State v. Pavinich, Unpublished Decision (6-17-1998)
State v. Pavinich, Unpublished Decision (6-17-1998)
Opinion of the Court
On May 25, 1997, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Pavinich arrived at the residence without prior notice to Mrs. Pavinich. He pounded on a door and demanded to see Christian. When Mrs. Pavinich responded that Christian was asleep and refused to let Pavinich into the home, he pounded harder on the door and then attempted to kick the door down. After Mrs. Pavinich contacted the Akron Police, Pavinich left the residence. The police arrested Pavinich later that day and charged him with one count of domestic violence by menacing, in violation of Akron City Code
On May 27, 1997, the Akron Municipal Court issued a temporary protection order against Pavinich, prohibiting him from contacting his wife or coming to the residence. Pavinich called his wife on May 29, 1997 and threatened her life after she refused to drop the domestic violence charge. On May 30, 1997, the police arrested Pavinich and charged him with telephone harassment and violation of the temporary protection order, in violation of R.C.
Between June 5, 1997 and June 18, 1997, Pavinich was sighted at or around the residence several times by Mrs. Pavinich and others. On June 20, 1997, Pavinich was arrested and charged with menacing by stalking and violation of the temporary protection order, in violation of Akron City Code
The matters were consolidated and tried before a jury on September 4, 1997. On September 5, 1997, the jury found Pavinich guilty of domestic violence by menacing, violation of the temporary protective order on May 30, 1997 and violation of the temporary protective order on June 18, 1997. The trial court then sentenced Pavinich accordingly. This appeal followed.
In his first assignment of error, Pavinich argues the trial court improperly admonished him during his testimony, thereby damaging his credibility before the jury. After thorough review of the record, we find no merit in this contention.
We begin our analysis under the presumption that the trial judge in the instant case acted in a fair and impartial manner.In re Disqualification of Kilpatrick (1989),
"(1) The burden of proof is placed upon the defendant to demonstrate prejudice, (2) it is presumed that the trial judge is in the best position to decide when a breach is committed and what corrective measures are called for, (3) the remarks are to be considered in light of the circumstances under which they are made, (4) consideration is to be given to their possible effect upon the jury, and (5) to their possible impairment of the effectiveness of counsel."
Pool v. Wade (1996),
The trial judge made all of the challenged comments during the direct and cross examinations of Pavinich. Review of Pavinich's testimony reveals the trial judge exercised her authority pursuant to Evid.R. 611 when she admonished Pavinich during his testimony. Pavinich consistently failed to answer the questions put to him by the attorneys, and persisted in offering additional information. The trial judge admonished Pavinich several times to simply answer the questions put to him. The judge's comments were proper to ensure Pavinich's answers remained in keeping with the Rules of Evidence. The record provides absolutely no evidence the challenged comments prejudiced the jury. We find the challenged comments were made in proper exercise of the trial judge's authority to monitor the presentation of evidence pursuant to Evid.R. 611.
In light of the foregoing, Pavinich's first assignment of error is overruled.
Pavinich herein argues the trial court erred in instructing the jury. Because Pavinich failed to object to the jury instructions during the trial, he must demonstrate that the trial court committed plain error in its charge. See State v. Evans
(1992),
Pavinich first contends the trial court erred because it failed to define the term "recklessly" when instructing the jury regarding the violation of a temporary protective order. He then argues the trial court erred when it listed May 29, 1997 as the date of the offense. However, Pavinich fails to show that the outcome of the trial would have differed in any way but for these alleged errors in the jury charge. As such, Pavinich fails to demonstrate plain error on the part of the trial court. Thus, his second assignment of error is overruled.
Pavinich maintains his convictions were based upon insufficient evidence. "With respect to sufficiency of the evidence, `sufficiency' is a term of art meaning that legal standard which is applied to determine whether * * * the evidence is legally sufficient to support the jury verdict as a matter of law.'" State v. Thompkins (1997),
Pavinich also maintains the jury's verdict was against the manifest weight of the evidence. "Weight of the evidence concerns the inclination of the greater amount of credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather than the other." (Emphasis sic.) Thompkins, supra, at 387. In determining whether Pavinich's convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence, this court "must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered."State v. Otten (1986),
After careful review of the record, we find the greater amount of the evidence presented supports the jury's verdict. As such, we cannot hold the jury lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice. We conclude this case does not present the extraordinary circumstance wherein a criminal conviction will be reversed based upon the manifest weight of the evidence. SeeState v. Martin (1983),
Accordingly, Pavinich's third assignment of error is overruled.
Judgment affirmed.
The Court finds that there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this court, directing the County of Summit, Akron Municipal Court to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(E).
Costs taxed to appellant.
Exceptions. _________________________________ JOHN W. REECE, FOR THE COURT
SLABY, P. J.
DICKINSON, J., CONCUR
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