STATE OF OHIO v. LAN T. VU
C.A. No. 11CA0042-M
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
February 27, 2012
2012-Ohio-746
APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT ENTERED IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY OF MEDINA, OHIO CASE No. 06-CR-0374
Dated: February 27, 2012
WHITMORE, Judge.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant, Lan Vu, appeals from her convictions in the Medina County Court of Common Pleas. This Court affirms.
I
{¶2} This Court previously recounted the facts underlying this matter in several related appeals. See State v. Hoang, 9th Dist. No. 09CA0061-M, 2010-Ohio-6054; State v. Ha, 9th Dist. No. 07CA0089-M, 2009-Ohio-1134. In essence, agents from the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency (“Medway“) apprehended Vu in connection with a drug ring after simultaneously executing search warrants at four apartments and four houses. Vu and her husband, Lai Vu (collectively “the Vus“), were living at Stoneybrook Apt. 104 when Medway agents searched all of the residences on June 15, 2006. Medway confiscated over 23,000 grams of marijuana from the eight locations that its agents searched as well as numerous documents tying the members of the drug ring to onе another.
{¶4} On June 23, 2006, a grand jury indicted Vu on one count of possessing marijuana, in violation of
{¶5} After an extended period of discovery and motion filing, a jury trial began on May 7, 2007. The jury found Vu guilty on all eight counts. It further determined that all of the
{¶6} This Court remanded the matter to the trial court, as the court‘s sentencing entry contained a defective post-release control notification. State v. Vu, 9th Dist. Nos. 07CA0094-M, 07CA0095-M, 07CA0096-M, 07CA0107-M & 07CA0108-M, 2009-Ohio-2945. Upon remand, the trial court held a resentencing hearing and issued another sentencing entry. Vu appealed, but this Court dismissed her second appeal by way of journal entry because the trial court did not clearly and unambiguously order forfeiture in its post-remand entry. State v. Vu, 9th Dist. Nos. 09CA0062-M & 09CA0101-M (Mar. 9, 2011). The trial court issued its final sentencing entry on March 11, 2011.
{¶7} Vu now appeals and raises fourteen assignments of error for our review. For ease of analysis, we consolidate and rearrange several of the assignments of error.
II
Assignment of Error Number One
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO GRANT APPELLANT‘S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR VIOLATION OF RIGHTS TO SPEEDY TRIAL.
{¶8} In her first assignment of error, Vu argues that the trial court erred by failing to grant her motion to dismiss due to a speedy trial violation. We disagree.
{¶9} “The right of an accused to a speedy trial is recognized by the Constitutions of both the United States and the state of Ohio.” State v. Pachay, 64 Ohio St. 2d 218, 219 (1980). Ohio‘s speedy triаl statute provides that a person charged with a felony must be brought to trial within two hundred seventy days of his arrest.
{¶10} Vu remained in jail from the date of her arrest until her trial date. She, therefore, was entitled to
{¶11} Vu filed numerous motions on July 18 and 19, 2006, including requests for a bill of particulars, discovery, and a reduction of her bond. At that point, just over 30 days had elapsed since Vu‘s arrest, and her motions constituted tolling events. State v. Murray, 9th Dist. No. 03CA008330, 2004-Ohio-4966, ¶ 22,
{¶12} Vu sought to dismiss this case prior to trial based on a speedy trial violation. The court entered a detailed entry denying her motion on July 2, 2007, setting forth its calculations and the applicable tolling events. Vu does not take issue with any particular calculation or the court‘s entry. Instead, she argues that her speedy trial time expired based strictly on her 1) having received one continuance, and 2) assigning a 21 day “reasonable response time” to each motion she filed to calculate her speedy trial time. Vu, however, requested more than one continuance and has not provided any supporting case law or analysis as to why 21 days would constitute a “reasonable response time” for every motion she filed, regardless of its content оr complexity. See App.R. 16(A)(7). Additionally, she has not identified any particular motion upon which the State or trial court allegedly failed to act in a timely manner. Id. As this Court
Assignment of Error Number Two
THE INDICTMENT IS SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE ON ITS FACE IN THAT IT: FAILS TO PROPERLY SPECIFY A SUBSTANTIAL, OVERT ACT UNDERTAKEN IN FURTHERANCE OF THE CONSPIRACY; FAILS TO ALLEGE A SUBSTANTIAL, OVERT ACT THAT IS CRIMINAL IN NATURE; ALLEGES AS A SUBSTANTIAL, OVERT ACT CONDUCT CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED; AND, MAKES DISCRIMINATING ALLEGATIONS OF RACIAL PROFILING.
{¶13} In her second assignment of error, Vu argues that her indictment was defective. Specifically, she argues that her indictment: (1) failed to identify a substantial, overt act for purposes of her conspiracy charge; (2) improperly included constitutionally-protected behavior as one basis for her conspiracy charge; and (3) stemmed from racial profiling.
{¶14} Although it is underdeveloped, we initially address Vu‘s argument that her conspirаcy convictions1 are void. A conspiracy conviction is void if the indictment upon which it is prefaced does not “allege some specific, substantial, overt act performed in furtherance of the conspiracy.” State v. Childs, 88 Ohio St. 3d 194 (2000), syllabus. Accord State v. Callahan, 9th Dist. No. 20432, 2001 WL 1240138, *4 (Oct. 17, 2001). Here, however, Vu‘s indictment identified several overt acts, charged in the alternative. It is therefore distinguishable from the indictment in Childs and Vu‘s conspiracy convictions are not void on that basis. See Childs, 88 Ohio St. 3d at 197-198 (noting that the indictment at issue failed to identify any overt act performed in furtherance of the conspiracy).
Assignment of Error Number Three
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN PERMITTING THE INDICTMENT TO BE AMENDED FROM A SPECIFIC GRAND JURY FINDING OF 40,300 GRAMS OF MARIJUANA TO “IN EXCESS OF 20,000 GRAMS[.]”
{¶16} In her third assignment of error, Vu argues that the trial court erred by permitting the State to amend her indictment. We disagree.
{¶17}
The court may at any time before, during, or after a trial amend the indictment * * * in respect to any defect, imperfection, or omission in form or substance, or of any variance with the evidence, provided no change is madе in the name or identity of the crime charged. If any amendment is made to the substance of the indictment, * * * or to cure a variance between the indictment * * * and the proof, the defendant is entitled to a discharge of the jury on the defendant‘s motion, if a jury has been impaneled, and to a reasonable continuance, unless it clearly appears from the whole proceedings that the defendant has not been misled or prejudiced by the defect or variance in respect to which the amendment is made, or that the defendant‘s rights will be fully protected by proceeding with the trial, or by a postponement thereof to a later day with the same or another jury.
This Court will not reverse a trial court‘s decision to allow an amendment under
{¶18} Vu‘s original indictment contained one count charging her with the possession of marijuana in an amount “exceeding twenty thousand grams, to wit: 40,300 grams.” Her supplemental indictment added seven charges, but all of those charges limited their description of the marijuana to an amount “exceeding twenty thousand grams.” The trial court later permitted the State to amend the possession of marijuana charge, consistent with the remaining charges, to eliminate “to wit: 40,300 grams” and leave the language “exceeding twenty thousand grams.” The amendment occurred March 13, 2007, almost two full months before trial.
{¶19} Vu concedes that the amendment to count one did not change thе charge or penalty for the charge. See State v. Hickman, 9th Dist. No. 20883, 2002-Ohio-3406, ¶ 42 (concluding that an amendment, pursuant to
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING APPELLANT‘S MOTION TO SUPPRESS ALL EVIDENCE RESULTING FROM A SERIES OF SEARCH WARRANTS FOR LACK OF STANDING.
Assignment of Error Number Five
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING APPELLANT‘S MOTION TO SUPPRESS ALL EVIDENCE RESULTING FROM THE SEARCH WARRANT OF HER RESIDENCE APARTMENT AND RESIDENCE HOUSE WHEN FAILING FOR SPECIFICITY, SEIZURE REQUIREMENTS, AND PROBABLE CAUSE.
Assignment of Error Number Ten
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO GRANT APPELLANT‘S MOTION TO SUPPRESS SEARCH WARRANTS BASED FROM INVESTIGATION AND SECRETIVE INTELLIGENCE REPORTS.
{¶20} In her fourth, fifth, and tenth assignments of error, Vu argues that the trial court erred by denying her motions to suppress. We disagree.
{¶21} The Ohio Supreme Court has held that:
Appellate 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. Mills, 62 Ohio St. 3d 357, 366 (1992). Consequently, an appellate court must accept the trial сourt‘s findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible evidence. State v. Fanning, 1 Ohio St. 3d 19 (1982). Accepting these facts as true, the appellate court must then independently determine, without deference to the conclusion of the trial court, whether the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard. State v. McNamara, 124 Ohio App. 3d 706 (4th Dist.1997).
State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St. 3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8. Accordingly, this Court reviews the trial court‘s factual findings for competent, credible evidence and considers the court‘s legal conclusions de novo. State v. Conley, 9th Dist. No. 08CA009454, 2009-Ohio-910, ¶ 6, citing Burnside at ¶ 8.
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrаnts shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Accord Ohio Constitution, Article I, Section 14.
With respect to Fourth Amendment standing, this Court has held:
A defendant who seeks the suppression of evidence on the basis that the police obtained it pursuant to an illegal search and seizure “bears the burden of proving that he had a legitimate expectation of privacy.” State v. Blackert, 9th Dist. No. 15409, 1992 WL 174642, *3 (July 22, 1992). “[S]uppression of the product of a Fourth Amendment violation can be urged successfully only by those whose rights were violated by the search itself[.]” Alderman v. United States, 394 U.S. 165, 171-172 (1969). “Fourth Amendment rights are personal in nature and may not be vicariously asserted by others.” State v. Dennis, 79 Ohio St. 3d 421, 426 (1997). “A person who is aggrieved by an illegal search and seizure only through the introduction of damaging evidence secured by a search of a third person‘s premises or property has not had any of his Fourth Amendment rights infringed.” Rakas v. Illinois, 439 U.S. 128, 134 (1978).
State v. Redding, 9th Dist. No. 10CA0018-M, 2010-Ohio-4286, ¶ 8. “[W]hen a defendant testifies in support of a motion to suppress evidence on Fourth Amendment grounds, [her] testimony may not thereafter be admitted against [her] at trial on the issue of guilt unless [she] makes no objection.” Simmons v. United States, 390 U.S. 377, 394 (1968).
{¶22} The trial court concluded that Vu lacked standing to challenge the warrants issued for residences at the following locations: Troon Avenue, Baywood Drive, Autumnwood Lane, Grand Lake Drive Apt. 102, and Stoneybrook Lane Apts. 106 and 107. The State conceded that Vu had standing to challenge the searches performed at the house her husband owned on Red Clover Lane and their apartment, Stoneybrook Lane Apt. 104, but asserted that Vu did not have a constitutionally protected interest in the remaining locations. At a hearing before the trial court,
{¶23} Vu asserted in the court below that the trial court placed her in a “Catch-22” by insisting that she prove a possessory interest in the properties, as any such proof would aid the State‘s case. She also avers on appeal that it is illogical that she was barred from seeking suppression on the basis that she lacked a possessory interest, but was found guilty of possession, for which there had to be evidence of a possessory interest. The answer to both arguments lies in the difference between the suppression stage and the trial stage.
{¶24} Although the State bore the burden of proof at trial, it was Vu‘s burden to prove that she possessed a legitimate expectation of privacy for purposes of suppression. Redding, 2010-Ohio-4286, at ¶ 8, quoting Blackert, 1992 WL 174642, at *3. Further, any evidence she introduced at the supprеssion stage to prove that she had a possessory interest would not have been admissible against her at trial on the issue of guilt. Simmons, 390 U.S. at 394. The trial court explained both propositions of law to Vu‘s counsel at the suppression stage. Even so, Vu‘s counsel maintained that he did not have any testimony to offer, the record spoke for itself, and Vu automatically should be entitled to challenge the applicable search warrants, given that the State intended to pursue possession charges against her. The United States Supreme Court has specifically rejected the notion of “automatic standing,” however, and it was Vu‘s burden to demonstrate a privacy interest. State v. Johnson, 63 Ohio App. 3d 345, 347-348 (9th Dist.1989), citing United States v. Salvucci, 448 U.S. 83, 91-93 (1980). Because she failed to carry her
Warrant Specificity
{¶25} A warrant must be based on probable cause, supported by an oath or affirmation, and contain a particular description of “the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” U.S. Constitution, Fourth Amendment. In seeking to suppress evidence, a defendant may challenge the probable cause underlying a warrant, the particularity of the warrant itself, or both. See State v. Armstead, 9th Dist. No. 06CA0050-M, 2007-Ohio-1898, ¶ 8. An affidavit must provide a “substantial basis for concluding that probable cause existed.” State v. Walters, 9th Dist. No. 25391, 2011-Ohio-6247, ¶ 9, citing State v. George, 45 Ohio St. 3d 325 (1989), paragraph two of the syllabus. Probable cause exists if the facts and circumstances, as gathered from a trustworthy source, establish a “reasonable ground for belief of guilt.” Walters at ¶ 11, quoting Carroll v. United States, 267 U.S. 132, 161 (1925). “In determining whether a warrant is specific enough, the key inquiry is whether the warrant could reasonably have described the items more precisely.” State v. Overholt, 9th Dist. No. 02CA0108-M, 2003-Ohio-3500, ¶ 14. “A broad and generic description is valid if it ‘is as specific as circumstances and nature of the activity under investigation permit’ and enables the searchers to identify what they are authorized to seize.” Armstead, 9th Dist. No. 06CA0050-M, 2007-Ohio-1898, at ¶ 10, quoting United States v. Harris, 903 F.2d 770, 775 (10th Cir.1990).
{¶26} Vu argues that the search warrant upon which the State relied to search 3384 Red Clover Lane and Stoneybrook Lane Apt. 104 was not supported by probable cause and lacked
{¶27} It is an appellant‘s burden to ensure that the record is complete on appeal. State v. Leason, 9th Dist. No. 25566, 2011-Ohio-6591, ¶ 14. “In the absence оf a complete record, an appellate court must presume regularity in the trial court‘s proceedings.” State v. Tillman, 119 Ohio App. 3d 449, 454 (9th Dist.1997). Because the warrant and affidavit Vu challenges are not a part of the record, we cannot review their contents and must presume regularity in the proceedings. State v. Moore, 9th Dist. No. 24126, 2008-Ohio-3955, ¶ 11. Vu‘s fifth assignment of error is overruled.
Intelligence Reports
{¶28} Lastly, Vu argues that the trial court erred by denying her motion to suppress search warrants that were based upon “secretive intelligence reports.” She claims that the use of the reports violated her right to confront witnesses and that the State‘s investigation stemmed from improper racial profiling. Yet, Vu offers no case law on the first point and no support in the record for the second point. Her argument that the State engaged in racial profiling is based upon “witness testimony in a co-defendant‘s trial.” As this Court has repeatedly held, an appellant bears the burden of providing this Court with applicable legal authority and citations to the record in support of those legal propositions. See, e.g., State v. Anderson, 9th Dist. No. 25377, 2011-Ohio-563, ¶ 11, citing App.R. 16(A)(7). “If an argument exists that can support [an] assignment of error, it is not this [C]ourt‘s duty to root it out.” Cardone v. Cardone, 9th Dist. No. 18349, 1998 WL 224934, *8 (May 6, 1998). Vu‘s tenth assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error Number Six
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING APPELLANT‘S MOTION REQUESTING A MORE-SPECIFIC BILL OF PARTICULARS.
{¶29} In her sixth assignment of error, Vu argues that the trial court erred by not requiring the State to provide her with a more specific bill of particulars. We disagree.
The purpose of the bill of particulars is to inform an accused of the exact nature of the chаrges against him so that he can prepare his defense thereto. It is not intended to provide the defendant with a synopsis of the evidence against him. * * * A bill of particulars is used when the indictment is so lacking in specific information that the defendant is unable to adequately prepare his defense.
(Internal quotations and citations omitted.) State v. Tebcherani, 9th Dist. No. 19535, 2000 WL 1729456, *6 (Nov. 22, 2000). A defendant must request a bill of particulars within twenty-one days of the arraignment. State v. Wigle, 9th Dist. No. 25593, 2011-Ohio-6239, ¶ 26, citing
{¶30} The only bill of particulars the State filed in this matter pertains to the сharge and forfeiture specifications in Vu‘s initial indictment. In her motion for an order to compel a more specific bill of particulars, Vu requested that the State provide information about the charges in her supplemental indictment, not her original indictment. The supplemental indictment was filed
{¶31} To the extent that the trial court could have ordered the State to produce a bill of particulars on the supplemental indictment, Vu has not shown any actual prejudice as a result of its failure to do so. See
Assignment of Error Number Eleven
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO GRANT APPELLANT‘S MOTION TO DISCLOSE THE IDENTITY OF THE INFORMANT(S).
{¶32} In her eleventh assignment of error, Vu argues that the trial court erred by refusing to order the State to disclose the identity of its confidential informants. We disagree.
{¶33} Vu filed a motion to compel the disclosure of any confidential informants shortly after her arraignment. Though the parties discussed Vu‘s motion on the record before trial, the record reflects that the trial court never expressly ruled on the motion. “[W]hen a trial court fails to issue a ruling on a pretrial motion, this Court presumes that the motion was denied.” State v. Jackson, 9th Dist. Nos. 24463 & 24501, 2009-Ohio-4336, ¶ 14.
{¶34} “The identity of an informant must be revealed to a criminal defendant when the testimony of the informant is vital to establishing an element of the crime or would be helpful or bеneficial to the accused in preparing or making a defense to criminal charges.” State v. Williams, 4 Ohio St. 3d 74 (1983), syllabus. Accord Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. 53, 60-62 (1957).
[A] request for disclosure of an informant‘s identity requires a case by case balancing of the accused‘s right to confront his accusers and cross-examine the witnesses against him, and the protection of citizens who communicate their knowledge of the commission of crimes to law enforcement officials. Thus, when an informant‘s degree of participation is such that he is essentially a witness for the state, the balance tilts in favor of disclosure. Where disclosure would not be helpful or beneficial to the accused, on the other hand, the identity of the informant need not be disclosed.
(Internal citations omitted.) State v. Smith, 9th Dist. No. 21069, 2003-Ohio-1306, ¶ 63, citing Williams, 4 Ohio St. 3d at 75-76. “[W]here the informant merely provided information
{¶35} In investigating Vu on the charges that led to her convictions, the State relied upon two confidential informants. The first informant was from Washington and provided Medway with information about a possible marijuana ring. The second was from Pennsylvania and provided the State with information that an individual, who was later tried as one of Vu‘s co-conspirators, purchased a large amount of marijuana grow equipment. Neither informant testified at trial. Nevertheless, Vu argues that the State‘s failure to disclose their identities deprived her of a fair trial. She avers that thе identity of the informants was relevant evidence from which she might have gained additional information to aid in the preparation of her defense. Vu fails to explain, however, why the identity of the informants would have been helpful. See App.R. 16(A)(7). The informants here merely provided information about the offenses at issue and acted as a catalyst for the State‘s investigation. Medway agents performed months of surveillance upon Vu and her co-conspirators to build the case against them, independent of the information they received from the informants. Vu‘s mere speculation that the testimony of the informants was necessary to assist her in preparing her defense is insufficient. See State v. Moon, 74 Ohio App. 3d 162, 168 (9th Dist.1991); State v. Williams, 9th Dist. No. 1910, 1991 WL 6149, *1-2 (Jan. 16, 1991); State v. Allen, 9th Dist. No. 1814, 1990 WL 40197, *1-2 (Apr. 4, 1990). Accordingly, the State should not have been required to disclose the identity of its informants. Vu‘s eleventh assignment of error is overruled.
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN PERMITTING CONSOLIDATION AND DENYING APPELLANT‘S MOTION TO SEVER TRIALS.
{¶36} In her ninth assignment of error, Vu argues that the trial court erred by denying her motion to sever the trials in this matter. We conclude that Vu forfeited this argument by failing to renew her motion to sever in the court below.
{¶37} “It is well-settled that the law favors joinder.” State v. Merriweather, 9th Dist. No. 97CA006693, 1998 WL 239773, *3 (May 6, 1998). While
{¶38} Here, Vu moved the trial court to sever her trial from her husband‘s trial. The two were indicted separately, and Vu‘s motion relied upon
THE STATE OF OHIO VIOLATED APPELLANT‘S DUE PROCESS RIGHTS AS DESCRIBED IN BRADY VS. MARYLAND.
{¶39} In her seventh assignment of error, Vu relies upon Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), to argue that her due process rights were violated when thе State failed to disclose exculpatory evidence. Brady recognizes that the State may not withhold “material, exculpatory evidence,” as doing so offends a criminal defendant‘s due process rights. State v. Moultry, 9th Dist. No. 25065, 2010-Ohio-3010, ¶ 9. Yet, Brady only applies when a defendant discovers post-trial that the State has withheld exculpatory evidence. State v. Benford, 9th Dist. No. 25298, 2011-Ohio-564, ¶ 11. All of the evidence Vu now claims the State withheld is evidence Vu became aware of before, or at latest during, trial. Brady, therefore, does not apply. State v. Adams, 9th Dist. No. 07CA0086, 2008-Ohio-4939, ¶ 10-12. Vu‘s seventh assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error Number Eight
THE TRIAL COURT‘S INSTRUCTION ON COMPLICITY AND CONSPIRACY DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF HER RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND DUE PROCESS AS GUARANTEED BY THE SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, §§ 5 AND 16 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
{¶40} In her eighth assignment of error, Vu argues that the trial court committed plain error in instructing the jury. We disagree.
{¶41} Generally, a defendant‘s failure to object to an allegedly erroneous jury instruction limits any review of the alleged error to a review for plain error. State v. Johnson, 9th Dist. No. 25525, 2011-Ohio-3941, ¶ 20. Under
{¶42} Vu argues that the trial court committed plain error when it failed to instruct the jury on the following essential elements: (1) the elements of the principal crimes underlying her conspiracy charges; and (2) the kind of culpability required for the commission of a complicity offense. It is difficult to follow her argument, however, as she does not cite to any particular portion of the jury instructions so as to explain where any alleged deficiency lies. Seе App.R. 16(A)(7). The trial court instructed the jury of the principal offense for each conspiracy and complicity charge, as well as the elements of possession and cultivation, the two principal offenses. The trial court also instructed the jury as to the mens rea for those offenses. The errors that Vu alleges are not clear on the face of the record. Yet, even assuming that the court committed an error, Vu did not include or define the items with which she now takes issue in the jury instructions that she filed with the court. To the extent that the court followed Vu‘s instructions, she cannot “take advantage of an error which [she herself] invited or induced the trial court to make.” State v. Travis, 9th Dist. No. 22737, 2006-Ohio-1048, ¶ 9, quoting State ex rel. Bitter v. Missig, 72 Ohio St. 3d 249, 254 (1995). Her eighth assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error Number Fourteen
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN REFUSING DEFENDANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD ON HER CRIMINAL RULE 29 MOTION, STATING IT HAD “HEARD THE OTHER CASES” AND THEREFORE DENIED THE MOTION.
{¶43} In her fourteenth assignment of еrror, Vu argues that the trial court erred by refusing her the opportunity to be heard on her
Assignment of Error Number Twelve
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN INSTRUCTING THE JURY TO A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE STANDARD IN THE FORFEITURE HEARING IN VIOLATION OF APPELLANTS (sic) U.S. AND OHIO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
{¶44} In her twelfth assignment of error, Vu argues that the trial court committed plain error by instructing the jury that the State had to prove forfeiture was warranted under a preponderance of the evidence standard rather than the criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt. Preponderance of the evidence, however, was the correct burden of proof to employ in the forfeiture proceeding under the version of
Assignment of Error Number Thirteen
THE FORFEITURE FINDINGS FOR FORFEITURE WERE AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND BASED UPON INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE AT TRIAL.
{¶46} As set forth above, the State bore the burden of proving that forfeiture was warranted under a preponderance of the evidence standard. Jones, 2009-Ohio-670, at ¶ 11. The competent, credible evidence standard applies in appeals from proceedings that are civil in nature. State v. Wilson, 113 Ohio St. 3d 382, 2007-Ohio-2202, syllabus. See also State v. Price, 9th Dist. No. 96CA006484, 1997 WL 209151, *2 (Apr. 23, 1997) (describing a forfeiture action under
{¶47} Former
The property constitutes, or is derived directly or indirectly from, any proceeds that the person obtained directly or indirectly from the commission of the fеlony drug abuse offense or act[; or]
The property was used or intended to be used in any manner to commit, or to facilitate the commission of, the felony drug abuse offense or act.
{¶48} The forfeiture judgment in this case encompassed fifteen items, including over $7,000 in cash, two vehicles, the Red Clover Lane property, electronic equipment, and jewelry. The State‘s sole witness, Michael Polen, testified that he worked as a Medway case agent in 2006. He testified as to all of the items that the police seized from 3384 Red Clover Lanе and
{¶49} Based on our review of the forfeiture proceeding, we must conclude that the judgment of forfeiture is based on competent, credible evidence. The State provided evidence from which the jury could have concluded that the property here was derived, either directly or indirectly, from the proceeds of Vu‘s felony drug abuse offense.
III
{¶50} Vu‘s fourteen assignments of error are overruled. The judgment of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common Pleas, County of Medina, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
BETH WHITMORE
FOR THE COURT
BELFANCE, P.J. CONCURS IN JUDGMENT ONLY
DICKINSON, J., CONCURRING.
{¶51} I concur in the majority‘s judgment and in all of its opinion except its refusal to reach the merits of Ms. Vu‘s second assignment of error. I would reach those merits and overrule the second assignment of error as not constituting plain error.
APPEARANCES:
KENNETH C. STAIDUHAR, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
DEAN HOLMAN, Prosecuting Attorney, and MATTHEW KERN, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Appellee.