[Cite as State v. Krieger,
2025-Ohio-5063.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO :
: C.A. No. 30324
Appellee :
: Trial Court Case No. 2023 CR 02405
v. :
: (Criminal Appeal from Common Pleas
MICHAEL DAVID KRIEGER SR. : Court)
:
Appellant : FINAL JUDGMENT ENTRY &
: OPINION
...........
Pursuant to the opinion of this court rendered on November 7, 2025, the judgment of
the trial court is affirmed.
Costs to be paid as stated in App.R. 24.
Pursuant to Ohio App.R. 30(A), the clerk of the court of appeals shall immediately
serve notice of this judgment upon all parties and make a note in the docket of the service.
Additionally, pursuant to App.R. 27, the clerk of the court of appeals shall send a certified
copy of this judgment, which constitutes a mandate, to the clerk of the trial court and note
the service on the appellate docket.
For the court,
ROBERT G. HANSEMAN, JUDGE
LEWIS, J., and HUFFMAN, J., concur.
OPINION
MONTGOMERY C.A. No. 30324
JOHNNA M. SHIA, Attorney for Appellant
TRISTAN D. DIEGEL, Attorney for Appellee
HANSEMAN, J.
{¶ 1} Appellant Michael David Krieger Sr. appeals from his convictions for involuntary
manslaughter and having weapons while under disability following a jury trial and a bench
trial in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. In support of his appeal, Krieger
claims that the trial court erred by failing to suppress statements he made to law enforcement
officers based on alleged violations of his Miranda rights. Krieger also claims that the trial
court erred by making him choose between having the jury instructed on the defense of
accident or the lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter. In addition, Krieger
claims that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by choosing the involuntary
manslaughter instruction. Krieger further claims that his conviction for involuntary
manslaughter was not supported by sufficient evidence and was against the manifest weight
of the evidence. Lastly, Krieger claims that his involuntary manslaughter and having
weapons while under disability offenses are allied offenses of similar import that the trial
court should have merged at sentencing. For the reasons outlined below, we disagree with
Krieger’s claims and will affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Facts and Course of Proceedings
{¶ 2} On August 21, 2023, a Montgomery County grand jury returned a seven-count
indictment charging Krieger with two counts of felony murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02(B)
(proximate cause felonious assault), one count of felonious assault in violation of
R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) (serious physical harm), one count of felonious assault in violation of
-2-
R.C. 2903.11(A)(2) (deadly weapon), and three counts of having weapons while under
disability in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(3) (prior felony drug conviction). All the counts for
felony murder and felonious assault included three-year firearm specifications.
{¶ 3} The indicted charges and specifications stemmed from allegations that during
the early morning hours of August 12, 2023, Krieger shot and killed Donavan Sampson with
a nine-millimeter firearm while Sampson and his friend, Jeffrey Cox, were visiting Krieger’s
residence in Dayton, Ohio. Krieger pled not guilty to the charges and filed a motion to
suppress his statements to law enforcement officers based on alleged violations of his
Miranda rights. On January 19, 2024, the trial court held a hearing on Krieger’s motion to
suppress. Following the hearing, the trial court overruled the motion. Krieger’s case then
proceeded to a three-day jury trial on the felony murder and felonious assault charges.
Krieger waived his right to a jury trial for the three counts of having weapons while under
disability and thus chose to have those counts tried to the bench.
{¶ 4} The evidence presented at Krieger’s jury trial established that on the night of
August 11, 2023, Sampson and Cox went to Krieger’s residence and stayed there into the
early morning hours of August 12, 2023. Cox knew Krieger through his uncle and had been
to Krieger’s residence before. Sampson, however, did not know Krieger and met him for the
first time on the night in question. Cox was planning to spend the night at Krieger’s residence
due to Cox being in an argument with his live-in girlfriend. Sampson drove Cox to Krieger’s
residence and decided to hang out there. While at Krieger’s residence, Sampson, Cox, and
Krieger drank beer, smoked marijuana, listened to music, and conversed with one another.
{¶ 5} Cox testified that he was sitting on Krieger’s living room couch next to Sampson
when Krieger left the living room and then returned to where he and Sampson were sitting.
Cox testified that he was looking down at his cellphone and not paying attention to what was
3
going on. While he was looking down at his cellphone, Cox heard a “loud pop.” Trial Tr. Vol.
II, p. 199. Thereafter, Cox looked over and saw that Sampson had been shot and was
grabbing himself. Cox heard Sampson say: “[W]hy is he killing me?” Id. Cox then noticed
that Krieger had a gun in his hand. Cox testified that he became scared and proceeded to
hit Krieger five or six times until Krieger was unconscious. Cox testified that he grabbed the
firearm from Krieger, threw the firearm in Krieger’s front yard, and then called 9-1-1 for help.
{¶ 6} After Cox called 9-1-1, several officers responded to Krieger’s residence. The
responding officers found Krieger lying face down on his bedroom floor and noticed that he
was heavily intoxicated. The responding officers also found Sampson on Krieger’s couch.
Medics arrived at the scene and took Sampson to the hospital, where he died.
{¶ 7} The coroner who performed Sampson’s autopsy testified that Sampson’s blood-
alcohol content was over the legal limit and that his cause of death was a gunshot wound to
the left chest. In addition, the coroner testified that there was burnt gunpowder and a partial
muzzle imprint around the gunshot wound. Based on those observations, the coroner
testified that Sampson had suffered a “contact wound.” Trial Tr. Vol. II, p. 168. The coroner
explained that this meant the muzzle of the firearm had been pressed up against Sampson’s
skin. The coroner further testified that the bullet traveled downward and exited out of
Sampson’s left, lower back.
{¶ 8} After finding Krieger at the scene of the shooting, officers placed Krieger in the
back of a police cruiser and took him to the hospital. Krieger, who suffered a broken jaw at
the hands of Cox, remained at the hospital for two days before being released. Immediately
after Krieger was released from the hospital, an officer transported him to the Dayton Police
Department’s Safety Building for an interview with an investigating detective. During the
4
interview, Krieger claimed that he was simply showing his firearm to Sampson when it
accidentally discharged.
{¶ 9} Krieger testified that he knew his firearm was loaded when he showed it to
Sampson and that he had mistakenly thought he activated the safety feature on the firearm.
Krieger admitted to reflexively pulling the trigger but denied placing the firearm against
Sampson’s chest. According to Krieger, he was standing at least four feet away from
Sampson when the weapon accidentally discharged. Krieger also testified to drinking strong
beer and using marijuana on the night of the shooting.
{¶ 10} Both Cox and Krieger testified that there were no arguments or any tension
between Sampson and Krieger prior to the shooting. Both men testified that everyone was
getting along at Krieger’s residence.
{¶ 11} For Krieger’s jury trial, the parties stipulated that Krieger had been previously
convicted of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree, in Greene County
Court of Common Pleas Case No. 2020-CR-562. See Joint Exhibit II. For Krieger’s bench
trial, the parties stipulated that Krieger had three prior felony convictions in the Montgomery
County Court of Common Pleas for possession of cocaine (Case No. 2007-Ohio-4400) and
aggravated possession of drugs (Case Nos. 2018-CR-2120/2 and 2019-CR-2906).
See Joint Exhibit III.
{¶ 12} During his jury trial, Krieger moved for a Crim.R. 29 acquittal of the felony
murder and felonious assault charges. The trial court denied the motion and Krieger
thereafter requested jury instructions on the defense of accident and the lesser-included
offense of involuntary manslaughter predicated upon the offense of having weapons while
under disability. After considering Krieger’s request, the trial court determined that it was
legally inappropriate to give both the accident and involuntary manslaughter instructions.
5
As a result, the trial court made Krieger choose between having the jury instructed on
accident or involuntary manslaughter. In response, Krieger chose to have the jury instructed
on involuntary manslaughter.
{¶ 13} Following deliberations, the jury found Krieger not guilty of felony murder and
felonious assault. The jury did, however, find him guilty of involuntary manslaughter as a
lesser-included offense of the two counts of felony murder. The trial court thereafter held a
bench trial and found Krieger guilty of all three indicted counts of having weapons while
under disability.
{¶ 14} At sentencing, the trial court merged the two counts of involuntary
manslaughter and their attendant firearm specifications. The trial court also merged the three
counts of having weapons while under disability. Following the merger, Krieger was
sentenced to a single count of involuntary manslaughter with a firearm specification and a
single count of having weapons while under disability. For involuntary manslaughter, the trial
court imposed an indefinite, mandatory minimum term of 11 years to a maximum term of
16.5 years in prison, plus three years in prison for the attendant firearm specification. For
having weapons while under disability, the trial court imposed 36 months in prison to be
served concurrently with the sentence for involuntary manslaughter. Accordingly, Krieger’s
total, aggregate sentence was a mandatory minimum term of 14 years to a maximum term
of 19.5 years in prison.
{¶ 15} Krieger now appeals from his convictions, raising five assignments of error for
review. For purposes of clarity, we will address Krieger’s third and fourth assignments of
error out of order.
6
First Assignment of Error
{¶ 16} Under his first assignment of error, Krieger contends that the trial court erred
by denying his motion to suppress. Specifically, Krieger claims that the trial court should
have suppressed statements he made to law enforcement officers on the morning of the
shooting because he was not Mirandized and because he made the statements while he
was severely injured and heavily intoxicated. Krieger also claims that the trial court should
have suppressed statements he made to a detective two days after the shooting. Krieger
claims that those statements should have been suppressed because they were made just
after he was released from the hospital while he was “likely” on pain medication. Although
Krieger admits that the detective read him his Miranda rights and presented him with a
Miranda waiver form that he read and signed, Krieger suggests that, given his mental and
physical condition, he did not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive his Miranda
rights.
Standard of Review
{¶ 17} “Appellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed question of law
and fact.” State v. Burnside, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8. When ruling on a motion to suppress, “the
trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and is therefore in the best position to resolve
factual questions and evaluate the credibility of witnesses.”
Id., citing State v. Mills,
62 Ohio
St.3d 357, 366 (1992). “Consequently, an appellate court must accept the trial court’s
findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible evidence.”
Id., citing State v.
Fanning,
1 Ohio St.3d 19 (1982). “Accepting these facts as true, the appellate court must
then independently determine, without deference to the conclusion of the trial court, whether
the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard.”
Id., citing State v. McNamara,
124 Ohio
App.3d 706 (4th Dist. 1997).
7
The Trial Court’s Findings of Fact
{¶ 18} The trial court made the following findings of fact after hearing testimony from
Officer Robert Lyons, Officer Cayce Cantrell, and Detective Zarchary Farkas of the Dayton
Police Department, and after reviewing video footage from the body and cruiser cameras of
Officers Lyons and Cantrell.
On August 12, 2023, Officer Lyons was working with his partner Officer
Moreland when they responded to a report of a shooting at . . . Leo Street in
Dayton. A witness later identified as Jeffrey Cox was outside of the house
when the officers arrived. The officers found a gun in the grass, which they
cleared before entering the home. Upon entering, they observed [Donovan
Sampson] laying on a couch in the living room shot and bleeding profusely.
The officers then located Mr. Krieger in a bedroom located directly to the right
of the living room. Mr. Krieger was escorted from the home and placed into the
back of a police cruiser. Officer Lyons testified that Mr. Krieger was not free to
leave upon being placed into the cruiser. Officer Lyons did not observe that
Mr. Krieger had any injuries, but later found out that he had missing teeth and
a broken jaw. The officers believed that Mr. Krieger was under the influence of
alcohol because he could not stand on his own, was slurring his speech and
“was not making any sense” when he was speaking. Neither Officer Lyons nor
Officer Moreland asked Mr. Krieger any questions regarding the incident, but
they did ask Mr. Krieger for his personal identifiers and if he needed medical
attention for any injuries.
Det. Farkas arrived on scene about 45 minutes after the officers arrived.
At this time, Mr. Cox was detained in a cruiser. Det. Farkas learned that Mr.
8
Cox assaulted Mr. Krieger in order to gain control of a firearm that Mr. Krieger
had. Det. Farkas could smell the odor of alcohol and observed that Mr. Krieger
appeared heavily intoxicated. During this portion of the encounter, Det. Farkas
did not question Mr. Krieger about the shooting or any events that occurred
inside of the home, but he did ask questions to try and determine if Mr. Krieger
needed medical attention. It was subsequently decided that Mr. Krieger would
be taken to the hospital due to his injuries and his intoxication. Officers Lyon
and Moreland then transported Mr. Krieger to Miami Valley Hospital (MVH).
They did not ask him any questions about the shooting during the transport.
Mr. Krieger was admitted to MVH for several days during which time
Officer Cantrell stood guard at the hospital. Upon Mr. Krieger’s discharge on
August 14, [2023,] Officer Cantrell transported him from the hospital to the
Safety Building to be interviewed by Det. Farkas. She testified that they had
“general conversation” during the transport but that she did not ask him any
questions about the shooting. She was not present during his interview with
Det. Farkas. Officer Cantrell testified that she was not aware of Mr. Krieger
being under the influence of any substance, including any medications. She
observed that he had a bit of difficulty speaking due to his jaw injury, but that
his speech was clear. Specifically, she testified that he did not sound
“incoherent” or “illogical.”
Det. Farkas testified that his interview with Mr. Krieger lasted
approximately 20-25 minutes. Before the interview commenced, Det. Farkas
reviewed a Miranda rights advisement and waiver form with Mr. Krieger, which
Mr. Krieger signed in the presence of Det. Farkas and Det. David House. (See
9
State’s Ex. 1). Det. Farkas indicated that nothing occurred during the interview
that led him to believe that Mr. Krieger was on pain medication, but he
acknowledged that he did not review any medical records or lab reports before
speaking with Mr. Krieger. Due to the nature of Mr. Krieger’s injuries he
assumed that Mr. Krieger was administered pain medication or muscle
relaxers at the hospital, but Mr. Krieger appeared to understand the questions
he was being asked and did not appear intoxicated. He described Mr. Krieger
as coherent, cordial, and respectful. Det. Farkas made no threats or promises
during the interview and Mr. Krieger did not ask for an attorney or ask to stop
the interview.
Following the interview, Officer Cantrell transported Mr. Krieger back to
MVH to have an IV port removed. Thereafter, she transported him to the
Montgomery County Jail. Officer Cantrell did not ask Mr. Krieger any questions
during the transport.
Decision, Entry and Order Denying Defendant’s Motion to Suppress Statements (Mar. 18,
2024), p. 2-4.
{¶ 19} Upon review, we find that the foregoing findings of fact made by the trial court
are supported by competent, credible evidence in the record. Using those facts, we will
independently apply the relevant law to determine whether the trial court correctly overruled
Krieger’s motion to suppress.
Miranda Warnings Were Not Required on the Morning of the Shooting
{¶ 20} As previously discussed, Krieger contends that the statements he made to law
enforcement officers on the morning of the shooting should have been suppressed because
he was not Mirandized and because he was severely injured and heavily intoxicated.
10
{¶ 21} “In [Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966)], the United States Supreme
Court outlined procedural safeguards needed for securing the privilege against self-
incrimination guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.” State v.
Hudson,
2022-Ohio-3253, ¶ 30 (2d Dist.). “‘Miranda requires police to give a suspect certain
prescribed warnings before custodial interrogation commences and provides that if the
warnings are not given, any statements elicited from the suspect through police interrogation
in that circumstance must be suppressed.’”
Id., quoting State v. Petitjean,
140 Ohio App.3d
517, 523 (2d Dist. 2000). “Furthermore, if, after Miranda warnings are given, the suspect
indicates that he or she wishes to remain silent, or if the suspect states that he or she wants
an attorney, the interrogation must cease.”
Id., citing Maryland v. Shatzer,
559 U.S. 98, 104
(2010).
{¶ 22} “‘Only a custodial interrogation triggers the need for a Miranda rights warning.’”
State v. Cobb, 2025-Ohio-1274, ¶ 48 (2d Dist.), quoting State v. Goodspeed, 2004-Ohio-
1819, ¶ 22 (2d Dist.). (Other citations omitted.) “Custodial interrogation is ‘“questioning
initiated by law enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise
deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way.”’” State v. Moody,
2012-Ohio-3390,
¶ 12 (2d Dist.), quoting State v. Roberts,
32 Ohio St.3d 225, 226, fn. 1 (1987), quoting
Miranda at 444.
{¶ 23} “‘Interrogation’ includes express questioning as well as ‘any words or actions
on the part of the police (other than those normally attendant to arrest and custody) that the
police should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from the
suspect.’” State v. Strozier, 2007-Ohio-4575, ¶ 20 (2d Dist.), quoting Rhode Island v. Innis,
446 U.S. 291, 301 (1980); accord State v. Fair,
2011-Ohio-3330, ¶ 40 (2d Dist.). “An officer’s
request for routine information necessary for basic identification purposes is not
11
interrogation unless the officer should have known that it was reasonably likely to elicit an
incriminating response.” In re S.W., 2022-Ohio-854, ¶ 11, fn. 1 (1st Dist.), citing United
States v. Tapia-Rodriguez,
968 F.3d 891, 894 (8th Cir. 2020) (asking suspect whether he
lived in the apartment was a request for routine information and did not constitute
interrogation under Miranda); accord State v. Tompkins,
1996 WL 612855, *5 (2d Dist.
Oct. 25, 1996) (“[t]he police may ask ‘routine booking questions,’ such as requests for the
suspect’s name and address, as long as they are not likely to elicit incriminating responses”),
quoting Pennsylvania v. Muniz,
496 U.S. 582, 601 (1990); State v. Mendenhall,
1990 WL
34860, *3 (9th Dist. Mar. 28, 1990) (“the taking of basic personal information such as name,
age and place of birth is a ministerial duty incident to arrest and custody which does not
constitute ‘interrogation or its functional equivalent, “reasonably likely to elicit an
incriminating response”’), quoting United States v. Taylor,
799 F.2d 126, 128 (4th Cir. 1986),
quoting
Innis at 301-02; State v. Miller,
2018-Ohio-4898, ¶ 33 (8th Dist.); State v. Velliquette,
2020-Ohio-4855, ¶ 16 (6th Dist.).
{¶ 24} In this case, there is no dispute that Krieger was in custody when he was
placed in the back of a police cruiser on the morning of the shooting. However, the trial court
found, and the video evidence confirms that none of the officers ever questioned Krieger
about the shooting incident while he was in custody. Rather, the evidence established that
the officers simply asked Krieger identification questions and questions about his injuries
and whether he needed medical attention. Such questions were not reasonably likely to elicit
an incriminating response; accordingly, they do not amount to an interrogation. Because
there was no interrogation at the scene of the shooting, no Miranda warnings were required.
Therefore, the officers’ failure to Mirandize Krieger at the scene of the shooting does not
warrant suppressing Krieger’s statements. Although Krieger was injured and intoxicated, the
12
fact remains that the officers did not try to elicit any incriminating information from Krieger
when he was in that state. Accordingly, there was no basis to suppress the statements
Kieger made to officers on the morning of the shooting.
Krieger’s Miranda Waiver Was Valid
{¶ 25} Krieger also claims that the statements he made to Detective Farkas two days
after the shooting should have been suppressed because his Miranda waiver was not
knowing, intelligent and voluntary due to his physical and mental condition.
{¶ 26} “[A] suspect may effectively waive the rights conveyed in the Miranda warnings
only if the waiver is made voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently.” State v. Dailey, 53 Ohio
St.3d 88, 91 (1990), citing Miranda,
384 U.S. at 444. “Thus, a court may recognize the
validity of a waiver of Miranda rights only if it finds that (1) ‘the relinquishment of the right[s]
[was] voluntary in the sense that it was the product of a free and deliberate choice rather
than intimidation, coercion, or deception[,]’ and (2) the person had ‘a full awareness of both
the nature of the right[s] being abandoned and the consequences of the decision to abandon
[them].’” State v. Marejka,
2018-Ohio-2570, ¶ 14 (2d Dist.), quoting Moran v. Burbine,
475 U.S. 412, 421 (1986).
{¶ 27} “Courts examine the totality of the circumstances to determine whether a
suspect has knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his or her Miranda rights.” State
v. White, 2018-Ohio-3076, ¶ 17 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Clark,
38 Ohio St.3d 252, 261
(1988). When considering the totality of the facts and circumstances, we look at “the age,
mentality, and prior criminal experience of the accused; the length, intensity, and frequency
of interrogation; the existence of physical deprivation or mistreatment; and the existence of
threat or inducement.” State v. Edwards,
49 Ohio St.2d 31 (1976), paragraph two of the
syllabus, overruled on other grounds,
438 U.S. 911 (1978); accord State v. Verdell, 2018-
13
Ohio-4766, ¶ 32 (2d Dist.). That said, a written waiver of rights is strong proof that a waiver
is valid. Clark at 261, citing North Carolina v. Butler,
441 U.S. 369 (1979).
{¶ 28} In this case, Keiger was 62 years old and had several prior felony drug
convictions at the time he was interrogated by Detective Farkas. During the interrogation,
Detective Farkas read Krieger his Miranda rights and Krieger signed a written waiver of
those rights before he was questioned. The video evidence confirms that Krieger never
asked for an attorney nor indicated that he did not want to proceed with the interrogation.
Instead, Krieger read and signed the Miranda waiver and voluntarily proceeded with the
interrogation without any threats or coercion by Detective Farkas. At all times during the
interrogation, Detective Farkas was friendly and accommodating. Detective Farkas was also
unarmed, and he only questioned Krieger for approximately 20-25 minutes.
{¶ 29} Although Detective Farkas interrogated Krieger immediately after Krieger was
released from the hospital, the video evidence established that Krieger was alert, coherent,
and cordial during the interrogation. Indeed, Krieger’s behavior during the interrogation was
very different from the intoxicated behavior that Krieger displayed while he was at the scene
of the shooting. During the interrogation, Krieger appeared to understand the questions
being asked of him and gave appropriate responses. Although Detective Farkas noted that
Krieger’s jaw injury affected his speech, Krieger still spoke clearly and coherently. At the
time of the interrogation, Krieger did not claim to be intoxicated, nor did he engage in any
behavior that indicated his ability to reason was impaired.
{¶ 30} Even if we were to assume that Krieger was on pain medication at the time of
the interrogation, it is well established that “‘[i]ntoxication will not render a defendant’s waiver
of his Miranda rights invalid unless his ability to reason is sufficiently impaired.”’ State v.
Sellars, 2020-Ohio-2853, ¶ 27 (2d Dist.) citing Verdell,
2018-Ohio-4766 at ¶ 34 (2d Dist.).
14
See also State v. Sitzes, 2023-Ohio-3915, ¶ 21 (2d Dist.) (“[e]vidence of intoxication . . . is
not dispositive of whether a suspect has made a valid waiver, but rather is part of the
consideration of the totality of circumstances”). In this case, there is no evidence of
impairment that would indicate Krieger did not have the requisite level of comprehension to
fully understand the nature of the rights he was waiving and the consequences of the waiver.
{¶ 31} Because the totality of the circumstances establish that Krieger voluntarily
chose to waive his Miranda rights without any coercion, intimidation or deception, and
because Krieger’s behavior established that he was lucid and that he comprehended what
was going on during the waiver and questioning process, we find that the trial court did not
err by failing to suppress the statements Krieger made to Detective Farkas.
{¶ 32} Krieger’s first assignment of error is overruled.
Second Assignment of Error
{¶ 33} Under his second assignment of error, Krieger claims that the trial court erred
by making him choose between having the jury instructed on the defense of accident or the
lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter. According to Krieger, the trial court
should have given both instructions to the jury or it should have refrained from giving the
involuntary manslaughter instruction by itself.
Standard of Review
{¶ 34} “When reviewing the trial court’s jury instructions, the proper standard of
review is whether the trial court’s decision to give or exclude a particular jury instruction was
an abuse of discretion under the facts and circumstances of the case.” State v. Fair, 2011-
Ohio-4454, ¶ 65 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Hamby, 2010-Ohio-4040, ¶ 13 (2d Dist.). “A trial
court abuses its discretion when it makes a decision that is unreasonable, unconscionable,
15
or arbitrary.” (Citation omitted.) State v. Darmond, 2013-Ohio-966, ¶ 34. An abuse of
discretion “most often involves an ‘unreasonable’ decision that is not supported by a sound
reasoning process.” (Citations omitted.) State v. Mackey,
2018-Ohio-516, ¶ 8 (2d Dist.);
AAAA Enterprises, Inc. v. River Place Community Urban Redevelopment Corp.,
50 Ohio
St.3d 157, 161 (1990). Absent an abuse of discretion, we will not reverse the decision of the
trial court.
Law and Analysis
{¶ 35} “Under Crim.R. 30(A), a trial court has a mandatory duty to provide the jury
with all relevant and necessary instructions.” Cobb, 2025-Ohio-1274, ¶ 39 (2d Dist.), citing
State v. Pettiford,
2019-Ohio-892, ¶ 26 (2d Dist.). In doing so, “the trial court must give a
correct jury instruction on the elements of the offense charged and all defenses raised by
the evidence.” State v. Woullard,
2004-Ohio-3395, ¶ 46 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Williford,
49 Ohio St.3d 247 (1990). A criminal defendant is also “sometimes entitled to a jury
instruction that allows the jury to consider convicting the defendant of a lesser included
offense as an alternative to convicting for the offense for which the defendant was charged.”
State v. Owens,
2020-Ohio-4616, ¶ 8, citing State v. Thomas,
40 Ohio St.3d 213, 216-218
(1988). As relevant to this case, involuntary manslaughter is a lesser-included offense of
felony murder. State v. Blanton,
2023-Ohio-89, ¶ 28 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Rider, 2022-
Ohio-1964, ¶ 41 (2d Dist.), citing
Thomas at 215.
{¶ 36} “Ordinarily, when a defendant presents a complete defense to the substantive
elements of the crime . . . an instruction on a lesser included offense is improper.” (Citation
omitted.) State v. Bethel, 2006-Ohio-4853, ¶ 137. The theory of accident is an example of a
complete defense. State v. Underwood,
3 Ohio St.3d 12, 14 (1983); State v. Smith, 2006-
Ohio-4405, ¶ 24 (2d Dist.); State v. Mitchell,
2008-Ohio-958, ¶ 22 (8th Dist.); State v. Rigdon,
16
2007-Ohio-2843, ¶ 46 (12th Dist.). “Thus, when a defendant presents an accident defense,
an instruction on involuntary manslaughter ordinarily is inappropriate.” State v. Wilson, 2015-
Ohio-2016, ¶ 47 (4th Dist.), citing State v. Cutts,
2009-Ohio-3563, ¶ 122 (5th Dist.) (“[w]here
the theory of the defense is predicated on an accident . . . an instruction on involuntary
manslaughter is inappropriate”); State v. Mathis,
2009-Ohio-3289, ¶ 17 (8th Dist.)
(“an accident defense is incompatible with a request for a lesser included offense instruction
on involuntary manslaughter”).
{¶ 37} “Nevertheless, in certain circumstances a defendant presenting a complete
defense may be entitled to a lesser included offense instruction.” Wilson at ¶ 47, citing
State v. Wine, 2014-Ohio-3948, ¶ 33. “In such cases, a defendant is entitled to a lesser-
included-offense instruction ‘only if, based on the evidence adduced by the state, the trier of
fact can find for the defendant . . . on some element of the greater offense which is not
required to prove the commission of the lesser offense and for the state on the elements
required to prove the commission of the lesser offense.’”
Bethel at ¶ 138, quoting State v.
Solomon,
66 Ohio St.2d 214 (1981), paragraph two of the syllabus; accord
Wine at ¶ 25;
State v. Wilkins,
64 Ohio St.2d 382, 388 (1980). In other words, “even when a complete
defense is offered by the defendant, if the state’s evidence could be interpreted as
supporting only a lesser included offense, a lesser-included-offense charge to the jury is
appropriate[.]”
Wine at ¶ 25. “Thus, . . . [an] accident defense does not necessarily preclude
a lesser included offense instruction.” Wilson at ¶ 47. “Instead, even when a defendant
raises a complete defense, a lesser included offense instruction ordinarily is warranted ‘“if
due to some ambiguity in the state’s version of the events involved in [the] case the jury
could have a reasonable doubt regarding the presence of an element required to prove the
greater but not the lesser offense.”’”
Id., quoting
Wine at ¶ 33, quoting
Solomon at 221.
17
{¶ 38} In this case, Krieger was charged with two counts of felony murder in violation
of R.C 2903.02(B) and two counts of felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) and
(A)(2). Felony murder occurs when an offender “cause[s] the death of another as a
proximate result of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit an offense of violence
that is a felony of the first or second degree[.]” R.C. 2903.02(B). Krieger’s two felonious
assault charges were the predicate offenses of violence underlying his felony murder
charges. An offender commits felonious assault under R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) and (A)(2) when
he or she “knowingly” causes serious physical arm to another or “knowingly” causes or
attempts to cause physical harm to another by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous
ordnance.
{¶ 39} The defense of accident serves to negate the element of criminal culpability in
the charged offenses. State v. O'Dell, 2009-Ohio-1040, ¶ 13 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Poole,
33 Ohio St.2d 18, 20 (1973). Therefore, the defense of accident in this case would serve to
negate the knowingly element of felony murder/felonious assault, i.e., that Krieger knowingly
caused Sampson serious physical harm/physical harm with a deadly weapon.
{¶ 40} Involuntary manslaughter occurs when the offender “cause[s] the death of
another . . . as a proximate result of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit a
felony.” R.C. 2903.04(A). It is almost identical to the offense of felony murder. Blanton, 2023-
Ohio-89 at ¶ 29 (2d Dist.). The primary difference is that felony murder requires the
underlying offense to be a first or second-degree felony offense of violence whereas
involuntary manslaughter simply requires the underlying offense to be a felony. Id.; State v.
Rosales, 2018-Ohio-197, ¶ 20 (2d Dist.). “‘Involuntary manslaughter is a crime of transferred
intent[,]’” meaning that “‘the requisite culpable mental state is the same as the culpable
mental state of the underlying [felony] offense.’” State v. White
2023-Ohio-4092, ¶ 52
18
(11th Dist.), quoting State v. Leffel, 2019-Ohio-1840, ¶ 17 (11th Dist.); State v. Bayes,
2000
WL 1879101, *3 (2d Dist. Dec. 29, 2000).
{¶ 41} In this case, the underlying felony offense for involuntary manslaughter was
having weapons while under disability in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(3). A person violates
R.C. 2923.13(A)(3) by knowingly acquiring, having, carrying, or using any firearm after
having been convicted of any felony offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale,
administration, distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse. “Thus, if an offender uses a
firearm in violation of the weapons-while-under-disability statute and the offender’s use of
that firearm proximately results in the death of another, the elements of involuntary
manslaughter are satisfied.” State v. Crawford, 2022-Ohio-1509, ¶ 16.
{¶ 42} Krieger would be entitled to a jury instruction on the defense of accident and
the lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter only if the state’s evidence was
ambiguous on an element of felony murder/felonious assault that was not required to prove
involuntary manslaughter. See Wine, 2014-Ohio-3948 at ¶ 33. With that in mind, we note
that Krieger testified that he accidentally shot Sampson and that he was simply showing
Sampson his firearm when it discharged. Krieger also testified that he reflexively pulled the
trigger of the firearm while mistakenly believing that the safety feature on the weapon was
activated. Both Krieger and Cox testified that Krieger and Sampson had been getting along
at Krieger’s residence and that there were no arguments or any tension between Sampson
and Krieger before the shooting. Cox also testified that he did not see how the shooting
happened. The evidence, therefore, was ambiguous as to whether Krieger knowingly
caused Sampson serious physical harm/physical harm with a deadly weapon.
{¶ 43} Because of the aforementioned ambiguity, the trial court should have realized
that it was possible for the jury to find that the knowing element of felony murder/felonious
19
was not proven. Under that circumstance, Krieger could not be convicted of felony murder,
but he still could be convicted of the lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter.
This is because involuntary manslaughter does not require Krieger to knowingly cause
Sampson physical harm. Instead, Krieger had to knowingly possess a weapon while under
disability—an act which Krieger admitted to at trial. Put simply, the jury could have had a
reasonable doubt regarding the presence of an element required to prove the greater
offense of felony murder but not the lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter. Because of
this, we find that it would have been appropriate for the trial court to instruct the jury on both
the defense of accident and the lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter.
{¶ 44} The defense of accident would only apply to the charged offenses of felony
murder/felonious assault and not to the lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter.
This is because applying the defense of accident would negate the culpable mental state
and result in finding that Krieger did not knowingly possess a firearm while under a weapons
disability. Such a conclusion is not supported by the record, as Krieger admitted to having a
prior felony drug conviction and to knowingly possessing the firearm while he was under a
weapons disability. In other words, Krieger’s defense was not that he accidentally possessed
a weapon while under disability, but rather that he accidentally shot Sampson. Accordingly,
it would have been inappropriate for the trial court to apply the defense of accident to
involuntary manslaughter. However, this court has previously recognized that both accident
and involuntary manslaughter instructions can be given by fashioning instructions that avoid
“misleading the jury into thinking that accident would also have been a defense to the lesser-
included offense of Involuntary Manslaughter, upon which it was also instructed.” State v.
Bethley, 1998 WL 226379, *3 (2d Dist. May 8, 1998).
20
{¶ 45} All that being said, even if we were to find that the trial court had abused its
discretion by failing to instruct the jury on both accident and involuntary manslaughter, the
fact remains that, even absent the accident instruction, the jury acquitted Krieger of the
felony murder and felonious assault charges and instead found him guilty of involuntary
manslaughter. Because the defense of accident only applied to the acquitted charges and
not to involuntary manslaughter, it cannot be said that the outcome of Krieger’s trial would
have been any different had the accident instruction been given with the involuntary
manslaughter instruction. Accordingly, Krieger was not prejudiced by the trial court’s failure
to provide an accident instruction, meaning that any error resulting from that failure is
harmless. State v. Sibole, 2018-Ohio-3203, ¶ 12 (2d Dist.) (“[a]n error may be disregarded
as harmless error if a defendant has not suffered any prejudice as a result”), citing State v.
Morris,
2014-Ohio-5052, ¶ 25; State v. Snyder,
2000 WL 731777, *2 (2d Dist. June 9, 2000)
(“[p]ursuant to the ‘harmless error’ rule, a judgment will not be reversed on the basis of an
error which does not materially prejudice the complaining party”).
{¶ 46} Krieger also argues that the trial court should not have given the involuntary
manslaughter instruction by itself. Krieger, however, specifically requested the trial court to
give that instruction to the jury. Under the invited error doctrine, a party may not request a
jury instruction and then later complain on appeal that requested instruction was given. State
v. Brown, 2013-Ohio-3608, ¶ 53 (5th Dist.); State v. Armstrong-Carter,
2021-Ohio-1110,
¶ 30 (2d Dist.) (holding that the appellant may not challenge a jury instruction given by the
trial court that the appellant requested the trial court to give).
{¶ 47} Krieger’s second assignment of error is overruled.
21
Fourth Assignment of Error
{¶ 48} Under his fourth assignment of error, Krieger claims that his trial counsel
provided ineffective assistance by choosing to have the jury instructed on the lesser-included
offense of involuntary manslaughter as opposed to the defense of accident. In doing so,
Krieger claims that his counsel prejudiced him by abandoning his accident defense and by
presenting a lesser-included offense that required the jury to hear evidence pertaining to his
prior felony drug convictions.
{¶ 49} This court reviews alleged instances of ineffective assistance of trial counsel
under the two-prong analysis set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, (1984),
which has been adopted by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Bradley,
42 Ohio St.3d
136, (1989). Pursuant to those cases, in order to prevail on an ineffective assistance claim,
Krieger must show that his trial counsel rendered deficient performance and that counsel’s
deficient performance prejudiced him. Strickland at paragraph two of the syllabus; Bradley
at paragraph two of the syllabus. The failure to make a showing of either deficient
performance or prejudice defeats a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Strickland at
697.
{¶ 50} To establish deficient performance, Krieger must show that his trial counsel’s
performance fell below an objective standard of reasonable representation. Id. at 688.
In evaluating counsel’s performance, a reviewing court “must indulge in a strong
presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional
assistance.”
Id. at 689. “The adequacy of counsel’s performance must be viewed in light of
all of the circumstances surrounding the trial court proceedings.” State v. Jackson, 2005-
Ohio-6143, ¶ 29 (2d Dist.), citing Strickland.
22
{¶ 51} To establish prejudice, a defendant must show that there is “a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the proceeding’s result would have been different.”
State v. Hale, 2008-Ohio-3426, ¶ 204, citing Strickland at 687-688 and Bradley at paragraph
two of the syllabus. “‘A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome.’”
Bradley at 142, quoting
Strickland at 694.
{¶ 52} In reviewing ineffective assistance claims, we will not second-guess trial
strategy decisions. State v. Mason, 82 Ohio St.3d 144, 157 (1998);
Strickland at 689.
Therefore, “‘trial counsel is allowed wide latitude in formulating trial strategy.’” State v.
Collins,
2011-Ohio-4475, ¶ 15 (2d Dist.), quoting State v. Olsen,
2011-Ohio-3420, ¶ 121 (2d
Dist.). “Debatable strategic and tactical decisions may not form the basis of a claim for
ineffective assistance of counsel, even if, in hindsight, it looks as if a better strategy had
been available.” State v. Conley,
2015-Ohio-2553, ¶ 56 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Cook,
65 Ohio St.3d 516, 524-525 (1992). For example, “‘[i]n a case in which there is conflict in
the testimony and the defendant has a reasonable hope that the jury will believe his evidence
and return a verdict of not guilty, it is a matter of trial strategy whether to seek to have the
jury instructed concerning a lesser-included offense, or not to seek such an instruction and
to hope for an acquittal.’” Id. at ¶ 34, quoting State v. Catlin,
56 Ohio App.3d 75, 78-79,
(2d Dist. 1990). In other words, “[w]hether to request a lesser-included offense instruction,
or to seek an acquittal based on an ‘all or nothing’ approach has been considered a matter
of trial strategy.” State v. McDonald,
2017-Ohio-8496, ¶ 61 (2d Dist.).
{¶ 53} In this case, although there was some evidence supporting the notion that
Krieger had accidentally shot Sampson, there was also evidence suggesting otherwise. For
example, the evidence established that Krieger had placed the barrel of his firearm directly
against Sampson’s chest when it discharged. The evidence also established that Krieger
23
knew the firearm was loaded when he showed it to Sampson and that he reflexively pulled
the trigger. The evidence further established that Krieger’s firearm was operating normally
and that it had a normal trigger pull weight. In addition, Cox testified that after Krieger pulled
the trigger, Sampson said, “why is he killing me?” Trial Tr. Vol. II, p. 199.
{¶ 54} Based on the aforementioned evidence, Krieger’s trial counsel could have
been concerned that the jury would not believe that Krieger had accidentally shot Sampson.
Krieger’s trial counsel also could have been concerned that if the jury was only presented
with the all-or-nothing option of felony murder/felonious assault, that the jury would return a
guilty verdict on those offenses regardless of the accident defense. By choosing to have the
jury instructed on the lesser-included offense of involuntary manslaughter, we presume that
Krieger’s trial counsel was trying to avoid the risk of the jury finding Krieger guilty of the
charged offenses by placing another option on the table for the jury to consider – an option
that did not carry a potential life sentence. Counsel’s decision in that regard is a matter of
trial strategy that cannot support an ineffective assistance claim.
{¶ 55} We also note that counsel’s strategy was successful in that the jury found
Krieger not guilty of felony murder and felonious assault. It is pure speculation to say that
the jury would have returned the same not-guilty verdict on the felony murder/felonious
assault charges if the involuntary manslaughter instruction had not been given. Such
“[s]peculation does not prove either prong under Strickland.” State v. Harris, 2024-Ohio-99,
¶ 36 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Morgan,
2017-Ohio-7565, ¶ 54 (“speculation cannot prove
prejudice”); State v. Powell,
2012-Ohio-2577, ¶ 86. Because Krieger failed to establish
deficient performance on the part of his trial counsel and resulting prejudice, Krieger’s
ineffective assistance claim necessarily fails.
{¶ 56} Krieger’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
24
Third Assignment of Error
{¶ 57} Under his third assignment of error, Krieger contends that his conviction for
involuntary manslaughter was not supported by sufficient evidence and was against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
Standards of Review
{¶ 58} “A sufficiency of the evidence argument disputes whether the State has
presented adequate evidence on each element of the offense to allow the case to go to the
jury or sustain the verdict as a matter of law.” State v. Wilson, 2009-Ohio-525, ¶ 10 (2d Dist.),
citing State v. Thompkins,
78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386 (1997). “When reviewing a claim as to
sufficiency of evidence, the relevant inquiry is whether any rational factfinder viewing the
evidence in a light most favorable to the state could have found the essential elements of
the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” (Citations omitted.) State v. Dennis,
79 Ohio
St.3d 421, 430 (1997). “The verdict will not be disturbed unless the appellate court finds that
reasonable minds could not reach the conclusion reached by the trier-of-fact.” (Citations
omitted.)
Id.
{¶ 59} In contrast, “[a] weight of the evidence argument challenges the believability
of the evidence and asks which of the competing inferences suggested by the evidence is
more believable or persuasive.” (Citation omitted.) Wilson at ¶ 12. When evaluating whether
a conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, the appellate court must review
the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider witness
credibility, and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact
“‘clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction
must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’”
Thompkins at 387, quoting State v. Martin,
20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist.1983). “The fact that the evidence is subject to different
25
interpretations does not render the conviction against the manifest weight of the evidence.”
State v. Adams, 2014-Ohio-3432, ¶ 24 (2d Dist.), citing
Wilson at ¶ 14.
Law and Analysis
{¶ 60} As previously discussed, Krieger was convicted for involuntary manslaughter
in violation of R.C. 2903.04(A), which provides that “[n]o person shall cause the death of
another . . . as a proximate result of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit a
felony.” The Supreme Court of Ohio has explained that this statute “requires two things for
an involuntary-manslaughter conviction: (1) that a felony was committed and (2) that a
person’s death was a proximate result of the commission of that felony.” Crawford, 2022-
Ohio-1509, at ¶ 14.
{¶ 61} The felony underlying Krieger’s involuntary manslaughter conviction was
having weapons while under disability in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(3). Under that statute,
“no person shall knowingly acquire, have, carry, or use any firearm or dangerous ordnance
if . . . the person is under indictment for or has been convicted of any felony offense involving
the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking in any drug of
abuse[.]” R.C. 2923.12(A)(3).
{¶ 62} “The term ‘proximate result’ as it is used in the definition of involuntary
manslaughter resembles the concept of ‘proximate cause’ in that the defendant will be held
responsible for those foreseeable consequences that are known to be, or should be known
to be, within the scope of the risk created by his conduct.” State v. Bumgardner, 1998 WL
892120, *8 (2d Dist. Aug. 21, 1998); accord State v. Dixon,
2002 WL 191582, *6 (2d Dist.
Feb. 8, 2002);
Crawford at ¶ 15. “[P]roximate result” is “a direct, natural, reasonably
foreseeable consequence, as opposed to an extraordinary or surprising consequence, when
viewed in the light of ordinary experience.” (Citations omitted.)
Dixon at *5.
26
{¶ 63} The Supreme Court of Ohio has explained that “[n]othing in the [involuntary
manslaughter] statute requires any connection between the reason for the [weapons]
disability and the death of the victim.” Crawford at ¶ 14. The Supreme Court stated that: “it’s
of no consequence that the circumstances behind a firearm disability are unrelated to the
cause of a victim’s death. The foreseeable harm is what matters for proximate cause.”
(Citations omitted.) Id. at ¶ 16. “We are to ask the ‘basic question that a proximate cause
requirement presents’: Does ‘“the harm alleged [have] a sufficiently close connection to the
conduct” at issue’?” Id., quoting Robers v. United States,
572 U.S. 639, 645 (2014), quoting
Lexmark Internatl., Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc.,
572 U.S. 118, 133 (2014). “Thus,
if an offender uses a firearm in violation of the weapons-while-under-disability statute and
the offender’s use of that firearm proximately results in the death of another, the elements
of involuntary manslaughter are satisfied.”
Id.
{¶ 64} In this case, the parties stipulated and Krieger testified to having a prior felony
conviction for aggravated possession of drugs in 2020. Krieger also testified that as a result
of his felony drug conviction, he was not allowed to possess a firearm, but that he “stupidly
bought one” after he moved to a rough neighborhood. Trial Tr. Vol. III, p. 360. Thus, Krieger
admitted to possessing a firearm while being under a weapons disability. In addition, Krieger
admitted that, while he was under the weapons disability, he showed Sampson his firearm
and shot Sampson by pulling the trigger of the firearm while mistakenly believing that the
weapon’s safety feature was activated. Testimony from the coroner who performed an
autopsy on Sampson’s body confirmed that Sampson died as result of the gunshot wound
inflicted by Krieger.
{¶ 65} When viewing the aforementioned evidence in a light most favorable to the
State, a rational factfinder could have concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Krieger
27
shot and killed Sampson as a proximate result of him committing the felony offense of having
weapons while under disability. Because such a finding encompasses all essential elements
of involuntary manslaughter, we find that Krieger’s conviction for involuntary manslaughter
was supported by sufficient evidence.
{¶ 66} After reviewing the entire record and weighing all the evidence and reasonable
inferences, we also find that the jury did not lose its way or create a manifest miscarriage of
justice by finding Krieger guilty of involuntary manslaughter, as the weight of the evidence
supported the jury’s verdict. Accordingly, Krieger’s conviction for involuntary manslaughter
was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 67} Krieger’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Fifth Assignment of Error
{¶ 68} Under his fifth assignment of error, Krieger claims that his involuntary
manslaughter and having weapons while under disability offenses were allied offenses of
similar import that the trial court should have merged at sentencing. Krieger bases this claim
on the fact that having weapons while under disability was the predicate felony required for
him to be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Krieger claims that those two offenses
could not have been committed separately and therefore should have been merged as allied
offenses of similar import.
Standard of Review
{¶ 69} “An appellate court typically reviews a trial court’s merger determination de
novo.” State v. Bierma, 2024-Ohio-2089, ¶ 38 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Williams, 2012-Ohio-
5699, ¶ 28. However, because Krieger failed to object to the trial court’s merger
determination at sentencing, all but plain error has been waived for appeal on that issue.
28
State v. Bailey, 2022-Ohio-4407, ¶ 7, citing State v. Rogers,
2015-Ohio-2459, ¶ 28.
Accordingly, we will review the trial court’s merger determination for plain error.
{¶ 70} “Plain error occurs when an error or defect at trial, not brought to the attention
of the court, affects a substantial right of the defendant.” State v. Henderson, 2020-Ohio-6,
¶ 29 (2d Dist.), citing
Rogers at ¶ 22. “Plain error exists when but for the error the outcome
of the trial clearly would have been otherwise.”
Id. “Courts must proceed on a claim of plain
error ‘with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a
manifest miscarriage of justice.’”
Id., quoting State v. Long,
53 Ohio St.2d 91 (1978),
paragraph three of syllabus.
Allied Offense Law
{¶ 71} The Double Jeopardy Clauses of the Fifth Amendment to the United States
Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution prohibit a criminal defendant
from being tried twice for the same offense and from receiving multiple punishments for the
same offense. State v. Pendleton, 2020-Ohio-6833, ¶ 8, citing State v. Ruff,
2015-Ohio-995,
¶ 10. “The Ohio General Assembly enacted R.C. 2941.25 to help a court faced with
sentencing a defendant on multiple offenses to determine whether the legislature intended
to allow multiple punishments or whether those offenses should merge.” State v. Childs,
2024-Ohio-4699, ¶ 63 (10th Dist.), citing
Pendleton at ¶ 11, citing State v. Brown, 2008-
Ohio-4569, ¶ 37. Therefore, when a defendant’s conduct supports multiple offenses,
sentencing courts apply the analysis set forth in R.C. 2941.25 to determine whether the
offenses merge or whether the defendant may be convicted of separate offenses.
{¶ 72} R.C. 2941.25 provides the following:
(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to
constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment or
29
information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the defendant may
be convicted of only one.
(B) Where the defendant’s conduct constitutes two or more offenses of
dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more offenses of the
same or similar kind committed separately or with a separate animus as to
each, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such offenses,
and the defendant may be convicted of all of them.
{¶ 73} “‘[W]hen determining whether offenses are allied offenses of similar import
within the meaning of R.C. 2941.25, courts must ask three questions . . . (1) Were the
offenses dissimilar in import or significance? (2) Were they committed separately? and
(3) Were they committed with separate animus or motivation?’” State v. Earley, 2015-Ohio-
4615, ¶ 12, quoting Ruff at ¶ 31. “‘An affirmative answer to any of the above will permit
separate convictions. The conduct, the animus, and the import must all be considered.’”
Id.,
quoting
Ruff at ¶ 31.
{¶ 74} In Early, the Supreme Court of Ohio held that aggravated vehicular assault
and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (“OVI”) did not
merge under the allied-offense statute even though the OVI offense served as the predicate
conduct for the aggravated vehicular assault. Early at ¶ 21. In so holding, the court reasoned
that aggravated vehicular assault “has a different import and significance” than OVI, such
that “[t]here is a legitimate justification for criminalizing each of these offenses separately[.]”
Id. at ¶ 15. Therefore, the Supreme Court concluded that misdemeanor OVI and felony
aggravated vehicular assault “are offenses of dissimilar import and significance that are to
be punished cumulatively.” Id. at ¶ 20. Again, the Supreme Court reached that conclusion
despite the fact that OVI was the predicate conduct for aggravated vehicular assault. “Thus,
30
we know from authority of the Supreme Court that there is . . . no overarching rule to the
effect that where one offense is predicated on the commission of another, with the second
essentially being an element of the first, the two must automatically merge at sentencing.”
State v. McKnight, 2022-Ohio-591, ¶ 33 (10th Dist.), citing
Ruff at ¶ 28.
Krieger’s Offenses are Dissimilar in Import and Significance
{¶ 75} Offenses are dissimilar in import or significance within the meaning of
R.C. 2941.25(B) “when the defendant’s conduct constitutes offenses involving separate
victims or if the harm that results from each offense is separate and identifiable.” Ruff, 2015-
Ohio-995 at ¶ 23. “[H]aving weapons while under disability is of a dissimilar import from other
offenses ‘because the statute manifests a legislative purpose to punish the act of possessing
a firearm while under a disability separately from any offense committed with the firearm.’”
State v. Dalmida, 2015-Ohio-4995, ¶ 32 (1st Dist.), quoting State v. Bates,
2015-Ohio-116,
¶ 30 (1st Dist.). “The underlying purpose of criminalizing having weapons while under
disability is to protect the general public from the increased risk of harm of armed criminals.”
Id., citing State v. Rice,
69 Ohio St.2d 422, 427 (1982).
{¶ 76} In this case, it is clear that Sampson was the victim of Krieger’s involuntary
manslaughter offense and that the harm flowing from that offense was Sampson’s death. In
contrast, the harm flowing from Krieger having a weapon while under disability was not only
Sampson being shot to death but also the safety risk that was posed to the general public
while Krieger, a convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm. Indeed, Krieger told
Detective Farkas that he had obtained the firearm four months prior to shooting Sampson;
therefore, the general public was at risk of harm during the entire time that Krieger had the
weapon. Because Krieger’s offense involved separate and identifiable harms, they are
dissimilar in import and significance.
31
Krieger’s Offenses Were Committed Separately
{¶ 77} Offenses are committed separately within the meaning of R.C. 2941.25(B) if
“one offense was complete before the other offense occurred, . . . notwithstanding their
proximity in time and that one was committed in order to commit the other.” (Emphasis
added.) State v. Turner, 2011-Ohio-6714, ¶ 24 (2d Dist.). In other words, “when one offense
is completed prior to the completion of another offense during the defendant’s course of
conduct, those offenses are separate acts.” State v. Mooty,
2014-Ohio-733, ¶ 49 (2d Dist.),
citing
Turner at ¶ 24.
{¶ 78} As previously discussed, Krieger admitted to obtaining the firearm in question
four months before shooting Sampson. There is no dispute that Krieger obtained the firearm
while having prior felony drug convictions that prevented him from having a weapon.
Accordingly, Krieger completed the offense of having weapons while under disability as soon
as he obtained the firearm. Because Krieger committed the offense of having weapons while
under disability four months before he shot Sampson, the offense of involuntary
manslaughter was committed separately in time and also by separate conduct. See State v.
Shepard, 2019-Ohio-3995, ¶ 51 (11th Dist.) (“[i]nvoluntary manslaughter and having a
weapon while under disability do not appear to constitute allied offenses of similar import
subject to merger since they involve separate conduct”), citing State v. Allen, 2017-Ohio-
2831, ¶ 35 (9th Dist.) (“The fact that Allen had the gun at all while under disability was
sufficient conduct to support that offense. His later failure to secure the gun and to allow his
son access to it amounted to separate conduct”).
{¶ 79} Because Krieger’s involuntary manslaughter and having weapons while under
disability offenses were dissimilar in import and significance and were committed separately,
they are not allied offenses of similar import as defined under R.C 2941.25. Therefore, the
32
trial court did not commit any error, let alone plain error, by failing to merge those offenses
at sentencing.
{¶ 80} Krieger’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.
Conclusion
{¶ 81} Having overruled all of Krieger’s assignments of error, the judgment of the trial
court is affirmed.
.............
LEWIS, J., and HUFFMAN, J., concur.
33
