Court Opinion

ID: 9882688
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-05 22:18:33.227935+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:00:43.652288
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Dorff, 2023-Ohio-3424.]

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

                                            STATE OF OHIO,

                                            Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                                    v.

                                       CHARLES E. DORFF,

                                        Defendant-Appellant.

                        OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                            Case No. 22 CO 0044

                                  Criminal Appeal from the
                      Court of Common Pleas of Columbiana County, Ohio
                                   Case No. 2021 CR 589

                                         BEFORE:
                   Carol Ann Robb, Cheryl L. Waite, Mark A. Hanni, Judges.

                                               JUDGMENT:
                                                 Affirmed.

Atty. Vito J. Abruzzino, Prosecuting Attorney, Atty. Shelley M. Pratt, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, Columbiana County Prosecutor’s Office, 135 South Market Street, Lisbon, Ohio
44432 for Plaintiff-Appellee and

Atty. Aaron M. Meikle, 173 West Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44481 for Defendant-
Appellant.

                                      Dated: September 21, 2023
                                                                                           –2–

Robb, J.

       {¶1}    Appellant, Charles E. Dorff, appeals the October 14, 2022 judgment
convicting him of aggravated possession of drugs following a jury trial.              Appellant
contends the trial court violated his constitutional rights by failing to instruct the jury about
an essential element of the offense.          He also claims the prosecutor violated his
constitutional rights based on his repeated reference to Appellant’s post-arrest silence.
We affirm.
                                       Statement of the Case
       {¶2}    Appellant was arrested by secret indictment and charged with two counts:
aggravated trafficking in drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(1), a fourth-degree felony,
and aggravated possession of drugs, methamphetamine, in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A),
a fifth-degree felony. (November 17, 2021 Indictment.) Appellant entered a not guilty
plea. The state subsequently dismissed the drug trafficking charge and the attendant
forfeiture specification. The parties exchanged discovery, and the case was heard by a
jury on October 11, 2022.
       {¶3}    During voir dire, defense counsel initiated the following exchange with one
of the potential jurors:
       MR. KING: And if my client elects not to testify, would you speculate as to
       why, or would you want to know the – why he didn’t testify?
       MS. CABLE: I would probably want to know why he didn’t testify, yes.
       MR. KING: Okay. I appreciate that. I guess it’s the old you want to hear
       both sides of the story?
       MS. CABLE: Correct.
       MR. KING: And in the – in the criminal justice system, you may not hear
       the other side of the story, the Defendant’s side of the story. Is that going
       to cause you some problems in regards to sorting out or wondering, again,
       why he’s not - - why he didn’t testify?
       MS. CABLE: No.
       MR. KING: Would you think the fact that he didn’t testify, would he be guilty
       then?

Case No. 22 CO 0044
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         MS. CABLE: No.
(Tr. 80-81.)
         {¶4}   The state’s evidence included the testimony of Detective Keith Hildebrand,
a former Columbiana County Drug Task Enforcement Officer. Hildebrand testified the
task force had received tips that drugs were being sold from Appellant’s home on East
Lake Road in Lisbon, Ohio. Thus, they used a confidential informant to make a controlled
drug purchase during which both Appellant and his son Dustin were present in January
of 2021. The informant purchased methamphetamine. After the purchase, the task force
executed a search warrant at the residence. They breached the door to prevent the
destruction of evidence. (Tr. 106-118.)
         {¶5}   Appellant was the only person home at the time of the search and was
laying on the couch. The bedroom that belonged to Appellant’s son did not contain illegal
drugs.    However, methamphetamine was found in the bedroom determined to be
Appellant’s. This room also contained burnt pipes and a box of drug paraphernalia. The
substance, later confirmed to be methamphetamine, was found in one of the nightstand
drawers. It was in a baggie in a gold container. Appellant’s license was also located in
this same nightstand. (Tr. 123-131.)
         {¶6}   During the search, Appellant’s son was returning home, and the officers
found additional drugs outside in the yard near where he was located. Dustin was
charged with possession of these drugs and was convicted before Appellant’s trial
commenced. (Tr. 138-147.)
         {¶7}   At the close of the state’s evidence, counsel reviewed the jury instructions
out of the jury’s presence. Defense counsel requested certain instructions be added
because Appellant was going to testify, and the court agreed. No other objections or
discussions were made by either side about the jury instructions. (Tr. 155-156.)
         {¶8}   Appellant testified on his own behalf. He acknowledged he was living in a
three-bedroom trailer on East Lake Road with his son Dustin at the time of the charges.
He was the only one home when police conducted the raid. Appellant said his son had a
girl spend the night the evening beforehand. They stayed in Appellant’s bedroom since
it had a television. Appellant slept on the couch. (Tr. 158-162.)

Case No. 22 CO 0044
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       {¶9}    Appellant acknowledged he had a prior drug possession conviction.
However, Appellant said the gold tin containing drugs did not belong to him, and it “had
to” belong to his son. His son was in prison at the time of trial. Appellant said the girl with
his son was named Carrie, and the drugs would not have belonged to her. Appellant also
acknowledged that the paraphernalia, the scale, and pipe found in his home belonged to
him, but he denied the drugs were his. He admitted to having a drug abuse problem. (Tr.
166-171.)
       {¶10} Appellant was asked about the task force’s search of his home and their
investigation on direct examination. Appellant’s attorney asked him:
       Q. Now, did any members of the drug task force confront you with
       anything that they found or ask you about anything that you [sic] found,
       then?
       A. No. They just brought it out and the other guy wrote down which room
       it was found in and what it was.
       Q. Okay. No questioning of you as to any of these items?
       A. No.
       Q. Did you try to attempt to volunteer anything to them in regard to
       anything that was found in the house?
       A. No, because I didn’t actually know what they were finding. They just
       wrote it down and, you know, put it in an evidence bag.
(Tr. 164.)
       {¶11} Detective Hildebrand was called as a rebuttal witness by the state. He was
asked about the night of the search by the prosecutor:
       Q. Detective, calling your attention back to the time of the execution of the
       search warrant on January 6th of 2021, do you recall if and how this
       Defendant was detained during the execution of that warrant?
       A. No.
       Q. Okay. Would he have been detained?
       A. Yes.
       Q. Okay. Did you have any contact with him?
       A. I believe they sat in the kitchen.

Case No. 22 CO 0044
                                                                                         –5–

       Q. Okay. Did he ever offer to make any statement to officers?
       A. I don’t remember.
       Q. Okay. Did he ever offer to make any statement to you?
       A. I don’t remember.
       Q. Okay. Did he suggest that those drugs - - to your knowledge, did he
       ever suggest that the drugs that were found in his room were not his?
       A. No.
       ***
       Q. Okay. Since the time of this incident * * * , has he ever made contact
       with you or any agents at the drug task force?
       A. Not that I’m aware of.
       Q. Okay. And has he ever essentially made any statement, to your
       knowledge, to anybody that those drugs were not his?
       A. Not that I’m aware of.
(T. 174-75.) During this line of questioning, Appellant’s trial counsel objected once,
contending the prosecutor had repeatedly asked the same question, contending it was
“asked and answered.” But the trial court overruled the objection. Defense counsel did
not object on constitutional grounds or assert the state was improperly commenting on
Appellant’s right to remain silent at this juncture. (Tr. 174.)
       {¶12} In the prosecutor’s closing argument, the state argued in part that despite
the passage of time after his arrest and before his trial, this is the first time they learned
about Appellant’s alleged defense. The prosecutor stated in part: “We did hear him take
the stand and he submitted a defense. This is the first time that we’ve heard that defense
here today. I think it has been approximately 643 days since the date of this offense on
January 6th of 2021. This is the first time that we’re hearing any defense for this charge.”
(Tr. 179-80.)
       {¶13} Appellant’s trial counsel objected, stating: “Your Honor, I am going to object
as to that. It infers the Defendant had something to do with the prosecutor, and that’s just
not the law, Judge.”    The judge overruled his objection, indicating it was not evidence
and only argument. (Tr. 180.) The prosecutor then immediately thereafter raised the
issue during his closing argument, stating: “You heard * * * Detective Hildebrand * * *

Case No. 22 CO 0044
                                                                                       –6–

talk about this. To his knowledge, he’s never made any attempt to clear the record that
this - - this wasn’t his drugs, until today. [sic] And that’s why we’re here today, for that
little package of meth that they found * * * in the Defendant’s nightstand.” (Tr. 180-181.)
       {¶14} The prosecutor also commented on the lack of Appellant’s witnesses and
evidence supporting his testimony. The prosecutor pointed out Appellant’s failure to have
his son and his son’s girlfriend testify, and at this point, defense counsel objected
contending the state was commenting on Appellant’s constitutional rights. The trial court
overruled the objection, noting the state was commenting on the lack of testimony
corroborating Appellant’s version of the events. (Tr. 183-184.)
       {¶15} Appellant was convicted of the sole count and was sentenced to twelve
months in prison. (October 14, 2022 Judgment.) He raises two assignments of error on
appeal.
                           Assignment of Error One: Jury Instructions
       {¶16} Appellant’s first assignment asserts:
       “The trial court violated Charles Dorff’s constitutional rights and plainly erred by
failing to instruct the jury on every element of the offense charged. Fifth, Sixth, and
Fourteenth Amendments, United States Constitution; Article I, Sections 10 and 16, Ohio
Constitution; R.C. 2945.11; Crim.R. 30; Crim.R. 52; State v. Bridgeman, 51 Ohio App. 2d
105 (1977); Morgan v. State, 48 Ohio St 371, paragraph three of the syllabus (1891);
State v. Headley, 6 Ohio St.3d 475 (1983); Ohio Jury Instructions, CR Section 525.11
(Rev. Dec. 10, 2016); T. 201-02.”
       {¶17} Jury instructions are generally left to the discretion of the trial court, and
thus, we ordinarily apply the abuse of discretion standard when reviewing a decision not
to instruct the jury in a certain manner. State v. Wolons, 44 Ohio St.3d 64, 68, 541 N.E.2d
443 (1989); State v. Cain, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-1252, 2007-Ohio-6181, ¶ 7. Here,
however, there was no objection to the jury instruction that Appellant challenges on
appeal, and as such, he waived all but plain error.
       {¶18} Crim.R. 30(A) states “a party may not assign as error [on appeal] the giving
or the failure to give any instructions unless the party objects before the jury retires to
consider its verdict * * *.” However, appellate courts may notice “[p]lain errors or defects

Case No. 22 CO 0044
                                                                                           –7–

affecting substantial rights * * * although they were not brought to the attention of the [trial]
court.” Crim. R. 52(B).
       {¶19} Appellate courts should notice plain error “with the utmost caution, under
exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.” State
v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus. Plain
error is an obvious deviation from a legal rule that affects the outcome of the trial. State
v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). The appellant must show the
outcome would have been different absent the plain error. Id.
       {¶20} As stated, Appellant was charged and convicted of aggravated possession
of drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), a fifth-degree felony. Thus, the state had the
burden of proving that he knowingly had a controlled substance, i.e., methamphetamines,
in his possession. R.C. 2925.11.
       {¶21} Here, Appellant contends the court erred by failing to require the jury to
consider and decide if the state established venue. However, venue is not a material
element of any offense charged; the elements of the offense charged are separate and
distinct. State v. Jackson, 141 Ohio St.3d 171, 2014-Ohio-3707, 23 N.E.3d 1023, ¶ 143.
Notwithstanding, the state must prove venue beyond a reasonable doubt unless it is
waived by the defendant. Id., citing State v. Headley, 6 Ohio St.3d 475, 477, 453 N.E.2d
716 (1983).
       {¶22} As authority, Appellant relies on the applicable standard Ohio Jury
Instruction for aggravated possession of drugs, 2 CR Ohio Jury Instructions 525.11, which
includes the county and state as facts of the offense. He claims because the jury was not
instructed on venue and did not determine whether this element was established beyond
a reasonable doubt, the court necessarily invaded the province of the jury when it
convicted him.
       {¶23} The Ohio Supreme Court in State v. Were, 118 Ohio St.3d 448, 2008-Ohio-
2762, 890 N.E.2d 263, ¶ 148-150, addressed this precise issue under a plain error
standard of review. After listing the evidence presented at trial establishing the location
of the offenses and venue, the Were court found no plain error. Id.
       {¶24} Like Were, the state established the instant offense occurred in Columbiana
County, Ohio. Detective Hildebrand testified that the search warrant was executed at

Case No. 22 CO 0044
                                                                                          –8–

Appellant’s residence located in Columbiana County. He also testified that the controlled
drug buy occurred at Appellant’s home in Lisbon. (Tr. 109-110, 118.) And although
Appellant did not give the precise address of his home at the time of the search, he
confirmed he lived on East Lake Road, which is the same street referred to by Hildebrand
in his testimony. (Tr. 158-159.) There was no evidence to the contrary, and no indication
Appellant resided in another county or state.
       {¶25} Based on the foregoing, Appellant’s first assigned error lacks merit and is
overruled.
                    Assignment of Error Two: Right to Remain Silent
       {¶26} Appellant’s second assigned error asserts:
       “The prosecution’s inquiry into and continued references to Mr. Dorff’s post-arrest
silence violated his Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to remain silent. Fifth, Sixth,
and Fourteenth Amendments, United States Constitution; Article I, Sections 10 and 16,
Ohio Constitution; Crim.R. 30; Crim.R. 52; State v. Chaney, 2010-Ohio-1312 (7th Dist.);
State v. Washington, 2009-Ohio-933 (7th Dist.); Doyle v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610 (1976); State
v. Rahman, 23 Ohio St.3d 146 (1986); T. 174-75; 179-80.”
       {¶27} When reviewing a prosecutor's alleged misconduct and allegedly improper
remarks, we must consider whether the prosecutor's statements were improper and if
those remarks affected the defendant’s substantial rights. State v. Smith, 14 Ohio St.3d
13, 14-15, 470 N.E.2d 883 (1984). Even if the remarks were improper, reversal is not
warranted unless the conduct complained of deprived the defendant of a fair trial. State
v. Fears, 86 Ohio St.3d 329, 332, 715 N.E.2d 136 (1999). Thus, upon reviewing the
context of the entire trial, if it appears clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the jury would
have found the defendant guilty even without the improper comments, then the comments
were harmless. State v. LaMar, 95 Ohio St.3d 181, 2002-Ohio-2128, 767 N.E.2d 166, ¶
121. “The touchstone of this analysis ‘is the fairness of the trial, not the culpability of the
prosecutor.’” Id., quoting Smith v. Phillips, 455 U.S. 209, 219, 102 S.Ct. 940 (1982).
       {¶28} The failure to object to alleged prosecutorial misconduct waives all but plain
error. State v. Hanna, 95 Ohio St.3d 285, 2002-Ohio-2221, ¶ 77, 84. And as stated under
Appellant’s first assignment of error, appellate courts should only recognize plain error
“with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest

Case No. 22 CO 0044
                                                                                           –9–

miscarriage of justice.”    State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978),
paragraph three of the syllabus.
       {¶29} “[I]t is fundamentally unfair to promise an arrested person that his silence
will not be used against him and thereafter to breach that promise by using the silence to
impeach his trial testimony.” Wainwright v. Greenfield, 474 U.S. 284, 292, 106 S.Ct. 634
(1986). Thus, the state’s “use of a defendant's post-arrest, post-Miranda silence as a
means of impeaching the defendant’s testimony at trial violates the defendant's right to
due process under the Fourteenth Amendment.” State v. Chaney, 7th Dist. Mahoning
No. 08 MA 171, 2010-Ohio-1312, ¶ 29, citing Doyle v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 96 S.Ct. 2240
(1976).   Comments by the prosecution about a defendant’s post-arrest silence are
extremely disfavored since such comments infer the defendant is guilty based on his or
her invocation of their right to remain silent. Chaney, supra, citing State v. Thompson, 33
Ohio St.3d 1, 4, 514 N.E.2d 407 (1987).
       {¶30} There are, however, certain exceptions to this rule. One exception is when
defense counsel elicits testimony about a defendant’s silence, such that the defense
“opens the door” to the issue for the state. The rule in Doyle, supra, “does not apply when
defense counsel raises the defendant's post-arrest silence.” (Emphasis sic.) State v.
Hankison, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 09CA3326, 2010-Ohio-4617, ¶ 136; State v. Reed, 10th
Dist. Franklin No. 08AP-20, 2008-Ohio-6082, ¶ 21-23 (no constitutional issue where the
defense opened the door on post-Miranda silence, and the elicitation of information about
the defendant's post-arrest silence was trial tactics); State v. Eason, 7th Dist. Belmont
No. 02 BE 41, 2003-Ohio-6279, ¶ 133 (defense counsel first raised the issue as a matter
of strategy).
       {¶31} As alleged by Appellant, the state repeatedly commented on Appellant’s
decision to remain silent. However, in the context of the whole trial, it is evident the state’s
rebuttal testimony and its closing arguments were in response to defense trial strategy.
Defense counsel foreshadowed the issue during voir dire when he asked a juror about a
defendant’s decision to remain silent. Then on direct examination, defense counsel
asked Appellant about the officers’ lack of questioning of him about the drugs found and
why Appellant did not volunteer his explanation to them in an apparent attempt to bolster
his testimony.

Case No. 22 CO 0044
                                                                                    – 10 –

       {¶32} Thus, the defense opened the door for the state to counter with evidence
and arguments about Appellant’s silence. Further, we should also note the state is
generally permitted to comment on the lack of evidence supporting a defendant’s theory
of the case. Chaney, supra, at ¶ 40.
       {¶33} In isolation, the state’s evidence and arguments are wholly improper
comments on Appellant’s post-arrest silence. However, because the defense elicited
Appellant’s testimony in this regard and employed this defense strategy, we find no error.
                                            Conclusion
       {¶34} Based on the foregoing, Appellant’s assignments of error lack merit and are
overruled. The trial court’s decision is affirmed.

Waite, J., concurs.

Hanni, J., concurs.

Case No. 22 CO 0044
[Cite as State v. Dorff, 2023-Ohio-3424.]

        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 waived.
        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.