Court Opinion

ID: 4563981
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-09-09 17:09:54.478137+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:23:34.828873
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Spiess, 2020-Ohio-4376.]

                                         COURT OF APPEALS
                                       LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
                                     FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

 STATE OF OHIO                                   :   JUDGES:
                                                 :
                                                 :   Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
        Plaintiff-Appellee                       :   Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
                                                 :   Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., J.
 -vs-                                            :
                                                 :   Case No. 19-CA-106
                                                 :
 JOSHUA SPIESS                                   :
                                                 :
                                                 :
        Defendant-Appellant                      :   OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                             Appeal from the Licking County
                                                     Municipal Court, Case No. 19CRB00912

JUDGMENT:                                            AFFIRMED

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                              September 9, 2020

APPEARANCES:

 For Plaintiff-Appellee:                             For Defendant-Appellant:

 TRICIA MOORE                                        KORT GATTERDAM
 40 West Main St., 4th Floor                         ERIK P. HENRY
 Newark, OH 43055                                    Carpenter Lipps & Leland LLP
                                                     280 Plaza, Suite 1300
                                                     280 North High St.
                                                     Columbus, OH 43215
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                         2

Delaney, J.

       {¶1} Appellant Joshua Spiess appeals from the Judgment of Conviction of the

Licking County Municipal Court dated September 26, 2019. Appellee is the state of Ohio.

                         FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

       {¶2} The following facts are adduced from the record of appellant’s jury trial.

       {¶3} This case arose on May 20, 2019, around 10:28 a.m., when Deputy Holmes

of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office was working routine commercial vehicle

enforcement in Union Township.         Holmes is the LCSO commercial motor vehicle

enforcement officer. Holmes was parked in the parking lot of a former Valero gas station

watching commercial vehicle traffic at a truck stop across the street.

       {¶4} Holmes observed a car pull into the Valero lot at a high rate of speed, lock

up its brakes, and come to a complete stop. A woman (Jane Doe) exited the driver’s side

of the car and walked around to the passenger side. A man later identified as appellant

got out of the passenger side and yelled at Jane Doe. Appellant grabbed Doe by the

shoulders, picked her up off the ground, and slammed her into the side of the car while

yelling at her. Appellant then dropped Jane Doe to the ground and placed his arm around

her neck in a choke hold.

       {¶5} Holmes flipped his lights on and contacted dispatch to advise he was

investigating a domestic violence incident in progress; he requested backup. Holmes

pulled his police car up to Doe’s car with lights on as appellant “nudged” Doe into the front

passenger seat of the vehicle.      Holmes described appellant as highly agitated and

screaming at Doe.
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                        3

       {¶6} Holmes cuffed and detained appellant and spoke to Doe, who was sitting in

the front seat crying. Doe said she was OK and not injured; she refused medical attention.

Doe said appellant “never did anything like this before.” She said the two were traveling

through Ohio after appellant participated in a triathlon in Missouri. The two were engaged

and lived together in Virginia. They argued on the freeway about her driving and she

pulled into the Valero lot to switch places with appellant.

       {¶7} The car is registered to appellant. After arrest, appellant permitted Doe to

keep possession of it.

       {¶8} Doe provided a written statement noting she will not press charges against

appellant.

       {¶9} At trial, Doe testified on behalf of appellant. She testified that May 20, 2019,

was the culmination of several weeks in which she had been unusually emotional, which

she attributed to issues with P.M.S. She minimized the incident witnessed by Holmes,

testifying that appellant was only trying to “get [her] under control because [she] was

acting irrational and sporadic and crazy….” T. 150. She agreed appellant grabbed her

by the shoulders but denied that he slammed her into the car, claiming that he held her

“tenderly.” She testified that she wanted the criminal charges against appellant dropped.

       {¶10} Upon cross-examination, Doe testified the pair are still engaged and live

together. When asked why she told Holmes this was the first time appellant acted this

way, she responded that she meant this is the first time appellant “comforted” her like

this. She testified she didn’t remember if appellant lifted her off the ground, and denied

he put her in a choke hold; instead, she said he merely wrapped his arm around her

shoulders.
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                        4

       {¶11} Appellant testified on his own behalf at trial and said it was Doe who was

upset that day because they didn’t go to brunch. He testified that Doe “seem[ed] off” for

weeks and that when she got out of the car to let him drive, she looked like a “zombie.”

T. 171-172. He denied yelling at her but acknowledged that he did hold her “firmly.”

Appellant testified he understood why the officer perceived a problem because appellant

was “full of adrenaline” but he never tried to hurt Doe. He merely helped her into the car

and never slammed her against the car.

       {¶12} Upon cross-examination, appellant said it was “plausible” that he lifted Doe

off the ground but he absolutely was not yelling at her; he said he put his forehead against

hers and “almost kissed her.” T. 181. Appellant insisted he was calm throughout the

incident and acknowledged that Doe testified he had his arm around her, but she could

breathe.

       {¶13} Appellee recalled Deputy Holmes upon rebuttal and Holmes disputed

appellant’s account that he merely hugged Doe. Holmes testified that if that was the case,

he would not have gotten involved.        Holmes testified appellant got out of the car

aggressively and was visibly angry; he handled Doe in such a manner that he could have

hurt her. Holmes testified that appellant was yelling at Doe the entire time he was

physically engaged with her. Additionally, Doe was crying when she exited the vehicle.

       {¶14} Appellant was charged by criminal complaint with one count of domestic

violence pursuant to R.C. 2919.25(A) and one count of assault pursuant to R.C.

2903.13(A). Appellant entered pleas of not guilty and the matter proceeded to trial by

jury. Appellant moved for a judgment of acquittal pursuant to Crim.R. 29(A); the motions

were overruled. Appellant was found guilty as charged. The trial court found the offenses
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                       5

merged for purposes of sentencing and appellee elected to sentence upon the count of

domestic violence. The trial court sentenced appellant to a jail term of one day, for which

he was given credit for time served, and a fine of $150.

       {¶15} Appellant now appeals from the trial court’s judgment entry of conviction

and sentence.

       {¶16} Appellant raises four assignments of error:

                              ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

       {¶17} “I.    THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED APPELLANT’S RIGHTS TO DUE

PROCESS AND A FAIR TRIAL WHEN IT ENTERED A JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION

BASED ON INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE AND AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF

THE EVIDENCE IN VIOLATION OF APPELLANT’S RIGHTS UNDER THE UNITED

STATES AND OHIO CONSTITUTIONS.”

       {¶18} “II.    THE PROSECUTOR’S INSINUATION THAT THE DEFENSE

MANUFACTURED TESTIMONY CONSTITUTED MISCONDUCT AND DEPRIVED

APPELLANT OF HIS RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS AND TO A TRIAL BY AN IMPARTIAL

JURY CONTRARY TO THE FIFTH, SIXTH, AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.”

       {¶19} “III. APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF THE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE

OF TRIAL COUNSEL IN VIOLATION OF APPELLANT’S RIGHTS UNDER THE SIXTH

AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, AND

SECTION 10 AND 16, ARTICLE I OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.”
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                        6

       {¶20} “IV. LOCAL RULE 45.00 OF THE LICKING COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT

VIOLATES THE SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF DEFENDANTS TO AN IMPARTIAL

JURY.”

                                        ANALYSIS

                                             I.

       {¶21} In his first assignment of error, appellant argues his domestic violence and

assault convictions are not supported by sufficient evidence and are against the manifest

weight of the evidence. We disagree.

       {¶22} The legal concepts of sufficiency of the evidence and weight of the evidence

are both quantitatively and qualitatively different. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380,

1997-Ohio-52, 678 N.E.2d 541, paragraph two of the syllabus. The standard of review for

a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is set forth in State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d

259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991) at paragraph two of the syllabus, in which the Ohio Supreme

Court held, “An appellate court's function when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence

to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to determine

whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind of the defendant's

guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The 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.”

       {¶23} In determining whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the

evidence, the court of appeals functions as the “thirteenth juror,” and after “reviewing the

entire record, weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers the credibility

of witnesses and determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury clearly
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                      7

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

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

Reversing a conviction as being against the manifest weight of the evidence and ordering

a new trial should be reserved for only the “exceptional case in which the evidence weighs

heavily against the conviction.” Id.

       {¶24} Appellant was found guilty upon one count of domestic violence pursuant

to R.C. 2919.25(A), which states, “No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause

physical harm to a family or household member.” Appellant was also found guilty upon

one count of assault pursuant to R.C. 2903.13(A), which states, “No person shall

knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another's unborn.”

       {¶25} Appellant argues his convictions are against the manifest weight and

sufficiency of the evidence because appellee did not prove he attempted to harm Doe.

Upon our review of the record, we disagree and note Holmes testified appellant “handled”

Doe in such a way that she could have been injured: he grabbed her by her upper arms,

picked her up off the ground, and slammed her against the car. Holmes further described

appellant holding Doe in a chokehold. We have held that the testimony of one witness,

if believed by the factfinder, is enough to support a conviction. See, State v. Dunn, 5th

Dist. Stark No. 2008–CA–00137, 2009–Ohio–1688, ¶ 133.

       {¶26} Appellant points to minor inconsistencies between Holmes’ trial testimony

and his narrative report, and argues that Holmes’ testimony is controverted by the

testimony of appellant and Doe. We defer to the trier of fact as to the weight to be given

the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230,

227 N.E.2d 212 (1967), at paragraph one of the syllabus. The jury as the trier of fact was
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                       8

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. Johnson,

2015–Ohio–3113, 41 N.E.3d 104, ¶ 61 (5th Dist.), citing State v. Nivens, 10th Dist.

Franklin No. 95APA09–1236, 1996 WL 284714 (May 28, 1996). The jury need not believe

all of a witness' testimony, but may accept only portions of it as true. Id.

       {¶27} Any inconsistencies in the evidence were for the trial court to resolve. State

v. Dotson, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2016CA00199, 2017-Ohio-5565, ¶ 49. “The weight of the

evidence concerns the inclination of the greater amount of credible evidence offered in a

trial to support one side of the issue rather than the other.” State v. Delevie, 5th Dist.

Licking No. 18-CA-111, 2019-Ohio-3563, ¶ 30, appeal not allowed, 158 Ohio St.3d 1410,

2020-Ohio-518, 139 N.E.3d 927, citing State v. Brindley, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 01AP-

926, 2002-Ohio-2425, 2002 WL 1013033, ¶ 16. In the instant case, appellee’s evidence

was compelling, and the jury was free to weigh appellant’s self-serving testimony

accordingly.

       {¶28} We find the trial court did not clearly lose its way and create a manifest

miscarriage of justice requiring that appellant's convictions be reversed and a new trial

ordered. Appellant's convictions are not against the manifest weight or sufficiency of the

evidence.

       {¶29} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                          9

                                                 II.

        {¶30} In his second assignment of error, appellant argues the prosecutor

committed misconduct by “insinuat[ing] that the defense manufactured testimony.” We

disagree.

        {¶31} During cross-examination of appellant, the prosecutor asked if appellant

and Jane Doe discussed her testimony prior to trial, specifically, whether he lifted her off

the ground during the altercation. Doe testified he did lift her off the ground, and appellant

testified he did not.

        {¶32} Appellant acknowledged he and Doe spoke of the incident that day but

denied they discussed her testimony in advance. The following statements were then

made:

                        * * * *.

                        PROSECUTOR: But you just said that you asked her if she

              thought…if she thought you lifted her up off the ground on your drive

              back?

                        APPELLANT: I did ask her that.

                        PROSECUTOR: Okay did you both meet with your attorney?

                        APPELLANT: Yesterday.

                        PROSECUTOR: Now when she got out of the car and she

              came around your testimony is that you weren’t screaming at her?

                        APPELLANT: Absolutely not.

                        * * * *.

                        T. 180.
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                       10

       {¶33} Appellant argues that in this exchange, the prosecutor suggested that

appellant and Doe met with defense counsel and manufactured testimony. Brief, 16.

Appellant did not object to the question.

       {¶34} The test for prosecutorial misconduct is whether the prosecutor's remarks

and comments were improper and if so, whether those remarks and comments

prejudicially affected the substantial rights of the accused. State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d

160, 166, 555 N.E.2d 293 (1990), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1017, 111 S.Ct. 591, 112 L.Ed.2d

596 (1990). In reviewing allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, we must review the

complained-of conduct in the context of the entire trial. Darden v. Wainwright, 477 U.S.

168, 184, 106 S.Ct. 2464, 91 L.Ed.2d 144 (1986). Prosecutorial misconduct will not

provide a basis for reversal unless the misconduct can be said to have deprived appellant

of a fair trial based on the entire record. Lott, supra, 51 Ohio St.3d at 166.

       {¶35} As demonstrated in the portion of the record cited supra, appellant did not

object to the alleged improper insinuation at trial. If trial counsel fails to object to the

alleged instances of prosecutorial misconduct, the alleged improprieties are waived,

absent plain error. State v. White, 82 Ohio St.3d 16, 22, 1998–Ohio–363, 693 N.E.2d 772

(1998), citing State v. Slagle, 65 Ohio St.3d 597, 604, 605 N.E.2d 916 (1992).

       {¶36} We therefore review appellant's allegation under the plain-error standard.

Pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B), “plain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be

noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the court.” The rule places

several limitations on a reviewing court's determination to correct an error despite the

absence of timely objection at trial: (1) “there must be an error, i.e., a deviation from a

legal rule,” (2) “the error must be plain,” that is, an error that constitutes “an ‘obvious'
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                          11

defect in the trial proceedings,” and (3) the error must have affected “substantial rights”

such that “the trial court's error must have affected the outcome of the trial.” State v. Dunn,

5th Dist. No. 2008–CA–00137, 2009–Ohio–1688, citing State v. Morales, 10th Dist. Nos.

03-AP-318, 03-AP-319, 2004-Ohio-3391, at ¶ 19. The decision to correct a plain error is

discretionary and should be made “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.

       {¶37} If a prosecutor's comments are found to be improper, it is not enough that

there is sufficient evidence to otherwise sustain a conviction. “Instead, it must be clear

beyond a reasonable doubt that absent the prosecutor's comments, the jury would have

found defendant guilty.” State v. Clay, 181 Ohio App.3d 563, 2009–Ohio–1235, 910

N.E.2d 14 at ¶ 49 (8th Dist.), citing State v. Smith, 14 Ohio St.3d 13, 470 N.E.2d 883

(1984).

       {¶38} In the instant case, we disagree with appellant’s characterization of the

record; the single question whether appellant and Doe met with his attorney did not create

in the jury a belief that appellant and defense counsel “manufactured testimony.”

Appellant points to no such explicit suggestion in the record. Moreover, it would not make

sense for appellee to insinuate the parties manufactured testimony when in fact they

testified differently about whether appellant lifted Doe off the ground.

       {¶39} Finally, appellant cannot demonstrate, even if the cited question was

improper, “but for” the question he would not have been convicted. Appellee presented

compelling evidence, including the testimony of a law enforcement officer on the scene

who witnessed the incident from its inception. Having failed to demonstrate a causal
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                       12

connection between the alleged misconduct and his resulting convictions, appellant

cannot demonstrate reversible error. See, State v. Montgomery, 5th Dist. Fairfield No.

14-CA-49, 2015-Ohio-3066, ¶ 30.

        {¶40} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.

                                                III.

        {¶41} In his third assignment of error, appellant argues he received ineffective

assistance of defense trial counsel. We disagree.

        {¶42} To succeed on a claim of ineffectiveness, a defendant must satisfy a two-

prong    test.   Initially,   a   defendant   must     show   that   trial   counsel   acted

incompetently. See, Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d

674 (1984). In assessing such claims, “a court must indulge a strong presumption that

counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance; that

is, the defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the

challenged action ‘might be considered sound trial strategy.’ ” Id. at 689, citing Michel v.

Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct. 158, 100 L.Ed. 83 (1955). “There are countless

ways to provide effective assistance in any given case. Even the best criminal defense

attorneys would not defend a particular client in the same way.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at

689, 104 S.Ct. 2052. The question is whether counsel acted “outside the wide range of

professionally competent assistance.” Id. at 690.

        {¶43} Even if a defendant shows that counsel was incompetent, the defendant

must then satisfy the second prong of the Strickland test. Under this “actual prejudice”

prong, the defendant must show that “there is a reasonable probability that, but for
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                       13

counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been

different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052.

       {¶44} Appellant points to several instances of alleged ineffective assistance and

we will examine each in turn.

       {¶45} First, appellant argues defense trial counsel failed to object when appellee’s

witness “attempted to direct a verdict against appellant.” Again, upon examination of the

record, we disagree with appellant’s characterization. During direct examination, the

prosecutor asked Holmes why he arrested appellant, and Holmes responded, “Based on

what I saw. Witnessing the act of aggression and the violence towards her I could not

knowingly release them to continue down the road. If something would have happened

down the road I am responsible for that and I can’t do that.” The prosecutor then asked

Holmes what he meant by “violence and aggression,” and Holmes responded, “There has

to be a level of violence. If you physically pick somebody up off the ground two feet and

slam them in to the side of a car there is violence and aggression there. That is not

normal behavior that a husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend that’s not normal

interaction between them.” (T. 116-117).

       {¶46} Appellant asserts defense trial counsel’s failure to object to these questions

constitutes ineffective assistance, although he does not state what the grounds for

objection would have been. Instead, he asserts that Holmes’ responses “invaded the

province of the jury.” Brief, 18. Relevant evidence that invades the province of the jury is

unduly prejudicial. State v. Foster, 5th Dist. Richland No. 2005CA0033, 2005-Ohio-6878,

¶ 31. However, the officer’s testimony cited here “provided a clear picture from which the
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                           14

jury could reach its decision.” Id. We disagree with appellant’s conclusion that the

testimony invaded the province of the jury, and therefore find no ineffective assistance.

       {¶47} Appellant next points to defense trial counsel’s question to Holmes whether

Doe told him if appellant had ever done anything like this before, pointing to the ensuing

argument by appellee that Doe’s denial implies “something bad” happened. T. 200.

Defense trial counsel asked the question among a string of questions aimed at minimizing

the altercation, eliciting testimony from Holmes that Doe wasn’t injured and nothing like

this had ever happened before. Moreover, appellant called Doe as his witness and was

able to address this issue with her directly.

       {¶48} We find the question to Doe, designed to minimize the incident, to be trial

strategy. It is well-established that debatable strategic and tactical decisions may not

form the basis of a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Harris, 5th Dist.

Richland No. 15CA9, 2015-Ohio-5400, ¶ 59, citing State v. Phillips, 74 Ohio St.3d 72, 85,

656 N.E.2d 643, 1995–Ohio171. Even if the wisdom of an approach is questionable,

“debatable trial tactics” do not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. Id. “Poor tactics

of experienced counsel, however, even with disastrous result, may hardly be considered

lack of due process * * *.” Id., citing State v. Clayton, 62 Ohio St.2d 45, 48, 402 N.E.2d

1189 (1980).

       {¶49} The presentation of witnesses, questioning, and cross-examination of

witnesses falls within the ambit of trial strategy, and debatable trial tactics do not establish

ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Crank, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2016CA00042, 2016-

Ohio-7203, ¶ 19, appeal not allowed, 148 Ohio St.3d 1428, 2017-Ohio-905, 71 N.E.3d

299, citing State v. Hoffner, 102 Ohio St.3d 358, 2004–Ohio–3430, 811 N.E.2d 48, ¶ 45.
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                     15

In addition, to fairly assess counsel's performance, “a court must indulge a strong

presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional

assistance.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689.

       {¶50} Finally, appellant argues that he was prejudiced by the cumulative effect of

multiple alleged instances of ineffective assistance of counsel. We found no basis for a

claim of ineffective assistance of counsel upon review of each of appellant's assertions,

and conclude there can be no cumulative effect. State v. Thorne, 5th Dist. Stark No.

2003CA00388, 2004-Ohio-7055, ¶ 73, appeal not allowed, 105 Ohio St.3d 1502, 2005-

Ohio-1666, 825 N.E.2d 624.        Appellant has not demonstrated that any claimed

deficiencies of trial counsel created “a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's

unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” State v.

James, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2016CA00144, 2017-Ohio-7861, ¶ 68.

       {¶51} Appellant’s third assignment of error is overruled.

                                               IV.

       {¶52} In his fourth assignment of error, appellant argues that Local Rule 45.00 of

the Licking County Municipal Court violates his right to an impartial jury. We disagree.

       {¶53} Local Rule 45.00 of the Licking County Municipal Court--EXEMPTION,

EXCUSE OR DEFERRAL—states the following in pertinent part:

                    Prospective jurors with automatic exemptions shall be

             removed from the prospective panel by the jury commissioner.

             Eligible persons who are summoned may be excused from service

             only if it is determined that their ability to receive and evaluate

             information is so impaired that they are unable to perform their duties
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                      16

             as jurors, or that service upon a jury would constitute a significant

             hardship to them or members of the public. Persons excused from

             service may be deferred and may be subject to jury service at a later

             time. All requests for excuse or deferral must be made on the form

             provided, and shall be accompanied by appropriate documentation.

             These documents shall be retained by the Court.

                    The following factors constitute a partial, although not

             exclusive, list of excuses for which a person may be excused or

             deferred from jury service:

                    * * * *.

                    (e) Any person who has served on a jury within the last year.

                    * * * *.

                    No person shall be excused from jury service, except by the

             Judge or an individual specifically authorized to excuse jurors. Once

             a prospective juror has submitted his/her request for excuse or

             deferral, the prospective juror must report for service unless

             otherwise notified by the Court.

       {¶54} In the instant case, the record reveals the issue first arose during voir dire

when the trial court asked whether anyone in the jury pool “served as a juror in any other

court of record within Licking County in the last twelve months.” T. 18. Juror 9 stated

that yes, he served as a juror in the Court of Common Pleas approximately a month prior.

The trial court said Juror 9 was eligible to be excused if he would like to be, and Juror 9

agreed that yes, he would like to be excused. The trial court then stated, “Okay I will
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                      17

excuse you but I will make you wait until after we pick the jury because that way we can

give you your check today alright.” T. 19. Juror 9 agreed.

       {¶55} We note no objection was raised by either party during this exchange.

Peremptory challenges and challenges for cause were not made on the record. T. 80.

The trial court seated the chosen jurors and excused those remaining, including Juror 9.

Again, no objection was raised. T. 82.

       {¶56} Later, after the presentation of evidence concluded but before the return of

the jury verdicts, the trial court stated the following in pertinent part:

                      During the voir dire process as we selected the jury the

              following jurors were excused for cause by agreement of the parties.

              * * * *.    The state moved to challenge [Juror 9] for cause, the

              defendant objected to that juror being excused for cause and the

              court overruled the objection and the court specifically notes that

              [Juror 9] indicated that he had served jury duty within the last twelve

              months and pursuant to local rule 45.00 subsection (e) that is

              grounds for excuse…or being excused. * * * *.”

                      T. 220.

       {¶57} Appellee noted Juror 9 did choose to be excused based upon his prior

service; the trial court agreed that Juror 9 was given the option to remain but he chose

not to do so. T. 221.

       {¶58} Appellant summarily argues the excusal of Juror 9 violated his right to a

panel of impartial jurors drawn from a cross-section of the community pursuant to the
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                         18

Sixth Amendment, claiming he wanted to keep Juror 9 on the panel but exclusion of Juror

9 denied his right to a jury representing a fair cross-section of the community.

       {¶59} First, we find no support in the record for appellant’s factual assertions. The

basis of appellant’s objection to dismissal of Juror 9 is not in the record. Nor did appellant

proffer any evidence that excusal of Juror 9 somehow violated his right to a panel

representing a cross-section of the community.

       {¶60} Nor does appellant reveal in what manner he was allegedly prejudiced. The

Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution guarantee a

defendant's right to have a jury chosen from a fair cross-section of their community. State

v. Scott, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2001CA0004, 2001-Ohio-7053. However, this requirement

of a fair cross-representation of the community need not be interpreted to mean the array

of the members of the venire consist of an exact cross-section of the community. Id.

       {¶61} Furthermore, as the Ohio Supreme Court stated in State v. Strodes , 48

Ohio St.2d 113, 115-116, 357 N.E.2d 375 (1976), vacated as to the death penalty, (1978),

438 U.S. 911, 98 S.Ct. 3135, 57 L.Ed.2d 1154:

                     Under the United States Constitution, a defendant is entitled

              not to a perfect cross section of citizens for the jury panel, but only

              to panels selected by the best method that thoughtful [individuals],

              who are cognizant of the practicalities of selection and the inherent

              problems involved, have been able to develop. Unless prejudice to

              the defendant or the systematic and intentional exclusion of a group

              is shown, we will not reverse a judgment because of minor and

              technical defects in jury-selection procedures. “[G]roups defined
Licking County, Case No. 19-CA-106                                                           19

                solely in terms of shared attitudes that would prevent or substantially

                impair members of the group from performing one of their duties as

                jurors * * * are not ‘distinctive groups' for fair-cross-section purposes.

                The array of the venire need not reflect an exact cross section of the

                community.”

       {¶62} In the instant case, appellant did not argue excusal of Juror 9 violated his

Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury, and he has waived any complaint absent plain

error. Scott, supra, 2001-Ohio-7053. Crim. R. 52(B) provides that plain errors or defects

affecting substantial rights may be noticed although they were not brought to the attention

of the court.

       {¶63} Notice of plain error under this rule is to be taken with the utmost caution,

under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.

Id. We note appellant does not claim that systematic or intentional exclusion occurred in

this case. Accordingly, we find no plain error in the makeup of the jury or of the venire.

Scott, supra.

       {¶64} Appellant's fourth assignment of error is overruled.
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                                    CONCLUSION

       {¶65} Appellant’s four assignments of error are overruled and the judgment of the

Licking County Municipal Court is affirmed.

By: Delaney, J.,

Gwin, P.J. and

Wise, Earle, J., concur.