State v. Dunn
2015 Ohio 3138
Ohio Ct. App.2015Background
- Dunn was indicted in November 2012 for aggravated murder, murder, two counts of felonious assault, kidnapping, and weapons under disability; he elected to bifurcate the weapons charge and tried it to the bench, other counts to a jury.
- Evidence at trial showed Adams was shot multiple times at the Red Zone car wash; PCP in Adams's system suggested drug influence.
- Several witnesses testified about Dunn and Adams and the car wash, but only Reginald Longstreet positively identified Dunn as the shooter; surveillance video was inconclusive.
- Two different shell casings and surveillance video were recovered; cellphone records and tower data were introduced to locate Dunn.
- An alibi dispute arose when Facebook communications were revealed; the state created and used a fictitious profile of a woman to challenge alibi witnesses, prompting an internal investigation and a Crim.R. 48(B) dismissal motion.
- The trial court refused to dismiss the indictment; Dunn was convicted on most counts and sentenced to 25 years to life for aggravated murder, with a three-year firearm specification, and the judgment was affirmed on appeal.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Crim.R. 48(B) dismissal was proper | Dunn | Dunn sought dismissal due to prosecutorial misconduct | No abuse of discretion; dismissal denied |
| Admissibility of cell-tower testimony | Dunn | No legitimate expert required; records explained | No abuse of discretion; testimony admitted |
| Flight instruction appropriateness | Dunn | Flight instruction warranted by evidence | Instruction error but not prejudicial; still affirmed |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Redi Car Wash, 51 Ohio App.3d 60 (8th Dist. 1988) (trial court abuse of discretion standard for Crim.R. 48(B) sanctions; preservation of integrity of proceedings)
- State v. Sutton, 64 Ohio App.2d 105 (9th Dist. 1979) (dismissal with prejudice excessive; limits on prosecutorial misconduct sanctions)
- Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217 (1983) (abuse of discretion standard; substantial rights safeguard)
