State v. Bonner

[Cite as State v. Bonner, 2018-Ohio-3083.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ERIE COUNTY

State of Ohio Court of Appeals No. E-17-043

Appellee Trial Court No. 2016-CR-326

v.

Alonzo Bonner, Jr. DECISION AND JUDGMENT

Appellant Decided: August 3, 2018

*****

Kevin J. Baxter, Erie County Prosecuting Attorney, and
Martha S. Schultes, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.

Edward J. Stechschulte, for appellant.

*****

JENSEN, J.
I. Introduction

{¶ 1} This is an appeal from the judgment of the Erie County Court of Common

Pleas, sentencing appellant, Alonzo Bonner, Jr., to 18 months in prison following a jury’s

determination of guilt on one count of felonious assault.
 A. Facts and Procedural Background

{¶ 2} On August 11, 2016, Bonner was indicted on one count of felonious assault

in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1), a second-degree felony, along with a repeat violent

offender (“RVO”) specification. Previously, Bonner served nine years in prison after

being convicted of felonious assault with a firearm. State v. Bonner, Erie C.P. No.

2007-CR-487. Bonner pleaded not guilty to the charge of felonious assault at his

arraignment on August 22, 2016.

{¶ 3} On October 16, 2016, Bonner filed a motion asking the trial court to

bifurcate the RVO specification. Through his motion, Bonner sought to prohibit the state

from using the factual or legal matters implied by the RVO specification in his trial for

felonious assault. On October 20, 2016, the court issued a judgment entry granting the

bifurcation. Notably, the court did not issue an order prohibiting references to the

implied legal or factual matters. A four-day jury trial commenced on June 27, 2017. The

following facts were established at trial.

{¶ 4} On July 30, 2016, police received a 911 call. A neighbor claimed that a riot

had broken out at the residence of Bonner’s cousin, A.J. A.J. had chosen to host a party

for over 30 people after the bars closed. Prior to the incident, neighbors called the police

because they were bothered by excessive noise. After police notified her of the problem,

A.J. decided to end the party and ordered everyone out of her house.

{¶ 5} Multiple fights occurred once the party moved outside the house. One of

these fights involved Bonner’s sister, S.B. During the fight, S.B. was hit in the face by

2.
another partygoer, C.L. There are varying accounts as to what happened after C.L. hit

S.B. A.J. claims that she was outside trying to get people to leave when Bonner punched

her in the face.

{¶ 6} In establishing its case at trial, the state utilized footage from a body camera

worn by Officer Kallin St. John at the scene. St. John returned to A.J.’s residence after

having previously responded to the noise complaint. The tape begins with A.J. saying

“Alonzo Bonner.” She went on to state that she “was just trying to get him from in front

of my house and everybody hit me.” When the officer asked if everybody hit her, she

countered, “He hit me.” A.J. then asked someone to call her uncle. When the officer

asked her if the name was Alfonzo, she yelled “Alonzo.” The officer then called a squad

to look at her injuries.

{¶ 7} According to Bonner, the incident began when he pulled C.L. off of his

sister. Upon release, C.L. attacked S.B. again. As the fight continued, Bonner claims

that A.J. attempted to join in. He asserts that he merely pushed A.J. off of S.B., and

insists that he never hit her. S.B. agreed that C.L. struck her, however she was unclear as

to Bonner’s involvement with A.J. because she says everything happened too fast. S.B.

was able to recall that C.L. punched her and then ran off. During a recorded phone call

that was played at trial, C.L. acknowledged that she was trying to fight S.B. It is

undisputed that A.J. presented with injuries consistent with being struck in the face,

including two black eyes and a laceration on the side of her face.

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 {¶ 8} At trial A.J. was the first witness for the state. When asked to identify the

people who were at her house on the night in question, she said she did not remember.

When asked if she remembered who injured her, she said she was not sure. After asking

if she remembered telling the police, firefighters, and detectives who hit her, she

responded “no.” At that time, the state asked to approach the bench.

{¶ 9} While at the bench, the state indicated that it was surprised and affirmatively

damaged by A.J.’s testimony and her alleged lack of recollection. Before allowing the

defense to respond, the judge asked if the state wanted to treat A.J. as a hostile witness

and cross-examine her utilizing evidence of prior inconsistent statements. Defense

counsel stated that A.J. had done the same thing with the parole board and that the

prosecution should not have been surprised by A.J.’s testimony. Defense counsel noted

his objection for the record, and the objection was overruled. Ultimately, the state was

permitted to examine A.J. as a hostile witness.

{¶ 10} When the proceedings resumed, the state immediately pivoted, discussing

photos of A.J.’s injuries. The state utilized leading questions during the remainder of its

direct examination of A.J. Eventually, A.J. acknowledged that she had previously

identified Bonner as the individual who hit her during conversations with law

enforcement personnel and at Bonner’s prior parole hearing. Officer St. Clair, detective

Ken Nixon, and firefighter, James Burrer, each testified and indicated that A.J. identified

Bonner as the perpetrator of her injuries during their investigation. During Nixon’s

testimony, he referenced a medical report from A.J.’s hospital visit where a nurse

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recorded that A.J. had said her boyfriend punched her. However, when he questioned

A.J., she stated that she did not have a boyfriend. Nixon went on to indicate that A.J.

identified Bonner as the individual that hit her.

{¶ 11} A.J. initially said that she did not remember if she had done anything to

provoke Bonner. Later in her testimony, however, A.J. admitted that she previously

stated that the punch was unprovoked. A.J. also insisted that she had not acted

aggressively toward S.B. prior to being hit by Bonner.

{¶ 12} During his case-in-chief, Bonner called four witnesses: C.L., G.R. (another

partygoer), S.B., and Nixon. Bonner also took the stand in his own defense. For her part,

C.L. asserted her Fifth Amendment privilege, and offered no further testimony. During

G.R.’s testimony, he stated that the area around A.J.’s house had erupted in multiple

fights on the night of the incident. Further, G.R. testified that he saw Bonner help S.B.

off the ground. S.B. also testified as to the existence of multiple fights outside A.J.’s

residence. She recounted being attacked by C.L., and also testified that C.L. ran away

after a disorienting confrontation. Nixon testified concerning jail phone calls that he

uncovered during his investigation, one of which included a conversation involving C.L.,

where she claimed Bonner punched A.J. Nixon also referenced a medical report

documenting A.J.’s statements to a nurse identifying the attacker as her boyfriend. Nixon

testified that A.J. denies making this identification.

{¶ 13} When testifying, Bonner first described the incident. Bonner’s counsel

then asked about his past criminal history. When asked what he had been convicted of in

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the past, Bonner replied felonious assault. He confirmed that the felonious assault

happened in 2007, when he was 19 years old. When asked what the altercation was

about, Bonner gave the following response:

Um, me and an older gentleman, roughly I think he was like 28 at

the time, I was – was younger, we got into an altercation because was

standing, was standing there kickin’ (inaudible) or whatever you want to

call it. I was drinking and, um, one thing lead to another. We started

fighting and I end up shoot – I ended up, at the end, shooting out a street

light.

{¶ 14} On cross-examination, the prosecutor asked Bonner numerous questions

regarding his prior conviction:

Q: You talked a little bit about your prior criminal record with

your –

A: Yes

Q: -- counsel here. I’d like to talk a little more about that. You

were convicted of felonious assault, correct?

A: Yes.

Q: And you were also convicted of having a gun while committing

the felonious assault.

A: I stated that, yes

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 Q: Okay. And when – when this altercation happened on July 28th

2007, you were fighting with –

A: Keith Fenderson

Q: Mr. Fenderson, yes, yes. In fact, the first thing you did to Keith

Fenderson was punch him in the mouth, correct?

A: It was a full blown fist fight.

Q: So you punched him in the mouth. He was bleeding from the

mouth?

A: He hit me first, yes.

Q: And your reaction was to punch him in the mouth, correct?

A: (Inaudible) he slapped me first

Q: Say – could you answer yes or no –

A: No

Q: -- please, sir? So you didn’t punch him in the mouth?

A: Yes, I did

Q: Okay, your method of fighting, then, correct?

A: No

Q: Just like you punched [A.J.] in the mouth and had her bleeding

from her face as well.

A: No

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 Q: And when Mr. Fenderson was punched in the mouth by you, he

took off running; isn’t that right?

A: No

Q: And you chased him down with a gun; isn’t that right?

A: No

Q: And the gun that you shot at him actually didn’t shoot -- you said

a streetlight. I believe it actually shot a glass window, didn’t it?

A: Maybe

Q: Yeah. So it wasn’t like you were shooting up at a -- at a

streetlight. You shot at the defendant. Or, I’m sorry, Mr. Fenderson who

was running away

A: No

Q: Okay. And you were sentenced to nine years in prison --

A: yes

***

Q: [a]nd, in the process, [you] were throwing punches because

that’s what you do, you throw punches?

{¶ 15} After Bonner replied in the negative, the state responded, “You threw

punches at Mr. Ferguson.”

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 {¶ 16} The state reiterated Bonner’s prior conviction during its closing arguments,

stating:

It happened in 2007 when he was a young kid. I think he said 18

years old, um, and this was with a gun, too. But how did that altercation

start. He got into a fight with another man. What’s his first instinct? POW,

punch him right in the face, make him bleed. Huh, sounds familiar? Just

like he did to [A.J.].

{¶ 17} The state then restated the felonious assault charge that was associated with

Bonner’s prior act.

{¶ 18} During jury instructions, the court found that the evidence did not support

an instruction as to the defense of others. The trial court proceeded to limit the jury’s

consideration of the prior acts evidence to issues pertaining to credibility. Further, the

court instructed the jury on the lesser offense of aggravated assault in violation of R.C.

2903.12, a felony of the fourth degree, explaining to the jury that it would sentence

Bonner under that offense if the jury found him guilty of both felonious assault and

aggravated assault. The jury returned a guilty verdict on both offenses, and the court

proceeded to sentence Bonner under the aggravated assault offense.

{¶ 19} At sentencing, the court considered the severity of the crime, the fights on

A.J.’s property, and the conflicting stories. The court applied R.C. 2929.11 in

considering Bonner’s criminal history and risk of recidivism. The court stated that

inconsistencies between A.J. and his sister’s story were factors in giving him the

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maximum sentence for aggravated assault. Furthermore the court gave him credit for 89

days served. Other days in dispute were said to stem from a parole violation. The court

proceeded to sentence Bonner to 18 months in prison for aggravated assault. Bonner’s

timely notice of appeal followed.

B. Assignments of Error

{¶ 20} On appeal, Bonner presents the following assignments of error for our

review:

Assignment of Error No. 1: Appellant was deprived of his right to a

fair trial by the admission of extensive details about Appellant’s prior

conviction for the same offense in violation of Evid.R. 403 and Evid.R.

607.

Assignment of error No. 2: The prosecuting attorney’s remarks

during the trial and closing arguments constituted prosecutorial misconduct

that deprived Appellant of a fair trial in violation of Fifth and Fourteenth

Amendments to the United States constitution and comparable provisions

of the Ohio Constitution.

Assignment of error No. 3: The trial court abused its discretion in

refusing to instruct the jury on the question of defense of others as

requested by Mr. Bonner’s attorney.

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 Assignment of error No. 4: The trial court failed to consider the

seriousness and recidivism factors of R.C § 2929.12 and, therefore, the 18-

month maximum sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law.

Assignment of error no. 5: The trial court erred by permitting the

State to treat Victim 1 as a hostile witness under evidence rule 607.

Assignment of error No. 6: The trial court erred in not properly

granting Mr. Bonner jail time credit.

Assignment of error No. 7: The Jury’s verdict finding Appellant

guilty of felonious assault and aggravated assault was against the manifest

weight of the evidence.

II. Analysis

A. Use of prior acts evidence

{¶ 21} In his first assignment of error, Bonner argues that he was deprived of his

right to a fair trial by the admission of evidence concerning his prior felonious assault

conviction. In the second assignment of error, Bonner contends that the state’s remarks

during the trial and closing arguments constituted prosecutorial misconduct that deprived

him of a fair trial in violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United

States Constitution and comparable provisions of the Ohio Constitution. Because these

assignments of error are interrelated, we will address them together.

{¶ 22} At the outset, we note that Bonner did not object to the state’s examination

of his prior felonious assault conviction during trial, nor did he object to the state’s

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reference to such conviction during closing arguments. Therefore, our review is limited

to plain error. Under Crim.R. 52(B), “[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights

may be noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the court.” By its very

terms, the rule places three limitations on a reviewing court’s decision to correct an error

despite the absence of a timely objection at trial. First, there must be an error, i.e., a

deviation from a legal rule. State v. Hill, 92 Ohio St.3d 191, 200, 749 N.E.2d 274 (2001),

citing United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 732, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993)

(observing that the “first condition to be met in noticing plain error is that there must be

error”). Second, the error must be plain. To be “plain” within the meaning of Crim.R.

52(B), an error must be an “obvious” defect in the trial proceedings. State v. Sanders, 92

Ohio St.3d 245, 257, 750 N.E.2d 90 (2001), citing State v. Keith, 79 Ohio St.3d 514, 518,

684 N.E.2d 47 (1997). Third, the error must have affected “substantial rights.” We have

interpreted this aspect of the rule to mean that the trial court’s error must have affected

the outcome of the trial. See, e.g., Hill at 205; State v. Moreland, 50 Ohio St.3d 58, 62,

552 N.E.2d 894 (1990).

{¶ 23} “Under [Evid.R. 609(A)(2)], evidence that the defendant was convicted of

a crime punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year is admissible for

purposes of impeaching the witness’s credibility ‘if the court determines that the

probative value of the evidence outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice, of confusion of

the issues, or of misleading the jury.’” State v. Eisele, 9th Dist. Medina No. 13CA0044-

M, 2014-Ohio-873, ¶ 6. Where such evidence is admissible under Evid.R. 609, “the fact

12.
of the conviction may be proved only by the testimony of the witness on direct or cross-

examination, or by public record shown to the witness during his or her examination.”

Evid.R. 609(F).

{¶ 24} Relatedly, Evid.R. 404(B) provides, in relevant part:

(B) Other Crimes, Wrongs or Acts. Evidence of other crimes,

wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order

to show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for

other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation,

plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident.

{¶ 25} “With regard to each allegation of [prosecutorial] misconduct, we must

determine whether the conduct was ‘improper, and, if so, whether [it] prejudicially

affected substantial rights of the defendant.’” State v. Mammone, 139 Ohio St.3d 467,

2014-Ohio-1942, 13 N.E.3d 1051, ¶ 110, quoting State v. Smith, 14 Ohio St.3d 13, 14,

470 N.E.2d 883 (1984). “If a defendant failed to object to the alleged misconduct below,

however, we review the claim for plain error.” Id. at ¶ 111.

{¶ 26} During Bonner’s direct examination, his counsel asked about his prior

conviction for felonious assault. Bonner gave a brief description of an incident in which

he participated in a fight with another individual, Keith Fenderson, and shot out a

streetlight. During cross-examination, the state inquired further into the prior felonious

assault conviction. The state asked: “The first thing you did to [Fenderson] was punch

him in the mouth, correct?” Bonner replied that “it was a full blown fist fight.” After

13.
Bonner said that Fenderson hit him first, the state asked, “[A]nd your reaction was to

punch him in the mouth correct?” Bonner admitted to punching Fenderson, and the state

asked, “OK, your method of fighting then, correct?” Bonner replied in the negative. The

state then inquired, “Just like you punched [A.J.] in the mouth and had her bleeding from

her face?” The state implied through further questioning that Fenderson took off running

and that Bonner chased after him and shot at him. After Bonner agreed that he became

involved in this case in order to protect his sister, the prosecutor stated, “and, in the

process, [you] were throwing punches because that’s what you do. You throw punches.”

The state returned to its theme during closing arguments when it stated, “What’s his first

instinct? POW, punch him right in the face, make him bleed. Huh, sounds familiar? Just

like he did to [A.J.].”

{¶ 27} Bonner argues that the above-referenced questioning constituted an

impermissible attempt to establish that Bonner was guilty in this case because he was

simply acting in conformity with his prior actions. The state offers several arguments in

support of its examination of Bonner’s prior felonious assault conviction.

{¶ 28} Initially, the state argues that its use of the evidence of Bonner’s prior

conviction was designed to impeach Bonner by calling into question Bonner’s

truthfulness in stating that he only pushed A.J. We find no merit to this argument. As

noted above, evidence of a prior conviction “is not admissible to prove the character of a

person in order to show action in conformity therewith.” Evid.R. 404(B). Upon

examination of the manner in which the state utilized the evidence of Bonner’s prior

14.
conviction, it is clear that the state’s intent was to demonstrate Bonner’s guilt by

reference to his prior conduct and action in conformity therewith in the present case.

Tellingly, the state asserts in its brief that “[e]ven if his prior conviction had minimal

probative value, it is admissible to show that Bonner has a trait of lashing out with his

fists.” (Emphasis added.) At trial, the state referenced the prior conviction to

demonstrate Bonner’s propensity toward violence, inviting the jury to conclude that,

because Bonner was previously involved in a fight and punched someone, he must have

punched A.J. in this case. The state’s improper inference was made evident when it

stated, “that’s what you do, you throw punches.”

{¶ 29} This strategy was made even clearer during the state’s closing argument,

where it stated: “It happened in 2007 when he was a young kid. I think he said 18 years

old, um, and this was with a gun, too. But how did that altercation start. He got into a

fight with another man. What’s his first instinct? POW, punch him right in the face,

make him bleed. Huh, sounds familiar? Just like he did to [A.J.].” Under Evid.R.

404(B), the state’s use of Bonner’s prior conviction to establish action in conformity

therewith was improper.

{¶ 30} The state attempts to avoid the conclusion that it ran afoul of Evid.R.

404(B) by noting that Bonner opened the door to its questioning concerning the felonious

assault conviction. While it is true that Bonner opened the door, the Supreme Court of

Ohio has made it clear that the door is only open for a limited purpose:

15.
 With respect to the prior convictions of appellant, we find that the

state’s inquiries were permissible because appellant testified about them

during direct examination, thereby opening the door for the state to

question him about them on cross-examination. However, we find that the

state’s inquiries concerning the circumstances surrounding the crimes for

which appellant was convicted and other instances of criminal conduct by

appellant were impermissible. Both the record and the state’s brief indicate

that the prosecutor’s reason for making the inquiries was not to impeach

appellant by attacking his credibility, but was to show appellant’s bad

moral character and propensity to commit violent crimes. State v. Williams,

38 Ohio St.3d 346, 350, 528 N.E.2d 910 (1988).

{¶ 31} Likewise, in this case the state’s purpose behind exploring Bonner’s prior

conviction was to demonstrate his propensity to commit acts of violence, not to merely

impeach his testimony. Therefore, we find that the state’s use of Bonner’s prior

conviction was improper. However, in order to conclude that the trial court committed

plain error, we must examine whether such use affected Bonner’s substantial rights.

{¶ 32} Under the plain error analysis that is applicable here, Bonner is required to

demonstrate “a reasonable probability that the error resulted in prejudice.” (Emphasis

sic.) State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, ¶ 22.

Therefore, Bonner would have to show “that the probability of a different result is

‘sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome’ of the proceeding.” United States v.

16.
Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74, 83, 124 S.Ct. 2333, 159 L.Ed.2d 157 (2004), quoting

Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).

{¶ 33} Given the fact that Bonner opened the door to his prior conviction, the

mere fact of the conviction and the identification of the crime as felonious assault was

admissible. Moreover, the state’s questioning regarding the details of the incident was

permissible given the fact that Bonner provided some of those details in response to

defense counsel’s questions on direct examination. However, the statements made by the

state concerning Bonner’s propensity toward violence, and the questions posed to Bonner

to elicit such a conclusion, were inadmissible.

{¶ 34} The record includes evidence of several witnesses who reported being

informed by A.J. that Bonner had hit her, as well as body camera footage where A.J.

states, “he hit me * * * Alonzo.” Although Bonner claims that he merely pushed A.J.,

A.J.’s condition immediately following the incident and the medical records establish that

she suffered injuries that exceeded those she would be expected to suffer had she simply

been pushed by Bonner. In light of this inculpatory evidence, we find that Bonner has

not demonstrated a reasonable probability that the aforementioned errors altered the

outcome of the proceedings. Thus, he has failed to establish plain error.

{¶ 35} Accordingly, we find Bonner’s first and second assignments of error not

well-taken.

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 B. Hostile Witness Under Evid.R. 607

{¶ 36} In his fifth assignment of error, Bonner argues that it was improper for the

court to impeach A.J. as a hostile witness, after she testified that she could not recall who

hit her on the night of the incident.

{¶ 37} The admission or exclusion of relevant evidence rests within the sound

discretion of the trial court. State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173, 180, 510 N.E.2d 343, 348

(1987). A new trial will only be given if there was an abuse of discretion. An abuse of

discretion connotes that the trial court’s attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or

unconscionable. Leo v. Burge Wrecking, LLC, 2017-Ohio-2690, 89 N.E.3d 1268, ¶ 9

(6th Dist.).

{¶ 38} “The credibility of a witness may be attacked by any party except that the

credibility of a witness may be attacked by the party calling the witness by means of a

prior inconsistent statement only upon a showing of surprise and affirmative damage.”

Evid.R. 607. A questioner must have a reasonable basis for asking any question

pertaining to impeachment that implies the existence of an impeaching fact. Id.

This court has long adhered to the principle that “when taken by

surprise by the adverse testimony of its own witness, * * * the state may

interrogate such witness concerning his prior inconsistent * * * statement

* * * for the purpose of refreshing the recollection of the witness, but not

for the purpose of offering substantive evidence against the accused.” State

18.
 v. Dick, 27 Ohio St.2d 162, 165, 271 N.E.2d 797, 799 (1971), quoting State

v. Duffy, 134 Ohio St. 16, 17, 15 N.E.2d 535 (1938).

{¶ 39} Along these lines, the staff notes to Evid.R. 607 state, in relevant part:

Rule 607 abolishes the general principle, preserving the “voucher

rule” in those limited cases in which impeachment by the party calling the

witness is predicated upon a prior inconsistent statement unless surprise and

affirmative damage can be shown. Otherwise, the party would be entitled to

call a known adverse witness simply for the purpose of getting a prior

inconsistent statement into evidence by way of impeachment, thus doing

indirectly what he could not have done directly.

Requiring a showing of affirmative damage is intended to eliminate

an “I don’t remember” answer or a neutral answer by the witness as a basis

for impeachment by a prior inconsistent statement.

Id.

{¶ 40} A party can show surprise if it can be shown “the testimony is materially

inconsistent with the prior written or oral statements and counsel did not have reason to

believe that the witness would recant when called to testify.” State v. Holmes, 30 Ohio

St.3d 20, 23, 506 N.E.2d 204, 207 (1987). “‘Affirmative damage’ exists when a

witness’s trial testimony contradicts, denies, or harms the case of the party who called

that witness; it does not exist when a witness denies knowledge or fails to remember.”

State v. Johnson, 2d Dist. No. 26055, 2015-Ohio-5491, 55 N.E.3d 648, ¶ 33.

19.
 {¶ 41} To justify treating a witness as hostile for the purpose of impeaching with

prior inconsistent statements, the court must find a witness’s testimony affirmatively

damaged the case of the counsel directing them. Here, the state claims to have been

surprised and affirmatively damaged when A.J. claimed to be unsure of the identity of her

assailant. As the notes to Evid.R. 607 clearly explain, this rule is not intended for the

type of circumstance where someone simply claims that they cannot remember.

Moreover, A.J.’s reluctant identification of Bonner at the parole hearing put the state on

notice that she may be unwilling to identify Bonner at trial. Since the state has not shown

that it was affirmatively damaged or surprised by A.J.’s answers, we find that it was

improper for the state to impeach A.J. as a hostile witness.

{¶ 42} Having decided that the trial court erred in allowing A.J. to be treated as a

hostile witness under Evid.R. 607, we must now look at the error to determine if it was

harmless.

{¶ 43} Crim.R. 52(B) defines harmless error and provides, “Any error, defect,

irregularity, or variance which does not affect substantial rights shall be disregarded.”

During a harmless error inquiry, the state has the burden of proving that the error did not

affect the substantial rights of the defendant. State v. Morris, 141 Ohio St.3d 399, 2014-

Ohio-5052, 24 N.E.3d 1153, ¶ 23. “The term ‘substantial rights’ has been interpreted to

require that the error must have been prejudicial.” Id. at ¶ 23. Both the error’s impact on

the verdict and the weight of the remaining evidence must be considered on appellate

review. Id. In determining “whether a new trial is required or the error is harmless

20.
beyond a reasonable doubt, the court must excise the improper evidence from the record

and then look to the remaining evidence.” Id. at ¶ 29.

{¶ 44} Upon consideration, we find that the erroneously admitted evidence had

little impact on the verdict in light of the remaining admissible evidence on the issue of

A.J.’s identification of Bonner as her assailant. At trial, the state introduced body camera

footage that included A.J.’s identification of Bonner to Officer St. Clair immediately

following the incident. Burrer and Nixon each testified that A.J. identified Bonner as her

assailant, and Nixon reflected A.J.’s identification in his police report following the

incident. Further, A.J. had previously identified Bonner as her assailant during Bonner’s

previous parole hearing.

{¶ 45} Given the foregoing evidence pertaining to A.J.’s identification of Bonner

as her assailant, we find beyond a reasonable doubt that the outcome was not affected by

A.J.’s treatment as a hostile witness. Thus, the trial court’s error under Evid.R. 607 was

harmless, and Bonner’s fifth assignment of error is not well-taken.

C. Jury Instructions

{¶ 46} In his third assignment of error, Bonner argues that the trial court

improperly failed to include a jury instruction for defense of others.

[I]t is prejudicial error in a criminal case to refuse to administer a

requested charge which is pertinent to the case, states the law correctly, and

is not covered by the general charge. State v. Nelson, 36 Ohio St.2d 79,

303 N.E.2d 865 (1973). However, the court need not administer the

21.
 requested order in the exact language presented. Id. at 84. Further, the

court may refuse to give an instruction as to a matter which is not

applicable to the facts governing the case. Romeo v. State, 39 Ohio App.

309, 177 N.E. 483 (5th Dist.1931). State v. Scott, 26 Ohio St.3d 92, 101,

497 N.E.2d 55, 63 (1986).

{¶ 47} We review a trial court’s refusal to give a requested jury instruction for an

abuse of discretion. State v. Wolons, 44 Ohio St.3d 64, 68, 541 N.E.2d 443 (1989).

{¶ 48} “To establish a claim of self-defense, a defendant must show that (1) he

was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to the event, (2) he had a bona fide

belief that he was in imminent danger of bodily harm, and (3) he did not violate any duty

to retreat or avoid the danger.” State v. Belanger, 190 Ohio App.3d 377, 2010-Ohio-

5407, 941 N.E.2d 1265, ¶ 4 (3d Dist.).

{¶ 49} Here, Bonner supported his theory of defense of others by referencing

C.L.’s assault of S.B. Bonner fails to articulate, and the record fails to support, any

indication that S.B. was in threat of harm at the hands of A.J. Thus, the trial court did not

abuse its discretion in refusing to instruct the jury on the affirmative defense of defense

of others.

{¶ 50} Accordingly, Bonner’s third assignment of error is not well-taken.

22.
 D. Seriousness and Recidivism Factors Under R.C. 2929.12

{¶ 51} In his fourth assignment of error, Bonner argues that the court erred at

sentencing by failing to consider the seriousness and recidivism factors under R.C.

2929.12.

R.C. 2929.12 is a guidance statute. It sets forth the seriousness and

recidivism criteria that a trial court “shall consider” in fashioning a felony

sentence. * * * While the phrase “shall consider” is used throughout R.C.

2929.12, the sentencing court is not obligated to give a detailed explanation

of how it algebraically applied each seriousness and recidivism factor to the

offender. Indeed, no specific recitation is required. State v. Arnett (2000),

88 Ohio St.3d 208, 215, 724 N.E.2d 793. Merely stating that the court

considered the statutory factors is enough. Id. State v. Brimacombe, 195

Ohio App.3d 524, 2011-Ohio-5032, 960 N.E.2d 1042, ¶ 11 (6th Dist.).

{¶ 52} During sentencing, the trial court stated the following with respect to its

consideration of the seriousness and recidivism factors under R.C. 2929.12:

First off, under 2929.11, the law says the Court - what’s the purposes

and principles of sentencing? What’s the Court supposed to do? It’s

supposed to punish you for your behavior and protect society from future

crimes by you, and in doing that, the Court has to look under factors under

2929.12 that deal with less serious versus more serious, less recidivism

23.
 versus more recidivism, and in looking at the recidivism factor, the Court

has to look at your past record.

Further, the court stated in its sentencing entry that it had “considered, weighed, and

made findings of the sentencing factors for * * * the imposition of a Prison/Jail term

(O.R.C. 2929.12 / 2929.13 / 2929.22 et. seq.). This Court finds Defendant is not

amenable to Community Control Sanctions which is consistent with the applicable

statutes.”

{¶ 53} Bonner argues that because he received a maximum sentence, the factors

must not have been properly considered. Bonner does not dispute that the record clearly

demonstrates that the trial court actually considered the factors. As we noted in

Brimacombe, the court must only show that it considered the factors in order to comply

with R.C. 2929.12. Therefore, we find no merit to Bonner’s arguments.

{¶ 54} Accordingly, Bonner’s fourth assignment of error is not well-taken.

E. Jail-time Credit

{¶ 55} In his sixth assignment of error, Bonner argues that the trial court erred in

its calculation of jail-time credit. Specifically, Bonner contends that he was entitled to

355 days of credit rather than the 93 days he received.

R.C. 2967.191 requires the department of rehabilitation and

correction to “reduce the stated prison term of a prisoner * * * by the total

number of days that the prisoner was confined for any reason arising out of

the offense for which the prisoner was convicted and sentenced, including

24.
 confinement in lieu of bail while awaiting trial * * *.” While it is the

department’s duty to credit a prisoner for his pretrial confinement, it is the

trial court that calculates the number of days the offender served prior to

being sentenced. State v. Whitaker, 4th Dist. Ross No. 02CA2691, 2003-

Ohio-3231, ¶ 4.

{¶ 56} Here, the trial court’s calculation of Bonner’s jail-time credit was based

upon the fact that Bonner was in prison on a parole violation all but 93 days prior to trial.

Since these days did not “arise out of the offense for which the prisoner was convicted”

under R.C. 2967.191, the trial court did not err in excluding them when calculating

Bonner’s jail-time credit.

{¶ 57} Accordingly, Bonner’s sixth assignment of error is not well-taken.

F. Manifest Weight of the Evidence

{¶ 58} In his seventh assignment of error, Bonner asserts that the jury’s verdict

was against the manifest weight of evidence.

{¶ 59} In a manifest weight challenge, we must determine whether the greater

amount of credible evidence supports the conviction. Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d

328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 12. This court sits as if the “thirteenth juror”

and must review the record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences drawn from

it, consider the witnesses’ credibility and decide, in resolving any conflicts in the

evidence, whether the trier-of-fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest

miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered. See

25.
State v. Leech, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-13-1156, 2015-Ohio-76, ¶ 32, citing State v.

Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983).

{¶ 60} As to Bonner’s conviction for felonious assault, R.C. 2903.11 provides:

(A) No person shall knowingly do either of the following:

(1) Cause serious physical harm to another * * *.

{¶ 61} As discussed above, the record contains several instances in which A.J.

identified Bonner as the individual who attacked her. Further, while Bonner

acknowledged pushing A.J., the serious physical harm suffered by A.J. is not consistent

with a mere push or shove. Rather, A.J.’s injuries, which were well-documented at trial,

are the result of a strike meant to cause serious physical harm. Given the evidence

demonstrating that Bonner struck A.J. in the face causing her serious physical harm, we

find that the jury did not lose its way in finding Bonner guilty of felonious assault.

Therefore, the verdict is not against the manifest weight of the evidence, and Bonner’s

seventh assignment of error is not well-taken.

III. Conclusion

{¶ 62} In light of the foregoing, the judgment of the Erie County Court of

Common Pleas is affirmed. Bonner is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to

App.R. 24.

Judgment affirmed.

26.
 State v. Bonner
C.A. No. E-17-043

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.

Mark L. Pietrykowski, J. _______________________________
JUDGE
Arlene Singer, J.
_______________________________
James D. Jensen, J. JUDGE
CONCUR.
_______________________________
JUDGE

This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/.

27.