
Law Director                                          8138 Somerset Road
City of Zanesville                                    Thornville, OH 43076
401 Market Street
Zanesville, OH 43702
[Cite as Zanesville v. Johnson, 2024-Ohio-289.]

Gwin, P.J.,

        {¶1}     This matter comes before the Court upon the Motion to Withdraw and

Anders brief filed by counsel for Defendant-appellant Tisean Johnson [Johnson] after his

conviction and sentence following a jury trial in the Zanesville Municipal Court,

Muskingum County, Ohio.

                                         Facts and Procedural History

        {¶2}     On November 13, 2021 at 2:30 am Johnson was driving a 2007 Volvo

station wagon southbound on Linden Avenue in the City of Zanesville. T. at 97. Ohio State

Highway Patrol Trooper Jonah Carson was patrolling in the area southbound on Linden

and was behind Johnson’s car. T. at 97. Trooper Carson recorded the encounter on the

cruiser’s video dashcam. T. at 96-97; City’s Exhibit B.

        {¶3}     Trooper Carson testified that he observed Johnson’s car swaying and

driving close to the center yellow line of the roadway. T. at 102. He further testified that

he observed the car drive onto the centerline. Id. at 102; 107-108. The Trooper observed

Johnson go "a hair over the center line" and "jerking” the wheel once he crossed the

railroad tracks. Id. at 108. The Trooper admitted that it was difficult to see the violations

on the video. Id. at 106.

        {¶4}     Upon activating the lights of his cruiser, Johnson’s car slows and appears

to stop; however, the car slowly moves forward and makes a right turn before finally

coming to a stop. City’s Exhibit B. Johnson immediately exits the car, explaining that he

wanted to show the trooper that he was not armed and was no threat to the trooper. Id.

Johnson denied that he had driven left of the centerline. Id. Trooper Carson testified that

he could smell a strong odor of alcohol of Jonson’s breath. T. at 120. When asked,
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0042                                                     3

Johnson told the trooper that he had consumed 2 Guinness stouts. T. at 116. The trooper

noted that Johnson had poor finger dexterity, red and bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

T. at 120-123.

       {¶5}   When Trooper Carson asked Johnson to remove his cap so he could

perform the standardized Field Sobriety Tests [FST’s], Johnson continuously questioned

the trooper as to the necessity to do so. City’s Exhibit B; T. at 118-120. Johnson eventually

refused to perform the FST’s. T. at 120. Upon testing the windows of Johnson’s car before

it was towed, Trooper Carson determined that the window tint on Johnson’s car was

between 17 -19% transparency. Id. at 104-105. Trooper Johnson then arrested Johnson

and transported him to the station. While at the station, Johnson refused a breath test or

a urine test. T. at 128.

       {¶6}   Johnson was charged with one count of OVI, “under the influence” in

violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a); Lanes of Travel Upon Roadways [Left of Center] in

violation of R.C. 4511.25; and Rules Governing Materials Used in Windshields and

Windows in violation of R.C. 4513.241.

       {¶7}   The jury found Johnson guilty of OVI “under the influence.” The jury found

Johnson not guilty of Lanes of Travel Upon Roadways [Left of Center] and Rules

Governing Materials Used in Windshields and Windows.

                                Potential Assignments of Error

       {¶8}   Here, appellate counsel has not specifically identified any potential error

stating,
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0042                                                            4

        {¶9}    “I. THERE IS NOT A NONFRIVOLOUS ISSUE REGARDING THE

DEFENDANT'S CONVICTION OF COUNT 1 AND THE SUBSEQUENT SENTENCING.1”

                              Standard of Review - Anders v. California

        {¶10} Johnson’s appellate counsel has filed a brief pursuant to Anders v.

California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967). We informed Johnson by

Judgment Entry filed October 16, 2023 that his attorney had filed an Anders brief on his

behalf and granted him sixty days from that date, i.e. December 15, 2023 to file a pro se

brief. Judgement Entry, filed October 16, 2023. Johnson has not filed a pro se brief;

however, a review of our casefile and the Clerk of Court’s docket reveal that there is one

certified mail envelope and one regular U.S. Mail envelope addressed to Johnson that

were returned marked:

                RETURN TO SENDER

                NOT DELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED UNABLE TO FORWARD2

        {¶11} In Anders, the United States Supreme Court held if, after a conscientious

examination of the record, a defendant's counsel concludes the case is wholly frivolous,

then he should so advise the court and request permission to withdraw. 386 U.S. at 744.

Counsel must accompany his request with a brief identifying anything in the record that

could arguably support his client's appeal. Id. Counsel also must: (1) furnish his client with

a copy of the brief and request to withdraw; and, (2) allow his client sufficient time to raise

any matters that the client chooses. Id. Once the defendant's counsel satisfies these

requirements, the appellate court must fully examine the proceedings below to determine

        1 No transcript of Johnson’s sentencing hearing was filed with the record in this case.
        2 We note the address which was provided by appellate counsel is not the same address as the

address for Johnson provided on the Uniform Traffic citation issued in this case.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0042                                                      5

if any arguably meritorious issues exist. If the appellate court also determines that the

appeal is wholly frivolous, it may grant counsel's request to withdraw and dismiss the

appeal without violating constitutional requirements, or may proceed to a decision on the

merits if state law so requires. Id.

       {¶12} “Anders equates a frivolous appeal with one that presents issues lacking in

arguable merit. An issue does not lack arguable merit merely because the prosecution

can be expected to present a strong argument in reply or because it is uncertain whether

a defendant will prevail on the issue on appeal. “An issue lacks arguable merit if, on the

facts and law involved, no responsible contention can be made that it offers a basis for

reversal.” State v. Pullen, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 19232, 2002-Ohio-6788, ¶ 4; State

v. Marbury, 2nd Dist. Montgomery App. No. 19226, 2003-Ohio-3242, ¶ 7-8; State v.

Chessman, 161 Ohio App.3d 140, 829 N.E.2d 748, 2005-Ohio-2511 (2nd Dist.), ¶ 16-17

(quoting the same).” State v. Moore, 2nd Dist. Greene App. No. 07-CA-97, 2009-Ohio-

1416, ¶4.

             Issue for Appellate Review: Whether the record reflects any arguably

             meritorious issues exist that could arguably support an appeal.

       {¶13} Appellant’s counsel repeatably and mistakenly refers to the proceedings in

the trial court as a “bench trial.” See, Appellant’s Brief at 2, 3, 5 (referring to “change of

plea hearing” and “bench trial”); and 7. A simple reading of the transcript and the jury

verdict forms filed in this case would lead one to undeniably conclude that Johnson was,

in fact, convicted after a jury trial of one count of OVI; further, the jury found Johnson Not

Guilty of Lanes of Travel Upon Roadways [Left of Center] and Rules Governing Materials

Used in Windshields and Windows.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0042                                                              6

       {¶14} Counsel has not set forth any proposed Assignments of Errors. Counsel

does, however, suggest that the conviction is not against the sufficiency of the evidence,

or the manifest weight of the evidence. [Appellant’s brief at 7-8]. Counsel further notes

that although the Trooper did not identify Allen during his trial, this was harmless error as

the trier of fact was able to view the video recording of Johnson’s encounter with the

trooper. [Appellant’s brief at 8-9].

       {¶15} It appears that Johnson has not remained in contact with the Clerk of Courts

or his attorney concerning his present address. Johnson has not filed a pro se brief3, and

the state has not filed a response to counsel's Anders brief.

       {¶16} After independently reviewing the record we find no error prejudicial to

Johnson's rights in the proceedings in the trial court. Attorney Chris Brigdon's motion to

withdraw as counsel for Appellant is hereby granted. State v. Hensley, 12th Dist. Clermont

No. CA2023-08-052, 2024-Ohio-125, ¶ 3

       3 Counsel’s appeal brief was sent to the same address that our Judgment Entry filed October 16,

2023 was sent and returned unserved. See, Note 2.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0042                                           7

       {¶17} The judgment of the Zanesville Municipal Court, Muskingum County, Ohio

is affirmed.

By Gwin, P.J.,

Hoffman, J., and

Wise, J., concur