[Cite as State v. Jeter,
2019-Ohio-2391.]
COURT OF APPEALS
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. John W. Wise, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 2018CA00145
JENNIFER JETER :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Stark County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No.
2018CR0920
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: June 14, 2019
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
JOHN D. FERRERO RICK PITINII
STARK COUNTY PROSECUTOR Chase Tower
BY: RONALD MARK CALDWELL 101 Central Plaza South, Ste. 1000
110 Central Plaza South Canton, OH 44702
Canton, OH 44702
[Cite as State v. Jeter, 2019-Ohio-2391.]
Gwin, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Jennifer Jeter [“Jeter”] appeals from her conviction and
sentence after a jury trial in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas on one count of
robbery, a felony of the third degree.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On Friday, May 18, 2018, Katie Chandler, the store manager for the Family
Dollar store in Canton, Ohio opened the store as usual. After opening the store, Chandler
saw Jeter entered the store. Chandler told Jeter, "Jennifer Jeter you know you're not
allowed in here, please leave.” T. at 161.1 Jeter was known to have stolen from the store
numerous times, so she was not welcome. Jeter responded to Chandler, "Bitch, how do
you know my name." She walked past Chandler toward the back of the store where the
coolers were located. T. at 162. Chandler directed another store employee, Crystal
Dickson, to walk back to this part of the store to watch Jeter. Dickson saw Jeter stash
trash bags and candy into a shoulder bag. After Dickson reported this to Chandler,
Chandler told Dickson to go to the back door of the store to stand guard. Chandler waited
for Jeter at the front of the store. Chandler was hoping to stop Jeter from stealing anything
without having to call the police.
{¶3} Shortly afterwards, Jeter came to the front of the store, walking past the
checkout points and cash registers. According to Chandler, the following confrontation
took place between her and Jeter,
She gets in my face. And, then, it’s – I consider it a chest bump, she,
you know we’re women…And then she swings and I swing...
1
For clarity, the transcript of the September 10, 2018 jury trial will be referred to by volume and
page number as “T.”
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145 3
T. at 165. Chandler testified that she and Jeter touch chests. T. at 182. Jeter then swung
at Chandler and missed. T. at 183. A seven-minute altercation beginning inside the store
and spilling out into the parking lot then ensued. T. at 165-166. The incident was
captured by the store video surveillance system. State’s Exhibit 1.
{¶4} Jeter did not testify or present evidence.
{¶5} The trial court instructed the jury on the lesser-included offense of petty
theft. The jury, upon reviewing the instructions and the evidence presented at trial, found
Jeter guilty of the robbery charge. The trial court sentenced Jeter to a prison term of 36
months.
Assignment of Error
{¶6} Jeter raises one assignment of error,
{¶7} “I. APPELLANT’S CONVICTIONS WERE AGAINST THE SUFFICIENCY
AND MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.”
Law and Analysis
STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.
Sufficiency of the Evidence.
{¶8} The Sixth Amendment provides: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused
shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury....” This right, in
conjunction with the Due Process Clause, requires that each of the material elements of
a crime be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Alleyne v. United States, 570
U.S. __,
133 S.Ct. 2151, 2156,
186 L.Ed.2d 314 (2013); Hurst v. Florida,
136 S.Ct. 616,
621,
193 L.Ed.2d 504 (2016). The test for the sufficiency of the evidence involves a
question of law for resolution by the appellate court. State v. Walker,
150 Ohio St.3d 409,
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145 4
2016-Ohio-8295,
82 N.E.3d 1124, ¶30. “This naturally entails a review of the elements
of the charged offense and a review of the state's evidence.” State v. Richardson,
150
Ohio St.3d 554,
2016-Ohio-8448,
84 N.E.3d 993, ¶13.
{¶9} When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court does not
ask whether the evidence should be believed. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259,
574
N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus: Walker, at ¶30. “The relevant inquiry
is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any
rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond
a reasonable doubt.” Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus. State v. Poutney,
153 Ohio
St.3d 474,
2018-Ohio-22,
97 N.E.3d 478, ¶19. Thus, “on review for evidentiary sufficiency
we do not second-guess the jury's credibility determinations; rather, we ask whether, ‘if
believed, [the evidence] would convince the average mind of the defendant's guilt beyond
a reasonable doubt.’” State v. Murphy,
91 Ohio St.3d 516, 543,
747 N.E.2d 765 (2001),
quoting Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus (emphasis added); Walker at ¶31. We
will not “disturb a verdict on appeal on sufficiency grounds unless ‘reasonable minds could
not reach the conclusion reached by the trier-of-fact.’” State v. Ketterer,
111 Ohio St.3d
70,
2006-Ohio-5283,
855 N.E.2d 48, ¶ 94, quoting State v. Dennis,
79 Ohio St.3d 421,
430,
683 N.E.2d 1096 (1997); State v. Montgomery,
148 Ohio St.3d 347, 2016-Ohio-
5487,
71 N.E.3d 180, ¶74.
ISSUE FOR APPEAL
A. Whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, the evidence, “if believed, would convince the average mind of the
defendant's guilt on each element of the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145 5
{¶10} In her assignment of error, Jeter contends that her “Chest bump” was not a
use of force sufficient to support a conviction for robbery. Jeter contends that the store
manager initiated the physical confrontation.
{¶11} Jeter was convicted of Robbery. R.C. 2911.02(A)(3) provides,
(A) No person, in attempting or committing a theft offense or in
fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, shall do any of the
following:
…
(3) Use or threaten the immediate use of force against another.
{¶12} “Force” is defined as “any violence, compulsion, or constraint physically
exerted by any means upon or against a person or thing.” R.C. 2901.01(A)(1).
{¶13} The Ohio Supreme Court has held:
The use or threat of immediate use of force element of the offense
of robbery … is satisfied if the fear of the alleged victim was of such a
nature as in reason and common experience is likely to induce a person to
part with property against his will and temporarily suspend his power to
exercise his will by virtue of the influence of the terror impressed.
State v. Davis, 6 Ohio St.3d 91,
451 N.E.2d 772 (1983), paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶14} In State v. Hoskin the Court of Appeals noted,
Courts have also held that a defendant’s actions and demeanor may
support a finding of a threat of force. State v. Bentley, 69 Ohio App.3d 33,
36,
590 N.E.2d 21 (9th Dist.1990), citing State v. Carter,
29 Ohio App.3d
148, 150,
504 N.E.2d 469 (9th Dist.1985). The threat of violence,
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145 6
compulsion, or constraint need not be direct and explicit. State v. Bush,
119 Ohio App.3d 146, 150,
694 N.E.2d 984 (2nd Dist.1997). With respect
to whether a criminal defendant charged with robbery has threatened an
immediate use of force, “evidence of whether the victim actually perceived
a threat is not necessary; evaluation of the nature of a threat is subject to
an objective, not subjective, test.” State v. Sumlin, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
76261, 2000 WL 776986(June 15, 2000), citing
Davis at 94, 451 N.E.2d
772; State v. Habtemariam,
103 Ohio App.3d 425, 429,
659 N.E.2d 850
(10th Dist.1995). The test for force or threat of force is based on the totality
of the circumstances. Habtemariam at 429, 659 N.E.2d 850.
8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 107315, 2019-Ohio-1987, ¶39. This Court has recognized,
The use of force element is satisfied “if the fear of the alleged victim
was of such a nature as in reason and common experience is likely to
induce a person to part with property against his will and temporarily
suspend his power to exercise his will by virtue of the influence of the terror
impressed.” State v. Davis (1983), 6 Ohio St.3d 91,
451 N.E.2d 772. The
test for force is objective and relies on the totality of the circumstances.
State v. Habtemariam (1995), 103 Ohio App.3d 425,
659 N.E.2d 850. A
victim’s fear of harm must be objectively reasonable under the
circumstances. State v. Bush (1997), 119 Ohio App.3d 146,
694 N.E.2d
984.
State v. Trice, 5th Dist. Fairfield No. 12-CA-42,
2004-Ohio-2004, ¶16. A review of the
record in this case viewing the totality of the circumstances we find that the evidence
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145 7
supports a finding under the objective test that Jeter used or threaten the immediate use
of force. The state presented evidence that Jeter refused all requests to put the
merchandise back and leave the store peaceably. She continued to put items in her purse
even when directly confronted by the store clerk. Dickson testified that Jeter got in her
face at which time Dickson left her alone. T. at 190-191; 193-194. Jeter told Chandler
“I’m not going to put it back. Fuck You!” T. at 165. She then bumped Chandler and
attempted to punch her.
{¶15} Viewing the evidence in the case at bar in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, we conclude that a reasonable person could have found beyond a
reasonable doubt that Jeter had committed the crime of Robbery.
{¶16} We hold, therefore, that the state met its burden of production regarding
each element of the crime of Robbery and, accordingly, there was sufficient evidence to
submit the charge to the jury and to support Jeter’s conviction.
Manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶17} As to the weight of the evidence, the issue is whether the jury created a
manifest miscarriage of justice in resolving conflicting evidence, even though the
evidence of guilt was legally sufficient. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386–387,
678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), superseded by constitutional amendment on other grounds as
stated by State v. Smith,
80 Ohio St.3d 89,
684 N.E.2d 668, 1997–Ohio–355; State v.
Issa,
93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67,
752 N.E.2d 904 (2001).
“[I]n determining whether the judgment below is manifestly against
the weight of the evidence, every reasonable intendment and every
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145 8
reasonable presumption must be made in favor of the judgment and the
finding of facts.
…
“If the evidence is susceptible of more than one construction, the
reviewing court is bound to give it that interpretation which is consistent
with the verdict and judgment, most favorable to sustaining the verdict and
judgment.”
Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80,
461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984), fn.
3, quoting 5 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Appellate Review, Section 60, at 191–192 (1978).
{¶18} The reviewing court must bear in mind, however, that credibility generally is
an issue for the trier of fact to resolve. State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 67,
752 N.E.2d
904 (2001); State v. Murphy, 4th Dist. Ross No. 07CA2953, 2008–Ohio–1744, ¶ 31.
Because the trier of fact sees and hears the witnesses and is particularly competent to
decide whether, and to what extent, to credit the testimony of particular witnesses, the
appellate court must afford substantial deference to its determinations of credibility.
Barberton v. Jenney,
126 Ohio St.3d 5, 2010–Ohio–2420,
929 N.E.2d 1047, ¶ 20. In
other words, “[w]hen there exist two fairly reasonable views of the evidence or two
conflicting versions of events, neither of which is unbelievable, it is not our province to
choose which one we believe.” State v. Dyke, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 99 CA 149, 2002–
Ohio–1152, at ¶ 13, citing State v. Gore,
131 Ohio App.3d 197, 201,
722 N.E.2d 125(7th
Dist. 1999). Thus, an appellate court will leave the issues of weight and credibility of the
evidence to the fact finder, as long as a rational basis exists in the record for its decision.
State v. Picklesimer, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 11CA9, 2012–Ohio–1282, ¶ 24.
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145 9
{¶19} Once the reviewing court finishes its examination, an appellate court may
not merely substitute its view for that of the jury, but must find that “ ‘the jury 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. Thompkins, supra, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387,
quoting State v. Martin,
20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175,
485 N.E.2d 717, 720–721(1st Dist.
1983). Accordingly, reversal on manifest weight grounds is reserved for “the exceptional
case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.”
Id.
ISSUE FOR APPEAL.
B. Whether the jury court clearly lost their way and created such a manifest
miscarriage of justice that the convictions must be reversed and a new trial ordered.
{¶20} The jury as the trier of fact was free to accept or reject any and all of the
evidence offered by the parties and assess the witness’s credibility. “While the trier of
fact may take note of the inconsistencies and resolve or discount them accordingly …
such inconsistencies do not render defendant’s conviction against the manifest weight or
sufficiency of the evidence.” State v. Craig, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 99AP–739, 1999 WL
29752 (Mar 23, 2000) citing State v. Nivens, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 95APA09–1236,
1996
WL 284714 (May 28, 1996). Indeed, the trier of fact need not believe all of a witness’
testimony, but may accept only portions of it as true. State v. Raver, 10th Dist. Franklin
No. 02AP–604, 2003–Ohio–958, ¶ 21, citing State v. Antill,
176 Ohio St. 61, 67,
197
N.E.2d 548 (1964); State v. Burke, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 02AP–1238, 2003–Ohio–2889,
citing State v. Caldwell,
79 Ohio App.3d 667,
607 N.E.2d 1096 (4th Dist. 1992). Although
the evidence may have been circumstantial, we note that circumstantial evidence has the
same probative value as direct evidence. State v. Jenks,
61 Ohio St.3d 259, 272, 574
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145
10
N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph one of the syllabus, superseded by State constitutional
amendment on other grounds as stated in State v. Smith,
80 Ohio St.3d 89, 102 at n.4,
684 N.E.2d 668 (1997).
{¶21} In the case at bar, the jury heard the witnesses, viewed the evidence and
viewed a video of the events as they occurred in real time. The jury further heard Jeter’s
arguments and explanations about her actions. Thus, a rational basis exists in the record
for the jury’s decision.
{¶22} We find that this is not an “‘exceptional case in which the evidence weighs
heavily against the conviction.’” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386–387,
678
N.E.2d 541 (1997), quoting Martin,
20 Ohio App.3d at 175,
485 N.E.2d 717. Based upon
the foregoing and the entire record in this matter we find Jeter’s conviction is not against
the sufficiency or the manifest weight of the evidence. To the contrary, the jury appears
to have fairly and impartially decided the matters before them. The jury was instructed
on the lesser theft offense. The jury heard the witnesses, evaluated the evidence, and
was convinced of Jeter’s guilt of the robbery offense. The jury neither lost his way nor
created a miscarriage of justice in convicting Jeter of Robbery.
{¶23} Finally, upon careful consideration of the record in its entirety, we find that
there is substantial evidence presented which if believed, proves all the elements of the
crime for which Jeter was convicted.
{¶24} Jeter’s First Assignments of Error is overruled.
Stark County, Case No. 2018CA00145 11
{¶25} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
By Gwin, P.J.,
Wise, John, J., and
Delaney, J., concur
