[Cite as State v. Thomas,
2024-Ohio-5662.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
State of Ohio, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : No. 23AP-129
(C.P.C. No. 21CR-4199)
v. :
(REGULAR CALENDAR)
Robert Thomas, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
:
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on December 3, 2024
On brief: G. Gary Tyack, Prosecuting Attorney, and
Taylor M. Mick, for appellee.
Argued: Taylor M. Mick.
On brief: Samuel H. Shamansky Co, L.P.A., Samuel H.
Shamansky, Donald L. Regensburger, and Ashton C.
Gaitanos, for appellant.
Argued: Samuel H. Shamansky.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
MENTEL, P.J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Robert Thomas, appeals from a judgment of conviction
and sentence entered by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, pursuant to a jury
trial, which found him guilty of aggravated menacing. For the reasons that follow, we affirm
in part and reverse in part.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} On October 7, 2021, Thomas was indicted by a Franklin County Grand Jury
on one count of involuntary manslaughter, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C.
2903.04 (Count One); and one count of aggravated menacing, a misdemeanor of the first
No. 23AP-129 2
degree, in violation of R.C. 2903.21 (Count Two). The charges stemmed from a
confrontation on June 20, 2021, which resulted in the death of the victim in this case, J.K.
In November 2022, the matter proceeded to a jury trial at which the following evidence was
adduced.
{¶ 3} C.K., the wife of J.K., was raised by her grandparents, Verna and Cordell
Williams, in their home on Walnut Hill Drive. (Nov. 15, 2022 Tr. Vol. I at 4-5, 17.)1 C.K.
and her grandparents lived across the street from Thomas. (Tr. Vol. I at 7-9, 22.) C.K. grew
up playing with Thomas’ children around the neighborhood and, prior to 2011, did not have
any problems with Thomas or his family. (Tr. Vol. I at 8-9.)
{¶ 4} According to C.K., there were several incidents involving Thomas that led to
the confrontation on June 20, 2021. C.K. first testified to the “car incident” in 2011. (Tr.
Vol. I at 19.) According to C.K., Thomas tailgated her on the highway and “flick[ed] her off”
as he drove away. (Tr. Vol. I at 19.) Mr. Williams confronted Thomas’ wife about the
incident, which seemed to resolve the issue. (Tr. Vol. I at 20.) C.K. testified that while some
members of the Thomas family attended her wedding, Thomas was not present. (Tr. Vol. I
at 22.) C.K. acknowledged that she did not have an issue with Thomas not attending her
wedding. (Tr. Vol. I at 22.) In November 2018, there was an incident between Thomas and
J.K. on Walnut Hill Drive. (Tr. Vol. I at 25, 27.) According to C.K., upon arriving at the
Williams home for Thanksgiving, J.K. let her out of the vehicle then proceeded to pull into
Thomas’ driveway to turn around. (Tr. Vol. I at 28.) C.K. testified that Thomas confronted
J.K. by his vehicle for turning around in his driveway. (Tr. Vol. I at 25, 28-29.) C.K. agreed
with the characterization that Thomas approached J.K. in a “provocative way.” (Tr. Vol. I
at 26.)
{¶ 5} On June 20, 2021, C.K. and J.K. attended a Father’s Day event at the
Williams’ home on Walnut Hill Drive. (Tr. Vol. I at 30-31.) At the conclusion of the
celebration, C.K. and J.K. walked down the driveway toward their vehicle. (Tr. Vol. I at 34.)
According to C.K., when they approached the vehicle, Thomas “was just there. I don’t even
know how to describe it. I mean, he was just there.” (Tr. Vol. I at 34.) C.K. testified that as
Thomas approached, he was attempting to load his rifle. (Tr. at 34-35; Nov. 16, 2022 Tr.
1 Prior to trial Mr. and Mrs. Williams both passed away from COVID-19. (Tr. Vol. I at 83.)
No. 23AP-129 3
Vol. II at 26.) C.K. twice asked Thomas, “what are you doing?” to which he replied, “[H]e
didn’t tell you?” (Vol. I Tr. at 35.) C.K. screamed for help while J.K. attempted to slap the
magazine out of Thomas’ hands. (Tr. Vol. I at 35.) C.K. described the two men fighting over
possession of the rifle. (Tr. Vol. I at 35-36.) C.K. testified that her grandfather then ran
down the driveway and entered the struggle over the firearm. (Tr. Vol. I at 26.) C.K. called
the police to report the incident then heard gunfire. (Tr. Vol. I at 36.) According to C.K.,
J.K. appeared dead at this point. (Tr. Vol. I at 47.) C.K. testified that Thomas did not fire
his rifle as he was disarmed by either Mr. Williams or J.K. (Tr. Vol. I at 66, 78.)
{¶ 6} According to C.K., her grandfather confronted another neighbor, later
identified as Elias Smith, regarding the shooting. (Tr. Vol. I at 38, 69.) When Mr. Williams
asked if Smith had shot J.K., Smith indicated “yes” but did not explain. (Tr. Vol. I at 69.)
When Smith or his brother approached, C.K. told them to get away. (Tr. Vol. I at 41.) At
some point, Mr. Williams disarmed Smith, and he went back into his residence. (Tr. Vol. I
at 45, 69-70.) Mr. Williams then told Thomas to “pick up his stuff and go,” which he
complied. (Tr. Vol. I at 36-37, 58, 70.) C.K. testified that her husband, when confronted by
Thomas, was “[a]bsolutely” in fear for his safety. (Tr. Vol. I at 76.) C.K. testified that she
was also in fear for her safety. (Tr. Vol. I at 76.)
{¶ 7} Charisse Penn, C.K.’s mother, testified that she was in the laundry room when
the altercation took place. (Tr. Vol. II at 51.) According to Penn, Thomas approached the
couple with the firearm at his side then raised it up when he got to them. (Tr. Vol. II at 52.)
According to Penn, Thomas was not pointing his gun at the couple, but he was
“confront[ing]” them with it. (Tr. Vol. II at 52.) Penn stated that the firearm “was up and
he’s talking.” (Tr. Vol. II at 52.) Penn testified that the “panicked voice yelling in th[e]
video” was her voice. (Tr. Vol. II at 53.) “I’m yelling that way because at that point I am in
fear for [C.K.’s] life and [J.K.’s] life.” (Tr. Vol. II at 53.) According to Penn, J.K. and Thomas
fought over the gun before Mr. Williams entered the altercation. Penn testified that it is
unclear who disarmed Thomas. (Tr. Vol. II at 55, 66.) Mr. Williams, J.K., and Thomas
were all standing up and the gun and magazines were on the ground. (Tr. Vol. II at 55.)
Penn saw Smith “open[] the door” of his home with a firearm, marked as State’s Exhibit A-
2, and then heard gunshots before J.K. fell to the ground. (Tr. Vol. II at 55, 67.) Penn yelled,
No. 23AP-129 4
“why did you do that?,” which Smith replied, “he didn’t know why he did it.” (Tr. Vol. II at
55-56.)
{¶ 8} Officers Michelle Reynolds-Parra and Frederick Kaufman testified that they
responded to the incident on Walnut Hill Drive on June 20, 2021. (Tr. Vol. II at 75-128.)
Both Reynolds-Parra and Kaufman testified to the efforts to render aid to J.K. at the scene
as well as evidence gathered in the hours after the shooting. (Tr. Vol. II at 126.) Smith was
also formally called as a witness, but he asserted his Fifth Amendment right against selfincrimination and did not answer any questions. (Tr. Vol. II at 128.)
{¶ 9} Officer David Wrenn testified that he was present when Smith came out of
his home and assisted in taking him into custody. (Tr. Vol. II at 135.) Wrenn provided
additional testimony as to his body-cam video that recorded the arrest. During the video,
Smith stated, “I fired a few shots. I thought somebody was going to get killed.” (Tr. Vol. II
at 139.) Officer Todd Cress, an officer assigned to the crime scene search unit, testified as
to the scene at the Williams residence on June 20, 2021. (Tr. Vol. II at 174.) Cress provided
testimony regarding photographs and other evidence gathered at the crime scene. (Tr. Vol.
II at 173-218.)
{¶ 10} Caleb Worley is a forensic scientist with the firearms identification section of
the Columbus Police Department Crime Lab. (Tr. Vol. II at 142-43.) Worley testified to his
education and experience and was declared an expert in the area of firearm examination.
Worley provided testimony as to the three firearms involved in this case. (Tr. Vol. II at 145,
152.) Worley examined Thomas’ SKS rifle, marked as State’s Exhibit A-1, and testified that
the gun will have a magazine, which holds the ammunition and is inserted into the gun.
(Tr. Vol. II at 146-47.) Once the magazine is inserted, the bolt will be pulled back and then
released. (Tr. Vol. II at 147.) Worley testified that the rifle could be fired without the
magazine in it. (Tr. Vol. II at 148.) Worley concluded that the rifle was fully functional.
(Tr. Vol. II at 145-46, 148.) The second firearm was Smith’s AR-15 type rifle of unknown
make, identified as State’s Exhibit A-2. (Tr. Vol. II at 152.) Worley testified that the gun
lacked a serial number and was potentially made at home. (Tr. Vol. II at 155.) Worley
concluded that the firearm was operable after he tested the rifle. (Tr. Vol. II at 155.) The
final firearm Worley examined was J.K.’s Kel-Tec pistol, marked as State’s Exhibit A-4,
which he also concluded as operable. (Tr. Vol. II at 158, 160.)
No. 23AP-129 5
{¶ 11} Detective Ronald Lemmon testified that he responded to the scene at Walnut
Hill Drive on the night in question. (Tr. Vol. II at 220.) Lemmon testified that he
interviewed family members and other witnesses at the scene. (Tr. Vol. II at 222.) Lemmon
also interviewed Thomas at police headquarters. (Tr. Vol. II at 223.) During the interview,
Thomas alleged that J.K. had damaged his tires, put herbicide on his lawn, and vandalized
his property. (Tr. Vol. II at 227.) According to Lemmon, Thomas acknowledged that the
day he approached J.K. with a gun, he was trying to “scare” J.K. so he would stay off
Thomas’ property. (Tr. Vol. II at 227.) While Thomas did not have any direct evidence of
J.K. damaging his property, he had a “hunch.” (Tr. Vol. II at 227, 233.) Thomas also
indicated a long-standing grievance that he believed he was given the incorrect address for
the wedding of J.K. and C.K. (Tr. Vol. II at 244.) According to Thomas, J.K. figured out the
firearm was unloaded, and he “wasn’t going to do anything.” (Tr. Vol. II at 229.) Thomas
stated that the fight was not over the gun, and he was not concerned when Mr. Williams
grabbed the rifle. (Tr. Vol. II at 230-31.) Thomas explained the rifle was unloaded because
he “didn’t want to hurt anybody” though he restated that he was trying to scare J.K. (Tr.
Vol. II at 231-32.) Thomas testified that after the altercation, J.K. pulled out his own gun
at which point “two shots rang out.” (Tr. Vol. II at 232-34.) In response to Lemmon’s
question, “when you pulled your gun, you just walked up and pointed it at him; you didn’t
say anything to him?” Thomas responded, “Yes.” (Tr. Vol. II at 232.) Thomas then stated
that “[he] didn’t point [the gun] at him.” (Tr. Vol. II at 233.) The parties stipulated to the
coroner’s report that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. (State’s Ex. C-1.)
{¶ 12} On November 18, 2022, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the charge
of involuntary manslaughter but guilty of aggravated menacing. The trial court held a
sentencing hearing on December 15, 2022. The trial court sentenced Thomas to 180 days
in jail with 174 suspended. Thomas received 6 days of jail-time credit. The trial court then
imposed a 5-year term of intensive supervision, $1,000 fine, and restitution in the amount
of $2,035.86. Thomas was also placed on house arrest at his own expense for a period of
two years. Finally, the trial court imposed a condition that his residence was “subject to
search by Probation or law enforcement at any time for weapons.” (Emphasis omitted.)
(Dec. 29, 2022 Jgmt. Entry.)
No. 23AP-129 6
{¶ 13} On February 24, 2023, Thomas sought leave to file a delayed appeal in this
matter. The state filed a memorandum in opposition on March 7, 2023. We granted
Thomas’ motion on April 11, 2023.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶ 14} Appellant assigns the following as trial court error:
[I.] Appellant’s conviction was against the manifest weight
of the evidence in violation of his right to due process as
guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the
United States Constitution and comparable provisions of
the Ohio Constitution.
[II.] Appellant’s sentence, which includes a two-year period
of house arrest at his own expense for a misdemeanor
conviction as well as authorizing unrestricted residential
searches, violates his right against cruel and unusual
punishment as guaranteed by the Eighth Amendment to the
United States Constitution and comparable provisions of
the Ohio Constitution[].
[III.] The trial court’s failure to advise Appellant of the
mandatory warning contained in R.C. 2929.25 rendered
Appellant’s sentence contrary to law.
III. LEGAL ANALYSIS
A. Thomas’ First Assignment of Error
{¶ 15} Thomas first contends that his conviction of aggravated menacing was
against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 16} The criminal standard of manifest weight of the evidence addresses the
evidence’s effect in inducing belief. State v. Stewart, 10th Dist. No. 23AP-203, 2024-Ohio-
1448, ¶ 23, citing State v. Cassell, 10th Dist. No. 08AP-1093, 2010-Ohio-1881, ¶ 38, citing
State v. Wilson,
113 Ohio St.3d 382,
2007-Ohio-2202, ¶ 25. A manifest weight challenge
attacks the credibility of the evidence and considers whether the state met its burden of
persuasion. State v. R.J.C., 10th Dist. No. 21AP-651,
2024-Ohio-1670, ¶ 30. “ ‘Although
evidence may be sufficient to sustain a guilty verdict, the issue of manifest weight requires
a different type of analysis.’ ” R.J.C. at ¶ 30, quoting State v. Walker, 10th Dist. No. 02AP-
679,
2003-Ohio-986, ¶ 43. “ ‘[W]eight of the evidence’ concerns the inclination of the
greater amount of credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather
No. 23AP-129 7
than the other.” State v. Petty, 10th Dist. No. 15AP-950,
2017-Ohio-1062, ¶ 60, quoting
State v. Boone, 10th Dist. No. 14AP-87,
2015-Ohio-2648, ¶ 49. “When a court of appeals
reverses a judgment of a trial court on the basis that the verdict is against the weight of the
evidence, the appellate court sits as a ‘thirteenth juror’ and disagrees with the factfinder’s
resolution of the conflicting testimony.” State v. Thompkins,
78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387 (1977),
citing Tibbs v. Florida,
457 U.S. 31, 42 (1982). An appellate court must consider the entire
record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of the
witnesses and determine whether in addressing conflicts in the evidence, the jury clearly
lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be
reversed and a new trial ordered. Stewart at ¶ 23, citing State v. Martin,
20 Ohio App.3d
172, 175 (1st Dist.1983).
{¶ 17} A reviewing court should afford the jury’s determination great deference as
they were “best able to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures and voice
inflections, and use these observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered
testimony.” (Internal citations omitted.) Stewart at ¶ 25. The manifest weight standard is
difficult to overcome as the resolution of factual issues resides with the trier of fact, which
has the authority to “ ‘believe or disbelieve any witness or accept part of what a witness says
and reject the rest.’ ” R.J.C. at ¶ 32, quoting State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67 (1964); State
v. DeHass,
10 Ohio St.2d 230 (1967), paragraph one of the syllabus. Reversal of a jury’s
verdict as being against the manifest weight of the evidence is reserved only for the most
exceptional cases in which the evidence weighs heavily against a conviction and requires
the unanimous concurrence of all three appellate judges reviewing the case. Stewart at
¶ 24; Ohio Constitution, Article IV, Section 3(B)(3).
{¶ 18} In order to demonstrate aggravated menacing, the state must show that
Thomas “knowingly cause[d] another to believe that [he would] cause serious physical
harm to the person or property of the other person … or a member of the other person’s
immediate family.” R.C. 2903.21(A). The General Assembly has provided that an
individual acts knowingly, regardless of purpose, “when the person is aware that [his]
conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably be of a certain nature.” R.C.
2901.22(B).
No. 23AP-129 8
{¶ 19} Thomas concedes that it is “undisputed that the testimony adduced at trial,
specifically that [C.K.] believed her husband was scared, was sufficient to support
Appellant’s conviction.” (Emphasis sic.) (Appellant’s Brief at 15.) However, Thomas
contends that based on the video evidence and attendant circumstances, no reasonable
finder of fact could have found her opinion testimony credible. Thomas alternatively argues
that even if C.K.’s opinion testimony as to J.K.’s state of mind was credible, “the greater
weight of the evidence demonstrated that [Thomas] did not knowingly cause [J.K.] to
believe that [he] would cause him serious physical harm.” (Appellant’s Brief at 16.) Thomas
contends that while he intended to scare J.K. and initiated the confrontation for that
purpose, he did not succeed as the evidence did not show “his conduct during that
confrontation naturally and foreseeably lead [J.K.] to believe that [Thomas] would cause
him serious physical harm, nor does it support a finding that [Thomas] was aware that his
conduct would create that belief.” (Appellant’s Brief at 17.) Thomas reasons that the act of
walking up to someone while holding a “visibly unloaded” firearm is lawful, and he did not
point the rifle, or make any verbal threats, towards J.K. or C.K. (Appellant’s Brief at 17.)
{¶ 20} Ohio courts have found that the offense of aggravated menacing does not
require the state to demonstrate the “ ‘offender is able to carry out his threat or that he
intends to carry it out or believes himself capable of carrying it out,’ nor does it ‘require
proof that the offender threatened imminent serious physical harm.’ ” (Emphasis sic.)
State v. March-Natali, 11th Dist. No. 2022-T-0022, 2022-Ohio-4061, ¶ 37, quoting State
v. McDonald, 11th Dist. No. 2018-A-0008,
2018-Ohio-3845, ¶ 34. The state is required to
demonstrate that the victim’s subjective belief is that the defendant will cause serious
physical harm. McDonald at ¶ 34, citing State v. Gardner, 8th Dist. No. 104677, 2017-
Ohio-7241, ¶ 21; State v. Perkins, 8th Dist. No. 86685,
2006-Ohio-3678, ¶ 14. “[A] person
can be convicted of aggravated menacing even though the person has not made any
movement toward carrying out the threat.” (Further citation omitted.) March-Natali at
¶ 37.
{¶ 21} This court has previously found that brandishing a firearm is sufficient to
support a conviction for aggravated menacing. State v. Bunsie, 10th Dist. No. 96APA04-
427, 1996 Ohio App. LEXIS 3536, *20 (10th Dist.1996) (“the brandishing of a firearm is
sufficient to justify a conviction for the offense of aggravated menacing, a misdemeanor of
No. 23AP-129 9
the first degree”). Ohio courts have defined “brandish” to mean “wave or exhibit in a
menacing or challenging manner.” State v. McCrary, 1st Dist. No. C-08060, 2009-Ohio-
4390, ¶ 30; see also State v. Hills, 8th Dist. No. 98848,
2013-Ohio-2902, ¶ 16 (finding
defendant’s conduct supported a conviction of aggravated menacing when he called the
victim a “snitch,” removed his firearm from the waistband, and “waved it about in a
menacing manner”).
{¶ 22} Moreover, Ohio courts have even found that under certain sets of facts,
merely revealing the possession of a firearm, even without a direct or explicit threat, could
be sufficient to sustain an aggravated menacing conviction. State v. Goodwin, 10th Dist.
No. 05AP-267, 2006-Ohio-66, ¶ 25, 31 (finding sufficient evidence to support a conviction
for aggravated menacing when the defendant knocked on the victim’s door and “[t]hen,
without talking, appellant lifted his shirt, revealing a firearm, and then he left”); State v. El-Hardan, 2d Dist. No. 24293,
2011-Ohio-4453, ¶ 43 (“merely displaying a weapon is enough
to support a conviction for Aggravated Menacing when this act causes the victim to believe
that the defendant will cause him serious physical harm”). A threat need not be verbal but
may be implied by the offender’s behavior. State v. Taylor, 2d Dist. No. 2018-CA-9, 2019-
Ohio-142, ¶ 83, citing El-Hardan at ¶ 46, citing State v. Terzo, 12th Dist. No. CA2002-08-
194,
2003-Ohio-5983, ¶ 18; see also March-Natali at ¶ 37-39; State v. Yoder, 6th Dist. No.
E-19-031,
2020-Ohio-4546, ¶ 16 (“appellant [was] really intimidating, shaking, staring,
angry, red-faced, and looming over them with a gun in his waist”).
{¶ 23} In the case sub judice, there is no dispute that Thomas intended to put J.K.
in a place of fear. Thomas concedes that he left his house to “scare” J.K. and “initiated a
confrontation for that purpose.” (Appellant’s Brief at 17.) C.K. testified that when Thomas
approached their vehicle, he was attempting to load a magazine into the gun. (Tr. Vol. I at
34.) C.K. testified that J.K. was “[a]bsolutely” in fear for his safety. (Tr. Vol. I at 76.) While
Thomas contends that he did not point the firearm at either J.K. or C.K., Penn testified
Thomas approached the couple with the firearm at his side then “confronted them with [the
gun]. It was up.” (Tr. Vol. II at 52.) In response to Thomas’ actions, C.K. testified that J.K.
attempted to disarm him by slapping the magazine out of Thomas’ hands. (Tr. Vol. II at
34.)
No. 23AP-129 10
{¶ 24} While Thomas contends that the video evidence does not support C.K.’s
testimony that Thomas was loading the rifle as he approached or that he pointed the rifle
at J.K., our review of the video is far less definitive. While the video shows Thomas carrying
the rifle at his side during the immediate approach, it is difficult to discern whether Thomas
attempted to load the rifle or raised it at any point. The video is grainy, and the latter
portion of the interaction is partially obstructed by a vehicle and a tree. Concerning
whether J.K. believed that Thomas would cause him serious physical harm, we have some
evidence from the trial to support C.K.’s testimony. First, Worley testified that the rifle was
potentially operable despite the lack of a magazine. There is also the prior history between
J.K. and Thomas to consider. Most notably, C.K. testified that Thomas had previously
confronted J.K. on Thanksgiving for turning his vehicle around in Thomas’ driveway. (Tr.
Vol. I at 25, 28-29.) C.K. agreed with the characterization that Thomas had approached
J.K. in a “provocative way.” (Tr. Vol. I at 26.) Finally, C.K. testified that J.K. attempted to
disarm Thomas by slapping the magazine out of his hands. Based on J.K.’s prior history
and efforts to disarm Thomas, we can reasonably infer from J.K.’s actions that he was
placed in enough fear from Thomas’ possession of the gun that he needed to defend himself.
{¶ 25} We conclude that it is appropriate to defer to the jury’s determination
regarding the witnesses’ credibility. While the record reveals some inconsistencies or
discrepancies, C.K. testified that J.K. was placed in fear for his safety. As there is some
evidence to support C.K.’s testimony, we conclude that the jury did not lose its way in
resolving the credibility determinations, nor did the conviction create a manifest
miscarriage of justice. Here, the jury could have reasonably concluded that J.K. believed
that Thomas would knowingly cause him serious physical harm.
{¶ 26} Thomas relies on State v. Hamm, 1st Dist. No. C-190562, 2020-Ohio-4691
and State v. Fields,
84 Ohio App.3d 423 (12th Dist.1992) in support of his manifest weight
argument. A brief review of these cases is instructive.
{¶ 27} In Hamm, the alleged victim in the case, Andrews, walked past a pickup truck
outside an ATM machine. Id. at ¶ 3. Andrews overheard Hamm make a comment to the
other individual in the truck and a verbal exchange ensued. Id. at ¶ 3-4. At the start of the
exchange, Hamm had a firearm holstered on his hip. Id. at ¶ 3. Upon Andrews remarking
that Hamm “was acting tough because he had a gun,” Hamm removed the gun and handed
No. 23AP-129 11
it to the passenger in the truck. Id. at ¶ 4. Video evidence revealed that “Andrews walked
toward the truck, and when Hamm turned toward Andrews, Andrews lunged at him.
Hamm was standing with his arms at his side with his right palm down and his left hand
holding his cell phone. Andrews immediately assumed a fighting stance and punched
Hamm in the face.” Id. at ¶ 10. Andrews acknowledged, “Hamm did not say anything to
provoke the punches.” Id. at ¶ 5. When Hamm stood up and leaned into the passenger
window of his truck, Andrews ran away. Id. at ¶ 10. The video evidence showed “Hamm
retrieved the holstered gun, clipped it onto his waistband, and pulled his shirt over the
holster. He walked unsteadily in the same direction that Andrews had run. Seconds later,
Hamm returned to his truck and sat down in the driver’s seat. He remained in the truck
until the police arrived.” Id. at ¶ 10. Andrews ultimately ran into the store and an employee
called the police. Id. at ¶ 6. The trial court found Hamm guilty of aggravated menacing.
The First District Court of Appeals reversed finding there was insufficient evidence as
Hamm was “lawfully carrying a firearm in a holster strapped to his hip … did not brandish
the firearm, wave the firearm in the air, … threaten to use the firearm[, and] made no
threat which would cause a fear of serious physical harm.” (Internal quotation omitted.)
Id. at ¶ 25.
{¶ 28} In Fields, an off-duty police officer discovered three boys fishing on the
property where she boarded her horses. Fields at 428. Fields retrieved her gun and ejected
the boys for trespassing. Id. While Fields purported waved her gun, she held the gun at
her side for the rest of the encounter and “made no threat which would cause a fear of
serious physical harm.” Id. at 428. In fact, the teenagers testified that the appellant was
“pretty nice” to them for most of the encounter. Id. While Fields was initially convicted of
aggravated menacing, the Twelfth District Court of Appeals reversed finding the judgment
was against the manifest weight of the evidence as “[t]he boys were trespassers, and under
her indicia of authority appellant was entitled to eject them from the property.” Id. The
Fields court noted that the property had been vandalized in the past and as a trained police
officer, she responded to the situation with “a technique which was cautious and
understandable.” Id.
{¶ 29} There are several unique characteristics about this case that distinguish it
from Hamm and Fields. Unlike defendants in Hamm and Fields, we know Thomas’ initial
No. 23AP-129 12
intent was to use the rifle to “scare” J.K. Unlike Fields, who discovered multiple trespassers
on private property, or Hamm, who was lawfully carrying the firearm before his interaction
with Andrews, Thomas obtained his rifle and initiated the confrontation with J.K. based on
his belief, real or not, that J.K. had damaged his property. We cannot look at this event in
isolation. Unlike Hamm and Fields, which were interactions with strangers, Thomas and
J.K. have a rather tumultuous history. Moreover, unlike Hamm and Fields, there was
testimony in this case that compounded Thomas’ implicit threat of violence when he loaded
the rifle and “confronted them with [the gun]. It was up.” (Tr. Vol. II at 52.). There is no
doubt that Ohio law permits walking down the street and openly carrying a firearm. See
e.g., State v. Massingill, 8th Dist. No. 109818, 2021-Ohio-2674, ¶ 15. However, given
Thomas’ admitted intent to “scare” J.K., the history of disagreement between the parties,
and Thomas’ initiation of the confrontation by walking up while loading the gun, Thomas
exceeded the bounds of merely exercising his Second Amendment rights. Thus, we are not
persuaded by Hamm and Fields as the factual differences between the cases are far too
pronounced.
{¶ 30} Accordingly, having reviewed the record in its entirety, and in light of the
evidence discussed above, we conclude the jury did not clearly lose its way by finding
Thomas guilty of one count of aggravated menacing, a misdemeanor of the first degree, in
violation of R.C. 2903.21.
{¶ 31} Thomas’ first assignment of error is overruled.
B. Thomas’ Second Assignment of Error
{¶ 32} Thomas next challenges whether the trial court’s imposition of two-year
period of house arrest, at his own expense, and authorizing unrestricted residential
searches for weapons violates his right against cruel and unusual punishment as
guaranteed by the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I,
Section 9 in the Ohio Constitution.
{¶ 33} The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as made
applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, provides “[e]xcessive bail
shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.” The Eighth Amendment protects against torture or barbaric punishments as well
as punishments that are found to be disproportionate to the crimes committed. State v.
No. 23AP-129 13
Watkins, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-133, 2018-Ohio-5137, ¶ 10. The Supreme Court of Ohio has
noted that the protection against disproportionate punishments is a “central substantive
guarantee of the Eighth Amendment.” (Internal citations omitted.) State v. Moore,
149
Ohio St.3d 557,
2016-Ohio-8288, ¶ 31. To be sure, the Eighth Amendment does not require
strict proportionality between the sentence and crime but forbids extreme sentences that
would be considered “grossly disproportionate.” State v. Hairston,
118 Ohio St.3d 289,
2008-Ohio-2338, ¶ 13. Punishments that are prohibited by the Eighth Amendment on
proportionality grounds are ones that are “ ‘so disproportionate to the offense as to shock
the moral sense of the community.’ ” State v. Fraley, 12th Dist. No. CA2021-10-131, 2022-
Ohio-3270, ¶ 28, quoting McDougle v. Maxwell,
1 Ohio St.2d 68, 69 (1964). “ ‘ “[C]ases in
which cruel and unusual punishments have been found are limited to those involving
sanctions which under the circumstances would be considered shocking to any reasonable
person.” ’ ” State v. Treadwell, 10th Dist. No. 19AP-304,
2020 Ohio App. LEXIS 1699, *10
(Apr. 30, 2020), quoting State v. Weitbrecht,
86 Ohio St.3d. 368, 371 (1999), quoting
McDougle at 70.
{¶ 34} As an initial matter, we note the trial court’s judgment entry indicates that it
considered the factors for felony sentencing under R.C. 2929.12 instead of the R.C. 2929.22
factors for misdemeanor sentencing. (See Dec. 29, 2022 Jgmt. Entry (“considered all
matters required by Sections 2929.12 and 2951.02 of the Revised Code”).) Given the trial
court’s consideration of other misdemeanor factors in the sentencing entry, we conclude
this discrepancy in the entry amounts to a clerical error. Thomas also acknowledges this
typographical error is immaterial writing, “[n]evertheless, the trial court’s reliance on R.C.
2929.12, whether an actual error or merely a typographical mistake, is irrelevant to
Appellant’s Second Assignment of Error.” (Reply Brief of Appellant at 12.) As such, we will
focus our analysis on the three aspects of Thomas’ sentence: (1) the two-years of home
confinement, (2) the imposition of $2,226.50 in costs for the house arrest2, (3) subjecting
his residence to search at any time for weapons.
2 As noted by the state, Thomas’ contention that the costs of house arrest are $3.05 per day, which, over the
course of two years, would total $2,226.50 is not documented in the record. In any case, as we will discuss
below, even if the figure is correct, the outcome of our analysis remains the same as such costs would not
amount to a violation of Thomas’ Eighth Amendment rights.
No. 23AP-129 14
1. House Arrest.
{¶ 35} Thomas contends the trial court’s sentence violates his Eighth Amendment
rights as the “two-year period of house arrest imposed in this case—at his own expense—is
shocking to any reasonable person, and grossly disproportionate to any other sentence
imposed for similar conduct in Franklin County.” (Appellant’s Brief at 21.) Thomas argues
that the two-year period of home confinement is four times longer than any jail term
authorized by law. Thomas argues that the trial court’s lack of discussion of the statutory
factors at sentencing underscores the unreasonableness and disproportionality of the
sentence. (Appellant’s Brief at 23.)
{¶ 36} The General Assembly explained the dual purposes of misdemeanor
sentencing as “[p]rotect[ing] the public from future crime by the offender and others and
to punish the offender. To achieve those purposes, the sentencing court shall consider the
impact of the offense upon the victim and the need for changing the offender’s behavior,
rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public,
or the victim and the public.” R.C. 2929.21(A). Unless statutory directed otherwise, the
trial court “may sentence an offender to jail term, community control sanctions, or both.”
State v. Blankenship, 192 Ohio App.3d 639,
2011-Ohio-1601, ¶ 6 (10th Dist.), citing R.C.
2929.25(A)(1). Community control sanctions may be residential under R.C. 2929.26,
nonresidential under R.C. 2929.27, or financial under R.C. 2929.28. R.C. 2929.25(A)(1)(b).
The duration of all community control sanctions imposed for a misdemeanor offense shall
not exceed five years. R.C. 2929.25(A)(2).
{¶ 37} We find that Thomas’ sentence of two years of house arrest was not excessive
or so disproportionate as to violate the Eighth Amendment prohibitions against cruel and
unusual punishment. We acknowledge that R.C. 2929.26(A)(1) provides that community
residential sanctions of confinement to a halfway house or community-based correctional
facility cannot exceed the longest jail term available under the offense. House arrest,
however, is classified as a nonresidential sanction and is not limited to the jail term
available for the offense. R.C. 2929.27(A). See Blankenship at ¶ 17 (“a trial court has
discretion to impose a term of [electronically monitored house arrest] longer than the
maximum jail term available for the offense, so long as the court heeds the cumulative five-year restriction for all community control sanctions”); State v. Pope, 9th Dist. No.
No. 23AP-129 15
13CA0031-M, 2014-Ohio-2864, ¶ 12, citing State v Cowen,
167 Ohio App.3d 233, 2006-
Ohio-3191, ¶ 27 (2d. Dist.) (“If the legislature intended for a sentence of [house arrest] to
be the equivalent of a jail term, then it could have inserted the same limitation in R.C.
2929.27, but it did not.”). As for proportionality, the two-year period of home confinement
falls squarely within the scope of permissible statutory sentences. While not absolute, this
court has typically found that a sentence that falls within the scope of a valid sentencing
statute does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Treadwell at *10, citing
Hairston at ¶ 21, quoting
McDougle at 69. Under the facts of this particular case, we see
no reason to deviate from this general principle.
{¶ 38} Thomas also takes issue with the alleged lack of meaningful discussion of
various statutory factors. However, this court has previously stated that while the trial court
must consider the factors under R.C. 2929.22, it is not required to set forth its reasoning
for imposing sentencing on the record. State v. Wood, 10th Dist. No. 15AP-615, 2016-Ohio-
1239, ¶ 10; State v. Hall, 2d Dist. No. 24753, 2012-Ohio-1571, ¶ 18 (“a trial court is not
required to discuss the considerations listed in R.C. 2929.22 on the record, or make explicit
findings to support the sentence”).
{¶ 39} As the trial court’s imposition of two years of house arrest falls within the
scope of permissible sentences and was not “ ‘so disproportionate to the offense as to shock
the moral sense of the community,’ ” Fraley at ¶ 28, quoting McDougle at 69, we cannot
find that the trial court violated Thomas’ Eighth Amendment right against cruel and
unusual punishment.
2. Costs of House Arrest.
{¶ 40} We next examine Thomas’ contention that the imposition of the costs of the
two-year period of house arrest, purportedly totaling $2,260, amounts to an Eighth
Amendment violation. (Appellant’s Brief at 21.)
{¶ 41} R.C. 2947.23(A)(1)(a) directs that in all criminal cases, the trial court must
include in the sentence the costs of prosecution and render a judgment against the
defendant for those costs. Furthermore, R.C. 2929.28(A) permits the trial court, when
imposing a misdemeanor sentence on an offender, to “sentence the offender to any
financial sanction or combination of financial sanctions authorized under [R.C. 2929.28].”
Financial sanctions include a fine of no more than $1,000 for a misdemeanor of the first
No. 23AP-129 16
degree, and reimbursement of “any or all of the costs of sanctions incurred by the
government,” which includes “[a]ll or part of the costs of implementing any community
control sanction, including a supervision fee under section 2951.021, and costs of global
positioning system device monitoring.” R.C. 2929.28(A)(3)(a)(i).
{¶ 42} Based on the above statutory language, we disagree with the contention that
the costs of house arrest cannot exceed the financial penalty of $1,000 or that such costs
amount to an Eighth Amendment violation.
3. Thomas’ house is subject to search at any time for weapons.
{¶ 43} Thomas argues the trial court violated his Eighth Amendment rights by not
clearly considering the specific provisions under R.C. 2951.02 and 2929.22 as it imposed
an unlawful condition with respect to Thomas’ community control subjecting his home “to
search by Probation or law enforcement at any time for weapons.” (Appellant’s Brief at 22,
citing Jgmt. Entry at 2.)
{¶ 44} Preliminarily, we note that Thomas’ argument is more aptly characterized as
a statutory violation and not an Eighth Amendment issue. The state contends that because
Thomas failed to raise any statutory objections in the trial court or expressly assert a
statutory issue in the second assignment of error, the statutory arguments should be
considered waived. (State’s Brief at 19.)
{¶ 45} Regardless of whether Thomas expressly raised the statutory issue as a
separate assignment of error, appellate courts have discretionary authority to “recognize
‘[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights’ although they were not raised to the
trial court.” State v. Collins, 10th Dist. No. 17AP-703, 2018-Ohio-2606, ¶ 8, quoting
Crim.R. 52(B); Columbus v. Asomani, 10th Dist. No. 16AP-255,
2017-Ohio-812, ¶ 16; State
v. Wharton, 4th Dist. No. 15CA9,
2015-Ohio-5026, ¶ 31 (concluding that reviewing courts
have the “discretion to sua sponte notice plain error”). This court will only recognize plain
error under exceptional circumstances, with the utmost caution, and only to prevent a
miscarriage of justice. State v. People, 10th Dist. No. 21AP-45,
2022-Ohio-953, ¶ 22, citing
State v. C.D.S., 10th Dist. No. 20AP-355,
2021-Ohio-4492, ¶ 36, citing State v. Collins, 10th
Dist. No. 20AP-119,
2021-Ohio-1663, ¶ 11.
{¶ 46} As acknowledged by Thomas, R.C. 2951.02 provides for the warrantless
search of a misdemeanor offender’s residence. However, R.C. 2951.02 only allows
No. 23AP-129 17
probation officers to search an offender’s residence if there are “reasonable grounds to
believe the offender is not abiding by the law or otherwise not complying with the
conditions of the misdemeanor offender’s community control sanction.” R.C.
2951.02(A)(1)(a). As conceded by the state, “R.C. 2951.02(A) does not include the statutory
authority to search a misdemeanor offender’s home at any time for weapons.” (State’s Brief
at 38.)
{¶ 47} While the state acknowledges R.C. 2951.02(A) does not grant probation
officers the statutory authority to search a misdemeanor offender’s home at any time for
weapons, it argues R.C. 2929.27(C) allows the trial court to “impose any other sanction that
is intended to discourage the offender … from committing a similar offense if the sanction
is reasonably related to the overriding purposes and principles of misdemeanor
sentencing.” (State’s Brief at 38.) The Supreme Court set out the relevant test in State v.
Jones, 49 Ohio St.3d 51, 52 (1990), “which looks to whether a community-control condition
reasonably relates to the offense at issue, furthers the twin goals of rehabilitation and
justice, and does not cause a greater deprivation of liberty than is necessary to achieve those
penological goals.” State v. Chapman,
163 Ohio St.3d 290,
2020-Ohio-6730, ¶ 17, citing
Jones at 53. When resolving whether a condition of probation complies with R.C.
2929.27(C), a trial court must consider “whether the condition (1) is reasonably related to
rehabilitating the offender, (2) has some relationship to the crime of which the offender was
convicted, and (3) relates to conduct which is criminal or reasonably related to future
criminality and serves the statutory ends of probation.”
Jones at 53. All three conditions
must be met for the reviewing court to find that the trial court did err. State v. Cintron, 8th
Dist. No. 110600,
2022-Ohio-305, ¶ 21, citing Solon v. Broderick, 8th Dist. No. 107043,
2018-Ohio-4900, ¶ 8. Moreover, the condition “cannot be overly broad so as to
unnecessarily impinge upon the probationer’s liberty.” State v. Talty,
103 Ohio St.3d 177,
2004-Ohio-4888, ¶ 13, quoting
Jones at 52.
{¶ 48} Upon careful consideration, while the unlimited search of Thomas’ home for
weapons has some relationship to the crime to which he was convicted, as constructed, the
condition is not reasonably related to rehabilitating Thomas, nor does it serve the statutory
ends of probation. Furthermore, the condition is so overly broad that it would invariably
impinge upon his liberty. At base, we cannot reconcile, under the facts of the case, how
No. 23AP-129 18
imposing a community control condition that excludes the “reasonable grounds”
requirement of R.C. 2951.02 would constitute a permissible sanction under R.C.
2929.27(C). Consequently, we find the state’s alternative grounds for affirming the trial
court’s condition under R.C. 2929.27(C) without merit.
{¶ 49} Thus, we sua sponte find that the trial court committed plain error by
subjecting Thomas’ home to searches at any time for weapons as it is contrary to the plain
terms of R.C. 2951.02(A). As we already have found the unrestricted search provision of
Thomas’ sentence was contrary to law and amounts to plain error, we decline to also
address his Eighth Amendment argument as the issue is moot. Accordingly, Thomas’
second assignment of error is overruled in part, sustained in part, and denied as moot in
part. Thomas’ sentence is vacated, and this matter is remanded to the trial court for
resentencing.
C. Thomas’ Third Assignment of Error
{¶ 50} In Thomas’ final assignment of error, he contends that the trial court erred
by failing to advise him of the mandatory warning contained in R.C. 2929.25(A)(3)
rendering the sentence contrary to law.
{¶ 51} Thomas’ assignment of error is a question of law as it requires statutory
interpretation. While we generally review questions of law de novo, e.g., Wayt v. DHSC,
L.L.C., 155 Ohio St.3d 401,
2018-Ohio-4822, ¶ 15, as Thomas failed to preserve or object to
this issue at the trial court level, we review this question for plain error.
{¶ 52} R.C. 2929.25 sets forth misdemeanor community control sanctions. State v.
J.M.S., 10th Dist. No. 18AP-772, 2019-Ohio-3383, ¶ 13. R.C. 2929.25(A)(1) provides that
the trial court may sentence an offender, except as provided in sections 2929.22 and
2929.23 of the Revised Code or when a jail term is required by law, convicted of a
misdemeanor, other than a minor misdemeanor, in two distinct ways:
(a) Directly impose a sentence that consists of one or more community
control sanctions authorized by section 2929.26, 2929.27, or 2929.28 of the
Revised Code. The court may impose any other conditions of release under a
community control sanction that the court considers appropriate. If the court
imposes a jail term upon the offender, the court may impose any community
control sanction or combination of community control sanctions in addition
to the jail term.
No. 23AP-129 19
(b) Impose a jail term under section 2929.24 of the Revised Code from the
range of jail terms authorized under that section for the offense, suspend all
or a portion of the jail term imposed, and place the offender under a
community control sanction or combination of community control sanctions
authorized under section 2929.26, 2929.27, or 2929.28 of the Revised Code.
{¶ 53} Stated another way, “R.C. 2929.25 provides a trial court two options when
sentencing an offender to community control, either (1) impose a sentence of community
control, or (2) impose a jail term and suspend some or all of that sentence and place the
offender on community control. R.C. 2929.25(A)(1)(a) and (b).” J.M.S. at ¶ 13.
{¶ 54} In the first scenario, R.C. 2929.25(A)(3) directs the trial court as follows:
At sentencing, if a court directly imposes a community control sanction or
combination of community control sanctions pursuant to division (A)(1)(a)
or (B) of this section, the court shall state the duration of the community
control sanctions imposed and shall notify the offender that if any of the
conditions of the community control sanctions are violated the court may do
any of the following:
(a) Impose a longer time under the same community control sanction if the
total time under all of the offender’s community control sanctions does not
exceed the five-year limit specified in division (A)(2) of this section;
(b) Impose a more restrictive community control sanction under section
2929.26, 2929.27, or 2929.28 of the Revised Code, but the court is not
required to impose any particular sanction or sanctions;
(c) Impose a definite jail term from the range of jail terms authorized for the
offense under section 2929.24 of the Revised Code.
{¶ 55} While Thomas is correct that R.C. 2929.25(A)(3) requires a court to provide
certain notifications, that is only mandatory if the court directly imposes community
control under R.C 2929.25(A)(1)(a). If the trial court imposes a suspended jail sentence
with community control sanctions, as allowed under R.C. 2929.25(A)(1)(b), the statutory
notifications are not required. The Second District Court of Appeals has aptly explained
the rationale:
This is logical, because if the court has already chosen the alternative in R.C.
2929.25(A)(1)(b) of imposing a definite term and suspending all or part of
the term, the court would not need to impose a definite term if the offender
violates the community control sanctions -- a definite term has already been
imposed. As a sanction for the violation, the court could simply require the
offender to serve all or part of the definite term that had been suspended.
No. 23AP-129 20
State v. Drake, 2d Dist. No. 21939, 2007-Ohio-6586, ¶ 22.
{¶ 56} Our conclusion aligns with other Ohio appellate courts that have reviewed
the same statute provisions. See, e.g., State v. Snell, 2d. No. 2018-CA-99, 2019-Ohio-2251,
¶ 9, citing Drake at ¶ 22; State v. Everson, 6th Dist. No. L-17-1138,
2018-Ohio-323, ¶ 24-
26; State v. Lucas, 4th Dist. No. 16CA7,
2017-Ohio-7663, ¶ 9; State v. Begley, 12th Dist. No.
CA2015-01-005,
2015-Ohio-2892, ¶ 10; State v. Russell, 7th Dist. No. 09 MA 156, 2011-
Ohio-1181, ¶ 27-28.
{¶ 57} Here, the trial court imposed a sentence of 180 days in jail with 174 days
suspended. Thomas received six days of jail-time credit. The trial court then imposed a
five-year term of intensive supervision. Because the sentence was pursuant to (A)(1)(b),
the notifications requirements of (A)(3) were not applicable, and trial court was not
required to notify Thomas of the consequences of violating community control in (A)(3)(a)
through (c). While the trial court agreed with the state’s comments that it “would expect
strict compliance” and “would ask Thomas go to jail for any violation” of the terms of
community control, any type of notification does not move the type of sentence from
(A)(1)(b) to (A)(1)(a). (Dec. 15, 2022 Sentencing Tr. at 20.)
{¶ 58} In the interest of clarity, however, we must address the language provided in
the January 6, 2023 notice of community control, which reads, “Court may impose a more
restrictive sanction upon you, if a term of imprisonment is imposed the Court will impose
a prison term of five years.” (Jan. 6, 2023 Notice.) After a review of the sentencing
transcript and judgment entry, it is apparent the above language from the notice contains
an obvious clerical error as it provided the length of the community control term, 5 years,
in place of the 174-day jail term that could be imposed. Such typographical errors may be
corrected by a nunc pro tunc entry, following a limited order of remand. “Clerical errors,
including ones involving a court’s incorrect statutory reference in a sentencing entry, can
be corrected by a nunc pro tunc entry.” State v. Bradford, 4th Dist. No. 16CA3531, 2017-
Ohio-3003, ¶ 23 (collecting cases). A clerical error, however, does not render a conviction
or sentence void or contrary to law. Id. For the reasons stated in our resolution of the
second assignment of error, this case will be remanded for resentencing. Upon
resentencing, the trial court is also instructed to correct the clerical error included in the
notice of imposition of community control.
No. 23AP-129 21
{¶ 59} Accordingly, we overrule Thomas’ third assignment of error but remand the
case to the trial court with instructions.
IV. CONCLUSION
{¶ 60} Having overruled in part and sustained in part Thomas’ second assignment
of error, and overruled his first and third assignments of error, the conviction in this case
is affirmed and the matter is remanded for resentencing consistent with the decision.
Judgment affirmed;
sentence affirmed in part and reversed in part;
cause remanded.
JAMISON and EDELSTEIN, JJ., concur.
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