State v. Hedges, Unpublished Decision (11-5-2003)
State v. Hedges, Unpublished Decision (11-5-2003)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} The defendant-appellant, Kristina Hedges, appeals from her conviction on one count of felonious assault, a violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} There is no dispute that a physical altercation occurred on September 22, 2002, outside the Pipeline Bar involving Amanda Brockman, the prosecuting witness, Hedges, and Hedges's friend, Michael Bilby. Brockman testified that after arriving at a parking lot adjacent to the bar, she heard a woman shout out, "That shirt looks nasty on you, bitch," and that, after she ignored the comment, Hedges approached her and punched her directly in the face. According to Brockman, the force of the blow was sufficient to dislodge a tooth. Brockman then struck back at Hedges, and a fight broke out between the two. Observing the action, Bilby got out of his vehicle and, instead of breaking up the fisticuffs, entered the fray and began to beat Brockman — even going so far as to kick her — dislodging more teeth and inflicting further damage on her face. Although Brockman testified that she believed that Hedges punched her again as she lay on the ground, she was unable to testify that she actually saw Hedges do this, given her defensive posture. Fortunately, an officer on patrol spotted the fight, broke it up, and placed Hedges and Bilby under arrest.
{¶ 4} In her first assignment of error, Hedges argues that she was entitled to a jury instruction on simple assault because the jury could have found that she had acted recklessly. We agree with the state, however, that the facts of this case are remarkably similar to those inState v. Hartman (1998),
{¶ 5} Hedge's first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 6} In her second assignment of error, Hedges argues that the evidence was insufficient to convict her of felonious assault. Having reviewed the record, we hold that the evidence was sufficient to reasonably establish all the elements of the offense, and that the jury did not lose its way or commit a manifest miscarriage of justice by finding her guilty of felonious assault.
{¶ 7} Therefore, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
{¶ 8} Further, a certified copy of this Judgment Entry shall constitute the mandate, which shall be sent to the trial court under App.R. 27. Costs shall be taxed under App.R. 24.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.