State v. Yarnell, Unpublished Decision (2-3-2004)
State v. Yarnell, Unpublished Decision (2-3-2004)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} An adjudicatory hearing was held on February 3, 2003. By judgment entry filed same date, the trial court found appellant to be delinquent. A dispositional hearing was held on April 2, 2003. By judgment entry filed April 3, 2003, the trial court sentenced appellant to six months, suspended, and ordered court placement.
{¶ 3} Appellant filed an appeal and this matter is now before this court for consideration. Assignments of error are as follows:
{¶ 7} On review for sufficiency, a reviewing court is to examine the evidence at trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would support a conviction. State v. Jenks (1991),
{¶ 8} Appellant was found delinquent by committing assault and gross sexual imposition which are defined in pertinent part as follows:
{¶ 9} "No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another's unborn." R.C.
{¶ 10} "No person shall have sexual contact with another, not the spouse of the offender; cause another, not the spouse of the offender, to have sexual contact with the offender; or cause two or more other persons to have sexual contact when any of the following applies:
{¶ 11} "The offender purposely compels the other person, or one of the other persons, to submit by force or threat of force." R.C.
{¶ 12} "Sexual contact" is defined in R.C.
{¶ 13} The twelve year old victim, J.M., testified appellant grabbed her arm and pulled her into the boys' bathroom. T. at 6-7. The grabbing hurt her arm and she was scared. T. at 7. Thereafter, appellant touched her "privates," "crotch area," through her clothing with his hand T. at 7-8, 16. J.M. also testified appellant "smacked" her in the face. T. at 10.
{¶ 14} J.M.'s friend observed J.M. being pushed into the boys' bathroom. T. at 26. When J.M. emerged, she was crying and had a black eye. T. at 26-27.
{¶ 15} When confronted by the police, appellant admitted to grabbing the victim and pulling her into the boys' bathroom, but claimed the touching of her private area was an accident. T. at 34, 44. Appellant denied smacking her in the face. T. at 35, 41. When questioned further, appellant was unable to explain how he accidentally "touched her between her legs." T. at 34, 44.
{¶ 16} Appellant argues the "touching" was inadvertent and accidental, and children should be given some latitude. We disagree and find sufficient evidence to support the finding of delinquency, and no manifest miscarriage of justice.
{¶ 17} Assignment of Error I is denied.
{¶ 19} The test for prosecutorial misconduct is whether the prosecutor's comments and remarks were improper and if so, whether those comments and remarks prejudicially affected the substantial rights of the accused. State v. Lott (1990),
{¶ 20} Appellant complains of the following statements made by the prosecutor during closing argument:
{¶ 21} "She [J.M.] was protected at a school, she thought she was protected at a school. She no longer feels safe at a school, because this is what happens at schools now, in her opinion, and that concerns me, Your Honor." T. at 50.
{¶ 22} We note this case was not heard by a jury, but by the trial court. We presume the trial court is able to separate argument from facts presented in evidence under oath. In addition, we note no objection was made to the complained of statements. An error not raised in the trial court must be plain error for an appellate court to reverse. State v. Long (1978),
{¶ 23} We have reviewed the record and concur with appellant's counsel that J.M. did not testify regarding her safety concerns at school. However, we find the prosecutor's statements did not impact the evidence or J.M.'s credibility. We find no demonstrable prejudice to appellant resulting from the statements.
{¶ 24} Assignment of Error II is denied.
{¶ 25} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County, Ohio, Juvenile Division is hereby affirmed.
Hoffman, P.J. and Wise, J., concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.