State v. Klages, Unpublished Decision (3-17-2000)
State v. Klages, Unpublished Decision (3-17-2000)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
On October 2, 1998, the Fairfield County Grand Jury indicted appellant, Kip K. Klages, on two counts of kidnapping in violation of R.C.I. WHERE, AS HERE, THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL (IF BELIEVED BY THE JURY) IS SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT A VERDICT OF EITHER KIDNAPPING OR ABDUCTION, AND WHERE NO EVIDENCE OR CLAIM IS MADE BY THE STATE THAT THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED BY MEANS OF DECEPTION, IT IS REVERSIBLE ERROR TO REFUSE TO ISSUE A JURY INSTRUCTION REQUESTED BY DEFENDANT'S COUNSEL THAT ABDUCTION AS A LESSER INCLUDED OFFENSE OF KIDNAPPING.
II. AN APPELLATE COURT SHALL NOT ABDICATE ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENTER JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL WHEN AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENTIRE RECORD LEADS TO A DETERMINATION THAT THE EVIDENCE PRODUCED FAILS TO ATTAIN THE HIGH DEGREE OF PROBATIVE FORCE AND CERTAINTY REQUIRED OF A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, AND SUCH EVIDENCE IS THUS LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN A CONVICTION.
Based upon this decision, we find the trial court did not err in refusing to instruct the jury on abduction as a lesser included offense of kidnapping. Assignment of Error I is denied.
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(3) To terrorize, or to inflict serious physical harm on the victim or another;
(B) No person, by force, threat, or deception, or, in the case of a victim under the age of thirteen or mentally incompetent, by any means, shall knowingly do any of the following, under circumstances that create a substantial risk of serious physical harm to the victim or, in the case of a minor victim, under circumstances that either create a substantial risk of serious physical harm to the victim or cause physical harm to the victim:
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(2) Restrain another of his liberty;
§
(A) No person shall knowingly:
(1) Cause serious physical harm to another or to another's unborn.
(2) Cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another's unborn by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance, as defined in section
2923.11 of the Revised Code.
Appellant was charged and convicted under two sections of the kidnapping statute. The first count alleged appellant restrained Ms. Conrad "with purpose to terrorize or inflict serious physical harm." The second count alleged appellant "knowingly, under circumstances creating a substantial risk of serious physical harm" restrained Ms. Conrad "by force, threat or deception." Appellant was also convicted of felonious assault. The facts relative to these three counts come from the victim, Ms. Conrad. At the time of the incident, Ms. Conrad and appellant were living together. T. at 62-63. Ms. Conrad testified that when she returned home from the hospital on June 15, 1998 and placed her key in the door, appellant grabbed her, pulled her into the apartment and threw her to the floor. T. at 75. Appellant then struck Ms. Conrad about the head, torso and legs with his fists and feet. T. at 77. Appellant continued to strike, kick and verbally berate Ms. Conrad over the next two days. T. at 78. Ms. Conrad would lose consciousness and awaken to discover that appellant had moved her. T. at 79. Appellant tried to bathe and nurse Ms. Conrad between the attacks. T. at 79, 86. Ms. Conrad testified she felt she had no means of escape from the apartment because she was in the bedroom most of the time and there was only one exit "and he would always seem to be between me and the front door." T. at 80. Ms. Conrad stated appellant always seemed to be awake when she was conscious. T. at 79-80. On the second day of the assaults, appellant forced Ms. Conrad to accompany him to court for an appearance. T. at 80. Appellant made Ms. Conrad wear a long sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans to cover up the bruises. T. at 82. Ms. Conrad explained she did not seek help or assistance at the courthouse because she was ashamed and had been browbeaten into submission by appellant. T. at 84. After their return to the apartment, appellant continued with the hitting, kicking and berating. T. at 85. On the third day, Ms. Conrad convinced appellant to take her to Saint Vincent DePaul where her mother worked so that she could use the telephone to call Metropolitan Housing. T. at 87-89. Again, appellant made Ms. Conrad wear a long sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans. T. at 89. On the way to Saint Vincent DePaul, appellant concocted a story to explain the bruising and limping in case anyone asked any questions. T. at 90-91. Appellant told Ms. Conrad "to stick to the story of how I had fallen off of my friend's porch." T. at 91. After being questioned by her mother, Ms. Conrad admitted that appellant had hit and kicked her. T. at 93-94. Thereafter, Ms. Conrad's mother called the police. T. at 95. Appellant testified and denied everything. T. at 275, 278-279, 282, 302-303. Appellant stated when Ms. Conrad returned home from the hospital, she was "high as a kite * * * [s]he couldn't walk, slurred speech." T. at 275. Appellant testified Ms. Conrad "fell flat on her face" and "constantly fell in the bathroom and the bedroom." T. at 277. We note the weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses are issues for the trier of fact. State v. Jamison (1990),
The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Fairfield County, Ohio is hereby affirmed.
By FARMER
J. GWIN, P.J. and MILLIGAN, V.J. concur.
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