State v. Wright, Unpublished Decision (7-2-2002)
State v. Wright, Unpublished Decision (7-2-2002)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On March 20, 2002, the Lorain County Grand Jury indicted Defendant on three separate counts: (1) two counts of rape, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} In these assignments of error, Defendant alleges that he did not receive a fair trial and enumerates numerous bases to support his allegation. Specifically, in his first assignment of error, he alleges that the court, the prosecutor, and defense counsel used the term "victim" in reference to Holly Wells ("Wells") before any evidence was introduced that would indicate Wells was the victim. He additionally alleges that this error was not harmless. In his second assignment of error, Defendant alleges that the prosecutor impermissibly attempted to shift the burden of proof. In his fourth assignment of error, Defendant alleges that the prosecutor verbally "attacked" defense counsel, thereby resulting in prosecutorial misconduct. Finally, in his fifth assignment of error, Defendant alleges that the prosecutor continually misstated the law regarding "equal protection of the law."
{¶ 4} An appellate court will not consider as error any issue that a party was aware of but failed to bring to the attention of the trial court. State v. Dent, 9th Dist. No. 20907, 2002-Ohio-4522, at ¶ 6. Failure to timely object waives the opportunity for appellate review of any issue not preserved and, accordingly, such issue need not be considered for the first time on appeal. State v. Self (1990),
{¶ 5} Now turning to Defendant's allegation that he did not receive a fair trial as a result of his counsel's use of the term "victim," we find it to be groundless and without merit. Defense counsel did not violate any essential duty to his client; Defendant had a fair trial.
{¶ 6} Finally, Defendant alleged that the use of the term "victim" by the court, prosecutor, and defense counsel was not harmless error. Crim.R. 52(A) defines harmless error as "any error, defect, irregularity, or variance which does not affect substantial rights [and] shall be disregarded." The defendant bears the burden to demonstrate that the alleged error affected his substantial rights. State v. Biehl (Apr. 14, 1999), 9th Dist. No. 19054, at 3. In this case, Defendant has failed to demonstrate that his substantial rights have been affected by the use of the term "victim" by the court, prosecutor, and defense counsel. Therefore, we cannot find that this was error. Nevertheless, we are compelled to note that the trial court should refrain from using the term "victim," as it suggests a bias against the defendant before the State has proven a "victim" truly exists.
{¶ 7} Defendant's first, second, fourth, and fifth assignments of error are overruled.
{¶ 8} In his third assignment of error, Defendant avers that the State introduced an inflammatory and prejudicial compact disc during closing arguments, which denied him a fair trial. We disagree.
{¶ 9} The test for prosecutorial misconduct is whether the prosecutor's conduct at trial was improper and prejudicially affected the substantial rights of the defendant. State v. Lott (1990),
{¶ 10} The State is granted latitude in closing argument, and the trial court retains the discretion as to the propriety of the argument.State v. Loza (1994),
{¶ 11} In this case, the State used a compact disc during its closing argument to highlight various statements made by Marcus Whitfield ("Whitfield") to the police. After reviewing the compact disc, we find that the compact disc was improper and prejudicial to Defendant. The State did not create a compact disc that accurately reflected the statements made by Whitfield. Instead, the State, obviously completely disregarding replicating Whitfield's statements truthfully, created a tape which resembled a broken record; that is, each statement was repeated numerous times. This misconstrues the statements made by Whitfield as he did not repeat the statements over and over again. Although we recognize that the State may use various "aids" for demonstrative purposes in its closing argument, these "aids" must accurately reflect what transpired. Although we find the prosecutor's use of the compact disc improper and prejudicial, we cannot conclude that this was so prejudicial as to deprive Defendant of a fair trial in light of the evidence presented at trial. Consequently, Defendant's third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 12} In his sixth assignment of error, Defendant contends that his right to a speedy trial was violated because his trial was held outside the time limitation outlined in R.C.
{¶ 13} When reviewing a defendant's claim that he was denied his right to a speedy trial, an appellate court applies the de novo standard to questions of law and the clearly erroneous standard to questions of fact. State v. Thomas (Aug. 11, 1999), 9th Dist. No. 98CA007058, at 4.
{¶ 14} According to R.C.
{¶ 15} The Supreme Court of Ohio has found that the statutory speedy trial provisions set forth in R.C.
{¶ 16} The record indicates that on January 17, 2002 Lorain Police officers arrested Defendant. Thereafter, on May 10, 2002, Defendant executed a waiver of his statutory time for a speedy trial pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 17} Thereafter, on June 14, 2002, Defendant amended the statutory time waiver which read "Defendant waives statutory time for speedy trial pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 18} In his seventh assignment of error, Defendant alleges that the trial court erroneously granted the State's motion that denied cross-examination on the effect of Wells' psychiatric disorder and psychiatric medications on her memory and perception. As a result of his allegation that the cross-examination was improperly limited, he further alleges that he did not receive a fair trial. We disagree with Defendant's allegations.
{¶ 19} A defendant's right to confront and cross-examine witnesses is contained in the
{¶ 20} Pursuant to Evid.R. 611(B), cross-examination is permitted on all relevant matters and those affecting the credibility of the witnesses. However, a trial court may impose reasonable limits based on a number of concerns, including "harassment, prejudice, confusion of the issues, the witness' safety, repetitive testimony, or marginally relevant interrogation." Van Arsdall,
{¶ 21} At trial, the court granted the State's motion, which limited defense counsel's cross-examination of Sara Griffin ("Griffin"). Particularly, defense counsel was not permitted to inquire as to Wells' psychiatric disorder or psychiatric medications. Defense counsel sought to introduce this evidence as he contended that Wells' disorder and the medications affected her credibility. The trial court disagreed with defense counsel's contention and concluded that Wells' disorder "[would not] affect her credibility." Regardless of whether the testimony of Griffin would have questioned the credibility of Wells, we find that Griffin lacked the requisite personal knowledge to testify regarding psychiatric disorders and psychiatric medications or their affect on memory or perception. Without the requisite personal knowledge of the matter, "[a] witness may not testify to [that] matter unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that he has personal knowledge of the matter." Evid.R. 602. Defendant concedes that Griffin does not have personal knowledge of psychiatric disorders or psychiatric medications, but rather "potentially [has] knowledge of psychiatric disorders and psychiatric medications." (Emphasis added.) Further, upon a review of the transcript, Defendant has not introduced any evidence "sufficient to support a finding" that Griffin has personal knowledge on the matter. See Evid.R. 602. As Griffin lacked the requisite personal knowledge concerning psychiatric disorders and psychiatric medications, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by limiting cross-examination, and Defendant was not denied a fair trial. Accordingly, Defendant's seventh assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 22} Defendant's assignments of error are overruled. The convictions in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas are affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
BATCHELDER, J. CONCURS.
BAIRD, J. CONCURS IN JUDGMENT ONLY.
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