The opinion
[Cite as State v. Kelly, 2024-Ohio-1864.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
STATE OF OHIO, : APPEAL NO. C-230544
TRIAL NO. B-2203552-B
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
O P I N I O N.
vs. :
TERRILL KELLY, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
Criminal Appeal From: Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas
Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed
Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: May 15, 2024
Melissa A. Powers, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, and Sean M. Donovan,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee,
Michael J. Trapp, for Defendant-Appellant.
OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
KINSLEY, Judge.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Terrill Kelly appeals from the trial court’s
judgment convicting him, following a jury trial, of possession of cocaine. In three
assignments of error, Kelly argues that the trial court erred in admitting hearsay
statements contained in a strip-search report and a contraband report admitted into
evidence and referred to by a key witness for plaintiff-appellee the state of Ohio and
that his conviction for possession of cocaine was not supported by sufficient evidence
and against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶2} Even if we agreed with Kelly that the trial court erred in admitting
reports compiled by the state’s key witness, the trial court’s error was harmless given
that these reports were duplicative of admissible evidence elicited from the witness.
We further hold that Kelly’s conviction for possession of cocaine was supported by
sufficient evidence and not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Accordingly,
we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Factual and Procedural Background
{¶3} The charges against Kelly relate to the search and seizure of the car he
was traveling in on June 29, 2022. Police officers recovered guns and drugs from the
car. They also found drugs on Kelly during a strip-search. Kelly was subsequently
indicted for possession of cocaine, trafficking in cocaine, and having weapons under
disability. The case proceeded to a jury trial on August 21, 2023.
{¶4} Sergeant John Haynes testified at trial. He testified that while he was
on a patrol shift on the evening of June 29, 2022, he received a dispatch to be on the
lookout for a gold-colored car with potentially armed suspects. He testified that after
locating the car and confirming the license plate number, he initiated a traffic stop.
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He testified that Kelly was seated in the rear passenger seat, Kelly’s mother was seated
in the front passenger seat, and Terrance Adams was in the driver’s seat. He testified
that Kelly and Adams did not have identification on them and that Adams had a
warrant for burglary. He testified that he then detained Adams.
{¶5} Corporal Dan Grimes, who provided back-up for Haynes on June 29,
2022, also testified at trial. Additionally, Grimes’s body-worn camera (“BWC”)
footage was played at trial. In his BWC footage, Grimes is seen asking a shirtless Kelly
for identification. After Grimes failed to identify Kelly with the information he
provided, Kelly was detained and patted down by the officers.
{¶6} Grimes testified that a K-9 unit was called and the car was subsequently
searched for drugs. He further testified he found two guns during the search, one
under the front passenger seat and one in the seat pocket directly behind the front
passenger seat. He also testified that he found a baggie with pills in the passenger side
door.
{¶7} Next, Detective Ken Koo testified at trial. He testified that he test fired
the gun and swabbed it for DNA. Deputy Schworer also testified at trial, and his BWC
footage was played. He testified that, during an interview, Kelly stated that he did not
know to whom the guns belonged but was willing to accept blame so that his mother
was not charged. He also testified that Adams was charged in connection with drugs
that were found in the car.
{¶8} Deputy Nathan Termuhlen, a corrections officer at the Hamilton County
Justice Center, also testified at trial. He testified that he typically worked in intake at
the Justice Center. He testified that if an individual had a drug or weapons charge,
that person would be strip-searched first. He further testified that he conducted strip-
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searches alone and that the room where strip-searches were conducted could only hold
two people at a time and had no cameras. He testified that when he conducted a strip-
search of Kelly, he asked Kelly to face him and remove his shirt, pants, socks, and
underwear. He testified that when Kelly removed his underwear, a clear baggie, which
was slightly bigger than a golf ball, fell to the floor. He further testified that the baggie
was filled with a white chalk-like substance. He testified that the room for strip-
searches was cleaned multiple times a day and checked for any leftover items after
each search.
{¶9} On cross-examination, Termuhlen testified that, although there were no
cameras inside the room where strip-searches were conducted, there were multiple
camera views of the intake area outside of that room. The footage from these cameras
was not played at trial. He further testified that he wrote a report noting that he had
found drugs on Kelly during his strip-search. He testified that Adams was also in the
intake area that day. He testified again that Kelly removed his shirt during the strip-
search. He also testified that his supervisor signed off on the report. His supervisor
did not testify at trial.
{¶10} On redirect examination, Termuhlen testified to the strip-search and
contraband reports he compiled after Kelly’s strip-search. When the state moved to
admit these reports, Kelly’s counsel objected. The state argued that the reports were
admissible to memorialize Termuhlen’s findings from that day. Kelly’s counsel argued
that Termuhlen had already testified to those findings. The trial court overruled the
objection.
{¶11} In the strip-search report dated June 29, 2022, Termuhlen noted that
the following was recovered from the search: “bag with a white chalk-like substance
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that fell out of [Kelly’s] underwear.” And in the contraband report, also dated June
29, 2022, Termuhlen again noted that a white chalk-like substance fell out of Kelly’s
underwear. Both reports were signed by Termuhlen’s supervisor.
{¶12} Deputy Todd Rizzo also testified at trial. He testified that he
transported Kelly to the Justice Center. He further testified that Kelly was wearing a
shirt before his strip-search and that he did not recall transporting Adams with Kelly.
He also testified that the officer who conducted Kelly’s strip-search handed him the
baggie that was found on Kelly. He testified that the baggie was sent for testing.
{¶13} During a brief recess and in the absence of the jury, the trial court
reaffirmed its ruling as to the admissibility of the strip-search and contraband reports.
The trial court found that these reports did not contain any hearsay information.
{¶14} Brian Scowden then testified. He testified that he was employed by the
Hamilton County Crime Laboratory. During Scowden’s testimony, the parties
stipulated that the baggie found during Kelly’s strip-search was 27.770 grams of
cocaine. Scowden testified that no DNA test was performed on the baggie.
{¶15} Sergeant Joshua Fey, another back-up officer for Haynes on June 29,
2022, also testified at trial and his BWC footage was played. In Fey’s BWC footage, he
is seen interviewing a shirtless Kelly. Fey commented that it looked as though there
was a bulge in the front of Kelly’s pants. Fey patted down Kelly’s pants and did not
find anything. When Fey asked Kelly if he knew anything about the guns, Kelly replied
that he did not. Fey then interviewed Adams and also asked him about the guns.
Adams maintained that Kelly’s mother had nothing to do with the guns.
{¶16} At the close of the state’s case, Kelly moved for an acquittal under
Crim.R. 29, which the trial court overruled.
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{¶17} Kelly then testified. He testified that he took the blame for the guns,
even though they were not his, so that his mother would not be charged. He also
testified that he was not wearing a shirt when he was cuffed and transported to the
Justice Center and that Adams was transported with him. He further testified that
Adams was strip-searched before him and that there were other individuals detained
in the intake center.
{¶18} He testified that during his strip-search, he took off all of his clothes,
squatted, and coughed. He testified that Termuhlen then pointed to a baggie in the
corner of the room and asked him what that was and if it was his. He testified that he
denied that the baggie belonged to him. He testified that Termuhlen then asked the
other individuals detained in the intake area if the baggie belonged to them, but no
one claimed it. He also testified that when Termuhlen’s supervisor asked if the baggie
belonged to Kelly, Termuhlen replied that he did not know.
{¶19} After deliberation, the jury found Kelly not guilty of having weapons
under a disability and of trafficking in cocaine. But the jury convicted Kelly of
possession of cocaine. Kelly was sentenced to an aggregate sentence of 11 years to 16.5
years’ incarceration.
{¶20} Kelly now appeals.
Hearsay
{¶21} In his first assignment of error, Kelly argues the trial court erred by
admitting the strip-search and contraband reports that Tremuhlen wrote after Kelly’s
strip-search. Specifically, he argues these reports contained hearsay statements in
violation of Evid.R. 802 that bolstered Tremuhlen’s testimony.
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
{¶22} As an initial matter, the parties disagree as to the applicable standard of
review. Kelly argues the trial court’s ruling should be reviewed for an abuse of
discretion. The state argues that Kelly waived all but plain error by failing to renew
his objection. But the state’s argument is without merit. When the state moved to
admit these reports into evidence, Kelly objected and the trial court overruled his
objection. Then, on its own accord and not at the request of either party, the trial court
informed the parties that it stood by its earlier ruling given that the reports did not
contain any hearsay statements. The trial court was merely providing additional
context for its earlier ruling. There was no need for Kelly to object again to this
statement by the trial court. See Setters v. Durrani, 2020-Ohio-6859, 164 N.E.3d
1159, ¶ 12 (1st Dist.).
{¶23} Therefore, if the trial court did indeed admit hearsay evidence, we will
review that decision for an abuse of discretion. State v. Hill, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos.
C-190638, C-190639, C-190640, and C-190641, 2021-Ohio-294, ¶ 22.
{¶24} “Hearsay is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while
testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter
asserted.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Trusty, 1st Dist. Hamilton
Nos. C-120378 and C-120386, 2013-Ohio-3548, ¶ 42. “Hearsay is inadmissible unless
it falls within a limited number of exceptions.” Id. Kelly argues that the statements in
the strip-search and contraband reports were offered for the truth of the matter
asserted—where the baggie was found in the strip-search room. As discussed above,
both reports stated that a baggie filled with a white chalk-like substance fell out of
Kelly’s underwear. Kelly’s conviction for possession of cocaine turned on whether the
jury credited his version of events that the baggie was found in the corner of the room
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
or Tremuhlen’s version of events that the baggie fell out of Kelly’s underwear. Thus,
the statements in these reports were offered for the truth of the matter asserted and
constituted hearsay.
{¶25} The state contends that Kelly makes a generalized accusation that these
documents contain hearsay instead of offering specific statements for our evaluation.
But as Kelly argues, he did identify the specific statements that constituted hearsay,
namely Tremuhlen’s statement that the baggie fell out of Kelly’s underwear.
{¶26} To justify the trial court’s ruling, the state raises a single hearsay
exception: the prior consistent statement exception under Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b). We
explained this exception to hearsay in Trusty:
Under the hearsay rules, the prior consistent statement of a testifying
witness is not admissible to directly bolster that witness’s credibility.
But a prior consistent statement can be used to rebut a charge of recent
fabrication or improper influence or motive. For a statement to qualify
under this narrow exception to the hearsay rules, the witness must have
made the consistent statement before the alleged fabrication, influence
or motive occurred.
(Internal quotation marks and citations omitted.) Trusty, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-
120378 and C-120386, 2013-Ohio-3548, at ¶ 47. “In determining whether to admit a
prior consistent statement, a trial court should take a generous view of the entire trial
setting to determine if there was sufficient impeachment to amount to a charge of
fabrication or improper influence or motivation.” (Internal quotation marks and
footnote omitted.) State v. Jones, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-080518, 2009-Ohio-4190,
¶ 35.
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{¶27} In Jones, defense counsel repeatedly implied that two of the state’s
witnesses were lying during their cross-examination. Id. at ¶ 36. Because sufficient
impeachment occurred to amount to a charge of fabrication at trial, we held that
recorded statements of the state’s witnesses fell under the prior consistent statement
exception under Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b). Id. at ¶ 37. But here, unlike in Jones, there was
no charge of fabrication against Tremuhlen before these reports were admitted. In
fact, on cross-examination, Kelly’s counsel asked Tremuhlen:
KELLY’S COUNSEL: Okay. You wrote up a report after this, right?
When you found the drugs, you wrote up a report that you found them?
TREMUHLEN: Yes, ma’am.
KELLY’S COUNSEL: And [your supervisor] signed off on it, correct?
TREMUHLEN: Yes, ma’am.
{¶28} During cross-examination, Kelly’s counsel merely confirmed the
existence of these reports; she did not suggest that the reports or Tremuhlen’s
testimony regarding where the baggie was found were false. Though Kelly’s testimony
later contradicted Tremuhlen’s version of events, the state did not offer these reports
as exhibits in response to Kelly’s testimony. Instead, the state offered these reports as
exhibits during redirect examination of Tremuhlen. Thus, these reports were used to
bolster Tremuhlen’s testimony and not to rebut a charge of fabrication. The prior
consistent statement exception under Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b) is therefore inapplicable
here.
{¶29} But, “[g]enerally, where inadmissible hearsay is duplicative of
admissible evidence elicited from the declarant, who was cross-examined on the
matter, and the admissible evidence is sufficient to establish the elements of the
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
offense, the error in the admission of the hearsay is deemed to be harmless.” Trusty,
1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-120378 and C-120386, 2013-Ohio-3548, at ¶ 47. The strip-
search and contraband reports were duplicative of the admissible testimony elicited
from Tremuhlen. And the admissible evidence as a whole was sufficient to establish
the elements of possession of cocaine, as will be discussed in more detail below. We
hold that any error made by the trial court in admitting this hearsay evidence was
harmless and therefore overrule Kelly’s first assignment of error.
Sufficiency and Manifest Weight
{¶30} Next, Kelly argues his conviction for possession of cocaine was not
supported by sufficient evidence and against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶31} To determine whether a conviction is supported by sufficient evidence,
we inquire “whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the
crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574
N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus; see State v. Curry, 1st Dist.
Hamilton No. C-190107, 2020-Ohio-1230, ¶ 11. In reviewing the legal sufficiency of
the evidence, we consider all of the evidence presented at trial, regardless of whether
it was admitted in error. State v. Brewer, 121 Ohio St.3d 202, 2009-Ohio-593, 903
N.E.2d 284, ¶ 17-20.
{¶32} But when reviewing a challenge to the manifest weight of the evidence,
we sit as a “thirteenth juror.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 388, 678 N.E.2d
541 (1997). Unlike our review of a sufficiency challenge, review of a manifest-weight
challenge requires us to independently “review the entire record, weigh the evidence,
consider the credibility of the witnesses, and determine whether the trier of fact clearly
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OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice.” State v. Powell, 1st Dist.
Hamilton No. C-190508, 2020-Ohio-4283, ¶ 16, citing Thompkins at 397. However,
we will reverse the trial court’s decision to convict and grant a new trial only in “
‘exceptional cases in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.’ ” State
v. Sipple, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-190462, 2021-Ohio-1319, ¶ 7, quoting State v.
Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983).
{¶33} To prove possession under R.C. 2925.11(A), the state had to
demonstrate that Kelly knowingly obtained, possessed, or used a controlled substance
or a controlled substance analog. The state presented sufficient evidence of these
elements at trial. The parties stipulated that the white chalk-like substance found in
the strip-search room was cocaine, which is a controlled substance. Termuhlen
testified that a baggie filled with a white chalk-like substance fell out of Kelly’s
underwear during his strip-search. Rizzo also testified that the baggie was found
during Kelly’s strip-search. We also consider the strip-search and contraband reports.
This evidence coupled with Termuhlen’s and Rizzo’s testimony was sufficient to
establish that Kelly knowingly possessed cocaine.
{¶34} Kelly argues the state failed to prove knowledge. But as the state points
out, R.C. 2925.01, which defines the terms in R.C. 2925.11(A), contains no limitation
on the inferences that may be drawn when a controlled substance is present on the
defendant’s person or in his or her clothing. State v. Sparks, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2019-
CA-78, 2020-Ohio-4930, ¶ 12. There was sufficient evidence to support an inference
that Kelly knowingly possessed cocaine when Termuhlen testified, and also reported
right after the strip-search, that the baggie filled with a white chalk-like substance fell
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out of Kelly’s underwear. See id. The location of the baggie inside of Kelly’s underwear
implies some degree of knowledge of its presence.
{¶35} In addition to challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, Kelly also
invites us to reweigh the evidence presented at trial and to give more weight to his
testimony. But “it is well settled law that matters as to the credibility of witnesses are
for the trier of fact to resolve.” State v. Johnson, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-170354,
2019-Ohio-3877, ¶ 52. “Because the trier of fact sees and hears the witnesses at trial,
we must defer to the factfinder’s decisions whether, and to what extent, to credit the
testimony of particular witnesses.” Id. Thus, the jury was in the best position to
resolve matters of credibility, and we must defer to its decision to give more weight to
Tremuhlen’s testimony. Moreover, given Kelly’s location as the sole passenger in the
rear seat of the car, and testimony from Rizzo that he did not recall transporting
Adams with Kelly to the Justice Center, the jury did not act unreasonably in crediting
Tremuhlen’s testimony over Kelly’s.
{¶36} Accordingly, because Kelly’s conviction for possession of cocaine was
supported by sufficient evidence and not against the manifest weight of the evidence,
we overrule Kelly’s second and third assignments of error and affirm the judgment of
the trial court.
Conclusion
{¶37} In sum, even were we to agree with Kelly that the trial court erred in
admitting the reports compiled by Termuhlen, we hold that the trial court’s error was
harmless given that these reports were duplicative of admissible evidence elicited from
Termuhlen. We further hold that Kelly’s conviction for possession of cocaine was
supported by sufficient evidence in light of testimony by Termuhlen and Rizzo that the
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baggie was found on Kelly’s person. And Kelly’s conviction was not against the
manifest weight of the evidence, because the jury was in the best position as the fact-
finder to give more weight to Termuhlen’s testimony. Accordingly, we overrule Kelly’s
assignments of error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Judgment affirmed.
BERGERON, P.J., and CROUSE, J., concur.
Please note:
The court has recorded its own entry on the date of the release of this opinion.
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