State v. Cotton

[Cite as State v. Cotton, 2019-Ohio-4710.]

COURT OF APPEALS
RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. John W. Wise, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 2019CA0003
JERMAINE L. COTTON :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Richland County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No.
2018CR0390R

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: November 14, 2019

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

GARY BISHOP JOHN C. O’DONNELL III
Prosecuting Attorney 10 West Newlon Place
By: JOSEPH SNYDER Mansfield, OH 44902
38 South Park Street
Mansfield, OH 44902
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 2

Gwin, P.J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant Jermaine L. Cotton [“Cotton”] appeals his convictions

and sentences after a jury trial in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas.

Facts and Procedural History

{¶2} On January 27, 2018, Officer Mark Boggs was on patrol in Mansfield, Ohio.

Officer Boggs noticed a gray sedan parked in a corner spot towards the rear of 287 Cline

Avenue with someone seated in the driver’s seat. The car was parked closest to

Apartment D at the Chelsea Square Apartments. Officer Boggs turned into the parking

lot of the apartment complex and the vehicle he was observing suddenly left the lot. As

Officer Boggs was beginning to turn around, the vehicle went to a different apartment in

the same complex, parked, and the driver left the vehicle and went into an apartment.

Officer Boggs drove down the street to a parking lot where he could still observe the

Chelsea Square Apartments and began doing paperwork on another case.

{¶3} Officer Boggs was dispatched to a non-emergency call across town. As

Officer Boggs was leaving and driving down Cline Avenue, he saw the same gray sedan

with Cotton and Kelly Adkins standing on the passenger's side and another individual in

the driver's seat. Officer Boggs knew Cotton and Ms. Adkins to have active warrants for

their arrests. As Officer Boggs pulled into the parking lot, he saw Dustin Daniels enter

the apartment complex at 287 Cline Avenue. Officer Boggs pulled back into the Chelsea

Square Apartments parking lot and pulled into a spot parallel to the gray sedan on the

driver's side. Officer Boggs approached the driver's side of the vehicle and started talking

to the driver, whom he identified as James Benjamin. Officer Boggs asked Benjamin if

he had anything illegal on him. Benjamin stated that he did not and was then asked by
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 3

Officer Boggs to step out of the car. Benjamin got out of the car. Officer Boggs asked

for permission to search Benjamin. Benjamin consented to a search of his person by

Officer Boggs.

{¶4} Benjamin faced the driver side door of the car and placed his hands upon

the vehicle. Officer Boggs, while standing behind Benjamin saw Cotton approach the

passenger side door of the car and press his midsection against the door. Officer Boggs

could not see Cotton’s hands because Cotton was keeping his hands down. Cotton

began moving his arms up and down and from Officer Boggs' perspective, it looked like

he was reaching in and out of his pocket. Officer Boggs was concerned that Cotton could

be reaching for a weapon. Officer Boggs told Cotton to stop moving and let him see his

hands. After being asked a second time, Cotton complied and showed his hands. When

Officer Boggs finished searching Benjamin, he told Benjamin to stand by the front of the

car. As Officer Boggs began to walk around the car, Cotton backed away from the

vehicle. Officer Boggs then asked Cotton to come to him. Officer Boggs and Cotton met

at the trunk of the car.

{¶5} Officer Boggs told Cotton to put his hands on the trunk and asked him if he

had any weapons or anything that would hurt the officer on him. Cotton told Officer Boggs

that he had syringes in one of his pockets but did not know which one. Officer Boggs

then asked Cotton if he could search his pockets and Cotton consented. [2ST. at 42;

3JT. at 379].1 Officer Boggs then placed Cotton in handcuffs. [Id.]. Officer Boggs found

four syringes, a bag of crystalline substance, and $891 in the pockets of Cotton. Cotton

1 The Suppression hearing that occurred on January 7, 2019 is contained in Volume 2 of the

transcript beginning at page 28. For clarity, it will be referred to as “2ST.”; the jury trial, which began on
January 7, 2019, begins at Volume 3 of the transcript at page 120. For clarity, the jury trial will be referred
to by Volume and page number as “JT.”
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 4

told Officer Boggs that he had just found the substance that day while he was cleaning.

At trial, Cotton admitted to buying the methamphetamine with the intent to use it. [5JT.

at 590].

{¶6} Sergeant Sara Mosier-Napier arrived and exited her cruiser on the driver’s

side of the gray car. She looked under the car and said, "What is that." Cotton then

declared, "Those aren't my drugs.” Officer Boggs then looked under the car and saw two

large clear bags, containing what appeared to be drugs. The bags were three to five

inches underneath the car. Cotton was placed in the rear of Officer Boggs' cruiser.

{¶7} Additional officers arrived and Adkins was arrested on an outstanding

warrant. Police then entered her apartment and arrested Dustin Daniels on an

outstanding warrant.

{¶8} Inside the bags that were retrieved from underneath the grey car, police

found heroin, cocaine, marijuana and buprenorphine. The drugs were packaged in

smaller bags tied with a large knot at the top. When the bags of drugs were retrieved,

they were found to be dry even though the ground was wet as there had been misting

rain throughout the day.

{¶9} The crystalline substance found in Cotton's pocket tested positive as

methamphetamine weighing 2.8 grams. The two bags of drugs found underneath the

grey car were found to contain cocaine, heroin, cyclopropyl fentanyl, marijuana, and

buprenorphine. Police found a combined total of 20.69 grams of cocaine. Police also

found a combined total of 8.57 grams of heroin, .64 grams of cyclopropyl fentanyl, 3.11

grams of marijuana, and 2.01 grams of buprenorphine.
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 5

{¶10} Cotton testified during the suppression hearing and during his jury trial.

Cotton claimed that he and Adkins were walking toward her car in the parking lot when

they saw Officer Boggs approach. Cotton testified that they were ordered to stop by

Officer Boggs and come back to the grey sedan. Cotton testified that Dustin Daniels got

out of the grey vehicle and ran towards the apartments.

{¶11} Cotton testified that the money in his pockets came from work and a

$500.00 prize from a scratch off lottery ticket. Cotton testified that when Sergeant Mosier-

Napier intimated that the bags of drugs underneath the gray car were probably his, Cotton

responded, “Those aren’t my drugs.”

{¶12} On rebuttal, Officer Boggs testified that he had previously been called to the

Chelsea Square apartment complex because Ms. Adkin's grey SUV had broken down and

was blocking the roadway. Officer Boggs helped get it off the roadway and into a parking

spot at the complex. On January 27, 2019, Officer Boggs saw the SUV to be in the same

location and in the same condition as he had previously witnessed.

{¶13} On May 21, 2018, Cotton was indicted in a thirteen-count indictment in the

Richland County Court of Common Pleas. Count One charged Cotton with Possession

of Cocaine, a felony of the second-degree in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and (C)(4)(d).

Count Two charged Cotton with Trafficking of Cocaine, a felony of the second-degree in

violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)(2) and (C)(4)(e). Count Three charged Cotton with

Possession of Heroin, a felony of the third degree in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and

(C)(6)(c). Count Four charged Cotton with Trafficking of Heroin, a felony of the third

degree in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2) and (C)(6)(d). Count Five charged Cotton with

Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a felony of the fifth degree in violation of R.C.
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 6

2925.11(A) and (C)(1)(a). Count Six charged Cotton with Aggravated Trafficking in

Drugs, a felony of the fourth degree in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2) and (C)(1)(a).

Count Seven charged Cotton with Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a felony of the fifth-

degree in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and (C)(1)(a). Count Eight charged Cotton with

Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, a felony of the fourth-degree in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(2) and (C)(1)(a). Count Nine charged Cotton with Possession of Drugs, a

felony of the fifth-degree in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and (C)(2)(a). Count Ten charged

Cotton with Trafficking in Drugs, a felony of the fifth-degree in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(2) and (C)(2)(a). The trial court granted Cotton’s motion to dismiss Count

Eleven and Count Twelve prior to the end of trial. Count Thirteen charged Cotton with

Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R. C. 2921.12(A)(1).

{¶14} Cotton filed a motion to suppress that was heard on January 7, 2019.

The trial court overruled the motion by Judgment Entry filed January 8, 2019 [Docket

Number 74].

{¶15} The jury found Cotton guilty of Counts One through Ten and Count

Thirteen. The trial court sentenced Cotton to a total of fourteen years and nine months.

Assignments of Error

{¶16} Cotton raises four Assignments of Error,

{¶17} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING

DEFENDANT/APPELLANT'S MOTION TO SUPPRESS.

{¶18} “II. THE JURY VERDICT OF POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

OTHER THAN THE METHAMPHETAMINES FOUND ON HIS PERSON WAS AGAINST

THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 7

{¶19} “III. THE DEFENDANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF

COUNSEL IN VIOLATION OF THE FIFTH AND SIXTH AMENDMENTS TO THE

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. THE COURT COMMITTED PLAIN ERROR

ALLOWING THE ARRESTING OFFICER TO FIVE [SIC] HIS OPINION DRUG

TRAFFICKING.

{¶20} “IV. THE VERDICT OF TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE WAS AGAINST

THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.”

I.

{¶21} In his First Assignment of Error, Cotton contends that the trial court erred by

overruling his motion to suppress. Specifically, Cotton contends that Officer Boggs did not have

a reasonable, articulable suspicion that Cotton was armed. Therefore, Cotton argues the pat-

down search of his person was illegal. [Appellant’s Brief at 5].

STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.

{¶22} Appellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed question of law

and fact. State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 154-155, 2003-Ohio-5372, 797 N.E.2d

71, ¶ 8. When ruling on a motion to suppress, the trial court assumes the role of trier of

fact and is in the best position to resolve questions of fact and to evaluate witness

credibility. See State v. Dunlap, 73 Ohio St.3d 308,314, 1995-Ohio-243, 652 N.E.2d 988;

State v. Fanning, 1 Ohio St.3d 19, 20, 437 N.E.2d 583 (1982). Accordingly, a reviewing

court must defer to the trial court's factual findings if competent, credible evidence exists

to support those findings. See Burnside, supra; Dunlap, supra; State v. Long, 127 Ohio

App.3d 328, 332, 713 N.E.2d 1(4th Dist. 1998); State v. Medcalf, 111 Ohio App.3d 142,

675 N.E.2d 1268 (4th Dist. 1996). However, once this Court has accepted those facts as
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 8

true, it must independently determine as a matter of law whether the trial court met the

applicable legal standard. See Burnside, supra, citing State v. McNamara, 124 Ohio

App.3d 706, 707 N.E.2d 539(4th Dist. 1997); See, generally, United States v. Arvizu, 534

U.S. 266, 122 S.Ct. 744, 151 L.Ed.2d 740(2002); Ornelas v. United States, 517 U.S. 690,

116 S.Ct. 1657, 134 L.Ed.2d 911(1996). That is, the application of the law to the trial

court's findings of fact is subject to a de novo standard of review Ornelas, supra.

Moreover, due weight should be given “to inferences drawn from those facts by resident

judges and local law enforcement officers.” Ornelas, supra at 698, 116 S.Ct. at 1663.

ISSUE FOR APPEAL.

Whether the officer’s search of Cotton’s pockets was constitutionally permissible.

{¶23} Officer Boggs testified at the suppression hearing that he recognized Cotton

and knew that he had a felony arrest warrant out of Richland County. [2ST. at 59]. Officer

Boggs testified that he feared for his safety because he could not see Cotton’s hands

while Cotton was next to the passenger door of the grey car. [2ST. at 69]. Officer Boggs

further testified that he asked Cotton if he had any weapons or anything that would hurt

the officer on him. Cotton told Officer Boggs that he had syringes in one of his pockets

but did not know which one. Officer Boggs then asked Cotton if he could search his

pockets and Cotton consented. [2ST. at 42; 3JT. at 379]. Officer Boggs then placed

Cotton in handcuffs. [Id.]. Cotton testified at the suppression hearing that he did not

recall whether Officer Boggs asked if he could search Cotton’s pockets. [2ST. at 88].

{¶24} No Fourth Amendment violation occurs when an individual voluntarily

consents to a search. See United States v. Drayton, 536 U.S. 194, 207, 122 S.Ct. 2105,

153 L.Ed.2d 242(2002) (stating that "[p]olice officers act in full accord with the law when
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 9

they ask citizens for consent"); Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 219, 93 S.Ct.

2041, 36 L.Ed.2d 854(1973) ("[A] search conducted pursuant to a valid consent is

constitutionally permissible"); State v. Comen, 50 Ohio St.3d 206, 211, 553 N.E.2d

640(1990). In Schneckloth, the United States Supreme Court acknowledged the

importance of consent searches in police investigations, noting that "a valid consent may

be the only means of obtaining important and reliable evidence" to apprehend a criminal.

Id. at 227-228. See, State v. Fry, 4th Dist. Jackson No. 03CA26, 2004-Ohio-5747 at ¶18.

The United States Supreme Court further noted: “[w]hile most citizens will respond to a

police request, the fact that people do so, and do so without being told they are free not

to respond, hardly eliminates the consensual nature of the response.” INS v. Delgado,

466 U.S. 210, 216, 104 S.Ct. 1758, 80 L.Ed.2d 247(1984); Drayton, supra, 536 U.S. at

205, 122 S.Ct. at 2113. Moreover, a voluntary consent need not amount to a waiver;

consent can be voluntary without being an "intentional relinquishment or abandonment of

a known right or privilege.” Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 235, 93 S.Ct. 2041,

36 L.Ed.2d 854(1983) (quoting Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464, 58 S.Ct. 1019, 82

L.Ed. 1461(1938)); State v. Barnes, 25 Ohio St.3d 203, 495 N.E.2d 922(1986); State v.

McConnell, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2002CA00048, 2002-Ohio-5300 at ¶8. Rather, the proper

test is whether the totality of the circumstances demonstrates that the consent was

voluntary. Id. Further, “[v]oluntary consent, determined under the totality of the

circumstances, may validate an otherwise illegal detention and search.” State v.

Robinette, 80 Ohio St.3d 234, 241, 685 N.E.2d 762(1997). The voluntariness of a consent

to a search is a question of fact and will not be reversed on appeal unless clearly

erroneous. State v. Clelland, 83 Ohio App.3d 474, 615 N.E.2d 276(4th Dist. 1992).
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 10

{¶25} In State v. Mills, 62 Ohio St.3d 357, 582 N.E.2d 972 (1992), the Ohio

Supreme Court noted that the evaluation of evidence and the credibility of the witnesses

are issues for the trier of fact in the hearing on the motion to suppress. Id. at 366, 582

N.E.2d at 981-982. The court of appeals is bound to accept factual determinations of the

trial court made during the suppression hearing so long as they are supported by

competent and credible evidence. An appellate court's role in reviewing a trial court's

ruling on a motion to suppress is not to reevaluate the evidence or the credibility of the

witnesses, State v. Mills, 62 Ohio St.3d 357, 366, 582 N.E.2d 972, 981-82(1992), but to

determine whether the trial court's application of the law to the facts, as the trial court

found them to be, is appropriate. State v. Williams, 86 Ohio App.3d 37, 41, 619 N.E.2d

1141(4th Dist. 1993), overruled on other grounds as stated in Village of McComb v.

Andrews, 3rd Dist. Hancock No. 5-99-41,2000 WL 296078 (Mar. 22, 2000). Cotton cites

to no evidence in the record to support his assertion that Officer Boggs handcuffed him

before asking permission to search him or that no consent was given before the search.

[Appellant’s Brief at 5].Cotton cites to page 42 of the testimony of Officer Boggs during

the suppression hearing. However, the following exchange occurred during the hearing,

A. At this time, I placed him in handcuffs. I told him I was just

detaining him as I attempted to find the syringes.

Q. Okay. Did you ask him if you were able to search his pockets?

A. Yes.

Q. What was his response?

A. Yes.
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 11

Q. And do you recall if you placed him in handcuffs after you asked

him if you could search his pockets or before?

A. It was after.

2ST. at 42.

{¶26} Under the totality of the circumstances, we find the trial court’s decision that

Cotton consented to the search of his pockets is supported by competent, credible

evidence in the form of Officer Boggs’s testimony. Cotton’s testimony that he did not

remember if he gave Officer Boggs permission to search him is insufficient to discredit

the trial court’s reliance upon Officer Boggs’s testimony.

{¶27} Cotton’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.

II. & IV.

{¶28} In his Second Assignment of Error, Cotton argues that jury’s verdict finding

him guilty of possessing the drugs that were found underneath the grey car is against the

manifest weight of the evidence2.

{¶29} In his Fourth Assignment of Error, Cotton argues that his conviction for

tampering with evidence is against the manifest weight of the evidence.

STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.

{¶30} Sufficiency of the Evidence.

{¶31} The Sixth Amendment provides: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused

shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury....” This right, in

conjunction with the Due Process Clause, requires that each of the material elements of

2 Although Cotton’s Second and Fourth Assignments of Error are phrased in terms of “manifest

weight,” he also seems to argue a lack of evidence, thereby raising a sufficiency of the evidence claim.
[Appellant’s Brief at 6; 9].
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 12

a crime be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Alleyne v. United States, 570

U.S. 99, 133 S.Ct. 2151, 2156, 186 L.Ed.2d 314 (2013); Hurst v. Florida, 136 S.Ct. 616,

621, 193 L.Ed.2d 504 (2016). The test for the sufficiency of the evidence involves a

question of law for resolution by the appellate court. State v. Walker, 150 Ohio St.3d 409,

2016-Ohio-8295, 82 N.E.3d 1124, ¶30. “This naturally entails a review of the elements

of the charged offense and a review of the state's evidence.” State v. Richardson, 150

Ohio St.3d 554, 2016-Ohio-8448, 84 N.E.3d 993, ¶13.

{¶32} When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court does not

ask whether the evidence should be believed. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574

N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus; Walker, ¶30. “The relevant inquiry is

whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any

rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond

a reasonable doubt.” Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus. State v. Poutney, 153 Ohio

St.3d 474, 2018-Ohio-22, 97 N.E.3d 478, ¶19. Thus, “on review for evidentiary sufficiency

we do not second-guess the jury's credibility determinations; rather, we ask whether, ‘if

believed, [the evidence] would convince the average mind of the defendant's guilt beyond

a reasonable doubt.’” State v. Murphy, 91 Ohio St.3d 516, 543, 747 N.E.2d 765 (2001),

quoting Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus (emphasis added); Walker at ¶31. We

will not “disturb a verdict on appeal on sufficiency grounds unless ‘reasonable minds could

not reach the conclusion reached by the trier-of-fact.’” State v. Ketterer, 111 Ohio St.3d

70, 2006-Ohio-5283, 855 N.E.2d 48, ¶ 94, quoting State v. Dennis, 79 Ohio St.3d 421,

430, 683 N.E.2d 1096 (1997); State v. Montgomery, 148 Ohio St.3d 347, 2016-Ohio-

5487, 71 N.E.3d 180, ¶74.
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 13

ISSUE FOR APPEAL

A. Whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the

prosecution, the evidence, “if believed, would convince the average mind of the

defendant's guilt on each element of the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.”

1. Possession of drugs found underneath the grey car.

{¶33} Cotton argues that both he and Adkins were standing in a position to have

placed the drugs underneath the grey car when Officer Boggs pulled up to investigate.

[Appellant’s Brief at 6]. He further contends that there was no testimony that anyone saw

him with the drugs. [Id.].

{¶34} R.C. 2925.01(K) defines possession as follows: “ ‘Possess' or ‘possession’

means having control over a thing or substance, but may not be inferred solely from mere

access to the thing or substance through ownership or occupation of the premises upon

which the thing or substance is found.” R.C. 2901.21 provides the requirements for

criminal liability and provides that possession is a “voluntary act if the possessor

knowingly procured or received the thing possessed, or was aware of the possessor's

control of the thing possessed for sufficient time to have ended possession.” R.C.

2901.21(D) (1).

{¶35} Possession may be actual or constructive. State v. Butler, 42 Ohio St.3d

174, 176, 538 N.E.2d 98(1989). To establish constructive possession, the evidence must

prove that the defendant was able to exercise dominion and control over the contraband.

State v. Wolery, 46 Ohio St.2d 316, 332, 348 N.E.2d 351(1976). Dominion and control

may be proven by circumstantial evidence alone. State v. Trembly, 137 Ohio App.3d 134,

738 N.E.2d 93 (8th Dist. 2000). Circumstantial evidence that the defendant was located
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 14

in very close proximity to the contraband may show constructive possession. State v.

Butler, supra; State v. Morales, 5th Dist. Licking No.2004 CA 68, 2005-Ohio-4714, ¶ 50.

Ownership of the contraband need not be established in order to find constructive

possession. State v. Smith, 9th Dist. Summit No. 20885, 2002-Ohio-3034, ¶13.

Furthermore, possession may be individual or joint. Wolery, 46 Ohio St.2d at 332, 348

N.E.2d 351. Multiple individuals may constructively possess a particular item

simultaneously. State v. Pitts, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 99 CA 2675, 2000-Ohio-1986. The

Supreme Court has held that knowledge of illegal goods on one's property is sufficient to

show constructive possession. State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 91, 434 N.E.2d

1362, 1365(1982), certiorari denied (1982), 459 U.S. 870, 103 S.Ct. 155, 74 L.Ed.2d 130.

{¶36} If the state relies on circumstantial evidence to prove an essential element

of an offense, it is not necessary for “‘such evidence to be irreconcilable with any

reasonable theory of innocence in order to support a conviction.’” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio

St. 3d 259, 272, 574 N.E. 2d 492(1991) at paragraph one of the syllabus. “‘Circumstantial

evidence and direct evidence inherently possess the same probative value [.]’” Jenks, 61

Ohio St.3d at paragraph one of the syllabus. Furthermore, “‘[s]ince circumstantial

evidence and direct evidence are indistinguishable so far as the jury's fact-finding function

is concerned, all that is required of the jury is that i[t] weigh all of the evidence, direct and

circumstantial, against the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.’” Jenks, 61

Ohio St. 3d at 272, 574 N.E. 2d 492.

{¶37} In Ulster County Court v. Allen, 442 U.S. 140, 99 S.Ct. 2213, 60 L.Ed.2d

777(1979), the United States Supreme Court upheld a statute which provided that the

presence in an automobile, other than a public one, of a firearm “is presumptive evidence
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 15

of its possession by all persons occupying such automobile at the time except (a) where

the firearm is found upon the person of an occupant, (b) where the automobile is being

operated for hire by a licensed operator or (c) if the weapon is a handgun and one of the

occupants, not present under duress, has a license to have a handgun.” Id. at 442 U.S.

142-143, 99 S.Ct. 2217. The Court noted that the presumption was not a mandatory;

rather it was a permissive inference available only in certain circumstances. Further, the

jury could ignore the presumption even if there was no affirmative proof offered in rebuttal

by the accused. Id. at 160-162, 99 S.Ct. at 2226-2227. Finally, the trial judge in Allen

explained, “that possession could be actual or constructive, but that constructive

possession could not exist without the intent and ability to exercise control or dominion

over the weapons.” Id. at 161, 99 S.Ct. at 2226.

{¶38} A review of the record in this case viewing the totality of the circumstances

we find that the evidence supports a finding that Cotton possessed the drugs found

underneath the grey car.

{¶39} Officer Boggs testified that as he was conducting the pat down of the driver

of the grey car, he could see Cotton press up against the car. Officer Boggs saw Cotton’s

arms moving up and down; however, he was unable to see Cotton’s hands. When

Sargent Moiser-Napier looked underneath the car, Cotton decaled, “Those aren’t my

drugs.”

{¶40} Viewing the evidence in the case at bar in a light most favorable to the

prosecution, we conclude that a reasonable person could have found beyond a

reasonable doubt that Cotton had exercised dominion and control over the drugs that the

officers found underneath the grey car.
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 16

{¶41} We hold, therefore, that the state met its burden of production regarding

each element of the crime of possession and, accordingly, there was sufficient evidence

to submit the charges to the jury and to support Cotton’s convictions.

2. Tampering with Evidence by placing the drugs underneath the gray car.

{¶42} Cotton was also convicted of tampering with evidence, in violation of R.C.

2921.12(A)(1), which provides:

No person, knowing that an official proceeding or investigation is in

progress, or is about to be or likely to be instituted, shall do any of the

following:

(1) Alter, destroy, conceal, or remove any record, document, or thing,

with purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence in such

proceeding or investigation.

{¶43} “There are three elements of this offense: (1) the knowledge of an official

proceeding or investigation in progress or likely to be instituted, (2) the alteration,

destruction, concealment, or removal of the potential evidence, (3) the purpose of

impairing the potential evidence’s availability or value in such proceeding or

investigation.” State v. Straley, 139 Ohio St.3d 339, 2014–Ohio–2139, 11 N.E.3d 1175,

¶11. A conviction for tampering with evidence pursuant to R.C. 2921.12(A)(1) requires

proof that the defendant intended to impair the value or availability of evidence that related

to an existing or likely official investigation or proceeding. Likelihood is measured at the

time of the act of alleged tampering. Straley, ¶19.

{¶44} Under the totality of the circumstances, the state presented evidence that

Cotton placed the drugs underneath the grey car as Officer Boggs was patting down the
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 17

driver of the car. As previously noted, Officer Boggs saw Cotton’s arms moving up and

down; however, he was unable to see Cotton’s hands. When Sargent Moiser-Napier

looked underneath the car, Cotton declared, “Those aren’t my drugs.”

{¶45} Thus, evidence was presented that the drugs were concealed at a time

when law enforcement was investigating the activities in the parking lot involving the grey

car.

{¶46} Viewing the evidence in the case at bar in a light most favorable to the

prosecution, we conclude that a reasonable person could have found beyond a

reasonable doubt that Cotton placed the drugs underneath the grey car in an effort to

impede the investigation.

{¶47} We hold, therefore, that the state met its burden of production regarding

each element of the crime of tampering with evidence and, accordingly, there was

sufficient evidence to submit the charge to the jury and to support Cotton’s conviction.

Manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶48} As to the weight of the evidence, the issue is whether the jury created a

manifest miscarriage of justice in resolving conflicting evidence, even though the

evidence of guilt was legally sufficient. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386–387,

678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), superseded by constitutional amendment on other grounds as

stated by State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 684 N.E.2d 668, 1997–Ohio–355; State v.

Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67, 752 N.E.2d 904 (2001).

“[I]n determining whether the judgment below is manifestly against

the weight of the evidence, every reasonable intendment and every
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 18

reasonable presumption must be made in favor of the judgment and the

finding of facts.

***

“If the evidence is susceptible of more than one construction, the

reviewing court is bound to give it that interpretation which is consistent with

the verdict and judgment, most favorable to sustaining the verdict and

judgment.”

Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984), fn.

3, quoting 5 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Appellate Review, Section 60, at 191–192 (1978).

{¶49} The reviewing court must bear in mind, however, that credibility generally is

an issue for the trier of fact to resolve. State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67, 752 N.E.2d

904 (2001); State v. Murphy, 4th Dist. Ross No. 07CA2953, 2008–Ohio–1744, ¶ 31.

Because the trier of fact sees and hears the witnesses and is particularly competent to

decide whether, and to what extent, to credit the testimony of particular witnesses, the

appellate court must afford substantial deference to its determinations of credibility.

Barberton v. Jenney, 126 Ohio St.3d 5, 2010–Ohio–2420, 929 N.E.2d 1047, ¶ 20. In

other words, “[w]hen there exist two fairly reasonable views of the evidence or two

conflicting versions of events, neither of which is unbelievable, it is not our province to

choose which one we believe.” State v. Dyke, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 99 CA 149, 2002–

Ohio–1152, at ¶ 13, citing State v. Gore, 131 Ohio App.3d 197, 201, 722 N.E.2d 125(7th

Dist. 1999). Thus, an appellate court will leave the issues of weight and credibility of the

evidence to the fact finder, as long as a rational basis exists in the record for its decision.

State v. Picklesimer, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 11CA9, 2012–Ohio–1282, ¶ 24.
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 19

{¶50} Once the reviewing court finishes its examination, an appellate court may

not merely substitute its view for that of the jury, but must find that “ ‘the jury clearly lost

its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be

reversed and a new trial ordered.’” State v. Thompkins, supra, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387,

quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717, 720–721(1st Dist.

1983). Accordingly, reversal on manifest weight grounds is reserved for “the exceptional

case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.” Id.

ISSUE FOR APPEAL.

B. Whether the jury court clearly lost their way and created such a manifest

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

{¶51} The jury as the trier of fact was free to accept or reject any and all of the

evidence offered by the parties and assess the witness’s credibility. “While the trier of

fact may take note of the inconsistencies and resolve or discount them accordingly * * *

such inconsistencies do not render defendant’s conviction against the manifest weight or

sufficiency of the evidence.” State v. Craig, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 99AP–739, 1999 WL

29752 (Mar 23, 2000) citing State v. Nivens, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 95APA09–1236, 1996

WL 284714 (May 28, 1996). Indeed, the trier of fact need not believe all of a witness’

testimony, but may accept only portions of it as true. State v. Raver, 10th Dist. Franklin

No. 02AP–604, 2003–Ohio–958, ¶ 21, citing State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67, 197

N.E.2d 548 (1964); State v. Burke, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 02AP–1238, 2003–Ohio–2889,

citing State v. Caldwell, 79 Ohio App.3d 667, 607 N.E.2d 1096 (4th Dist. 1992). Although

the evidence may have been circumstantial, we note that circumstantial evidence has the

same probative value as direct evidence. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 272, 574
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 20

N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph one of the syllabus, superseded by State constitutional

amendment on other grounds as stated in State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 102 at n.4,

684 N.E.2d 668 (1997).

{¶52} In the case at bar, the jury heard the witnesses, viewed the evidence and

heard both Officer Boggs and Cotton subject to cross-examination. The jury further heard

Cotton’s arguments and explanations about his actions. Thus, a rational basis exists in

the record for the jury’s decision.

{¶53} We find that this is not an “‘exceptional case in which the evidence weighs

heavily against the conviction.’” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386–387, 678

N.E.2d 541 (1997), quoting Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d at 175, 485 N.E.2d 717. Based upon

the foregoing and the entire record in this matter we find Cotton’s conviction is not against

the sufficiency or the manifest weight of the evidence. To the contrary, the jury appears

to have fairly and impartially decided the matters before them. The jury heard the

witnesses, evaluated the evidence, and was convinced of Cotton’s guilt. The jury neither

lost his way nor created a miscarriage of justice in convicting Cotton of possession of

drugs and tampering with evidence for the drugs found underneath the grey car.

{¶54} Finally, upon careful consideration of the record in its entirety, we find that

there is substantial evidence presented which if believed, proves all the elements of the

crimes for which Cotton was convicted.

{¶55} Cotton’s Second and Fourth Assignments of Error are overruled.

III.

{¶56} In his Third Assignment of Error, Cotton maintains that he received

ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Specifically, Cotton contends that he was
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 21

prejudiced by his attorney’s failure to object to Officer Boggs “testifying as an expert in

drug trafficking.” [Appellant’s Brief at 8-9].

STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.

{¶57} To obtain a reversal of a conviction based on ineffective assistance of

counsel, the defendant must prove (1) that counsel's performance fell below an objective

standard of reasonableness, and (2) that counsel's deficient performance prejudiced the

defendant resulting in an unreliable or fundamentally unfair outcome of the proceeding.

Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687–688, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2064, 80 L.Ed.2d 674,

693(1984). A defendant's failure to satisfy one prong of the Strickland test negates a

court's need to consider the other. Strickland at 697, 104 S.Ct. at 2069, 80 L.Ed.2d at

699; State v. Madrigal, 87 Ohio St.3d 378, 2000-Ohio-448, 721 N.E.2d 52 (2000).

{¶58} In light of “the variety of circumstances faced by defense counsel [and] the

range of legitimate decisions regarding how best to represent a criminal defendant,” the

performance inquiry necessarily turns on “whether counsel’s assistance was reasonable

considering all the circumstances.” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 at 689,104

S.Ct. at 2064. At all points, “[j]udicial scrutiny of counsel’s performance must be highly

deferential.” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 at 689,104 S.Ct. at 2064.

{¶59} We note that any error will be deemed harmless if it did not affect the

accused's “substantial rights.” Before constitutional error can be considered harmless,

we must be able to “declare a belief that it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.”

United States v. Chapman, 386 U.S. 18, 24, 87 S.Ct. 824, 17 L.Ed.2d 705(1967). Where

there is no reasonable possibility that unlawful testimony contributed to a conviction, the

error is harmless and therefore will not be grounds for reversal. State v. Conway, 108
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 22

Ohio St.3d 214, 2006-Ohio-791, 842 N.E.2d 996, ¶78, citing Chapman; State v. Lytle, 48

Ohio St.2d 391, 358 N.E.2d 623(1976), paragraph three of the syllabus, vacated in part

on other grounds Lytle v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 910, 98 S.Ct. 3135, 57 L.Ed.2d 1154(1978).See

also, State v. Jones, 135 Ohio St.3d 10, 2012-Ohio-5677, 984 N.E.2d 948, ¶177.

ISSUE FOR APPEAL.

Whether Cotton was prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure to object to Officer

Boggs’s testimony concerning drug trafficking.

{¶60} “‘The failure to object to error, alone, is not enough to sustain a claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel.’” State v. Fears, 86 Ohio St.3d 329, 347, 715 N.E.2d

136 (1999), quoting State v. Holloway, 38 Ohio St.3d 239, 244, 527 N.E.2d 831(1988)

Accord, State v. Hale, 119 Ohio St.3d 118, 2008-Ohio-3426, 892 N.E.2d 864, ¶233. A

defendant must also show that he was materially prejudiced by the failure to object.

Holloway, 38 Ohio St.3d at 244, 527 N.E.2d 831.

{¶61} In State v. Crotts, the Ohio Supreme Court explained,

As a legal term, “prejudice” is simply “[d]amage or detriment to one’s

legal rights or claims.” Black’s Law Dictionary (8th Ed.1999) 1218. Thus, it

is fair to say that all relevant evidence is prejudicial. That is, evidence that

tends to disprove a party’s rendition of the facts necessarily harms that

party’s case. Accordingly, the rules of evidence do not attempt to bar all

prejudicial evidence—to do so would make reaching any result extremely

difficult. Rather, only evidence that is unfairly prejudicial is excludable.

“‘Exclusion on the basis of unfair prejudice involves more than a

balance of mere prejudice. If unfair prejudice simply meant prejudice,
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 23

anything adverse to a litigant’s case would be excludable under Rule 403.

Emphasis must be placed on the word “unfair.” Unfair prejudice is that

quality of evidence which might result in an improper basis for a jury

decision. Consequently, if the evidence arouses the jury’s emotional

sympathies, evokes a sense of horror, or appeals to an instinct to punish,

the evidence may be unfairly prejudicial. Usually, although not always,

unfairly prejudicial evidence appeals to the jury’s emotions rather than

intellect.’ ” Oberlin v. Akron Gen. Med. Ctr. (2001), 91 Ohio St.3d 169, 172,

743 N.E.2d 890, quoting Weissenberger’s Ohio Evidence (2000) 85–87,

Section 403.3.

104 Ohio St.3d 432, 2004-Ohio-6550, 820 N.E.2d 302, ¶ 23-24.

{¶62} The distinction between lay and expert witness opinion testimony is that lay

testimony results from a process of reasoning familiar in everyday life, while expert

testimony results from a process of reasoning that only specialists in the field can master.

State v. McKee, 91 Ohio St.3d 292, 744 N.E.2d 737(2001).

{¶63} Evid. R. 701 states: “If the witness is not testifying as an expert, his

testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences

which are (1) rationally based on the perception of the witness and (2) helpful to a clear

understanding of his testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.” Officer Boggs had

firsthand knowledge of drug trafficking and drug abuse cases in which he participated.

Having met the firsthand knowledge requirement of Rule 701(1), the testimony of Officer

Boggs was admissible if it would help the jury to resolve a disputed fact. In the case at
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 24

bar, Cotton was charged with trafficking in drugs in that he was aware the drugs were

“intended for sale or resale.”

Appellate courts have determined that some testimony offered by

officers/detectives is lay person witness testimony even though it is based

on the officer/detective’s specialized knowledge. State v. McClain, 6th Dist.

No. L-10-1088, 2012-Ohio-5264, ¶ 13 (Detective’s testimony that quantities

of narcotics recovered during the execution of the search warrant suggested

that they were for sale as opposed to personal use was admissible under

Evid.R. 701 as lay person opinion testimony. Detective’s testimony was

based on fact that 16 year veteran officer who has been assigned to

narcotics and vice unit for 12 years; testimony was based on his perception

and experience as a police officer.); State v. Primeau, 8th Dist. No. 97901,

2012-Ohio-5172, ¶ 71-75 (Officer, without medical expertise, was permitted

to testify about his observation of the lacerations on appellant’s hand. The

court stated that description was based on his previous investigations of

assaults and his perception of appellant’s lacerations at that time. Thus,

the testimony was proper under Evid.R. 701.); State v. Williams, 9th Dist.

No. 25716, 2011-Ohio-6604, ¶ 11 (Officer’s testimony that place definitely

was a methamphetamine lab was based on personal observation from

items taken from garbage and found in the house. It was proper testimony

under Evid.R. 701.); State v. Cooper, 8th Dist. No. 86437, 2006-Ohio-817,

¶ 18 (In forgery case, detective permitted under Evid.R. 701 to testify based
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 25

on his experience as a police officer, his [previous] investigations of

forgeries and his perception of the handwriting samples at issue.).

State v. Johnson, 7th Dist. Jefferson No. 13 JE 5, 2014-Ohio-1226, ¶ 57.

{¶64} In the case at bar, the state never asked the trial court to declare Officer

Boggs an expert witness. Nor did the state ask Officer Boggs to give an expert opinion.

Rather, Officer Boggs’ testimony was based upon his training and experience. Officer

Boggs testified that he responded to numerous drug overdoses and other drug related

offenses throughout his career. The fact that he had only two years of experience goes

to the weight not the admissibility of the evidence.

{¶65} In State v. Batin, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2004–CA–00128, 2005–Ohio–36, this

Court held that “[t]he appellant's possession of a large amount of crack cocaine [13.45

grams], both cut and uncut, as well as his possession of a large sum of money [$432]

permitted the jury to draw the logical inference that he was involved in the distribution of

drugs. Likewise, the lack of any cocaine smoking paraphernalia on his person at the time

of his arrest suggested that the drugs he possessed were not for personal use.” Id. at ¶

24. In the case at bar, a rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of

trafficking were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. A jury could infer the large amount

of heroin, 8.5 grams, the 20.69 grams of cocaine, and the .64 grams of cyclopropyl

fentanyl, and the large sum of money found on Cotton’s person suggested that the drugs

were not for Cotton’s personal use.

{¶66} There is no evidence that indicates the result of the trial was unreliable or

the proceeding was fundamentally unfair as a result of defense counsel's failure to object

to Officer Boggs’s testimony regarding drug trafficking. We are persuaded that the
Richland County, Case No. 2019CA0003 26

outcome of this case would not have been different had portions of Officer Boggs’s

testimony been objected to and deleted at trial.

{¶67} Cotton’s Third Assignment of Error is overruled.

{¶68} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Richland County Court of

Common Pleas is affirmed.

By Gwin, P.J.,

Hoffman, J., and

Wise, John, J., concur