State v. Seibert, Unpublished Decision (6-13-2003)
State v. Seibert, Unpublished Decision (6-13-2003)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Appellant appeals his conviction and raises the following assignments of error:
{¶ 3} "Assignment of Error Number One
{¶ 4} "The trial court erred in failing to apprise appellant of his right to remain silent and not testify at trial.
{¶ 5} "Assignment of Error Number Two
{¶ 6} "Trial counsel was ineffective for failing to advise appellant of his right to remain silent and not testify at trial.
{¶ 7} "Assignment of Error Number Three
{¶ 8} "Trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the state's publishing to the jury of a video tape obtained from appellant during cross-examination and for failing to object to the state's referral to other charges against appellant."
{¶ 9} At trial, appellant took the stand in his own defense. In his first assignment of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in failing to apprise him of his right to remain silent and not to testify. Appellant asserts that the trial court's failure to inform appellant of his rights violated the United States and Ohio Constitutions and Miranda v. Arizona (1966),
{¶ 10} Section
{¶ 11} Moreover, we note that, contrary to appellant's argument, the doctrines announced in Miranda only arise in situations in which there is custody and official interrogation. See Berkemer v. McCarty
(1984),
{¶ 12} Appellant argues in his second assignment of error that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to advise him of his right to remain silent and not testify at trial. We note at the onset that the burden is on appellant to show counsel's ineffectiveness. State v.Hamblin (1988),
{¶ 13} Simply because trial counsel did not advise appellant on the record concerning his rights does not establish that counsel failed to advise him at all. As the Ohio Supreme Court noted in State v. Bays
(1999),
{¶ 14} In his third assignment of error, appellant argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the state's publication of a video tape to the jury, which was obtained from appellant during cross-examination, and for failing to object to the state's reference to other charges pending against appellant. We disagree.
{¶ 15} We note at the outset that, in Ohio, a properly licensed attorney is presumed competent and the burden is on the appellant to show counsel's ineffectiveness. State v. Lytle (1976),
{¶ 16} "First, the defendant must show that counsel's performance was deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the `counsel' guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Second, the defendant must show that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. This requires showing that counsel's errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable."
{¶ 17} The United States Supreme Court held that "[the benchmark for judging any claim of ineffectiveness must be whether counsel's conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial court cannot be relied on as having produced a just result." Id. Specifically, to establish ineffectiveness, appellant must show that, but for counsel's deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability the result of the trial would have been different. Id.
{¶ 18} The effective assistance of counsel, however, does not guarantee results. State v. Longo (1982),
{¶ 19} The decision whether to object to the admission of evidence is a trial tactic, which should not be second guessed on appeal. SeeState v. Collier (Oct. 18, 2001), Cuyahoga App. No. 78960. Additionally, due to the fact that the tape was not transcribed, or made part of the record, we are unable to review the contents of the tape to determine its prejudicial nature, if any. Accordingly, we find that appellant failed to meet his burden of establishing that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the playing of the tape to the jury. SeeStrickland, supra.
{¶ 20} With respect to appellant's reference to the other charges pending against him, we note that appellant volunteered the number of charges the victim had filed against him; thus, inviting any alleged error. Additionally, to the extent that the questions and answers established "a pattern of conduct" on appellant's part, as set forth in R.C.
{¶ 21} On consideration whereof, this court finds that appellant was not prejudiced or prevented from having a fair trial and the judgment of the Wood County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Court costs of this appeal are assessed to appellant.
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