State v. Tubbs, Unpublished Decision (5-29-1998)
State v. Tubbs, Unpublished Decision (5-29-1998)
Opinion of the Court
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
I. THE APPELLANT WAS DENIED DUE PROCESS UNDER THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT SHE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THEFT PURSUANT TO OHIO REVISED CODE §
2913.02 WHEN SAID CONVICTION WAS NOT BASED UPON SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE DISPLAYING APPELLANT'S GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT AND THE JURY'S VERDICT WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY PRESENTED AT TRIAL.II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW WHEN IT DENIED APPELLANT'S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL.
III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW WHEN IT DENIED APPELLANT'S MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL/MODIFICATION OF THE VERDICT.
IV. THE TRIAL COURT'S SENTENCE OF APPELLANT IS CONTRARY TO LAW.
V. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW WHEN IT REQUIRED THE APPELLANT TO PAY THE COURT COSTS.
At trial, the State presented evidence tending to show appellant stole ten dresses from the Lazarus store at River Valley Mall in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. The Loss Prevention Manager testified he observed appellant select several items and then bend down for about a minute. During the time she was bent over, appellant was screened from the view of the camera. Appellant and her companion stopped what they were doing when sales associates walked by. Appellant was apprehended outside the store with a large green trash or leaf bag. The Loss Prevention Manager examined the bag and found ten women's dresses, but no receipt or proof of purchase. The Loss Prevention Manager testified the value of the dresses, as ascertained by totaling the amounts listed on the sales tickets, was $633.90. The State also played the video tape from a security camera which showed some of what the Loss Prevention Manager testified he had observed, but not all.
We have reviewed the record, and we find the evidence is sufficient as a matter of law. Further, we find the manifest weight of the evidence sustains the jury's verdict that the State had proven all the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
The first assignment of error is overruled.
As we held in I, supra, we find the trial court did not err in overruling the motion for judgment of acquittal, because the evidence presented was sufficient as a matter of law.
The second assignment of error is overruled.
Regarding appellant's challenge to the jury's deliberation, the State points out it presented a direct eyewitness to the crime, along with a video tape of the criminal activity. Although appellant argued to the jury there was no evidence appellant actually placed the dresses in the bag, a jury was entitled to find she did so, based upon the direct evidence of her behavior in the store, coupled with her presence outside the store with the bag of dresses. Appellant also argues the State failed to prove the value of the dresses was over $500.00, because the Loss Prevention Manager testified he was unaware whether any of the items appellant took had been on sale. The trial court properly instructed the jury if the property stolen in a theft offense is personal property held for sale, either wholesale or retail, the price for which the property is offered for sale is prima facia evidence of its value. We find the trial court did not err in rejecting appellant's motion to modify the verdict or in the alternative, to grant a new trial. Accordingly, the third assignment of error is overruled.
The trial court found appellant had previously served a prison term, and had not responded favorably to the prison term or previously imposed sanctions. The appellant was on parole and/or post-release control at the time the theft offense was committed, and she had a very lengthy felony record. The court concluded a community control sanction would not adequately punish appellant nor would it protect the public because recidivism was likely. The trial court explained at some length the circumstances which it found were appropriate to deny community control. While this court certainly does not minimize the importance of drug treatment to reduce recidivism, nevertheless, on this record we cannot find the trial court erred in selecting an alternative provided by statute.
The fourth assignment of error is overruled.
As the State points out, the court took appellant's indigency into account and did not order a fine, but rather, simply imposed court costs. We find the court did not abuse its discretion in so doing.
The fifth assignment of error is overruled.
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Fairfield County, Ohio, is affirmed, and the cause is remanded to that court for execution of sentence.
By Gwin, J., Farmer, P.J., and Hoffman, J., concur.
For the reasons stated in the Memorandum-Opinion on file, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Fairfield County, Ohio, is affirmed, and the cause is remanded to that court for execution of sentence. Costs to appellant.
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