Court Opinion

ID: 9928459
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-01-31 19:08:41.005633+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:52:52.662497
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Hardman, 2024-Ohio-300.]

                                       COURT OF APPEALS
                                      STARK COUNTY, OHIO
                                   FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO                                :      JUDGES:
                                             :      Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J.
        Plaintiff-Appellee                   :      Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J.
                                             :      Hon. Andrew J. King, J.
-vs-                                         :
                                             :
DOUGLAS HARDMAN                              :      Case No. 2023-CA-00046
                                             :
        Defendant-Appellant                  :      OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                            Appeal from the Court of Common
                                                    Pleas, Case No. 2023-CR-0135

JUDGMENT:                                           Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT:                                   January 29, 2024

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                              For Defendant-Appellant

KYLE L. STONE                                       PATRICK L. CUSMA
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY                                116 Cleveland Avenue NW
STARK COUNTY                                        Suite 600
                                                    Canton, OH 44702
   BY: CHRISTOPHER A. PIEKARSKI
       110 Central Plaza South, Suite 510
       Canton, OH 44702-1413
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                     2

King, J.

       {¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant Douglas Hardman appeals the April 4, 2023 judgment

of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. Plaintiff-Appellee is the state of Ohio. We

affirm the trial court.

                          FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

       {¶ 2} On January 13, 2023, E.T., the victim in this matter, and his girlfriend, C.J.

were at home in their apartment on Robin Court in Canton, Ohio. E.T. and C.J. had a 6-

month-old daughter in common. C.J. had three other older children from a prior

relationship. Those children were all present that day as well. Also present was Hardman,

a friend of C.J.'s. C.J had been drinking and was intoxicated.

       {¶ 3} Around 6:00 p.m. that evening, the adults decided to get pizza. C.J.,

Hardman and the three older children were going to go pick up the pizza and E.T. was

going to stay at the apartment with the infant. Hardman, C.J. and the children all got into

the car to leave. A few minutes later, however, Hardman and C.J. went back into the

apartment. They said $20 was missing and both accused E.T. of taking the money.

       {¶ 4} An argument ensued which escalated to a shoving between the three, and

eventually to Hardman punching E.T. in the head while E.T. was holding his daughter.

E.T. returned the assault, either with his fist or the tequila bottle C.J had been drinking

out of, and Hardman fell to the floor, bleeding from his head. E.T. helped Hardman up,

and Harman swung at E.T. again. E.T. again returned the punch. E.T. then asked

Hardman why he hit him, and Hardman replied "I didn't shoot you." Transcript of trial (T.)

150-151. Hardman took his daughter upstairs.
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                     3

       {¶ 5} When he returned, Hardman had armed himself with a pan and a knife.

When he again approached E.T., E.T. snatched the pan away from Hardman, but failed

to notice the knife. Hardman then put the knife to E.T.'s stomach, but did not break the

skin because the tip of the knife had previously broken off. E.T. then ran upstairs to grab

a bat to "Scare [Hardman] away." T. 178. But by the time he got back downstairs,

Hardman was outside in his car with the older children. E.T. went outside and tapped on

the car window with the bat and the two continued to verbally spar. As Hardman drove

away with the three kids in the car, E.T. threw the bat towards the car.

       {¶ 6} Once Hardman was gone, E.T. retrieved the bat, then went inside to get his

cigarettes. He then stood on the front porch of the apartment smoking. He was still angry

and still had the bat in his hand. E.T. paced back and forth repeatedly yelling "Hey does

anybody hear me? This [expletive] * * * tried to stab me." T. 191.

       {¶ 7} A neighbor across the street looked out her window to see what all the

commotion was about. She observed E.T. shirtless in front of his apartment and yelling

as a car pulled away. Five to six minutes later, the neighbor observed an individual later

identified as Hardman pull up in a light-colored car. She watched Hardman immediately

get out with a gun, and proceed to fire five or six shots at E.T. over the hood of the car.

While shooting, Hardman yelled expletives. Hardman then slowly turned the car around

and drove away. According to the neighbor, Hardman was the only person shouting

during the shooting, and she observed no aggressive behavior from E.T.

       {¶ 8} Meanwhile, before E.T. could even assess what was happening, Hardman

began shooting. E.T. ran into the apartment to take cover, but not before two bullets
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                        4

grazed him and one embedded in a fleshy portion of his arm. Additional rounds caused

damage to the interior of the apartment.

       {¶ 9} Police arrived at the scene and began their investigation. Canton Police

Detective Vincent Romanin located several .22 caliber shell casings in the road in front

of E.T.'s apartment and bullet holes in the door and front of the apartment. He observed

E.T.'s injuries as well.

       {¶ 10} Upon identifying Hardman as the shooter and arresting him, officers first

transported Hardman to the hospital for assessment of a head injury he incurred during

the fight with E.T. Once Hardman was medically cleared, officers spoke with him. He was

initially evasive, but later became more forthcoming and admitted he shot at E.T. A later

search warrant executed at Hardman's home produced the firearm used by Hardman. It

was found in the location where Hardman told officers they would find it.

       {¶ 11} On February 23, 2023, the Stark County Grand Jury returned an indictment

charging Hardman with one count of felonious assault a felony of the second degree with

a firearm specification, one count of discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises,

a felony of the second degree, one count of discharging a firearm at or into a habitation

or in a school safety zone, a felony of the second degree, and three counts of endangering

children, misdemeanors of the first degree.

       {¶ 12} Hardman pled not guilty to the charges and opted to proceed to a jury trial

which took place on March 27 and 28, 2023. Before trial, Hardman filed a Crim.R. 12.2

notice of intent to argue self-defense. At trial, the state presented testimony from E.T., the

neighbor, and Detective Romanin. Hardman testified on his own behalf.
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                 5

      {¶ 13} After hearing the evidence and deliberating, the jury found Hardman guilty

as charged. He was subsequently sentenced to an aggregate total of 7 to 9 years

incarceration.

      {¶ 14} Hardman filed an appeal and the matter is now before this court for

consideration. He raises four assignments of error as follow:

                                             I

      {¶ 15} "THE STATE FAILED TO PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO

SUSTAIN A CONVICTION AGAINST APPELLANT, AND THE CONVICTION MUST BE

REVERSED."

                                            II

      {¶ 16} "THE APPELLANT’S CONVICTION IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST

WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED, AND MUST BE REVERSED."

                                            III

      {¶ 17} "THE TRIAL COURT PLAINLY ERRED BY FAILING TO PRESENT A

JURY INSTRUCTION OF THE LESSER INCLUDED OFFENSE OF AGGRAVATED

ASSAULT."

                                           IV

      {¶ 18} "THE APPELLANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF

COUNSEL IN VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHTS UNDER THE 6TH AND 14TH AMENDMENTS

TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE 1, SECTION 10 OF THE

OHIO CONSTITUTION."

                                           I, II
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                       6

       {¶ 19} Hardman's first and second assignments of error are interrelated and will

be addressed together. In these assignments of error, Hardman appears to challenge

only his conviction for felonious assault. He argues the state failed to disprove his claim

of self-defense and therefore his conviction is against the manifest weight and sufficiency

of the evidence. We disagree.

       {¶ 20} On review for sufficiency, a reviewing court is to examine the evidence at

trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would support a conviction. State v.

Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991). "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."

Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus, following Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99

S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979). On review for manifest weight, a reviewing court is to

examine the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider

the credibility of witnesses and determine "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 reversed and a new trial ordered." State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d

172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983). See also, State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d

380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). The granting of a new trial "should be exercised only in the

exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction." Martin at

175.

       {¶ 21} Hardman argues the state presented no evidence to disprove his claim that

he acted in self-defense. While Hardman frames this argument as a sufficiency challenge,

the state's burden of disproving a defendant's self-defense claim beyond a reasonable
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                    7

doubt is subject to a manifest-weight review on appeal. State v. Messenger, 171 Ohio

St.3d 227, 2022-Ohio-4562, 216 N.E.3d 653 ¶27. We therefore analyze the arguments

contained in Hardman's first and second assignments of error under the manifest weight

standard of review.

      {¶ 22} R.C. 2901.05(B)(1) provides:

             (B)(1) A person is allowed to act in self-defense, defense of another,

             or defense of that person's residence. If, at the trial of a person who

             is accused of an offense that involved the person's use of force

             against another, there is evidence presented that tends to support

             that the accused person used the force in self-defense, defense of

             another, or defense of that person's residence, the prosecution must

             prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused person did not

             use the force in self-defense, defense of another, or defense of that

             person's residence, as the case may be.

      {¶ 23} The defendant has the initial burden of production, which is the burden of

producing evidence “that tends to support” that the defendant used force in self-defense.

State v. Messenger, 171 Ohio St.3d 227, 2022-Ohio-4562, 216 N.E.3d 653 ¶ 21. The

burden then shifts to the state under its burden of persuasion to prove beyond a

reasonable doubt that the defendant did not use the force in self-defense. Id. at ¶ 24. In

other words, if the evidence tends to support that the defendant acted in self-defense,

then the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                     8

act in self-defense. Id. at ¶26; State v. Gatewood, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-190654, 2021-

Ohio-3325, ¶ 68. The state need only disprove one of the elements of self-defense

beyond a reasonable doubt at trial to sustain its burden. State v. Jackson, 22 Ohio St.3d

281, 284, 490 N.E.2d 893 (1986); State v. Staats, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2019CA00181,

2021-Ohio-1325 ¶ 28.

       {¶ 24} The state was required to disprove at least one of the following: 1) Hardman

was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to the affray, 2) Hardman had

reasonable grounds to believe and an honest belief even if mistaken that he was in

imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he did not use more force than

necessary to defend against the attack and 3) Hardman must not have violated any duty

to retreat or avoid the danger. State v. Robbins, 58 Ohio St.2d 74, 79, 388 N.E.2d 755

(1979) (citations omitted). The jury in this matter was so instructed. T. 322-324.

       {¶ 25} Hardman first attacks the neighbor's testimony, arguing she provided a

physical description of the shooter that was inconsistent with his own, and further, could

not accurately describe the vehicle the shooter drove. But because Hardman advanced

the affirmative defense of self-defense, he necessarily admitted that he shot E.T. but did

so in self-defense. The accuracy of the neighbor's description of the shooter and the

vehicle is therefore not relevant.

       {¶ 26} Hardman next argues he was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise

to the affray, and had an honest belief he was in imminent danger of great bodily harm.

These arguments fail because there was more than one affray and Hardman was at fault

for creating a second affray. While Hardman argues he was not at fault, he supports his

arguments by pointing to the initial fistfight. But that matter was over as soon as Hardman
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                            9

drove off in his car with the children. It was Hardman who chose to go back to the

apartment five to six minutes later, with a gun, and immediately upon arriving and spotting

E.T. get out of the car in the middle of the street and shooting at E.T. T. 158, 191-192. At

trial only Hardman claimed E.T. ran toward Hardman' car before Hardman started firing.

The neighbor did not see E.T. run towards the car and E.T. testified he was on the porch

smoking a cigarette when Hardman started shooting. T 156-157, 191-192. While

Hardman seeks to justify his return to the apartment with a claim that he was dropping off

the children, that claim was subject to a credibility determination by the jury and further,

does nothing to further his self-defense argument.

       {¶ 27} Harman next argues his trial testimony was more credible than the

testimony of E.T. and E.T's neighbor. However, we must afford the credibility

determinations of the jury the appropriate deference. "We will not substitute our judgment

for that of the trier of fact on the issue of witness credibility unless it is patently clear that

the fact finder lost its way." State v. Ricer, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 19-COA-023, 2018-Ohio-

426, 106 N.E.3d 819 ¶19. Upon review of the entire record we find the jury did not lose

its way in finding the state's witnesses more credible than Hardman.

       {¶ 28} Finally, Harman argues the jury lost its way by failing to consider the head

injury he sustained in the fistfight with E.T., and because, allegedly, following trial, some

jurors were asking if E.T. was charged with a crime. We find no evidence in the record to

support a conclusion that the jury failed to consider Hardman's head injury and Hardman

points to none. Also absent from the record is any evidence of comment by jury members

pertaining to charges against E.T. We therefore reject these arguments.
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                          10

       {¶ 29} Upon review, we find Hardman was at fault for creating the affray and

further, utilized inappropriate force. A finding that he did not act in self-defense is therefore

not against the manifest weight of the evidence. The first and second assignments of

error are overruled.

                                               III

       {¶ 30} In his next assignment of error, Hardman argues the trial court committed

plain error when it failed to sua sponte provide the jury with an instruction on the lesser

included offense of aggravated assault. We disagree.

       {¶ 31} Hardman did not request an instruction on the inferior offense of aggravated

assault. An error not raised in the trial court must be plain error for an appellate court to

reverse. State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978) at paragraph one of the

syllabus; Crim.R. 52(B). In order to prevail under a plain error analysis, an appellant bears

the burden of demonstrating that the outcome of the trial clearly would have been different

but for the error. Id. at paragraph two of the syllabus. Notice of plain error "is to be taken

with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest

miscarriage of justice." Id. at paragraph three of the syllabus.

       {¶ 32} This court has previously found aggravated assault, as defined by R.C.

2903.12(A)(2), is not a lesser included offense of felonious assault. State v. Fleming, 5th

Dist. Licking No. 97CA133, 1998 WL 346689, *5, appeal not allowed, 83 Ohio St.3d 1447,

700 N.E.2d 331 (1998), citing State v. Deem, 40 Ohio St.3d 205, 210, 533 N.E.2d 294

(1988). Rather, aggravated assault is an inferior degree of felonious assault because the

elements of aggravated assault are identical to those of felonious assault, with the
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                         11

exception of the additional mitigating element of serious provocation. Id., citing State v.

Mack, 82 Ohio St.3d 198, 200, 694 N.E.2d 1328 (1998).

       {¶ 33} In order to be serious, provocation "must be reasonably sufficient to bring

on extreme stress and the provocation must be reasonably sufficient to incite or to arouse

the defendant into using deadly force. In determining whether the provocation was

reasonably sufficient to incite the defendant into using deadly force, the court must

consider the emotional and mental state of the defendant and the conditions and

circumstances that surrounded him at the time." Deem, paragraph five of the syllabus.

       {¶ 34} Provocation must be occasioned by the victim and must be "sufficient to

arouse the passions of an ordinary person beyond the power of his or her control." State

v. Shane, 63 Ohio St.3d 630, 635, 637, 590 N.E.2d 272 (1992). If an offender has time to

"cool off" a conclusion that the offender acted in a sudden fit of passion or rage is

precluded. Many Ohio courts, including this court have found a very short period of

reflection or disconnection from the affray is a sufficient cooling off period. State v. Byerly,

5th Dist. Richland No. 02-CA-81 2023-Ohio-6911, ¶ 36 ("Appellant proceeded to park his

car almost one half mile away and walk to the mobile home. That amount of time would

have allowed a cooling off period."); State v. Townsend, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 04 MA

110, 2005-Ohio-6945, ¶ 4, 76. (Appellant drove home to get a weapon and returned to

the bar.).

       {¶ 35} For the same reasons discussed under the first and second assignments of

error, Hardman was not entitled to an instruction on the inferior offense of aggravated

assault. Hardman instigated the second confrontation. He had removed himself from the

situation, providing for a break in the fighting for five to six minutes, sufficient time to
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                        12

reflect and cool off, only to return the scene and become the provocator himself. The

fourth assignment of error is overruled.

                                              IV

       {¶ 36} In his final assignment of error, Hardman argues his trial counsel rendered

ineffective assistance by failing to request a jury instruction for the lesser included offense

of aggravated assault. We disagree.

       {¶ 37} To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must

demonstrate: (1) deficient performance by counsel, i.e., that counsel's performance fell

below an objective standard of reasonable representation, and (2) that counsel's errors

prejudiced the defendant, i.e., a reasonable probability that but for counsel's errors, the

result of the trial would have been different. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687–

688, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136,

538 N.E.2d 373 (1989), paragraphs two and three of the syllabus. "Reasonable

probability" is "probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Strickland

at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052.

       {¶ 38} Because there are countless ways to provide effective assistance in any

given case, judicial scrutiny of a lawyer's performance must be highly deferential.

Strickland, 466 U.S. 668 at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674.

       {¶ 39} Tactical or strategic trial decisions, even if unsuccessful, do not generally

constitute ineffective assistance. State v. Carver, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 558, 651 N.E.2d 965

(1995). The failure to request instructions on lesser-included offenses is a matter of trial

strategy and does not establish ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Clayton, 62
Stark County, Case No. 2023-CA-00046                                                  13

Ohio St.2d 45, 402 N.E.2d 1189 (1980); State v. Griffie, 74 Ohio St.3d 332, 333, 658

N.E.2d 764 (1996).

         {¶ 40} As discussed above, Hardman was not entitled to an instruction on the

inferior offense of aggravated assault. He therefore fails to establish either Strickland

prong.

         {¶ 41} The final assignment of error is overruled.

         {¶ 42} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

By King, J.,

Delaney, P.J. and

Gwin, J. concur.