[Cite as State v. Holton, 2017-Ohio-6934.]




                       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                           THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                LOGAN COUNTY




STATE OF OHIO,

        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,                               CASE NO. 8-17-02

        v.

BYRON JAY HOLTON, JR.,                                    OPINION

        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.




                  Appeal from Logan County Common Pleas Court
                           Trial Court No. CR16-09-0250

                                      Judgment Affirmed

                              Date of Decision: July 24, 2017




APPEARANCES:

        Marc S. Triplett for Appellant

        Sarah J. Warren for Appellee
Case No. 8-17-02



SHAW, J.

       {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Byron Holton (“Holton), brings this appeal from

the December 19, 2016, judgment of the Logan County Common Pleas Court

sentencing Holton to serve an aggregate 7-year prison term after Holton was

convicted in a jury trial of Corrupting Another with Drugs in violation of R.C.

2925.02(A)(4), a felony of the second degree, and Complicity to Trafficking in

Cocaine in violation of R.C. 2923.03 and R.C. 2925.03(A)(1), a felony of the fifth

degree. On appeal, Holton argues that the trial court erred by allowing an audio

tape of a debriefing session with a confidential informant to be played and entered

into evidence at trial, that the trial court erred by asking Holton’s age, that Holton’s

convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence, that the trial court

failed to provide mandatory jury instructions, that Holton received ineffective

assistance of counsel, and that the errors constituted cumulative error if they were

not individually prejudicial.

                            Facts and Procedural History

       {¶2} On September 14, 2016, Holton was indicted on one count of

Corrupting Another with Drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.02(A)(4), a felony of the

second degree, and one count of Trafficking in Cocaine in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(1), a felony of the fifth degree. Holton pled not guilty to the charges

and the case proceeded to a jury trial, which was held December 6-7, 2016.

                                          -2-
Case No. 8-17-02


         {¶3} The testimony at trial indicated that on July 26, 2016, officers affiliated

with the Logan County Joint Drug Task Force were using a confidential informant

(“CI”) named Bradley Hudson to attempt to make a controlled drug buy from a man

named Meredith Story.

         {¶4} After officers outfitted the CI with audio recording and transmitting

equipment, and provided the CI with $40 to purchase drugs, the CI went to the

residence of Kenneth Williams, aka “Ken Buck,” where Story was staying. The CI

indicated in his testimony that Story was a middleman for Holton, who sold quality

drugs.

         {¶5} When the CI went to Ken Buck’s residence to find Story, Story was not

home. Ken Buck indicated that he may be able to set up a deal with a separate dealer

so the CI went with Ken Buck to a nearby area. The other drug dealer never came

and the alternative transaction was not completed.

         {¶6} By the time Ken Buck had failed to set up an alternate transaction, Story

had returned to town. The CI spoke with Story, who then called Holton. Holton

was known on the street as “BJ.” Story set up an $80 purchase that the CI

understood to be from Holton, which would involve $40 from the CI and $40 from

Story. The purchase was supposed to occur at a Marathon station so Story, Ken

Buck, and the CI drove to the Marathon.




                                           -3-
Case No. 8-17-02


       {¶7} The CI indicated that they waited in a car at the Marathon station until

Holton approached the Marathon station on foot along with two “kids.” The CI

testified that Holton and the “kids” went into the Marathon station and then one of

the “kids” walked out and came up to the window at the back of the car to speak

with Story. The CI testified that the kid said something like “80, right?” (Tr. at

193). The CI indicated that they felt “kind of uneasy about buying crack from kids,”

but the sale was ultimately completed. (Id.) The CI indicated that money was then

exchanged for the drugs and the juvenile walked off. The CI, Ken Buck, and Story

then left the Marathon station.

       {¶8} The CI testified that they went back to Ken Buck and Story’s residence

where the drugs were divided and the CI left. Afterward, officers recovered a

substance suspected to be crack-cocaine from the CI, which was later tested and

found to contain cocaine.

       {¶9} Officers recorded the audio from the operation and also conducted

visual surveillance at the Marathon, taking pictures of Holton and the two juveniles,

later identified as Tyrese Leeper and Roland Ratliff, as they came to, and left from,

the scene with Holton. Officers interviewed Leeper, who admitted to selling drugs

on that one occasion on behalf of Holton. Leeper indicated that he agreed to sell for

Holton in exchange for money to buy food.




                                         -4-
Case No. 8-17-02


       {¶10} Leeper and Ratliff both testified at trial along with the CI and officers

involved in the investigation. Leeper testified that he was 13 years old at the time

of the July 26, 2016 transaction and that he was 14 at the time of trial. Leeper also

testified that Holton was in his mid-20s.

       {¶11} As to the incident in question, Leeper testified that on the day of the

sale Holton received a phone call while they were playing basketball asking if

Holton had some “dope” to sell. Leeper indicated that “dope” in this instance was

crack-cocaine. (Tr. at 120-121). Leeper testified that Holton asked Leeper to sell

it for him and that Holton indicated he would give Leeper some money for doing

so. Leeper testified that he had not eaten in multiple days and needed money for

food. Leeper testified that he walked to the Marathon station with Holton and

Ratliff, and that Holton handed Leeper the crack-cocaine on the way to the store.

Leeper testified that they all went into the store, then Leeper came out and

approached the vehicle, exchanging the drugs for the money.

       {¶12} Roland Ratliff testified that he was 15 years old and that he was

Leeper’s cousin. Ratliff testified that both he and Leeper had “run drugs” for Holton

in the past. Ratliff testified that he had never sold drugs for anyone besides Holton.

Ratliff largely corroborated the events as testified to by the CI and Leeper, with the

notable exception that Ratliff indicated drug sales for Ratliff and Leeper on behalf

of Holton had been ongoing rather than a one-time event.


                                            -5-
Case No. 8-17-02


       {¶13} The State entered numerous exhibits into evidence, which included

photographs of Holton, Ratliff and Leeper coming to, and going from, the Marathon

station. The State introduced brief recorded surveillance videos as well as the audio

recording of a debrief session with the CI. In addition, the State introduced the

audio from two calls that Holton made from jail.

       {¶14} At the conclusion of the evidence, the State requested that the jury be

instructed on Complicity to Trafficking in Cocaine and that request was granted.

The jury found Holton guilty of Corrupting Another with Drugs and guilty of

Complicity to Trafficking in Cocaine, but not guilty of Trafficking in Cocaine.

       {¶15} Holton was then sentenced to serve five years in prison on the

Corrupting Another with Drugs charge, 1 year in prison on the Complicity to

Trafficking in Cocaine charge, and 1 year in prison for committing a new felony

while on post-release control. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutive

to each other for an aggregate 7-year prison term. A judgment entry memorializing

Holton’s sentence was filed on December 19, 2016. It is from this judgment that

Holton appeals, asserting the following assignments of error for our review.

                          Assignment of Error No. 1
       The Trial Court committed plain error when it permitted State’s
       Exhibit 26, the audio tape of the debriefing session, to be played
       for the jury and subsequently admitted into evidence.

                          Assignment of Error No. 2
       The Trial Court committed plain error when it questioned
       Detective Joseph as to Appellant’s age.

                                         -6-
Case No. 8-17-02



                          Assignment of Error No. 3
       The State failed to prove Appellant’s guilt beyond a reasonable
       doubt as to both counts in the indictment.

                          Assignment of Error No. 4
       The trial court committed plain error when it failed to instruct
       the jury concerning the manner in which it should weigh the
       testimony of an accomplice of an expert.

                            Assignment of Error No. 5
       The omissions of trial counsel deprived appellant of his right to
       effective assistance of counsel.

                          Assignment of Error No. 6
       The combined effect of all errors identified herein deprived
       appellant of due process and a fair trial.

                              First Assignment of Error

       {¶16} In Holton’s first assignment of error, he argues that the trial court erred

by permitting the State to play an audio recording of a debriefing session between

the CI and Detectives Comstock and Joseph of the Joint Drug Task Force. Holton

argues that it was plain error for the trial court to permit this “hearsay” evidence.

       {¶17} We review a trial court’s decision to admit or exclude evidence under

an abuse of discretion standard. State v. Lauf, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12–16–06,

2017–Ohio–608, ¶ 54, citing State v. Cassel, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 26708,

2016–Ohio–3479, ¶ 13, citing State v. Graham, 58 Ohio St.2d 350 (1979), and State

v. Morris, 132 Ohio St.3d 337, 2012–Ohio–2407, ¶ 19. An abuse of discretion




                                          -7-
Case No. 8-17-02


constitutes a decision that is arbitrary, capricious, or grossly unsound. Blakemore

v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983).

       {¶18} However, where Holton did not object to an evidentiary issue, we

review his arguments on appeal for plain error. State v. Mammone, 139 Ohio St.3d

467, 2014–Ohio–1942, ¶ 69, reconsideration denied, 139 Ohio St.3d 1487, 2014–

Ohio–3195, and cert. denied, 135 S.Ct. 959 (2015). We take notice

of plain error “with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and only

to prevent a miscarriage of justice.” State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91 (1978),

paragraph three of the syllabus. To prevail under plain error, Holton must show that

an error occurred, that the error was plain, and that but for the error, the outcome of

the trial clearly would have been otherwise. Mammone at ¶ 69, citing State v.

Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27 (2002).

       {¶19} On appeal in this case, Holton argues that it was plain error for the trial

court to permit the State to introduce into evidence a recording of law enforcement

officers “debriefing” the CI after the controlled buy. Holton contends that playing

the audio recording allowed the State to have a “second delayed opening statement

or an initial closing statement.” (Appt.’s Br. at 10). Holton also argues that the

State then referenced the debriefing session in its closing argument to “improperly

vouch” for the CI’s credibility.




                                          -8-
Case No. 8-17-02


       {¶20} Even if we assumed, without finding, that the audiotape of the debrief

constituted hearsay in this instance, we cannot find that it rose to the level of plain

error. The debriefing tape, State’s Ex. 26, is 3 minutes and 2 seconds in length and

primarily consists of Detective Joseph and Detective Comstock narrating what

happened prior to and during the controlled buy. The CI also spoke briefly on the

recording, indicating his role. Both detectives that were on the tape and the CI all

testified at trial. There was nothing material on the audio recording that was not

presented through the testimony of the witnesses in this case. The audio recording

was entirely cumulative in all material parts.

       {¶21} Based on the actual contents of the audio recording of the “debrief,”

even if we did find that it was erroneously admitted into evidence, Holton cannot

remotely establish that any such error altered the outcome of the trial as it merely

contains evidence cumulative to what was already presented elsewhere through

multiple witnesses. Therefore, Holton’s first assignment of error is overruled.

                            Second Assignment of Error

       {¶22} In his second assignment of error, Holton argues that the trial court

committed plain error by asking Detective Joseph how old Holton was.

Specifically, Holton argues that absent the trial court’s questioning the record did

not establish Holton’s age in order to prove the Corrupting Another with Drugs




                                         -9-
Case No. 8-17-02


charge, which requires a 2-year age difference between the defendant and the

juvenile who is being corrupted.

       {¶23} Initially, we note that Evid.R. 611 grants the trial court the power to

“exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and

presenting evidence so as to (1) make the interrogation and presentation effective

for the ascertainment of the truth, (2) avoid needless consumption of time, and (3)

protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.”

       {¶24} “Evid.R. 614(B) empowers the court with the authority to interrogate

any witness in an impartial manner. A court’s questioning of a witness falls within

the court’s sole discretion.” State v. Gervin, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-15-52, 2016-

Ohio-8399, ¶ 184, citing State v. Prokos, 91 Ohio App.3d 39, 44, 631 N.E.2d 684

(4th Dist.1993).

       {¶25} In this case, at the end of the testimony of Detective Joseph of the

Logan County Sheriff’s Office, the trial court asked Detective Joseph what Holton’s

date of birth was.     The trial court indicated that it was unsure whether that

information was in the record. At that time, defense counsel actually agreed to

stipulate to Holton’s age, which was 26 years old.

       {¶26} Holton now argues that the trial court’s question constituted plain error

as the trial court was essentially acting as a prosecutor, asking a question specifically

regarding an element of Corrupting Another with Drugs. Corrupting Another with


                                          -10-
Case No. 8-17-02


Drugs as charged in this case required proof that Holton furnished a controlled

substance to a juvenile who was at least two years younger than Holton. Holton

claims that absent the trial court’s question, and defense counsel’s stipulation, the

jury may have found that the evidence did not support the two-year age difference

between Holton and Leeper. As Holton did not object to the trial court’s question,

and, in fact, stipulated to the answer, we review Holton’s argument on appeal for

plain error.

       {¶27} At the outset of our analysis we note that a trial court is permitted to

ask questions of witnesses and exercise control of the presentation of evidence. See

Gervin, supra, at ¶¶ 181-195. However, even if we assumed that the trial court

overreached by specifically clarifying Holton’s age, we could not find plain error in

this instance as Holton’s age was referred to multiple times in the record, and

Leeper’s age as 13 at the time of the crime and 14 at the time of trial was clearly

established.

       {¶28} As to Holton’s age specifically, Tyrese Leeper testified that years prior

to the incident in this case he had asked Holton how old he was and Holton had said

23 at that time, so Leeper thought Holton was in his “mid 20s” at the time of trial

when he was asked by the prosecutor. Leeper was familiar with Holton since he

was his friend and Leeper’s mother also braided Holton’s hair.




                                        -11-
Case No. 8-17-02


       {¶29} In addition to Leeper’s testimony regarding Holton’s age, Roland

Ratliff testified that Holton was “grown” and that Holton was not in school

anymore, establishing that Holton was likely over 18. (Tr. at 157). Furthermore,

and perhaps most importantly, property receipts entered into evidence affirmatively

listed Holton’s date of birth as being in 1990, which clearly established his age for

the purposes of Corrupting Another with Drugs.

       {¶30} Based on the evidence in the record, we could not find that plain error

existed here even if we did find the trial court erred. The trial court’s questioning

merely clarified what was already in the record in multiple other places. Moreover,

defense counsel’s strategy was not to challenge the age of Holton or Leeper,

particularly given that even at 18 Holton would have been more than 2 years older

than Leeper; rather, Holton’s strategy appeared to be to paint Leeper as the sole

culprit of the drug transaction. For all of these reasons we cannot find that plain

error exists in this case.   Therefore, Holton’s second assignment of error is

overruled.

                             Third Assignment of Error

       {¶31} In Holton’s third assignment of error, he argues that his convictions

were against the manifest weight of the evidence. Specifically, he argues that

Leeper was the State’s key witness and his testimony was simply not credible.




                                        -12-
Case No. 8-17-02


       {¶32} In reviewing whether a defendant’s conviction was against

the manifest weight of the evidence, the appellate court sits as a “thirteenth juror”

and examines the conflicting testimony. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380,

387 (1997). In doing so, this Court must review the entire record, weigh the

evidence and all of the reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses,

and determine whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the factfinder “clearly

lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction

must be reversed and a new trial ordered.” Thompkins at 387. Furthermore, “[t]o

reverse a judgment of a trial court on the weight of the evidence, when the judgment

results from a trial by jury, a unanimous concurrence of all three judges on the court

of appeals panel reviewing the case is required.” Thompkins at paragraph 4 of the

syllabus; Ohio Constitution, Article IV, Section 3(B)(3).

       {¶33} In this case, Holton was convicted of Corrupting Another with Drugs

in violation of R.C. 2925.02(A)(4), which reads,

       (A) No person shall knowingly * * *:

       ***

       (4) By any means, do any of the following:

       (a) Furnish or administer a controlled substance to a juvenile
       who is at least two years the offender’s junior, when the offender
       knows the age of the juvenile or is reckless in that regard[.]




                                        -13-
Case No. 8-17-02


      {¶34} Holton was also convicted of Complicity to Trafficking in Cocaine in

violation of R.C. 2923.03 and 2925.03, which read, respectively,

      [R.C. 2923.03]

      (A) No person, acting with the kind of culpability required for
      the commission of an offense, shall do any of the following:

      (1) Solicit or procure another to commit the offense;

      (2) Aid or abet another in committing the offense;

      [R.C. 2925.03]

      (B) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:

      (1) Sell or offer to sell a controlled substance or a controlled
      substance analog;

      ***

      (4) If the drug involved in the violation is cocaine or a
      compound, mixture, preparation, or substance containing
      cocaine, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of
      trafficking in cocaine. * * *

      (b) Except as otherwise provided * * * trafficking in cocaine is a
      felony of the fifth degree * * *[.]

      {¶35} At trial in this case the State presented the testimony of both Leeper

and Ratliff indicating that Leeper sold crack-cocaine for Holton on this particular

July 26, 2016 occasion, establishing the Complicity to Trafficking in Cocaine

offense.   The ages of Leeper, Ratliff and Holton were clearly in the record,

establishing the age difference required for Corrupting Another with Drugs. Leeper


                                       -14-
Case No. 8-17-02


also indicated that Holton gave him the drugs on the way to the Marathon station.

Further, the CI indicated that it was his understanding that the purchase had been

set up through Holton.

       {¶36} While Holton may argue that Leeper’s testimony was not credible,

Leeper’s testimony regarding this particular incident was corroborated by Ratliff.

It was also corroborated in various parts by the CI and the surveillance footage

showing Leeper and Ratliff walking to the Marathon station with Holton. The jury

was presented with testimony undermining Leeper’s credibility, such as Ratliff’s

testimony that Ratliff and Leeper had sold drugs for Holton on other occasions,

which contradicted Leeper’s testimony that this had only happened one time.

Nevertheless, the jury elected to believe the testimony in the record, and based on

the evidence presented we cannot find that the jury clearly lost its way or that a

manifest miscarriage of justice occurred. Therefore, Holton’s third assignment of

error is overruled.

                             Fourth Assignment of Error

       {¶37} In Holton’s fourth assignment of error, he argues that the trial court

erred by failing to include a mandatory jury instruction related to Complicity as

required by R.C. 2923.03(D). Specifically, Holton argues that R.C. 2923.03(D)

requires the trial court to give a jury instruction regarding evaluating the credibility

of an accomplice if an accomplice testifies against the defendant and that such an


                                         -15-
Case No. 8-17-02


instruction was not given in this case, constituting reversible error. In addition,

Holton argues that the trial court erred by failing to give an instruction to the jury

regarding evaluating expert witness credibility with regard to the State’s expert who

tested the substance found to contain cocaine.

                   Accomplice Testimony and R.C. 2923.03(D)

       {¶38} Holton first argues that R.C. 2923.03(D) required the trial court to

include a jury instruction if an accomplice testified at trial against Holton. Revised

Code 2923.03(D) reads as follows.

       (D) If an alleged accomplice of the defendant testifies against the
       defendant in a case in which the defendant is charged with
       complicity in the commission of or an attempt to commit an
       offense, an attempt to commit an offense, or an offense, the court,
       when it charges the jury, shall state substantially the following:

       “The testimony of an accomplice does not become inadmissible
       because of his complicity, moral turpitude, or self-interest, but the
       admitted or claimed complicity of a witness 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 witness stand, to evaluate such testimony and to
       determine its quality and worth or its lack of quality and worth

       {¶39} In this case it is undisputed that an instruction pursuant to R.C.

2923.03(D) was not given. It is similarly undisputed that Holton did not object to

the trial court’s failure to provide an instruction pursuant to R.C. 2923.03(D), thus

he has waived all but plain error on appeal.


                                        -16-
Case No. 8-17-02


         {¶40} Courts have held that “despite the mandatory nature of R.C.

2923.03(D), the statute only requires substantial, not strict, compliance.” State v.

Woodson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 03AP-736, 2004-Ohio-5713, ¶ 17, citing State v.

Christian, Jefferson App. No. 96-JE-42 (Jan. 13, 2000) (“R.C. 2923.03[D] expressly

permits substantial compliance with the accomplice testimony instruction.

Therefore, a trial court does not commit error if it does not literally comply with the

statute.”); State v. Manley, 7th Dist. Columbiana No. 95-CO-53, 1997 WL 28543

(“We read [R.C. 2923.03(D)] as not requiring the instruction to be read verbatim *

* *”).

         {¶41} In applying this law, Ohio Appellate Courts have generally looked to

three factors to determine whether failure to give an accomplice instruction

constitutes plain error: “(1) the accomplice’s testimony was corroborated by other

evidence introduced at trial, (2) the jury was aware from the accomplice’s testimony

that he benefitted from agreeing to testify against the defendant; and/or (3) the jury

was instructed generally regarding its duty to evaluate the credibility of the

witnesses.” State v. Worley, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103105, 2017-Ohio-649, ¶

5, appeal not allowed, 149 Ohio St.3d 1422, 2017-Ohio-4038, ¶ 5 (2017), citing

Woodson at ¶ 18. Despite there being three factors to consider in evaluating whether

failure to give an instruction pursuant to R.C. 2923.03(D) constitutes plain error,

“courts have concluded that if the first factor and one other factor are present, the


                                         -17-
Case No. 8-17-02


absence of the accomplice instruction will not affect the outcome of the case.”

Woodson at ¶ 18.

       {¶42} In this case, the jury was instructed generally regarding its duty to

evaluate the credibility of witnesses, satisfying the third factor. As to the first factor,

Leeper’s testimony was also corroborated by Ratliff; however, if Ratliff is also

considered an accomplice despite having seemingly nothing personally to do with

the drug sale in this instance, Leeper’s testimony was still corroborated in part by

the testimony of the CI and the surveillance of the officers.

       {¶43} As to the second factor, Leeper was asked while he was on the stand

if he was benefitting from his testimony, and he testified that there were no promises

made to him for testifying, and he was not sure if a charge against him in juvenile

court was still pending or not. Nevertheless, Leeper testified that when he was

interviewed by Detective Joseph about this incident, he was scared that he was going

to be in serious trouble. Testimony indicated that Leeper was the one who initially

mentioned Holton’s name in the interview with Detective Joseph. Leeper also

testified that having a drug offense would hurt his ability to be an athlete in school.

The jury was thus aware of Leeper’s potential motives for fabrication.

       {¶44} Based on the evidence presented and the general credibility instruction

that was given to the jury in this case, we cannot find plain error in this instance for




                                           -18-
Case No. 8-17-02


the trial court’s failure to give an instruction pursuant to R.C. 2923.03(D). Thus

Holton’s argument on this issue is not well-taken.

                             Expert Witness Instruction

       {¶45} Holton next argues that the trial court erred in failing to give an

instruction regarding the credibility of expert witnesses pursuant to Ohio Jury

Instructions 409.21, which reads, “3. WEIGHT OF EXPERT TESTIMONY. As

with other witnesses, upon you alone rests the duty of deciding what weight should

be given to the testimony of the expert. In determining its weight, you may take

into consideration his skill, experience, knowledge, veracity, familiarity with the

facts of this case, and the usual rules for testing credibility and determining the

weight to be given to testimony.”

       {¶46} Holton argues that the preceding instruction should have been given

since the State presented expert testimony of a forensic scientist who tested the

drugs submitted and found that they contained cocaine. However, again, Holton did

not object to any failure to give such an instruction on expert credibility, thus he has

waived all but plain error. Regardless, there is no indication that in this instance a

general credibility instruction would be insufficient, and in fact, the more specific

instruction that Holton argues the trial court failed to give would arguably place

more weight on the expert’s testimony. Nevertheless, the expert essentially only

testified to identifying that the substance tested contained crack cocaine, and this


                                         -19-
Case No. 8-17-02


fact was basically undisputed. Holton’s trial strategy was to point to Leeper as the

sole culprit, rather than denying a drug sale occurred at all. We can find no error

here, let alone plain error. Holton’s argument is thus not well-taken, and his fourth

assignment of error is overruled.

                              Fifth Assignment of Error

       {¶47} In Holton’s fifth assignment of error, he argues that he received

ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Specifically, he contends that his counsel was

ineffective for failing to object to the admission of the “debrief” audio recording as

discussed in the first assignment of error, that his counsel was ineffective for

stipulating to Holton’s age as discussed in the second assignment of error, and that

his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to his trial court’s failure to include

instructions as discussed in the fourth assignment of error.

       {¶48} “To establish a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant

must show that counsel’s performance was deficient and that counsel’s deficient

performance prejudiced him.” State v. Hernandez, 3d Dist. Defiance Nos. 4-16-27,

28, 2017-Ohio-2797, ¶ 12, citing State v. Phillips, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1–15–43,

2016–Ohio–3105, ¶ 11, citing State v. Jackson, 107 Ohio St.3d 53, 2005–Ohio–

5981, ¶ 133, citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). The failure

to make either showing defeats a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. State v.

Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 143 (1989), quoting Strickland at 697. (“[T]here is no


                                          -20-
Case No. 8-17-02


reason for a court deciding an ineffective assistance of counsel claim to approach

the inquiry in the same order or even to address both components of the inquiry if

the defendant makes an insufficient showing on one.”).

       {¶49} With regard to Holton’s claim on appeal that his counsel was

ineffective for anything related to the first, second, and fourth assignments of error,

we have already determined that no prejudice resulted as a result of these purported

deficiencies, thus Holton cannot establish an ineffective assistance of counsel claim

even if he could show that his counsel’s performance was deficient. Thus Holton’s

arguments are not well-taken, and his fifth assignment of error is overruled.

                             Sixth Assignment of Error

       {¶50} In his sixth assignment of error, Holton argues that even if we did not

find any single error in this case prejudicial, we should find the “cumulative errors”

here prejudicial.

       {¶51} The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that “[a]lthough violations of the

Rules of Evidence during trial, singularly, may not rise to the level of prejudicial

error, a conviction will be reversed where the cumulative effect of the errors

deprives a defendant of the constitutional right to a fair trial.” State v. DeMarco, 31

Ohio St.3d 191 (1987), at syllabus.

       {¶52} In this case, we have found no error in the first two assignments of

error, and even if we did there is no resulting prejudice to add to any cumulative


                                         -21-
Case No. 8-17-02


total as the evidence produced from the purported errors was entirely cumulative.

Next, we have already found that any failure to provide specific jury instructions in

this case was not prejudicial error alone, and even together there is no cumulative

impact of any significance.      Thus Holton’s claim that his purported errors

constituted cumulative error is not well-taken, and his sixth assignment of error is

overruled.

                                    Conclusion

       {¶53} For the foregoing reasons, Holton’s assignments of error are overruled

and the judgment of the Logan County Common Pleas Court is affirmed.

                                                                Judgment Affirmed

PRESTON, P.J. and ZIMMERMAN, J., concur.

/jlr




                                        -22-
