State v. Goody, Unpublished Decision (10-28-1999)
State v. Goody, Unpublished Decision (10-28-1999)
Opinion of the Court
Slone and Goody testified at Goody's trial. Goody testified that she put the movies into her purse because she was having trouble carrying them due to a wrist injury. Goody claimed that she then accidentally left the store without paying because forgot that she had put the movies in her purse.
At the end of the trial, the court focused on the credibility of the two witnesses, indicated that Goody's testimony was not credible, and found her guilty.
Goody appeals her conviction, asserting the following assignments of error for our review:
I. THE GALLIPOLIS MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, WILLIAM S. MEDLEY, EXHIBITED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DURING THE TRIAL OF THIS MATTER, A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF CERTAIN BASIC FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF LAW THAT OPERATED TO DENY THE DEFENDANT/APPELLANT, JENNIFER GOODY, DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW, BY HIS BIAS AND PREJUDICE TOWARDS CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE DEFENDANT/APPELLANT BY DENYING OR OVERRULING AT LEAST TEN MOTIONS FOR DISMISSAL OR ACQUITTAL MADE REPEATEDLY BY DEFENSE COUNSEL DURING THE TRIAL OF THIS MATTER.
III. THE TRIAL COURT'S FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND ELEMENTS OF THE OFFENSE OF THEFT AND THE DIFFERENCE OF STRICT LIABILITY CRIMES AS OPPOSED TO CRIMES WHICH REQUIRE SOME DEGREE OF INTENT WAS PREJUDICIAL TO THIS DEFENDANT AND PREVENTED HER FROM HAVING A FAIR TRIAL.
The "`presence on the bench of a judge who is not impartial' is a structural constitutional error." State v. Esparza (1996),
Goody seems to assert that the fact that the trial judge did not believe her testimony proves that he is biased against criminal defendants. We will not jump to that conclusion. The trial judge, as the trier of fact, is free to believe all, part, or none of the testimony of the witnesses who appear before it.State v. Nichols (1993),
We find no merit to Goody's assertion that the trial judge was biased or prejudiced and overrule her first assignment of error.
When we review the sufficiency of the evidence, we must examine the evidence admitted at trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Jenks
(1991),
Section 545.05 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Gallipolis prohibits any person, with purpose to deprive the owner of property, from knowingly obtaining or exerting control over the property without the consent of the owner or other person authorized to give consent.
While the state was unable to present any direct evidence as to Goody's intent to deprive Wal-Mart of the movies, it did present circumstantial evidence to prove this essential element of the offense. Circumstantial evidence and direct evidence inherently possess the same probative value, even with respect to essential elements of an offense. See State v. Jenks (1991),
Goody's own testimony that she put the movies in her purse and took them out of the store without paying for them combined with Slone's testimony that no one had given her consent to take the movies is sufficient evidence, if believed, to prove that Goody intentionally took the movies from Wal-Mart without permission. Accordingly, we find that Goody's conviction is supported by sufficient evidence and overrule her second assignment of error.
In determining whether a criminal conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, we must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of the 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 granted. State v. Thompkins (1997),
After reviewing the entire record, we find that the trial court did not clearly lose its way and create a manifest miscarriage of justice by not believing Goody's testimony. Goody seems to be under the impression that her testimony concerning her intent, standing uncontradicted, is somehow conclusive proof that she mistakenly took the movies out of the store without paying for them. We disagree. The credibility of Goody's testimony was an issue to be resolved by the trial court, as a trier of fact. See, e.g., State v. Frazier (1995),
Because we find that the trial court did not clearly lose its way or create a manifest miscarriage of justice by not believing Goody's testimony, her conviction is not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Accordingly we overrule her third assignment of error.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Gallipolis Municipal Court to carry this judgment into execution.
If a stay of execution of sentence and release upon bail has been previously granted by the trial court or this court, it is continued for a period of sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of said stay is to allow appellant to file with the Ohio Supreme Court an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. The stay as herein continued will terminate in any event at the expiration of the sixty day period.
The stay shall terminate earlier if the appellant fails to file a notice of appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court in the forty-five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Ohio Supreme Court. Additionally, if the Ohio Supreme Court dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of said sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. Exceptions.
Abele, J. and Harsha, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
BY: ______________________ Roger L. Kline, Presiding Judge
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