IN THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO STATE OF OHIO Plaintiff-Appellee Case No. vs. BLAKE A. RILEY Defendant-Appellant /drp -0712 On Appeal from the Muskingum County Court of Appeals, Fifth Appellate District Court of Appeals Case No. CT 2012-0022 2013-Ohio-1332 (Trial Court No. CR 2011-0122) MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF JURISDICTION OF DEFENDANT-APPELLANT BLAKE A. RILEY ELIZABETH N. GABA (0063152) Attorney at Law 1231 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205 (614) 586-1586 Facsimile (614) 586-0064 [email protected]COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT D. MICHAEL HADDOX (0004913) Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney 27 North 5th Street, 2nd Floor Zanesville, Ohio 43702 (740) 455-7123 Facsimile (740) 455-7141 COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^RK OF COURT SUPREME C'UURI OF OUlO
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
STATE OF OHIOPlaintiff-Appellee Case No.
vs.
BLAKE A. RILEYDefendant-Appellant
/drp
-0712
On Appeal from the MuskingumCounty Court of Appeals,Fifth Appellate DistrictCourt of Appeals Case No.CT 2012-0022
2013-Ohio-1332(Trial Court No. CR 2011-0122)
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF JURISDICTIONOF DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
BLAKE A. RILEY
ELIZABETH N. GABA (0063152)Attorney at Law1231 East Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43205(614) 586-1586Facsimile (614) [email protected] FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
D. MICHAEL HADDOX (0004913)Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney
27 North 5th Street, 2nd FloorZanesville, Ohio 43702(740) 455-7123Facsimile (740) 455-7141COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
^^^ ^^ ^^^^
^^^RK OF COURTSUPREME C'UURI OF OUlO
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................... ............. 1
PROPOSITION OF LAW 1. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PLAIN ERRORIN ITS INSTRUCTION TO THE JURY IN 1) FAILING TO GIVE THE JURYTHE REQUIRED CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTION REGARDING THETESTIMONY OF AN ALLEGED ACCOMPLICE UNDER R.C.2923.03(D) ASTO THE TESTIMONY OF RYAN BARLOW AND JAMIE HUTTON; AND 2)FAILING TO IDENTIFY BRITTANY FUNK AS A THIRD POTENTIALACCOMPLICE IN A CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTION. AS SUCH APPELLANTWAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL.
Proposition of Law No. 2 : . ..... ... ...... .... . ... .... ..... .... ...... .... .........................7
PROPOSITION OF LAW 2. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICEOF APPELLANT WHEN IT SENTENCED APPELLANT TO CONSECUTIVESENTENCES ON COUNTS 4,5 AND 6 OF THE INDICTMENT INVIOLATION OF R.C. 2941.25 - ALLIED OFFENSES OF SIMILAR IMPORT-AND THE DOUBLE JEOPARDY CLAUSES OF THE OHIO AND UNITEDSTATES CONSTITUTIONS.
Proposition of Law No. 3 ... . .. ...... ......... . ....... . ... ...... ... ... ... ......... ... ... ........8PROPOSITION OF LAW 3. THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS DID NOTHAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OVER THE CRIlV1INAL TRIALBECAUSE BLAKE RILEY WAS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD AT THETIME OF THE ALLEGED OFFENSE AND WAS NOT PROPERLY BOUNDOVER FROM THE JUVENILE COURT. AS SUCH APPELLANT WASDENIED A FAIR TRIAL.
PROPOSITION OF LAW 4. THE COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OFAPPELLANT WHEN IT FAILED TO RECORD ALL THE PROCEEDINGS INTHIS CASE. AS SUCH DEFENDANT WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL.
PROPOSITION OF LAW 5. APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF THEEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL DUE TO NUMEROUS ERRORSAND OMISSIONS WHICH PREJUDICED APPELLANT'S TRIAL
Proposition of Law No. 6 ............ ......... ... ... . .... . ............ ...... ............ ...... ....12
PROPOSITION OF LAW 6. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OFLAW, TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT, BY CONVICTINGAPPELLANT, BECAUSE THIS CONVICTION WAS BOTH AGAINST THEMANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND THE EVIDENCE WASINSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE CONVICTION.
EXPLANATION OF WHY THIS IS A CASE OF PUBLIC OR GREAT GENERALINTEREST
This case began as an improperly filed and improperly bound-over Juvenile case
alleging Aggravated Burglary and Kidnapping, where the Defendant was a short, 5'3" 17
year old boy whose physical description did not match the description of any of the
perpetrators. In Common Pleas Court, numerous errors occurred, including but not
limited to that co-defendants and the female get-away driver, who got deals specifically if
they testified against Riley, were allowed to testify without the R.C. 2923.03(D)
cautionary instruction, and with a misleading explanation of their deals with the State and
a misleading explanation of their incentives to testify - indeed, it was implied to the jury
that they had no incentive to testify other than "the public good". Further, much of the
trial was not recorded. This boy is now sentenced to 23 years in prison, in part because
of these and other errors, and in part because counts that should have merged did not at
sentencing. Defendant's Federal and State Constitutional rights were violated.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
On the night of December 12 and into the early morning of December 13, 2008
while Larry and Becky Omdorff were sleeping, Ryan Barlow and Jamie Hutton, entered
the Omdorff home and stole from them. After they went back to Jamie Hutton's
apartment, there was a decision to go back to the Orndorffs to get more money and
property and pills. The State alleged that Blake Riley accompanied Barlow and Hutton
and participated in the thefts and home invasion. The Orndorffs were held at gunpoint,
and money and guns were stolen. The police investigated but were stymied until August
2010, when a woman named Keela Davis, supposedly angered that Ryan Barlow would
not allow her to move to Texas with their child in common, told her mother Kim Wells,
1
that Ryan Barlow, Jamie Hutton and Blake Riley were involved in the Omdorff
burglaryr. Kim Wells then informed Becky Orndorff of what Keela had stated. At the
time of these events in December 2008 Blake Riley was 17 years old.2
The testimony against Blake Riley primarily came from Ryan Barlow, Jamie
Hutton, and Brittany Funk - who supposedly was the "getaway driver". Jamie Hutton
on March 11, 2011 in Case CR2011-0049, pled to a Bill of Information and pled to an F 1
Aggravated Burglary with a 3 year Firearm Spec, two F 1 Aggravated Robberies each
with a 3 year firearm spec, two Fl Kidnappings each with a 3 year firearm spec., an F3
Theft of Firearms, and an F4 Theft. Depending on how one views the merger and allied
offense issues here, Jamie Hutton could have received 46 r/z years plus, presumably one
firearm spec. His plea agreement was for 16 years on this case and 2 years on an
unrelated theft case. His plea agreement further required that he "testify against co-
defendant(s), including but not limited to, providing a tape-recorded statement of his
involvement and the involvement of others in the crime(s) charged herein, participate in
pre-trial preparation, and provide in-court testimony of his involvement and the
involvement of others in the crime(s) charged herein3."
Similarly, Ryan Barlow, on March 9, 2011, in Case CR2011-0050, pled to a Bill
of Information and pled to an F 1 Aggravated Burglary and one F3 Theft of a Firearm,
and one F4 Theft. His plea agreement was for 7 years.4
1 Trial Tr. p.3461.8-14; p.3501.8-10; p.481.2 Trial Tr. p.188 1.4, p.4171.15.3 State v Hutton, CR2011-0049, Waiver and Plea of Guilty to Prosecutor's Bill of
Information, and Tr. tr. p. 4241.14.4 State v Barlow, CR2011-0050, Sentencing Entry, Tr. tr. p.416 1.2-25.
2
Considering that these two young men faced very significant time, they had a
profound motive to testify against Blake Riley - indeed to say whatever it was that the
State wanted them to say.
Moreover, Brittany Funk, the "getaway driver"5 and Ryan Barlow's sometime
girlfriend, was never charged6. She too had a profound motive to testify against Blake
Riley.
So these three people, who had all made deals with the prosecutor, Ryan Barlow7
Jamie Hutton8 and Brittany Funk9, said Blake was present at the Orndorff burglaries.
Of the group, only Blake Riley went to trial. Blake had two alibis. His first was a
"time and place" alibi. Blake's other alibi was a "physical" alibi. Blake's physical
description did not match the description of the intruder or intruders given by Larry and
Becky Orndorff10. Detective Todd Mahle told Blake's mother, after seeing Blake in
2010, "my question's answered. The guys that did this were tall, and one had real bright
blue eyes, and he said he [Blake} is just a little guy.lt
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
In December 2008, Blake Riley was a juvenile, 17 years old. On April 11, 2011,
Det. Mahle filed a seven-count Complaint in the Muskingum County Juvenile Court,
5 Trial Tr., p.374 - 377.6 Trial Tr., p. 381,1.21-25; p.382,1.2-10,1.21-25.7 Trial Tr., p.412-416.8 Trial Tr., p.4341.12-13, p.4441.12-13.9 Trial Tr. p.374-379.10 Tr. tr. p.199, p.2311.20 to 2321.7, p.221 1.22-25, p. 2281.4, p.2511.24, p.2521.22,p.2591.10-14, p.479 1.11, p.485-486, p.4871.21-24, p.488-490, p.4931.1-4.11 Tr. tr. p.5291.17-25.
3
Case No. 2112028112. He alleged that Blake Riley had committed the offenses of 2
counts of Aggravated Robbery (F l); 1 County of Aggravated Burglary (F 1), 2 Counts of
Kidnapping (F1), 1 count of Grand Theft of Firearm (F3), and 1 Count of Grand Theft
(F4). Nowhere in the Complaint is it stated that the offenses occurred in Muskingum
County Ohio, or even in Ohio at all13. There is no address listed for the place of the
offense. On May 12, 2011, the Juvenile Prosecutor filed a Motion for Transfer of
Jurisdiction and Bindover Hearing. Det. Mahle testified at the Bindover hearing that
Keela Davis the mother of Ryan Barlow's childl4, and Brittany Funk the girlfriend of
Ryan Barlow, named Blake Riley15. Further Brittany placed Ryan in the car with her,
making him a lesser player16. And Det. Mahle told Blake's mother that the physical
description of the perpetrators did not match Blake Riley17. And there was no forced
entryr8. Defense counsel argued that there was not enough evidence for probable cause
for -a bindover'9, including but not limited to because the Complaint did not give the court
jurisdiction. Nevertheless on May 17, 2011 Judge Hooper signed a Judgment Entry for
Bindover and transferred jurisdiction to the Court of Common Pleas20.
On May 18, 2011, a 10-count Indictment was filed against Blake Riley in
Common Pleas Court21. He was charged with Aggravated Burglary F 1 with a firearm
12 Complaint, In the Matter of Blake A. Riley, Muskingum County Juvenile Court,
21120281, 4-7-11.13 Id., also Bindover tr., p.42 1.7-11.14 Bindover tr. p.21 1.8-1615 Bindover tr. p.181.22-23, p.211.17-2316 Bindover tr. p. 231.5-1017 Bindover tr. p.401.17-22.18 Bindover tr. p.41 1.14-17.19 Bindover tr. p.49 1.2-9.20 In the Matter of Blake A. Riley 21120281, Judgment Entry Order of Transfer
21 Indictment State v Blake A. Riley.
4
spec, Theft F3, Theft F4, Aggravate Burglary F 1 with a firearm spec, Aggravated
Robbery F 1 with a firearm spec, Aggravated Robbery F 1 with a firearm spec,
Kidnapping F 1 with a firearm spec., Kidnapping F 1 with a firearm spec, Theft, and Theft.
Before the jury trial started, the State moved to dismiss the two Aggravated
Robbery charges and moved to dismiss the firearm spec on the Aggravated Burglary
count 1. They amended the two F4 thefts to say $1000 to $7500, and amended the last
theft to say $7500 to $100,000. And so his charges were now, Count 1: Agg Burg F 1,
Count 2: Theft of firearm F3, Count 3: Theft F5, Count 4: Ag Burg firearm spec Fl,
Count 5: Kidnapping firearm spec F 1, Count 6: Kidnapping firearm spec F 1, Count 7:
Theft of firearm F3, Count 8: Theft F422.
On January 20, 201.2, the jury convicted Blake on all counts23. At a merger
hearing held February 6, 2012, the Court ruled that Counts 2 and 3 merged with Count 1
and he was sentenced on Countl; Counts 7 and 8 merged with Count 4 and he was
sentenced on Count 4; and Counts 5 and 6 did not merge. The firearm specs on Counts
4, 5 and 6 merged and he was sentenced on one24. The Court sentenced him to an
aggregate term of 23 years, Count 1 - 4 years, Count 4 - 10 years, Firearm spec 3 years,
Count 5 - 6 years and Count 6 - 6 years. Counts 1 and 4 ran consecutive, Counts 5 and 6
ran concurrent to each other but consecutive to Counts 1 and 4, and the 3-year firearm
spec was consecutive to all the other counts25.
22 Tr. tr. p.106 1.10 to p.107 1.12.23 Tr. tr. p.7371.22 to p.7411.9.24 Merger tr., p.16 1.25 to p.21 1.4.25 Sentencing Entry.
5
The Defendant timely appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals, but they
aff^rmed the convictions on March 22, 2013. (Exhibit 1, State v Riley opinion and entry
2013-Ohio-1332).
PROPOSITION OF LAW 1. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PLAIN ERRORIN ITS INSTRUCTION TO THE JURY IN 1) FAILING TO GIVE THE JURYTHE REQUIRED CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTION REGARDING THETESTIMONY OF AN ALLEGED ACCOMPLICE UNDER R.C. 2923.03(D) ASTO THE TESTIMONY OF RYAN BARLOW AND JAMIE HUTTON; AND 2)FAILING TO IDENTIFY BRITTANY FUNK AS A THIRD POTENTIALACCOMPLICE IN A CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTION. AS SUCH APPELLANT
WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL.
Defendant contends that the trial court committed plain error in its jury instructions
because it failed to give the cautionary instruction regarding the testimony of an alleged
accomplice required under R.C. 2923.03(D). Pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B), a plain error
that affects a substantial right may be noticed by an appellate court despite not being
brought to the attention of the trial court. When an accomplice testifies against a
defendant, R.C. 2923.03(D) requires that the trial court instruct the jury as follows:
"`The testimony of an accomplice does not become inadmissible because of hiscomplicity, moral turpitude, or self-interest, but the admitted or claimed complicity of awitness may affect his credibility and make his testimony subject to grave suspicion, and
require that it be weighed with great caution."It is for you, as jurors, in the light of all the facts presented to you from the witnessstand, to evaluate such testimony and to determine its quality and worth or its lack of
quality and worth."'
It is undisputed that the trial court failed to give the R.C. 2923.03(D) instruction.26
It is also undisputed that no objection was made by trial counsel27 to the absence of this
instruction and that plain error is the appropriate standard. The failure of the trial court to
include the cautionary instruction when it had an affirmative duty to do so was clearly
26 Trial Tr., Jury Instructions, p.689 1.25 to 719 1.9.
27 Trial Tr., p.719 1.2.
6
prejudicial and therefore substantially affected the outcome of the trial. Although the
jury was told that Hutton and Riley pled guilty, they were not given the details of the plea
agreements. On the contrary, it was implied that they had nothing to gain by testifying
against Riley28. The jury instructions did not contain the required warning that the
accomplice's testimony be viewed with "grave suspicion" and "great caution." R.C.
2923.03(D). Rather, the jury was instructed to consider Barlow, Hutton and Funk's
credibility in the identical manner it judged the testimony of all other witnesses. While
the victims did testify at trial regarding the events in question, they did not identify the
perpetrator as Blake Riley; indeed the physical descriptions they gave of the perpetrators
did not match Riley's description. As such, there was not sufficient corroborative
evidence to support Riley's conviction. Without the required jury instruction, a failure to
properly weigh the accomplice's testimony would have a significant impact in assessing
Riley's guilt. See State v. Crawford, 10th Dist. No. O1AP-1428, 2003-Ohio-1447.
Accordingly, there is plain error in the trial court's failure to give the mandatory jury
instruction on accomplice testimony under R.C. 2923.03(D).
PROPOSITION OF LAW 2. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICEOF APPELLANT WHEN IT SENTENCED APPELLANT TO CONSECUTIVESENTENCES ON COUNTS 4,5 AND 6 OF THE INDICTMENT INVIOLATION OF R.C. 2941.25 - ALLIED OFFENSES OF SIMILAR IMPORT-AND THE DOUBLE JEOPARDY CLAUSES OF THE OHIO AND UNITEDSTATES CONSTITUTIONS.
R.C 2941.25, Multiple counts states:
(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to constitute two or moreallied offenses of similar import, the indictment or information may contain counts for allsuch offenses, but the defendant may be convicted of only one.(B) Where the defendant's conduct constitutes two or more offenses of dissimilar import,or where his conduct results in two or more offenses of the same or similar kind
28 Tr. tr. p.4241.14-15
7
committed separately or with a separate animus as to each, the indictment or informationmay contain counts for all such offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of all ofthem.
As recited in State v Pore, 2012-Ohio-3660, in State v. Johnson, 128 Ohio St.3d 153,
2010-Ohio-6314, 942 N.E.2d 1061, the Ohio Supreme Court revised its allied-offense
jurisprudence. Justice Brown's plurality opinion sets forth a new two-part test for
determining whether offenses are allied offenses of similar import under R.C. 2941.25.
The first inquiry focuses on whether it is possible to commit both offenses with the same
conduct. Id. at ¶ 48, 710 N.E.2d 699. It is not necessary that the commission of one
offense will always result in the commission of the other. Id. Rather, the question is
whether it is possible for both offenses to be committed by the same conduct. Id. If it is
possible to commit both offenses with the same conduct, the court must next determine
whether the offenses were in fact committed by a single act, performed with a single state
of mind. Id. at ¶ 49. Under Justice Brown's plurality opinion in Johnson, "the court need
not perform any hypothetical or abstract comparison of the offenses at issue in order to
conclude that the offenses are subject to merger." Id. at ¶ 47, 942 N.E. 2d 1061. Rather,
the court simply must ask whether the defendant committed the offenses by the same
conduct. Id. Justice O'Connor's plurality opinion advocates that the proper inquiry under
R.C. 2941.25(A) is not whether the two offenses can be committed with the same
conduct, but whether the convictions "arose from the same conduct that involves similar
criminal wrongs and similar resulting harm." Johnson at ¶ 70 (O'Connor, J., concurring in
judgment.) Under the facts of this case the second Aggravated Burglary is an allied
offense of the two Kidnapping charges.
PROPOSITION OF LAW 3. THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS DID NOT
8
HAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OVER THE CRIMINAL TRIALBECAUSE BLAKE RILEY WAS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD AT THETIME OF THE ALLEGED OFFENSE AND WAS NOT PROPERLY BOUNDOVER FROM THE JUVENILE COURT. AS SUCH APPELLANT WASDENIED A FAIR TRIAL.
The common pleas court lacked jurisdiction to indict, convict and sentence Blake
Riley due to an improper bindover from the Muskingum County Juvenile Court in 2011.
The Juvenile complaint never established jurisdiction because it never said where the
offense took place. Defendant contends also that the Juvenile court failed to consider the
statutory factors concern.ing amenability and failed to have a mental examination of the
child conducted before determining amenability. The Juvenile Division of the Court of
Common Pleas has exclusive original jurisdiction under the Ohio Revised Code
concerning any child who, on or about the date specified in the complaint, is alleged to be
a delinquent child for committing an act that would be an offense if committed by an
adult. R.C. 2151.23(A) (1); 2152.03; State v. Wilson (1995), 73 Ohio St.3d 40,43. The
issues of jurisdiction arise because of the undisputed record as to the failure on the filing
of the original complaint in juvenile court and the concurrent filing of the motion to
relinquish jurisdiction. Defendant further states that the juvenile court abused its
discretion in its lack of determination of the issue of the amenability of the juvenile to
treatment as prescribed by Juv. R. 30(C)(1) and 30(E)(1) through (5). Juvenile courts are
courts of limited and special jurisdiction. No presumption exists in favor of the
jurisdiction of such courts. The record below must show upon its face full compliance
with jurisdictional elements. State, ex rel. Parsons, v. Bushong (1945), 92 Ohio App. 101
[49 O.O. 245]. R.C. 2151.26(C) As the record does not reflect compliance therewith, the
juvenile court was without jurisdiction to effect a transfer of jurisdiction to the common
9
pleas court in the first instance.
PROPOSITION OF LAW 4. THE COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OFAPPELLANT WHEN IT FAILED TO RECORD ALL THE PROCEEDINGS INTHIS CASE. AS SUCH APPELLANT WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL.
Rule 22 of the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure provides: "In serious offense
cases all proceedings shall be recorded." Yet in this serious felony case, nearly all of the
colloquy between counsel and the court was not recorded. The transcript of proceedings
repeatedly shows that counsel would make an objection or need to discuss an evidentiary
issue and the court would direct the lawyers to a bench conference where presumably the
objections and evidentiary matters were discussed. (See e.g. Tr. 181, 279, 334, 371, 396,
611, 626, 646, 679). None of these discussions and issues were recorded, nor is it clear
that the Defendant was present by way of being within earshot for these discussions.
Months later, it is almost impossible to remember what was said during numerous
unrecorded bench discussions.
Failing to record the proceedings puts the Defendant in a particularly vulnerable
position for it is up to him to establish error below. If significant parts of the proceedings
are not recorded, it makes his task impossible. He is forced to guess as to the positions
taken by his counsel during these conferences and must speculate in part as to whether
his interests were adequately and constitutionally protected. Rule 22 is mandatory. This
was a serious case. All of the proceedings should have been recorded. Defendant was
denied his right to a complete transcript of proceedings and the convictions must be
reversed. State v. Said (1994), 71 Ohio St.3d. 473.
PROPOSITION OF LAW 5. APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF THEEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL DUE TO NUMEROUS ERRORS
10
AND OMISSIONS WHICH PREJUDICED APPELLANT'S TRIAL
The day after the burglaries, Larry Orndorff's daughter's friend Rod Copeland
walked under the Orndorffs' high deck, where ladders, a stove, and many other things
were stored, and he found a steel bar and a radio29. That bar supposedly had Blake's
DNA on it, along with Larry Orndorff s, and some other person.30 The defense argued
that Blake knew Ashley Orndorff, they had gone to prom, and he had worked on her car
more than once31. Although there were many footprints in other areas, there were no
fresh footprints in the snow from the house to the deck where the bar was found32. It is
thus unlikely that if Blake touched this bar, that it was at the time of the burglary. Further
there was no forced entry and the State developed no theory as to why a bar would have
been necessary.
The other piece of evidence was a footprint found for a size 12 shoe33. Many
people walked around the Omdorff home, including Mrs. Orndorff, the burglars, and the
police34. The Assistant Prosecutor had pictures taken of Blake's shoes at trial that had
been purchased for him years after the event, when Blake was three years older35. They
were size 9 ^/2 shoes, and measured 12 inches from toe to hee136. There was no discussion
at trial of the shoe sizes of Jamie Hutton and Ryan Barlow, and whether or not they wore
29 Tr. tr. p.324.30 Tr. tr. p.469.31 Tr. tr. p.460 1.1-9.32 Tr. tr. p.319 1.16.33 Tr. tr. p.269-270.34 Tr. tr. p.287-293.35 Tr. tr. p.3981.8-15.36 Tr. tr. p.450 1.10-22.
11
12 inch shoes, and Defense Counsel, surprised in the middle of trial with the "shoe
picture"37, had no time to investigate and did not ask for a continuance.
Defense counsel made, at minimum, the following errors and Defendant's
conviction must be reversed: Defense counsel failed to object to the use of the size 9 1/2
shoe/ 12 inch long shoe photographs and failed to continue to investigate the shoe sizes
of Barlow, Hutton and others. Counsel ineffectively cross-examined the State's primary
witnesses Barlow, Hutton and Funk by not confronting Barlow and Hutton with their
written plea agreements, and by not requiring the proffers and deals in writing for all of
them, and their recordings, to be presented by the State. He further failed to secure the
appropriate jury instructions regarding these witnesses.
Defense counsel stipulated to DNA evidence of Shawn Weiss38 from LabCorp,
regarding the so-called presence of Blake Riley's DNA on a steel bar, when in fact
Shawn Weiss was not the person who tested the steel bar, and had Shawn Weiss testified,
his testimony would have been excluded as a Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36
(2004), Confrontation Clause violation. Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, 129 S. Ct. 2527
(2009). But for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the trial would have been
different.
PROPOSITION OF LAW 6. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OFLAW, TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT, BY CONVICTINGAPPELLANT, BECAUSE THIS CONVICTION WAS BOTH AGAINST THEMANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND THE EVIDENCE WASINSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE CONVICTION.
Detective Todd Mahle testified that Blake Riley was not a strong suspect. In
August 2010, Kim Wells called the Omdorffs and said her daughter Keela Davis told her
37 Tr. tr. p.4501.10-22.38 Tr. tr. p.468 1.16 to 469 1.22.
12
that Blake Riley, Jamie Hutton, and Ryan Barlow were involved in the home invasion.
Blake Riley was not a strong suspect because he did not fit the initial description of the
intruders. Mrs. Orndorff initially said the intruder was not wearing glasses, had reddish-
brown blonde eyebrows, and she never said bright blue eyes. On Dec 13, 2008 she said
there was a second intruder. She described a five-eight to 6'0 slender built person with
"weird eyes". On December 18, 2008 Becky Orndorff called again and said he had
bushy eyebrows. In February 2009 Det Mahle told Blake's mother that Blake did not fit
the description of the intruders. In December 2008, Blake Riley, according to his mother
was 51391.
State v. Getsy (1998), 84 Ohio St. 3d 180, 193 describes that as to manifest
weight: "This inquiry requires an examination of the entire record and a determination of
whether the evidence produced attains the high degree of probative force and certainty
required for a criminal conviction." Looking at criminal cases regarding manifest weight
and its investigation, we turn to State v. Clark (1995), 101 Ohio App. 3d 389. 407-409
which directs us to examine "(5) the certainty of the evidence; (6) the reliability of the
evidence; (7) the extent to which a witness may have a personal interest to advance or
defend by his testimony." When observing these items - it is clear that Blake Riley did
not burglarize, did not steal, did not kidnap and did not possess a gun in this matter - the
result is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Looking at criminal cases regarding sufficiency of evidence, we turn to State v.
Conway, 108 Ohio St. 3d 214, 2006-Ohio-791 ¶36. The evidence is insufficient to find
that Blake Riley burglarized, stole, kidnapped or possessed a gun.
13
CONCLUSION AND REQUEST FOR RELIEF
For the reasons, facts and law recited above, and any other reasons, Defendant-
Appellant requests that this Court accept this case, reverse the Fifth District Court of
Appeals, vacate the conviction of Defendant-Appellant and dismiss the case and/or
reverse the decision of the trial court and remand for new trial.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elizab N. Gaba (00631 2)Attor y for Defendant-Appellant1231 East Broad St.Columbus, Ohio 43205Telephone (614) 586-1586Fax: (614) [email protected]
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true copy of the foregoing document was served uponPlaintiff by tendering a copy to the Muskingum County Prosecutor, D. Michael Haddox,Esq., at 27 North Fifth Street, P.O. Box 189, Zanesville, Ohio 43702-0189, by ordinaryU.S. Mail, postage prepaid and/or hand delivery and or facsimile transmission, and/oremail transmission this 6th day of May, 2013.
s
ELIZ ETH N. GABA (0063152)Atto for Defendant-Appellant
14
^
COURT OF APPEALSMUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIOFIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO JUDGES:
MAR 22 2013
TY, OHIOOLERK
Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J.Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
-vs-Case No. CT2012-0022
BLAKE A. RILEY
Defendant-Appellant OPiNION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING
JUDGMENT:
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:
APPEARANCES:
For Appellant:
ELIZABETH N. GABA1231 East Broad StreetColumbus, OH 43205
Appeal from the Muskingum County Courtof Common Pleas, Case No. CR2011-0122
AFFIRMED
For Appellee:
D. MICHAEL HADDOXMUSKINGUM CO. PROSECUTORRON WELCH27 N. 5th Street, Suite 201Zanesville, OH 43702-0189
,Fxcfre 11- 1
Aeio. r
V Muskingum County, Case No. CT2012-0022
Delaney, P.J.
2
{¶1 } Appellant Blake A. Riley appeals from the March 16, 2012 judgment
entry of conviction and sentence of the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas.
Appellee is the state of Ohio.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{T2} Appellant is the former boyfriend of Ashley Orndorff, the granddaughter
of Larry and Becky Orndorff. Appellant was aware the Orndorffs generously
supported Ashley. They had cash on hand in their home which was available to
Ashley anytime. Appellant knew where the Orndorffs kept their cash and knew the
home was usually unlocked. He also knew the Orndorffs had many firearms in their
home.
{¶3} This case arose in the late-night hours of December 12, 2008 when
intruders broke into the home of Larry and Becky Orndorff while the Orndorffs were
sleeping and stole cash and property.
{¶4} The intruders decided to return in the early morning hours of December
13, 2008, and this time awakened Larry Orndorff. Both Orndorffs were held at
gunpoint and their home was ransacked; they were forced to turn over cash, firearms,
medication, and other property. The Orndorffs believed there were two intruders in
their home during the robbery, and Becky Orndorff heard one place a phone call
instructing someone to come pick them up and to "pop the trunk." Although most of
the telephones in the house had been disabled, Becky Orndorff was able to call 911 at
1:59 a.m.
` Muskingum County, Case No. CT2012-0022 3
{¶5} The Orndorffs did not get a good look at the intruders. Becky was aware
that the one who led her to the garage at gunpoint had blue eyes and was taller than
her husband, and of slender build, but he was wearing a ski mask or other type of
head covering, black clothing, and gloves. Investigators were not able to find any
useful fingerprints and did find marks in dust that confirmed the intruders wore gloves
during the robbery.
{T6} The Muskingum County Sheriff's Office immediately focused on the
phone call that had been placed during the robbery. They narrowed down the cell
phone towers that picked up calls from the Orndorffs' residence. Next they narrowed
down calls within twenty minutes of Becky Orndorff's 911 call, which were likely to be
the intruders calling their getaway driver. Eventually this investigative work led to a list
of six telephone numbers. Those telephone numbers led to interviews with several
individuals including appellant, Ryan Barlow, and Jamie Hutton, among others. AIl
denied their involvement in the home invasion.
{¶7} The investigation yielded few leads until a woman named Keela Davis
came forward in 2010 and told her mother that appellant, Ryan Barlow, and Jamie
Hutton were the three who had perpetrated the Orndorff home invasion. A fourth
individual, Brittany Funk, was the getaway driver. Law enforcement interviewed
Barlow, Hutton, and Funk and developed additional leads to confirm their suspicion of
appellant's involvement.
{%8} Appellant was initially charged as a juvenile and bound over to the
Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas. After indictment and before the start of
trial, the State dismissed two aggravated robbery charges and amended others with
° Muskingum County, Case No. CT2012-0022 4
the result that appellant stood trial upon one count of aggravated burglary [R.C.
2911.11 (A)(2)], theft of a firearm [R.C. 2913.02(A)(1)], theft in an amount greater than
$1000 and less than $7500 [R.C. 2913.02(A)(1)], aggravated burglary [R.C.
2911.11(A)(2)] with a firearm specification [R.C. 2941.145], two counts of kidnapping
[R.C. 2905.01(A)(2)] with a firearm specification [R.C. 2941.145], one count of theft of
firearms [R.C. 2913.02(A)(1)], and one count of theft in an amount greater than $7500
and less than $150,000 [R.C. 2913.02(A)(1)].
{¶9} The State's evidence at trial included the testimony of the Orndorffs and
the investigators. Ryan Barlow and Jamie Hutton, appellant's accomplices, also
testified, as did Brittany Funk. A former girlfriend of appellant's testified he admitted
his involvement in the home invasion to her when she asked him about it, and said
Jamie Flutton forced him into it.
{¶10} Appellant presented a number of alibi witnesses who claimed the night of
the robbery he was present at a peri'ormance by his sibling "Ciaudia" in Columbus,
Ohio. The State presented some evidence to indicate this show was performed a
different weekend than the one in question.
{¶1 1} Appellant moved for judgment of acquittal pursuant to Crim.R. 29(A) at
the close of appellee's evidence and at the close of all of the evidence; the motions
were overruled. Appellant was found guilty as charged. The trial court determined
that a number of the counts and firearm specifications merged,' and sentenced
appellant to an aggregate prison term of 23 years.
' Counts two and three (two counts of theft) merged with count one (aggravated burglary);Counts seven and eight (theft) merged with count four (aggravated burglary); the firearmspecifications merge and appellant was sentenced on only one.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2012-0022 5
{712} Appellant now appeals from the judgment entry of his conviction and
sentence.
{¶13} Appellant raises seven Assignments of Error:
{¶14} "I. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PLAIN ERROR IN ITS
INSTRUCTION TO THE JURY IN 1) FAILING TO GIVE THE JURY THE REQUIRED
CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTION REGARDING THE TESTIMONY OF AN ALLEGED
ACCOMPLICE UNDER R.C. 2923.03(D) AS TO THE TESTIMONY OF RYAN
BARLOW AND JAMIE HUTTON; AND 2) FAILING TO IDENTIFY BRITTANY FUNK
AS A THIRD POTENTIAL ACCOMPLICE IN A CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTION."
{¶1 5} "II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT
WHEN IT SENTENCED APPELLANT TO CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES ON
COUNTS 4, 5, AND 6 OF THE INDICTMENT IN VIOLATION OF R.C. 2941.25-
ALLIED OFFENSES OF SIMILAR IMPORT-AND THE DOUBLE JEOPARDY
CLAUSES OF THE OHIO AND UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONS."
{¶16} "Ill. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW, TO THE
PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT, BY CONVICTING APPELLANT, BECAUSE THIS
CONVICTION WAS BOTH AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE
AND THE EVIDENCE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE CONVICTION."
{¶17} "IV. THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS DID NOT HAVE SUBJECT
MATTER JURISDICTION OVER THE CRIMINAL TRIAL BECAUSE BLAKE RILEY
WAS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE ALLEGED OFFENSE
AND WAS NOT PROPERLY BOUND OVER FROM THE JUVENILE COURT."
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2012-0022 6
{¶18} "V. DEFENDANT'S JUVENILE COURT BINDOVER TO ADULT COURT
VIOLATED THE PRINCIPLES SET FORTH IN APPRENDI V. NEW JERSEY 530 U.S.
466 (2000), AND THUS VIOLATED HIS RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS AND TO A
JURY TRIAL."
{¶19} "VI. THE COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT
WHEN IT FAILED TO RECORD ALL THE PROCEEDINGS IN THIS CASE."
{¶20} "VII. APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF THE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE
OF COUNSEL DUE TO NUMEROUS ERRORS AND OMISSIONS WHICH
PREJUDICED APPELLANT'S TRIAL."
1.
{¶21 } Appellant argues in his first assignment of error the trial court erred in its
jury instructions with respect to accomplice testimony. We disagree.