[Cite as State v. Brown, 2021-Ohio-3591.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JEFFERSON COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
DAVID LEE BROWN,
Defendant-Appellant.
OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Case No. 20 JE 0021
Criminal Appeal from the
Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, Ohio
Case No. 20 CR 94
BEFORE:
Cheryl L. Waite, Carol Ann Robb, David A. D’Apolito, Judges.
JUDGMENT:
Affirmed.
Atty. Jane M. Hanlin, Jefferson County Prosecutor and Atty. Frank J. Bruzzese, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, Jefferson County Justice Center, 16001 State Route 7,
Steubenville, Ohio 43952, for Plaintiff-Appellee
Atty. Adam M. Martello, P.O. Box 1484, Steubenville, Ohio 43952, for Defendant-
Appellant.
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Dated: September 30, 2021
WAITE, J.
{¶1} Appellant, David L. Brown challenges his conviction in the Jefferson County
Common Pleas Court on one count of extortion in violation of R.C. 2905.11(A)(2) & (B),
a felony of the third degree. In addition, Appellant argues the trial court erred in permitting
his recorded telephone calls from jail to be played for the jury in their entirety. Finally,
Appellant raises an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, based on defense counsel’s
failure to object to the admission that Appellant had been subject to a temporary
protection order (“TPO”) and the admission of recorded jail telephone calls made by
Appellant. For the following reasons, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Factual and Procedural History
{¶2} Appellant was indicted on August 5, 2020 on one count of extortion, in
violation of R.C. 2905.11(A)(2) & (B), a felony of the third degree. The charge was based
on telephone calls made by Appellant to Katrina Stewart (“Stewart”) and Jessica Wood
(“Wood”) while being held in the Jefferson County Jail pursuant to an arrest in a separate
matter, case number 2020 CRB 161. In that case, the trial court had issued a TPO
prohibiting Appellant, “from any contact with KATRINA DAWN STEWART and any family
or household members until the disposition of this criminal proceeding.” (State’s Exhibit
1.) In addition, a $250,000 bond had been set in that case. On July 10, 2020, Appellant
made several calls to Stewart and Wood, which lead to the charges and conviction on
which this appeal is based. Recordings of his calls were entered into evidence at the trial
in this matter. The state maintained that the statements made by Appellant during the
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calls amounted to extortion. It is not clear from the record what the relationship between
all of the parties is. Appellant resided with Stewart in her home prior to the incident which
led to the issuance of the TPO. Appellant also appears to be in a relationship with Wood,
who is apparently his paramour.
{¶3} A jury trial was held on his extortion charge on October 5, 2020. The state
presented the testimony of two witnesses: Detective Lieutenant Joseph Lamantia
(“Lamantia”) from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, and Stewart.
{¶4} Lamantia testified that he had been listening to Appellant’s phone calls from
the jail as he routinely did during investigations to determine if additional evidence could
be obtained in the matter involving the TPO. During this investigation, Lamantia said he
heard threats being made by Appellant, which resulted in the extortion charge. (10/6/20
Tr., p. 146.) There were five phone calls in particular which all occurred on July 10, 2020.
Lamantia began by describing the jail’s telephone system, including that inmates are
given individual PINs to use to make calls, and that all calls are recorded digitally.
(10/6/20 Tr., p. 147.) The system database indicates from which jail phone the call is
made, which PIN is used to make the call, the number that the inmate calls, as well as
the date, time, and the duration of the call. (10/6/20 Tr., p. 148.) Lamantia identified
Appellant as the individual who made the calls in question, stating that he knew
Appellant’s voice from speaking to him directly during his investigation and from listening
to “well over a hundred” calls made from the jail by Appellant using his PIN. (10/6/20 Tr.,
pp. 150-151.) Lamantia also stated that he recognized Stewart’s voice on the calls after
speaking with her during the investigation, using the same phone number that Appellant
used to call Stewart. (10/6/20 Tr., p. 152.) Lamantia also confirmed that the calls made
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by Appellant were to a phone registered under Wood’s name and that he recognized
Wood’s voice from his investigation of the TPO as well. (10/6/20 Tr., p. 154.) He testified
that the subject of the telephone calls, Appellant’s $250,000 bond, was a topic only known
to Appellant. (10/6/20 Tr., p. 154.)
{¶5} Lamantia was questioned regarding the substance of each of the phone
calls. Defense counsel objected on the grounds of hearsay. The state directed the court
to the memorandum it had filed with the court on the issue prior to trial. In the
memorandum, the state argued that Appellant’s statements in the phone calls were
admissible as admissions by a party opponent and that Stewart and Wood’s statements
were admissible based on Evid.R. 801(D)(2); Evid.R. 901(A), and this Court’s holding in
State v. Spires, 7th Dist. Noble No. 04 NO 317, 2005-Ohio-4471, ¶ 38 (“admissions by a
party opponent include the statements or questions to which she responds; otherwise,
the statements would mean nothing in many contexts.”) After a discussion of the
memorandum, the trial court ruled that Lamantia could testify regarding the substance of
the phone calls. Lamantia gave a brief summary of each of the calls. He testified that
Appellant called Stewart and, according to Lamantia, “[h]e was telling [Stewart] that she
better put the house up for collateral so he can get the twenty-five thousand-dollar
collateral towards the quart of a million-dollar bond.” (10/6/20 Tr., p. 159.) He also
testified, “[Appellant] belittled her during the conversation *** [h]e told her to look at her
daughter, that if she didn’t put that house up, that he would ‘come take something’ from
her that she loved. The entire conversation was belittling and threatening towards her,
towards [Stewart].” (10/6/20 Tr., p. 159.)
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{¶6} During Lamantia’s testimony the state also inquired about the existing TPO,
issued just three days before the phone calls of July 10th. The following exchange
occurred:
[PROSECUTOR] When he made that call, was there an order in effect, a
court order signed by Judge Ferguson, in the Toronto County Court?
[LAMANTIA] Yes. There was a no-contact temporary protection order
issued by Judge Ferguson that was served on the Defendant.
[PROSECUTOR] I’ll ask the court reporter to mark a document as State’s
Exhibit Number 1.
(Whereupon, a document entitled “Temporary Protection Order” was then
marked as State’s Exhibit 1 for purposes of identification.)
[PROSECUTOR] As part of your investigation, did you go to the court and
get a certified copy of that court order?
[LAMANTIA] Yes, I did, sir.
(10/6/20 Tr., p. 160.)
{¶7} The state then moved to admit the order into evidence and defense counsel
replied, “no objection.” (10/6/20 Tr., p. 161.) The state then published the order to the
jury by having Lamantia read it into the record verbatim:
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Upon motion of the complainant, DET. DAVID WOJTAS, for a temporary
protection order, the Court conducted a hearing within 24 hours after said
motion was filed, and upon the testimony presented, the Court finds that the
safety and protection of KATRINA DAWN STEWART and any family or
household members may be impaired by the presence of the alleged
offender, DAVID L. BROWN.
WHEREFORE, the Court orders, as a pre-trial condition of release, that the
alleged offender, DAVID L. BROWN, refrain from any contact with
KATRINA DAWN STEWART and any family or household members until
the disposition of this criminal proceeding. It is further ordered that the
defendant not appear within a three block radius of the residence of
KATRINA DAWN STEWART, being *** or wherever he/she and the family
or household members may be found. Should the offender violate this
temporary protection order, he/she shall be subject to penalties provided by
law.
(State’s Exhibit 1.)
{¶8} Because the defense contended in opening statements that Appellant was
half owner of the house at issue, Lamantia testified that he went to the Jefferson County
Recorder’s Office and the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office, where he obtained a deed
and tax records for the property. Both showed Stewart as the sole owner of the property
and that she paid the real estate taxes. A copy of the deed and the auditor’s tax record
were submitted into evidence with no defense objection.
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{¶9} Next, the state moved to have the DVD of the calls admitted into evidence.
It was admitted by the trial court without objection. (10/6/20 Tr., p. 169.) The phone calls
were then played for the jury in their entirety.
{¶10} The first call made by Appellant on July 10, 2020 was to Stewart at 1:10:40
p.m. and lasted two minutes and fifteen seconds. It is in this call that Appellant apparently
learns that his bond was set at $250,000.00. Stewart told him she did not have the money
or collateral to put up for the bond. Appellant seemed incredulous about the amount of
the bond, stating that a bond that high should be reserved for a more serious crime, like
attempted murder. Appellant continued to berate the police and the investigation before
the two hung up.
{¶11} The second call was placed to Wood, at 1:13:29 p.m. It lasted three minutes
and fifteen seconds. Appellant discussed his arrest and charges surrounding the TPO.
He also repeatedly berated Stewart to Wood, calling her “dummy,” a “dumb bitch,” and a
“goofy motherf**ker.” Appellant made no threats, but told Wood that Stewart did not
understand the bail process.
{¶12} The third call was placed to Stewart at 1:17:19 p.m. This call lasted six
minutes and twenty-one seconds and is the longest of all of the calls. Appellant told
Stewart she needed to put the house up for collateral because it was her fault he was
sitting in jail. He told her that if he knew she was going to cause him so much trouble he
would have “beat the pink off her ass.” (State’s Exhibit 4.) Appellant also told her he
needed to get to his mother’s funeral and could not be in jail. He threatened that if he did
not get to his mother’s funeral she would “feel his pain.” (State’s Exhibit 4.) The record
reveals that Appellant could have made a request to be transported to his mother’s
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funeral, but had not. Appellant continued to belittle Stewart and told her repeatedly that
she had to put the house up for collateral for the bond. Stewart told him she did not own
the house outright, and asked him what would happen if he were to be convicted on other
crimes and she lost her house. Appellant told her to look at her daughter, and that if she
failed to put the house up for collateral, he told her, “I swear on my mother’s soul and my
children’s lives” that he would “come take something that you love.” Appellant continued
to berate Stewart until she hung up on him.
{¶13} The fourth call played for the jury was Appellant’s attempt to call Stewart
back, but she did not answer and the call was sent to her voicemail.
{¶14} The fifth call was to Wood at 1:24:27 p.m. and lasted five minutes and
twenty seconds. In this call, Appellant continued to belittle Stewart to Wood and said that
Stewart did not know how the process works. He told Wood she needed to convince
Stewart to put the house up as collateral and told Wood he would shoot Stewart’s parents
“in the face” if she did not put the house up for collateral. (State’s Exhibit 4.)
{¶15} After the calls were played for the jury, the state called Stewart to the stand.
Stewart confirmed she is the sole owner of the house discussed in the calls. She also
testified that, after an altercation with Appellant, she left her home to stay with her sister
before Appellant was arrested because she was “separating herself from [Appellant].”
(10/6/20 Tr., p. 204.) Stewart refused to answer any questions regarding the TPO or the
phone calls, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
{¶16} After Stewart testified, the state rested. Appellant did not testify or call any
witnesses. The jury found Appellant guilty of extortion and the trial court sentenced
Appellant to twenty-four months with credit for 88 days served.
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{¶17} Appellant filed this timely appeal.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 1
APPELLANT'S CONVICTION FOR EXTORTION WAS AGAINST THE
MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
{¶18} Although in Appellant’s first assignment he purports to argue manifest
weight of the evidence, Appellant actually argues the sufficiency of the evidence
presented by the state at trial.
{¶19} “Sufficiency of the evidence is a legal question dealing with adequacy.”
State v. Pepin–McCaffrey, 186 Ohio App.3d 548, 2010-Ohio-617, 929 N.E.2d 476, ¶ 49
(7th Dist.), citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997).
{¶20} “Sufficiency is a term of art meaning that legal standard which is applied to
determine whether a case may go to the jury or whether evidence is legally sufficient to
support the jury verdict as a matter of law.” State v. Draper, 7th Dist. No. 07 JE 45, 2009-
Ohio-1023, ¶ 14, citing State v. Robinson, 162 Ohio St. 486, 124 N.E.2d 148 (1955). To
discharge the state's burden when prosecuting a criminal offence, “‘probative evidence
must be offered’ on ‘every material element which is necessary to constitute the crime.’”
State v. Billman, 7th Dist. Monroe Nos. 12 MO 3, 12 MO 5, 2013-Ohio-5774, ¶ 8, citing
State v. Martin, 164 Ohio St. 54, 57, 128 N.E.2d 7 (1955). In a sufficiency review, a
reviewing court does not determine “whether the state's evidence is to be believed, but
whether, if believed, the evidence against a defendant would support a conviction.” State
v. Rucci, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 13 MA 34, 2015-Ohio-1882, ¶ 14, citing State v. Merritt,
7th Dist. Jefferson No. 09 JE 26, 2011-Ohio-1468, ¶ 34.
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{¶21} Appellant was convicted of extortion pursuant to R.C. 2905.11(A)(2)&(B),
which provides:
(A) No person, with purpose to obtain any valuable thing or valuable benefit
or to induce another to do an unlawful act, shall do any of the following:
***
(2) Threaten to commit any offense of violence;
***
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of extortion, a felony of the third
degree.
{¶22} Appellant contends that the state failed to present evidence at trial that
Appellant made a threat as defined in the statute. Thus, he claims the state failed to
establish one of the elements of extortion.
{¶23} The state contests Appellant’s argument and contends the evidence
presented clearly demonstrated that Appellant made threats to commit an offense of
violence as required under R.C. 2905.11(A)(2).
{¶24} R.C. 2905.11 prohibits threatening to commit any offense of violence. The
threat can be either direct or by innuendo. R.C. 2905.11(C). A threat can be “a range of
statements or conduct intended to impart a feeling of apprehension in the victim, whether
of bodily harm, property destruction or lawful harm, such as exposing the victim’s own
misconduct.” State v. Cress, 112 Ohio St.3d 72, 2006-Ohio-6501, ¶ 39. Moreover, the
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threat need not be in writing and may involve harm to someone other than the recipient
of the threat. R.C. 2905.11, Legislative Service Commission Comment (1973). Finally,
the circumstances of the situation as well as the relations between the parties may be
considered to ascertain whether the language used conveyed a threat. State v.
Brunswick, 69 Ohio App. 407, 424, 44 N.E.2d 116 (8th Dist.1941). The “perpetrator need
not have expressly detailed what exact harm he is threatening.” State v. Thompson, 7th
Dist. Columbiana No. 13 CO 20, 2014-Ohio-1225, ¶ 19.
{¶25} In the instant case the state presented the five calls made by Appellant to
Stewart and Wood. In the calls, Appellant (whose identity on the calls was not challenged
at trial) can clearly be heard making several threatening comments to Stewart directly
and to Wood about Stewart. The comments were both direct and by innuendo. In the
third call, made to Stewart, Appellant said he should “beat the pink off [Stewart’s] ass,”
which is clearly a threat of a violent offense under R.C. 2905.11(A)(2). During that same
call, after Stewart expressed an unwillingness to put her house up for collateral, Appellant
told Stewart, “see that little girl you got right now?” followed by telling her he would “take
something that you love,” which is a direct threat of bodily harm. (State’s Exhibit 4.) Also
in the call, Appellant became increasingly angry. He continued berating Stewart and
warned her that if she did not put her house up for collateral so he could get out on bond,
“I swear on my mother’s soul and my children’s lives you will feel my pain.” (State’s
Exhibit 4.) Again, an example of a direct threat under R.C. 2905.11(A)(2).
{¶26} In the fifth call, made to Wood, Appellant told Wood that if Stewart did not
cooperate he would “shoot [Stewart’s] mom and dad in the face,” a threat which involved
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physical violence made to someone other than the target of the threat. (State’s Exhibit
4.)
{¶27} In addition to the actual words Appellant used, surrounding circumstances
here include Appellant’s increasingly loud volume as he became more frustrated.
Appellant’s calls were laced with profanity and he consistently spoke in a loud and abusive
tone in each call as it became clear that Stewart was not going to do what he asked.
Based on this record, the state’s case was sufficient to take to the jury. The state
presented adequate evidence on each element of the offense, including evidence of a
threat pursuant to statute. There was evidence of direct threats as well as language from
which rational inferences could be made as to Appellant’s intent.
{¶28} Appellant’s first assignment of error is without merit and is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 2
IT WAS ERROR FOR THE TRIAL COURT TO PERMIT THE PLAYING OF
THE ENTIRETY OF APPELLANT'S JAIL CALLS.
{¶29} In his second assignment, Appellant does not argue that the phone calls
should have been excluded altogether but, rather, that they should not have been played
for the jury in their entirety. Specifically, Appellant contends: (1) that the statements
made by Stewart and Wood in the calls were impermissible hearsay; and (2) the
statements made by Appellant that did not contain threats or “suggest the purpose of a
threat” were not relevant under Evid.R. 401, and, even if relevant, were unfairly prejudicial
to Appellant. (Appellant’s Brf., p. 13.)
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{¶30} The state argues that according to our holding in State v. Spires, 2005-Ohio-
4471, ¶ 38, the statements made by Stewart and Wood are admissible as they include
the statements or questions to which Appellant was responding while making his threats,
and must be included for context in order for the threats to be fully understood. The state
also argues that all statements made by Appellant during the calls are admissible as
admissions by a party opponent and that they were relevant and not unfairly prejudicial
to Appellant.
{¶31} The admission of evidence lies within the broad discretion of the trial court.
State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 64, 752 N.E.2d 904 (2001). Thus, a reviewing court will
not disturb evidentiary decisions of the trial court absent an abuse of discretion that has
created material prejudice. Id.
{¶32} Pursuant to Evid.R. 801(D)(2), an admission by a party opponent is not
hearsay. A statement is admissible if:
The statement is offered against a party and is (a) the party’s own
statement, in either an individual or a representative capacity, or (b) a
statement of which the party has manifested an adoption or belief in its truth,
or (c) a statement by a person authorized by the party to make a statement
concerning the subject, *** or (e) a statement by a co-conspirator of a party
during the course and in furtherance of the conspiracy upon independent
proof of the conspiracy.
{¶33} In Spires, similar to the instant matter, the appellant challenged phone calls
made by her which were played in their entirety to the jury at trial. Spires was indicted on
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two counts of illegally conveying drugs onto the grounds of a detention facility. She filed
a motion in limine to exclude recordings of telephone calls between her and an inmate.
She filed a second motion in limine to exclude calls between that inmate and other
individuals. Spires, ¶ 11. The trial court denied the motions and admitted the phone calls
in their entirety. On appeal, Spires conceded her own statements in the phone calls would
be admissions by a party opponent but that any statements by anyone else in the calls
was impermissible hearsay. Id. at ¶ 35. We held that all of the statements by Spires were
admissible under Evid.R. 801(D)(2) as admissions by a party opponent. In addition, we
stated:
As appellant concedes, taped statements attributed to her are not hearsay.
Evid.R. 801(D)(2)(a). However, she fails to recognize that admissions by a
party opponent include the statements or questions to which she responds;
otherwise, the statements would mean nothing in many contexts. See, e.g.,
State v. Twitty, 2d Dist. No. 18749, 2002-Ohio-5595, ¶ 27 (witness can
testify to conversation overheard between defendant and his mother,
including statements made by mother). As specified in the rule, it is not just
the defendant’s own words but the words of others which she manifests her
adoption.
Id. at ¶ 38.
{¶34} The phone calls at issue here are clearly dominated by Appellant, with very
few statements made by either Stewart or Wood. Stewart’s comments relate to informing
Appellant of the size of his bond and repeated comments expressing her hesitation to put
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her house up for collateral. Wood’s statements include informing Appellant about
obtaining counsel and trying to get his bond reduced. However, without the inclusion of
the statements by Stewart or Wood, Appellant’s responses to those statements would be
rendered, if not meaningless, certainly difficult to ascertain. Spires, ¶ 38; see also State
v. Harrison, 7th Dist. Jefferson No. 19 JE 0009, 2020-Ohio-3624, ¶ 29. For example,
without Stewart’s statement informing Appellant his bond was set at $250,000,
Appellant’s sudden anger and berating of Stewart would have no context. Similarly, it
was Stewart’s comments that she did not want to put her house up for collateral which
led to Appellant’s berating and multiple threats. Wood stated that Appellant needed to
talk to his lawyer about getting his bond reduced and expressed her willingness to assist
him in getting Stewart to put her house up for collateral. In response to these comments,
Appellant berated Stewart to Wood, calling her a “dumb bitch.” He also threatened to
shoot Stewart’s parents in the face. Because the entire dialogue is necessary to provide
context for the purpose and nature of Appellant’s threats, in accordance with our holding
in Spires, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the portions of the calls
containing statements by Stewart and Wood. Id. at ¶ 38
{¶35} Appellant also challenges the admissibility of his own statements in the calls
that did not contain any alleged threats or indication of a purpose to threaten, claiming
they were not relevant to prove the state’s case and, even if relevant, their probative value
is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.
{¶36} As previously noted, an admission by a party opponent is not hearsay.
Evid.R. 801(D)(2). Although not hearsay, the statements are admissible only if they are
relevant. Evid.R. 401, 402. In addition, even if the statement is relevant, it may still be
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excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by “considerations of undue
delay or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.” Evid.R. 403(B). Appellant
argues that any statements that do not contain a threat or provide an underlying reason
for a threat are not admissions under Evid.R. 801(D)(2). Appellant also argues that
allowing the jury to hear the “astonishingly vulgar and profane” calls where he continually
berated Stewart calling her “dumb,” a “bitch” and a “mother*****r” were not threats. Thus,
they were not relevant. In the alternative, Appellant claims that even if these statements
were relevant, their minimal probative value is outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice.
{¶37} A similar argument was made before us in State v. Townsend, 7th Dist.
Mahoning No. 04 MA 110, 2005-Ohio-6945. In Townsend, the appellant was convicted
of aggravated murder and argued that the trial court erred in admitting a letter he wrote
from jail as the profane, inflammatory statements were not relevant and any probative
value was outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. We held that the written
statements by the appellant were relevant. They implicated him as the shooter and,
though profane and vulgar, their probative value outweighed any danger of unfair
prejudice. Id., ¶ 61.
{¶38} In the instant matter, the name-calling and aggressive language used by
Appellant to Stewart during the calls was highly relevant in establishing context for
Appellant’s multiple threats to Stewart. As the calls progressed, Appellant became
increasingly frustrated with Stewart and his name-calling and berating accelerated,
ending in the threats of harm to Stewart, her daughter, and her parents. The jury could
hear Appellant’s statements within context to provide a basis for Appellant’s subsequent
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threats. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the jail phone calls
in their entirety.
{¶39} Appellant’s second assignment of error is without merit and is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 3
APPELLANT'S TRIAL COUNSEL FAILED TO OBJECT TO IRRELEVANT
AND PREJUDICIAL EVIDENCE, RESULTING IN INEFFECTIVE
ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.
{¶40} The test for an ineffective assistance of counsel claim is two-part: whether
trial counsel's performance was deficient and, if so, whether the deficiency resulted in
prejudice. State v. White, 7th Dist. Jefferson No. 13 JE 33, 2014-Ohio-4153, ¶ 18, citing
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v.
Williams, 99 Ohio St.3d 493, 2003-Ohio-4396, 794 N.E.2d 27, ¶ 107. In order to prove
prejudice, “[t]he defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for
counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.
A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.” State v. Lyons, 7th Dist. Belmont No. 14 BE 28, 2015-Ohio-3325, ¶ 11, citing
Strickland at 694. The appellant must affirmatively prove the alleged prejudice occurred.
Id. at 693.
{¶41} As both are necessary, if one prong of the Strickland test is not met, an
appellate court need not address the remaining prong. Id. at 697. The appellant bears
the burden of proof on the issue of counsel's effectiveness, and in Ohio, a licensed
attorney is presumed competent. State v. Carter, 7th Dist. Columbiana No. 2000-CO-32,
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2001 WL 741571 (June 29, 2001), citing State v. Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d 279, 289, 714
N.E.2d 905 (1999).
{¶42} When a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel is made based on a
failure to file an objection or a motion, the appellant must demonstrate that the objection
or motion had a reasonable probability of success. If the objection or motion would not
have been successful, then the appellant cannot prevail on the ineffective assistance of
counsel claim. State v. Adkins, 161 Ohio App.3d 114, 2005-Ohio-2577, (4th Dist.) ¶ 14.
“It is not enough for the defendant to show that the errors had some conceivable effect
on the outcome of the proceeding.” State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 142, fn. 1, 538
N.E.2d 373, quoting Strickland, at 693.
{¶43} Appellant contends trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
admission of and testimony regarding the TPO, and the admission and playing of the
phone calls in their entirety.
Failing to Object to the TPO
{¶44} Appellant contends trial counsel should have objected to Lamantia’s
testimony regarding the TPO and the admission of the TPO. Specifically, Appellant
asserts he was not charged with violating the order or on any other charge relating to the
order. Appellant argues its admission resulted in the jury being unfairly biased against
Appellant, which resulted in prejudice. Thus, Appellant is essentially challenging the
admissibility of the TPO under Evid.R. 404(B), other bad acts grounds.
{¶45} The state contends the TPO was properly admitted for several reasons: (1)
there was no objection by defense counsel; (2) it was relevant to “show the context and
immediate background” of Appellant’s words, conduct and present crime” (3) it was
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relevant to show Appellant’s motive and state of mind; (4) it showed Appellant’s “wrongful
intent”; (5) it showed “similarity and a pattern of an unsafe threatening presence” of
Appellant; (6) it showed Stewart could participate in the violation of the TPO with “no
punishment for the protected party’s activity” and (7) it was relevant to show why Stewart
was reluctant to testify at trial. (Appellant’s Brf., pp. 20-21.)
{¶46} Evid.R. 404(B) states that “[e]vidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not
admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity
therewith.” Such evidence may, however, be admissible for other purposes, “such as
proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of
mistake or accident.” Evid.R. 404(B). Similarly, R.C. 2945.59 permits the admission of
other acts evidence tending to show a defendant’s “motive, or intent, the absence of
mistake or accident on his part, or the defendant’s scheme, plan or system in doing the
act in question.” Moreover, evidence of other acts is admissible if: (1) it is offered for a
purpose other than to prove the character of a person in order to show conduct in
conformity with that character (Evid.R. 404(B)); (2) it is relevant (Evid.R. 401); and (3) the
danger of unfair prejudice does not substantially outweigh its probative value (Evid.R.
403). State v. Williams, 134 Ohio St.3d 521, 2012-Ohio-5695, 983 N.E.2d 1278, ¶ 20.
{¶47} Here, the state introduced a copy of the TPO into evidence and had
Lamantia read it into the record in its entirety in the midst of his testimony about
Appellant’s jail calls. Although Appellant correctly asserts that he was not charged with
violating the TPO directly, the existence of a TPO that had been issued just three days
prior to the threatening phone calls is highly relevant to establishing the threat posed to
Stewart by Appellant. Similarly, Appellant was aware he was the subject to the TPO and
Case No. 20 JE 0021
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yet contacted Stewart several times, berating her and physically threatening her. The
TPO provided context as to why Appellant’s multiple threats would cause Stewart
apprehension. Here, the TPO was not introduced for the purpose of showing Appellant’s
propensity for violence. The TPO provided background that aided the jury in
understanding the import of and circumstances surrounding the threatening phone calls
to Stewart. Accordingly, we find an objection to the TPO would not have had a reasonable
probability of success.
Failing to Object to the Jail Calls
{¶48} Appellant also contends trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to
the phone calls being played for the jury in their entirety. As we have already determined
the phone calls were not hearsay and were admissible in our analysis of Appellant’s
second assignment of error, we cannot conclude that an objection to the phone calls in
their entirety would have had any reasonable probability of success.
{¶49} Thus, we find that neither of the two alleged errors raise questions of
ineffective assistance of counsel.
{¶50} Appellant’s third assignment of error is without merit and is overruled.
{¶51} For the reasons stated above, Appellant’s assignments of error are without
merit and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Robb, J., concurs.
D’Apolito, J., concurs.
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For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, the assignments of error
are overruled and it is the final judgment and order of this Court that the judgment of the
Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs waived.
A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate in
this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that a
certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into execution.
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
This document constitutes a final judgment entry.
Case No. 20 JE 0021