Court Opinion

ID: 4323272
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-10-22 18:31:25.256095+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:25.596150
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Todd, 2018-Ohio-4252.]

                                              3

                       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                           THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                LOGAN COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

       PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,                                CASE NO. 8-18-18

       v.

JOSEPH W. TODD,                                           OPINION

       DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

                  Appeal from Logan County Common Pleas Court
                          Trial Court No. CR2017-09-0293

                                      Judgment Affirmed

                           Date of Decision: October 22, 2018

APPEARANCES:

        Samantha L. Berkhofer for Appellant

        Alice Robinson-Bond for Appellee
Case No. 8-18-18

PRESTON, J.

       {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Joseph W. Todd (“Todd”), appeals the April 18,

2018 judgment entry of sentence of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas. For

the reasons that follow, we affirm.

       {¶2} This case arises from a series of incidents occurring between May 2004

and October 2007 in which Todd allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with A.R.

and X.R., each of whom was younger than ten years old at the time of the alleged

incidents. (See Doc. Nos. 2, 38). On September 12, 2017, the Logan County Grand

Jury indicted Todd on Counts One through Four of rape in violation of R.C.

2907.02(A)(1)(b), first-degree felonies. (Doc. No. 2). The indictment also specified

that as to each of Counts One through Four, “the victim was less than ten years of

age.” (Id.). See R.C. 2907.02(B). On September 28, 2017, Todd appeared for

arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the counts of the indictment. (Doc. Nos. 8,

13).

       {¶3} A jury trial was held on February 22-23, 2018. (Feb. 22-23, 2018 Tr.,

Vol. I, at 1); (Feb. 22-23, 2018 Tr., Vol. III, at 343). (See Doc. No. 88). On February

23, 2018, the jury found Todd guilty of all four counts. (Feb. 22-23, 2018 Tr., Vol.

IV, at 583-587); (Doc. Nos. 131, 132, 133, 134). The trial court filed its judgment

entry of conviction on March 5, 2018. (Doc. No. 138).

                                         -2-
Case No. 8-18-18

        {¶4} On March 30, 2018, Todd filed a motion for a new trial pursuant to

Crim.R. 33. (Doc. No. 142). On April 4, 2018, the State filed a memorandum in

opposition to Todd’s motion for a new trial. (Doc. No. 143).

        {¶5} At a hearing on April 6, 2018, the trial court denied Todd’s motion for

a new trial and sentenced Todd to life imprisonment on each of Counts One and

Two, to be served concurrently. (Apr. 6, 2018 Tr. at 3, 15, 52-56). (See Doc. Nos.

147, 148). The trial court also sentenced Todd to life imprisonment on each of

Counts Three and Four, to be served concurrently. (Doc. No. 148). The trial court

specified that Todd is eligible for parole on Counts One and Two after serving 10

years in prison and that he is eligible for parole on Counts Three and Four after

serving 10 years in prison. (Id.). The trial court further ordered that Todd’s

concurrent life sentences on Counts One and Two be served consecutively to his

concurrent life sentences on Counts Three and Four, resulting in an aggregate

sentence of two life sentences with parole eligibility after 20-years imprisonment.

(Id.). Finally, the trial court classified Todd as a sexual predator.1 (Id.). The trial

1
  Todd’s alleged offenses occurred between May 2004 and October 2007. (See Doc. No. 2). Thus, all of
Todd’s alleged offenses took place before the effective date of Ohio’s version of the Adam Walsh Act—
January 1, 2008. See In re Von, 146 Ohio St.3d 448, 2016-Ohio-3020, ¶ 23. Sex offenders who committed
their offenses prior to the effective date of Ohio’s Adam Walsh Act cannot constitutionally be classified
under the act, regardless of when an offender is convicted or sentenced. Id. at ¶ 16-17, 21, citing State v.
Williams, 129 Ohio St.3d 344, 2011-Ohio-3374, ¶ 16 and at the syllabus and In re Bruce S., 134 Ohio St.3d
477, 2012-Ohio-5696. As a result, the trial court applied the classifications contained in Ohio’s version of
Megan’s Law, the predecessor of the Adam Walsh Act, to Todd. See State v. Bodyke, 126 Ohio St.3d 266,
2010-Ohio-2424, ¶ 18-20. “The sexual-predator classification was the highest-risk offender under Megan’s
Law.” Id. at ¶ 26.

                                                    -3-
Case No. 8-18-18

court filed its combined judgment entry of sentence, sex-offender classification, and

denial of Todd’s motion for a new trial on April 18, 2018. (Id.).

       {¶6} On April 25, 2018, Todd filed a notice of appeal. (Doc. No. 156). He

raises three assignments of error.

                             Assignment of Error No. I

       Whether failure to have the defendant present during the vior
       [sic] dire possess [sic] was plain error?

       {¶7} In his first assignment of error, Todd argues that the trial court’s failure

to ensure that he was present for the entire voir dire process is plain error.

Specifically, Todd argues that he was absent from a portion of voir dire conducted

in camera, that he had both a constitutional and a statutory right to be present during

the entirety of voir dire, and that, due to this violation of his rights, his conviction

and sentence should be vacated and a new trial ordered.

       {¶8} “An accused has a fundamental right to be present at all stages of his

criminal trial.” State v. Hamilton, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-160247 and C-160248,

2017-Ohio-8140, ¶ 30, citing Ohio Constitution, Article I, Section 10 and Crim.R.

43(A). See Ohio Constitution, Article I, Section 10 (“In any trial, in any court, the

party accused shall be allowed to appear and defend in person and with counsel.”).

Under the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure, this right extends to the impaneling

of the jury. Crim.R. 43(A)(1) (“[T]he defendant must be physically present at every

stage of the criminal proceeding and trial, including the impaneling of the jury * *

                                          -4-
Case No. 8-18-18

*.”). “The failure of the trial court to ensure a criminal defendant’s presence at

an in camera voir dire proceeding to determine a juror’s fairness and impartiality is

error.” State v. Williams, 6 Ohio St.3d 281 (1983), paragraph two of the syllabus.

See id. at 286 (“[T]he trial court’s failure to ensure [Williams’s] presence at

the voir dire proceeding was a transparent violation of both his constitutional and

statutory rights.”). However, “[a]n accused’s absence * * * does not necessarily

result in prejudicial or constitutional error.” Hamilton at ¶ 30.

       {¶9} “Errors of constitutional dimension are not ipso facto prejudicial.”

Williams at 286. Rather, “error[s] of [a] constitutional stature, either state or

federal” are deemed to be nonprejudicial if they are “‘harmless beyond a reasonable

doubt.’” Id., quoting Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 24, 87 S.Ct. 824 (1967)

and citing State v. Abrams, 39 Ohio St.2d 53 (1974), paragraph two of the syllabus.

“Particularly, as regards a defendant’s constitutional right to be present at all stages

of his trial, prejudicial error exists only where ‘a fair and just hearing * * * [is]

thwarted by his absence.’” Id., quoting Snyder v. Massachusetts, 291 U.S. 97, 108,

54 S.Ct. 330 (1934) and citing United States v. Brown, 571 F.2d 980 (6th Cir.1978).

       {¶10} Furthermore, to the extent that a defendant’s absence from trial

proceedings amounts to a violation of his statutory rights under Crim.R. 43(A), such

violations are subject to harmless error analysis. See State v. Taylor, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 104243, 2017-Ohio-9270, ¶ 4, citing Williams at 287; State v.

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Case No. 8-18-18

Warren, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 10AP-376, 2010-Ohio-5718, ¶ 7 (“[A] defendant’s

absence in violation of Crim.R. 43(A), although improper, can constitute harmless

error where she suffers no prejudice.”), citing Williams at 285-287; State v. Armas,

12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2004-01-007, 2005-Ohio-2793, ¶ 25, 27-30 (concluding

that Crim.R. 43(A) violations are subject to harmless error analysis). Harmless

errors are those “error[s], defect[s], irregularit[ies], or variance[s] which do[] not

affect substantial rights” and, as such, “shall be disregarded.” Crim.R. 52(A).

       {¶11} Here, a portion of voir dire was conducted in camera and outside of

Todd’s presence. The trial court summarized the reasons for and the conduct of the

in camera voir dire as follows:

       4. * * * [I]n * * * case[s] involving crimes of a sexual nature, the

       Court * * * submit[s] questions to the panel of prospective jurors.

       These were not people sworn in but [they] answered questions related

       to sexual misconduct that might reveal bias. Defense counsel * * *

       stipulated that he requested this procedure and did filter and approve

       the questionnaire.

       5. * * * [A]s the prospective jurors entered the courtroom they were

       given the supplemental questionnaire and seated at tables so they

       could privately answer the questionnaire.       When completed, the

       completed questionnaires were given to the Clerk of Court.

                                         -6-
Case No. 8-18-18

       ***

       7. * * * [P]rospective jurors who answered affirmatively to the

       supplemental questionnaire were individually brought into chambers.

       * * * The prospective jurors were given an oath to answer all questions

       truthfully before being asked about his or her affirmative answers to

       the supplemental questionnaire.

       8. Defense counsel * * * made inquiry of the prospective jurors and

       at no time did he advise the Court that he wanted [Todd] present.

       [Defense counsel] did exercise challenges for cause[,] and * * * no

       peremptory challenges were allowed by either attorney.

       9. * * * [Todd] was present in the courtroom some thirty (30) feet

       away and was available to be called into chambers by defense counsel.

(Doc. No. 147).

       {¶12} It is undisputed that Todd was absent from the in camera phase of voir

dire. Therefore, we must assume that the trial court’s failure to ensure Todd’s

presence during this stage of his trial deprived him of his constitutional and statutory

rights to be present. See Williams, 6 Ohio St.3d at 286. However, Todd’s trial

counsel did not insist that Todd be present for the in camera period of voir dire, and

he did not object to Todd’s absence. As a result, we review only whether Todd’s

exclusion from the in camera portion of voir dire constitutes plain error. See State

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Case No. 8-18-18

v. Sturgeon, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-12-39, 2013-Ohio-1389, ¶ 14; State v. Reed, 10th

Dist. Franklin No. 09AP-1164, 2010-Ohio-5819, ¶ 13-14; Armas at ¶ 29; State v.

Sims, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 80036, 2002 WL 745569, *4-5 (Apr. 25, 2002).

       {¶13} We recognize plain error “‘with the utmost caution, under exceptional

circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.’” State v.

Landrum, 53 Ohio St.3d 107, 111 (1990), quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91

(1978), paragraph three of the syllabus. For plain error to apply, the trial court must

have deviated from a legal rule, the error must have been an obvious defect in the

proceeding, and the error must have affected a substantial right. State v. Barnes, 94

Ohio St.3d 21, 27 (2002). Under the plain-error standard, the appellant must

demonstrate that the outcome of his trial would clearly have been different but for

the trial court’s errors. State v. Waddell, 75 Ohio St.3d 163, 166 (1996), citing State

v. Moreland, 50 Ohio St.3d 58 (1990).

       {¶14} We conclude that Todd’s exclusion from the in camera voir dire was

nonprejudicial and harmless; thus, his absence does not amount to plain error. That

is, Todd’s absence from this stage of his trial proceedings did not deprive him of a

fair and just trial. See Williams at 286. First, Todd’s interests were vigorously

protected by his attorney who was present during the in camera voir dire. See id. at

286-287; State v. Robinson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 17393, 2001 WL 62569, *14

(Jan. 26, 2001). His trial counsel actively examined the potential jurors and moved

                                         -8-
Case No. 8-18-18

to strike potential jurors for cause. (See Feb. 22-23, 2018 Tr., Vol. I, at 78-79).

Although the trial court denied one of Todd’s trial counsel’s motions to strike a

prospective juror for cause, that potential juror was later eliminated from the jury

pool by peremptory challenge. (See id. at 78-79, 189). Finally, Todd’s trial

counsel’s thorough examination contributed, at least in part, to three of the

prospective jurors being dismissed for cause by mutual agreement between the

parties. (See id. at 57-59, 91-92, 117-119).

       {¶15} In addition, Todd’s attendance at the in camera voir dire would likely

have contributed little to his defense. See Williams, 6 Ohio St.3d at 287. The

supplemental questionnaires submitted to the jury pool queried whether the

potential jurors, members of the potential jurors’ families, relatives of the potential

jurors, or friends of the potential jurors had been sexually abused, molested, sexually

assaulted, or inappropriately touched as a child or as an adult. (See Supplemental

Jury Questionnaires). Furthermore, the questionnaires asked whether the potential

jurors or someone known by the potential jurors had ever been falsely accused of

committing a crime, including a sex crime against an adult or a child. (See id.).

During the in camera portion of voir dire, prospective jurors who responded

affirmatively to these inquiries were individually questioned regarding their

answers. (See Feb. 22-23, 2018 Tr., Vol. I, at 14-92).

                                         -9-
Case No. 8-18-18

       {¶16} Based on the potential jurors’ responses to the questions posed by the

trial court and by the parties during the in camera voir dire, there is no evidence that

Todd was implicated in any of the sex crimes that the potential jurors had been

exposed to either personally or through a close relationship. See Williams at 287

(noting that Williams’s presence at an in camera voir dire would have contributed

little to his defense because he did not personally observe the events necessitating

the in camera examination and his own conduct was not at issue).

       {¶17} Moreover, there is no indication that Todd himself had been

previously falsely accused of a crime known to any of the potential jurors or that he

was the supposed victim of any of the crimes of which the potential jurors or a close

relation of the potential jurors had been falsely accused. See id. Therefore, as

Todd’s own conduct was not at issue during the in camera voir dire, Todd did not

possess any personal knowledge or special insight into the potential jurors’

experiences with sex crimes or false accusations such that his presence would have

contributed meaningfully to his defense. See id.; State v. Brown, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga

No. 68761, 1996 WL 86627, *11 (Feb. 29, 1996) (concluding that Brown’s presence

during the questioning of a juror would have contributed little to his defense because

the questioning concerned matters that did not directly involve Brown); State v.

Ogletree, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 9768, 1987 WL 15731, *3 (Aug. 14, 1987)

(concluding that Ogletree’s presence at the questioning of a witness would have

                                         -10-
Case No. 8-18-18

contributed little to his defense because the sole purpose of the questioning was to

determine whether the witness was competent to testify).

        {¶18} Finally, it appears from the record that Todd was physically present

for the entirety of the voir dire conducted in open court. (See Feb. 22-23, 2018 Tr.,

Vol. I, at 105). Hence, Todd was able to listen to the questions posed to the entire

jury pool, consult with his attorney regarding further challenges for cause based on

the prospective jurors’ responses to these questions, and affect his trial counsel’s

use of peremptory challenges, including decisions concerning the use of peremptory

challenges to excuse jurors that had participated in the in camera voir dire.

Therefore, it is clear that Todd was afforded ample opportunity to influence the

makeup of the jury irrespective of his absence during the in camera portion of voir

dire.

        {¶19} Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court’s failure to secure Todd’s

presence at the in camera voir dire was nonprejudicial and harmless under both

constitutional and statutory standards. See Williams, 6 Ohio St.3d at 287. Todd has

not shown that his absence from the in camera phase of voir dire affected any of his

substantial rights. See id. As a result, Todd has not demonstrated plain error.

        {¶20} Todd’s first assignment of error is overruled.

                            Assignment of Error No. II

        Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it refused to
        allow a new trial?

                                         -11-
Case No. 8-18-18

       {¶21} In his second assignment of error, Todd argues that the trial court

abused its discretion when it denied his motion for a new trial. In particular, Todd

argues, as he does in his first assignment of error, that his exclusion from the in

camera voir dire deprived him of his fundamental constitutional right to be

physically present at all critical stages of his trial. According to Todd, his absence

from the in camera voir dire was an irregularity in his trial proceedings that

prevented him from having a fair trial, and thus, the trial court abused its discretion

by denying his motion for a new trial.

       {¶22} “Motions for a new trial are governed by Crim.R 33.” State v.

Cunningham, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-15-61, 2016-Ohio-3106, ¶ 28, citing State v.

Keith, 192 Ohio App.3d 231, 2011-Ohio-407, ¶ 37 (3d Dist.). Crim.R. 33(A)

provides, in relevant part: “A new trial may be granted on motion of the defendant

for any of the following causes affecting materially his substantial rights: (1)

Irregularity in the proceedings, or in any order or ruling of the court, or abuse of

discretion by the court, because of which the defendant was prevented from having

a fair trial * * *.”    Crim.R. 33(A)(1).       Crim.R. 33(B) sets forth the timing

requirements for motions for a new trial and provides:

       Application for a new trial shall be made by motion which, except for

       the cause of newly discovered evidence, shall be filed within fourteen

       days after the verdict was rendered * * * unless it is made to appear

                                         -12-
Case No. 8-18-18

      by clear and convincing proof that the defendant was unavoidably

      prevented from filing his motion for a new trial, in which case the

      motion shall be filed within seven days from the order of the court

      finding that the defendant was unavoidably prevented from filing such

      motion within the time provided herein.

      Motions for new trial on account of newly discovered evidence shall

      be filed within one hundred twenty days after the day upon which the

      verdict was rendered * * *. If it is made to appear by clear and

      convincing proof that the defendant was unavoidably prevented from

      the discovery of the evidence upon which he must rely, such motion

      shall be filed within seven days from an order of the court finding that

      he was unavoidably prevented from discovering the evidence within

      the one hundred twenty day period.

      {¶23} “In order to file a motion for new trial after the expiration of the time

periods specified in Crim.R. 33(B), a defendant must first seek leave of the trial

court to file a delayed motion.” State v. DeVaughns, 2d Dist. Montgomery No.

27727, 2018-Ohio-1421, ¶ 18, citing State v. Lanier, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2009 CA

84, 2010-Ohio-2921, ¶ 15, citing State v. Warwick, 2d Dist. Champaign No.

01CA33, 2002 WL 1585663, *2 (July 19, 2002), and citing State v. Parker, 178

Ohio App.3d 574, 2008-Ohio-5178, ¶ 16 (2d Dist.). “‘To obtain leave, [a] defendant

                                       -13-
Case No. 8-18-18

must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he or she was unavoidably

prevented from timely filing the motion for a new trial or discovering the new

evidence within the time period provided by Crim.R. 33(B).’” Id., quoting Warwick

at *2. “‘A party is “unavoidably prevented” from filing a motion for a new trial if

the party had no knowledge of the existence of the ground supporting the motion

and could not have learned of that existence within the time prescribed for filing the

motion in the exercise of reasonable diligence.’” Keith at ¶ 39, quoting State v. Lee,

10th Dist. Franklin No. 05AP-229, 2005-Ohio-6374, ¶ 8. “The standard of clear

and convincing evidence used in Crim.R. 33(B) means ‘that measure or degree of

proof which is more than a mere “preponderance of the evidence,” but not to the

extent of such certainty as is required “beyond a reasonable doubt” in criminal cases,

and which will produce in the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction

as to the facts sought to be established.’” Id. at ¶ 40, quoting Cross v. Ledford, 161

Ohio St. 469 (1954), paragraph three of the syllabus.

       {¶24} “A reviewing court will not disturb a trial court’s decision granting or

denying a Crim.R. 33 motion for new trial absent an abuse of discretion.” State v.

Sanders, 188 Ohio App.3d 452, 2010-Ohio-3433, ¶ 18 (10th Dist.), citing State v.

LaMar, 95 Ohio St.3d 181, 2002-Ohio-2128, ¶ 82, citing State v. Schiebel, 55 Ohio

St.3d 71, 76 (1990). An abuse of discretion is more than a mere error in judgment;

it suggests that a decision is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. State v.

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Case No. 8-18-18

Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157-158 (1980). “A new trial should not be granted

unless it affirmatively appears from the record that a defendant was prejudiced by

one of the grounds stated in the rule or was thereby prevented from having a fair

trial.” Sanders at ¶ 18, citing State v. Samatar, 152 Ohio App.3d 311, 2003-Ohio-

1639, ¶ 35 (10th Dist.).

       {¶25} Among the reasons offered for denying Todd’s motion for a new trial,

the trial court concluded that the “Motion for New Trial was untimely filed pursuant

to Crim.R. 33.” (Doc. No. 148). We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its

discretion by denying Todd’s motion as untimely because Todd did not properly

seek leave to file a delayed motion for a new trial or demonstrate that he was

unavoidably prevented from filing his motion in a timely fashion. See State v.

Herring, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105970, 2018-Ohio-1305, ¶ 15 (“A trial court does

not abuse its discretion in denying an untimely motion for a new trial where the

defendant fails to * * * seek[] leave from the trial court to file his motion or even

allege that he was unavoidably prevented from filing his motion in a timely

manner.”), citing State v. Green, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-260, 2013-Ohio-

5327, ¶ 11. See also State v. Roberts, 141 Ohio App.3d 578, 582-583 (6th

Dist.2001) (concluding that when a defendant does not seek leave to file a delayed

motion for a new trial, the trial court abuses its discretion by entertaining the

defendant’s untimely motion).

                                        -15-
Case No. 8-18-18

       {¶26} Todd premised his motion for a new trial on the grounds set forth in

Crim.R. 33(A)(1)—namely, that his exclusion from the in camera voir dire was an

irregularity in the trial proceedings that prevented him from having a fair trial. (Doc.

No. 142). Todd did not base his motion for a new trial on the discovery of new

evidence. (See id.). Consequently, the first paragraph of Crim.R. 33(B) governs the

timing of Todd’s motion for a new trial, and under the first paragraph of Crim.R.

33(B), Todd was required to file his motion for a new trial within fourteen days after

the jury rendered its guilty verdicts. Crim.R. 33(B).

       {¶27} The jury rendered its verdicts finding Todd guilty on February 23,

2018. (Doc. Nos. 131, 132, 133, 134). Thus, for his motion for a new trial to be

considered timely filed, Todd was required to file his motion no later than March 9,

2018. Crim.R. 33(B). See Crim.R. 45(A). However, Todd did not file his motion

for a new trial until March 30, 2018. (Doc. No. 142). Therefore, because Todd did

not file or seek to file his motion for a new trial within fourteen days after the jury

rendered its verdicts finding him guilty, Todd was required to seek leave to file a

delayed motion for a new trial and show, by clear and convincing proof, that he was

unavoidably prevented from filing his motion within the prescribed filing period.

See DeVaughns, 2018-Ohio-1421, at ¶ 18; Crim.R. 33(B).

       {¶28} However, rather than filing a motion for leave to file in advance of or

together with a motion for a new trial, Todd filed only his motion for a new trial.

                                         -16-
Case No. 8-18-18

(See Doc. No. 142). Todd’s motion for a new trial did not include a formal request

for the trial court to consider the untimely motion, and it presented neither argument

nor proof that he was unavoidably prevented from filing his motion for a new trial

within the 14-day filing period. See State v. Franklin, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 09

MA 96, 2010-Ohio-4317, ¶ 16-17 (acknowledging that defendants must seek leave

to file untimely motions for new trial but concluding that this requirement may be

satisfied where the motion for new trial contains proof that the petitioner was

unavoidably prevented from discovering new evidence).                               Thus, Todd did not

demonstrate by any degree of proof, let alone clear and convincing, that he was

unavoidably prevented from filing his motion in a timely manner such that he was

entitled to file a delayed motion for new trial. Accordingly, we conclude that the

trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying as untimely Todd’s motion for a

new trial.2 See Parma v. Palmer, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101737, 2015-Ohio-1830,

¶ 9; Franklin at ¶ 22, 26; State v. Morgan, 3d Dist. Shelby No. 17-05-26, 2006-

2
  Here, we note that untimeliness was only one reason relied on by the trial court to deny Todd’s motion for
a new trial. The trial court also found that Todd was not actually prejudiced by his absence from the in
camera voir dire, and in so finding, the trial court offered an alternative, substantive basis for denying Todd’s
motion. (Doc. No. 148). However, it was inappropriate for the trial court to address the merits of Todd’s
untimely motion without first finding that Todd was unavoidably prevented from filing his motion on time.
See State v. Seal, 4th Dist. Highland No. 16CA14, 2017-Ohio-116, ¶ 11 (“‘Although a defendant may file
his motion for a new trial along with his request for leave to file such a motion, the trial court may not
consider the merits of the motion for a new trial until it makes a finding of unavoidable delay.’”), quoting
State v. Covender, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 11CA010093, 2012-Ohio-6105, ¶ 13. Nevertheless, because the trial
court did not abuse its discretion by denying Todd’s motion on grounds that it was untimely and because the
trial court’s decision on the merits of Todd’s motion was not essential to its conclusion, any error in reaching
the merits of Todd’s motion was harmless.

                                                     -17-
Case No. 8-18-18

Ohio-145, ¶ 9-10; State v. Darkenwald, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 83440, 2004-Ohio-

2693, ¶ 41; State v. Starling, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 01AP-1344, 2002-Ohio-3683,

¶ 14; Warwick, 2002 WL 1585663, at *3.

       {¶29} Todd’s second assignment of error is overruled.

                           Assignment of Error No. III

       Whether defense counsel’s failure to request the defendant to be
       present during vior [sic] dire was ineffective assistance of counsel?

       {¶30} From the face of his third assignment of error, Todd appears to argue

that, because of his trial counsel’s failure to object to his exclusion from the in

camera voir dire, he received ineffective assistance of counsel. However, on

examination of the arguments contained under the heading of Todd’s third

assignment of error, it is clear that he is not actually arguing that his trial counsel

was ineffective. Rather, Todd claims that his trial counsel’s failure “to request the

defendant be present during vior [sic] dire was not ineffective assistance of

counsel.” (Emphasis added.) (Appellant’s Brief at 5). This statement does not

appear to be accidental as Todd continues: “In the case at hand, [Todd’s trial

counsel] did fail to directly ask for [Todd] to be present during voir dire. However,

this did not rise to being a substantial violation of defense counsel’s essential

duties.” (Id.). According to Todd, because “defense counsel was not required to

request that [Todd] be brought into the court room prior to vior [sic] dire,” Todd’s

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Case No. 8-18-18

trial counsel’s failure to request Todd’s presence or object to Todd’s absence did

not amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. (Id.).

       {¶31} App.R. 16(A)(7) requires that an appellant’s brief feature “[a]n

argument containing the contentions of the appellant with respect to each

assignment of error presented for review and the reasons in support of the

contentions, with citations to the authorities, statutes, and parts of the record on

which appellant relies.” See State v. Jackson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-670,

2015-Ohio-3322, ¶ 11. Furthermore, App.R. 12(A)(2) provides that this court “may

disregard an assignment of error presented for review if the party raising it fails to

identify in the record the error on which the assignment of error is based or fails to

argue the assignment separately in the brief, as required under App.R. 16(A).” Id.

       {¶32} In this case, rather than setting forth an argument that his trial counsel

was ineffective and supporting that argument with legal authority and citations to

the record as he is required to do, Todd does precisely the opposite—he expressly

argues that his trial counsel was not ineffective. In doing so, Todd does not allege

any error and thus necessarily fails to identify in the record the error on which he

bases his assignment of error as required by the Rules of Appellate Procedure. To

the extent that Todd’s trial counsel may have been ineffective, we decline to pore

through the record in order to create that argument for Todd. See State v. Wendel,

3d Dist. Union No. 14-16-08, 2016-Ohio-7915, ¶ 37 (“If an argument exists that can

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Case No. 8-18-18

support an assignment of error, it is not this court’s duty to root it out.”), citing State

v. Shanklin, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-13-23, 2014-Ohio-5624, ¶ 31, citing State v.

Raber, 189 Ohio App.3d 396, 2010-Ohio-4066, ¶ 30 (9th Dist.). Accordingly, we

decline to address Todd’s third assignment of error.

       {¶33} Todd’s third assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶34} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                                                    Judgment Affirmed

ZIMMERMAN and SHAW, J.J., concur.

/jlr

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