Court Opinion

ID: 9893796
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-30 17:08:32.28321+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:07.744329
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Lawler, 2023-Ohio-3933.]

                                        COURT OF APPEALS
                                     FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

 STATE OF OHIO                                  JUDGES:
                                                Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J.
         Plaintiff-Appellee                     Hon. John W. Wise, J.
                                                Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
 -vs-
                                                Case No. 2023 CA 00009
 MICHAEL R. LAWLER

          Defendant-Appellant                   OPINION

 CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS:                      Appeal from the Fairfield County Municipal
                                                Court, Case No. 21-CRB-1613

 JUDGMENT:                                      Affirmed

 DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                        October 27, 2023

 APPEARANCES:

 For Plaintiff-Appellee                         For Defendant-Appellant

 JOSEPH M. SABO                                 JAMES L. DYE
 City of Lancaster Law Director’s Office        P.O. Box 161
 136 West Main Street                           Pickerington, Ohio 43147
 P.O. Box 1008
 Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                   2

Hoffman, P.J.
       {¶1}   Defendant-appellant Michael R. Lawler appeals his convictions and

sentence entered by the Fairfield County Municipal Court, on one count of assault and

one count of menacing, following a bench trial. Plaintiff-appellee is the state of Ohio.

                           STATEMENT OF THE CASE AND FACTS

       {¶2}   On December 14, 2021, affidavits were filed in the Fairfield County

Municipal Court, charging Appellant with domestic violence, in violation of R.C.

2919.25(A), a misdemeanor of the first degree; assault, in violation of R.C. 2901.13(A), a

misdemeanor of the first degree; aggravated menacing, in violation of R.C. 2903.21, a

misdemeanor of the first degree; and menacing, in violation of R.C. 2903.22, a

misdemeanor of the fourth degree.         Appellant appeared before the trial court for

arraignment on January 6, 2022, and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. Appellant

filed a jury demand and waived his right to a speedy trial.

       {¶3}   The matter proceeded to jury trial on October 20, 2022. After the jury was

sworn-in and the parties presented opening statements, but prior to the presentation of

any evidence, Attorney Andrew Sanderson, counsel for Appellant, moved for a mistrial.

The trial court granted Appellant’s motion for mistrial without prejudice to the prosecution.

See, November 8, 2022 Entry Declaring a Mistrial without Prejudice to the Prosecution

and Discharging the Jury, Record at 70. On December 14, 2022, Appellant filed a notice

of intent to waive jury. The matter proceeded to bench trial on February 22, 2023.

       {¶4}   Lancaster Police Officer Franklin Graf testified he was on routine patrol

during the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift on August 31, 2021, when he responded to a possible

domestic disturbance at 1030 South Broad Street, Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio.

Officer Ayers assisted Officer Graf. When they arrived, the officers found Hayley Cottrill
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                   3

on the back porch of the residence. Officer Graf described Cottrill as upset and crying

and it “[s]eemed like something was wrong.”              Transcript of February 22, 2023

Proceedings at p. 10. Officer Graf noted Cottrill appeared to be in pain and complained

of shoulder pain. Officer Graf observed visible injuries to Cottrill’s arm, shoulder, and

head. Cottrill was hesitant to tell the officers how she received the injuries and repeatedly

told the officers “everything was okay.” Id. at p. 16.

       {¶5}   Lancaster Police Officer Luke Ayers testified he was on routine patrol during

the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift on August 31, 2021, when he and Officer Graf were dispatched

to 1030 South Broad Street, at approximately 8:00 p.m., in response to a domestic

violence call. Upon arriving at the residence, the officers made contact with Cottrill.

Officer Ayers recalled Cottrill appeared frightened, but “didn’t really want to tell us what

had happened.”     Id. at p. 41.   Cottrill was reluctant to speak with the officers and

repeatedly stated she was fine and did not need their help. Officer Ayers indicated Cottrill

was unable to straighten one of her arms and she had a knot on the back of her head.

The officer observed redness or bruising on Cottrill’s arm. Cottrill would not provide the

officers with any information. Based upon their investigation, the officers determined

there had been a physical altercation between Cottrill and Appellant, her live-in boyfriend.

Appellant was not at the residence when Officers Ayers and Graf arrived, and he did not

return to the residence while the officers were on the scene.

       {¶6}   Video from Officer Ayers’ body camera was played for the trial court. Officer

Ayers explained it was apparent Cottrill was fearful because “when Officer Graf first asked

her what happened she said, ‘please don’t make me do this,’ just in her voice, her
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                    4

mannerisms she appeared like she’s afraid.” Id. at p. 47. Officer Ayers stated Cottrill did

not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

       {¶7}   Hayley Cottrill testified Appellant lived with her and her two children at the

1030 South Broad Street residence on the date of the incident. Cottrill and Appellant had

been in a relationship for eight (8) or nine (9) months at the time. Cotrill was sitting on

the back porch when Appellant arrived at the residence between 7:15 and 7:30 p.m. on

August 31, 2021. Cottrill confronted Appellant about his cheating on her. Cottrill recalled,

“[h]e freaked out. * * * He was like in my face, grabs me and was like I wouldn’t do that, I

didn’t do that, which was very angry.” Id. at p. 75. Appellant grabbed Cottrill by the neck.

She was able to free herself from Appellant’s grip and retreated to the bedroom. Appellant

barged through the bedroom door, grabbed Cottrill by the neck, threw her onto the bed,

and held her down. Cottrill kicked Appellant to get away. Cottrill fled to the living room.

Appellant grabbed Cotrill off the couch and threw her down. Cottrill’s daughter woke up.

As Cottrill proceeded upstairs to bring her a cup of milk, Appellant stopped her and

grabbed her left arm. Cottrill threw the cup of milk at Appellant, striking him in the face.

Cottrill did not know if the sippy cup caused any injury to Appellant’s face. Appellant threw

Cottrill down the stairs. As a result, Cottrill injured her hip, shoulder, arm, leg, and head.

       {¶8}   Cottrill ran outside and attempted to call her father. Appellant grabbed her

phone and threw it. Appellant made threatening statements to Cottrill, warning her not to

call the police. Cottrill was finally able to speak with her father. She tried to explain what

happened. Her father immediately telephoned the police. After making three or four trips

into the residence in order to gather his belongings, Appellant entered his vehicle and

drove away. Officers arrived approximately ten minutes after Appellant left the residence.
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                        5

Cottrill explained she did not want to tell the officers what had happed because she feared

for her safety and the safety of her children. Video from Officer Ayer’s body camera was

played. The video showed medics attending to Cottrill. When asked why she told the

medics she was not sure how she sustained the injury to her elbow, Cottrill responded,

“Because the police were still standing there. * * * I was just too afraid at that point to talk

to the police.” Id. at pp. 96-97. Cottrill stated she was “[b]arely 90 pounds” at the time of

the incident. Id. at p. 97. Cottrill identified the injuries she sustained from photographs

she took following the incident.

          {¶9}   Phillip Cottrill, Hayley’s father, testified he received a call from his daughter

on August 31, 2021, but missed it as he was at the store. When he returned home, Mr.

Cottrill called Cottrill, but there was no answer. Cottrill called her father again, but when

Mr. Cottrill answered, the phone was hung up. Mr. Cottrill called Cottrill again, but again

there was no answer. When Cottrill called for the third time, Mr. Cottrill answered and his

daughter was “screaming he hit me.” Id. at p. 134. Mr. Cottrill and his wife proceeded to

Cottrill’s residence.     Appellant passed them in his vehicle, traveling in the opposite

direction. Thereafter, Mr. Cottrill called 9-1-1. Mr. Cottrill proceeded to follow Appellant

to ensure he did not return to the residence, but lost sight of him. Mr. Cottrill continued

to drive in the same direction as Appellant and saw Appellant had been pulled over by

police.

          {¶10} At the close of the state’s case, Appellant moved for acquittal pursuant to

Crim. R. 29. The trial court overruled Appellant’s motion.

          {¶11} Appellant called Christine Cooper, Appellant and Cottrill’s next door

neighbor, in his defense.          Cooper testified she received a call from Cottrill at
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                    6

approximately 8:40 p.m. on August 31, 2021. Cooper recalled Cottrill was crying. When

Cottrill learned Cooper was in bed, Cottrill told Cooper she would talk to Cooper in the

morning. Cooper put on her house dress and slippers and walked next door. Cooper

was at Cottrill’s residence fifteen (15) or twenty (20) minutes before the police arrived.

Cooper did not observe any evidence of a struggle in the home. Cooper remained at

Cottrill’s residence until 10:30 p.m.

       {¶12} On cross-examination, Cooper described Cottrill as upset and crying when

she (Cooper) arrived the evening of August 31, 2021. Cottrill told Cooper her arm was

broken. When Cooper asked how Cottrill broke her arm, Cottrill responded she bumped

into a wall. Cottrill also told Cooper she and Appellant were bickering because Appellant

wanted to leave, but Cottrill would not let him. According to Cooper, Cottrill admitted to

attacking Appellant, trying to stop him from leaving. Cooper stated she did not observe

any visible marks on Cottrill except for “one little one.” Tr. at p. 165. Cooper admitted

she did not see what occurred between Appellant and Cottrill.

       {¶13} On redirect examination, Cooper testified Cottrill admitted she was the

aggressor. Cooper added, “. . . and I’ve seen her be aggressive.” Id. at p. 168. On re-

cross-examination, Cooper reiterated Cottrill was crying, but stated she appeared angry,

not scared. Cottrill remarked, “She’s a bad loser. * * * And she did not control the situation

so she was not happy.” Id.

       {¶14} Appellant testified on his own behalf. Appellant appeared at trial in his

military uniform although he was not currently serving in order to “show [his] character.”

Id. at 171. Appellant stated, despite seeing combat action, he had never been disfigured

until Cottrill assaulted him.
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                   7

       {¶15} Appellant stated he stayed at Cottrill’s residence approximately one week

out of the month when he was in Ohio, adding he did not receive mail at the residence

and did not pay any bills or taxes associated with the residence. Appellant’s permanent

residence was in the state of Florida.      Regarding the evening of August 31, 2021,

Appellant recalled he returned to Cottrill’s residence after having dinner with friends and

Cottrill immediately accused him of cheating on her. Appellant described Cottrill as

“freaking out on me yelling about she da da da.” Id. at p. 177. Appellant recalled Cottrill’s

son started to cry and he (Appellant) went to get the child a sippy cup of milk. Appellant

noted Cottrill was incorrect when she testified her daughter was crying. As Appellant was

ascending the stairs with the cup, Cottrill exited her bedroom, grabbed the cup from

Appellant, and proceeded to her child’s bedroom.             Appellant began packing his

belongings and, as Cottrill was coming downstairs, he told her he was done.

       {¶16} Appellant continued:

              This is not the first time [Cottrill’s] assaulted me. I said, I’m done. I

       can’t do this anymore. And she said – I want to say her exact words were,

       “the hell you are,” or “the hell we are.” And that’s when she came barreling

       down the stairs. And she – none of this happened on the stairs. This is at

       the base of the stairs, literally jumped on me and just whaling [sic] me in the

       head, my hand. She had the cup in one hand and I think her phone at that

       point – or maybe it was either my phone still in the other hand. And that’s

       what she had been hitting me with.

              Id. at p 178.
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                8

      {¶17} Appellant managed to get away from Cottrill and placed his belongings in

his car. Appellant denied causing physical harm to or threatening Cottrill on August 31,

2021. Appellant stated he did not re-enter the residence after bringing his belongings to

his car. He added he retrieved a backpack which was on the back porch, but not inside

the home.

      {¶18} On cross-examination, Appellant admitted he pushed Cottrill out of the way

as he was exiting the residence, but denied causing any of her injuries and insisted she

did not fall as a result of the push. Appellant repeatedly asserted Cottrill attacked him

and “beat the crap out of me.” Id. at p. 188.

      {¶19} Appellant indicated he had no contemporaneous pictures of the injuries

caused by Cottrill. He stated he did not go to the police to report the incident because

“I’m not about that. * * * that’s not where my mind was. I was getting my hand fixed.” Id.

at 188. Appellant explained he was traveling to Columbus to have a friend, who is a

nurse, look at his finger. Appellant added he did not go to the emergency room because

he did not have health insurance. Appellant claimed his pinky finger had to be amputated

due to the injury caused by Cottrill’s assault. The state showed Appellant photographs

which showed a disfigurement of his pinky finger prior to August 31, 2021. Appellant

responded the photographs show an injury different from the one caused by Cottrill.

      {¶20} After hearing the evidence, the trial court found Appellant guilty of assault

and menacing, but not guilty of domestic violence and aggravated menacing. The trial

court sentenced Appellant to 210 days in jail with 190 days suspended and 20 days actual

incarceration, and placed him on two (2) years of non-reporting probation.
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                9

       {¶21} It is from these convictions and sentence Appellant appeals, raising as his

sole assignment of error:

              THE   TRIAL    COURT      ERRED        AND    THEREBY    DEPRIVED

       APPELLANT DUE PROCESS OF LAW AS GUARANTEED BY THE

       FOURTEENTH           AMENDMENT           TO    THE     UNITED      STATES

       CONSTITUTION AND COMPARABLE PROVISIONS OF THE OHIO

       CONSTITUTION BY FINDING APPELLANT GUILTY, AS THE VERDICT

       FOR THE CHARGES OF ASSAULT AND MENACING WERE AGAINST

       THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.

                                            I

       {¶22} In his sole assignment of error, Appellant maintains his convictions were

against the weight of the evidence because the evidence supported a conclusion he acted

in self-defense.

       {¶23} The state's burden of disproving a defendant's self-defense claim beyond a

reasonable 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. In determining whether a

verdict is against the manifest weight of the evidence, the appellate court acts as a

thirteenth juror and “in reviewing the entire record, weighs the evidence and all

reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses, and determines whether in

resolving conflicts in 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.’ ”
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                  10

State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 387, 1997-Ohio-52, 678 N.E.2d 541, quoting

State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App. 3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1983).

       {¶24} To establish self-defense in the use of non-deadly force, the accused must

show: (1) he was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to the affray; (2) he had

reasonable grounds to believe or an honest belief he was in imminent danger of bodily

harm; and (3) he did not use more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against

the imminent danger of bodily harm. State v. Paskins, 5th Dist. No. 2021 CA 00033, 2022-

Ohio-4024, 200 N.E.3d 684, ¶ 48, citing State v. Staats, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2019CA00181,

2021-Ohio-1325, 2021 WL 1502535, ¶28.

       {¶25} Pursuant to R.C. 2901.05, if there is evidence presented at trial which tends

to support a claim the defendant used force against another in self-defense or in defense

of another, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant did not use

the force in self-defense or defense of another. R.C. 2901.05(B)(1). Once the initial

showing is made, the burden of persuasion requires the state to disprove at least one of

the elements of self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Petway, 2020-Ohio-

3848, 156 N.E.3d 467, ¶ 55 (3d Dist. Lake); State v. Carney, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 19AP-

402, 2020-Ohio-2691, ¶ 31.

       {¶26} In support of his assertion he acted in self-defense, Appellant points to the

testimony of Christine Cooper as well as his own testimony.

       {¶27} Cooper testified she received a call from Cottrill at approximately 8:40 p.m.

Cooper recalled Cottrill was crying. Cooper did not observe any signs of a struggle within

the residence. On cross-examination, Cooper stated Cottrill indicated she broke her arm

after bumping into a wall. Cottrill told Cooper Appellant wanted to leave and they began
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                 11

to bicker. According to Cooper, Cottrill admitted she “[k]ept attacking him,” trying to stop

Appellant from leaving. Tr. at p. 165. Cooper did not observe any visible marks on Cottrill

except for “one little one” on her arm. Id. On redirect, Cooper recalled Cottrill indicated

she hit Appellant with a sippy cup. Cooper added Cottrill admitted she was the aggressor.

Cooper did not observe the altercation between Appellant and Cottrill.

       {¶28} Appellant testified, when he returned home after an evening with friends,

Cottrill accused him of cheating. After some arguing, Appellant told Cottrill he was “done”

and he could not “do this anymore.” Id. at p. 178. Appellant stated Cottrill jumped on him

and began hitting him with the plastic sippy cup. Appellant managed to get away, packed

his belongings, and left. Appellant denied causing any injury to Cottrill. Appellant did not

have any photographs of the injuries he sustained, but claimed his left pinky finger had to

be amputated because of Cottrill’s assault. The state entered into evidence photographs

which showed a disfigurement to Appellant’s left pinky finger. The photographs were

taken before the August 31, 2021 incident, yet Appellant denied having a pre-existing

injury to his left pinky finger.

       {¶29} We find the state met its burden of disproving Appellant's claim of self-

defense beyond a reasonable doubt. We further find Appellant failed to establish (1) he

was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to the affray; (2) he had reasonable

grounds to believe or an honest belief he was in imminent danger of bodily harm; and (3)

he did not use more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against the imminent

danger of bodily harm.

       {¶30} Officers Graf and Ayers testified, when they arrived at Cottrill’s residence,

she was upset, crying, and frightened. Cottrill appeared to be in pain and complained of
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                   12

shoulder pain. The officers observed visible injuries to Cottrill’s arm, shoulder, and head.

Cottrill was reluctant to speak with the officers and repeatedly stated she was fine and

did not need their help. Video from Officer Ayers’ body camera was played for the trial

court. Officer Ayers explained it was apparent Cottrill was fearful because “when Officer

Graf first asked her what happened she said, ‘please don’t make me do this,’ just in her

voice, her mannerisms she appeared like she’s afraid.” Id. at p. 47.

       {¶31} Cotrill recalled Appellant arrived at the residence between 7:15 and 7:30

p.m. on August 31, 2021, and she confronted him about his infidelity. Cottrill testified

Appellant freaked out, grabbed her, and became very angry. Appellant grabbed Cottrill

by the neck, but she was able to free herself and retreated to the bedroom. Appellant

barged through the bedroom door, grabbed Cottrill by the neck, threw her onto the bed,

and held her down. Cottrill was again able to get away and ran to the living room.

Appellant grabbed Cotrill off the couch and threw her down. As Cottrill proceeded upstairs

with a cup of milk for her daughter who had woken up, Appellant stopped her and grabbed

her left arm. Cottrill threw the cup of milk at Appellant, striking him in the face. Appellant

threw Cottrill down the stairs.

       {¶32} The state presented video from Officer Ayer’s body camera in which

Cottrill’s injuries can be seen. The state also presented photographs Cottrill took of her

injuries subsequent to the incident.

       {¶33} “A self-defense claim is generally an issue of credibility.” State v. Olsen,

11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2022-A-0071, 2023-Ohio-2254, ¶ 57. “Disputes in credibility for

the purposes of evaluating self-defense are best resolved by the trier of fact.” State v.

Bentley, 11th Dist. Lake Nos. 2022-L-076, 2022-L-0802023-Ohio-1792, ¶ 24. “It has been
Fairfield County, Case No. 2023 CA 00009                                                 13

held that ‘a conviction is not against the manifest weight of the evidence because the trier

of fact believed the state's version of events over the defendant's version’ and rejected

the defendant's claim of self-defense.” Id., citing State v. Messenger, 2021-Ohio-2044,

174 N.E.3d 425, ¶ 49 (10th Dist.). When weighing witness testimony supporting a claim

of self-defense, the trier of fact is “free to believe or disbelieve the testimony of the

witnesses” and “is in the best position to take into account inconsistencies, along with the

witnesses’ manner and demeanor, and determine whether the witnesses’ testimony is

credible.” Bentley at ¶ 24, citing State v. Haney, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2012-L-098, 2013-

Ohio-2823, ¶ 43.

       {¶34} It is evident the trial court chose to believe the testimony of Officers Graf

and Ayers as well as Cottrill.

       {¶35} Appellant’s sole assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶36} The judgment of the Fairfield County Municipal Court is affirmed.

By: Hoffman, P.J.
Wise, J. and
Baldwin, J. concur