Court Opinion

ID: 9381812
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-03-23 20:07:37.836472+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:34.579233
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Ocanas, 2023-Ohio-951.]

                                        COURT OF APPEALS
                                      LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO                                      JUDGES:
                                                   Hon. John W. Wise, P.J.
        Plaintiff-Appellee                         Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
                                                   Hon. Andrew J. King, J.
-vs-
                                                   Case No. 2022 CA 00047
JASON A. OCANAS, JR.

        Defendant-Appellant                        OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                        Criminal Appeal from the Court of Common
                                                Pleas, Case No. 21CR525

JUDGMENT:                                       Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                         March 22, 2023

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                          For Defendant-Appellant

WILLIAM C. HAYES                                WILLIAM T. CRAMER
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY                            470 Olde Worthington Road
ROBERT N. ABDALLA                               Suite 200
ASSISTANT PROSECTOR                             Westerville, Ohio 43082
20 South Second Street
Newark, Ohio 43055
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                   2

Wise, P. J.

        {¶1}   Defendant-Appellant Jason A. Ocanas, Jr. appeals his convictions and

sentences on one count of Failure to Comply with Order or Signal of Police and one count

of Obstructing Official Business entered in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas

following a jury trial.

        {¶2}   Appellee is the state of Ohio.

                           STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

        {¶3}   On July 2, 2021, the Licking County Grand Jury returned an indictment

against Defendant-Appellant Jason A. Ocanas, Jr. charging him with one count of Failure

to Comply with Order or Signal of Police, in violation of R.C. §2921.331(B), a third-degree

felony; and one count of Obstructing Official Business, in violation of R.C. §2921.31(A),

a fifth-degree felony.

        {¶4}   On April 26, 2022, after two continuances, the matter proceeded to a jury

trial

        {¶5}   Prior to the start of the trial, Appellant moved to exclude the State's

introduction of a 9-1-1 call made by Allen Scarberry on the basis that introduction of the

9-1-1 call was inadmissible hearsay and violated the Confrontation Clauses of the U.S.

and Ohio Constitutions. (T. at 99-101). Although the prosecution had subpoenaed

Scarberry to appear and testify, it had been unable to obtain service for the most recently

scheduled trial, and Scarberry did not appear. The trial court overruled Appellant's motion

to exclude ruling that the 9-1-1 call was not testimonial, and that it qualified as an

exception to hearsay as a present-sense impression and excited utterance. (T. at 102-

104).
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                      3

       {¶6}   At trial, the State presented testimony from Officer Jonathan Bell, 9-1-1

Dispatcher Shannon Taylor, Officer Taylor Vogelmeier, Deputy Christopher Hamacher,

Sgt. Deputy Tyler Markus, Deputy Brian Stetson, and Deputy Doug Moore.

       {¶7}    Officer Jonathan Bell of the Utica Police Department testified that he was

on duty the morning of September 28, 2021. (T. at 122). Officer Bell testified that he was

parked, facing eastbound observing traffic on State Route 13 in the Village of Utica when

he observed a silver F-150 pick-up truck traveling at fifty miles per hour in a thirty-five

mile-per-hour zone. (T. at 126-128). Officer Bell pulled out behind the vehicle and

accelerated to catch the vehicle in order to initiate a traffic stop for a speeding violation.

Id. He testified that he first activated his overhead emergency lights but when the truck

failed to stop and began speeding up, he activated his siren. (T. at 132-133). The truck

continued southbound on S.R. 13 at speeds in excess of eighty (80) miles-per-hour with

Officer Bell in pursuit. (T. at 136). The chase continued for approximately twenty-three

miles, winding through rural and residential areas in and around Utica and Granville. The

truck reached speeds of over a hundred miles an hour at times. The truck ran stop signs

and crossed railroad tracks at high speeds, going airborne on at least one occasion. They

passed multiple vehicles during the chase. At one point the truck almost lost control while

trying to make a high-speed turn and went off the side of the road, but regained control

and continued fleeing. The truck finally came to a stop on a cul-de-sac, dead-end street.

(T. at 136-152).

       {¶8}   Officer Bell testified that as the truck neared the end of the cul-de-sac it

slowed, both the driver and passenger side doors opened, and while the vehicle was still

moving, the driver jumped out of the vehicle and ran east, and a passenger jumped out
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                     4

of the vehicle and ran west. (T. at 152-153). The vehicle continued to roll until it ran over

a curb and crashed into a tree. (T. at 153).

       {¶9}   Officer Bell exited his cruiser and observed an additional occupant in the

vehicle, later identified as Allen Scarberry, screaming and trying to climb over the driver's

seat in order to exit the vehicle. (T. at 157). Officer Bell ordered Scarberry out of the

vehicle at gunpoint. (T. at 158). Officer Bell testified he then assisted other officers in

searching on the west side of the vehicle for the front seat passenger. (T. at 159). Officer

Bell testified that they apprehended the front seat passenger, whom they identified as

Isaiah Gillum, with the assistance of an Ohio State Patrol helicopter pilot. Id.

       {¶10} Officer Bell testified that his cruiser had a dash camera and he was wearing

a body camera, and the State played Officer's Bell's dash camera footage linked with

audio from Officer Bell's body camera for the jury. (T. at 166; Ex. 4).

       {¶11} Officer Bell testified he interviewed Appellant following Appellant's arrest,

which was also captured on his body camera. (T. at 171). The State played Officer Bell's

body camera footage for the jury. (Id; Ex. 5). Appellant told Officer Bell that he was not

driving the car, and he did not know who was driving the car, it was just "some random-

ass dude I just met." (Exhibit 5, time-stamp 1:30:01). After Officer Bell asked Appellant

why his DNA was found on the steering wheel, Appellant first stated he had never seen

the vehicle before, but then stated that he was messing with the steering wheel and radio.

(T. at 176; Ex. 5). When Officer Bell asked Appellant why he was jumping out of the

driver's side door, Appellant responded that he was trying to stop the vehicle and put it in

park. (Ex. 5, time-stamp 1 :30:01).
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                        5

       {¶12} 9-1-1 Dispatcher Shannon Taylor testified regarding the call she received

between midnight and 2:00 a.m. on September 28, 2021, which the prosecution played

for the jury. (T. at 190; Exhibit 6). In the 9-1-1 call, a frantic individual can be heard first

talking to Taylor and then talking to other individuals:

       Guys, let me out now … I’m gonna fuck you guys up…

       … Please, let me out

       Guys, fucking please, let me out …

       Guys, let me out … I gotta

       You guys are gonna fucking get us killed, please!

       … Jay, please bro, stop the fucking truck before I start breaking windows. Bro I'm

       not trying to die, nigga. Fucking stop it now. Dude I can't fucking do this I have a

       fucking anxiety anxiety attack … I’m not doing this

       No! No! No! No! Stop the fucking truck!"

       …

       Guys are you still on the phone I was in the … I didn't want to get hurt but these

       mother fuckers was just running from cops for a hot minute ... I'm not ... (Officer

       Bell shouting orders) It's not me, Sir ... I've been trying ... (Officer Bell shouting

       orders) I’ve been on the phone trying to get out of the car. I've been trying to get

       out, this is not me man ... I've been trying to call you guys.

       (Ex. 6).

       {¶13} Taylor Vogelmeier, a tactical flight officer with the Ohio State Highway Patrol

next testified for the State. Officer Vogelmeier testified that he was on duty the early

morning of September 28, 2021, and assisted in locating the two individuals that fled from
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                    6

the truck by using thermal imaging from his helicopter and directing law enforcement

officers to their location. (T. at 197-198). Footage from Officer Vogelmeier's thermal

recording camera was played for the jury. (T. at 198, Ex. 7). Officer Vogelmeier testified

that he directed law enforcement to one individual to the east of the truck who was sitting

on the back porch of a nearby house smoking a cigarette, and one individual to the west

that was lying face down. (T. at 202). Officer Vogelmeier saw no other individuals in the

area besides law enforcement officers. Id.

        {¶14} Deputy Christopher Hamacher of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office also

testified regarding September 28, 2022. Deputy Hamacher testified that he assisted

Officer Bell and Deputy Brown in arresting Isaiah Gillum, and that he saw no other

persons in the area. (T. at 209). Deputy Brown testified that when they found Gillum, he

was laying prone under a tree. (T. at 210).

        {¶15} Sergeant Deputy Tyler Markus of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office was on

duty the morning of September 28, and testified regarding his participation in the search

for the two subjects that fled the truck, during which time he did not see any other

individuals besides the suspects and did not participate in making any arrests. (T. at 213-

215).

        {¶16} Deputy Brian Stetson of the Licking County Sheriff's Office was on duty

September 28, 2022, and testified regarding his participation in the search for the

suspects. Deputy Stetson testified that he and Deputy Moore arrested Appellant after

being directed to Appellant's location by OSP Aviation. (T. at 218). Deputy Stetson

testified he first saw Appellant sitting on the porch smoking a cigarette. (T. at 219).
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                   7

      {¶17} Deputy Doug Moore of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office testified regarding

his participation in the search for the suspects. Deputy Moore arrested Appellant. (T. at

223). Upon encountering Appellant, Deputy Moore observed that "he had stuff all over his

pants, like burrs or whatever all over his pants." (T. at 224). The State played Deputy

Moore's body camera footage for the jury. (T. at 225; Ex. 8). In the footage, the following

exchange between Deputy Moore and Appellant was captured:

             Moore: Where's your shoes?

             Appellant: I honestly have no idea where they went.

             Moore: Were you the driver?

             Appellant: No.

             Moore: What were you, the passenger?

             Appellant: Uh, back seat I believe, er passenger? No back seat."

             Moore: Who's the driver, what's his name?

             Appellant: No idea.

             Moore: You don't know what his name is?

             Appellant: No.

             Moore: You're in a car with somebody you don't know what their

      name is?

             Appellant: Yeah.

             Moore: You know anybody else in the car, know what their name is?

             Appellant: No, just met them.

             Moore: Just met them tonight, huh?

             Appellant: Yeah, I was walking and they ...
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                       8

       (Ex. 8, time stamp 1:08:27)

       {¶18} Following Deputy Moore's testimony, the State rested. (T. at 234). The

State informed the trial court that Scarberry had failed to show for trial, so they would be

unable to call him as a witness. (T. at 233). Appellant then moved for dismissal pursuant

to Criminal Rule 29, which the trial court overruled. (T. at 239).

       {¶19} Appellant did not present any evidence and rested. Id.

       {¶20} After hearing all the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of guilty as to all

charges. (Judgment Entry, April 27, 2022).

       {¶21} The trial court deferred sentencing pending receipt of a presentence

investigation report.

       {¶22} On June 22, 2022, the trial court sentenced Appellant to a prison term of

twenty-four (24) months on Count One and six (6) months on Count Two, to be served

consecutively, for a total aggregate prison term of thirty (30) months. The trial court further

imposed a one (1) to three (3) year term of post-release control. (Judgment Entry, June

22, 2022).

       {¶23} Appellant now appeals, raising the following assignments of error:

                                   ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

       {¶24} “I. APPELLANT'S RIGHT TO CONFRONT THE WITNESSES AGAINST

HIM UNDER THE FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS WAS VIOLATED BY THE

ADMISSION OF HEARSAY IN A 911 CALL FROM A WITNESS WHO DID NOT TESTIFY

       {¶25} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY ADMITTING A

HEARSAY STATEMENT IN A 911 CALL.
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                   9

       {¶26} “III. THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE DOES NOT SUPPORT

APPELLANT'S CONVICTION FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY.”

                                              I., II.

       {¶27} In his first and second Assignments of Error, Appellant argues the trial court

erred in allowing the admission of a 9-1-1 call into evidence. We disagree.

       {¶28} Appellant argues that the admission of hearsay evidence violated the Rules

of Evidence and the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment to the United States

Constitution.

       {¶29} We will not reverse a trial court's ruling on evidentiary issues absent an

abuse of discretion and proof of material prejudice. See State v. Belton, 149 Ohio St.3d

165, 2016-Ohio-1581, 74 N.E.3d 319, ¶ 116.

                                           9-1-1 Call

       {¶30} Statements a caller makes during a 9-1-1 call are often found to be non-

testimonial and are admissible if the statements satisfy a hearsay exception. State v.

Jacinto, 2020-Ohio-3722, 155 N.E.3d 1056, ¶ 61 (8th Dist.) This is because a 9-1-1 caller

is typically “speaking about events as they [are] actually happening” and “[a]lthough one

might call 911 to provide a narrative report of a crime absent any imminent danger,” 911

callers are usually facing ongoing emergencies. (Emphasis deleted.) Davis v.

Washington, 547 U.S. at 827, 126 S.Ct. 2266, 165 L.Ed.2d 224 (“A 911 call * * * and at

least the initial interrogation conducted in connection with a 911 call, is ordinarily not

designed primarily to ‘establis[h] or prov[e]’ some past fact, but to describe current

circumstances requiring police assistance.”). Under such circumstances, the 9-1-1 caller
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                     10

is not testifying, the 9-1-1 caller is not acting as a witness and the statements of the 9-1-1

caller are not testimonial in nature. Id. at 827-828, 126 S.Ct. 2266.

                                       Confrontation Clause

       {¶31} The Sixth Amendment's Confrontation Clause provides: “In all criminal

prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right * * * to be confronted with the witnesses

against him.” Only testimonial hearsay implicates the Confrontation Clause. A statement

is “testimonial” if it is made for “ ‘a primary purpose of creating an out-of-court substitute

for trial testimony.’ ” State v. Montgomery, 148 Ohio St.3d 347, 2016-Ohio-5487, 71

N.E.3d 180, ¶ 87, quoting Michigan v. Bryant, 562 U.S. 344, 358, 131 S.Ct. 1143, 179

L.Ed.2d 93 (2011); see also State v. Knox, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107414, 2019-Ohio-

1246, 2019 WL 1501549, ¶ 67 (“[T]he core class of statements implicated by the

Confrontation Clause” includes those “ ‘made under circumstances which would lead an

objective witness to reasonably believe that the statement would be available for use at

a later trial.’ ”), quoting Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 52, 124 S.Ct. 1354, 158

L.Ed.2d 177 (2004).

       {¶32} The admission of a testimonial, out-of-court statement by a declarant who

does not testify at trial violates the Confrontation Clause unless the declarant is

unavailable and the defendant had a prior opportunity to cross-examine the declarant.

Crawford at 53-54, 68, 124 S.Ct. 1354. We review evidentiary rulings that implicate the

Confrontation Clause de novo. State v. McKelton, 148 Ohio St.3d 261, 2016-Ohio-5735,

70 N.E.3d 508, ¶ 97.
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                   11

       {¶33} 911 calls are generally nontestimonial and are admissible if the statements

contained therein satisfy a hearsay exception.

       {¶34} As the United States Supreme Court observed in Davis v. Washington, 547

U.S. 813, 126 S.Ct. 2266, 165 L.Ed.2d 224 (2006), in the case of 911 calls, the declarants

are generally “speaking about events as they [are] actually happening” and that

“[a]lthough one might call 911 to provide a narrative report of a crime absent any imminent

danger,” 911 callers are typically facing ongoing emergencies. (Emphasis deleted.) Id. at

827, 126 S.Ct. 2266. Under such circumstances, the 911 caller is not testifying; the 911

caller is not acting as a witness, and the statements of a 911 caller are not testimonial in

nature. Id. at 827-828, 126 S.Ct. 2266. See also State v. Jacinto, 8th Dist. No. 108944,

2020-Ohio-3722, 155 N.E.3d 1056, ¶ 61.

       {¶35} Here, the statements made by Scarborough to Appellant, while they were

in the car and recorded by the 9-1-1 dispatcher, were nontestimonial, and therefore no

Sixth Amendment violation occurred. Appellant therefor cannot establish a confrontation-

clause violation.

                                             Hearsay

       {¶36} Even when the Confrontation Clause does not operate to prohibit the

admission of a hearsay statement, the statement may nonetheless be inadmissible under

the Rules of Evidence. See State v. Nevins, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 21379, 2007-Ohio-

1511, ¶ 36, (“[T]estimony may be admissible under the Confrontation Clause yet

inadmissible under the rules of evidence, and vice versa * * *.”). Thus, having addressed

that the 9-1-1 emergency call was not barred by the Confrontation Clause, we now turn
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                      12

to address whether it was admissible under the Rules of Evidence, wherein we will apply

an abuse of discretion standard of review.

       {¶37} Hearsay is defined to mean “a statement, other than one made by the

declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered into evidence to prove the truth of

the matter asserted in the statement.” Evid.R. 801(C).

       {¶38} Under the Rules of Evidence, hearsay is generally inadmissible unless an

exception to the hearsay rule applies. Evid.R. 802.

       {¶39} “Evid.R. 803 is one such rule which permits the admission of certain

hearsay statements even though the declarant is available as a witness.” Dayton v.

Combs, 94 Ohio App.3d 291, 300 (2d Dist.1993).

       {¶40} Evid.R. 803 is titled Hearsay Exceptions; Availability of Declarant

Immaterial. Evid.R. 803 provides in its pertinent parts:

              The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the

       declarant is available as a witness:

              (1) Present Sense Impression. A statement describing or

       explaining an event or condition made while the declarant was perceiving

       the event or condition, or immediately thereafter unless circumstances

       indicate lack of trustworthiness.

              (2) Excited utterance. A statement relating to a startling event or

       condition made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement

       caused by the event or condition.

              ***

              (Emphasis added.) Evid.R. 803(2).
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                  13

       {¶41} 9-1-1 calls are generally admissible as excited utterances or under the

present sense impression exception to the hearsay rule.” State v. Martin, 5th Dist. Tusc.

No. 2015AP0010, 2016-Ohio-225, ¶ 59 (5th Dist.). Navarette v. California, 134 S.Ct.

1683, 1689, 188 L.Ed.2d 680 (2014); State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 107–108, 684

N.E.2d 668 (1997); State v. Johnson, 10th Dist. No. 08AP–652, 2009-Ohio-3383, 2009

WL 2003398, ¶ 22; State v. Williams, 6th Dist., 2013-Ohio-726, 987 N.E.2d 322, ¶ 24;

State v. Combs, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C–120756, 2013-Ohio-3159, 2013 WL 3816613,

¶ 32

       {¶42} Regarding a present sense impression under Evid.R. 803(1), “[t]he key to

the statement's trustworthiness is the spontaneity of the statement; it must be either

contemporaneous with the event or be made immediately thereafter.” State v. Essa, 194

Ohio App.3d 208, 2011-Ohio-2513, 955 N.E.2d 429 (8th Dist.), ¶ 126. “ ‘The principle

underlying this hearsay exception is the assumption that statements or perceptions,

describing the event and uttered in close temporal proximity to the event, bear a high

degree of trustworthiness.’ ” State v. Dixon, 152 Ohio App.3d 760, 2003-Ohio-2550, 790

N.E.2d 349, ¶ 12 (3d Dist.), quoting Cox v. Oliver Machinery Co., 41 Ohio App.3d 28, 35,

534 N.E.2d 855 (12th Dist.1987). Accordingly, “Ohio courts have routinely held that 911

calls are admissible as present sense impressions.” Ohio v. Scott, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos.

C-200385 and C-200403, 2021-Ohio-3427, ¶ 17. See also State v. Smith, 2017-Ohio-

8558, 99 N.E.3d 1230, ¶ 37 (1st Dist.) (“911 calls are usually admissible under the excited

utterance or the present sense impression exception to the hearsay rule”).

       {¶43} For a statement to be admissible as an excited utterance, four prerequisites

must be satisfied: (1) there must be a startling event that produces a nervous excitement
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                     14

in the declarant, (2) the statement must have been made while the declarant was still

under the stress of excitement caused by the event, (3) the statement must relate to the

startling event, and (4) the declarant must have personally observed the startling event.

See, e.g., State v. Renode, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 109171, 2020-Ohio-5430, 2020 WL

6948175, ¶ 27, citing State v. Taylor, 66 Ohio St.3d 295, 300-301, 612 N.E.2d 316 (1993),

and Jones, 135 Ohio St.3d 10, 2012-Ohio-5677, 984 N.E.2d 948, at ¶ 166.

       {¶44} “There is no per se amount of time after which a statement can no longer

be considered to be an excited utterance.” Taylor at 303, 612 N.E.2d 316. “The central

requirements are that the statement must be made while the declarant is still under the

stress of the event and the statement may not be the result of reflective thought.”

(Emphasis deleted.) Id.

       {¶45} In this case, the prosecutor played a recording of the 9-1-1 call placed by

Allen Scarberry. On the recording, Scarberry can be heard screaming and begging the

driver of the vehicle to stop the truck. At one point he can be heard addressing the driver

of the truck as “Jay”. He can also be heard screaming that he is “not trying to die”, that he

is having an “anxiety attack” and that he “didn’t want to get hurt.”

       {¶46} We find each of the requirements as to a present sense impression or an

excited utterance were met as to Scarberry’s statements as heard on the 9-1-1 call and

were admissible as exceptions to the hearsay rule.

       {¶47} Accordingly, the trial court did not err or abuse its discretion in admitting the

9-1-1 call. Scarberry’s statements on the call were non-testimonial and were admissible

under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule.
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                   15

       {¶48} Based on the foregoing, we find Appellant’s first and second Assignments

of Error not well-taken and hereby overrule same.

                                                III.

       {¶49} In his third Assignment of Error, Appellant argues his conviction for Failure

to Comply was against the weight of the evidence.

       {¶50} 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

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.

       {¶51} Appellant herein is challenging his conviction on one count of Failure to

Comply with Order or Signal of Police Officer, in violation of R.C. §2921.331(B), which

provides, in relevant part:

              (B) No person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or

       flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police

       officer to bring the person's motor vehicle to a stop.

       {¶52} The sole issue is whether Appellant was the non-compliant driver of the

silver Ford F-150 pick-up truck.
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                       16

        {¶53} After reviewing the evidence, we find that Appellant's conviction was not

against the manifest weight of the evidence. The jury heard testimony from Officer Bell,

as well as all of the other officers involved in the search, and the 9-1-1 call which support

a finding that Appellant was the driver of the silver F-150 pick-up truck in this case. The

jury also watched the dashcam footage from Officer Bell's police cruiser and his body

cam footage showing his conversation with Appellant. The jury also had Officer Moore’s

body cam footage which showed the conversation between the him and Appellant when

he arrested Appellant. Additionally, the jury had the video footage from the helicopter

showing the search for Appellant and the other passenger.

        {¶54} Here, the jury clearly believed the evidence presented in support of

Appellant being the driver of the vehicle. “The jury was in the best position to judge the

credibility of the [witnesses], and we will not disturb its credibility determination.” State v.

Bostick, 12th Dist. Warren Nos. CA2022-03-013 and Warren Nos. CA2022-04-015, 2022

WL 17245135, 2022-Ohio-4228, ¶ 17. Moreover, “[i]t is well-established that when

conflicting evidence is presented at trial, a conviction is not against the manifest weight

of the evidence simply because the trier of fact believed the prosecution testimony.” State

v. Lunsford, 12th Dist. Brown No. CA2010-10-021, 2011 WL 6382534, 2011-Ohio-6529,

¶ 17.

        {¶55} In light of the consistent testimony of Officer Bell and the 9-1-1 call which

identified Appellant as the driver of the silver F-150 pick-up truck, as well as the dashcam

and body cam footage from the officers supporting that testimony, we find that the

evidence presented at trial does not weigh heavily in favor of acquittal. The evidence
Licking County, Case No. 2022 CA 00047                                                   17

provided allowed the jury to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant was the

driver of the vehicle in this case.

       {¶56} “The jury did not clearly lose its way and create a manifest miscarriage of

justice in finding Appellant guilty of failing to comply with an order or signal of a police

officer.” Bostick at ¶ 18.

       {¶57} Accordingly, we find Appellant's conviction is not against the manifest

weight of the evidence.

       {¶58} Appellant’s third Assignment of Error is overruled.

       {¶59} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Licking County, Ohio, is

affirmed.

By: Wise, P. J.

Baldwin, J., and

King, J., concur.

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