STATE OF OHIO v. DANIEL C. PIPPEN
Case No. 11CA3412
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT SCIOTO COUNTY
Released: September 25, 2012
[Cite as State v. Pippen, 2012-Ohio-4692.]
McFarland, J.
APPEARANCES:
James H. Banks, Dublin, Ohio, for Appellant.
Mark E. Kuhn, Scioto County Prosecutor, and Pat Apel, Assistant Scioto County Prosecutor, Portsmouth, Ohio, for Appellee.
McFarland, J.:
{1} Appellant, Daniel C. Pippen, appeals his conviction in the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas after a jury found him guilty of trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs, possession of criminal tools, possession of marihuana, and conspiracy to traffic in drugs, and additional specifications. Pippen raises five assignments of error, arguing 1) there was insufficient evidence to convict him and his convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence; 2) the trial court erred in overruling his motion to suppress the evidence; 3) the trial court erred by consolidating the trials, not excluding a lab report, not granting Pippen a
{2} Having reviewed the record, we have identified another sentencing issue, which we raise sua sponte, related to the trial court‘s characterization of the sentence imposed in connection with Appellant‘s status as a major drug offender. Specifically, the trial court incorrectly stated a portion of Pippen‘s sentence was mandatory, when it was not. Accordingly, we sua sponte notice plain error with regard to this sentencing error and hereby reverse this portion of the sentence and remand the case for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
{3} Next, we find there was substantial evidence upon which the jury could have found Pippen was guilty of the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt, and his convictions are not against the manifest weight. However, with respect to Pippen‘s argument that the trial court erred when it entered a judgment of conviction on Count 10, the conspiracy charge, because the trial court merged Count 10 with Counts 1 and 2, Pippen was not actually sentenced on that count and, therefore, no conviction resulted on that count. Thus, we overrule Pippen‘s fourth assignment of error.
{5} In his third assignment of error, Pippen did not provide legal support for his contention the trials were improperly consolidated and for his contention the trial court erred in overruling his
{6} Regarding the verdict forms, we find there were several deficiencies that require us to remand the case to the trial court to either enter a judgment of conviction for the correct level of the offenses or reduce the degree of offenses, and sentence Pippen accordingly. Thus, we affirm Pippen‘s fourth assignment of error in part, and overrule it in part.
{7} Finally, as addressed in the various other assignments of error raised by Pippen, and also sua sponte, we find several sentencing errors by the trial court and therefore, we sustain Pippen‘s fifth assignment of error, in part.
FACTS
{9} On October 25, 2010, Officer Steve Timberlake was unloading items from his vehicle when an unknown male approached him. The male knew Timberlake by name and told him there were men from Detroit selling drugs out of Katherine Lansing‘s residence at 616 Sixth Street in Portsmouth, Ohio. The next morning, Timberlake found an anonymous note on his vehicle‘s windshield, addressed to him, indicating there were “D-boys” at the house on Sixth Street, and illegal activity was occurring at another location in Portsmouth.
{10} Timberlake viewed the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas’ website and determined Lansing was on probation. Timberlake contacted Nick Ferrara, the court‘s chief probation officer, and discussed the tip about Lansing. Ferrara noted Lansing‘s listed address was not on Sixth Street, but she had not been reporting to her probation officer and had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. Ferrara determined the 616 Sixth Street address was incorrect, as the probation department was located on Sixth Street, and 616 would have been an alleyway.
{11} As a result of this conversation, Timberlake began checking the police department‘s records for mention of Lansing. One month earlier, on September
{12} Based upon this new information that placed Lansing at 518 Sixth Street only one month earlier, Ferrara decided it would be prudent to visit the residence and arrest Lansing. Because of Timberlake‘s tip that there may be as many as five additional persons present, who were allegedly selling drugs, Ferrara requested Timberlake and other officers from the Portsmouth Police Department assist with the home search for safety reasons. Timberlake and two other officers accompanied Ferrara and two probation officers to the residence.
{13} Upon arriving at the residence, part of the group went to the front door, while the others covered the rear. One of the probation officers at the front door knocked and announced his presence. The officers heard scuffling inside, but no verbal response, and no one answered the door. The officers at the back then noticed one to two males approaching the second story window in a manner that indicated they were attempting to exit the window. The officers shouted this information to the others at the front of the house. At that point, Ferrara ordered one of the probation officers to breach the door.
{14} Law enforcement found Daniel Pippen in the upstairs restroom and Tyrone Dixon, Evan Howard, and Eric Durr in a small upstairs bedroom. The
{15} Probation officers were unable to locate Lansing within the house, but they did find mail addressed to her at the residence, as well as a photo of her on the refrigerator. With evidence the house was Lansing‘s residence, the officers conducted a search for contraband.
{16} Law enforcement found a total of $16,803, 1,824 oxycodone pills, cocaine, heroin, marihuana, and two digital scales. Some of the pills and money were in a sock underneath a cushion on the couch. Other drugs and money were in a plastic Walmart bag by the door to the basement. Most of the marihuana was behind the dresser in the upstairs bedroom. There was additional money under the mattress in the same room. There was even money inside of a woman‘s shoe. Officers found the digital scales in the kitchen. After the search, Tyrone Dixon attempted to claim all of the contraband as his, but when officers asked him asked what was his, Dixon was unable to identify all of the contraband the officers found.
{17} The grand jury indicted Pippen and the others within the house for trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs, trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of criminal tools, possession of marihuana, and conspiracy to traffic in drugs, many of which included aggravating specifications. During the jury trial, the trial court dismissed the counts relating to the cocaine, and the jury
Count 1: “Trafficking in Drugs/Oxycodone/Vicinity of a School/Major Drug Offender.” The jury found the amount equaled or exceeded 100 times the bulk amount and was within 1,000 feet of a school.
Count 2: “Possession of Drugs/Major Drug Offender.” The jury found the amount equaled or exceeded 100 times the bulk amount.
Count 3: “Trafficking in Drugs/Heroin/Within the Vicinity of a School.” The jury found the amount was equal to or greater than one gram but less than five (5) grams, and was within 1,000 feet of a school.
Count 4: “Possession of Drugs/Heroin.” The jury found the amount equaled or exceeded one gram, but was less than five grams.
Count 7: “Trafficking in Drugs/Marijuana/Within the Vicinity of a School.” The jury found the amount was less than 200 grams and was within 1,000 feet of a school.
Count 8: “Possession of Criminal Tools.” There were no findings associated with this count.
Count 10: “Conspiracy to Traffic in Drugs, F2.”
{18} The trial court sentenced Pippen to 27 years in prison. Pippen now appeals.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
- THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL IS INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT DEFENDANT‘S CONVICTION, WHICH CONVICTION IS MANIFESTLY AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND MUST BE REVERSED.
- THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING DEFENDANT-APPELLANT‘S MOTION TO SUPPRESS AND RENEWED MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE.
- THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ITS RULINGS AT TRIAL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF APPELLANT‘S CASE WITH THE CO-DEFENDANTS, DENIAL OF PIPPEN‘S 29(A) MOTION AND IN THE ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE SUCH TO REQUIRE REVERSAL OF DEFENDANT‘S CONVICTIONS.
THE VERDICT FORMS DO NOT SUPPORT DEFENDANT‘S CONVICTIONS. - THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN CONVICTING AND SENTENCING THE DEFENDANT.
LEGAL ANALYSIS
{19} After reviewing the record, we have noted an initial threshold matter that must be addressed related to the trial court‘s characterization of Pippen‘s sentence imposed as a result of his major drug offender specification. As will be more fully discussed, infra, when sentencing Pippen, the trial court incorrectly stated that this portion of Pippen‘s sentence was mandatory, when it was not. As such, we have decided to sua sponte invoke the “plain error” rule.
{20} For a reviewing court to find plain error: 1.) there must be an error, i.e “a deviation from a legal rule“; 2.) the error must be plain, i.e., “an ‘obvious’ defect in the trial proceedings“; and 3.) the error must have affected “substantial rights,” i.e., it must have affected the outcome of the proceedings. State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). Furthermore, the Supreme Court of Ohio has admonished courts that notice of plain error under
{21} When reviewing felony sentences, this Court follows the two-step approach the Supreme Court of Ohio outlined in State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124, at ¶ 4. See State v. Welch, 4th Dist. No. 08CA29, 2009-Ohio-2655, at ¶ 6. “First, [we] must examine the sentencing court‘s compliance with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine whether the sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law. If this first prong is satisfied, [that is, if the sentence complies with the law,] the trial court‘s decision shall be reviewed under an abuse-of-discretion standard.” Kalish at ¶ 4.
{22} Here, the jury convicted Pippen of aggravated trafficking in drugs, with additional aggravating factors that the amount of oxycodone involved was more than 100 times the bulk amount, and the crime occurred within the vicinity of a school. Aggravated trafficking in drugs is proscribed by
{23} Thus, Pippen was a “major drug offender” under
{24}
{25} The distinction between mandatory and nonmandatory prison terms is important when determining whether a court may grant an offender judicial
{26} However, Revised Code Section 2929.20 has since been amended and Pippen will eventually be eligible for judicial release, even with a prison sentence of 27 years. The General Assembly amended
{27} Accordingly, because the trial court incorrectly stated the ten-year prison term for Pippen‘s major drug offender specification was mandatory, we conclude that this portion of the sentence was contrary to law and an abuse of
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
A. Standard of Review
{28} In his first assignment of error, Pippen argues his convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence and based upon insufficient evidence. We disagree. Further, with respect to Pippen‘s claim that he was convicted of conspiracy to traffic in drugs based upon insufficient evidence against the weight of the evidence, because we find Pippen was not actually convicted on the conspiracy count, we reject this argument also.
{29} “When an appellate court concludes that the weight of the evidence supports a defendant‘s conviction, this conclusion necessarily includes a finding that sufficient evidence supports the conviction. Thus, a determination that [a] conviction is supported by the weight of the evidence will also be dispositive of the issue of sufficiency. Therefore, we first consider whether [Appellant‘s] conviction [is] against the manifest weight of the evidence.” (Internal quotations, citations, and footnote omitted.) State v. Leslie, 4th Dist. Nos. 10CA17, 10CA18, 2011-Ohio-2727, at ¶ 15. See, also, State v. Bostwick, 4th Dist. No. 10CA3382, 2011-Ohio-3671, at ¶ 10; State v. Kulchar, 4th Dist. No. 10CA6, 2011-Ohio-5144, at ¶ 31 (per curiam).
{31} We must still remember that the weight to be given evidence and the credibility to be afforded testimony are issues to be determined by the trier of fact. State v. Frazier, 73 Ohio St.3d 323, 339, 652 N.E.2d 1000 (1995), citing State v. Grant, 67 Ohio St.3d 465, 620 N.E.2d 50 (1993). The trier of fact “is best able to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections, and
B. Legal Analysis
1. Trafficking Counts
“(A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:
* * *
“(2) Prepare for shipment, ship, transport, deliver, prepare for distribution, or distribute a controlled substance, when the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the controlled substance is intended for sale or resale by the offender or another person.
* * *
“(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of one of the following:
“(1) If the drug involved in the violation is any compound, mixture, preparation, or substance included in schedule I or schedule II, with the exception of marihuana, cocaine, L.S.D., heroin, and hashish, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of aggravated trafficking in drugs. The penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows:
* * *
“(f) If the amount of the drug involved equals or exceeds one hundred times the bulk amount and regardless of whether the offense was committed in the vicinity of a school * * *, aggravated trafficking in drugs is a felony of the first degree, the offender is a major drug offender, and the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term the maximum prison term prescribed for a felony of the first degree.
* * *
“(3) If the drug involved in the violation is marihuana or a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance containing marihuana other than hashish, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of trafficking in marihuana. The penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows:
* * *
“(b) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(3)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of this section, if the offense was committed in the vicinity of a school or in the vicinity of a juvenile, trafficking in marihuana is a felony of the fourth degree, and division (B) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in determining whether to impose a prison term on the offender.
* * *
“(6) If the drug involved in the violation is heroin or a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance containing heroin, whoever violates division (A) of this
section is guilty of trafficking in heroin. The penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows:
* * *
“(b) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(6)(c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) of this section, if the offense was committed in the vicinity of a school or in the vicinity of a juvenile, trafficking in heroin is a felony of the fourth degree, and division (C) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in determining whether to impose a prison term on the offender.”
a. Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs2
{32} Here, there was substantial evidence upon which the jury could reasonably conclude the state had proven all elements of aggravated trafficking in drugs beyond a reasonable doubt.
{34} Megan Snyder, a forensic chemist, testified at great length about the chemical analyses she performed on each substance, identifying whether it was a controlled substance, and noting the amount of each substance. Snyder testified there were 1,824 pills that contained oxycodone (oxycodone hydrochloride). She also testified, based upon the maximum daily dosage of 90 milligrams for oxycodone and oxycodone‘s “bulk amount” being five times the maximum daily dosage, the pills were 121.6 times the bulk amount of oxycodone.
{35} Regarding the proximity of 518 Sixth Street to a school, Melinda Davis testified the residence was within 1000’ of a school at which she was the principal.
{36} Again, there were digital scales in plain view. There was $3,090 on the floor of the upstairs bedroom. In total, there was $16,803 in cash within the house, though only one of five defendants was ostensibly employed. In addition to the 1,824 oxycodone pills, there was heroin, cocaine, and marihuana recovered from the residence. Given the sheer quantity of the oxycodone recovered, and the other evidence, it was reasonable for the jury to conclude Pippen was involved in preparing for shipment, shipping, transporting, delivering, preparing for
{37} Although the case against Pippen and his co-defendants is based entirely upon circumstantial evidence, circumstantial evidence is, by itself, a sufficient basis for a conviction. Bostwick, 2011-Ohio-3671, at ¶ 17, quoting State v. Smith, 4th Dist. No. 09CA29, 2010-Ohio-4507, at ¶ 44, quoting State v. Franklin, 62 Ohio St.3d 118, 124, 580 N.E.2d 1 (1991).
{38} Addressing Pippen‘s’ contention that the state failed to prove possession, even constructive possession, we disagree. Possession may be actual or constructive. State v. Butler, 42 Ohio St.3d 174, 176, 538 N.E.2d 98 (1989); State v. Fry, 4th Dist. No. 03CA26, 2004-Ohio-5747, ¶ 39. “Actual possession exists when the circumstances indicate that an individual has or had an item within his immediate physical possession. Constructive possession exists when an individual is able to exercise dominion or control of an item, even if the individual does not have the item within his immediate physical possession.” Fry at ¶ 39, citing State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 434 N.E.2d 1362 (1982), syllabus, and State v. Wolery, 46 Ohio St.2d 316, 329, 348 N.E.2d 351 (1976).
{39} This court has held that, “[f]or constructive possession to exist, ‘[i]t must also be shown that the person was conscious of the presence of the object.’ ”
{40} Pippen‘s’ argument is his mere proximity to various controlled substances does not conclusively establish he possessed them.
{41} In State v. Harrington, the defendant‘s proximity to a quantity of cocaine, coupled with his immediate denial of any wrongdoing and false statements, permitted a jury to infer the defendant knew the cocaine was there. Harrington at 18, 24. We found this evidence sufficient to establish the defendant knew of the cocaine and he had the ability to exercise control over it, demonstrating constructive possession. Id. at 24. We also found the defendant‘s convictions for possession and trafficking in cocaine were not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Id. at 26.
{42} In State v. New, 4th Dist. No. 08CA9, 2009-Ohio-2632, the state presented evidence of recorded telephone conversations between the defendant and her boyfriend that indicated she knew there were drugs in the house. During a phone call, the defendant discussed with her boyfriend specific items in the home the police had recovered, such as a coffee can with a false bottom that contained cocaine, a plate with a razor blade that had cocaine residue on it, and pictures of the defendant, her boyfriend, and a third party holding large sums of cash. New at 16, 17. Given the defendant‘s presence in the house, coupled with her statements about specific items related to controlled substances, she knew where the cocaine
{43} Likewise, in Riggs, 4th Dist. No. 98CA39, 1999 WL 727952, we found the defendant‘s proximity to controlled substances in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, coupled with the vast amount of controlled substances and paraphernalia within the vehicle was sufficient to establish constructive possession. Law enforcement recovered cocaine in a bag behind the passenger‘s seat; a cocaine straw and a plastic container with marihuana residue beside the defendant‘s seat; a mirror with cocaine residue under the passenger‘s seat; numerous marihuana roaches and marihuana joints throughout the vehicle, many of which were in the defendant‘s plain view. Id. Thus, the defendant‘s proximity, coupled with the vast amount of drugs, some of which were in plain view, permitted the jury to find he knowingly possessed the drugs. Id.
{44} The present case is akin to Riggs. “The presence of such a vast amount of drug evidence in the [house] supports an inference that [Pippen] knew about the presence of the drugs and that he, along with his [co-defendants], exercised control over each of the items found.” Riggs, 4th Dist. No. 98CA39, 1999 WL 727952, at *5, citing State v. Soto, 8th Dist. No. 57301, 1990 WL 145651 (Oct. 4, 1990). Here, there were drugs scattered throughout the entire house: 1,824 oxycodone pills, over 100 grams of marihuana, heroin, cocaine, and
{45} Considering the totality of the evidence, there was substantial evidence upon which the jury could reasonably conclude the state had proven all elements of aggravated trafficking in drugs beyond a reasonable doubt. We cannot say the jury clearly lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice. Thus, we affirm Pippen‘s conviction for aggravated trafficking in drugs.
b. Trafficking in Marihuana
{46} Timberlake testified law enforcement had recovered a bag of marihuana, which contained smaller bags of marihuana. There were also small amounts of marihuana in other containers. Snyder testified the chemical analyses revealed the substance was indeed marihuana and there was 113.3 grams of marihuana total. Again, Davis’ testimony was the house was within 1,000 feet of a school.
{47} No one testified the marihuana was for personal use. Give the quantity of the marihuana, the fact that it was stored in smaller packages, and its presence of marihuana residue on the digital scale, it was reasonable to believe Pippen was trafficking the marihuana.
{48} Considering the evidence as a whole, there was substantial evidence upon which the jury could reasonably conclude the state had proven all elements of trafficking in marihuana beyond a reasonable doubt. We cannot say the jury clearly lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice. Thus, we affirm Pippen‘s conviction for trafficking in marihuana.3
c. Trafficking in Heroin
{49} Similarly, Timberlake testified law enforcement had recovered 2.8 grams of heroin from the residence. Snyder confirmed through chemical analysis the substance was heroin. Snyder also testified one of the digital scales had trace amounts of heroin on it. Again, according to Davis, the house was within 1,000 feet of a school.
{50} As with the marihuana, no one testified the heroin was for personal use. Given the heroin residue on the digital scale, it was reasonable to believe Pippen was trafficking heroin.
{51} Considering the totality of the evidence, there was substantial evidence upon which the jury could reasonably conclude the state had proven all elements of trafficking in heroin beyond a reasonable doubt. We cannot say the jury clearly lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice. Thus, we affirm Pippen‘s conviction for trafficking in heroin.4
2. Possession of Controlled Substances
“(A) No person shall knowingly obtain, possess, or use a controlled substance.
* * *
“(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of one of the following:
* * *
“(1) If the drug involved in the violation is a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance included in schedule I or II, with the exception of marihuana, cocaine, L.S.D., heroin, and hashish, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of aggravated possession of drugs. The penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows:
“(e) If the amount of the drug involved equals or exceeds one hundred times the bulk amount, aggravated possession of drugs is a felony of the first degree, the offender is a major drug offender, and the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term the maximum prison term prescribed for a felony of the first degree. * * *
“(3) If the drug involved in the violation is marihuana or a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance containing marihuana other than hashish, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of possession of marihuana. The penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows:
“(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(3)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) of this section, possession of marihuana is a minor misdemeanor.”
* * *
“(6) If the drug involved in the violation is heroin or a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance containing heroin, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of possession of heroin. The penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows:
* * *
“(b) If the amount of the drug involved equals or exceeds ten unit doses but is less than fifty unit doses or equals or exceeds one gram but is less than five grams, possession of heroin is a felony of the fourth degree, and division (C) of
section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in determining whether to impose a prison term on the offender.”
{52} When the jury found Pippen trafficked in the controlled substances (oxycodone, heroin, and marihuana) under
3. Possessing Criminal Tools
{54} As with Pippen‘s convictions for possession of controlled substances, there was substantial evidence upon which a jury could find Pippen possessed the digital scales found in the kitchen. The fact that the scales had residue from marihuana, heroin, codeine, and morphine on them, coupled with the vast amount
4. Conspiracy to Traffic in Drugs
“(A) No person, with purpose to commit or to promote or facilitate the commission of * * * a felony drug trafficking, manufacturing, processing, or possession offense * * * shall do either of the following:
“(1) With another person or persons, plan or aid in planning the commission of any of the specified offenses;
“(2) Agree with another person or persons that one or more of them will engage in conduct that facilitates the commission of any of the specified offenses.
* * *
“(M) As used in this section:
“(1) ‘Felony drug trafficking, manufacturing, processing, or possession offense’ means any of the following that is a felony:
“(a) A violation of
section 2925.03 * * * of the Revised Code ;“(b) A violation of
section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense.”
{55}
{56} Here, the record reflects that although the jury did return a finding of guilt as to the conspiracy to traffic in drugs count, Count 10, the trial court “ordered that Count 10 merge with Count 1 and Count 2.” Thus, despite the jury‘s finding Pippen guilty on Count 10, the trial court did not impose a sentence for Count 10. “A conviction consists of a finding of guilt and a sentence.” State v. Fields, 1st Dist. No. C-090648, 2010-Ohio-4114, ¶ 7, citing State v. Henderson, 58 Ohio St.2d 171, 177-179, 389 N.E.2d 494 (1979); State v. Obstaint, 1st Dist. No. C-060629, 2007-Ohio-2661, ¶ 24; accord State v. Whitfield, 124 Ohio St.3d 319, 2010-Ohio-2, 922 N.E.2d 182, ¶ 12. As such, although the jury found Pippen guilty of Count 10, the trial court did not impose a sentence for Count 10 and as a result, Pippen was not convicted of Count 10. Therefore, there is no conspiracy conviction to vacate.
{57} As to the other counts discussed herein, as we have found Pippen‘s convictions are not against the manifest weight of the evidence, we find there was also sufficient evidence to convict him of each offense. Accordingly, we overrule Pippen‘s first assignment of error.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
A. Standard of Review
{58} In his second assignment of error, Pippen argues the trial court erred in overruling his motion to suppress evidence. We disagree.
{59} Preliminarily, “[w]here factual issues are involved in determining a motion, the court shall state its essential findings on the record.”
{60} Generally, “[a]ppellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed question of law and fact. When considering a motion to suppress, the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and is therefore in the best position to resolve factual questions and evaluate the credibility of witnesses.” State v. Roberts, 110 Ohio St.3d 71, 2006-Ohio-3665, 850 N.E.2d 1168, at ¶ 100, quoting State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, 797 N.E.2d 71, at ¶ 8, citing State v. Mills, 62 Ohio St.3d 357, 366, 582 N.E.2d 972 (1992). “Accordingly, we defer to the trial court‘s findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible evidence.” State v. Westbrook, 4th Dist. No. 09CA3277, 2010-Ohio-2692, at ¶ 16, citing State v. Landrum, 137 Ohio App.3d 718, 722, 739 N.E.2d 1159 (4th Dist. 2000). “Accepting those facts as true, we must independently determine whether the trial court reached the correct legal conclusion in analyzing the facts of the case.” Westbrook at ¶ 16, citing Roberts at ¶ 100, citing Burnside at ¶ 8.
B. Legal Analysis
{62} Here, although Pippen argued that he had standing to challenge the search of the residence and the items within it, he provided no evidence or testimony in support of his argument. Pippen did not own the residence or state he lived there. Nor did Pippen establish he was an overnight guest who could invoke the aegis of Minnesota v. Olson (1990), 495 U.S. 91, 110 S.Ct. 1684, 109 L.Ed.2d 85, and claim he had an expectation of privacy within Lansing‘s residence. Consequently, Pippen failed to establish he had standing to assert a
{63} Accordingly, we overrule Pippen‘s second assignment of error.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
A. Consolidation of Defendants, Crim.R. 29(A) Motion
{64} Initially, we note a deficiency in Pippen‘s appellate brief. Pippen‘s brief, regarding the third assignment of error, does not comply with
{65} “‘If an argument exists that can support [an] assignment of error, it is not this court‘s duty to root it out.‘” Thomas v. Harmon, 4th Dist. No. 08CA17, 2009-Ohio-3299, at ¶ 14, quoting State v. Carman, 8th Dist. No. 90512, 2008-Ohio-4368, at ¶ 31. “‘It is not the function of this court to construct a foundation for [an appellant‘s] claims; failure to comply with the rules governing practice in the appellate courts is a tactic which is ordinarily fatal.‘” Catanzarite v. Boswell, 9th Dist. No. 24184, 2009-Ohio-1211, at ¶ 16, quoting Kremer v. Cox, 114 Ohio App.3d 41, 60, 682 N.E.2d 1006 (1996). Therefore, “[w]e may disregard any assignment of error that fails to present any citations to case law or statutes in support of its assertions.” Frye v. Holzer Clinic, Inc., 4th No. 07CA4, 2008-Ohio-2194, at ¶ 12. See, also,
B. Lab Report
{66} In his third assignment of error, Pippen argues the trial court denied him the ability to have an independent analysis done on the alleged controlled
1. Exclusion of Lab Report
a. Standard of Review
{67} “The admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court.” State v. Knauff, 4th Dist. No. 10CA900, 2011-Ohio-2725, at ¶ 22, citing State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173, 510 N.E.2d 343 (1987), paragraph two of the syllabus. “Absent an abuse of that discretion, an appellate court will not disturb a trial court‘s ruling on the admissibility of evidence.” State v. Blevins, 4th Dist. No. 10CA3353, 2011-Ohio-3367, at ¶ 31, citing State v. Martin, 19 Ohio St.3d 122, 129, 483 N.E.2d 1157 (1985) (per curiam).
{68} “The term ‘abuse of discretion’ connotes more than an error of law or judgment; it implies that the court‘s attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.” (Citations omitted.) Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983), quoting State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144 (1980). “Under this highly deferential standard of review, we may not simply substitute our judgment for that of the trial court.” Woody v. Woody, 4th Dist. No. 09CA34, 2010-Ohio-6049, at ¶ 35, citing In re Jane Doe I, 57 Ohio St.3d 135, 137-138, 566 N.E.2d 1181 (1991). “Rather, we are limited to
b. Legal Analysis
“(A) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of this chapter or
Chapter 3719. of the Revised Code , a laboratory report from the bureau of criminal identification and investigation * * * is prima-facie evidence of the content, identity, and weight or the existence and number of unit dosages of the substance.“(B) The prosecuting attorney shall serve a copy of the report on the attorney of record for the accused, or on the accused if the accused has no attorney, prior to any proceeding in which the report is to be used against the accused other than at a preliminary hearing or grand jury proceeding where the report may be used without having been previously served upon the accused.
* * *
“(E) Any person who is accused of a violation of this chapter * * * is entitled, upon written request made to the prosecuting attorney, to have a portion of * * * each of the substances that are, the basis of the alleged violation preserved for the benefit of independent analysis performed by a laboratory analyst employed by
the accused person * * *. The prosecuting attorney shall provide the accused‘s analyst with the sample portion at least fourteen days prior to trial * * * ”
{69} Nothing in the statute requires the court to exclude BCI&I‘s report of the chemical analysis of the substances because Pippen was unable to obtain an independent analysis prior to trial. Nor does Pippen cite any law to support this proposition. Thus, we overrule this portion of his assignment of error.
2. Motion to Continue Trial
a. Standard of Review
{70} “An appellate court must not reverse the denial of a continuance unless there has been an abuse of discretion.” State v. Unger, 67 Ohio St.2d 65, 67, 423 N.E.2d 1078 (1981), citing Ungar v. Sarafite, 376 U.S. 575, 589, 84 S.Ct. 841, 849, 11 L.Ed.2d 921 (1964) and State v. Bayless, 48 Ohio St.2d 73, 101, 357 N.E.2d 1035 (1976). “In evaluating a motion for a continuance, a court should note, inter alia: the length of the delay requested; whether other continuances have been requested and received; the inconvenience to litigants, witnesses, opposing counsel and the court; whether the requested delay is for legitimate reasons or whether it is dilatory, purposeful, or contrived; whether the defendant contributed to the circumstance which gives rise to the request for a continuance; and other relevant factors, depending on the unique facts of each case.” Unger at 67-68.
b. Legal Analysis
{72} Pippen knew he was charged with a violation of Revised Code Chapter 2925 on November 10, 2010, the date of his arraignment. However, Pippen waited until January 7, 2011, three days before trial, to request the state preserve a portion of the substances for independent analysis and to request a continuance to complete such. Thus, we do not find the trial court‘s decision to deny Pippen‘s request for a continuance was error.
{73} Looking at the Unger factors, Pippen‘s request for a continuance did not specify a requested length, but it took BCI&I over 50 days to analyze all of the drugs involved. Presumably, it would take a number of weeks for an independent analyst to complete the same, making Pippen‘s request for a continuance a lengthy one. However, Pippen‘s only other requested continuance was to move his arraignment from the morning to the afternoon of the same day, which weights in his favor.
{74} Conversely, the inconvenience to the witnesses, court, and opposing counsel would have been rather significant, considering Pippen‘s trial had been consolidated with his co-defendants’ trials. Short of severing Pippen‘s trial from the others, continuing the matter would have been quite burdensome and possibly would have become complex considering the speedy trial rights of Pippen‘s co-defendants.
{75} Weighing in Pippen‘s favor though, if the fact that his request for a continuance was legitimate and not dilatory. Once BCI&I‘s report indicated a portion of the substances were not contraband, Pippen was warranted in requesting an independent analysis of the substances. On the other hand, Pippen could have requested an independent analysis at any point after his arraignment and his delay in doing so contributed to the circumstances that gave rise to his request for a continuance.
{76} Considering all of these factors, though some of them weight in Pippen‘s favor, we cannot say the trial court‘s decision to deny Pippen‘s request for a continuance was an abuse of discretion. Thus, we overrule this portion of Pippen‘s assignment of error.
C. Timberlake‘s Testimony
{78} “‘Hearsay’ is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.”
{79} Concerning the conversation with the anonymous informant, Timberlake testified, over Pippen‘s objection, “It was information about drug activity in the city of Portsmouth.” (Tr. at 396.) Timberlake‘s statement about the general nature of his conversation with the anonymous person was not inadmissible hearsay. There was no specific out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Rather, there was merely Timberlake‘s testimony describing the general subject matter of the conversation he had with the person, which was not hearsay.
{80} Pippen then objected to Timberlake testifying about the content of the anonymous note. The court held a bench conference, and it was agreed Timberlake could not testify as to what the note said. (Tr. at 396-399.) Pippen did not disagree with the outcome of the bench conference. Thus, Timberlake
{81} Regarding Pippen‘s argument that even if the evidence should not have been excluded as hearsay, it was unfairly prejudicial, we disagree. Given the additional testimony on the copious amount of drugs recovered from the house, the chemical analyses performed, and the investigation that led to Pippen‘s arrest and indictment, we cannot say a general statements that an anonymous person and an anonymous note had discussed alleged drug activity in Portsmouth, Ohio was unfairly prejudicial.
{82} Accordingly, we overrule Pippen‘s third assignment of error.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
A. Standard of Review
{82} In his fourth assignment of error, Pippen argues his convictions should be vacated because they do not contain the degree of the offenses or the statutory sections pertaining to the various crimes. We agree in part.
“(A) When the presence of one or more additional elements makes an offense one of more serious degree:
(2) A guilty verdict shall state either the degree of the offense of which the offender is found guilty, or that such additional element or elements are present. Otherwise, a guilty verdict constitutes a finding of guilty of the least degree of the offense charged.”
{¶83} The Supreme Court of Ohio has adopted a plain reading of this statute. See State v. Pelfrey, 112 Ohio St.3d 422, 2007-Ohio-256, 860 N.E.2d 735, at ¶ 14. Moreover, “[a]lthough [an appellant] failed to object to the verdict forms in the trial court, we have previously noted that a defendant‘s failure to ‘raise the inadequacy of the verdict form’ does not forfeit this argument on appeal.” New, 4th Dist. No. 08CA9, 2009-Ohio-2632, at ¶ 24, citing State v. Huckleberry, 4th Dist. No. 07CA3142, 2008-Ohio-1007, ¶ 18, citing Pelfrey at ¶ 14.
B. Legal Analysis
{¶84} Here, none of the counts listed the degree of the offense, except for Count 10, Conspiracy to Traffic in Drugs. While the majority of the counts did not list the degree of the offense, they did contain specific findings regarding aggravating factors. Thus, those counts comply with
{¶85} Regarding the remaining counts, Count 2 did not specify the controlled substance involved; Count 8, and Count 9 did not contain the degree of the offense or proper findings regarding aggravating factors. Accordingly, we must sustain Pippen‘s assignment of error on these counts and remand the case to the trial court to reduce the degree of those offenses.
{¶86} However, as will be explained in more detail, infra, because Counts 2 and 9 were merged with Counts 1 and 7, respectively, we conclude Pippen was not actually convicted on these counts. As such, there are no convictions on Counts 2 and 9 to vacate. Thus, any error related to the verdict forms for Counts 2 and 9 is harmless. Nevertheless, as set forth above, on remand, the trial court is instructed to reduce the degree of offense on Counts 2 and 9.
1. Count 2: Possession of Drugs
{¶87} “[T]his Court has ruled that when a jury verdict fails to specify the drug involved, the convictions must be treated as being associated with the least serious drug for possession/trafficking (usually marijuana).” State v. Jones, 4th Dist. No. 09CA1, 2010-Ohio-865, at fn. 3, citing New, 4th Dist. No. 08CA9, 2009-Ohio-2632, at ¶ 26, fn. 3; Huckleberry at ¶ 24.
{¶88} As the verdict form for Count 2 fails to specify the drug possessed, we must treat it as a finding of guilt regarding possession of the least serious drug, marihuana. Since there is no “bulk amount” for marihuana, the finding of that
{¶89} Consequently, the jury found Pippen guilty of possession of marihuana, which is a minor misdemeanor, not a first degree felony.
2. Count 8: Possessing Criminal Tools
{¶90}
{¶91} Here, the jury made no finding of the aggravating factor that the scales, the criminal tools, were intended for use in the commission of a felony. Thus, the verdict form was devoid of the level of the offense findings or aggravating factors and constitutes a finding of guilt of the least degree of the offense charged: a first degree misdemeanor. We sustain Pippen‘s assignment of error in this regard and vacate his conviction for Count 8.
3. Count 9: Possession of Marihuana
{¶92} The verdict form for Count 9 stated the jury had found Pippen guilty of “Count 9 Possession of Marijuana,” and made the specific finding of “Less than bulk amount.” There is, however, no bulk amount for marihuana. See
{¶93} In rendering our decision, we are mindful of the recent holding by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Eafford, 2012-Ohio-2224, wherein the Court held that a jury-verdict form finding an accused guilty of possession of drugs “as charged in * * * the indictment” supported a conviction for possession of cocaine, even though the jury-verdict form failed to specify cocaine. While, at first blush, it appears that the reasoning of Eafford does not require the specific language that we found lacking, sub judice, upon closer review we find Eafford to be factually distinguishable. Specifically, we note that in Eafford, the verdict form at issue at least contained the phrase “as charged in the indictment,” which in fact specified cocaine. Here, the verdict forms contained no such clause. As such, in the absence of specifying the degree of the offenses, or setting forth the aggravating factors that serve as the basis for enhancing the offenses, we find the verdict forms to be distinguishable from those in Eafford, and therefore find the reasoning of that case to be inapplicable herein.
{¶94} Accordingly, we remand the case to the trial court to 1) impose a conviction for the correct level of the offense as to Count 8; 2) to reduce the degree of offenses as to Counts 2 and 9, which were merged with Counts 1 and 7 for purposes of sentencing: and 3) to sentence Pippen accordingly, also taking into consideration that the major drug offender specification does not require an additional mandatory sentence.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V
{¶95} In his fifth assignment of error, Pippen argues his convictions and sentences are erroneous. First, he contends all of the offenses should merge, as the state failed to prove he engaged in separate conduct for each offense. Second, Pippen believes the sentences the trial court imposed were simply too harsh and the court did not consider the appropriate sentencing factors. As set forth in detail above, and as we will be explained further, infra, we agree in part.
A. Merger of Allied Offenses
{¶96} When determining whether multiple offenses should have merged under
“(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the defendant may be convicted of only one.
“(B) Where the defendant‘s conduct constitutes two or more offenses of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more offenses of the same or similar kind committed separately or with a separate animus as to each, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of all of them.”
{¶97} As the Supreme Court explained in State v. Johnson, 128 Ohio St.3d 153, 2010-Ohio-6314, 942 N.E.2d 1061, under
{¶98} “Conversely, if the court determines that the commission of one offense will never result in the commission of the other, or if the offenses are committed separately, or if the defendant has separate animus for each offense, then, according to
{¶99} Here, Pippen‘s various crimes relating to different controlled substances are of dissimilar import and do no not merge. State v. Jones, 18 Ohio St.3d 116, 480 N.E.2d 408 (1985), discussed the issue of whether a defendant could be convicted of multiple counts of aggravated vehicular homicide resulting from a single collision. The relevant inquiry is “whether the legislature intended the relevant statute[s] to authorize multiple convictions.” Jones at 117. Having reviewed the legislative intent of
{¶100} Here, Pippen‘s convictions for trafficking in oxycodone, heroin, and marihuana do not merge with one another. Likewise, Pippen‘s convictions for possession of controlled substances do not merge with one another. The import of each offense is dissimilar and does not merge under
B. Sentencing
{¶101} First, Pippen‘s contention that the trial court erred by failing to consider
{¶102} However, we find that Pippen‘s argument that his sentence was contrary to law is meritorious. As already set forth above, when reviewing felony sentences, this Court follows the two-step approach the Supreme Court of Ohio outlined in State v. Kalish, supra, at ¶ 4, which requires us to first determine whether the sentence is contrary to law, and if it is not, we then proceed to the question of whether the sentence was an abuse of discretion. Here, however, we
{¶103} Specifically, we sua sponte raised an issue related to the trial court‘s imposition of a “mandatory” additional sentence on Count 1‘s major drug offender specification. Having found that the ten year sentence imposed by the trial court was not mandatory, we found this portion of Appellant‘s sentence to be contrary to law. Additionally, after finding problems with the verdict form for Count 8, we vacated and remanded Pippen‘s conviction on this count, with instructions to the trial court to reduce the degree of offense from a fifth degree felony to a first degree misdemeanor. Pippen was sentenced to a twelve month prison term on this count, which is clearly outside the range for a first degree misdemeanor, and thus, is contrary to law.
{¶104} Further, although we also found problems with the verdict forms related to Counts 2 and 9, because these counts were merged with Counts 1 and 7, respectively, Pippen was not actually sentenced on these counts and thus the errors did not affect the length of his sentences, either individually or overall. The same is true with respect to the jury‘s finding of guilt on the conspiracy charge. Not only could Pippen not be convicted of both the principle offense and conspiracy to commit the principle offense, in light of our conclusion that the conspiracy count
{¶105} Thus, having found these particular sentences to be contrary to law, we find they were also an abuse of discretion. However, as set forth above, we have already affirmed Appellant‘s convictions on Counts 1, 3, 4, and 7, and we find no error in sentencing related to these counts, with the exception of Count 1‘s major drug offender specification sentence, which we have already discussed.
{¶106} Accordingly we sustain Pippen‘s fifth assignment of error, in part.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND CAUSE REMANDED.
Kline, J., dissenting, in part.
{¶107} I concur in judgment only with the following exceptions. First, I would not vacate Count 8. Here, the trial court instructed the jury as follows: “Before you can find the individual Defendant[] * * * guilty, you must find beyond a reasonable doubt that * * * the individual Defendant * * * had under his control a device or instrument, to wit, digital scales, with purpose to use it criminally for the commission of a felony.” (Emphasis added.) Transcript at 923. Therefore, based on the presumption that the jury followed the trial court‘s instruction, I would not recognize plain error as to Count 8. See State v. Eafford, 132 Ohio St.3d 159,
{¶108} Accordingly, I respectfully dissent as to Counts 2, 8, and 9. I respectfully concur in judgment only with the rest of the opinion.
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, & CAUSE REMANDED and that the Appellee and Appellant split costs.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Scioto County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Exceptions.
Abele, P.J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion.
Kline, J.: Dissents in Part with Opinion as to A/E‘s 2, 8, & 9 and with the remainder of Opinion Concurs in Judgment Only
For the Court,
BY: _________________________
Matthew W. McFarland, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.