State v. Steelman

[Cite as State v. Steelman, 2018-Ohio-1732.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO, : APPEAL NO. C-170337
TRIAL NO. B-1605260-A
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
O P I N I O N.
vs. :

JOSH STEELMAN, :

Defendant-Appellant. :

Criminal Appeal From: Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas

Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed

Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: May 4, 2018

Joseph T. Deters, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, and Philip R. Cummings,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee,

Arenstein & Gallagher, William R. Gallagher and Elizabeth Conkin for Defendant-
Appellant.
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M ILLER , Judge.

{¶1} A jury found Josh Steelman guilty of burglary and receiving stolen

property for breaking into Flora and Davey Hayes’s basement, and stealing cash,

jewelry, and other items from a safe. The trial court sentenced Steelman to eight

years in prison. We affirm.

Facts

Police find Steelman with Stolen Items

{¶2} Within hours of the burglary, Deputy Gator Rollins found Steelman

unconscious on the side of the road behind a pickup truck driven by Justin Callaway.

Steelman had been riding with Callaway when he overdosed, and Callaway had

pulled Steelman out of his truck. According to Deputy Rollins, Callaway was “a

nervous wreck,” and “excited,” and said that Steelman had overdosed on heroin.

Emergency medical personnel arrived and revived Steelman. Deputy Rollins testified

that subsequently, “in Callaway’s excited state of mind,” Callaway had said, “There’s

a lot of stuff in * * * [Callaway’s pickup truck] that Steelman stole from Ohio.”

{¶3} Deputy Rollins searched Callaway’s truck. He found jewelry, coins, and

a bag containing almost $10,000 with Davey Hayes’s name and phone number

written in it. At trial, Flora Hayes testified that most of these items had been in her

basement safe.
The Investigation: Jailhouse Calls, DNA Evidence, and the Wittich
Interview

{¶4} Steelman made several jailhouse phone calls that were played for the

jury. One of the calls was to the Hayeses’ son, who Steelman had known for years.

Steelman said to him, “Tell your dad I’m so fucking sorry.” Steelman also said that

documents taken from the Hayeses’ safe were in a burn barrel close to the Hayeses’

house. Investigating detective Albert Wittich found the documents where Steelman

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said they would be. In another call, Steelman detailed the dollar bill denominations

of the stolen money. In others, he stated that Callaway wasn’t involved, that if the

Hayeses pressed charges against him, he would “be fucked,” and that the people

Steelman believed were involved in the burglary would “fucking pay.” Steelman

named several of the people he thought had been involved in his alleged set-up.

{¶5} Items police collected from the Hayeses’ basement included a Pepsi

can. It was noticeably out of place, as neither of the Hayeses drank Pepsi. Later

testing found Steelman’s DNA on the can.

{¶6} Wittich interviewed Steelman after some of the jailhouse calls, but

before Steelman was arrested for burglary and receiving stolen property. The

interview began with Steelman stating that he wanted a lawyer, and that he did not

talk to police officers. The detective answered that the interview was an opportunity

for Steelman “to explain himself,” and say who else had been involved. Steelman

repeatedly said he did not want to talk, and that he wished to have counsel.

Interspersed with these statements, however, Steelman stated that he had been high

the night the burglary took place, remembered only bits of the evening, and believed

he had been framed. He also told Wittich that Callaway had not been involved, and

that around $10,000 had been stolen from the Hayeses. Steelman refused to answer

Wittich’s question of who, in particular, had been involved in Steelman’s alleged set-

up and the burglary.

The State Plays the Interview in its Case-in-Chief

{¶7} Steelman waived his right to move to suppress the Wittich interview

but nevertheless objected on the basis of Miranda to the state playing it in its case-

in-chief. The objection was overruled.

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{¶8} After the interview was played, defense counsel asked Wittich on

cross-examination, “When you were talking to Mr. Steelman, you were trying to get

him to * * * implicate * * * third parties?” Wittich answered, “If that was the truth,

yes.” On redirect, the state asked the detective, “You specifically asked the

defendant, hey, tell me who else was involved, and he didn’t tell you anybody, right?”

Wittich answered, “Correct.”

Steelman Takes the Stand

{¶9} Steelman testified that he had been under the influence of multiple

drugs the night the Hayeses, who were his neighbors and family friends, were

burglarized. He said he was at a casino until 3 a.m., and then “continued to party” at

home until he saw police arrive at the Hayeses’ home.

{¶10} Steelman said he walked next door to investigate and learned that the

Hayeses had been burglarized. Steelman explained that Callaway had told him how

much money had been stolen, and its denominations. Steelman also testified that he

knew where the stolen documents were because he had inspected the perimeter of

the Hayeses’ property the morning of the burglary and had seen them before leaving

with Callaway. He explained that he didn’t immediately come forward with this

information because he had a criminal record, and was afraid doing so would falsely

implicate himself in the burglary.

Closing Argument

{¶11} During closing argument, the prosecutor referenced Steelman’s refusal

to answer Wittich’s questions concerning third parties. The state also argued that

Steelman never would have known that $10,000 had been taken from the Hayeses

unless he was guilty, and would have told Wittich that someone else had given him

the money had someone else been involved. The assistant prosecuting attorney made

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several comments calling Steelman such names as a “yay-hoo” and a “junkie,” and

calling into doubt Steelman’s truthfulness and the overall strength of his defense.

{¶12} The defense’s theory of the case was that Steelman had been plied with

drugs by the real burglars, taken to the casino while the burglary occurred, and then

framed. Defense counsel argued that other people, and not Steelman, knew that the

Hayeses had a safe full of valuables in their basement and could have been the

culprits. Counsel suggested that the Pepsi can with Steelman’s DNA on it had been

taken from the garbage close to Steelman’s house and planted in the Hayeses’

basement.

Jury Question

{¶13} During deliberations, the jury sent a note to the judge, stating, “The

jury is split on Count 1 [burglary]. * * * [H]ow much longer should we deliberate?

We are still evenly split after reviewing all evidence and after multiple votes.” The

court administered the Howard charge. The jury subsequently returned a guilty

verdict on both counts.

Assignments of Error

Prearrest Silence

{¶14} In his first assignment of error, Steelman contends that the state used

his prearrest silence in the Wittich interview as substantive evidence of his guilt, in

violation of the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination. Steelman

is correct.

{¶15} We apply a plain error standard of review. Steelman argues that a

plain error analysis is not appropriate because counsel objected to the interview.

However, counsel objected on the basis of Miranda and not on self-incrimination

grounds. The Miranda objection did not alert the trial court or opposing counsel to

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Steelman’s Fifth Amendment argument at a time when the potential error could have

been avoided or corrected, which is the very purpose of an objection. See State v.

Davis, 1 Ohio St.2d 28, 203 N.E.2d 357 (1964), paragraph two of the syllabus; State

v. Childs, 14 Ohio St.2d 56, 236 N.E.2d 545 (1968), paragraph three of the syllabus.

He has therefore forfeited all but plain error on appeal. Crim.R. 52(B); State v.

Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, ¶ 21-22. “Plain error”

is (1) an error, (2) that is obvious, and (3) that affected the outcome of the trial. State

v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002).

{¶16} Here there was error that was obvious. The Fifth Amendment to the

United States Constitution states that no person “shall be compelled in any criminal

case to be a witness against himself.” Unless used for impeachment, evidence that a

defendant asked for an attorney or otherwise indicated an unwillingness to talk to

police violates the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination. State v.

Leach, 102 Ohio St.3d 135, 2004-Ohio-2147, 807 N.E.2d 335, ¶ 31. Here, the state

presented evidence in its case-in-chief that Steelman asked for an attorney multiple

times, refused to answer Wittich’s question concerning who else was involved, and

told Wittich he “didn’t talk to cops.” There was no probative value to the evidence of

Steelman’s silence other than to allow the jury to infer guilt from it. See id. at ¶ 25.

It therefore was admitted in violation of the Fifth Amendment. See id.; Combs v.

Coyle, 205 F.3d 269 (6th Cir.2000) (use of defendant’s statement to police, “talk to

my lawyer,” in the state’s case-in-chief violated the Fifth Amendment’s shield against

self-incrimination); State v. Pence, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2012-05-045, 2013-

Ohio-1388 (detective’s testimony that defendant’s attorney, and not defendant,

returned a phone call placed to the defendant, and testimony that the defendant

never gave police a statement violated the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-

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incrimination); State v. Whitaker, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 07CA3168, 2008-Ohio-4149

(officer’s testimony that defendant told the officer that he “didn’t want to incriminate

himself” impermissibly used the defendant’s right to remain silent against him);

State v. Estepp, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2006 CA 22, 2007-Ohio-2596 (detective’s

testimony that defendant failed to return phone calls and cancelled police interviews

violated defendant’s right not to incriminate himself).

{¶17} The state contends that because Steelman took the stand his silence

was properly admitted to impeach him. Once a defendant chooses to testify, the state

may use a defendant’s prior silence to impeach his credibility. Jenkins v. Anderson,

447 U.S. 231, 238, 100 S.Ct. 2124, 65 L.Ed.2d 86, (1980). A defendant’s silence,

however, “cannot possibly be used to impeach his credibility when he has yet to

testify.” State v. Shea, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-840806, 1985 WL 8938, *3 (July 17,

1985). Here, Steelman had not yet testified when the state played the interview.

This error was not cured when Steelman took the stand. It is impossible to say if

Steelman’s choice to testify was based on pressure to explain his silence, and we

therefore find that the state’s after-the-fact justification is feckless. See Combs at

285. Further, the state used Steelman’s silence as evidence of his guilt, not as

impeachment evidence, by asking Wittich, “You specifically asked the defendant,

hey, tell me who else was involved, and he didn’t tell you anybody, right?” And did

so again during closing argument when the prosecutor stated, “If someone else had

stolen that sack of money he [Steelman] would have told Det. Wittich ‘I don’t know

how much was in there, Larry gave it to me.’ ” The prosecutor also used Steelman’s

silence as evidence of guilt during rebuttal when he argued that Steelman had “had a

chance” to explain himself to Wittich and to tell him who else had been involved, but

did not.

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{¶18} Next, the state argues that Steelman did not remain silent, despite his

statements that he wanted an attorney and would not answer questions, and

therefore the Wittich interview was properly played for the jury. Putting aside

Miranda, parts of the interview were clearly admissible—i.e. Steelman’s admission

that he knew $10,000 had been stolen, his statement that he had been high on the

night in question, and his contention that Callaway wasn’t involved—but other parts

of the interview clearly were not, and those portions should have been redacted. See,

e.g., Whitaker at ¶ 34 (where a firearm and Hydrocodone pills were found in

defendant’s car, officer properly testified that defendant admitted that the pills were

his, but officer should not have been permitted to testify that, when asked about the

firearm, the defendant stated he didn’t want to incriminate himself).

{¶19} We hold that the failure to redact the offending statements was error.

Callaway’s Statement

{¶20} In his second assignment of error, Steelman contends that the trial

court erred by admitting Callaway’s statement, “There’s a lot of stuff in there

[Callaway’s pickup truck] that Steelman stole from Ohio.”

{¶21} The trial court admitted Callaway’s statement under the excited

utterance exception to the hearsay rule. We review the trial court’s decision for an

abuse of discretion. State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173, 510 N.E.2d 343 (1987),

paragraph two of the syllabus. An “excited utterance” is “[a] statement relating to a

startling event or condition made while the declarant was under the stress of

excitement caused by the event or condition.” Evid.R. 803(2); See State v. Wallace,

37 Ohio St.3d 87, 88, 524 N.E.2d 466 (1988). Such statements are admissible

because they are the product of reactive, not reflexive, thinking, and therefore carry

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guarantees of trustworthiness. State v. Taylor, 66 Ohio St.3d 295, 300, 612 N.E.2d

316 (1993).

{¶22} Here, the trial court determined that the startling event was the

overdose, stating “We’ve got a person on the side of the road who is unconscious, a 9-

1-1 call has come in, this officer indicates that somebody is overdosed, and we’ve got

an excited person standing there by the side of the road.” The contents of Callaway’s

truck didn’t relate to Steelman’s overdose. Callaway’s declaration inculpating

Steelman and exculpating himself was made after medical personnel had arrived and

revived Steelman, was clearly self-serving, and was not the type of “reactive”

statement contemplated by Evid.R. 803(2). It was therefore admitted in error.

{¶23} Steelman next argues that the admission of Callaway’s hearsay

statement violated his Sixth Amendment right to confront the witnesses against him.

Having already determined that the statement was admitted in error, this argument

is moot and we decline to address it. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).

Prosecutorial Misconduct

{¶24} In his third assignment of error, Steelman argues that the assistant

prosecuting attorney made improper remarks during closing argument that resulted

in an unfair trial.

{¶25} The test for prosecutorial misconduct is whether remarks were

improper and, if so, whether they prejudicially affected the substantial rights of the

accused. State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d 160, 165, 555 N.E.2d 293 (1990). Prosecutors

are given wide latitude during closing to argue what the evidence has shown, and to

draw reasonable inferences from it. Id. at 166. “Wide latitude” does not include

“insinuations and assertions calculated to mislead” or “personal beliefs or opinions

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regarding the guilt of the accused * * *.” Id. Further, the state “may not allude to

matters not supported by admissible evidence.” Id.

Improper Comments on Steelman’s Silence

{¶26} Here, the prosecutor stated, “If someone else had stolen that sack of

money he would have told Det. Wittich ‘I don’t know how much was in there, Larry

gave it to me.’ ” The prosecutor also argued during rebuttal that Steelman had “had a

chance” to explain himself to Wittich and to tell him who else had been involved, but

did not. Defense counsel did not object, so we apply a plain error standard of review.

Neither of these remarks was supported by admissible evidence. We therefore hold

that there was obvious error. See id; Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459,

38 N.E.3d 860, at ¶ 21-22; State v. Wogenstahl, 75 Ohio St.3d 344, 357, 662 N.E.2d

311 (1996).

“Two-Bit Junkie”

{¶27} Steelman next takes issue with the assistant prosecutor referring to

him as a “two bit junkie,” “two-bit addict,” “two-bit heroin addict,” and “junkie,” as

well as “some ya-hoo,” and a “vindictive, violent individual.” There was no objection

to these comments.

{¶28} Both parties may be “colorful or creative” during closing argument,

provided comments are supported by the evidence. State v. Brown, 38 Ohio St.3d

305, 317, 528 N.E.2d 523 (1988). Steelman admitted that he had been high the night

of the burglary, and it is undisputed that he had overdosed just hours after the

burglary occurred. In regard to the “violent vindictive” statement, in one of the

jailhouse phone calls Steelman threatened several times that others he believed had

been involved in the burglary would “fucking pay.” Thus, the prosecutor’s comments,

while colorful, were acceptable inferences drawn from facts in evidence. See State v.

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Tibbetts, 92 Ohio St.3d 146, 168, 749 N.E.2d 226 (2001) (referring to defendant as a

“trained killer” was fair comment on the evidence); State v. Nields, 93 Ohio St.3d 6,

37, 752 N.E.2d 859 (2001) (argument that the defendant was a “mean-spirited

derelict” and an “unemployed killer” were not improper where supported by the

record).

Comments on Credibility

{¶29} Steelman next asserts that the prosecutor expressed his personal belief

as to Steelman’s credibility and the defense’s overall theory of the case.

{¶30} A prosecutor’s statement on witness credibility is improper if it implies

knowledge of facts outside the record or places the prosecutor’s personal credibility

at issue. State v. Keene, 81 Ohio St.3d 646, 666, 693 N.E.2d 246 (1998). However, a

prosecutor may state his or her opinion if supported by the evidence. State v.

Jackson, 107 Ohio St.3d 300, 2006-Ohio-1, 839 N.E.2d 362, ¶ 154. For example, a

“prosecutor may comment upon the circumstances of witnesses in their testimony”

and may argue “that these circumstances make the witnesses more or less believable

and deserving of more or less weight.” State v. Clay, 181 Ohio App.3d 563, 2009-

Ohio-1235, 910 N.E.2d 14, ¶ 47 (8th Dist.). A prosecutor may not state that the

defendant is a liar, but “may suggest that the evidence demonstrates the defendant is

lying, scheming, or has ulterior motives.” State v. Irwin, 7th Dist. Columbiana No.

11–CO–6, 2012-Ohio-2704, ¶ 116, citing State v. Kroger, 12th Dist. Clermont No.

CA99–05–050, 2000 WL 342130, *2 (Apr. 3, 2000).

{¶31} Steelman argues that the prosecutor personally vouched for the

credibility of witnesses and impermissibly injected his personal opinion as to what

the evidence showed by saying: (1) “I love” Steelman’s explanation concerning

statements in the jailhouse calls and that Steelman’s explanation “makes no sense to

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me”; (2) “the other thing I loved” was Steelman’s phone call on July 22, 2016; (3)

“That’s the other thing I love about this case”—that even if others were involved,

Steelman could still be guilty of complicity; (4) “But this I know for a fact that he left

that Pepsi can there with his DNA on it. And I know for a fact that he is the one that

was caught with the property in his possession a mere three or four hours after these

offenses occurred”; (5) “It’s hard to respond to something like that,” referring to

Steelman’s closing argument, “I’ll be honest with you. It is so ridiculous. Seriously.”;

(6) defense counsel’s implication that a March 2017 date on the Pepsi can found in

the Hayeses’ basement meant that the can was made in March 2017—and therefore

post-dated the burglary and was planted—was “misleading”; (7) “I love” defense

counsel’s argument that the Pepsi can came from the garbage and was used to set

Steelman up; and (8) “another beauty” that “makes no sense whatsoever” was the

theory that Callaway was trying to dump Steelman’s dead body at the side of the road

and frame him for the burglary.

{¶32} Defense counsel objected only to the prosecutor’s argument on

whether the Pepsi can was from the garbage, but did not object on the ground

currently raised. We therefore review for plain error.

{¶33} Most of the prosecutor’s comments that he “loved” certain aspects of

the case, his “another beauty” statement, and his statement that defense counsel’s

theory of the evidence “made no sense whatsoever” were not tantamount to an

expression of his personal belief regarding Steelman’s guilt. Instead, they can be

fairly characterized as the prosecutor arguing that the inferences that could be drawn

from the evidence made the defense’s theory less believable and undeserving of

much weight. These statements were therefore not beyond the bounds of a proper

closing argument. One of these comments—that the prosecutor “loved” that

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Steelman could be found guilty of complicity even if he was not the principle

offender—carries no suggestion that the prosecutor was arguing that he personally

believed Steelman was guilty.

{¶34} The prosecutor should not have argued that he knew “for a fact” that

Steelman left the Pepsi can in the Hayeses’ basement, and that he knew “for a fact”

that Steelman was caught with the Hayeses’ property shortly after the burglary was

reported. These statements placed the prosecutor’s personal credibility at issue, and

may have suggested to the jury that the prosecutor knew things about the case that

the jury did not. They were clearly improper.

{¶35} The prosecutor’s statements on rebuttal that Steelman’s closing

argument was “ridiculous” and that defense counsel’s Pepsi can date insinuation was

“misleading” was a fair response to defense counsel’s closing argument. See State v.

Pickens, 141 Ohio St.3d 462, 2014-Ohio-5445, 25 N.E.3d 1023, ¶ 135 (prosecutor’s

statement on rebuttal that defense counsel’s argument was “ludicrous” was not

improper), citing State v. Martin, 6th Dist. Erie No. E–11–020, 2013-Ohio-973, ¶ 42

(prosecutor’s references to defendant’s story to police as “ridiculous and nonsense”

borne out by the evidence). The prosecutor’s comments fairly pointed out perceived

weaknesses in Steelman’s closing argument.

Misstatement of the Law

{¶36} Next, Steelman contends that the prosecutor committed misconduct

by stating that, once the jury began deliberations, “the presumption of innocence is

no longer with him * * * it’s up to you to determine if the State has met its burden of

proof.” This was clearly improper. Defense counsel objected. The trial court

sustained the objection and immediately instructed the jury that Steelman “is still

presumed innocent unless and until you find that the defendant is guilty because the

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State has proved it beyond a reasonable doubt.” The prosecutor subsequently

admitted to the jury that he had misstated the law. The jury was properly instructed

regarding the state’s burden of proof before they began deliberations. We presume

the jury followed the trial court’s instructions. See Pang v. Minch, 53 Ohio St.3d 186,

559 N.E.2d 1313 (1990), paragraph four of the syllabus. We therefore hold that

Steelman was not prejudiced by this misstatement.

Facts not in Evidence

{¶37} Finally, Steelman contends that the prosecutor argued facts not in

evidence. The prosecutor stated during rebuttal, “You don’t think Shawn [the

Hayeses’ grandson] at some point told him [Steelman], hey, my grandparents have a

safe full of money in the basement.” This was a fair response to defense counsel’s

argument during closing that Steelman didn’t know there was a safe in the Hayeses’

basement and that others did—a point that defense counsel discussed at length.

Hence, the defense opened the door to the state’s rebuttal argument. There was no

misconduct. See State v. Diar, 120 Ohio St.3d 460, 2008-Ohio-6266, 900 N.E.2d

565, ¶ 217 (prosecutor has wide latitude to respond to arguments made by defense

counsel during closing).

Reversible Error Analysis

{¶38} Having found error in (1) the admission of those parts of the Wittich

interview that violated Steelman’s Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination;

(2) the admission of Callaway’s hearsay statement; and (3) several of the prosecutor’s

comments during closing argument, we must determine whether these errors require

us to reverse Steelman’s convictions.

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Plain Error Determination

{¶39} We review the Fifth Amendment violation and the improper closing

argument comments, except for the prosecutor’s misstatement of the law—which we

have already determined was not prejudicial—to determine whether these errors

affected the outcome of Steelman’s trial, resulting in plain error. See Barnes, 94

Ohio St.3d at 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240.

{¶40} Steelman argues that the state’s case here was weak, and contends that

the jury’s note stating that they could not come to a verdict on the burglary charge is

proof of its weakness. We disagree. Police discovered Steelman with the stolen

goods within hours of the burglary, Steelman knew where the Hayeses’ missing

documents could be found, he knew that $10,000 had been stolen, he discussed the

denominations of the stolen dollar bills, he told the Hayeses’ son to tell Davey Hayes

that Steelman was “sorry,” and Steelman’s DNA was found on a Pepsi can in the

Hayeses’ basement close to the safe. Because the evidence of Steelman’s guilt is

overwhelming absent the evidence of his silence and the improper closing

statements, we hold that there was no plain error.

Harmless Error Determination

{¶41} We review the admission of Callaway’s hearsay for harmless error.

The question is whether the hearsay was prejudicial, and if so, whether Steelman’s

“substantial rights” were affected warranting a new trial. See Crim.R. 52(A); State v.

Morris, 141 Ohio St.3d 399, 2014-Ohio-5052, 24 N.E.3d 1153, ¶ 27-32.

{¶42} Callaway’s statement was no doubt prejudicial. Callaway directly

implicated Steelman in the crimes for which he was on trial. Our analysis therefore

focuses on whether, absent Callaway’s statement, there was overwhelming evidence

of Steelman’s guilt. See Morris at ¶ 29.

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{¶43} As stated above, there was overwhelming independent evidence of

Steelman’s guilt. The error in the admission of his statement was harmless beyond a

reasonable doubt.

Conclusion

{¶44} We overrule all assignments of error. The trial court’s judgment

convicting Steelman of burglary and receiving stolen property is affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.
Z AYAS , P.J., and D ETERS , J., concur.

Please note:
The court has recorded its own entry on the date of the release of this opinion.

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