State v. Nesbitt, Unpublished Decision (9-18-2002)
State v. Nesbitt, Unpublished Decision (9-18-2002)
Opinion of the Court
This cause was heard upon the record in the trial court. Each error assigned has been reviewed and the following disposition is made: {¶ 1} Appellant, William Nesbitt, appeals the decision of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, which found him guilty of rape. This Court affirms.
{¶ 3} The police apprehended appellant later that same evening. Appellant admitted to having sex with the victim earlier that day but stated that he could not have raped her because she is the mother of his children.
{¶ 4} Appellant was indicted on one count of kidnapping, a violation of R.C.
{¶ 5} Appellant timely appealed, setting forth one assignment of error for review.
{¶ 6} "THE JURY'S DECISION FINDING THE DEFENDANT GUILTY OF RAPE IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE."
{¶ 7} Appellant argues that his conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence. This Court disagrees.
{¶ 8} When determining whether a conviction was against the manifest weight of the evidence,
{¶ 9} "An appellate 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),
33 Ohio App.3d 339 ,340 . This discretionary power should be invoked only in extraordinary circumstances when the evidence presented weighs heavily in favor of the defendant. Id.
{¶ 10} Appellant was found guilty of rape, a violation of R.C.
{¶ 11} In this case, the victim testified that, on the day in question, appellant forced her back into her apartment by brandishing a firearm and forced her to have sex with him by holding the gun while he raped her. The victim testified that she did not resist because of the gun.
{¶ 12} Appellant focuses his argument on what he alleges are inconsistencies in the victim's testimony. Appellant also attempts to prove that the victim lied to Detective Elton when the victim told her that she had not had a relationship with the appellant for three years prior to October 5, 2001. In an effort to support his argument that the victim lied to Detective Elton, appellant refers to the testimony of his mother, his stepfather, and his sister. These witnesses testified that appellant was still involved with the victim as late as December 2000.
{¶ 13} "A conviction is not against the manifest weight of the evidence merely because there is conflicting evidence before the trier of fact." State v. Haydon (Dec. 22, 1999), 9th Dist. No. 19094, appeal not allowed (2000),
{¶ 14} After a careful review of the record, this Court cannot conclude that the jury lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice when it convicted appellant of rape. Accordingly, this Court holds that appellant's conviction was not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Appellant's sole assignment of error is overruled.
BAIRD, P.J., BATCHELDER, J. CONCUR.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.