State v. Strietelmeier, 2022 Ohio 2370

Just after midnight on Sept. 23, 2020, an unknown man (Strietelmeier) rang Rhonda Mapes’ doorbell for several minutes, searched around the porch and her car, and returned to a car parked in her driveway.
Colerain Township officers arrived, found Strietelmeier in the car, told him no one named “Brandy” lived at that address and advised him not to return; no bodycam of that encounter.
About 2:15 a.m., Strietelmeier returned, rang the Mapes’ doorbell again, peered through glass, banged the doorframe, jerked the handle, and walked toward the rear of the house, later arrested near a Penske truck.
On arrest he said he was looking for “Brandy” at the direction of his girlfriend Donna and that he used the house’s Spanish arches as a visual cue; he claimed confusion and possible untreated mental illness.
A jury convicted him of criminal trespass under R.C. 2911.21(A)(1); the municipal court imposed a 30‑day jail term stayed, two years’ probation, 200 hours community service, and a $250 fine. The First District affirmed on appeal.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether conviction was against the manifest weight for failure to prove Strietelmeier knowingly entered/ remained without privilege	State: He returned after being warned, engaged in conduct (peering, handling door, lingering) from which knowledge and lack of permission can be inferred; jury credibility findings control	Strietelmeier: He reasonably believed he had permission (looking for Brandy per Donna); police told him they didn’t know who lived there and didn’t specifically prohibit returning to the Mapes’ house; may have been mentally impaired	Court affirmed: jury could credit state; knowledge may be inferred; no requirement that owner post notice; privilege not proven; verdict not against manifest weight
Whether alleged mental illness required reversal or competency inquiry	State: No competency claim or mental‑illness defense was pursued at trial	Strietelmeier: Claimed possible untreated mental illness impaired his understanding	Court: Defense didn’t request competency or present mental‑illness defense at trial, so the issue was not preserved for appellate reversal

State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212 (Ohio 1967) (credibility and weight of evidence are for the trier of fact)
State v. Janson, 183 Ohio App.3d 377, 917 N.E.2d 296 (1st Dist. 2009) (no requirement that property post “no trespassing” signs to support trespass conviction)
State v. Foster, 153 N.E.3d 728 (8th Dist. 2020) (knowledge may be reasonably inferred from victim’s demeanor and others’ interactions)