Opinion · Ohio Supreme Court
State v. Wilson
74 Ohio St. 3d 381
- Type
- Opinion
- Court
- Ohio Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- Ohio
- Date
- 1996-01-24
- Topic
- general
stating “Morgan does not require judges to allow individual voir dire on separate mitigating factors” because “jurors cannot be asked to weigh specific factors until they have heard all the evidence and been fully instructed on the applicable law” | “Prosecutors can urge the merits of their cause and legitimately argue that defense mitigation evidence is worthy of little or no weight” | trial court properly limited the defense’s voir dire on what jurors would consider as mitigation | trial court properly limited the defense's voir dire on what jurors would consider as mitigation | “This instruction is unconstitutional under Winship because it required Wilson to disprove ‘knowledge,’ which is an element of the offense of kidnapping.” | Morgan does not require individual voir dire on separate mitigating factors
Citator
- Cited by
- 76 opinions
[This opinion has been published in Ohio Official Reports at74 Ohio St.3d 381
.]
THE STATE OF OHIO, APPELLEE, v. WILSON, APPELLANT.
[Cite as State v. Wilson, 1996-Ohio-103
.]
Criminal law—Aggravated murder—Death penalty upheld, when.
(No. 94-2537—Submitted November 14, 1995—Decided January 24, 1996.)
APPEAL from the Court of Appeals for Lorain County, No. 92CA005396.
__________________
{¶ 1} In Elyria, on Saturday, May 4, 1991, around 1:30 p.m., defendant-
appellant, Daniel Wilson, killed Carol Lutz by locking her in the trunk of her car,
puncturing the gas tank, and setting the car on fire. Wilson then walked away, allowing
Carol Lutz to be baked alive.
{¶ 2} On the previous afternoon, Wilson was drinking at the Empire Tavern, a
bar he frequented. Between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., he went to the home of Angie Shelton,
a girl he dated. As they argued, Wilson got mad, “slammed” her “against the wall,”
threw her on the bed, and “went to hit” her. Shelton told him that if he hit her, she
“would be the last person that he hit.” Wilson then left, and later returned to the Empire
Tavern.
{¶ 3} That evening, Carol Lutz drove her 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass to the
Empire Tavern to meet Douglas Pritt, an old boyfriend, and Wilson, apparently a new
friend. Pritt, Lutz and Wilson played pool and drank together. Pritt left the bar
sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Lutz left close to 2:30 a.m., and Wilson
left right after she did. According to Wilson’s confession, Lutz offered him a ride
home. She drove with him to the trailer where he lived. Once there, they drank one or
two beers. Wilson vaguely recalled driving to Lorain to search for a party, and stopping
at his father’s house.
{¶ 4} Darlene DeBolt, a service station cashier in Stow, stated that Wilson
stopped at the station around 5:55 a.m. on May 4. He was driving a black Oldsmobile
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Cutlass and appeared to be alone. DeBolt did not hear any noise coming from the
Oldsmobile. Wilson told DeBolt, an old friend, that the car was his, that he had just
driven from Canada, and that he “stopped a few states back for a few beers.” DeBolt
smelled alcohol on him. Wilson tried to get DeBolt to go out with him and was
“persistent and pushy.” DeBolt refused to leave work and after sixty or ninety minutes,
Wilson left.
{¶ 5} When Wilson woke up on May 4, around 7:30-8:00 a.m., he was in a
parking lot, sitting in the driver’s seat of Lutz’s Oldsmobile. Lutz, who was locked in
the trunk, asked him to let her out, but he did not. Wilson could not recall how she got
there. He drove to various places including a park where he took a walk. He
remembers thinking, “How am I going to get out of this?” Throughout this time, Lutz
remained locked in the trunk.
{¶ 6} Later that morning, Wilson drove to a school and parked the Oldsmobile.
After awhile he took off the gas cap, stuffed a rag in the open neck of the gas tank and
lit the rag. This time, the fire burned out. Lutz told him “she really had to go to the
bathroom.” He “took the rag back out” of the gas tank and “let her [out to] go to the
bathroom.”
{¶ 7} When he “told her to get back” in the trunk, “she stood there--she begged
and pleaded with me. She begged--she’d turn around for 30 seconds and let me run
like hell.” Lutz told Wilson, “she’d go home and forget about it.” Wilson didn’t
believe her and thought to himself, “How can you forget about being locked in a trunk?”
Wilson stated that he did not just leave her in the trunk because he “figured somebody
would find her ***. She’d get out and tell who I was.”
{¶ 8} When Wilson told her to get back in the trunk a second time, she
complied. She sat in the trunk for fifteen to twenty minutes with the lid up. They
talked, and “[s]he asked me why don’t I just let her go?” He “even gave her a cigarette.”
Then he closed the trunk lid, “poked a hole in the gas tank,” stuffed a towel or blanket
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into the gas tank, “let it soak with gas *** and *** lit it.” Then he “walked away from
the car” and went to a nearby park.
{¶ 9} While out driving that day, Janette Patton and her mother noticed smoke
and saw Lutz’s Oldsmobile enveloped in fire. Within a short time, an ambulance
arrived. A paramedic opened a door to check for people and saw that there were none
in the passenger compartment.
{¶ 10} At 1:34 p.m., the Elyria Fire Department responded to reports of a car
fire. Firemen extinguished the fire and forced open the trunk of the Oldsmobile. Steam
and smoke poured from the opened trunk obscuring their view. When firemen
extinguished the remaining flames, they found Lutz’s body.
{¶ 11} Lutz died from third-degree burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Her
body was almost totally covered with third-degree burns. Her clothing and hair had
mostly burned off. Portions of her skin “had burst open as a result of the buildup of
heat in the tissues of the body.” Lutz’s body had been, essentially, cooked “in a metal
container just as if it were in an oven.” Her soot-covered body emitted a petroleum
odor. Lutz had no alcohol in her system, nor had she eaten recently.
{¶ 12} An arson investigator estimated that the flames could have heated the
trunk to over 550 degrees, which could cause combustibles there to ignite and catch
fire. There were no holes in the trunk, but there was a puncture in the gas tank.
Investigators found a gas cap under the driver’s seat and a tire iron and cross bar in the
back seat. Several samples of materials taken from inside the car tested positive for
kerosene.
{¶ 13} Police detective Ray Riley traced the car to Carol Lutz and learned that
she had last been seen with Wilson at the Empire Tavern. On May 9, police took
Wilson into custody. Riley interviewed Wilson after advising him of his Miranda
rights. Wilson waived his rights and agreed to talk with the police. Riley tape-recorded
the interview. Wilson confessed to keeping Lutz locked in the trunk of the Oldsmobile
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intermittently from 7:30 a.m. on May 4 until the time of her death. It appears that
around 1:30 p.m., he killed her by setting the Oldsmobile on fire.
{¶ 14} The grand jury indicted Wilson on three aggravated murder counts.
Count I charged aggravated murder by prior calculation and design; Count II charged
felony-murder (kidnapping); and Count III, as amended, charged felony-murder
(aggravated arson). Each murder count had three death specifications. Specification
one charged murder to escape “detection, apprehension, trial, or punishment” for
kidnapping, specification two charged murder during kidnapping, and specification
three charged murder during an aggravated arson. Wilson was also indicted for
kidnapping (Count IV) and aggravated arson (Count V).
{¶ 15} Wilson defended himself at trial by claiming intoxication and lack of
prior calculation and design. The jury found Wilson guilty on all counts.
Penalty Phase
{¶ 16} At the penalty phase, the prosecutor elected to proceed to sentencing
only on Count I, prior calculation and design, and specification one, evading detection
or punishment for another offense in violation of R.C. 2929.04(A)(3). Accordingly,
neither the court nor jury considered the other two murder counts or the felony-murder
death penalty specifications in assessing the penalty.
{¶ 17} At the outset of the defense’s case, a forensic toxicologist explained the
effect that alcoholism has on a person’s body, mind, and behavior. Linda Wilson,
Wilson’s mother, David Wilson, his younger brother, and Wilson’s grandfather and
aunt testified as to his childhood. Wilson’s parents had two other sons, Donald and
David; Wilson was the middle child.
{¶ 18} Wilson’s alcoholic father brutalized his wife and three sons throughout
Wilson’s childhood. Wilson’s father would lock his sons in their bedroom at night and
refuse to let them out, even to go to the bathroom. The father teased and belittled his
sons. In drunken rages, Wilson’s father would call his sons, “liars, cheats, and thieves,”
accuse them of stealing things he could not find, and hit them on their bare backsides
4
January Term, 1996
with a leather belt. Linda Wilson testified that her husband frequently slapped and
terrorized her. When Wilson was twelve, he was arrested for the vandalism of a
friend’s house. A year or so later, his mother moved out of the family home. She took
Donald with her, and left Wilson and David with their father.
{¶ 19} Wilson’s father did not properly care for his sons, omitting even to buy
food. Wilson and David were forced to steal to survive. They regularly broke into
neighbors’ homes to steal food or money. When he was fourteen, Wilson broke into a
neighbor’s house. When the neighbor surprised him, Wilson struck the elderly man,
causing him to fall and break his hip. Wilson then ripped the phone cord out of the
wall and left. The neighbor was not found for two days and died as a result of his
injuries and the passage of time.
{¶ 20} A juvenile court adjudged Wilson delinquent by reason of involuntary
manslaughter and remanded him to the custody of the Department of Youth Services.
Wilson spent one year in a state facility for serious offenders, and then went to a
halfway house. He fared well at both facilities. Although Wilson was initially reluctant
to accept responsibility for his neighbor’s death, he did so eventually.
{¶ 21} Days before reaching the age of seventeen, Wilson went to live with
Shirley Spinney, a foster parent. Wilson adjusted well to living with Spinney. He
graduated from high school, with a B average, and worked part-time while in school.
After high school, Wilson continued to live with Spinney even after released from the
custody of Youth Services. Wilson attended college for two semesters while
continuing to work. Spinney described Wilson as incredibly compassionate, sensitive
and considerate. Ultimately, Spinney discovered Wilson had a serious drinking
problem. At times, he got very drunk and would call her, and she would get him and
take him home.
{¶ 22} In 1988, Spinney’s other foster child, Mark, was killed in an accident.
Wilson was devastated by Mark’s death and he began to drink more heavily. His
girlfriend noted that Mark’s death had a strong impact on Wilson and that he seemed
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like a different person when he was drinking. The next year, Wilson left Spinney’s
home to live with friends. He next moved in with his mother and grandfather, sleeping
in a camper behind their house. While there, he attempted to expunge his juvenile
record and made plans to join the Navy.
{¶ 23} In an unsworn statement, Wilson asserted that his father “could do no
wrong” in his eyes. In spite of all the terrible things his father had done, he liked and
spent a lot of time with him. Wilson described his juvenile arrest and his incarceration.
He also described the positive influence of Spinney and the progress he made while
living with her. Wilson stated that after Mark died, he gave up on life. He denied that
he “intended to hurt” Lutz, and said, “I still do not know why I reacted the way I did.”
He “would like to say to her family [he is] sorry.” Wilson said he did not want to die,
and asked for another chance at life.
{¶ 24} Dr. James Eisenberg, a psychologist, examined Wilson and made the
following findings. Wilson is above average in intelligence and has difficulty
becoming emotionally involved with others. Wilson’s lifestyle was marked by “strong
dependency needs, maladjustment and chaos.” He suffered from alcohol dependence
and a “mixed personality disorder with borderline and antisocial features.” Wilson was
the product of a “classic dysfunctional family marked by physical, emotional and
psychological abuse,” but he still identified with his father, not his “battered” mother.
Wilson knew right from wrong, and his ability to conform to the law was not impaired.
Wilson could adjust and function in an institutional setting.
{¶ 25} In rebuttal, Martha Lutz, Carol’s mother, testified about the devastating
impact of Carol’s death on the family. They had been very close and had done many
things together, including shopping together frequently. Martha stated that she has a
“broken heart that’s never going to heal” and misses Carol a lot, since “[s]he was our
only daughter.”
{¶ 26} The jury recommended the death penalty. The trial court agreed and
sentenced Wilson to death for aggravated murder and imprisonment for the kidnapping
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January Term, 1996
and aggravated arson. The court of appeals affirmed the convictions and death
sentence.
{¶ 27} The cause is now before this court upon an appeal as of right.
__________________
Gregory A. White, Lorain County Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.
David H. Bodiker, Ohio Public Defender, Linda E. Prucha and Joseph A.
Wilhelm, Assistant Public Defenders, for appellant.
__________________
WRIGHT, J.
{¶ 28} We are required by R.C. 2929.04(A) to review Wilson’s twenty-eight
propositions of law. Many of these legal issues have been decided in prior cases and
will be handled summarily. State v. Poindexter (1986), 36 Ohio St.3d 1, 3
,520 N.E.2d 568, 570
. We must also make an independent review of the record to determine
whether the aggravating circumstance outweighs the mitigating factors beyond a
reasonable doubt. Finally, we must decide whether the sentence of death is excessive
or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases.
{¶ 29} For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the convictions and sentence
of death.
I
Voir Dire / Jury Issues
{¶ 30} In his first proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court denied
him due process by not allowing him to individually voir dire prospective jurors about
specific mitigating factors. Wilson argues he should have been allowed to ask what
each prospective juror thought about each of several statutory mitigating factors (R.C.
2929.04 [B][1]-[4]) as well as fourteen individually tailored “other factors.”
{¶ 31} Wilson relies strongly on Morgan v. Illinois (1992), 504 U.S. 719
,112 S.Ct. 2222
,119 L.Ed.2d 492
. In Morgan, the United States Supreme Court held that
the trial court, at an accused’s request, must ask prospective jurors about their views on
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capital punishment in an attempt to ascertain whether any of them would automatically
vote for the death penalty regardless of the circumstances. The court held that the voir
dire was inadequate to detect such jurors and reversed the death sentence. An earlier
United States Supreme Court decision had held that asking jurors whether they were
opposed to the death penalty did not violate an accused’s constitutional rights.
Lockhart v. McCree (1986), 476 U.S. 162
,106 S.Ct. 1758
,90 L.Ed.2d 137
.
{¶ 32} In a recent case the United States Supreme Court held that a trial judge’s
refusal to voir dire individual jurors about the contents of news reports each juror had
read did not violate the Constitution. Mu’Min v. Virginia (1991), 500 U.S. 415
,111 S.Ct. 1899
,114 L.Ed.2d 493
. The court stated that a trial court has “great latitude in deciding what questions should be asked on voir dire.” Mu’Min,500 U.S. at 424
,111 S.Ct. at 1904
,114 L.Ed.2d at 505
. See Annotation (1994),114 L.Ed.2d 763
. Deciding “issues raised in voir dire in criminal cases has long been held to be within the discretion of the trial judge.” State v. Beuke (1988),38 Ohio St.3d 29, 39
,526 N.E.2d 274, 285
. See Rosales-Lopez v. United States (1981),451 U.S. 182
,101 S.Ct. 1629
,68 L.Ed.2d 22
.
{¶ 33} We find no abuse of discretion in this case. Here, the trial court allowed
individual voir dire in the death-qualification process. The trial judge asked the
prospective jurors approximately twenty questions about their views on capital
punishment, the basis of those views, their willingness to consider mitigating evidence,
the death penalty, and their commitment to follow instructions as given. The trial court
also allowed counsel to inquire into these matters.
{¶ 34} Morgan does not require judges to allow individual voir dire on separate
mitigating factors. The detailed questioning that occurred in this case was adequate to
expose faults that would render a juror ineligible. See State v. Rogers (1985), 17 Ohio St.3d 174
, 17 OBR 414,478 N.E.2d 984
, paragraph three of the syllabus. Morgan
imposes no further requirements on voir dire.
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January Term, 1996
{¶ 35} Moreover, we have rejected past efforts to find an abuse of discretion in
similar circumstances. See State v. Bedford (1988), 39 Ohio St.3d 122, 129
,529 N.E.2d 913, 920
. “Jurors weigh mitigating factors together, not singly, and do so collectively as a jury in the context of a penalty hearing. Realistically, jurors cannot be asked to weigh specific factors until they have heard all the evidence and been fully instructed on the applicable law.” State v. Lundgren (1995),73 Ohio St.3d 474, 481
,653 N.E.2d 304, 315
. Further, a juror need not give any weight to any particular mitigating factor although instructed to consider such factors. “[E]vidence of an offender’s history, background and character” not found mitigating “need be given little or no weight against the aggravating circumstances.” State v. Stumpf (1987),32 Ohio St.3d 95
,512 N.E.2d 598
, paragraph two of the syllabus. See State v. Steffen (1987),31 Ohio St.3d 111
, 31 OBR 273,509 N.E.2d 383
, paragraph two of the
syllabus. We find that Wilson’s first proposition of law lacks merit.
{¶ 36} In his fourth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred
in allowing the prosecutor to ask questions about “victim’s rights” during general voir
dire. At various times, the prosecutor asked jurors about their “perceptions” of the
criminal justice system. He followed up by asking whether any jurors had heard or
thought about “victim’s rights” and what their thoughts were on that subject. The
prosecutor’s questions were deliberately brief, open-ended, and nonjudgmental. He
did not attempt to explain “victim’s rights,” indoctrinate the jurors, inflame the jurors,
or improperly appeal to community sentiment.
{¶ 37} We do not find these limited voir dire questions to be improper.
Newspapers and other media frequently discuss the criminal justice system and
“victim’s rights.” Such limited, open-ended questions could uncover biased or
unsuitable jurors. Trial judges have discretion over voir dire and are not required to
exclude all possibly controversial topics. State v. Bedford, 39 Ohio St.3d at 129
,529 N.E.2d at 920
; Rosales-Lopez v. UnitedStates, supra.
The trial court did not abuse its
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discretion by allowing the prosecutor’s limited questioning about the criminal justice
system or “victim’s rights.”
{¶ 38} In his tenth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the prosecutor
“destroyed the presumption of innocence” and “asked the jurors during voir dire to
commit themselves to the *** death penalty.” Viewed in the context of the entire voir
dire, the prosecutor’s questions were not an attempt to destroy Wilson’s presumption
of innocence. Instead, the prosecutor tried to determine whether jurors could
recommend the death penalty if the accused were convicted as charged, and if the
aggravating circumstance were found to outweigh the mitigating factors. Although the
prosecutor inartfully used the terms “presume” and “presuming” in connection with
guilt, Wilson did not object and therefore waived that issue. Moreover, the context
shows that the prosecutor meant “assume” and “assuming,” not “presume” and
“presuming.” The trial court fully instructed the jury on the accused’s presumption of
innocence. The state’s imprecise language did not affect that presumption.
{¶ 39} The prosecutor did not wrongfully attempt to commit jurors to imposing
the death penalty. Instead, the prosecutor attempted to discover whether a juror could,
in an actual case and not on an abstract level, sign a death penalty verdict if that juror
found that the aggravating circumstance outweighed the mitigating factors. As the trial
court noted, “the point *** is can jurors distinguish between that which is philosophical
and abstract and that which is real.” Such questions are proper; thus, we reject Wilson’s
tenth proposition of law. State v. Lorraine (1993), 66 Ohio St.3d 414, 424-425
,613 N.E.2d 212, 221
; State v. Evans (1992),63 Ohio St.3d 231, 249-250
,586 N.E.2d 1042, 1057-1058
.
{¶ 40} In his ninth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred
in not granting a change of venue or allowing sufficient voir dire to identify biased
jurors. Yet, Wilson failed to show any basis for a change in venue. Moreover, the trial
court adequately and individually questioned jurors on pretrial publicity, and Wilson’s
counsel had ample opportunity to inquire further. Of the jurors that sat, only three had
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January Term, 1996
read or heard anything beyond headlines or TV reports, and none had an opinion about
the accused’s guilt. Finally, “[a]ny decision on changing venue rests largely in the
discretion of the trial court.” State v. Landrum (1990), 53 Ohio St.3d 107, 116
,559 N.E.2d 710, 722
. Thus, we find Wilson’s ninth proposition of law lacks merit.1
{¶ 41} In his eleventh proposition of law, Wilson contends that the trial court
improperly used the Wainwright constitutional standard to death-qualify the jury.
Wainwright v. Witt (1985), 469 U.S. 412
,105 S.Ct. 844
,83 L.Ed.2d 841
. However, the trial court correctly used the Wainwright standard. See State v. Tyler (1990),50 Ohio St.3d 24, 30
,553 N.E.2d 576, 586
; State v. Scott (1986),26 Ohio St.3d 92
, 96- 97, 26 OBR 79, 83,497 N.E.2d 55, 59-60
; State v. Rogers,17 Ohio St.3d 174
, 17 OBR 414,478 N.E.2d 984
, paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶ 42} In his twelfth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred
in rejecting challenges to prospective jurors Sibley and Clutter and juror Edwards. The
standard of review in this respect is that “‘[d]eference must be paid to the trial judge
who sees and hears the juror.’ *** We will not overrule his decision absent an abuse of
discretion.” State v. Tyler, 50 Ohio St.3d at 30
,553 N.E.2d at 586
. We have reviewed
the transcript and find no abuse of discretion.2
1. All jurors denied knowledge of the events at issue in the trial, except as indicated. Beere, “headlines”
only; Edwards, heard and saw “something about it”; Schlegelmilch, “read a little bit,” but had no opinion;
Schuller, “read some articles,” but had no opinion; Perez, “haven’t followed it much” ; Barnes, recalled
hearing about it “[a] long time ago.”
2. Wilson’s counsel asked Sibley what factors he would like to know about an accused before deciding
on the sentence. Sibley replied he would “like to know about the crime” and that “would be the deciding
factor” or “main thing.” It isn’t possible for a prospective juror to know what, if any, mitigating factors
are to be considered before being accepted as a juror. Sibley stated he would follow the court’s
instructions and not his personal views, would fairly consider mitigating factors, and would consider
penalties other than death if the evidence warranted. We find that no basis for challenge existed.
Wilson’s counsel objects to Clutter because Clutter had read about the case, and at some point
became “too disgusted” to read further. Clutter stated she could not understand “why in the world
anybody would burn anybody.” Clutter also stated that she had “no idea what happened” and thus had
no opinion as to the guilt or innocence of Wilson. She stated that she would not “judge anybody until”
she “hear[s] everything.” She agreed to set aside any feelings of disgust, to follow the court’s
instructions, and to consider mitigating evidence and penalties other than the death penalty. The court
did not abuse its discretion in rejecting Wilson’s challenge to Clutter.
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{¶ 43} In his thirteenth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the prosecutor
peremptorily excused prospective juror Bruce on racial grounds. Obviously, jurors
cannot be excused based on racial considerations. Batson v. Kentucky (1986).
However, the prosecutor explained in race-neutral terms that he challenged Bruce
based on Bruce’s equivocation about the death penalty. The record supports the state’s
claim. When asked if he would fairly consider that penalty, Bruce said, “Yes, I guess.
I’m not sure about that.” When asked whether he could sign a death verdict, Bruce
replied, “I really don’t know.” In response to the same line of questioning he said, “I
think so” and “I can’t say I can. I guess if I have the evidence and listen to the evidence,
I could.” In the face of such responses, the prosecutor’s peremptory challenge was
appropriate. Wilson’s thirteenth proposition of law lacks merit. See State v. Hernandez
(1992), 63 Ohio St.3d 577
,589 N.E.2d 1310
.
{¶ 44} In proposition of law fourteen, Wilson argues that the trial court erred
when the court passed out notebooks and told jurors they could take notes during the
trial. Wilson did not object to the notetaking or the jury instructions on notetaking
thereby waiving all but plain error. A trial court can exercise its discretion and allow
jurors to take notes. See State v. Loza (1994), 71 Ohio St.3d 61, 74
,641 N.E.2d 1082, 1099
; State v. Williams (1992),80 Ohio App.3d 648
,610 N.E.2d 545
. The court
adequately instructed the jury and emphasized that notes were to assist the jury, not a
primary objective; that taking notes should not distract the juror from paying close
attention to the ongoing testimony; and that “[y]our primary objective is to hear
evidence and testimony as it comes to you from the witness stand.” Thus, we find no
Edwards expressed concern over her absence from a family business in the event she was
sequestered for “a week or something.” She said, “[I]f it’s more than a couple of days, it’s going to be
a problem.” She also stated, “As long as I go home at night that’s okay.” She promised not to think
about her business “in this courtroom” and to “give this case” her “full attention.” She promised to “be
here and listening” during all court sessions. Again, the court did not abuse its discretion by rejecting
this challenge.
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January Term, 1996
plain error with respect to the notetaking by the jurors and reject Wilson’s proposition
of law fourteen.
II
Evidence Issues
{¶ 45} In his eighth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred
by not suppressing his confession. He claims that he asked for an attorney and didn’t
receive one, that his confession was involuntary, and that his mental faculties were
impaired at the time of his confession. The recorded interviews indicate that Detective
Riley advised Wilson of his Miranda rights and that Wilson waived those rights and
agreed to talk with the police. Wilson claims that he asked for a lawyer when the
recorder was turned off, that Riley promised to help him if he confessed, and that Riley
threatened Wilson with the “electric chair” if he did not confess. Riley denied all of
these claims. Wilson said he had had a beer and smoked two marijuana cigarettes
earlier that afternoon, but Riley found Wilson alert and in control of his mental
faculties.
{¶ 46} “[T]he weight of the evidence and credibility of witnesses are primarily
for the trier of the facts. *** This principle is applicable to suppression hearings as
well as trials.” State v. Fanning (1982), 1 Ohio St.3d 19, 20
, 1 OBR 57, 58,437 N.E.2d 583, 584
. The trial court specifically found in its entry denying Wilson’s motion to suppress that Wilson “knowingly and intelligently waived his right against self- incrimination” and that his statements “were voluntarily made.” Further, the accused’s asserted intake of one beer and “two joints” did not prevent him from being able to make “a knowing, voluntary and intelligent waiver of his rights.” Further the trial court found that Wilson never invoked his right to counsel “[d]ue to the inconsistencies” in his testimony. The taped interviews and testimony support those findings. State v. Mills (1992),62 Ohio St.3d 357, 366
,582 N.E.2d 972, 982
; State v. Smith (1991),61 Ohio St.3d 284, 288
,574 N.E.2d 510, 515
. Accordingly, we reject Wilson’s eighth
proposition of law.
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{¶ 47} In proposition of law fifteen, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
admitting prejudicial “other acts” testimony from Angie Shelton and Darlene DeBolt.
On the evening of May 3, Wilson had argued with Shelton, his girlfriend, and
threatened to hit her. On May 4, around 6:00 a.m., Wilson dropped by the gas station
where DeBolt worked and tried to get her to go out with him. We find no prejudicial
error in the trial court’s decision to allow the testimony of these witnesses.
{¶ 48} The state contended that Wilson’s motive in kidnapping Lutz was, at
least in part, his inability to deal with female rejection. The fact that, just before
meeting Lutz, Wilson had argued with Shelton and threatened to hit her after she
rejected him arguably supports that claimed motive. Under Evid.R. 404(B), evidence
of other acts, though criminal, may be admissible as “proof of motive.” See State v.
Woodard (1993), 68 Ohio St.3d 70, 73
,623 N.E.2d 75, 78
.
{¶ 49} DeBolt’s testimony was clearly admissible. DeBolt placed Wilson in
Lutz’s Oldsmobile between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on May 4, corroborating that part
of Wilson’s confession. DeBolt describes Wilson as “persistent” and “pushy” and thus
never raises an “other acts” issue. In view of the overwhelming evidence of Wilson’s
guilt, especially his voluntary confession, the testimony of neither witness materially
prejudiced Wilson. Thus, we reject his fifteenth proposition of law.
{¶ 50} In proposition of law sixteen, Wilson argues that the trial court erred by
admitting “cumulative, gruesome and inflammatory” photographs of the victim and
crime scene. These photos were also reproduced and shown as slides. Under Evid.R.
403 and 611(A), the admission of photographs is left to the trial court’s sound
discretion. State v. Slagle (1992), 65 Ohio St.3d 597, 601
,605 N.E.2d 916, 923
. Nonrepetitive photographs in capital cases, even if gruesome, are admissible as long as the probative value of each photograph outweighs the danger of material prejudice to an accused. See State v. Maurer (1984),15 Ohio St.3d 239
, 15 OBR 379,473 N.E.2d 768
, paragraph seven of the syllabus; State v. Morales (1987),32 Ohio St.3d 252, 257
,513 N.E.2d 267, 273
.
14
January Term, 1996
{¶ 51} The trial court properly admitted these photographs and slides. The two
photographs of Lutz’s body illustrate the coroner’s testimony, are nonrepetitive, and
each has probative value greater than any prejudicial effect. Two other photographs,
also admissible, show Lutz’s body at the scene after the fire was extinguished. Both
photographs illustrate testimony and help to demonstrate Wilson’s intent and the extent
of Lutz’s injuries. The remaining photographs under objection are relevant,
nonobjectionable, and not even gruesome, since they do not contain a body. See State
v. DePew (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 275, 281
,528 N.E.2d 542, 550-551
. Thus, we find
that proposition of law sixteen lacks merit.
{¶ 52} In proposition of law seventeen, Wilson argues plain error, contesting
the admission of testimony from the coroner and three witnesses who were at the scene
of the burning car. The coroner testified about Lutz’s injuries and confirmed that
carbon monoxide and third degree burns had caused her death. Patton described the
fire and the pictures she had taken of the burning car, helping to confirm the fire’s
origin and intensity. The paramedic described the fire and his confirmation at the scene
that no one was in the passenger compartment of the car. A fire department captain
described the fire fighting efforts, the car’s damage, and the body in the trunk.
{¶ 53} Wilson did not object to these witnesses at trial, thereby waiving this
issue absent plain error. The testimony from these witnesses was relatively brief,
relevant, and not unfairly prejudicial to the accused under Evid.R. 403(A), which states
that even relevant evidence must be excluded “if its probative value is substantially
outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice *** .” The overwhelming evidence of
Wilson’s guilt, including his confession, precluded any material prejudice from this
factual testimony. Wilson did object to the photos and a few questions that were asked
of the coroner, but those objections lack merit.
{¶ 54} Wilson offered, at the last moment, to stipulate to the victim’s identity;
the state did not agree to the stipulation. Testimony from two dentists establishing
15
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
Lutz’s identity was proper, nonprejudicial, and not inflammatory. Thus, we find
Wilson’s claim of error, with respect to these witnesses, lacks merit.
III
Guilt Phase Instructions
{¶ 55} In propositions of law eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, and
twenty-five, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in giving guilt phase instructions.
Wilson failed to object at trial to the instructions he now contests in propositions of law
eighteen and nineteen. He also failed to object with specificity to the instruction
contested in proposition of law twenty-five. Thus, he waived all but plain error. State
v. Underwood (1983), 3 Ohio St.3d 12
, 3 OBR 360,444 N.E.2d 1332
, syllabus. We
find no plain error as to those issues. As to proposition twenty, Wilson argues correctly
that the trial court erred in shifting the burden of proof as to “knowledge.” Except on
that point, Wilson’s propositions twenty and twenty-one also lack merit.
{¶ 56} In proposition of law eighteen, Wilson argues plain error because the
trial court instructed, “[t]he purpose with which a person does an act or brings about a
result is determined from the manner in which it is done, the means used and all of the
other facts and circumstances in evidence.” We reject Wilson’s claim that these words
relieved the prosecutor of his burden of proof or created a mandatory presumption.
State v. Montgomery (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 410, 414-415
,575 N.E.2d 167, 171-172
; State v. Price (1979),60 Ohio St.2d 136, 141
,14 O.O.3d 379, 382
,398 N.E.2d 772, 775
.
{¶ 57} The court further instructed that no one “may be convicted of
Aggravated Murder unless he’s specifically found to have intended to cause the death
of another.” The instructions on prior calculation and design also amplified the court’s
instructions on “purpose.” When the instructions are viewed in context, Wilson’s claim
of error, plain or otherwise, lacks merit.
{¶ 58} In proposition of law nineteen, Wilson argues plain error because of the
trial court’s following definitions of “purpose” which Wilson contends are
16
January Term, 1996
“incongruous”: “A person acts purposely when it is his specific intention to cause a
certain result. It must be established in this case that at the time in question there was
present in the mind of the Defendant a specific intention to cause the death of another.
*** A person acts purposely, when the gist of the offense is a prohibition against
conduct of a certain nature, regardless of what the offender intends to accomplish
thereby, if it is his specific intention to engage in conduct of that nature.”
{¶ 59} Admittedly, the “gist of the offense” language is confusing in a murder
prosecution which requires “purpose.” See State v. Carter (1995), 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 552-553
,651 N.E.2d 965, 973-974
; R.C. 2901.22(A); 4 Ohio Jury Instructions (1995) 52, 409.01(3)(Comment). In the context of all the instructions given the jury, the court provided adequate instructions on the element of specific intent to kill. State v. Price,60 Ohio St.2d at 140-141
,14 O.O.3d at 381-382
,398 N.E.2d at 775
; State v. Martens (1993),90 Ohio App.3d 338, 349-350
,629 N.E.2d 462, 469-470
. Given the evidence,
including Wilson’s confession, the jury could not have based its decision on the “gist
of the offense” language. No “outcome-determinative” plain error occurred. We,
therefore, reject proposition of law nineteen.
{¶ 60} In proposition of law twenty, Wilson first argues that the trial court erred
in refusing his request to instruct the jury on intoxication as it relates to aggravated
murder and arson. Whether to instruct on intoxication as a defense rests within a trial
court’s sound discretion. State v. Wolons (1989), 44 Ohio St.3d 64
,541 N.E.2d 443
, paragraph two of the syllabus; State v. Fox (1981),68 Ohio St.2d 53
,22 O.O.3d 259
,428 N.E.2d 410
; Nichols v. State (1858),8 Ohio St. 435
, paragraph two of the syllabus.
Such an instruction is not required, since “[i]ntoxication is easily simulated” and is
“often voluntarily induced for the sole purpose of nerving a wicked heart[.]” Nichols,
8 Ohio St. at 439. As discussed infra, the court did instruct on intoxication as to the
kidnapping offense and specifications.
{¶ 61} Moreover, the evidence does not reasonably raise the intoxication issue
as to the aggravated murder or arson. Wilson cites much evidence from the trial to
17
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
show how much alcohol he drank up to 2:30 a.m. on May 4. However, aside from one
or two beers at his trailer around 3:00 a.m., there was no evidence at trial that indicated
Wilson drank anything after that time. The murder occurred around 1:30 p.m., eleven
hours after the Empire Tavern closed and at least eight hours after Wilson’s last beer.
During this time, Wilson walked, slept, drove to various places, and talked with DeBolt
at 6:00 a.m. in Stow for sixty to ninety minutes. His own confession reflects that he
knew exactly what he was doing after 7:30 a.m. Lacking evidence of intoxication, the
court did not err in declining to instruct on intoxication as to the events that directly
preceded Lutz’s death. See State v. Hicks (1989), 43 Ohio St.3d 72
,538 N.E.2d 1030
,
syllabus.
{¶ 62} In proposition of law twenty, Wilson further argues that the trial court
erred in instructing the jury, over objection, that he had the burden of proof to establish
that his intoxication negated the “knowledge” element in the kidnapping. This
contention relates solely to the kidnapping conviction. Wilson makes no claim that any
error affects the remaining charges or the death penalty.
{¶ 63} The court instructed: “Intoxication is not an excuse ***, [but] such
evidence is admissible for the purpose of showing that the Defendant was so intoxicated
that he was incapable of having the knowledge to commit the offense of Kidnapping.
Knowledge is the element of this offense; and intoxication *** can co-exist with
knowledge. *** On this issue, the burden of proof is upon the Defendant to establish
by a preponderance or greater weight of the evidence that at the time in question he
was so influenced by alcohol that he was incapable of having the knowledge to commit
the offense. If you find by a preponderance or greater weight of the evidence that the
Defendant was incapable of having the knowledge to commit the offense, then you
must find the Defendant was not guilty of the offense of Kidnapping because
Knowledge is an essential element of the offense[,] as I have previously instructed
you.” (Emphasis added.)
18
January Term, 1996
{¶ 64} As the court instructed, “knowledge” is an element of kidnapping. Due
process requires the prosecution to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, every element of
the crime charged. In re Winship (1970), 397 U.S. 358
,90 S.Ct. 1068
,25 L.Ed.2d 368
. Due process prohibits requiring an accused to disprove an element of the crime charged. Mullaney v. Wilbur (1975),421 U.S. 684
,95 S.Ct. 1881
,44 L.Ed.2d 508
. This instruction is unconstitutional under Winship because it required Wilson to disprove “knowledge,” which is an element of the offense of kidnapping. R.C. 2905.01(B). The burden of proof cannot be placed on a defendant to disprove an element of an offense.Mullaney, supra.
Nevertheless, we find the error to be harmless
under the facts of this case since the kidnapping of Lutz continued into the late morning
and early afternoon. At that point, he clearly knew what he was doing and intoxication
would not reasonably be available as a defense to negate “knowledge.”
{¶ 65} No other offenses are affected by this instructional deficiency, since this
instruction on intoxication involved only the kidnapping. The felony-murder counts
and kidnapping penalty specifications played no role at all in the penalty phase. The
death penalty was imposed solely on Count I and specification one.
{¶ 66} In proposition of law twenty-one, Wilson argues that the trial court erred
in refusing his request to instruct on murder as a lesser included offense. However, a
charge on a “lesser included offense is required only where the evidence presented at
trial would reasonably support both an acquittal on the crime charged and a conviction
upon the lesser included offense.” State v. Thomas (1988), 40 Ohio St.3d 213
,533 N.E.2d 286
, paragraph two of the syllabus. Here the evidence did not reasonably raise
murder as a lesser included offense.
{¶ 67} No evidence exists that indicates that Wilson had anything to drink after
approximately 2:30 a.m. Wilson knew Lutz was locked in the trunk at 7:30 a.m. In
the hours after that, he drove and walked around, kept Lutz locked in the trunk, and
thought about what he was going to do. It appears that by 1:00 p.m., he had decided to
kill her and to that end set fire to a rag stuffed into the gas tank. That time, the fire
19
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
went out. He next let Lutz out of the trunk and talked with her for fifteen to twenty
minutes before forcing her back in the car trunk. This time he punctured the gas tank
before lighting the rag. The fire caught and Lutz was burned to death. Evidence of
prior calculation and design is overwhelming, and a jury could not reasonably find him
guilty of murder but not guilty of aggravated murder. Thus, the trial judge did not err
in refusing to instruct on murder as a lesser included offense. See State v. Evans, 63 Ohio St.3d at 245
,586 N.E.2d at 1054-1055
; State v. Tyler,50 Ohio St. 3d at 36
,553 N.E.2d at 591
.
{¶ 68} We summarily reject Wilson’s proposition of law twenty-five, which
challenges Ohio’s statutory reasonable doubt instruction used at the guilt and penalty
phases. State v. Van Gundy (1992), 64 Ohio St.3d 230
,594 N.E.2d 604
; State v. Nabozny (1978),54 Ohio St.2d 195
,8 O.O.3d 181
,375 N.E.2d 784
, paragraph two of the syllabus. Moreover, it should be noted that Wilson failed to object and waived the issue. State v. Underwood,3 Ohio St.3d 12
, 3 OBR 360,444 N.E.2d 1332
, syllabus;
Crim.R. 30(A).
IV
Effective Assistance of Counsel
{¶ 69} In proposition of law twenty-four, Wilson argues that he was denied his
right to the effective assistance of counsel at trial. Wilson did not raise this claim before
the court of appeals and thus waived this issue. State v. Williams (1977), 51 Ohio St.2d 112
,5 O.O.3d 98
,364 N.E.2d 1364
. Moreover, reversal of convictions on ineffective assistance requires that the defendant show, first, “that counsel’s performance was deficient”and, second, “that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense *** so *** as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial.” Strickland v. Washington (1984),466 U.S. 668, 687
,104 S.Ct. 2052, 2064
,80 L.Ed.2d 674, 693
; State v. Bradley (1989),42 Ohio St.3d 136
,538 N.E.2d 373
.
{¶ 70} Wilson challenges his counsel’s decisions on numerous issues. We find
that each of those decisions was the product of reasonable professional judgment.
20
January Term, 1996
Additionally, as to all of these issues, Wilson has not established prejudice, i.e., “a
reasonable probability that, were it not for counsel’s errors, the result of the trial would
have been different.” Bradley, paragraph three of the syllabus. Thus, we find that
proposition of law twenty-four lacks merit.
V
Constitutional Issues
{¶ 71} Proposition of law twenty-two challenges the death-penalty felony-
murder provisions, but it lacks both merit and relevance. State v. Henderson (1988),
39 Ohio St.3d 24
,528 N.E.2d 1237
, paragraph one of the syllabus. Wilson’s arguments in proposition of law twenty-seven challenging Ohio’s proportionality review lack merit. State v. Green (1993),66 Ohio St.3d 141, 151
,609 N.E.2d 1253, 1261
; State v. Steffen,31 Ohio St.3d 111
, 31 OBR 273,509 N.E.2d 383
, paragraph one of the syllabus. We summarily reject Wilson’s constitutional arguments in propositions of law twenty-two, twenty-seven and twenty-eight. State v. Poindexter,36 Ohio St.3d 1
,520 N.E.2d 568
, syllabus.
VI
Sentence Issues
{¶ 72} In his second proposition of law, Wilson challenges the constitutionality
of appellate sentence reweighing in death penalty cases and seeks to sharply restrict the
use of appellate reweighing to determine sentence appropriateness. Wilson further
argues that appellate reweighing is speculative and improper when an error is based
upon inadmissible evidence. However, we find Wilson’s second proposition of law
lacks merit.
{¶ 73} At the sentencing proceedings, the jury and judge became aware that
Wilson had been earlier adjudged a delinquent child for an involuntary manslaughter.
Wilson starts his arguments against reweighing with the erroneous assumption that the
court improperly admitted evidence of his juvenile criminal history. The trial transcript
demonstrates that Wilson mentioned his juvenile record and introduced evidence of
21
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
that record at sentencing. Having invited any error, he cannot now complain. Center
Ridge Ganley, Inc. v. Stinn (1987), 31 Ohio St.3d 310
, 31 OBR 587,511 N.E.2d 106
.
The trial jury properly considered the defense evidence. See discussion of Wilson’s
fifth proposition of law, infra.
{¶ 74} However, we agree that the trial court in its sentencing opinion
improperly injected Wilson’s juvenile record into the weighing process as a
nonstatutory aggravating circumstance. In justifying the death penalty, and explaining
why the aggravating circumstance outweighed mitigating factors, the trial court stated:
“Defendant’s total disregard for the suffering of his victim(s) in the present case and in
his juvenile adjudication finding him delinquent by reason of involuntary
manslaughter. *** Defendant’s actions in both cases support the aggravating
circumstance in that defendant acted in order to prevent the victim from seeking
assistance in order to avoid detection, apprehension, trial or punishment.” The court of
appeals recognized the trial court’s error and took appropriate corrective action by
independently reassessing the sentence.
{¶ 75} Wilson now challenges the authority of the court of appeals to reassess
the sentence under the circumstances. Wilson argues that appellate reweighing is
limited to situations where an aggravating circumstance has been subsequently ruled
invalid under the Eighth Amendment. His argument lacks logic and is not based on
precedent. “The independent weighing process at each appellate level *** provides a
procedural safeguard against the arbitrary imposition of the death penalty.” State v.
Holloway (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 239
,527 N.E.2d 831
, paragraph two of the syllabus. We have upheld appellate reweighing in varied situations. See, State v. Combs (1991),62 Ohio St.3d 278, 286
,581 N.E.2d 1071, 1079
; State v. Landrum,53 Ohio St.3d at 124
,559 N.E.2d at 729
. This court has specifically used appellate reweighing to correct errors in a trial court’s sentencing opinion. See State v. Fox (1994),69 Ohio St.3d 183,at 190-192
,631 N.E.2d 124 at 130-131
; State v. Lewis (1993),67 Ohio St.3d 200, 204
,616 N.E.2d 921, 925
; State v. Lott (1990),51 Ohio St.3d 160, 169-170
,555 N.E.2d 22
January Term, 1996 293, 303-304; State v. Maurer,15 Ohio St.3d at 246-247
, 15 OBR at 385-386,473 N.E.2d at 777-778
. Thus, we reject Wilson’s second proposition of law.
{¶ 76} In his third proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
instructing the jury, over objection, that “[m]itigating factors are factors that, while they
do not justify or excuse the crime ***, may be considered by you as extenuating,
lessening, weakening, excusing to some extent, or reducing the degree of the
Defendant’s blame or culpability.” (Emphasis added.)
{¶ 77} We agree that the trial court erred in referring to only “blame or
culpability” when explaining mitigating factors. As State v. Holloway held at
paragraph one of the syllabus, “Mitigating factors *** are not necessarily related to a
defendant’s culpability but, rather, are those factors that are relevant to the issue of
whether an offender convicted under R.C. 2903.01 should be sentenced to death.”
However, instructions must be considered as a whole, not in isolation. State v. Price,
60 Ohio St.2d 136
,14 O.O.3d 379
,398 N.E.2d 772
. When considered in context, the
trial court’s instructions adequately informed the jury as to the relevant mitigating
factors it must consider. The court told the jury that the “mitigating factors which you
are to weigh include but are not limited to the youth of the offender; any other factor
raised by the Defendant which may include, but is not limited to, that the Defendant is
the product of a dysfunctional family; alcoholism; ability to adjust to a structural
environment in an institutional setting; the Defendant’s confession.
{¶ 78} “Likewise, the existence of any of the mitigating factors does not
preclude or prevent the imposition of a sentence of death if you find that the aggravating
circumstance still outweighs the mitigating factors by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
{¶ 79} “If, after a full and impartial consideration of all the relevant evidence
*** you are firmly convinced that the aggravating circumstance *** outweighs the
factors in mitigation, beyond a reasonable doubt, then the state has met its burden of
proof ***.
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SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
{¶ 80} “If, on the other hand, you are not firmly convinced that the aggravating
circumstance *** outweighs the factors in mitigation, beyond a reasonable doubt, then
the State has not met its burden of proof and the sentence of death shall not be
imposed.”
{¶ 81} Under the circumstances, we find no material prejudice resulted from
use of the words “blame” or “culpability.” Taken as a whole, the jury instructions
indicate that the penalty phase was to determine Wilson’s punishment, not just to assess
his blame or culpability. See State v. Woodard, 68 Ohio St.3d at 77
,623 N.E.2d at 80
. The arguments of counsel reflected that view. Additionally, our independent sentence reassessment eliminates the effect of this error. See State v. Landrum,53 Ohio St.3d at 124
,559 N.E.2d at 729
; State v. Holloway,38 Ohio St.3d at 242
,527 N.E.2d at 835
.
{¶ 82} Contrary to Wilson’s arguments in proposition of law twenty-three, the
trial court did not err in refusing to instruct on mercy. State v. Lorraine, 66 Ohio St.3d at 417
,613 N.E.2d at 216
; State v. Landrum,53 Ohio St.3d at 123
, 559 N.E.2d. at 728.
{¶ 83} In his fifth proposition of law, Wilson argues that prosecutorial
misconduct denied him a fair penalty determination. First, Wilson argues that the
prosecutor improperly introduced Wilson’s juvenile record into evidence and
improperly cross-examined defense witnesses about that record. Wilson’s argument
obscures what occurred at trial.
{¶ 84} Before trial, the prosecutor stated that he might use Wilson’s prior
juvenile record “to cross-examine them [defense witnesses] regarding their knowledge
of his record.” Such a comment in a pretrial conference does not constitute use of the
evidence before the jury. In fact, the record is clear that Wilson, as part of a reasoned
defense strategy, disclosed his juvenile record in his opening statement at the
sentencing proceedings and questioned his own witnesses about that juvenile record.
{¶ 85} Wilson’s mitigation strategy involved numerous witnesses’ testifying
about his childhood. His juvenile record featured prominently in his mitigation case.
Wilson was incarcerated at age fourteen, spent two years in institutions, and then lived
24
January Term, 1996
in a foster home. Wilson’s “personality disorder” diagnosis depended upon a juvenile
record. According to Wilson, his father’s alcoholism and neglect directly caused his
juvenile record.
{¶ 86} Having introduced the evidence himself, Wilson cannot now complain
because the prosecutor cross-examined witnesses about his juvenile record or
mentioned it in argument. See State v. Montgomery, 61 Ohio St.3d at 418
,575 N.E.2d at 173
. “A party cannot take advantage of an error he invited or induced.” State v. Seiber (1990),56 Ohio St.3d 4, 17
,564 N.E.2d 408, 422
.
{¶ 87} Wilson’s remaining prosecutorial misconduct arguments also lack merit.
“[T]he touchstone of due process analysis in cases of alleged prosecutorial misconduct
is the fairness of the trial, not the culpability of the prosecutor.” Smith v. Phillips
(1982), 455 U.S. 209, 219
,102 S.Ct. 940, 947
,71 L.Ed.2d 78, 87
. “[T]here can be no such thing as an error-free, perfect trial, and *** the Constitution does not guarantee such a trial.” United States v. Hasting (1983),461 U.S. 499, 508-509
,103 S.Ct. 1974, 1980
,76 L.Ed.2d 96, 106
.
{¶ 88} The prosecutor’s cross-examination about people who kill strangers and
Wilson’s possible future conduct was not improper given Wilson’s attempt to present
himself as not dangerous when he was off alcohol. Wilson also did not always object
so as to preserve any error. The prosecutor could discredit favorable defense childhood
testimony by cross-examining witnesses about Wilson’s childhood vandalism.
{¶ 89} Since Wilson first presented evidence that he adjusted well to
imprisonment, the prosecution could properly cross-examine a defense witness about
Wilson’s attempt to escape from custody. The limited victim-impact testimony of
Lutz’s mother did not violate constitutional guarantees. Mrs. Lutz expressed no
opinion about the penalty. Payne v. Tennessee (1991), 501 U.S. 808, 830
,111 S.Ct. 2597, 2611
,115 L.Ed.2d 720, 739
, at fn. 2; State v. Fautenberry,72 Ohio St.3d 435, 438
,650 N.E.2d 878, 881-882
; see State v. Lorraine,66 Ohio St.3d at 420-421
,613 N.E.2d at 218-219
.
25
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
{¶ 90} Prosecutorial characterization of Wilson as a “walking time bomb” was
not unreasonable under the testimony given. Prosecutors can be “colorful or creative.”
State v. Brown (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 305, 317
,528 N.E.2d 523, 538
. Prosecutors can urge the merits of their cause and legitimately argue that defense mitigation evidence is worthy of little or no weight. The prosecutor did not err by arguing that others with deprived childhoods do not necessarily commit such crimes. See State v. Murphy (1992),65 Ohio St.3d 554, 570-571
,605 N.E.2d 884, 899
; State v. Richey (1992),64 Ohio St.3d 353, 370
,595 N.E.2d 915, 929
. The trial court’s sentencing instructions cured any asserted prosecutorial misstatements of law. State v. Greer (1988),39 Ohio St.3d 236, 251
,530 N.E.2d 382, 400
.
{¶ 91} With respect to Wilson’s allegations about prosecutorial misconduct, we
find that such misconduct did not permeate the trial, and that Wilson received a fair
trial, if not a perfect one. Compare State v. Landrum, 53 Ohio St.3d at 110-112
, 559 N.E.2d. at 716-718; State v. Johnson (1989),46 Ohio St.3d 96, 101-103
,545 N.E.2d 636, 642-643
. We therefore reject Wilson’s fifth proposition of law.
{¶ 92} In his seventh proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred
in failing “to consider and give effect to his relevant mitigating evidence.” Wilson
argues that the trial court’s sentencing opinion did not give appropriate mitigating
weight to his alcoholism, confession, adaptation to incarceration, and youth. However,
the sentencing opinion shows that the court did consider all asserted mitigating factors.
“[T]he assessment and weight to be given mitigating evidence are matters for the trial
court’s determination.” State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d at 171
,555 N.E.2d at 305
. “[E]vidence of an offender’s history, background and character which the *** trial court *** considered, but did not find to be mitigating, need be given little or no weight against the aggravating circumstances.” State v. Stumpf,32 Ohio St.3d 95
,512 N.E.2d 598
, paragraph two of the syllabus. See, also, State v. Steffen,31 Ohio St.3d 111
, 31 OBR 273,509 N.E.2d 383
, paragraph two of the syllabus.
26
January Term, 1996
{¶ 93} The trial court’s sentencing opinion indicates that the court correctly
understood the weighing process and the prosecution’s burden of proof. The court of
appeals had earlier recognized and corrected the only notable error. Any imprecision
in the trial court’s opinion, as well as the minor mistake regarding the accused’s age,
was inconsequential. Also, our independent reassessment of the sentence cures any
arguable error. State v. Lott, supra.
Thus, we reject Wilson’s proposition of law seven.
{¶ 94} Wilson, in proposition of law twenty-six, argues that the trial court erred
in imposing prison sentences along with the death penalty. That claim lacks merit.
State v. Campbell (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 38, 52
,630 N.E.2d 339, 352
. In addition, Wilson cannot now complain since he failed to object at trial. State v. Williams,51 Ohio St.2d 112
,5 O.O.3d 98
,364 N.E.2d 1364
.
VII
INDEPENDENT SENTENCE ASSESSMENT
{¶ 95} In proposition of law six, Wilson argues that the death sentence is
inappropriate for him. After independent assessment, we find that the evidence proves,
beyond a reasonable doubt, the aggravating circumstance charged against Wilson, i.e.,
that he killed Lutz “for the purpose of escaping detection, apprehension, trial, or
punishment” for kidnapping Lutz. R.C. 2929.04(A)(3). We find nothing in the nature
and circumstances of the crimes themselves to be mitigating.
{¶ 96} Wilson’s history and background do provide some mitigating features.
Until he was fourteen, Wilson suffered at the hands of a tyrannical, alcoholic father,
who alternatively teased, beat, and neglected his sons. His mother could do little and
ultimately abandoned him to his father. At fourteen, Wilson was adjudged delinquent,
spent two years in an institutional setting, and then lived successfully in a foster home
for four years. Undoubtedly, Wilson’s “personality disorders” resulted in part from
that deprived childhood. We find all of this entitled to some weight. However, its
significance is undercut by the fact that, at about age seventeen, Wilson had an
27
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
opportunity for a fresh start in life, in a loving home, and he failed to follow through
successfully. We find nothing in Wilson’s character to be mitigating.
{¶ 97} We accord appropriate weight to the statutory mitigating factor of age.
See R.C. 2929.04(B)(4). Wilson was twenty-one at the time of the offense. No other
statutory mitigating factor in R.C. 2929.04(B)(1)-(3), (B)(5), or (B)(6) is raised by the
evidence or applicable. As to R.C. 2929.04(B)(7), “other factors,” Wilson’s anti-social
and borderline personality disorders, his alcoholism, his confession, and his adaptation
to confinement collectively deserve some weight. However, Wilson confessed only
after he was identified and taken into custody, and thus his confession is entitled to
little weight. Personality disorders are often accorded little weight because they are so
common in murder cases. Alcoholism is of little mitigating value here because, as we
have previously discussed, Wilson’s claim that he was drunk when he killed Lutz does
not hold up under examination.
{¶ 98} In this case, the aggravating circumstance outweighs the combined
mitigating factors beyond a reasonable doubt. Wilson acted in the full light of the
afternoon, hours after waking up and thinking about his options. When weighed against
this aggravating circumstance, the mitigating factors—his history, background, youth,
alcoholism, and the “other factors” cited—are of minor consequence.
{¶ 99} The death penalty is both appropriate and proportionate when compared
with similar capital cases. State v. Lawson (1992), 64 Ohio St.3d 336
,595 N.E.2d 902
; State v. Brewer (1990),48 Ohio St.3d 50
,549 N.E.2d 491
; State v. Stumpf,32 Ohio St.3d 95
,512 N.E.2d 598
.
{¶ 100} The judgment of the court of appeals is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER and FARMER, JJ., concur.
DOUGLAS, J., concurs in judgment only.
SHEILA G. FARMER, J., of the Fifth Appellate District, sitting for Cook, J.
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January Term, 1996
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