# State v. Mankin

> Ohio Court of Appeals · November 17, 2020 · 2020 Ohio 5317

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/4636706

## Case

- **Court:** Ohio Court of Appeals
- **Decided:** November 17, 2020
- **Citations:** 2020 Ohio 5317
- **Precedential status:** Published
- **Opinion:** Opinion
- **Judges:** Luper Schuster
- **Cited by:** 16 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/4636706

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- holding that a “ ‘trial court will not instruct the jury where there is no evidence to support an issue’ ”

## Opinion text

[Cite as State v. Mankin, 2020-Ohio-5317.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State of Ohio, :

Plaintiff-Appellee, : No. 19AP-650
(M.C. No. 2019 CRB 001492)
v. :
(REGULAR CALENDAR)
Jennifer Mankin, :

Defendant-Appellant. :

D E C I S I O N

Rendered on November 17, 2020

On brief: Metz, Bailey & McLoughlin, Lauren R. Swihart,
and Michael K. Fultz, for appellee. Argued: Lauren R.
Swihart.

On brief: Harris Law Firm, LLC, and Felice Harris, for
appellant. Argued: Felice Harris.

APPEAL from the Franklin County Municipal Court

LUPER SCHUSTER, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Jennifer Mankin, appeals from a judgment entry of the
Franklin County Municipal Court finding her guilty, pursuant to jury verdict, of criminal
trespass and resisting arrest. For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. Facts and Procedural History
{¶ 2} On January 24, 2019, officers from the Westerville Division of Police arrested
Mankin on one count of criminal trespass in violation of R.C. 2911.21(A)(4), a fourth-degree
misdemeanor; and one count of resisting arrest in violation of R.C. 2921.33, a second-
degree misdemeanor. Mankin entered a plea of not guilty.
{¶ 3} At a jury trial beginning September 9, 2019, Jeremy Reisinger, a safety and
security supervisor at Saint Ann's hospital, testified that on the evening of January 24, 2019,
No. 19AP-650 2

he responded to a call of a belligerent person in the hospital's emergency department.
Reisinger stated that Mankin started videotaping the encounter when the other security
guards were in the process of escorting the individual out of the hospital after complaints
that the man was threatening the nursing staff and was intoxicated. Mankin followed the
security guards outside and continued to videotape. Reisinger then informed Mankin she
was not permitted to videotape on private property. Reisinger told Mankin that if she
refused to stop videotaping she would need to leave the premises. He further told her she
could go across the street and continue to videotape if she so chose. Mankin refused to
leave, telling Reisinger and the other security guards that she had a right to be there and a
right to videotape their encounter with the other man. The state played for the jury the
recording that Mankin took on her cell phone. The state also played a recording of the
surveillance footage of the incident obtained from Saint Ann's security cameras.
{¶ 4} Reisinger additionally testified that St. Ann's has a policy not to allow video
recording on its premises, except for certain exceptions with patient consent, such as
following the birth of a child. There are signs posted throughout St. Ann's hospital stating
no videotaping allowed, including at the entries, the lobbies, in the elevators, and in patient
rooms.
{¶ 5} While several security guards assisted escorting the other man off the
premises, Reisinger and several other security guards continued to stand near Mankin,
continually asking her to stop recording or to leave the hospital property. Upon being told
to stop recording, Reisinger described Mankin's behavior as "aggressive" and "[v]erbally"
combative. (Tr. Vol. I at 100.) At one point, Mankin told the security guards to "stop with
[their] thin blue line bullshit and [their] made up rules." (Tr. Vol. I at 104.) He said the
disturbance she caused was both from her action of recording in violation of hospital policy
and in her reaction upon being asked to stop. Reisinger testified that he and the other
security guards tried to deescalate the situation by speaking calmly to Mankin and
providing her with more information about the interaction with the other man, but she still
refused to leave the property.
{¶ 6} Eventually, Corporal Aaron Dickinson from the Westerville Division of Police
responded to the scene and told Mankin she needed to leave the property or she would be
arrested. When Mankin, who was still videotaping, again refused to leave the property,
No. 19AP-650 3

Corporal Dickinson grabbed Makin by the arm and told her she was under arrest. After
grabbing her by the arm, Corporal Dickinson said Mankin began pulling her arms away,
resisting, and tried to break free of his grasp. Corporal Dickinson testified he tried to put
Mankin's arm behind her back but she continued to resist, so he pushed her up against a
glass window and held her there until two other security guards could assist him. With the
help of the two other security guards, Corporal Dickinson was able to get both of her arms
behind her back and place Mankin in handcuffs.
{¶ 7} Mankin testified that she was at St. Ann's hospital the night of January 24,
2019 with a friend who needed medical attention. She said the man that the security guards
ultimately escorted out of the building was not being disruptive. When she saw the security
guards surround him, Mankin said she grabbed her phone and followed him outside to
record the interaction because the man was "small in stature, and he's black and, you know,
you've got these six burly security guards all with guns surrounding the guy." (Tr. Vol. II at
45.) Mankin testified that any time she has seen law enforcement stop someone in the past
two years, she has stopped to record the encounter, stating she has done so at least a dozen
times to show her support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Further, Mankin testified
that she did not believe the security guards when they told her she was on private property.
She also stated that when Corporal Dickinson grabbed her arm, the force of his action
caused her to trip and she involuntarily reacted but that she was not trying to resist arrest.
{¶ 8} Prior to trial and again before the jury deliberated, defense counsel requested
a specific jury instruction that Mankin had a reasonable, genuine belief that she was acting
out of necessity. The trial court denied Mankin's request for the specific instruction on
necessity. Following deliberations, the jury found Mankin guilty of both resisting arrest
and criminal trespass. The trial court sentenced Mankin to 10 days in jail with 8 days
suspended and credit for 2 days served, plus 160 hours of community service and 1 year of
non-reporting probation. The trial court journalized Mankin's convictions and sentence in
a September 11, 2019 sentencing entry. Mankin timely appeals. The trial court issued a
stay of Mankin's sentence pending appeal.
No. 19AP-650 4

II. Assignments of Error
{¶ 9} Mankin assigns the following errors for our review1:
[1.] The trial court erred by failing to maintain the written jury
instructions as a permanent part of the trial record for use on
appeal.

[2.] The trial court committed plain error by failing to properly
instruct the jury on the elements of criminal trespass.

[3.] Jennifer Mankin was denied the effective assistance of
counsel guaranteed by the United States and Ohio
Constitutions.

[4.] The trial court abused its discretion in denying the
requested jury instruction on necessity.

III. First Assignment of Error – Maintaining Written Instructions
{¶ 10} In her first assignment of error, Mankin argues the trial court erred in failing
to maintain the written jury instructions as a permanent part of the trial record for use on
appeal. The trial court issued oral instructions to the jury prior to their deliberations and
provided the jury with the written instructions. Additionally, the trial court responded to a
question from the jury by instructing the jurors to refer back to the written instructions.
However, when the trial court transmitted the trial record for purposes of appeal, the
written instructions were not included in the record. Because the trial court's oral
instructions differed from its written instructions, as will be discussed further in Mankin's
second assignment of error, Mankin argues the trial court's failure to maintain the written
jury instructions as part of the trial record for use on appeal amounts to prejudicial error
pursuant to R.C. 2315.01(A)(7).2

1 Mankin did not advance any arguments related to her conviction for resisting arrest, so that conviction is

not before this court.

2 While Mankin advances this argument pursuant to R.C. 2315.01(A)(7) in her memorandum contra the
state's motion for leave to supplement, we note that nearly identical language appears under R.C.
2945.10(G). Indeed, in her merit brief, Mankin frames the argument under R.C. 2945.10(G). Because R.C.
2315.01 relates to trial proceedings more generally, including civil trials, while R.C. 2945.10 relates
specifically to criminal trials, and because the language of these two statutes is the same in all relevant
respects, the cases applying to R.C. 2945.10(G) are equally applicable to Mankin's argument under R.C.
2315.01(A)(7).
No. 19AP-650 5

A. State's Motion for Leave to Supplement the Record
{¶ 11} On April 15, 2020, in response to learning the trial court failed to maintain
the written jury instructions as part of the record when it certified the record for appeal, the
state filed with this court a motion for leave to supplement the record with the trial court's
written jury instructions pursuant to App.R. 9(E). As the state notes, there is no dispute
here that written instructions existed and were provided to the jury prior to deliberation.
Thus, the state categorizes the trial court's failure to maintain the written instructions as
part of the record as a filing omission capable of correction. Pursuant to App.R. 9(E), "[i]f
anything material to either party is omitted from the record by error or accident or is
misstated, the parties by stipulation, or the trial court, either before or after the record is
transmitted to the court of appeals, or the court of appeals, on proper suggestion or of its
own initiative, may direct that omission or misstatement be corrected, and if necessary that
a supplemental record be certified, filed, and transmitted."
{¶ 12} Mankin opposes the state's motion for leave to supplement the record,
arguing the state's motion amounts to a concession that the trial court did not comply with
the requirement of R.C. 2315.01(A)(7) that the written charges and instructions "taken by
the jurors in their retirement" must be maintained with the papers of the case. Mankin
asserts that R.C. 2315.01(A)(7) does not contemplate a situation in which the trial court can
substitute in the record the copy of the jury instructions handed to trial counsel during the
trial for those taken by the jurors in their retirement. Thus, because the state seeks to
supplement the record with a copy of the written instructions taken by the jurors in their
retirement rather than with the original version of the written instructions taken by the
jurors in their retirement, Mankin argues that granting the motion for leave to supplement
would be improper as "[a] reviewing court cannot add matter to the record before it, which
was not a part of the trial court's proceedings, and then decide the appeal on the basis of
the new matter." State v. Ishmail, 54 Ohio St.2d 402 (1978), paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶ 13} The Supreme Court of Ohio has stated that, in a motion to supplement the
record filed pursuant to App.R. 9, it is for the trial court to " 'first determine the accuracy
and truthfulness of a proposed statement of the evidence or proceedings' " before a court of
appeals can authorize correction or supplementation of the trial court's record. State v.
Schiebel, 55 Ohio St.3d 71, 81-82, quoting Joiner v. Illuminating Co., 55 Ohio App.2d 187,
No. 19AP-650 6

195-96 (8th Dist.1978). In support of its motion for leave to supplement the record, the
state submitted a copy of the written instructions provided to the jury and a signed affidavit
of the trial court judge averring that the instructions are a true and accurate representation
of the written instructions provided to the jurors for use during their deliberations in
Mankin's trial. Thus, because the trial court has attested to the accuracy and truthfulness
of the written jury instructions as reflecting those submitted to the jury during its
deliberations, we grant the state's motion for leave to supplement the record. See Schiebel.
B. Failure to Maintain Original Written Instructions
{¶ 14} Having granted the state's motion for leave to supplement the record with a
copy of the written jury instructions provided to the jury during its deliberations, we turn
to the merits of Mankin's first assignment of error. Similar to her argument in opposition
to the state's motion for leave to supplement the record, Mankin argues that the trial court's
failure to maintain the original version of the written instructions provided to the jury
amounts to reversible error.
{¶ 15} Mankin's emphasis on the distinction between the original written jury
instructions and a verified copy of those written jury instructions is tantamount to an
argument that the trial court's error is a structural error requiring reversal. However, as
the Supreme Court of Ohio has held, "the failure of the trial court to preserve the written
jury instructions with the 'papers of the case' is not a structural error," and instead is subject
to plain error analysis under Crim.R. 52(B). State v. Perry, 101 Ohio St.3d 118, 2004-Ohio-
297, ¶ 25-26. Thus, even assuming for purposes of argument that a trial court can only
satisfy R.C. 2315.01(A)(7) or R.C. 2945.10(G) by maintaining the original written jury
instructions with the papers of the case as opposed to a copy of those jury instructions,
Mankin is still required to demonstrate that the trial court's failure amounts to plain error.
An appellate court recognizes plain error with the utmost caution, under exceptional
circumstances, and only to prevent a miscarriage of justice. State v. Pilgrim, 184 Ohio
App.3d 675, 2009-Ohio-5357, ¶ 58 (10th Dist.), citing State v. Diar, 120 Ohio St.3d 460,
2008-Ohio-6266, ¶ 139.
{¶ 16} For an error to be a "plain error" under Crim.R. 52(B), it must satisfy three
prongs: (1) there must be an error, meaning a deviation from a legal rule, (2) the error must
be "plain," meaning an "obvious" defect in the trial proceedings, and (3) the error must have
No. 19AP-650 7

affected "substantial rights," meaning the error must have affected the outcome of the trial.
State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27 (2002).
{¶ 17} The purpose of the statutory requirement under R.C. 2315.01(A)(7) or R.C.
2945.10(G) that the trial court maintain the written instructions as part of the papers of the
case is to facilitate appellate review of questions related to jury instructions. Here, there is
no allegation that the copy of the written instructions that we have granted leave to
supplement the record with are in any way different than the original version of those
instructions provided to the jury during the trial. Though Mankin advances arguments in
her remaining assignments of error related to the content of those instructions, the
supplemented record allows us to adequately and fully review the proceedings in the trial
court. Thus, it cannot be said from this record that the trial court's failure to maintain the
original written instructions as part of the papers of the case, on its own, affected the
outcome of the trial. State v. Perry, 10th Dist. No. 01AP-996, 2004-Ohio-5152, ¶ 12
("[h]aving found that the outcome of the case was not affected by the trial court's failure to
maintain written jury instructions with the 'papers of the case,' we therefore cannot
conclude the trial court's error affected a 'substantial right' "). Without such a showing, we
will not find the trial court's failure to maintain the original written instructions to amount
to plain error under Crim.R. 52(B). Id. (noting "[a]bsent a 'substantial right' having been
affected, pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B), plain error cannot exist"). Thus, we overrule Mankin's
first assignment of error.
IV. Second Assignment of Error – Criminal Trespass Instruction
{¶ 18} In her second assignment of error, Mankin argues the trial court erred in
failing to properly instruct the jury on the elements of criminal trespass. More specifically,
when the trial court orally instructed the jury on the elements of criminal trespass, it
omitted lack of privilege as an element of the offense. Mankin did not object to the oral jury
instructions at trial and, thus, has waived all but plain error. State v. Lipkins, 10th Dist.
No. 16AP-616, 2017-Ohio-4085, ¶ 28, citing State v. Cook, 65 Ohio St.3d 516, 527 (1992).
A court will reverse on plain error based on an erroneous jury instruction only upon a
showing that the outcome " 'clearly would have been different absent the error.' " State v.
Petty, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-716, 2012-Ohio-2989, ¶ 15, quoting State v. Zachery, 10th Dist.
No. 08AP-451, 2009-Ohio-1180, ¶ 8.
No. 19AP-650 8

{¶ 19} R.C. 2911.21(A)(4), the criminal trespass statute, provides no person being on
the land or premises of another "without privilege to do so" shall "negligently fail or refuse
to leave upon being notified by signage posted in a conspicuous place or otherwise being
notified to do so by the owner or occupant, or the agent or servant of either." In instructing
the jury prior to deliberations, however, the trial court stated:
The defendant is charged with criminal trespass. We just did
that.

Being on land or premises of another, negligently fail or refuse
to leave upon being notified by signage posted in a conspicuous
place or otherwise being notified to do so by the owner or
occupant, or the agent or servant of either.

(Tr. Vol. II at 104.) Thus, the trial court failed to orally state the "without privilege to do
so" portion of the offense of criminal trespass.
{¶ 20} "As a general rule, a defendant is entitled to have the jury instructed on all
elements that must be proved to establish the crime with which he is charged." State v.
Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 153 (1980). However, "a trial court's failure to separately and
specifically charge the jury on every element of each crime with which a defendant is
charged does not per se constitute plain error nor does it necessarily require reversal of a
conviction." Id. at 154. Instead, "[o]nly by reviewing the record in each case can the
probable impact of such a failure be determined, and a decision reached as to whether
substantial prejudice may have been visited on the defendant, thereby resulting in a
manifest miscarriage of justice." Id.
{¶ 21} Mankin asserts that because her entire defense rested upon her belief that
she had privilege to remain on St. Ann's premises and continue videotaping, the trial court's
erroneous oral instruction amounted to prejudicial error. Though the state agrees that the
trial court's oral jury instruction omitted the "without privilege to do so," the state asserts
the error does not rise to the level of plain error. Importantly, the parties agree that the
written instructions submitted to the jury during its deliberations provided a complete
instruction on the elements of criminal trespass. Specifically, the written instructions
stated:
The defendant is charged with Criminal Trespass. Before you
can find the Defendant guilty, you must find beyond a
No. 19AP-650 9

reasonable doubt that on or about the 24th day of January,
2019, in the City of Westerville, Franklin County, Ohio, the
defendant did and without privilege to do so, shall do any of the
following:

Being on land or premises of another, negligently fail or refuse
to leave upon being notified by signage posted in a conspicuous
place or otherwise being notified to do so by the owner or
occupant, or the agent or servant of either[.]

(Ex., Jury Instructions attached to Apr. 15, 2020 Mot. for Leave to Supplement.)
Additionally, both the written instructions and the trial court's oral instructions included
the definition of "privilege." Specifically, the trial court orally instructed the jury that
"[p]rivilege means an immunity, license, or right conferred by law, bestowed by express or
implied grant, or rising out of status, position, office, or relationship, or growing out of
necessity." (Tr. Vol. II at 105.) The identical definition of privilege appears in the written
instructions submitted to the jury during their deliberations. Because the full instruction
on criminal trespass was in the written instructions, and the record demonstrates that the
trial court additionally instructed the jury to refer back to the written instructions when it
had a separate question on the elements of resisting arrest, the state argues the instructions
provided adequately informed the jury of the elements of the offense.
{¶ 22} We are mindful that " '[i]n examining errors in a jury instruction, a reviewing
court must consider the jury charge as a whole.' " State v. Rutledge, 10th Dist. No. 17AP-
590, 2019-Ohio-3460, ¶ 31, quoting Kokitka v. Ford Motor Co., 73 Ohio St.3d 89, 93 (1995).
Here, in considering the whole charge to the jury, including both the oral and written
instructions, the trial court's omission of the lack of privilege element of criminal trespass
was an isolated incident during the oral instructions that did not appear in the written
instructions. This court has previously found that there is no plain error in an oral
instruction omitting an element of an offense where the written instructions submitted to
the jury cured that defect. State v. Philpot, 10th Dist. No. 03AP-758, 2004-Ohio-5063, ¶ 39
(where trial court orally instructed that a jury need only find "physical harm" to reach a
guilty verdict on felonious assault but cured the statement by then defining "serious
physical harm" in both its oral and written instructions, this court found "that the written
instructions cured the oral omission in the felonious assault instruction and plain error has
No. 19AP-650 10

not been demonstrated"). Similarly here, where the oral instructions omitted the reference
to lack of privilege but the written instructions submitted to the jury cured that omission,
both the oral and written instructions contained the definition of privilege, and the record
demonstrated that the jury had the written instructions during deliberations and was
instructed to refer back to them, we do not find on this record that the trial court's error in
its oral instructions to the jury rises to the level of plain error.
{¶ 23} To the extent Mankin argues the discrepancy in the jury instructions is more
important here because her entire defense rested on her belief that she had privilege to be
on the premises born out of necessity, the interplay between necessity and privilege is the
subject of Mankin's fourth assignment of error, which we will address below. Under her
second assignment of error, however, we find that Mankin has not demonstrated that the
trial court's failure to orally instruct on lack of privilege as an element of criminal trespass
amounts to plain error. Accordingly, we overrule Mankin's second assignment of error.
V. Third Assignment of Error – Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
{¶ 24} In her third assignment of error, Mankin argues she received the ineffective
assistance of counsel. More specifically, Mankin asserts her trial counsel was ineffective in
failing to object to various portions of the jury instructions.
{¶ 25} In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Mankin
must satisfy a two-prong test. First, she must demonstrate that her counsel's performance
was deficient. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). This first prong
requires Mankin to show that her counsel committed errors which were "so serious that
counsel was not functioning as the 'counsel' guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth
Amendment." Id. If Mankin can so demonstrate, she must then establish that she was
prejudiced by the deficient performance. Id. To show prejudice, Mankin must establish
there is a reasonable probability that, but for her counsel's errors, the result of the trial
would have been different. A "reasonable probability" is one sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome of the trial. Id. at 694.
{¶ 26} In considering claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, courts indulge in a
strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance. State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, ¶ 101.
Mankin contends her trial counsel was ineffective in (1) failing to object to the state's
No. 19AP-650 11

requested jury instruction that it is no defense that the land or premises was owned or
controlled or in the custody of a public agency; and (2) failing to object to the trial court's
oral instruction omitting the element of lack of privilege.
A. Failing to Object to Control or Custody of Public Agency Instruction
{¶ 27} Mankin's first allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel is her trial
counsel's failure to object to the state's request for an instruction that "it is no defense [t]o
a charge under [the criminal trespass statute] that the land or premises involved was owned
or controlled or in custody of a public agency." (Tr. Vol. II at 75.) Mankin argues this
instruction was confusing to the jury since St. Ann's hospital is private property.
{¶ 28} To succeed on a claim of ineffective of counsel based on counsel's failure to
file an objection, the appellant must demonstrate that the objection had a reasonable
probability of success. State v. Jones, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-33, 2019-Ohio-2134, ¶ 52, citing
State v. Johns, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-203, 2011-Ohio-6823, ¶ 25. If the objection would not
have been successful, the appellant cannot prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of
counsel. Id., citing Johns at ¶ 25.
{¶ 29} Here, Mankin's trial counsel did not object to the state's request for the
instruction, instead noting it was "a correct statement of law." (Tr. Vol. II at 75-76.) Indeed,
the instruction directly tracks the language of R.C. 2911.21(D). Nonetheless, Mankin argues
her trial counsel was ineffective in acquiescing to the instruction because, even though it
was a correct statement of the law, it was arguably not relevant since St. Ann's hospital is
private property. However, the testimony at trial repeatedly referenced recording in a
public place, and Mankin attempted to assert a defense that she did not know the hospital
was private property. She even testified to her own personal understanding of what she
would consider a private space within a hospital and what she would consider to be more
of a public space. As it was Mankin's own trial strategy to call into question the public-
versus-private nature of the premises, we do not agree with Mankin's assertion that the trial
court's instruction was not relevant or that it was misleading to the jury. Thus, we do not
find that an objection to this instruction would have had a reasonable probability of success.
B. Failing to Object to Erroneous Oral Instruction
{¶ 30} Mankin's second instance of alleged ineffective assistance of counsel is her
trial counsel's failure to object to the trial court's oral instruction on the elements of
No. 19AP-650 12

criminal trespass omitting the lack of privilege. This argument reflects the argument
Mankin made under her second assignment of error on appeal. Because trial counsel failed
to object to the trial court's oral jury instructions, we reviewed Mankin's second assignment
of error under a plain error standard, and, in disposing of that argument, we concluded
Mankin was unable to demonstrate plain error. " '[W]here the failure to object does not
constitute plain error, the issue cannot be reversed by claiming ineffective assistance of
counsel.' " State v. Roy, 10th Dist. No. 14AP-223, 2014-Ohio-4587, ¶ 20, quoting State v.
Carson, 1oth Dist. No. 05AP-13, 2006-Ohio-2440, ¶ 51. Having previously held, in
addressing Mankin's second assignment of error, that the trial court did not plainly err
when it instructed the jury on the elements of criminal trespass, we conclude Mankin's
argument in this regard fails to satisfy the second prong of the Strickland test.
{¶ 31} Thus, because Mankin cannot satisfy the Strickland test under either of her
instances of alleged ineffective assistance of counsel, Mankin's claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel must fail. Accordingly, we overrule Mankin's third assignment of
error.
VI. Fourth Assignment of Error – Necessity Instruction
{¶ 32} In her fourth and final assignment of error, Mankin argues the trial court
erred when it refused her request for a specific jury instruction on necessity.
{¶ 33} In reviewing a trial court's jury instructions, an appellate court must
determine whether the trial court's refusal to give a requested instruction was an abuse of
discretion under the facts and circumstances of the case. State v. Gover, 10th Dist. No.
05AP-1034, 2006-Ohio-4338, ¶ 22, citing State v. Wolons, 44 Ohio St.3d 64, 68 (1989). An
abuse of discretion implies that the court's attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary, or
unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983).
{¶ 34} "The court must give all instructions that are relevant and necessary for the
jury to weigh the evidence and discharge its duty as the factfinder." State v. Joy, 74 Ohio
St.3d 178, 181 (1995), citing State v. Comen, 50 Ohio St.3d 206 (1990), paragraph two of
the syllabus. Conversely, "[i]t is well established that the trial court will not instruct the
jury where there is no evidence to support an issue." Murphy v. Carrollton Mfg. Co., 61
Ohio St.3d 585, 591 (1991), citing Riley v. Cincinnati, 46 Ohio St.2d 287 (1976). Thus, in
reviewing a record to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the giving
No. 19AP-650 13

of an instruction, "an appellate court should determine whether the record contains
evidence from which reasonable minds might reach the conclusion sought by the
instruction." Murphy at 591, citing Feterle v. Huettner, 28 Ohio St.2d 54 (1971), syllabus.
{¶ 35} Criminal trespass, as defined in R.C. 2911.21(A)(4), provides "[n]o person,
without privilege to do so, shall * * * [b]eing on the land or premises of another, negligently
fail or refuse to leave upon being notified by signage posted in a conspicuous place or
otherwise being notified to do so by the owner or occupant, or the agent or servant of
either." Privilege, as defined in R.C. 2901.01(A)(12), means "an immunity, license, or right
conferred by law, bestowed by express or implied grant, arising out of status, position,
office, or relationship, or growing out of necessity." As we discussed in our resolution of
Mankin's first and second assignments of error, the trial court provided instructions
containing the statutory elements of criminal trespass as well as an instruction defining
privilege. However, the trial court did not provide a separate instruction defining necessity
in the context of privilege.
{¶ 36} There is not a statutory definition of necessity as it is used in the definition of
privilege. However, at trial, Mankin requested the following instruction on necessity:
The state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant did not act out of necessity when committing a
criminal trespass. If you find that the defendant was acting out
of necessity or that the state has not proven beyond a
reasonable doubt that she did not act out of necessity than you
must find her not guilty because necessity justifies or excuses
criminal conduct when the defendant acts under the force of
extreme circumstances to prevent a greater harm occurring.
However, the defense of necessity is not available if alternatives
to criminal trespass are available.

When deciding if the defendant acted out of necessity you
should consider the following:

 whether the defendant committed the act of criminal
trespass to avoid or prevent a separate harm

 whether the harm to be avoided or prevented would
have been as severe or more severe than the harm
created by the defendants trespass
No. 19AP-650 14

 whether the defendant reasonably believed at the time
that her conduct to be necessary and designed to avoid
the imminent harm that would be created if she did not
act, and

 whether the defendant had any alternatives to prevent
the harm other than committing the trespass[.]

(Sic passim.) (Sept. 6, 2019 Def.'s Mot. for Specific Jury Instructions at 3-4.) In support of
the instruction, Mankin states she relied on the necessity instruction included in the Ohio
Jury Instructions ("OJI") and additional caselaw.
{¶ 37} When the trial court considered Mankin's request for the specific instruction,
it expressed concern that the instruction would confuse the jury and would be harmful to
the defendant. Defense counsel asked the trial court to nonetheless include the instruction
as it was a correct statement of law. The state, in response, argued the instruction should
not be included because there was not any evidence to establish that "there was any
potential physical or natural course that would have been a harm more severe than the
defendant's conduct" and that there was not any evidence or testimony establishing "that
there was danger to [the other] gentleman." (Tr. Vol. II at 79.) Defense counsel again
reiterated that because the state must disprove necessity, under the definition of privilege,
the instruction was appropriate because "[t]here has been testimony that she believed a
greater harm was going to occur, and she was reasonable in that belief to prevent that
harm." (Tr. Vol. II at 80.) The trial court again reiterated the concern that the instruction
would be confusing and ultimately refused to include the instruction.
{¶ 38} On appeal, Mankin asserts the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to
give the instruction because it was an accurate statement of the law and there was evidence
at trial to support the instruction. As an initial matter, we agree with Mankin that in the
context of criminal trespass, necessity is not an affirmative defense; rather, it is part of the
definition of "privilege" contained in R.C. 2901.01(A)(12). "Because the statutory definition
of privilege incorporates the defense of necessity, proof that the accused lacked a privilege
to enter or remain on the property by virtue of a right growing out necessity is an element
of the crime of trespass and not an affirmative defense." Columbus v. Andrews, 10th Dist.
No. 91AP-590, 1992 Ohio App. LEXIS 829 (Feb. 27, 1992).
No. 19AP-650 15

{¶ 39} The state argues that in light of the evidence presented at trial, the trial court
was not required to instruct the jury regarding necessity. This court has previously set forth
"a complete and adequate definition of necessity" as it is used in the context of privilege for
criminal trespass. Andrews. Specifically, this court has stated " '[t]he common-law
elements of the defense of necessity are: (1) the harm must be committed under the
pressure of physical or natural force, rather than human force; (2) the harm sought to be
avoided is greater than (or at least equal to) that sought to be prevented by the law defining
the offense charged; (3) the actor reasonably believes at the moment that his act is
necessary and is designed to avoid the greater harm; (4) the actor must be without fault in
bringing about the situation; and (5) the harm threatened must be imminent, leaving no
alternative by which to avoid the greater harm.' " Id., quoting Kettering v. Berry, 57 Ohio
App.3d 66, 68 (2d Dist.1990).
{¶ 40} In comparing Mankin's proposed instruction to the "complete and adequate"
definition of necessity above, we note some key differences. First, the proposed instruction
completely omits the fourth prong of the definition: that the actor must be without fault in
bringing about the situation. The state does not allege that Mankin was at fault for bringing
about the interaction between the other man and the security guards, but the omission of
that prong of the definition nonetheless undercuts Mankin's repeated argument that her
proposed instruction was an accurate statement of the law.
{¶ 41} Additionally, and more importantly, the first prong of the definition of
necessity from Andrews requires that "the harm must be committed under the pressure of
physical or natural force, rather than a human force." Andrews. The OJI necessity
instruction, found at 2 421 OJI CR 421.13, similarly lists the first element of necessity as the
defendant having committed the offense "to avoid being harmed by (describe physical or
natural force)." (Emphasis sic.) In fact, the OJI instruction repeats the "physical or natural
force" requirement in each of the five elements of necessity. Despite Mankin's assertion that
she relied on the OJI instruction in formulating her requested instruction, it is significant
that her proposed instruction eschews any mention that the harm must be from a physical
or natural force rather than a human force, instead phrasing each of the elements of
necessity as intending to avoid a more general "separate harm." (Def.'s Mot. for Specific
Jury Instructions.) This difference is critical. Because both the case law and the OJI
No. 19AP-650 16

instruction define necessity as a harm from a physical or natural force, rather than a human
force, we do not agree with Mankin that her proposed instruction represents an accurate
statement of the law.
{¶ 42} Further, even if we were to find the trial court should have nonetheless
provided the jury with a correct instruction on necessity, any error from the trial court's
refusal to so instruct would be, based on this record, harmless error. Even assuming
Mankin could point to evidence that that "harm" she sought to avoid, namely, her
perception of the security guards' treatment of the other man as being impacted by the
man's race, was the type of harm contemplated under the necessity instruction, she still
would be unable to point to any evidence tending to support the fifth prong of the necessity
definition: that the harm was imminent and she had no alternative other than to commit
the offense of criminal trespass. The video evidence introduced at trial showed the security
guards at St. Ann's remained calm as they escorted the man off the premises, and the man
was not resisting or ignoring their instructions. It was Mankin who approached the
situation in a state of agitation, yet the security guards remained calm while they repeatedly
asked her to stop recording. Security guards even informed Mankin that she could go
across the street and continue recording, giving her a clear alternative to committing the
offense of criminal trespass. Further, when Corporal Dickinson arrived on the scene, he
testified that the interaction with the other man and the security guards was "peaceful and
under control" while Mankin continued to cause a disturbance. (Tr. Vol. II at 22-23.) The
video evidence corroborates Corporal Dickinson's description of the scene.
{¶ 43} Thus, even if we were to find the trial court's failure to provide a correct
instruction on the lack of necessity as an element of the offense of criminal trespass was an
abuse of discretion, given the particular facts of this case, the record does not contain
evidence from which reasonable minds might reach the conclusion that Mankin acted out
of necessity when she refused to leave the St. Ann's premises and continued videotaping.
See State v. Lindsey, 10th Dist. No. 14AP-751, 2015-Ohio-2169, ¶ 52-58. Accordingly, any
error in failing to give a separate instruction on necessity would be harmless error. See
State v. Dodson, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-603, 2011-Ohio-1092, ¶ 6 ("[a]n appellate court will
not reverse a conviction in a criminal case due to jury instructions unless it finds that the
No. 19AP-650 17

jury instructions amount to prejudicial error"). For all of these reasons, we overrule
Mankin's fourth and final assignment of error.
VII. Disposition
{¶ 44} Based on the foregoing reasons, the trial court's failure to maintain with the
papers of the case the original version of the written instructions taken by the jury during
their retirement did not amount to reversible error, the trial court did not plainly err in
instructing the jury on the lack of privilege as an element of criminal trespass, Mankin did
not receive the ineffective assistance of counsel, the trial court did not abuse its discretion
in refusing to give Mankin's requested instruction on necessity, and any error the trial court
committed in failing to give a correct instruction on necessity amounted to harmless error.
Having granted the state's motion for leave to supplement the record and having overruled
Mankin's four assignments of error, we affirm the judgment of the Franklin County
Municipal Court.
Motion for leave to supplement the record granted;
judgment affirmed.

SADLER, P.J., and BROWN, J., concur.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/4636706. Public record. Not legal advice.