State v. Wain, Unpublished Decision (8-10-2006)
State v. Wain, Unpublished Decision (8-10-2006)
Concurring Opinion
{¶ 13} Because of the precedent this court established inState v. Burk,
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} The Cuyahoga County Grand Jury indicted defendant-appellee, Daniel Wain ("Wain"), on June 15, 2005 with one count of domestic violence, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} On July 13, 2005, Wain filed a motion to dismiss based on unconstitutionality of statute, alleging that R.C.
{¶ 6} Ohio's domestic violence statute, R.C.
"(A) No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to causephysical harm to a family or household member.
* * *
(F) As used in this section and sections
{¶ 7} The State argues that the trial court erred in finding the domestic violence statute unconstitutional and amending the indictment to assault based on the finding that Wain was neither married nor had a child with the victim. We find merit in appellant's argument. Our court recently addressed this issue inState v. Burk, Cuyahoga App. No. 86162,
{¶ 8} Burk further provided the following:
"We hold that Ohio's domestic violence statute, insofar as itdefines `family or household member' to include unmarriedindividuals who live as spouses, is constitutional and coexistsin harmony with Issue 1. As a result, the trial court's decisiongranting in part Burk's motion to dismiss is reversed, Burk'soriginal indictment for domestic violence is reinstated, and thecase is remanded to the trial court for further proceedingsconsistent with this opinion."
{¶ 9} The record in the case at bar reflects that the trial court found the domestic violence statute unconstitutional and amended the indictment to assault based on a finding that Wain was neither married nor had a child with the victim.
{¶ 10} Based on our holding in Burk, this case is reversed and remanded to the trial court. The trial court's decision granting Wain's motion to dismiss is reversed, Wain's original indictment for domestic violence is reinstated, and this case is remanded. Specifically, the trial court must now make a factual finding as to whether Wain and the victim resided with each other on the date of the offense or prior to the date of the offense in order to determine whether these individuals fall within the definition of "family or household member."
{¶ 11} Accordingly, appellant's assignment of error is sustained.
{¶ 12} This cause is reversed and remanded to the lower court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
It is, therefore, considered that said appellant recover of said appellee costs herein.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Rocco, J., Concurs; Karpinski, P.J., Concurs with separateConcurring Opinion.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- State of Ohio v. Daniel Wain
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Unpublished