State v. Parson, 82-601

• Decision Date: 07 September 1983
• Docket Number: No. 82-601,82-601
• Citation: 6 OBR 485,453 N.E.2d 689,6 Ohio St.3d 442
• Parties: , 6 O.B.R. 485 The STATE of Ohio, Appellee, v. PARSON, Appellant.
• Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Page 442

6 Ohio St.3d 442

453 N.E.2d 689, 6 O.B.R. 485

The STATE of Ohio, Appellee, v. PARSON, Appellant.

No. 82-601.

Supreme Court of Ohio.

Sept. 7, 1983.

Syllabus by the Court

Where, in a criminal trial, the prosecution fails to comply with Crim.R. 16(B)(1)(a)(ii) by informing the accused of an oral statement made by a co-defendant to a law enforcement officer, and the record does not demonstrate (1) that the prosecution's failure to disclose was a willful violation of Crim.R. 16, (2) that foreknowledge of the statement would have benefited the accused in the preparation of his defense, or (3) that the accused was prejudiced by admission of the statement, the trial court does not abuse its discretion under Crim.R. 16(E)(3) by permitting such evidence to be admitted.

On January 20, 1981, appellant, Granger Parson, along with a co-defendant, James Neeley, was indicted for the crimes of aggravated robbery R.C. 2911.01, aggravated burglary, R.C. 2911.11, and theft, R.C. 2913.02. Appellant entered a plea of not guilty to these charges and the case proceeded to trial.

The evidence adduced tended to show that on the evening of December 26, 1980, an elderly woman, Irene McAdory, was alone in her Cincinnati apartment when a man knocked on the door stating that he was a representative of the gas or electric company. McAdory opened the door part way, attempting to restrain it with a chain lock. As she did, however, two men forced their way in. One of the men pushed McAdory to the davenport and began beating her about the chest and face. Although she observed that her assailant was black, McAdory was unable to further identify him as he wore a ski mask pulled over his face.

After several minutes the two men left taking McAdory's Zenith color television set and purse with them. The contents of the purse included the victim's eyeglasses, keys and identification cards. Also inside was a smaller, silver-colored purse containing a wooden rosary and a folded fifty dollar bill.

A neighbor came to McAdory's assistance and the incident was reported to the police. Police officers traced the crime to the appellant and Neeley upon information supplied by Sandra White. White testified that on the night in question she was staying with her friend, Ann Ferguson, at the latter's apartment located near the McAdory residence. During a portion of the evening, Ferguson's boyfriend, James Neeley, and his friend, Granger Parson, were also there. At some point, Ferguson stated that she wanted to get a television set. After some discussion, Neeley said that he would get one for her and left the apartment with the appellant.

Approximately one half hour later, Neeley returned with a Zenith color television set. Parson arrived soon after with a woman's purse containing the items described by McAdory, including her picture driver's license. The appellant bragged about how he had acquired the purse, relating a story similar to McAdory's version of the events taking place that evening. (Further facts as necessary to a resolution of this cause will be discussed in the opinion, infra.)

Appellant was found to be guilty as charged in the indictment. He was sentenced to serve consecutive terms of seven to twenty-five years on the counts of aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery and a concurrent term of two to five years on the charge of theft. Upon appeal, the judgment of the trial court was affirmed.

The cause is now before this court pursuant to the allowance of a motion for leave to appeal.

Simon L. Leis, Jr., Pros. Atty., and William E. Breyer, Asst. Pros. Atty., for appellee.

Frost, Freytag & Hunter and Warren M. Enders, Columbus, for appellant.

JAMES P. CELEBREZZE, Justice.

I

Appellant's first proposition of law is a challenge predicated upon Crim.R. 16 relating to the regulation of discovery in criminal trials. That rule provides, in relevant part, as follows:

"(A) Demand for discovery. Upon written request each party shall forthwith provide the discovery herein allowed. Motions for discovery shall certify that demand for discovery has been made and the discovery has not been provided.

"(B) Disclosure of evidence by the prosecuting attorney.

"(1) Information subject to disclosure.

"(a) Statement of defendant or co-defendant. Upon motion of the defendant, the court shall order the prosecuting attorney to permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph any of the following which are available to, or within the possession, custody, or control of the state, the existence of which is known or by the exercise of due diligence may become known to the prosecuting attorney:

" * * *

"(ii) Written summaries of any oral statement, or copies thereof, made by the defendant or co-defendant to a prosecuting attorney or any law enforcement officer; * * *."

In this case, appellant filed a demand for discovery on February 3, 1981, requesting, among other information, written summaries of any oral statements made by him or his co-defendant. The appellee's response stated that neither individual had made any statements, written or oral, to law enforcement officials.

During the appellee's presentation of its case in chief, however, police officer Richard Salmon attempted to testify concerning certain remarks made to him by James Neeley on January 23, 1981. Apparently, Neeley had told the officer that he could not have been involved in the McAdory incident because he was helping a friend or relative move on that date. Upon investigation, Salmon discovered this alibi to be false.

Both appellant and Neeley moved to strike this testimony on the basis that Neeley's statements had not been disclosed in response to the defense's demand for discovery. The trial court granted the motion and instructed the jury to disregard Salmon's testimony.

Appellant proceeded to present his defense which consisted of the testimony of two alibi witnesses--his girlfriend and sister-in-law. Both women claimed that Parson was ill on the day of the McAdory incident. Further, both stated that Neeley had visited Parson intermittently during the day. At this point, the state recalled officer Salmon as a rebuttal witness. The court over objection allowed the officer to testify concerning Neeley's prior remarks.

Appellant now asserts that the trial court erred in admitting this testimony as the state failed to comply with the provisions of Crim.R. 16. Appellant further asserts that the admission of the testimony was highly prejudicial to his case in that it tended to conflict with and cast doubt upon his own alibi evidence. Upon careful consideration of Crim.R. 16 in light of the circumstances presented herein, we find this argument to be without merit.

We agree with the appellant that the statement at issue was properly discoverable despite the fact that it was introduced as rebuttal evidence, see State v. Howard (1978), 56 Ohio St.2d 328, 333 , 383 N.E.2d 912, and may have not been actually reduced to a written summary prior to the demand for its disclosure. United States v. Lewis (C.A.D.C.1975), 511 F.2d 798. However, we are unable to agree that the admission of such statement constitutes a basis for reversal in this case.

Crim.R. 16(E)(3) provides for various remedies to be applied in the event that a party fails to provide the discovery information required under the rule. That section states:

"Failure to comply. If at any time during the course of the proceedings it is brought to the attention of the court that a party has failed to comply with this rule or with an order issued pursuant to this rule, the court may order such party to permit the discovery or inspection, grant a continuance, or prohibit the party from introducing in evidence the material not disclosed, or it may make such other order as it deems just under the circumstances."

It is readily apparent that under this rule, the trial court is vested with a certain amount of discretion in determining the sanction to be imposed for a party's nondisclosure of discoverable material. The court is not bound to exclude such material at trial although it may do so at its option. Alternatively, the court may order the noncomplying party to disclose...