2004 Ohio 2320 | Ohio Ct. App. | 2004
Lead Opinion
{¶ 3} After the fight, Shackleford went to his house and told his girlfriend (Cicely Floyd) about the fight and told her to go home, which was just up the street. Floyd left Shackleford's house, but instead of going home, Floyd walked to a friend's house to tell her what had happened. On the way to her friend's house, she walked by a parking lot which was behind Shackleford's home. At that time, the parking lot was empty. Floyd's friend was not at home, so she proceeded to walk back to her own house.
{¶ 4} On the way to her house, Floyd passed by the same parking lot. This time, Shackleford was standing near his back door, arguing with Moore, who was standing with Armin at the other end of the parking lot. Moore's brother and his friend, Eddie Bryant, were at the side of a nearby building, but were not participating in the argument. Floyd heard Shackleford say, "I've known you since you were knee high," and Moore responded, "I don't care because blood is thicker than water."
{¶ 5} When Floyd walked in her front door, Shackleford walked in her back door and briefly discussed the recent confrontation with Moore. Shackleford then left through her front door and Floyd watched him as he walked to his house. A few minutes later, Floyd heard shots and looked through her front window. She saw Shackleford run from behind his house with Moore behind him. Moore had a gun in his hand as he was chasing Shackleford. Bryant was in front of Shackleford's home and shot Shackleford when Shackleford came into view. Floyd saw Bryant's gun fire, but never saw Moore's gun fire. Both Floyd and another witness testified that they heard three or four shots. Moore and Bryant stood over Shackleford's dead body in the street until Floyd ran out of her house while calling 911. Moore and Bryant then ran off in the same direction, behind Shackleford's home.
{¶ 6} From the crime scene, detectives recovered three slugs and one unspent bullet, which was a different caliber than the three slugs. Two of the slugs were positively identified as being shot from the same gun. The BCI analyst testified that the third slug was consistent with being shot from the same firearm, however, he also stated that it could have been shot from a different gun. The doctor who performed the autopsy testified that Shackleford was shot three times and that his death was caused by the gunshot wounds.
{¶ 7} As a result of this incident, Moore was arrested and brought to trial. At the close of that trial, the trial court instructed the jury on the offenses of murder and complicity to commit murder. The jury acquitted Moore of murder, but found him guilty of complicity to commit murder in violation of R.C.
{¶ 9} Moore does not challenge the trial court's initial jury instruction; rather, he argues that the trial court erred when it answered a question the jury posed to the court during its deliberations. He contends the jury's question indicated that it was misled regarding the intent necessary to convict Moore of complicity to commit murder and that the trial court's failure to further instruct the jury when answering the question resulted in a misapplication of the law to the facts.
{¶ 10} In response, the state argues that the trial court properly responded to the jury's question by referring it back to the jury instruction originally given. It contends these instructions were not confusing or misleading. Accordingly, it believes the trial court did not need to give further instructions in response to the jury's question.
{¶ 11} As a general rule, if a party does not object to a jury instruction before the jury retires to consider its verdict, then that party has waived all arguments regarding those jury instructions except for plain error. State v. Hartman,
{¶ 12} The jury instruction as a whole must be considered to determine if there was prejudicial error. State v. Noggle,
{¶ 13} During its deliberations, the jury asked the trial court the following question:
{¶ 14} "In order for the defendant to be found guilty of complicity to commit murder, does the defendant have to have prior knowledge of another's intent to commit murder." (Tr. 651).
{¶ 15} In response to this question, the court referred the jury to the court's previous instructions. The instructions as to complicity were as follows:
{¶ 16} "Before you can find the defendant guilty of complicity to commit murder, you must find beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the 19th day of March and in Mahoning County, Ohio the defendant purposely aided and abetted another in the commission of the offense of murder.
{¶ 17} "Aided and abetted means supported, assisted, encouraged, cooperated with, advised or incited.
{¶ 18} "All of the other elements of the charge of murder have been defined for you and they would apply to complicity to commit murder." (Tr. 629).
{¶ 19} Moore argues that the above instruction does not answer the question asked. Specifically, it is his position that the trial court should have instructed that the accused must have had prior knowledge of the principal's intent to commit murder.
{¶ 20} We find this argument unpersuasive. In State v.Herring,
{¶ 21} "Herring's claim assumes that the jury could have found that he `specifically intended to aid and abet another in causing the death' of another without finding that he specifically intended to cause the death of another. We disagree. It is hard to see how a person could, in the words of the instruction, intend to `help, assist, or strengthen' or `encourage, counsel, incite, or assist' another person in causing death, without also intending that the victim die. It is equally hard to see any reasonable likelihood that the jury would understand the instruction as allowing the conviction of a defendant who did not intend that the victim die. Thus, the instructions the trial court gave are functionally equivalent to an instruction requiring specific intent to cause death." Id. at 250.
{¶ 22} Generally, if the trial court gives the jury written copies of its instructions and its instructions are a good statement of the law, then the trial court does not abuse its discretion when responding to a jury question by referring the jury to its written instructions. See, e.g. State v. Lindsey,
{¶ 24} Moore contends that the state needed to prove that he knew of Bryant's intent to murder Shackleford in order to convict him of complicity to commit murder. He argues that because the state did not introduce any evidence that he did know of Bryant's intent, his conviction is not supported by sufficient evidence. The state responds by arguing that the circumstances surrounding the crime demonstrates that Moore knew of Bryant's intent and supports his conviction for complicity to commit murder.
{¶ 25} In viewing a sufficiency of the evidence argument, a conviction will not be reversed unless the reviewing court holds that no rational trier of fact could have found that the elements of the offense were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. State v.Goff,
{¶ 26} Moore was convicted of complicity to commit murder by aiding or abetting the offense in violation of R.C.
{¶ 27} Moore concedes that Bryant murdered Shackleford; he is not challenging whether the principal offense was committed. Instead, Moore is arguing that there is insufficient evidence showing that he is complicit by aiding and abetting in that offense.
{¶ 28} "It has been held that aiding and abetting contains two basic elements: (1) an act on the part of a defendant contributing to the execution of a crime, and (2) the intent to aid in its commission." State v. Davidson, 3d Dist. No. 9-2000-106, 2001-Ohio-2163, citing United States v. Smith
(C.A. 5, 1977),
{¶ 29} In this case, Moore does not argue that his actions "supported, assisted, encouraged, cooperated with, advised, or incited the principal in the commission of the crime." Instead, Moore argues that the state failed to prove the second prong of aiding and abetting: that he was acting with the requisite intent when he chased Shackleford around the building. Moore contends there is insufficient evidence supporting a conclusion that he knew of Bryant's intent.
{¶ 30} R.C.
{¶ 31} However, the state does not need to prove that the accomplice and principal had a specific plan to commit a crime.Johnson,
{¶ 32} In this case, there is no direct evidence of Moore's intent. So the only way the state could prove Moore's intent is through circumstantial evidence.
{¶ 33} In the matter at hand, Floyd testified that earlier in the day, prior to the shooting, she saw Moore and Shackleford having words in the parking lot. (Tr. 335). She further testified that the men were angry. (Tr. 398). Regarding the actual shooting, she testified that Moore shot at and chased Shackleford around his apartment building. (Tr. 339, 341, 426). She explained that Bryant was waiting at the side of the building and began to shoot as Shackleford came from behind the building. (Tr. 339, 426). When asked to explain how she knew Moore was shooting before Bryant began shooting, she explained that she could hear gunshots before she saw Shackleford, being chased by Moore, run out from behind the apartment complex. (Tr. 426). She further stated that Bryant was standing in her view and she did not see him fire until Shackleford came around the building. (Tr. 426). She explained that after the shooting, Bryant and Moore stood over the victim and then ran off together in the same direction. (Tr. 346, 349). She stated that she observed guns in both Moore and Bryant's hands. (Tr. 347, 426).
{¶ 34} When this evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the state, it is clear that any rational juror could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The action by Moore in using a deadly weapon to shoot at the victim demonstrates an intent to kill. See Widner,
{¶ 36} The trial court allowed Floyd to testify as to statements Shackleford made to her about a fight that occurred between Moore and Shackleford prior to Shackleford's murder. She stated that Shackleford told her about a fight he had with Armin and Moore. (Tr. 332, 333). She testified that Shackleford told her while he argued with Armin that Moore hit him and pulled out a gun. (Tr. 332).
{¶ 37} Moore argues that the trial court should have excluded this evidence as impermissible other acts evidence. He contends that there must be some kind of logical connection between the fight and the murder in order for the evidence of the fight to be introduced. He concludes that since the fight was between Armin and Shackleford, rather than between Moore and Shackleford, there is no logical connection between the fight and Shackleford's murder.
{¶ 38} In response, the state argues that other acts evidence is admissible in order to prove plan, scheme, motive, intent, or the context in which the crime occurred. The state contends this type of evidence is admissible if it has a temporal, modal, or situational relationship to the offense charged. It argues that the fight and murder are parts of an interrelated sequence of events that happened very close in time. Accordingly, it concludes that the relationship between the fight and the murder is sufficient to render the evidence admissible under Evid.R. 404(B).
{¶ 39} A trial court has broad discretion over whether it should admit evidence of prior bad acts and its decision will only be reviewed for an abuse of discretion. State v. Huff
(2001),
{¶ 40} Evid.R. 404(B) provides as follows:
{¶ 41} "Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that he acted in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident."
{¶ 42} This rule is in accord with R.C.
{¶ 43} "In any criminal case in which the defendant's motive or intent, the absence of mistake or accident on his part, or the defendant's scheme, plan, or system in doing an act is material, any acts of the defendant which tend to show his motive or intent, the absence of mistake or accident on his part, or the defendant's scheme, plan or system in doing the act in question may be proved, whether they are contemporaneous with or prior or subsequent thereto, notwithstanding that such proof may show or tend to show the commission of another crime by the defendant." R.C.
{¶ 44} Since both Evid.R. 404(B) and R.C.
{¶ 45} Here, the state introduced evidence of the fight to demonstrate Moore's motive or intent regarding Shackleford's murder. In the closing argument, the prosecutor specifically referred to the fight as evidence of Moore's motive to murder Shackleford. (Tr. 588). Therefore, the argument that this evidence is inadmissible under Evid.R. 404(B) is without merit.
{¶ 46} Furthermore, Moore's insistence that this evidence cannot "tend to show" that he either intended or had motive to kill Shackleford because the evidence regarding the fight shows that the fight was between Armin and Shackleford is incorrect. Floyd's testimony not only established that an argument occurred between Armin and Shackleford, but also that Moore hit Shackleford and brandished a gun during this argument. (Tr. 332-333, 383-384). The fact that Moore hit Shackleford in the previous fight is evidence which tends to show that Moore intended to physically harm Shackleford. State v. Brown, 3d Dist. No. 9-02-02, 2002-Ohio-6765, at ¶ 27. Moreover, Floyd testified that shortly after Shackleford told her about this argument, she saw Moore and Shackleford arguing. (Tr. 335). Therefore, contrary to Moore's arguments on appeal, there was clearly a disagreement between him and Shackleford. Thus, the evidence was in conformity with Evid.R. 404(B).
{¶ 47} Under this assignment of error, Moore also questions Floyd's credibility and challenges the weight the prosecution placed on the previous fight. These arguments do not demonstrate why the evidence is not admissible under Evid.R. 404(B) and R.C.
{¶ 48} Lastly, under this assignment of error Moore argues that Shackleford's behavior after the fight demonstrates that Moore could not have had motive or intent to kill Shackleford. Floyd testified that after the fight, Shackleford seemed irritated and upset and that he had no visible injuries. (Tr. 333, 385-386). Floyd offered to get his car for him, but he refused. (Tr. 377-378). She testified, "No one actually thought that it would go that far to kill him [Shacklford]." (Tr. 379). Moore assumes that if Shackleford did not fear for his life following the fight, then Moore could not have had the motive or intent to kill him. However, the victim's state of mind is irrelevant in this situation. The fact that Shackleford did or did not fear for his life does not mean that the fight is wholly unrelated to the murder. Thus, this argument is also without merit and this assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 50} Prior to trial, the state, pursuant to Crim.R. 15 requested an order permitting the deposition of Dr. Jesse Giles, the doctor who performed the autopsy on Shackleford. Dr. Giles at that time had a contract with Mahoning County to provide forensic pathology services to the Coroner. However, his employment with Mahoning County was going to end prior to the trial and, therefore, the state wanted to have his video deposition prior to him leaving the state for other employment. The trial court granted this request over Moore's objection.
{¶ 51} Moore contends that allowing Dr. Giles to testify at that time denied him the right to meaningfully confront the witness because at the time Moore had not yet received the bill of particulars from the prosecution. He argues that the failure to provide him with the bill of particulars before the witness's deposition prevented his counsel from adequately preparing for the deposition. However, his counsel did cross-examine the witness at the deposition. In response, the state contends that Moore cannot claim he was prejudiced by not receiving the bill of particulars before the witness's deposition since he had not filed a written request for a bill of particulars.
{¶ 52} Crim.R. 7(E) provides:
{¶ 53} "When the defendant makes a written request within twenty-one days after arraignment but not later than seven days before trial, or upon court order, the prosecuting attorney shall furnish the defendant with a bill of particulars setting up specifically the nature of the offense charged and of the conduct of the defendant alleged to constitute the offense. A bill of particulars may be amended at any time subject to such conditions as justice requires."
{¶ 54} A request for a bill of particulars is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and its decision regarding the bill of particulars is reviewed for an abuse of that discretion. State v. Brumback (1996),
{¶ 55} In Ohio, a defendant has the right to a bill of particulars; however, if he fails to file a timely, written request for a bill of particulars, then he has waived that right.Hamilton v. Alvis (1959),
{¶ 56} Regardless, the lack of the bill of particulars did not prejudice Moore during his cross-examination of Dr. Giles. "The purpose of the bill of particulars is to inform an accused of the exact nature of the charges against him so that he can prepare his defense thereto." State v. Fowler (1963),
{¶ 57} In the matter at hand, the bill of particulars states that Moore was charged with Shackleford's murder, aiding and abetting in Shackleford's murder, the date of the murder and that there was a firearm specification. He knew this information from other documents he had already received, plus he knew that Shackleford was shot and killed as he ran from his house at 675 McBride Street in Youngstown, Ohio. Furthermore, as stated above, Dr. Giles' testimony was solely about the autopsy he performed on Shackleford. He stated that Shackleford was shot three times and he died as a result of gunshot wounds. The information in the bill of particulars would not have been helpful in preparing for the cross-examination of this witness. Moreover, despite the lack of the bill of particulars, Moore's counsel was able to participate in an extensive cross-examination of the witness. Consequently, these facts demonstrate that Moore was not prejudiced by the lack of the bill of particulars prior to the deposition. As such, this assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 58} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial court is hereby affirmed.
Waite, P.J., concurs.
DeGenaro, J., dissents; see dissenting opinion.
Dissenting Opinion
{¶ 59} The majority concludes, inter alia, that Moore's conviction for complicity to commit murder is supported by sufficient evidence. I must respectfully dissent because the opinion fails to address a few key points and it relies upon testimony by the only eyewitness which was later recanted. In order to convict a defendant of complicity to commit murder, the State must prove, among other things, that the defendant specifically intended to aid in the murder. In this case, there is no competent, credible evidence demonstrating that Moore knew of the principal's intent to murder the victim. Accordingly, the State failed to prove an element of the offense and Moore's conviction is not supported by sufficient evidence. Moore's conviction for complicity to commit murder should be vacated.
{¶ 60} I do not disagree with the law cited and relied upon by the majority. But the law regarding complicity must be further explained. R.C.
{¶ 61} As the majority points out, there is no direct evidence of Moore's intent in this case. Opinion at ¶ 32. We recently dealt with another case in which the State only had circumstantial evidence that someone was guilty of complicity. InState v. Ratkovich, 7th Dist. No. 02-JE-16, 2003-Ohio-7286, the defendant was convicted of complicity to commit theft. The defendant drove her son to an electronic store so he could buy video games. While he was in the store, he stole two video game consoles. He ran out of the store with the consoles and into his mother's vehicle. He told her he stole the consoles and she drove the two away from the scene. The defendant appealed her conviction, claiming that the jury never should have been instructed on complicity. We agreed.
{¶ 62} We concluded that the defendant could not be found guilty of complicity to commit theft unless the State proved that she knew her son was going to steal the consoles when she dropped him off. Id. at ¶ 23. "[T]he defendant's mere association with the principal offender is not enough to prove complicity." Id. at ¶ 16, citing State v. Mootispaw (1996),
{¶ 63} The only evidence in that case that we said might suggest that the defendant knew of her son's intent to steal the consoles was testimony that when the store manager chased the son out of the store, he jumped into the defendant's vehicle, which was waiting in the first parking space with the engine running. Id. We characterized this evidence as "tenuous at best." Id. "It is a significant jump to conclude that because a mother drops her son off and waits for him to go into a store with the engine running in a close parking space that she knew he was going in to commit a theft." Id. "While appellant clearly acted with terrible judgment [when she drove her son away from the scene], she did not support, assist, encourage, cooperate with, advise, or incite Cornell in the commission of the theft. As we previously stated, Cornell completed the theft when he ran out of the store. And the evidence at trial does not suggest that appellant knew what her son was planning to do when she dropped him off at Circuit City." (Emphasis sic.) Id. at ¶ 26.
{¶ 64} In this case, there is even less evidence to suggest that Moore knew of Bryant's intent to kill Shackleford prior to the time the offense was committed. Floyd, the only eyewitness, testified that Bryant and Moore were friends prior to this incident. And she testified that Bryant shot Shackleford after Shackleford and Moore came running from behind Shackleford's building. But there is no testimony that Bryant was involved in either of the altercations between Moore and Shackleford. Instead, Floyd only testified that Bryant was in the area during the second argument between Shackleford and Moore, as she had been. Finally, Moore stood over Shackeford's body with Bryant and ran away from the scene with him. But this is no different thanRatkovich's actions when she drove her son away with the stolen merchandise. Moore's actions after the crime occurred did not demonstrate the he was complicit in the crime. In Ratkovich, there was evidence that the defendant and her son at least planned to do something that day, going to the store to buy video games. In this case, there is no evidence of complicity between Moore and Bryant for any purpose, legal or otherwise. Moore cannot be convicted of complicity without some concrete evidence that he and Bryant were acting together to kill Shackleford.
{¶ 65} This is not to say that the State must provide direct evidence that Moore was complicit in Shackleford's murder since "circumstantial evidence inherently possesses the same probative value as direct evidence." Johnson at 341. But the State must introduce some evidence, rather than mere speculation, that the defendant is acting in concert with the principal before that defendant is convicted of complicity in the principal offense.
{¶ 66} In support of its conclusion that there is some competent, credible evidence proving that Moore had the intent to kill Shackleford, the majority cites a portion of Floyd's testimony where she stated that she saw Moore shooting at Shackleford. Opinion at ¶ 33. But the majority ignores the fact that Floyd recanted this testimony on cross-examination. At that time, she testified that she saw fire coming from Bryant's gun, but not from Moore's gun. Tr. at 410. And on redirect she admitted that she only presumed that Moore was shooting at Shackleford before they ran around the building. Tr. at 426. Thus, the evidence that the majority is using to support a conviction for complicity to commit murder is testimony from a witness that is presuming that Moore shot at Shackleford.
{¶ 67} Ohio law is replete with examples of the type of evidence which can establish this element of the offense. For instance, the defendant could have participated in planning an offense which resulted in the murder. Washington; In reWatson (1989),
{¶ 68} Clearly, the jury could have found Moore guilty of some other offense. He was chasing a man soon after arguing and fighting with that man while brandishing a gun. These facts would arguably support a conviction for, among other things, aggravated menacing in violation of R.C.
{¶ 69} The State failed to introduce any evidence that Moore intentionally aided and abetted Bryant in Shackleford's murder. Accordingly, Moore's second assignment of error is meritorious. His conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence and must be vacated.
