State v. Young, 07ca3195 (9-12-2008)State v. Young, 07ca3195 (9-12-2008)
{¶ 1} Following a bench trial, Walter Young appeals his convictions for aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and felonious assault and contends they are based on insufficient evidence and against the manifest weight of the evidence. He argues that only one eyewitness placed him inside the victim‘s home around the time of the incident and that the State presented insufficient circumstantial evidence to prove all of the essential elements of the offenses. He also argues that the trial court, as the trier of fact, “lost its way” because it was biased and prejudiced by knowledge it obtained through pretrial proceedings.
{¶ 2} The State presented evidence to show that a witness, who had known Young for a “long time,” observed him through a glass door trying to escape the victim‘s locked home while the victim lay unresponsive on the floor. The EMT personnel who
{¶ 3} Furthermore, Young offers no evidence of judicial bias or prejudice other than the mere fact that the trial court previously presided over pretrial proceedings. A trial judge is not disqualified and need not recuse himself merely because the judge acquired knowledge of the facts during pretrial proceedings. Thus, Young fails to overcome the presumption that the judge considered only relevant, material, and competent evidence during the bench trial.
{¶ 4} Next, Young contends that his trial counsel was ineffective because after he waived his right to a jury trial, counsel failed to request that the judge recuse himself due to the substantial knowledge of the facts he acquired during pretrial proceedings. However, our review of the record shows that trial counsel strategically decided to waive a jury because they believed that the judge would be more likely to find in Young‘s favor on the issue of causation of the victim‘s death. Young offers no evidence of judicial bias or prejudice and the judge in fact found Young not guilty of the aggravated murder
{¶ 5} Finally, Young contends that trial counsel was deficient for failing to file a motion to suppress his statement to detectives. Young argues that after he invoked his Miranda rights and requested an attorney, the detectives conducted the functional equivalent of a “custodial interrogation” and thus his statement should not have been used against him at trial. Because the detective‘s “offhand remark” to the other detective while transporting Young back to Portsmouth was not reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from Young, he was not “interrogated” within the meaning of Miranda. Thus, Young cannot show that a motion to suppress would have had a reasonable probability of success, and counsel‘s performance was not deficient.
I. Facts
{¶ 6} A Scioto County grand jury indicted Young on one count of aggravated burglary, one count of aggravated robbery with a repeat violent offender specification, and three different counts of aggravated murder, which contained five aggravating factors/specifications. Both parties filed numerous pretrial motions, and the court conducted hearings on various issues, including an Evid. R. 702 hearing on the admissibility of expert testimony and a hearing on Young‘s motion to suppress eyewitness testimony. The State later dismissed the death specifications. After Young waived his right to a jury trial, the matter proceeded to a bench trial, which produced the following evidence.
{¶ 7} On the morning of October 14, 2005, Carla Messer, an employee of the United Scioto Senior Activities Organization (Senior Center), arrived at the home of 95-
{¶ 8} Carla Womack, Ms. Ridley‘s “common law” granddaughter, testified that she saw Ms. Ridley “quite often” — at least three times a week and sometimes everyday. As a way to stay in touch, they would “trade $20.00” back and forth. The day prior to the incident, Womack gave Ms. Ridley $20.00, and they made lunch plans for the next day. Womack testified that when she arrived at Ms. Ridley‘s home at approximately 12:30 p.m. with her lunch, she found the front door locked. Womack testified that both the storm (security) door and the inside (hard) door were closed and that she tried the security door but it was locked. After she knocked and rang the doorbell, she looked through the curtains and saw somebody moving inside between the dining room and kitchen. She looked down and saw Ms. Ridley‘s false teeth on the floor. She then looked over and saw Ms. Ridley lying on the floor. She started screaming and again looked back through the house at the kitchen, towards the back door. She testified that she saw a man walking towards the back door. At first she did not recognize him, and she started screaming Ms. Ridley‘s name. The man walked to the back door, but could
{¶ 9} Womack testified that she has known Young for a “long time” through a family marriage and because they attend the same church. She also testified that Young stays with his mother, Andria Young, who lives behind Ms. Ridley‘s residence. Archie Jackson, Ms. Ridley‘s great nephew, testified that Mrs. Young had been Ms. Ridley‘s friend and caretaker for a period of time. When asked if she had “any doubt” the man she saw was Young, Womack stated “no.”
{¶ 10} Womack testified that she initially ran to the next door neighbor‘s house for help, but no one answered the door. She then ran to Russell Malone‘s home and told Malone “Walter‘s in Ms. Ridley‘s house.” She and Malone ran back to Ms. Ridley‘s home, while Mrs. Malone called the police. When Womack and Malone arrived at her home, the security door was standing open. Malone testified that Ms. Ridley was lying on the floor and making “goggling” noises with her throat. He testified that he “cleared” the house to make sure no one else was inside the residence. He also testified that the back door was locked from the inside and that you need a key to unlock it. Finally, he testified that he had seen Young in the area the previous night.
{¶ 11} Officers Jonathon Peters and Ron Davis with the Portsmouth Police Department arrived at the scene within minutes. Officer Davis testified that he went to the back door, which was locked, while Officer Peters went to the front of the house. Officer Peters testified that upon entering the residence he observed Ms. Ridley lying on
{¶ 12} Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) Susan Arnett and John Summers also responded to the call. Both generally testified about Ms. Ridley‘s condition upon their arrival and the measures they took to stabilize her. Ms. Ridley was unresponsive, and her breathing was “shallow” and “agonal,” i.e., her airway was being shut off. The two long “ties” attached to the collar of her blouse were knotted around her neck. Summers testified that it took him “quite a lot of effort and force” to get the ties off. Both testified that when Summers removed the ties, Ms. Ridley “gasped” and started to breathe more easily. Arnett testified that she noticed red marks on both sides of Ms. Ridley‘s neck. Summers testified that she had a red, hematoma around the neck that started to swell, though his report indicated “no visible signs of injury.” Summers testified that if they would have arrived much later, Ms. Ridley would have been in cardiac arrest. They attached a cervical collar, placed her on a back board, and moved her to the truck, where they gave her oxygen and checked her pulse and heart rate. Though her vital signs began to stabilize, she remained unresponsive, and they transported her to the emergency room at Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC).
{¶ 13} Detective James Charles testified that he arrived at Ms. Ridley‘s residence at approximately 12:40 p.m. and that he was responsible for “processing” the scene.
{¶ 14} Detective Charles testified that after Womack pointed out things that she believed may have been disturbed, he took photographs of the items and then dusted for fingerprints. He also took measurements of the residence. Detective Charles testified that he was unable to lift any pints from the inside of the house but that he did
{¶ 15} Detective Chuck Crapyou testified that he was in the vicinity of the SOMC when he received the call and that he arrived at the hospital within minutes. He testified that after the emergency room provided Ms. Ridley with immediate medical attention, he began taking photographs of Ms. Ridley, who remained unresponsive; he testified that he noted an abrasion on her nose and red marks on her neck. Teresa Wright-Hiles, a nurse at SOMC, also testified that upon Ms. Ridley‘s arrival, she observed abrasions on her neck and nose. Detective Crapyou further testified that he spoke with Womack at the hospital about the incident and that she again identified Young as the intruder in Ms. Ridley‘s home; Detective Crapyou was also present when Womack positively identified Young from his DMV photo. Detective Crapyou collected Ms. Ridley‘s personal effects, including her blouse, which was later sent to BCI for testing. Finally, Detective Crapyou testified that on October 19, 2005, the Portsmouth Police Department received a call from Middletown Police Department informing them that they had Young in custody. Sgt. Ben Fugate and Detective Crapyou picked up Young and transported him back to Portsmouth the following day.
{¶ 16} Michael Lindamood, a nurse at Heartland of Portsmouth, testified that Ms. Ridley was transferred from SOMC to the Heartland of Portsmouth on October 28, 2005, and he generally testified about her physical condition while she was living at the nursing home. Ms. Ridley died at the nursing home on November 26, 2005.
{¶ 17} Randy Lewis, Joshua Crider, Amy Wanken, and Robin Roggenbeck also testified on behalf of the State. Lewis, another employee of Senior Center who often
{¶ 18} The trial court found Young guilty of aggravated burglary, in violation of
II. Assignments of Error
Young raises the following assignments of error:
{¶ 19} First Assignment of Error:
THERE IS INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE CONVICTION OF THE DEFENDANT/APPELLANT FOR AGGRAVATED ROBERRY, AGGRAVATED BURGLARY, AND FELONIOUS ASSAULT.
{¶ 20} Second Assignment of Error:
DEFENDANT/APPELLANT‘S CONVICTIONS FOR AGGRAVATED ROBERRY, AGGRAVATED BURGLARY, AND FELONIOUS ASSAULT WERE AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
{¶ 21} Third Assignment of Error:
DEFENDANT/APPELLANT DID NOT RECEIVE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL AS CONTEMPLATED BY THE
SIXTH ANDFOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION ANDSECTION 10, ARTICLE 1 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION .
III. The Sufficiency of the Evidence
{¶ 22} An appellate court‘s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind of the defendant‘s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. See, e.g., State v. Jenks (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492, paragraph two of the syllabus. The relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any
{¶ 23} Young contends that there is insufficient evidence to support his aggravated burglary conviction.
(A) No person, by force, stealth, or deception, shall trespass in an occupied structure or in a separately secured or separately occupied portion of an occupied structure, when another person other than an accomplice of the offender is present, with purpose to commit in the structure or in the separately secured or separately occupied portion of the structure any criminal offense, if any of the following apply:
(1) The offender inflicts, or attempts or threatens to inflict physical harm on another;
“A person acts purposely when it is his specific intent to cause a certain result, or when the gist of the offense is a prohibition against conduct of a certain nature, regardless of what the offender intends to accomplish thereby, it is his specific intention to engage in conduct of that nature.”
{¶ 24} First, he argues that there is no evidence that he “trespassed” in Ms. Ridley‘s home or that he did so by “force, stealth, or deception.” He argues that the
{¶ 25} A person commits a trespass when, without privilege to do so, he knowingly enters or remains on the land or premises of another.
{¶ 26} Here, even if we assume that Ms. Ridley initially invited Young into her home, the State presented sufficient circumstantial evidence to show that Young, like the defendant in Steffen, committed a violent felony offense,1 i.e., felonious assault, against Ms. Ridley and that any privilege Young had to enter her home was terminated the moment he commenced his assault on her. Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to prove the essential elements of “trespass” and “force” to support Young‘s aggravated burglary conviction.
{¶ 27} Likewise, because we find in our following discussion on aggravated robbery that Young inflicted “serious physical harm” to Ms. Ridley, we reject his argument that there was insufficient evidence to support the finding that he inflicted “physical harm“, another essential element of aggravated burglary.
{¶ 28} Young also contends that there was insufficient evidence to support his aggravated burglary conviction because the State failed to show that Young had the requisite “purpose” to commit a criminal offense and that he “purposely” inflicted harm to Ms. Ridley. However, purpose to inflict harm is not an element of aggravated burglary; the purpose prohibited by the statute is only the purpose to commit “any criminal offense.” See State v. Gardner, 118 Ohio St.3d 420, 2008-Ohio-2787. Thus, we must decide whether the state presented sufficient evidence concerning Young‘s purpose to commit any criminal offense, i.e., either a theft or an assault on Ms. Ridley.2
{¶ 29} Purpose and intent are synonymous. See White v. Maxwell (1963), 174 Ohio St. 186, 188, 187 N.E.2d 878. The purpose with which a person does an act is determined from the manner in which it is done, the means used, and all the other facts
{¶ 30} Here, the facts and circumstances in evidence show that within a span of approximately 20 minutes, Young entered Ms. Ridley‘s home, ransacked it, and then engaged in the specific conduct of “knotting” the long ties of Ms. Ridley‘s blouse around her neck. Young, who weighed approximately 300 pounds, tied them so tightly around the neck of Ms. Ridley, a 95-years-old woman, that it took “quite a bit of effort and force” to get them off, which suggests that he did so intentionally. The ties restricted her breathing, rendered her “unresponsive,” and she in fact “gasped” when they were removed, which suggests that Young acted with the intent of producing a specific result. The State presented sufficient evidence that Young acted with the purpose to commit both a theft and an assault against Ms. Ridley in her home. Therefore, we conclude that Young‘s aggravated burglary conviction is based on more than sufficient direct and circumstantial evidence.
{¶ 31} Young contends that his felonious assault conviction is based on insufficient evidence because there was no direct evidence to show that he in fact inflicted any physical harm to Ms. Ridley.
“(b) Any physical harm that carries a substantial risk of death; (c) Any physical harm that involves some permanent incapacity, whether partial or total, or that involves some temporary, substantial incapacity; (d) Any physical harm that involves some permanent disfigurement or that involves some temporary, serious disfigurement; (e) Any physical harm that involves acute pain of such duration as to result in substantial suffering or that involves any degree of prolonged or intractable pain.”
{¶ 32} “A person acts knowingly, regardless of his purpose, when he is aware that his conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably be of a certain nature. A person has knowledge of circumstances when he is aware that such circumstances probably exist.”
{¶ 33} “It is beyond dispute that the state may use either direct or circumstantial evidence to prove the essential elements of an offense.” State v. Reine, Scioto App. No. 06CA3102, 2007-Ohio-7221, at ¶ 23, citing Jenks at 272. Here, the State presented more than sufficient circumstantial and direct evidence to prove that Young knowingly caused serious physical harm to Ms. Ridley.
{¶ 34} The evidence indicates that when Gills left Ms. Ridley‘s residence at 12:10 p.m., Ms. Ridley was sitting on her couch with the front door unlocked, but when Womack arrived approximately 20 minutes later, the front “security” door was locked. Then, as she looked through the glass door, Womack observed a man, whom she later recognized as Young, attempting to escape out the back door, while Ms. Ridley lay on the floor with her false teeth nearby. Though Young‘s mother had been Ms. Ridley‘s friend and caregiver, Young was not attempting to administer aid or to assist Ms. Ridley in any way. Minutes later, after Womack returned to Ms. Ridley‘s home with Malone, Young had fled the scene, leaving Ms. Ridley unresponsive on the floor. Ms. Ridley‘s breathing was described as “goggling,” “shallow” and “agonal” and in fact, EMTs later determined that the long “ties” from her blouse were tightly knotted around her neck-so tight that it took “quite a lot of effort and force” to get the ties off and that Ms. Ridley “gasped” when they were removed. Summers testified that if they would have arrived much later, Ms. Ridley would have been in cardiac arrest. Due to her medical condition and because she remained “unresponsive” to medical personnel, Ms. Ridley was taken to the hospital emergency room.
{¶ 35} We believe that this direct and substantial circumstantial evidence is more than sufficient to show that Young knowingly caused serious physical harm to Ms. Ridley. Womack positively identified Young, whom she had known for a “long time,” as the individual in Ms. Ridley‘s home, and when asked if she had “any doubt” the man she saw was Young, Womack stated “no.” Given the sequence of events, the circumstances under which he was present in Ms. Ridley‘s home, his location within the residence in close proximity to Ms. Ridley on the floor, his attempt to escape, his failure
{¶ 36} The evidence also demonstrates that Young did so “knowingly” and that the injury Ms. Ridley sustained constituted “serious physical harm.” The evidence shows that Young tied the long ties of Ms. Ridley‘s blouse in a tight knot around her neck, that the ties substantially restricted her breathing, and that Young‘s actions rendered Ms. Ridley “unresponsive” for a significant length of time. Based on all the surrounding facts and circumstances, we find that any reasonable person would be aware that this conduct would probably cause a certain result or would probably be of a certain nature. Ms. Ridley‘s resulting serious injuries, which involved some temporary, substantial incapacity, were reasonable and probable consequences of Young tying her blouse “ties” in a tight knot around her neck restricting her breathing. Accordingly, we reject Young‘s contention that his conviction for felonious assault was based on insufficient evidence.
{¶ 37} Finally, Young contends that his conviction for aggravated robbery was based on insufficient evidence.
(A) No person, in attempting or committing a theft offense, as defined in section
2913.01 of the Revised Code , or in fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, shall do any of the following: * * * (3) Inflict, or attempt to inflict, serious physical harm on another.
Under
(A) No person, with purpose to deprive the owner of property or services, shall knowingly obtain or exert control over either the property or services in any of the following ways: (1) Without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent; (2) Beyond the scope of the express or implied consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent; (3) By deception; (4) By threat; (5) By intimidation.
{¶ 38} Young argues that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to show that he either committed or attempted to commit a “theft offense” in Ms. Ridley‘s home or that he either inflicted or attempted to inflict “serious physical harm.” Because we have already concluded that the State presented more than sufficient evidence to show that Young inflicted “serious physical harm” on Ms. Ridley, we reject that contention.
{¶ 39} To prove the offense of aggravated robbery, the State was not required to show an actual theft, but merely an attempt. See
IV. Manifest Weight of the Evidence
{¶ 40} In determining whether a criminal conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 1997-Ohio-52, 678 N.E.2d 541, citing State v. Martin (1983), 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717. A reviewing court will not reverse a conviction where there is substantial evidence upon which the court could reasonably conclude that all the elements of an offense have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Johnson (1991), 58 Ohio St.3d 40, 41, 567 N.E.2d 266;
{¶ 41} Even in acting as a thirteenth juror we must still remember that the weight to be given evidence, and the credibility to be afforded testimony, are issues to be determined primarily by the trier of fact. State v. Dye (1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 323, 329, 1998-Ohio-234, 695 N.E.2d 763; State v. Frazier (1995), 73 Ohio St.3d 323, 339, 1995-Ohio-235, 652 N.E.2d 1000. The fact finder “is best able to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections, and use these observations in weighing the credibility of proffered testimony.” Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland (1984), 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273. Thus, only if the fact finder clearly lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice will we interfere.
{¶ 42} Young contends that his convictions are against the manifest weight of the evidence because other than Womack‘s eyewitness testimony and Young‘s statement to detectives, the evidence presented at trial was circumstantial and “conclusory“. Young argues that the trial judge, as the trier of fact, clearly “lost its way” because he was “biased and prejudiced” by knowledge he acquired during the pretrial proceedings, particularly the hearing under Evid. R. 702 concerning the admissibility of Dr. Uptegrove‘s expert testimony and the hearing on Womack‘s eyewitness testimony.
{¶ 43} Young‘s convictions are not against the manifest weight. Based upon the facts we previously discussed, the State presented more than enough substantial circumstantial and direct evidence proving the essential elements of the offenses of which Young was convicted. While Womack was the only eyewitness who placed Young at the scene, she had “no doubt” that the man she saw in Ms. Ridley‘s home was
{¶ 44} And despite Young‘s claims of bias, a trial court is presumed to have considered only the relevant, material and competent evidence. State v. Bays (1999), 74 Ohio St.3d 15, 28, 716 N.E.2d 1126. A judge is presumed to be unbiased and unprejudiced in the matters over which the judge presides. In re Disqualification of Olivito (1994), 74 Ohio St.3d 1261, 1263, 657 N.E.2d 1361. “The term `bias or prejudice’ `implies a hostile feeling or spirit of ill-will or undue friendship or favoritism toward one of the litigants or his attorney, with the formation of a fixed anticipatory judgment on the part of the judge, as contradistinguished from an open state of mind which will be governed by the law and the facts.‘” In re Disqualification of O‘Neil, 100 Ohio St.3d 1232, 2002-Ohio-7479, 798 N.E.2d 17, at ¶ 14, quoting State ex rel. Pratt v. Weygandt (1956), 164 Ohio St. 463, 469, 132 N.E.2d 191. Here, Young offers no evidence of judicial “bias or prejudice” or any showing that the court had hostile feelings against him. Young also fails to identify any “improper” evidence that he believes the court considered.
{¶ 45} Thus, Young fails to overcome the presumption that the trial court considered only the relevant, material and competent evidence and that it was unbiased
VI. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
{¶ 46} In his third assignment of error, Young contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to request the trial judge to recuse himself and by failing to file a motion to suppress Young‘s statement to detectives.
{¶ 47} In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Young must show (1) his counsel‘s performance was deficient in that it fell below an objective standard of reasonable representation, and (2) the deficient performance prejudiced his defense so as to deprive him of a fair trial. State v. Smith (2000), 89 Ohio St.3d 323, 327, 731 N.E.2d 645, citing Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674; State v. Bradley (1989), 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373, paragraph two of the syllabus. To establish prejudice, Young must show that there exists a reasonable probability that, were it not for counsel‘s errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. State v. White (1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 16, 23, 693 N.E.2d 772; Bradley, at paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶ 48} When considering whether trial counsel‘s representation amounts to a deficient performance, “a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel‘s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.” Washington, 466 U.S. at 689. Thus, “the defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action might be considered sound trial strategy.” Id.
{¶ 49} First, Young contends that trial counsel were ineffective because they did not request the trial judge recuse himself and failed to object to the trial court continuing
{¶ 50} Whether to waive jury is a matter of trial strategy. State v. Campbell, Lucas App. No. L-05-1284, 2006-Ohio-4435, at ¶ 20; see, also, State v. Peterson, Franklin App. No. 07AP-303. 2008-Ohio-2838, at ¶ 56. Our review of the record shows that trial counsels’ decision to try the case to the judge was a tactical decision based on a reasonable belief that the judge would be better able to “sort out” the issues concerning the cause and manner of the victim‘s death and thus would be more likely to find against the State on the issue of causation. Moreover, contrary to Young‘s assertions, his decision to waive jury and to have the judge hear the case was “thoroughly and effectively” addressed on the record:
THE COURT: Let me be, I have done this before on sex cases and of course I know what can be considered and what can‘t. I just want everyone to be cognizant of the fact that I heard some pre-trial motions, lengthy motions related to cause of death, manner of death. I will make those decisions or I will base decisions in this case on evidence that I think is proper to come before the Court. What‘s everyone thoughts? I mean that‘s the risk on the issue that I have heard so many pre-trial things.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL] MR. EACHES: Judge you‘re going to make the decision regardless of what the jury hears and we feel you‘re probably better to sort it out than a jury might be after hearing what we might think may be the wrong instructions unless the Court itself has some feeling it might be biased.
THE COURT: No, I just wanted to bring it up. I had forgotten about it until yesterday but I had heard the eye witness issue. We have heard the issue on the expert. I mean I don‘t care to try it but I would like to get everyone‘s feelings on the record.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL] MR. EACHES: It‘s basically our clients. [DEFENSE COUNSEL] MR. KNIGHT: Well yes, he has to file this in writing.
THE COURT: He does?
[DEFENSE COUNSEL] MR. KNIGHT: Yes, it says knowingly waives it and in writing and in open Court which, of course, we‘re willing to do. You can inquire of him. That‘s what I was doing in fact over there while you were talking is discussing with him where we are and that decisions had to be made.
THE COURT: The only thing that I have probably said on this case is I think it‘s a case where the State has an up hill battle on the six weeks issue. I thought it would have been a tough case all along. My mind is open. If there‘s no objection I will hear it if he wants it. Any objections if I hear it from the defense?
[DEFENSE COUNSEL] MR KNIGHT: Oh no, no objections.
THE COURT: The State?
[PROSECUTOR] MR. ABEL: Keep an open mind and hear all the evidence, that‘s all we can ask.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL] MR. EACHES: We‘ll put it in your hands, Judge.
. . .
THE COURT: Let the record show that we‘re here in the courtroom outside the presence of the prospective jurors in the case of State of Ohio versus Walter Young. We were back in chambers previously. I mentioned that the defense had made a motion to waive a jury. We‘re now in the courtroom. I have been presented with a jury waiver. It‘s a signed document that says I, Walter J. Young, having been inquired of his right to trial by jury of his peers and after consideration of all his options, by his signature hereto knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waives my right to trial by jury and requests my case be presented to and decided by the Court. It‘s signed by Walter J. Young.
Mr. Young, you understand today that we have a jury present. I started to explain jury service to that panel. Prior to seating prospective jurors and beginning to ask them questions your attorneys approached me and mentioned that is was your desire and when I say your, plural, including your attorneys, to waive the jury and have your case tried to me.
Do you understand that?
MR. YOUNG: Yes sir.
THE COURT: Do you understand that your attorneys have asked that the jurors be sent home and that your case be tried to me without the benefit of the jury, do you understand that?
MR. YOUNG: Yes sir.
THE COURT: Do you understand that I have heard various motions in this case dealing with eye witness identification, with issues concerning expert witnesses, case of death and that I will use my best judgment and ability to determine what evidence I should and should not consider in determining your guilt or innocence, do you understand that?
MR. YOUNG: Yes sir, well I would assume that Your Honor would always weigh both sides of everything.
THE COURT: You understand that with this it will be me doing it and not a jury?
MR. YOUNG: Yes sir.
THE COURT: And do you understand that I know probably more than what this jury would know in making a decision?
MR. YOUNG: Yes sir.
THE COURT: Do you understand that because of my education and experience I realize that some of the things that I know can and cannot come into the decision of guilt or innocence?
MR. YOUNG: Yes sir.
THE COURT: You understand that. Your attorneys have also, they‘re the ones that approached me. Are you satisfied with the decision that your attorneys have made in this case?
MR. YOUNG: Yes sir.
THE COURT: Are you satisfied with their other decisions that they‘ve made in this case?
MR. YOUNG: I am satisfied with my attorneys all the way down the line.
{¶ 51} The court went on to further inquire of Young and thereafter determined that Young‘s decision to waive his right to a jury was done knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. Based on the dialogue with trial counsel and then with Young, we conclude the trial counsel was not deficient in failing to request that the trial judge recuse himself or in failing to object to court hearing the case.
{¶ 52} Furthermore, Young fails to show any prejudice from this decision. As we previously stated, a trial court is presumed to have considered only the relevant, material and competent evidence in a bench trial, see Bays, supra; a judge is presumed to be unbiased and unprejudiced in the matters over which the judge presides, see In re Disqualification of Olivito, supra. Thus, a trial judge need not recuse himself merely because the judge acquired knowledge of facts during a prior proceeding. State v. Addison, Franklin App. No. 03AP-1102, 2004-Ohio-5154, at ¶ 16, citing State v. D‘Ambrosio (1993), 67 Ohio St.3d 185, 188, 616 N.E.2d 909. “`[W]hat a judge learns in his judicial capacity-whether by way of guilty pleas of codefendants or alleged coconspirators, or by way of pretrial proceedings, or both — is a proper basis for judicial observations, and the use of such information is not the kind of matter that results in disqualification.‘” Addison, supra, citing D‘Ambrosio, in turn citing United States v. Bernstein (C.A.2, 1976), 533 F.2d 775, 785.
{¶ 53} As we previously noted, Young fails to point to any evidence of judicial bias or prejudice or any evidence that the trial court considered improper evidence. Rather, the record affirmatively demonstrates that the trial judge was not biased or prejudiced against Young, that he understood his role as trier of fact, and that he knew he could not consider inadmissible evidence. The only comment the trial judge
{¶ 54} Next, Young contends that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress a statement he made to detectives. The failure to file or pursue a motion to suppress does not automatically constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Madrigal (2000), 87 Ohio St.3d 378, 389, 2000-Ohio-448, 721 N.E.2d 52, citing Kimmelman v. Morrison (1986), 477 U.S. 365, 384, 106 S.Ct. 2574, 91 L.Ed.2d 305; see, also, State v. Brown, 115 Ohio St.3d 55, 2007-Ohio-4837, 873 N.E.2d 858, at ¶ 65. To establish ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to file a motion to suppress, a defendant must prove that there was a basis to suppress the evidence in question. State v. Brown, 115 Ohio St.3d 55 at ¶ 65, citing State v. Adams, 103 Ohio St.3d 508, 2004-Ohio-5845, 817 N.E.2d 29, at ¶ 35. Young must show that a motion to suppress would have had a reasonable probability of success. See State v. Santana (2001), 90 Ohio St.3d 513, 515-516, 2001-Ohio-7, 739 N.E.2d 798; see, also State v. Chamblin, Adams App. No. 02CA753, 2004-Ohio-2252, at ¶ 34, citing State v. Nields, 93 Ohio St.3d 6, 34, 2001-Ohio-1291, 752 N.E.2d 859.
{¶ 55} Young contends that he was subjected to a “custodial interrogation” after he invoked his Miranda rights and requested an attorney. He notes that after he was detained by law enforcement in Middletown, Ohio, Detective Crapyou and Sgt. Fugate went to Middletown to transport him back to Portsmouth and that prior to leaving Middletown, he was advised of his Miranda rights and he requested an attorney. And
{¶ 56} In Miranda v. Arizona (1966), 384 U.S. 436, 474, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694, the United States Supreme Court held that when a defendant requests an attorney, the police must stop interrogation until an attorney is present, unless the accused himself initiates further communication. If police improperly interrogate the accused after he has invoked his right to counsel, any incriminating statements are inadmissible against the accused. See Edwards v. Arizona (1981), 451 U.S. 477, 484-485, 101 S.Ct. 1880, 68 L.Ed.2d 378. “Interrogation” refers to either express questioning or its functional equivalent, including any words or actions on the part of the police (other than those normally attendant to arrest and custody) that the police should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from the suspect. See Rhode Island v. Innis (1980), 446 U.S. 291, 301, 100 S.Ct. 1682, 64 L.Ed.2d 297. “The latter portion of this definition focuses primarily upon the perceptions of the suspect, rather than the intent of the police.” Id. It is not necessary to phrase the communication in the form of a question to constitute an interrogation. See State v. Knuckles, 65 Ohio St.3d 494, 496, 1992-Ohio-64, 605 N.E.2d 54. “[T]o determine whether a suspect has been `interrogated,’ the heart of the inquiry focuses on police coercion, and whether the suspect has been compelled to speak by that coercion.” State v. Tucker, 81 Ohio St.3d 431, 436, 1998-Ohio-438, 692 N.E.2d 171. However, “[officers do not interrogate a
{¶ 57} Detective Crapyou gave the following testimony on this issue:
Q. Let me direct your attention to October 19, 2005, what happened on that day?
A. I believe that was the day that we got a call from Middletown, Ohio Police Department and indicated they had picked up Walter Young on our, I think it was, aggravated burglary warrant.
Q. Okay and what did you do in response to that?
A. We waited until we were notified that he had signed a waiver and then I think it was the following day or so Sergeant Ben Fugate and myself went to Middletown and picked him up.
Q. Okay, did you see the defendant there in Middletown?
A. Yes.
Q. And what did you do?
A. Went ahead before we even started off read him his rights. Of course, he didn‘t have anything to say, shackled him up and loaded him into the vehicle and left en route back to Portsmouth.
Q. Okay, you brought him on back to Portsmouth?
A. Yes.
Q. How did you get back to Portsmouth?
A. I believe it was, I can‘t remember what the road was up there but we passed through Middletown to Lebanon and then Route 35 into Chillicothe and then dropped down to 23.
Q. What if anything, of note happened on the way back?
A. Just one of the things that caught my attention when I was speaking to Fugate Walter explained that he did not wish to talk to us. He wants an attorney, he doesn‘t want to talk, so we‘re not talking to him. We‘ve got our own conversation going on up front and I commented that it‘s a long distance for him to have driven and not gotten, that‘s a long distance to go without being caught by police.
Q. And was there any response to that?
A. He chimed in that he had taken Route 52 in order to avoid police so he wouldn‘t get stopped. It‘s a back road, I believe he called it.
{¶ 58} Here, there is no evidence in the record of any actual express questioning or any actual coercive practices employed by the detectives. Thus, we must determine whether there was the “functional equivalent” of an interrogation, as discussed in Innis, i.e. whether the detectives should have realized that their actions and words were reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from Young.
{¶ 59} In Innis, the defendant was arrested and advised of his Miranda rights shortly after a taxicab driver, who had been robbed by a man wielding a sawed-off shotgun, identified a picture of Innis as that of his assailant. A patrolman spotted the defendant, who was unarmed, on the street. When other police officers arrived at the scene, Innis was twice again advised of his Miranda rights, and he stated that he understood his rights and wanted to speak with a lawyer. Innis was then placed in a police car to be driven to the station in the company of three officers, who were instructed not to question him or intimidate him in any way. While en route to the station, two of the officers engaged in a conversation between themselves concerning the missing shotgun. One of the officers stated that there were “a lot of handicapped children running around in this area” because a school for such children was located nearby, and “God forbid one of them might find a weapon with shells and they might hurt themselves.” Defendant interrupted the conversation, stating that the officers should turn the car around so he could show them where the gun was located. Upon returning to the scene, defendant was again advised of his Miranda rights, replied that
{¶ 60} The United States Supreme Court concluded that Innis was not subjected to the functional equivalent of an “interrogation” because it could not be said that the officers should have known that their conversation was reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from him. The Court noted that there was nothing in the record to suggest that the officers were aware that the defendant was peculiarly susceptible to an appeal to his conscience concerning the safety of handicapped children or that the police knew that the defendant was unusually disoriented or upset at the time of his arrest. The Court further reasoned:
The case thus boils down to whether, in the context of a brief conversation, the officers should have known that the respondent would suddenly be moved to make a self-incriminating response. Given the fact that the entire conversation appears to have consisted of no more than a few off-hand remarks, we cannot say that the officers should have known that it was reasonably likely that Innis would so respond. This is not a case where the police carried on a lengthy harangue in the presence of the suspect. Nor does the record support the respondent‘s contention that, under the circumstances, the officers’ comments were particularly “evocative.” It is our view, therefore, that the respondent was not subjected by the police to words or actions that the police should have known were reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from him. Id. at 303.
{¶ 61} The Court went on to point out that “subtle compulsion” must not be equated with interrogation; “[i[t must also be established that a suspect‘s incriminating response was the product of words or actions on the part of the police that they should have known were reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response.” Id.; see, also, Tucker, 81 Ohio St.3d at 437, fn 1.
{¶ 62} Here, like in Innis, the detectives’ entire conversation appears to have consisted of no more than a “few off-hand remarks.” There is no evidence in the record to show that the detectives had reason to believe that Young would feel particularly compelled to suddenly chime in about the route he took to avoid police detection. And based on the record before us, we find that the detectives’ actions and words were far less questionable than the “subtle compulsion” that was held not to be interrogation in Innis. See Arizona v. Maura, supra, at 528-529. Given the nature of the detectives’ brief and casual conversation, we find that their comments were not the kind of “psychological ploy” that properly could be treated as the functional equivalent of interrogation. Id.
{¶ 63} Based on the record before us, the detectives reasonably should not have anticipated that their actions or words would be likely to evoke an incriminating response. Because Young cannot demonstrate that a motion to suppress would have had a reasonable probability of success, his counsel‘s failure to file a motion to suppress was not deficient. Therefore, we overrule Young‘s third assignment of error.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED and that Appellant shall pay the 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.