Court Opinion

ID: 3177868
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-02-17 17:22:45.711072+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:36:33.132946
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Reese, 2016-Ohio-557.]

                            STATE OF OHIO, MAHONING COUNTY
                                   IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
                                           SEVENTH DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO,                                      )
                                                    )
        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,                         )
                                                    )            CASE NO. 14 MA 116
V.                                                  )
                                                    )                  OPINION
LAMAR REESE,                                        )
                                                    )
        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.                        )

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS:                           Criminal Appeal from Court of Common
                                                    Pleas of Mahoning County, Ohio
                                                    Case No. 2013CR828A

JUDGMENT:                                           Affirmed

APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee                              Paul Gains
                                                    Prosecutor
                                                    Ralph M. Rivera
                                                    Assistant Prosecutor
                                                    21 W. Boardman St., 6th Floor
                                                    Youngstown, Ohio 44503

For Defendant-Appellant                             Attorney Rhys Cartwright-Jones
                                                    42 North Phelps St.
                                                    Youngstown, Ohio 44503-1130

JUDGES:

Hon. Gene Donofrio
Hon. Cheryl L. Waite
Hon. Mary DeGenaro

                                                    Dated: February 10, 2016
[Cite as State v. Reese, 2016-Ohio-557.]
DONOFRIO, P.J.

        {¶1}     Defendant-appellant, Lamar Reese, appeals from a Mahoning County
Common Pleas Court judgment convicting him of aggravated murder and aggravated
robbery following a jury trial.
        {¶2}     On September 16, 2011, Aaron Triplett drove his brother Frankie
Hudson, Jr., appellant, Jerome Miller, and one other unidentified person to Joshua
Davis’s house to purchase marijuana. At some point, the plan changed from buying
the marijuana from Davis to stealing the marijuana from Davis. According to Triplett,
he, appellant, and Hudson all had guns with them but they did not plan to assault
Davis. When they arrived at Davis’s house, Davis met Triplett and Hudson. The
three went through Davis’s house and into the garage to weigh the marijuana.
Appellant, Miller, and the unidentified person waited in the car. According to Triplett,
when he, Hudson, and Davis walked back toward the porch after retrieving the
marijuana, they saw appellant standing in the driveway with his assault rifle. Davis
began yelling. According to Triplett, Hudson then pulled out his gun and someone
started shooting.        Triplett saw both appellant and Hudson pointing their guns at
Davis. Triplett fled from the scene. Davis died from multiple gunshot wounds.
        {¶3}     Triplett initially denied his involvement in the crime.             Eventually,
however, Triplett admitted his involvement and agreed to help the police in exchange
for not being charged with any crimes. As part of his agreement, Triplett had to
testify against appellant and Hudson.
        {¶4}     A Mahoning County Grand Jury indicted appellant on one count of
aggravated murder, a first-degree felony in violation of R.C. 2903.01(B)(F), and one
count     of   aggravated        robbery,   a   first-degree   felony   in   violation   of   R.C.
2911.01(A)(1)(C), both with firearm specifications.            Hudson was also indicted on
aggravated murder and aggravated robbery charges with firearm specifications.
        {¶5}     Prior to trial, appellant and plaintiff-appellee, the State of Ohio, entered
into a Joint Request for Stipulation of Use of Polygraph Test. Per this stipulation, the
parties agreed that appellant would submit to a polygraph test. If appellant failed the
polygraph test, then the results of the test would be admissible at trial. If, however,
                                                                                 -2-

appellant passed the polygraph test, the state would dismiss all charges against him.
Appellant took the polygraph test and failed.
       {¶6}   Consequently, the matter proceeded to a jury trial. The jury listened to
testimony from numerous witnesses including Triplett, who implicated appellant and
Hudson.    The jury also heard the results of the polygraph test.        The jury found
appellant guilty as charged.
       {¶7}   The trial court subsequently held a sentencing hearing where it
sentenced appellant to 20 years to life in prison on the aggravated murder count, ten
years on the aggravated robbery count, and three years on the two firearm
specifications which the court merged for purposes of sentencing. The court ordered
appellant to serve the sentences consecutively for a total prison term of 33 years to
life. Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal on August 19, 2014.
       {¶8}   Appellant now raises two assignments of error. He concedes that we
are to review both assignments of error for plain error because there were no
objections in the trial court to the issues he now raises.
       {¶9}   Plain error is one in which but for the error, the outcome of the trial
would have been different. State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 97, 372 N.E.2d 804
(1978). To prevail on a claim governed by the plain error standard, an appellant must
demonstrate that the trial outcome would have been clearly different but for the
alleged error. State v. Waddell, 75 Ohio St.3d 163, 166, 661 N.E.2d 1043 (1996).
With this standard of review in mind, we turn now to appellant’s assignments of error.
       {¶10} Appellant’s first assignment of error states:

              THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ITS INSTRUCTIONS RELATIVE
       TO THE ADMISSION OF POLYGRAPH TESTIMONY.

       {¶11} In this assignment of error, appellant takes issue with the trial court’s
jury instruction regarding the polygraph test. As to the polygraph test results, the trial
court instructed the jury:
                                                                                 -3-

              The results of a polygraph examination have been admitted into
       evidence. The results obtained from the polygraph examination are not
       admitted to prove or disprove any element of the crime with which the
       Defendant is charged. Rather, the testimony is admitted to indicate that
       at the time of the examination, the Defendant was not telling the truth.
       You may consider the testimony for the purpose of testing the credibility
       of the Defendant.

(Tr. 677-678).
       {¶12} Appellant asserts the court’s instruction failed to comply with the fourth
condition for admitting polygraph test results set out in State v. Souel, 53 Ohio St.2d
123, 372 N.E.2d (1978), at the syllabus.
       {¶13} In Souel, the Ohio Supreme Court held that polygraph test results are
admissible in a criminal trial for purposes of corroboration or impeachment as long as
four conditions are met. Id. The fourth condition, which appellant takes issue with in
this assignment of error, is:

       (4) If such evidence is admitted the trial judge should instruct the jury to
       the effect that the examiner's testimony does not tend to prove or
       disprove any element of the crime with which a defendant is charged,
       and that it is for the jurors to determine what weight and effect such
       testimony should be given.

Id.
       {¶14} Appellant claims the court’s instruction went beyond that set out in
Souel and should not have included the instruction that the polygraph could be
considered in determining whether appellant was telling the truth or that the jury
could consider it for the purpose of testing appellant’s credibility.         But Souel
specifically states in its syllabus that evidence of polygraph test results is admissible
“for purposes of corroboration or impeachment.” Corroboration and impeachment
                                                                              -4-

are ways to test credibility and truthfulness. Thus, the Ohio Supreme Court has
specifically indicated that polygraph evidence can be used for testing credibility as
long as Souel’s four conditions are met. Therefore, the trial court’s instruction was a
correct statement of the law.
      {¶15} Moreover, the trial court’s instruction tracked the language set out in the
Ohio Jury Instructions, which provides:

             The results of a polygraph examination have been admitted into
      evidence. The results obtained from the polygraph examination are not
      admitted to prove or disprove any element of the crime with which the
      defendant is charged. Rather, the testimony is admitted to indicate at
      the time of the examination the defendant (was) (was not) telling the
      truth. You may consider the testimony for the purposes of testing the
      credibility of the defendant.

Ohio Jury Instructions, 2 CR Ohio Jury Instructions 409.23 (2015).
      {¶16} The comment to this jury instruction states that the results of a
stipulated polygraph examination are admissible for corroboration or impeachment if
they are presented in accordance with Souel, 53 Ohio St.2d 123.
      {¶17} “Ohio Jury Instructions is a compendium of standard instructions
prepared by the Jury Instructions Committee of the Ohio Judicial Conference, and is
generally followed and applied by Ohio's courts.” State v. Thompson, 2d Dist. No.
22984, 2010-Ohio-1680, ¶174; State v. Ferguson, 10th Dist. No. 07AP-640, 2008-
Ohio-3827, ¶47.
      {¶18} Other appellate courts have found that where a jury instruction tracks
the language of the corresponding Ohio Jury Instruction there is no plain error with
the instruction. State v. Harwell, 2d Dist. No. 25852, 2015-Ohio-2966, ¶64 (“because
the trial court's instruction as to ‘cause’ provided a correct statement of law and is
taken almost verbatim from the Ohio Jury Instructions, the trial court did not err, let
alone commit plain error, when it instructed the jury as such”); State v. Moore, 163
                                                                                  -5-

Ohio App. 3d 23, 2005-Ohio-4531, 836 N.E.2d 18, ¶86 (2d Dist.) (“These instructions
are in accord with those set out in the Ohio Jury Instructions and therefore, it was not
error, let alone plain error, for the trial court to use them.”); State v. Perry, 8th Dist.
No. 43992, 1982 WL 2506, *4 (July 29, 1982) (trial court's instruction on credibility
fairly tracked the standard Ohio Jury Instructions charge, and therefore was a correct
statement of the law).
       {¶19} And at least one other court has approved the use of the exact same
instruction as the trial court used here. In State v. Russell, 10th Dist. No. 03AP-666,
2004-Ohio-2501, the appellant argued the trial court committed plain error in allowing
certain testimony by the polygraph examiner regarding the reliability of the polygraph
and its probative value. On appeal, the court noted that the examiner’s statement
was clearly beyond the scope of permissible testimony. Id. at ¶48. But it stated that
the trial court subsequently gave the correct instruction regarding the polygraph
evidence:

       The results of a polygraph examination have been admitted into
       evidence. The results obtained from the polygraph examination are not
       admitted to prove or disprove any element of the crime with which the
       Defendant is charged. Rather, the testimony is admitted to indicate
       [whether] at the time of the examination, the Defendant was not telling
       the truth. You may consider the testimony for purposes of testing the
       credibility of the Defendant.

Id. The court found that this instruction was “correct, comprehensive, and clear.” Id.
at ¶49.
       {¶20} The trial court’s instruction complies with Souel’s fourth condition and
does not impermissibly go beyond the law set out in Souel. The instruction is a
correct statement of the law set out in Souel that polygraph evidence maybe used for
corroboration or impeachment, in other words to test credibility, as long as certain
conditions are met. Additionally, Ohio Jury Instructions are generally followed and
                                                                                -6-

accepted by Ohio courts. Plain error does not exist here where the trial court gave
an instruction verbatim from the Ohio Jury Instructions that is a correct statement of
the law. Moreover, appellant does not allege that the court’s instruction was an
incorrect statement of the law. And the identical instruction as the one given here
has been approved by at least one other appellate court as correct, comprehensive,
and clear.
       {¶21} Accordingly, appellant’s first assignment of error is without merit.
       {¶22} Appellant’s second assignment of error states:

              THE    COURT      ERRED      PLAINLY      IN   ALLOWING       INTO
       EVIDENCE A STIPULATED POLYGRAPH ABSENT A PROPER
       FOUNDATION        UNDER      EVIDENTIARY       RULE     702    FOR     ITS
       ADMISSION.

       {¶23} Here appellant contends the polygraph results did not meet Evid.R.
702’s requirements for admissibility. Appellant contends the state failed to establish
the general scientific reliability of a polygraph test. He asserts the state was required
to offer evidence to guide the jury as to how they would determine whether the
polygraph test was given in such a way as to yield a reliable result. Moreover,
appellant argues this failure impacted his counsel’s ability to cross-examine relative
to the conditions under which the test was administered and possibilities for error as
required by Souel, supra.      Appellant also argues that his polygraph test was
unreliable because he answered “yes” to a control question of whether he lived in
Canada, when in fact he lives in the United States, and the polygraph test showed
his “yes” answer was non-deceptive.
       {¶24} In addition to the condition discussed in appellant’s first assignment of
error regarding the jury instructions, Souel set out three other conditions for admitting
polygraph test results for purposes of corroboration or impeachment:

              (1) The prosecuting attorney, defendant and his counsel must
                                                                                    -7-

       sign a written stipulation providing for defendant's submission to the
       test and for the subsequent admission at trial of the graphs and the
       examiner's opinion thereon on behalf of either defendant or the state.
              (2) Notwithstanding the stipulation, the admissibility of the test
       results is subject to the discretion of the trial judge, and if the trial judge
       is not convinced that the examiner is qualified or that the test was
       conducted under proper conditions he may refuse to accept such
       evidence.
              (3) If the graphs and examiner's opinion are offered in evidence
       the opposing party shall have the right to cross-examine the examiner
       respecting: (a) the examiner's qualifications and training; (b) the
       conditions under which the test was administered; (c) the limitations of
       and possibilities for error in the technique of polygraphic interrogation;
       and, (d) at the discretion of the trial judge, any other matter deemed
       pertinent to the inquiry.

Souel, 53 Ohio St.2d at the syllabus.
       {¶25} The first condition is not in dispute here. The parties signed a Joint
Request for Stipulation of Use of Polygraph Test, which is part of the record.
       {¶26} As to the second condition, Michael Lopresti, a polygraph examiner for
the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) who administered
the polygraph test to appellant, testified about his qualifications. Lopresti stated that
he has been conducting polygraph tests for 29 years. (Tr. 258). And for the last 15
years his only job duty at BCI has been to administer polygraph tests. (Tr. 258).
Lopresti testified that he attended a polygraph school for ten weeks and attends
continuous training twice a year. (Tr. 259). Additionally, Lopresti testified that he is a
member of the Ohio Association of Polygraph Examiners. (Tr. 259).
       {¶27} As to the conditions of appellant’s test, which is also part of Souel’s
second condition, Lopresti testified that all standard procedures were followed in
administering appellant’s test.     (Tr. 278).    These procedures included recording
                                                                                -8-

appellant’s blood pressure, respirations, and sweating during the test. (Tr. 260).
Lopresti indicated that these three physiological responses are involuntary, which is
why they are used. (Tr. 261). He discussed further procedures including providing
appellant with information about the test, having him fill out standard forms, and
going over medications appellant was taking.         (Tr. 278).    Lopresti stated that
appellant indicated he was taking Coreg on a daily basis. (Tr. 281). Lopresti testified
that Coreg would not affect the test.        (Tr. 282). Lopresti stated that appellant
indicated that he had not used illegal drugs or alcohol in the last 24 hours. (Tr. 281).
       {¶28} Given this testimony by Lopresti, the second Souel condition was met.
The above testimony was sufficient to convince the trial court that Lopresti was
qualified to administer the polygraph test and that the test was conducted under
proper conditions. There was no evidence to the contrary.
       {¶29} As to the third condition, appellant’s counsel cross-examined Lopresti
extensively.     (Tr. 300-315).        Counsel cross-examined regarding Lopresti’s
qualifications. (Tr. 300-304). Counsel questioned him regarding appellant’s actions
during the test. (Tr. 305-308). Counsel also cross-examined Lopresti regarding the
success rate of polygraph tests. (Tr. 308-309). Counsel then questioned Lopresti
about the questions he asked appellant. (Tr. 310-314). Finally, counsel questioned
him about the results he has garnered over his years of polygraph testing. (Tr. 315).
       {¶30} This testimony demonstrates that the third Souel condition was met in
this case. Appellant’s counsel was able to cross examine Lopresti on every issue he
deemed relevant.       He questioned Lopresti about his qualifications, appellant’s
behavior and how it related to the test, the success rate of polygraph tests in general,
the actual administration of the test, and the results of other polygraph tests that he
has administered.
       {¶31} Lopresti’s testimony satisfies the first three Souel conditions for the
admissibility of a polygraph test.       Moreover, as discussed in appellant’s first
assignment of error, the trial court’s jury instructions regarding the polygraph test
satisfies the final Souel condition.
                                                                              -9-

      {¶32} Appellant suggests that the state was also required to present evidence
that Lopresti’s testimony met the requirements for expert testimony set out in Evid.R.
702(C):

             (C) The witness' testimony is based on reliable scientific,
      technical, or other specialized information. To the extent that the
      testimony reports the result of a procedure, test, or experiment, the
      testimony is reliable only if all of the following apply:
             (1) The theory upon which the procedure, test, or experiment is
      based is objectively verifiable or is validly derived from widely accepted
      knowledge, facts, or principles;
             (2) The design of the procedure, test, or experiment reliably
      implements the theory;
             (3) The particular procedure, test, or experiment was conducted
      in a way that will yield an accurate result.

      {¶33} In examining whether Evid.R. 702 applied in place of the Souel’s
conditions for admission of polygraph test results, the Second District stated: “Until
the Ohio Supreme Court holds otherwise, we are bound by the precedent established
in Souel and Davis.” State v. Irwin, 2d Dist. No. 26224, 2015-Ohio-195, ¶34. The
Ninth District has made similar comments: “We disagree with Weaver's conclusion
that the law concerning the admissibility of polygraph tests [since the decision in
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125
L.Ed.2d 469 (1993)] has changed. State v. Souel, supra, is still the law in Ohio and
has not been modified or overruled.” State v. Weaver, 9th Dist. No. 97CA006686,
1997 WL 823965, at *7 (Dec. 31, 1997).
      {¶34} We agree with the Second and Ninth Districts. The Ohio Supreme
Court set out the conditions for allowing polygraph test results in Souel. The Court
has not modified or changed these conditions.
      {¶35} Moreover, the Ohio Supreme Court has recognized that a polygraph
                                                                                    - 10 -

test is not scientifically reliable:

                The nature of polygraphs is different from traditional scientific
         tests. Most, if not all, scientific tests involve objective measurements,
         such as blood or genetic typing or gunshot residue. In a polygraph test,
         the bodily response of the examinee to his answers is dependent upon
         the subjective interpretation thereof by the examiner. Inasmuch as the
         test is not perceived by the profession to be reasonably reliable, its
         admissibility is limited in Ohio to situations where the parties stipulate to
         its admission. Souel, supra.

State v. Davis, 62 Ohio St. 3d 326, 341, 581 N.E.2d 1362 (1991).
         {¶36} Given that a polygraph test is not viewed as scientifically reliable, the
state, in this case, could not have put forth evidence of the general scientific reliability
of a polygraph test as appellant asserts it should have done in order to comply with
Evid.R. 702(C). It is because the test is not generally viewed as scientifically reliable
that polygraph results are only admissible upon stipulation by the parties. Davis,
supra.
         {¶37} In sum, the state met the four conditions for admissibility of polygraph
test results. Therefore, plain error does not exist here.
         {¶38} Accordingly, appellant’s second assignment of error is without merit.
         {¶39} For the reasons stated above, the trial court’s judgment is hereby
affirmed.
Waite, J., concurs.
DeGenaro, J., concurs.