State v. Wilson - Ohio Supreme Court Opinion - Ohio Supreme Court Decision

	ROMINGER LEGAL
		Ohio Court Cases and Opinions - Ohio Legal Research
					Need Legal Help?
					Need Legal Help?
LEGAL RESEARCH CENTER
LEGAL RESEARCH CENTER			LEGAL HEADLINES - CASE LAW - LEGAL FORMS	NOT FINDING WHAT YOU NEED? -RESEARCH

This court case was taken from the web sites of the Ohio Courts. Search our site for more cases - CLICK HERE

LEGAL RESEARCH

COURT REPORTERS

PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

PROCESS SERVERS

DOCUMENT RETRIEVERS

EXPERT WITNESSES

Find a Private Investigator

Find an Expert Witness

Find a Process Server

Case Law - save on Lexis / WestLaw.

Legal News - Legal Headlines

The State of Ohio, Appellee, v. Wilson, Appellant.
[Cite as State v. Wilson (1996), _____ Ohio St.3d ____.]
Criminal law -- Aggravated murder -- Death penalty upheld, when.

(No. 94-2537--Submitted November 14, 1995--Decided January 24, 1996.)
Appeal from the Court of Appeals for Lorain County, No. 92CA005396.

In Elyria, on Saturday, May 4, 1991, around 1:30 p.m., defendant-appellant,
Daniel Wilson, killed Carol Lutz by locking her in the trunk of her car, puncturing
the gas tank, and setting the car on fire. Wilson then walked away, allowing Carol
Lutz to be baked alive.

On the previous afternoon, Wilson was drinking at the Empire Tavern, a bar
he frequented. Between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., he went to the home of Angie
Shelton, a girl he dated. As they argued, Wilson got mad, "slammed" her "against
the wall," threw her on the bed, and "went to hit" her. Shelton told him that if he
hit her, she "would be the last person that he hit." Wilson then left, and later
returned to the Empire Tavern.

That evening, Carol Lutz drove her 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass to the Empire
Tavern to meet Douglas Pritt, an old boyfriend, and Wilson, apparently a new

friend. Pritt, Lutz and Wilson played pool and drank together. Pritt left the bar
sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Lutz left close to 2:30 a.m., and
Wilson left right after she did. According to Wilson's confession, Lutz offered
him a ride home. She drove with him to the trailer where he lived. Once there,
they drank one or two beers. Wilson vaguely recalled driving to Lorain to search
for a party, and stopping at his father's house.

Darlene DeBolt, a service station cashier in Stow, stated that Wilson
stopped at the station around 5:55 a.m. on May 4. He was driving a black
Oldsmobile Cutlass and appeared to be alone. DeBolt did not hear any noise
coming from the Oldsmobile. Wilson told DeBolt, an old friend, that the car was
his, that he had just driven from Canada, and that he "stopped a few states back for
a few beers." DeBolt smelled alcohol on him. Wilson tried to get DeBolt to go
out with him and was "persistent and pushy." DeBolt refused to leave work and
after sixty or ninety minutes, Wilson left.

When Wilson woke up on May 4, around 7:30-8:00 a.m., he was in a
parking lot, sitting in the driver's seat of Lutz's Oldsmobile. Lutz, who was

2

locked in the trunk, asked him to let her out, but he did not. Wilson could not
recall how she got there. He drove to various places including a park where he
took a walk. He remembers thinking, "How am I going to get out of this?"
Throughout this time, Lutz remained locked in the trunk.

Later that morning, Wilson drove to a school and parked the Oldsmobile.
After awhile he took off the gas cap, stuffed a rag in the open neck of the gas tank
and lit the rag. This time, the fire burned out. Lutz told him "she really had to go
to the bathroom." He "took the rag back out" of the gas tank and "let her [out to]
go to the bathroom."

When he "told her to get back" in the trunk, "she stood there--she begged
and pleaded with me. She begged--she'd turn around for 30 seconds and let me
run like hell." Lutz told Wilson, "she'd go home and forget about it." Wilson
didn't believe her and thought to himself, "How can you forget about being locked
in a trunk?" Wilson stated that he did not just leave her in the trunk because he
"figured somebody would find her ***. She'd get out and tell who I was."

3

When Wilson told her to get back in the trunk a second time, she complied.
She sat in the trunk for fifteen to twenty minutes with the lid up. They talked, and
"[s]he asked me why don't I just let her go?" He "even gave her a cigarette."
Then he closed the trunk lid, "poked a hole in the gas tank," stuffed a towel or
blanket into the gas tank, "let it soak with gas *** and *** lit it." Then he
"walked away from the car" and went to a nearby park.

While out driving that day, Janette Patton and her mother noticed smoke
and saw Lutz's Oldsmobile enveloped in fire. Within a short time, an ambulance
arrived. A paramedic opened a door to check for people and saw that there were
none in the passenger compartment.

At 1:34 p.m., the Elyria Fire Department responded to reports of a car fire.
Firemen extinguished the fire and forced open the trunk of the Oldsmobile. Steam
and smoke poured from the opened trunk obscuring their view. When firemen
extinguished the remaining flames, they found Lutz's body.

Lutz died from third-degree burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Her
body was almost totally covered with third-degree burns. Her clothing and hair

4

had mostly burned off. Portions of her skin "had burst open as a result of the
buildup of heat in the tissues of the body." Lutz's body had been, essentially,
cooked "in a metal container just as if it were in an oven." Her soot-covered body
emitted a petroleum odor. Lutz had no alcohol in her system, nor had she eaten
recently.

An arson investigator estimated that the flames could have heated the trunk
to over 550 degrees, which could cause combustibles there to ignite and catch fire.
There were no holes in the trunk, but there was a puncture in the gas tank.
Investigators found a gas cap under the driver's seat and a tire iron and cross bar
in the back seat. Several samples of materials taken from inside the car tested
positive for kerosene.

Police detective Ray Riley traced the car to Carol Lutz and learned that she
had last been seen with Wilson at the Empire Tavern. On May 9, police took
Wilson into custody. Riley interviewed Wilson after advising him of his Miranda
rights. Wilson waived his rights and agreed to talk with the police. Riley tape-
recorded the interview. Wilson confessed to keeping Lutz locked in the trunk of

5

the Oldsmobile intermittently from 7:30 a.m. on May 4 until the time of her death.
It appears that around 1:30 p.m., he killed her by setting the Oldsmobile on fire.

The grand jury indicted Wilson on three aggravated murder counts. Count I
charged aggravated murder by prior calculation and design; Count II charged
felony-murder (kidnapping); and Count III, as amended, charged felony-murder
(aggravated arson). Each murder count had three death specifications.
Specification one charged murder to escape "detection, apprehension, trial, or
punishment" for kidnapping, specification two charged murder during kidnapping,
and specification three charged murder during an aggravated arson. Wilson was
also indicted for kidnapping (Count IV) and aggravated arson (Count V).

Wilson defended himself at trial by claiming intoxication and lack of prior
calculation and design. The jury found Wilson guilty on all counts.
Penalty Phase

At the penalty phase, the prosecutor elected to proceed to sentencing only
on Count I, prior calculation and design, and specification one, evading detection
or punishment for another offense in violation of R.C. 2929.04(A)(3).

6

Accordingly, neither the court nor jury considered the other two murder counts or
the felony-murder death penalty specifications in assessing the penalty.

At the outset of the defense's case, a forensic toxicologist explained the
effect that alcoholism has on a person's body, mind, and behavior. Linda Wilson,
Wilson's mother, David Wilson, his younger brother, and Wilson's grandfather
and aunt testified as to his childhood. Wilson's parents had two other sons,
Donald and David; Wilson was the middle child.

Wilson's alcoholic father brutalized his wife and three sons throughout
Wilson's childhood. Wilson's father would lock his sons in their bedroom at night
and refuse to let them out, even to go to the bathroom. The father teased and
belittled his sons. In drunken rages, Wilson's father would call his sons, "liars,
cheats, and thieves," accuse them of stealing things he could not find, and hit them
on their bare backsides with a leather belt. Linda Wilson testified that her husband
frequently slapped and terrorized her. When Wilson was twelve, he was arrested
for the vandalism of a friend's house. A year or so later, his mother moved out of

7

the family home. She took Donald with her, and left Wilson and David with their
father.

Wilson's father did not properly care for his sons, omitting even to buy
food. Wilson and David were forced to steal to survive. They regularly broke into
neighbors' homes to steal food or money. When he was fourteen, Wilson broke
into a neighbor's house. When the neighbor surprised him, Wilson struck the
elderly man, causing him to fall and break his hip. Wilson then ripped the phone
cord out of the wall and left. The neighbor was not found for two days and died as
a result of his injuries and the passage of time.

A juvenile court adjudged Wilson delinquent by reason of involuntary
manslaughter and remanded him to the custody of the Department of Youth
Services. Wilson spent one year in a state facility for serious offenders, and then
went to a halfway house. He fared well at both facilities. Although Wilson was
initially reluctant to accept responsibility for his neighbor's death, he did so
eventually.

8

Days before reaching the age of seventeen, Wilson went to live with Shirley
Spinney, a foster parent. Wilson adjusted well to living with Spinney. He
graduated from high school, with a B average, and worked part-time while in
school. After high school, Wilson continued to live with Spinney even after
released from the custody of Youth Services. Wilson attended college for two
semesters while continuing to work. Spinney described Wilson as incredibly
compassionate, sensitive and considerate. Ultimately, Spinney discovered Wilson
had a serious drinking problem. At times, he got very drunk and would call her,
and she would get him and take him home.

In 1988, Spinney's other foster child, Mark, was killed in an accident.
Wilson was devastated by Mark's death and he began to drink more heavily. His
girlfriend noted that Mark's death had a strong impact on Wilson and that he
seemed like a different person when he was drinking. The next year, Wilson left
Spinney's home to live with friends. He next moved in with his mother and
grandfather, sleeping in a camper behind their house. While there, he attempted to
expunge his juvenile record and made plans to join the Navy.

9

In an unsworn statement, Wilson asserted that his father "could do no
wrong" in his eyes. In spite of all the terrible things his father had done, he liked
and spent a lot of time with him. Wilson described his juvenile arrest and his
incarceration. He also described the positive influence of Spinney and the
progress he made while living with her. Wilson stated that after Mark died, he
gave up on life. He denied that he "intended to hurt" Lutz, and said, "I still do not
know why I reacted the way I did." He "would like to say to her family [he is]
sorry." Wilson said he did not want to die, and asked for another chance at life.

Dr. James Eisenberg, a psychologist, examined Wilson and made the
following findings. Wilson is above average in intelligence and has difficulty
becoming emotionally involved with others. Wilson's lifestyle was marked by
"strong dependency needs, maladjustment and chaos." He suffered from alcohol
dependence and a "mixed personality disorder with borderline and antisocial
features." Wilson was the product of a "classic dysfunctional family marked by
physical, emotional and psychological abuse," but he still identified with his
father, not his "battered" mother. Wilson knew right from wrong, and his ability
10

to conform to the law was not impaired. Wilson could adjust and function in an
institutional setting.

In rebuttal, Martha Lutz, Carol's mother, testified about the devastating
impact of Carol's death on the family. They had been very close and had done
many things together, including shopping together frequently. Martha stated that
she has a "broken heart that's never going to heal" and misses Carol a lot, since
"[s]he was our only daughter."

The jury recommended the death penalty. The trial court agreed and
sentenced Wilson to death for aggravated murder and imprisonment for the
kidnapping and aggravated arson. The court of appeals affirmed the convictions
and death sentence.

The cause is now before this court upon an appeal as of right.
_______________________

Gregory A. White, Lorain County Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.

David H. Bodiker, Ohio Public Defender, Linda E. Prucha and Joseph A.
Wilhelm, Assistant Public Defenders, for appellant.
11

_______________________

WRIGHT, J. We are required by R.C. 2929.04(A) to review Wilson's twenty-
eight propositions of law. Many of these legal issues have been decided in prior
cases and will be handled summarily. State v. Poindexter (1986), 36 Ohio St.3d 1,
3, 520 N.E.2d 568, 570. We must also make an independent review of the record
to determine whether the aggravating circumstance outweighs the mitigating
factors beyond a reasonable doubt. Finally, we must decide whether the sentence
of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases.

For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the convictions and sentence of
death.
I
Voir Dire / Jury Issues

In his first proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court denied him
due process by not allowing him to individually voir dire prospective jurors about
specific mitigating factors. Wilson argues he should have been allowed to ask
what each prospective juror thought about each of several statutory mitigating
12

factors (R.C. 2929.04 [B][1]-[4]) as well as fourteen individually tailored "other
factors."

Wilson relies strongly on Morgan v. Illinois (1992), 504 U.S. 719, 112 S.Ct.
2222, 119 L.Ed.2d 492. In Morgan, the United States Supreme Court held that the
trial court, at an accused's request, must ask prospective jurors about their views
on capital punishment in an attempt to ascertain whether any of them would
automatically vote for the death penalty regardless of the circumstances. The
court held that the voir dire was inadequate to detect such jurors and reversed the
death sentence. An earlier United States Supreme Court decision had held that
asking jurors whether they were opposed to the death penalty did not violate an
accused's constitutional rights. Lockhart v. McCree (1986), 476 U.S. 162, 106
S.Ct. 1758, 90 L.Ed.2d 137.

In a recent case the United States Supreme Court held that a trial judge's
refusal to voir dire individual jurors about the contents of news reports each juror
had read did not violate the Constitution. Mu'Min v. Virginia (1991), 500 U.S.
415, 111 S.Ct. 1899, 114 L.Ed.2d 493. The court stated that a trial court has
13

"great latitude in deciding what questions should be asked on voir dire." Mu'Min,
500 U.S. at 424, 111 S.Ct. at 1904, 114 L.Ed.2d at 505. See Annotation (1994),
114 L.Ed.2d 763. Deciding "issues raised in voir dire in criminal cases has long
been held to be within the discretion of the trial judge." State v. Beuke (1988), 38
Ohio St.3d 29, 39, 526 N.E.2d 274, 285. See Rosales-Lopez v. United States
(1981), 451 U.S. 182, 101 S.Ct. 1629, 68 L.Ed.2d 22.

We find no abuse of discretion in this case. Here, the trial court allowed
individual voir dire in the death-qualification process. The trial judge asked the
prospective jurors approximately twenty questions about their views on capital
punishment, the basis of those views, their willingness to consider mitigating
evidence, the death penalty, and their commitment to follow instructions as given.
The trial court also allowed counsel to inquire into these matters.

Morgan does not require judges to allow individual voir dire on separate
mitigating factors. The detailed questioning that occurred in this case was
adequate to expose faults that would render a juror ineligible. See State v. Rogers
14

(1985), 17 Ohio St.3d 174, 17 OBR 414, 478 N.E.2d 984, paragraph three of the
syllabus. Morgan imposes no further requirements on voir dire.

Moreover, we have rejected past efforts to find an abuse of discretion in
similar circumstances. See State v. Bedford (1988), 39 Ohio St.3d 122, 129, 529
N.E.2d 913, 920. "Jurors weigh mitigating factors together, not singly, and do so
collectively as a jury in the context of a penalty hearing. Realistically, jurors
cannot be asked to weigh specific factors until they have heard all the evidence
and been fully instructed on the applicable law." State v. Lundgren (1995), 73
Ohio St.3d 474, 481, 653 N.E.2d 304, 315. Further, a juror need not give any
weight to any particular mitigating factor although instructed to consider such
factors. "[E]vidence of an offender's history, background and character" not
found mitigating "need be given little or no weight against the aggravating
circumstances." State v. Stumpf (1987), 32 Ohio St.3d 95, 512 N.E.2d 598,
paragraph two of the syllabus. See State v. Steffen (1987), 31 Ohio St.3d 111, 31
OBR 273, 509 N.E.2d 383, paragraph two of the syllabus. We find that Wilson's
first proposition of law lacks merit.
15

In his fourth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
allowing the prosecutor to ask questions about "victim's rights" during general
voir dire. At various times, the prosecutor asked jurors about their "perceptions"
of the criminal justice system. He followed up by asking whether any jurors had
heard or thought about "victim's rights" and what their thoughts were on that
subject. The prosecutor's questions were deliberately brief, open-ended, and
nonjudgmental. He did not attempt to explain "victim's rights," indoctrinate the
jurors, inflame the jurors, or improperly appeal to community sentiment.

We do not find these limited voir dire questions to be improper.
Newspapers and other media frequently discuss the criminal justice system and
"victim's rights." Such limited, open-ended questions could uncover biased or
unsuitable jurors. Trial judges have discretion over voir dire and are not required
to exclude all possibly controversial topics. State v. Bedford, 39 Ohio St.3d at
129, 529 N.E.2d at 920; Rosales-Lopez v. United States, supra. The trial court did
not abuse its discretion by allowing the prosecutor's limited questioning about the
criminal justice system or "victim's rights."
16

In his tenth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the prosecutor "destroyed
the presumption of innocence" and "asked the jurors during voir dire to commit
themselves to the *** death penalty." Viewed in the context of the entire voir
dire, the prosecutor's questions were not an attempt to destroy Wilson's
presumption of innocence. Instead, the prosecutor tried to determine whether
jurors could recommend the death penalty if the accused were convicted as
charged, and if the aggravating circumstance were found to outweigh the
mitigating factors. Although the prosecutor inartfully used the terms "presume"
and "presuming" in connection with guilt, Wilson did not object and therefore
waived that issue. Moreover, the context shows that the prosecutor meant
"assume" and "assuming," not "presume" and "presuming." The trial court fully
instructed the jury on the accused's presumption of innocence. The state's
imprecise language did not affect that presumption.

The prosecutor did not wrongfully attempt to commit jurors to imposing the
death penalty. Instead, the prosecutor attempted to discover whether a juror could,
in an actual case and not on an abstract level, sign a death penalty verdict if that
17

juror found that the aggravating circumstance outweighed the mitigating factors.
As the trial court noted, "the point *** is can jurors distinguish between that
which is philosophical and abstract and that which is real." Such questions are
proper; thus, we reject Wilson's tenth proposition of law. State v. Lorraine
(1993), 66 Ohio St.3d 414, 424-425, 613 N.E.2d 212, 221; State v. Evans (1992),
63 Ohio St.3d 231, 249-250, 586 N.E.2d 1042, 1057-1058.

In his ninth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
not granting a change of venue or allowing sufficient voir dire to identify biased
jurors. Yet, Wilson failed to show any basis for a change in venue. Moreover, the
trial court adequately and individually questioned jurors on pretrial publicity, and
Wilson's counsel had ample opportunity to inquire further. Of the jurors that sat,
only three had read or heard anything beyond headlines or TV reports, and none
had an opinion about the accused's guilt. Finally, "[a]ny decision on changing
venue rests largely in the discretion of the trial court." State v. Landrum (1990),
53 Ohio St.3d 107, 116, 559 N.E.2d 710, 722. Thus, we find Wilson's ninth
proposition of law lacks merit.1
18

In his eleventh proposition of law, Wilson contends that the trial court
improperly used the Wainwright constitutional standard to death-qualify the jury.
Wainwright v. Witt (1985), 469 U.S. 412, 105 S.Ct. 844, 83 L.Ed.2d 841.
However, the trial court correctly used the Wainwright standard. See State v. Tyler
(1990), 50 Ohio St.3d 24, 30, 553 N.E.2d 576, 586; State v. Scott (1986), 26 Ohio
St.3d 92, 96-97, 26 OBR 79, 83, 497 N.E.2d 55, 59-60; State v. Rogers, 17 Ohio
St.3d 174, 17 OBR 414, 478 N.E.2d 984, paragraph three of the syllabus.

In his twelfth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
rejecting challenges to prospective jurors Sibley and Clutter and juror Edwards.
The standard of review in this respect is that "`[d]eference must be paid to the trial
judge who sees and hears the juror.' *** We will not overrule his decision absent
an abuse of discretion." State v. Tyler, 50 Ohio St.3d at 30, 553 N.E.2d at 586.
We have reviewed the transcript and find no abuse of discretion.2

In his thirteenth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the prosecutor
peremptorily excused prospective juror Bruce on racial grounds. Obviously,
jurors cannot be excused based on racial considerations. Batson v. Kentucky
19

(1986). However, the prosecutor explained in race-neutral terms that he
challenged Bruce based on Bruce's equivocation about the death penalty. The
record supports the state's claim. When asked if he would fairly consider that
penalty, Bruce said, "Yes, I guess. I'm not sure about that." When asked whether
he could sign a death verdict, Bruce replied, "I really don't know." In response to
the same line of questioning he said, "I think so" and "I can't say I can. I guess if I
have the evidence and listen to the evidence, I could." In the face of such
responses, the prosecutor's peremptory challenge was appropriate. Wilson's
thirteenth proposition of law lacks merit. See State v. Hernandez (1992), 63 Ohio
St.3d 577, 589 N.E.2d 1310.

In proposition of law fourteen, Wilson argues that the trial court erred when
the court passed out notebooks and told jurors they could take notes during the
trial. Wilson did not object to the notetaking or the jury instructions on notetaking
thereby waiving all but plain error. A trial court can exercise its discretion and
allow jurors to take notes. See State v. Loza (1994), 71 Ohio St.3d 61, 74, 641
N.E.2d 1082, 1099; State v. Williams (1992), 80 Ohio App.3d 648, 610 N.E.2d
20

545. The court adequately instructed the jury and emphasized that notes were to
assist the jury, not a primary objective; that taking notes should not distract the
juror from paying close attention to the ongoing testimony; and that "[y]our
primary objective is to hear evidence and testimony as it comes to you from the
witness stand." Thus, we find no plain error with respect to the notetaking by the
jurors and reject Wilson's proposition of law fourteen.
II
Evidence Issues

In his eighth proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred by
not suppressing his confession. He claims that he asked for an attorney and didn't
receive one, that his confession was involuntary, and that his mental faculties were
impaired at the time of his confession. The recorded interviews indicate that
Detective Riley advised Wilson of his Miranda rights and that Wilson waived
those rights and agreed to talk with the police. Wilson claims that he asked for a
lawyer when the recorder was turned off, that Riley promised to help him if he
confessed, and that Riley threatened Wilson with the "electric chair" if he did not
21

confess. Riley denied all of these claims. Wilson said he had had a beer and
smoked two marijuana cigarettes earlier that afternoon, but Riley found Wilson
alert and in control of his mental faculties.

"[T]he weight of the evidence and credibility of witnesses are primarily for
the trier of the facts. *** This principle is applicable to suppression hearings as
well as trials." State v. Fanning (1982), 1 Ohio St.3d 19, 20, 1 OBR 57, 58, 437
N.E.2d 583, 584. The trial court specifically found in its entry denying Wilson's
motion to suppress that Wilson "knowingly and intelligently waived his right
against self-incrimination" and that his statements "were voluntarily made."
Further, the accused's asserted intake of one beer and "two joints" did not prevent
him from being able to make "a knowing, voluntary and intelligent waiver of his
rights." Further the trial court found that Wilson never invoked his right to
counsel "[d]ue to the inconsistencies" in his testimony. The taped interviews and
testimony support those findings. State v. Mills (1992), 62 Ohio St.3d 357, 366,
582 N.E.2d 972, 982; State v. Smith (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 284, 288, 574 N.E.2d
510, 515. Accordingly, we reject Wilson's eighth proposition of law.
22

In proposition of law fifteen, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
admitting prejudicial "other acts" testimony from Angie Shelton and Darlene
DeBolt. On the evening of May 3, Wilson had argued with Shelton, his girlfriend,
and threatened to hit her. On May 4, around 6:00 a.m., Wilson dropped by the gas
station where DeBolt worked and tried to get her to go out with him. We find no
prejudicial error in the trial court's decision to allow the testimony of these
witnesses.

The state contended that Wilson's motive in kidnapping Lutz was, at least in
part, his inability to deal with female rejection. The fact that, just before meeting
Lutz, Wilson had argued with Shelton and threatened to hit her after she rejected
him arguably supports that claimed motive. Under Evid.R. 404(B), evidence of
other acts, though criminal, may be admissible as "proof of motive." See State v.
Woodard (1993), 68 Ohio St.3d 70, 73, 623 N.E.2d 75, 78.

DeBolt's testimony was clearly admissible. DeBolt placed Wilson in Lutz's
Oldsmobile between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on May 4, corroborating that part of
Wilson's confession. DeBolt describes Wilson as "persistent" and "pushy" and
23

thus never raises an "other acts" issue. In view of the overwhelming evidence of
Wilson's guilt, especially his voluntary confession, the testimony of neither
witness materially prejudiced Wilson. Thus, we reject his fifteenth proposition of
law.

In proposition of law sixteen, Wilson argues that the trial court erred by
admitting "cumulative, gruesome and inflammatory" photographs of the victim
and crime scene. These photos were also reproduced and shown as slides. Under
Evid.R. 403 and 611(A), the admission of photographs is left to the trial court's
sound discretion. State v. Slagle (1992), 65 Ohio St.3d 597, 601, 605 N.E.2d 916,
923. Nonrepetitive photographs in capital cases, even if gruesome, are admissible
as long as the probative value of each photograph outweighs the danger of
material prejudice to an accused. See State v. Maurer (1984), 15 Ohio St.3d 239,
15 OBR 379, 473 N.E.2d 768, paragraph seven of the syllabus; State v. Morales
(1987), 32 Ohio St.3d 252, 257, 513 N.E.2d 267, 273.

The trial court properly admitted these photographs and slides. The two
photographs of Lutz's body illustrate the coroner's testimony, are nonrepetitive,
24

and each has probative value greater than any prejudicial effect. Two other
photographs, also admissible, show Lutz's body at the scene after the fire was
extinguished. Both photographs illustrate testimony and help to demonstrate
Wilson's intent and the extent of Lutz's injuries. The remaining photographs
under objection are relevant, nonobjectionable, and not even gruesome, since they
do not contain a body. See State v. DePew (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 275, 281, 528
N.E.2d 542, 550-551. Thus, we find that proposition of law sixteen lacks merit.

In proposition of law seventeen, Wilson argues plain error, contesting the
admission of testimony from the coroner and three witnesses who were at the
scene of the burning car. The coroner testified about Lutz's injuries and
confirmed that carbon monoxide and third degree burns had caused her death.
Patton described the fire and the pictures she had taken of the burning car, helping
to confirm the fire's origin and intensity. The paramedic described the fire and his
confirmation at the scene that no one was in the passenger compartment of the
car. A fire department captain described the fire fighting efforts, the car's damage,
and the body in the trunk.
25

Wilson did not object to these witnesses at trial, thereby waiving this issue
absent plain error. The testimony from these witnesses was relatively brief,
relevant, and not unfairly prejudicial to the accused under Evid.R. 403(A), which
states that even relevant evidence must be excluded "if its probative value is
substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice *** ." The
overwhelming evidence of Wilson's guilt, including his confession, precluded any
material prejudice from this factual testimony. Wilson did object to the photos
and a few questions that were asked of the coroner, but those objections lack
merit.

Wilson offered, at the last moment, to stipulate to the victim's identity; the
state did not agree to the stipulation. Testimony from two dentists establishing
Lutz's identity was proper, nonprejudicial, and not inflammatory. Thus, we find
Wilson's claim of error, with respect to these witnesses, lacks merit.
III
Guilt Phase Instructions
26

In propositions of law eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, and twenty-
five, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in giving guilt phase instructions.
Wilson failed to object at trial to the instructions he now contests in propositions
of law eighteen and nineteen. He also failed to object with specificity to the
instruction contested in proposition of law twenty-five. Thus, he waived all but
plain error. State v. Underwood (1983), 3 Ohio St.3d 12, 3 OBR 360, 444 N.E.2d
1332, syllabus. We find no plain error as to those issues. As to proposition
twenty, Wilson argues correctly that the trial court erred in shifting the burden of
proof as to "knowledge." Except on that point, Wilson's propositions twenty and
twenty-one also lack merit.

In proposition of law eighteen, Wilson argues plain error because the trial
court instructed, "[t]he purpose with which a person does an act or brings about a
result is determined from the manner in which it is done, the means used and all of
the other facts and circumstances in evidence." We reject Wilson's claim that
these words relieved the prosecutor of his burden of proof or created a mandatory
presumption. State v. Montgomery (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 410, 414-415, 575
27

N.E.2d 167, 171-172; State v. Price (1979), 60 Ohio St.2d 136, 141, 14 O.O.3d
379, 382, 398 N.E.2d 772, 775.

The court further instructed that no one "may be convicted of Aggravated
Murder unless he's specifically found to have intended to cause the death of
another." The instructions on prior calculation and design also amplified the
court's instructions on "purpose." When the instructions are viewed in context,
Wilson's claim of error, plain or otherwise, lacks merit.

In proposition of law nineteen, Wilson argues plain error because of the trial
court's following definitions of "purpose" which Wilson contends are
"incongruous": "A person acts purposely when it is his specific intention to cause
a certain result. It must be established in this case that at the time in question there
was present in the mind of the Defendant a specific intention to cause the death of
another. *** A person acts purposely, when the gist of the offense is a
prohibition against conduct of a certain nature, regardless of what the offender
intends to accomplish thereby, if it is his specific intention to engage in conduct of
that nature."
28

Admittedly, the "gist of the offense" language is confusing in a murder
prosecution which requires "purpose." See State v. Carter (1995), 72 Ohio St.3d
545, 552-553, 651 N.E.2d 965, 973-974; R.C. 2901.22(A); 4 Ohio Jury
Instructions (1995) 52, 409.01(3)(Comment). In the context of all the instructions
given the jury, the court provided adequate instructions on the element of specific
intent to kill. State v. Price, 60 Ohio St.2d at 140-141, 14 O.O.3d at 381-382, 398
N.E.2d at 775; State v. Martens (1993), 90 Ohio App.3d 338, 349-350, 629 N.E.2d
462, 469-470. Given the evidence, including Wilson's confession, the jury could
not have based its decision on the "gist of the offense" language. No "outcome-
determinative" plain error occurred. We, therefore, reject proposition of law
nineteen.

In proposition of law twenty, Wilson first argues that the trial court erred in
refusing his request to instruct the jury on intoxication as it relates to aggravated
murder and arson. Whether to instruct on intoxication as a defense rests within a
trial court's sound discretion. State v. Wolons (1989), 44 Ohio St.3d 64, 541
N.E.2d 443, paragraph two of the syllabus; State v. Fox (1981), 68 Ohio St.2d 53,
29

22 O.O.3d 259, 428 N.E.2d 410; Nichols v. State (1858), 8 Ohio St. 435,
paragraph two of the syllabus. Such an instruction is not required, since
"[i]ntoxication is easily simulated" and is "often voluntarily induced for the sole
purpose of nerving a wicked heart[.]" Nichols, 8 Ohio St. at 439. As discussed
infra, the court did instruct on intoxication as to the kidnapping offense and
specifications.

Moreover, the evidence does not reasonably raise the intoxication issue as
to the aggravated murder or arson. Wilson cites much evidence from the trial to
show how much alcohol he drank up to 2:30 a.m. on May 4. However, aside from
one or two beers at his trailer around 3:00 a.m., there was no evidence at trial that
indicated Wilson drank anything after that time. The murder occurred around 1:30
p.m., eleven hours after the Empire Tavern closed and at least eight hours after
Wilson's last beer. During this time, Wilson walked, slept, drove to various
places, and talked with DeBolt at 6:00 a.m. in Stow for sixty to ninety minutes.
His own confession reflects that he knew exactly what he was doing after 7:30
a.m. Lacking evidence of intoxication, the court did not err in declining to instruct
30

on intoxication as to the events that directly preceded Lutz's death. See State v.
Hicks (1989), 43 Ohio St.3d 72, 538 N.E.2d 1030, syllabus.

In proposition of law twenty, Wilson further argues that the trial court erred
in instructing the jury, over objection, that he had the burden of proof to establish
that his intoxication negated the "knowledge" element in the kidnapping. This
contention relates solely to the kidnapping conviction. Wilson makes no claim
that any error affects the remaining charges or the death penalty.

The court instructed: "Intoxication is not an excuse ***, [but] such
evidence is admissible for the purpose of showing that the Defendant was so
intoxicated that he was incapable of having the knowledge to commit the offense
of Kidnapping. Knowledge is the element of this offense; and intoxication ***
can co-exist with knowledge. *** On this issue, the burden of proof is upon the
Defendant to establish by a preponderance or greater weight of the evidence that at
the time in question he was so influenced by alcohol that he was incapable of
having the knowledge to commit the offense. If you find by a preponderance or
greater weight of the evidence that the Defendant was incapable of having the
31

knowledge to commit the offense, then you must find the Defendant was not guilty
of the offense of Kidnapping because Knowledge is an essential element of the
offense[,] as I have previously instructed you." (Emphasis added.)

As the court instructed, "knowledge" is an element of kidnapping. Due
process requires the prosecution to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, every
element of the crime charged. In re Winship (1970), 397 U.S. 358, 90 S.Ct. 1068,
25 L.Ed.2d 368. Due process prohibits requiring an accused to disprove an
element of the crime charged. Mullaney v. Wilbur (1975), 421 U.S. 684, 95 S.Ct.
1881, 44 L.Ed.2d 508. This instruction is unconstitutional under Winship because
it required Wilson to disprove "knowledge," which is an element of the offense of
kidnapping. R.C. 2905.01(B). The burden of proof cannot be placed on a
defendant to disprove an element of an offense. Mullaney, supra. Nevertheless,
we find the error to be harmless under the facts of this case since the kidnapping
of Lutz continued into the late morning and early afternoon. At that point, he
clearly knew what he was doing and intoxication would not reasonably be
available as a defense to negate "knowledge."
32

No other offenses are affected by this instructional deficiency, since this
instruction on intoxication involved only the kidnapping. The felony-murder
counts and kidnapping penalty specifications played no role at all in the penalty
phase. The death penalty was imposed solely on Count I and specification one.

In proposition of law twenty-one, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
refusing his request to instruct on murder as a lesser included offense. However, a
charge on a "lesser included offense is required only where the evidence presented
at trial would reasonably support both an acquittal on the crime charged and a
conviction upon the lesser included offense." State v. Thomas (1988), 40 Ohio
St.3d 213, 533 N.E.2d 286, paragraph two of the syllabus. Here the evidence did
not reasonably raise murder as a lesser included offense.

No evidence exists that indicates that Wilson had anything to drink after
approximately 2:30 a.m. Wilson knew Lutz was locked in the trunk at 7:30 a.m.
In the hours after that, he drove and walked around, kept Lutz locked in the trunk,
and thought about what he was going to do. It appears that by 1:00 p.m., he had
decided to kill her and to that end set fire to a rag stuffed into the gas tank. That
33

time, the fire went out. He next let Lutz out of the trunk and talked with her for
fifteen to twenty minutes before forcing her back in the car trunk. This time he
punctured the gas tank before lighting the rag. The fire caught and Lutz was
burned to death. Evidence of prior calculation and design is overwhelming, and a
jury could not reasonably find him guilty of murder but not guilty of aggravated
murder. Thus, the trial judge did not err in refusing to instruct on murder as a
lesser included offense. See State v. Evans, 63 Ohio St.3d at 245, 586 N.E.2d at
1054-1055; State v. Tyler, 50 Ohio St. 3d at 36, 553 N.E.2d at 591.

We summarily reject Wilson's proposition of law twenty-five, which
challenges Ohio's statutory reasonable doubt instruction used at the guilt and
penalty phases. State v. Van Gundy (1992), 64 Ohio St.3d 230, 594 N.E.2d 604;
State v. Nabozny (1978), 54 Ohio St.2d 195, 8 O.O.3d 181, 375 N.E.2d 784,
paragraph two of the syllabus. Moreover, it should be noted that Wilson failed to
object and waived the issue. State v. Underwood, 3 Ohio St.3d 12, 3 OBR 360,
444 N.E.2d 1332, syllabus; Crim.R. 30(A).
IV
34

Effective Assistance of Counsel

In proposition of law twenty-four, Wilson argues that he was denied his
right to the effective assistance of counsel at trial. Wilson did not raise this claim
before the court of appeals and thus waived this issue. State v. Williams (1977),
51 Ohio St.2d 112, 5 O.O.3d 98, 364 N.E.2d 1364. Moreover, reversal of
convictions on ineffective assistance requires that the defendant show, first, "that
counsel's performance was deficient"and, second, "that the deficient performance
prejudiced the defense *** so *** as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial."
Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2064, 80
L.Ed.2d 674, 693; State v. Bradley (1989), 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373.

Wilson challenges his counsel's decisions on numerous issues. We find that
each of those decisions was the product of reasonable professional judgment.
Additionally, as to all of these issues, Wilson has not established prejudice, i.e., "a
reasonable probability that, were it not for counsel's errors, the result of the trial
would have been different." Bradley, paragraph three of the syllabus. Thus, we
find that proposition of law twenty-four lacks merit.
35

V
Constitutional Issues

Proposition of law twenty-two challenges the death-penalty felony-murder
provisions, but it lacks both merit and relevance. State v. Henderson (1988), 39
Ohio St.3d 24, 528 N.E.2d 1237, paragraph one of the syllabus. Wilson's
arguments in proposition of law twenty-seven challenging Ohio's proportionality
review lack merit. State v. Green (1993), 66 Ohio St.3d 141, 151, 609 N.E.2d
1253, 1261; State v. Steffen, 31 Ohio St.3d 111, 31 OBR 273, 509 N.E.2d 383,
paragraph one of the syllabus. We summarily reject Wilson's constitutional
arguments in propositions of law twenty-two, twenty-seven and twenty-eight.
State v. Poindexter, 36 Ohio St.3d 1, 520 N.E.2d 568, syllabus.
VI
Sentence Issues

In his second proposition of law, Wilson challenges the constitutionality of
appellate sentence reweighing in death penalty cases and seeks to sharply restrict
the use of appellate reweighing to determine sentence appropriateness. Wilson
36

further argues that appellate reweighing is speculative and improper when an error
is based upon inadmissible evidence. However, we find Wilson's second
proposition of law lacks merit.

At the sentencing proceedings, the jury and judge became aware that Wilson
had been earlier adjudged a delinquent child for an involuntary manslaughter.
Wilson starts his arguments against reweighing with the erroneous assumption that
the court improperly admitted evidence of his juvenile criminal history. The trial
transcript demonstrates that Wilson mentioned his juvenile record and introduced
evidence of that record at sentencing. Having invited any error, he cannot now
complain. Center Ridge Ganley, Inc. v. Stinn (1987), 31 Ohio St.3d 310, 31 OBR
587, 511 N.E.2d 106. The trial jury properly considered the defense evidence.
See discussion of Wilson's fifth proposition of law, infra.

However, we agree that the trial court in its sentencing opinion improperly
injected Wilson's juvenile record into the weighing process as a nonstatutory
aggravating circumstance. In justifying the death penalty, and explaining why the
aggravating circumstance outweighed mitigating factors, the trial court stated:
37

"Defendant's total disregard for the suffering of his victim(s) in the present case
and in his juvenile adjudication finding him delinquent by reason of involuntary
manslaughter. *** Defendant's actions in both cases support the aggravating
circumstance in that defendant acted in order to prevent the victim from seeking
assistance in order to avoid detection, apprehension, trial or punishment." The
court of appeals recognized the trial court's error and took appropriate corrective
action by independently reassessing the sentence.

Wilson now challenges the authority of the court of appeals to reassess the
sentence under the circumstances. Wilson argues that appellate reweighing is
limited to situations where an aggravating circumstance has been subsequently
ruled invalid under the Eighth Amendment. His argument lacks logic and is not
based on precedent. "The independent weighing process at each appellate level
*** provides a procedural safeguard against the arbitrary imposition of the death
penalty." State v. Holloway (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 239, 527 N.E.2d 831,
paragraph two of the syllabus. We have upheld appellate reweighing in varied
situations. See, State v. Combs (1991), 62 Ohio St.3d 278, 286, 581 N.E.2d 1071,
38

1079; State v. Landrum, 53 Ohio St.3d at 124, 559 N.E.2d at 729. This court has
specifically used appellate reweighing to correct errors in a trial court's sentencing
opinion. See State v. Fox (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 183,at 190-192, 631 N.E.2d 124
at 130-131; State v. Lewis (1993), 67 Ohio St.3d 200, 204,616 N.E.2d 921, 925;
State v. Lott (1990), 51 Ohio St.3d 160, 169-170, 555 N.E.2d 293, 303-304; State
v. Maurer, 15 Ohio St.3d at 246-247, 15 OBR at 385-386, 473 N.E.2d at 777-778.
Thus, we reject Wilson's second proposition of law.

In his third proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
instructing the jury, over objection, that "[m]itigating factors are factors that, while
they do not justify or excuse the crime ***, may be considered by you as
extenuating, lessening, weakening, excusing to some extent, or reducing the
degree of the Defendant's blame or culpability." (Emphasis added.)

We agree that the trial court erred in referring to only "blame or culpability"
when explaining mitigating factors. As State v. Holloway held at paragraph one of
the syllabus, "Mitigating factors *** are not necessarily related to a defendant's
culpability but, rather, are those factors that are relevant to the issue of whether an
39

offender convicted under R.C. 2903.01 should be sentenced to death." However,
instructions must be considered as a whole, not in isolation. State v. Price, 60
Ohio St.2d 136, 14 O.O.3d 379, 398 N.E.2d 772. When considered in context, the
trial court's instructions adequately informed the jury as to the relevant mitigating
factors it must consider. The court told the jury that the "mitigating factors which
you are to weigh include but are not limited to the youth of the offender; any other
factor raised by the Defendant which may include, but is not limited to, that the
Defendant is the product of a dysfunctional family; alcoholism; ability to adjust to
a structural environment in an institutional setting; the Defendant's confession.

"Likewise, the existence of any of the mitigating factors does not preclude
or prevent the imposition of a sentence of death if you find that the aggravating
circumstance still outweighs the mitigating factors by proof beyond a reasonable
doubt.

"If, after a full and impartial consideration of all the relevant evidence ***
you are firmly convinced that the aggravating circumstance *** outweighs the
40

factors in mitigation, beyond a reasonable doubt, then the state has met its burden
of proof ***.

"If, on the other hand, you are not firmly convinced that the aggravating
circumstance *** outweighs the factors in mitigation, beyond a reasonable doubt,
then the State has not met its burden of proof and the sentence of death shall not
be imposed."

Under the circumstances, we find no material prejudice resulted from use of
the words "blame" or "culpability." Taken as a whole, the jury instructions
indicate that the penalty phase was to determine Wilson's punishment, not just to
assess his blame or culpability. See State v. Woodard, 68 Ohio St.3d at 77, 623
N.E.2d at 80. The arguments of counsel reflected that view. Additionally, our
independent sentence reassessment eliminates the effect of this error. See State v.
Landrum, 53 Ohio St.3d at 124, 559 N.E.2d at 729; State v. Holloway, 38 Ohio
St.3d at 242, 527 N.E.2d at 835.

Contrary to Wilson's arguments in proposition of law twenty-three, the trial
court did not err in refusing to instruct on mercy. State v. Lorraine, 66 Ohio St.3d
41

at 417, 613 N.E.2d at 216; State v. Landrum, 53 Ohio St.3d at 123, 559 N.E.2d. at
728.

In his fifth proposition of law, Wilson argues that prosecutorial misconduct
denied him a fair penalty determination. First, Wilson argues that the prosecutor
improperly introduced Wilson's juvenile record into evidence and improperly
cross-examined defense witnesses about that record. Wilson's argument obscures
what occurred at trial.

Before trial, the prosecutor stated that he might use Wilson's prior juvenile
record "to cross-examine them [defense witnesses] regarding their knowledge of
his record." Such a comment in a pretrial conference does not constitute use of the
evidence before the jury. In fact, the record is clear that Wilson, as part of a
reasoned defense strategy, disclosed his juvenile record in his opening statement at
the sentencing proceedings and questioned his own witnesses about that juvenile
record.

Wilson's mitigation strategy involved numerous witnesses' testifying about
his childhood. His juvenile record featured prominently in his mitigation case.
42

Wilson was incarcerated at age fourteen, spent two years in institutions, and then
lived in a foster home. Wilson's "personality disorder" diagnosis depended upon
a juvenile record. According to Wilson, his father's alcoholism and neglect
directly caused his juvenile record.

Having introduced the evidence himself, Wilson cannot now complain
because the prosecutor cross-examined witnesses about his juvenile record or
mentioned it in argument. See State v. Montgomery, 61 Ohio St.3d at 418, 575
N.E.2d at 173. "A party cannot take advantage of an error he invited or induced."
State v. Seiber (1990), 56 Ohio St.3d 4, 17, 564 N.E.2d 408, 422.

Wilson's remaining prosecutorial misconduct arguments also lack merit.
"[T]he touchstone of due process analysis in cases of alleged prosecutorial
misconduct is the fairness of the trial, not the culpability of the prosecutor." Smith
v. Phillips (1982), 455 U.S. 209, 219, 102 S.Ct. 940, 947, 71 L.Ed.2d 78, 87.
"[T]here can be no such thing as an error-free, perfect trial, and *** the
Constitution does not guarantee such a trial." United States v. Hasting (1983), 461
U.S. 499, 508-509, 103 S.Ct. 1974, 1980, 76 L.Ed.2d 96, 106.
43

The prosecutor's cross-examination about people who kill strangers and
Wilson's possible future conduct was not improper given Wilson's attempt to
present himself as not dangerous when he was off alcohol. Wilson also did not
always object so as to preserve any error. The prosecutor could discredit favorable
defense childhood testimony by cross-examining witnesses about Wilson's
childhood vandalism.

Since Wilson first presented evidence that he adjusted well to
imprisonment, the prosecution could properly cross-examine a defense witness
about Wilson's attempt to escape from custody. The limited victim-impact
testimony of Lutz's mother did not violate constitutional guarantees. Mrs. Lutz
expressed no opinion about the penalty. Payne v. Tennessee (1991), 501 U.S. 808,
830, 111 S.Ct. 2597, 2611, 115 L.Ed.2d 720, 739, at fn. 2; State v. Fautenberry,
72 Ohio St.3d 435, 438, 650 N.E.2d 878, 881-882; see State v. Lorraine, 66 Ohio
St.3d at 420-421, 613 N.E.2d at 218-219.

Prosecutorial characterization of Wilson as a "walking time bomb" was not
unreasonable under the testimony given. Prosecutors can be "colorful or
44

creative." State v. Brown (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 305, 317, 528 N.E.2d 523, 538.
Prosecutors can urge the merits of their cause and legitimately argue that defense
mitigation evidence is worthy of little or no weight. The prosecutor did not err by
arguing that others with deprived childhoods do not necessarily commit such
crimes. See State v. Murphy (1992), 65 Ohio St.3d 554, 570-571, 605 N.E.2d 884,
899; State v. Richey (1992), 64 Ohio St.3d 353, 370, 595 N.E.2d 915, 929. The
trial court's sentencing instructions cured any asserted prosecutorial misstatements
of law. State v. Greer (1988), 39 Ohio St.3d 236, 251, 530 N.E.2d 382, 400.

With respect to Wilson's allegations about prosecutorial misconduct, we
find that such misconduct did not permeate the trial, and that Wilson received a
fair trial, if not a perfect one. Compare State v. Landrum, 53 Ohio St.3d at 110-
112, 559 N.E.2d. at 716-718; State v. Johnson (1989), 46 Ohio St.3d 96, 101-103,
545 N.E.2d 636, 642-643. We therefore reject Wilson's fifth proposition of law.

In his seventh proposition of law, Wilson argues that the trial court erred in
failing "to consider and give effect to his relevant mitigating evidence." Wilson
argues that the trial court's sentencing opinion did not give appropriate mitigating
45

weight to his alcoholism, confession, adaptation to incarceration, and youth.
However, the sentencing opinion shows that the court did consider all asserted
mitigating factors. "[T]he assessment and weight to be given mitigating evidence
are matters for the trial court's determination." State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d at 171,
555 N.E.2d at 305. "[E]vidence of an offender's history, background and
character which the *** trial court *** considered, but did not find to be
mitigating, need be given little or no weight against the aggravating
circumstances." State v. Stumpf, 32 Ohio St.3d 95, 512 N.E.2d 598, paragraph two
of the syllabus. See, also, State v. Steffen, 31 Ohio St.3d 111, 31 OBR 273, 509
N.E.2d 383, paragraph two of the syllabus.

The trial court's sentencing opinion indicates that the court correctly
understood the weighing process and the prosecution's burden of proof. The court
of appeals had earlier recognized and corrected the only notable error. Any
imprecision in the trial court's opinion, as well as the minor mistake regarding the
accused's age, was inconsequential. Also, our independent reassessment of the
46

sentence cures any arguable error. State v. Lott, supra. Thus, we reject Wilson's
proposition of law seven.

Wilson, in proposition of law twenty-six, argues that the trial court erred in
imposing prison sentences along with the death penalty. That claim lacks merit.
State v. Campbell (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 38, 52, 630 N.E.2d 339, 352. In addition,
Wilson cannot now complain since he failed to object at trial. State v. Williams,
51 Ohio St.2d 112, 5 O.O.3d 98, 364 N.E.2d 1364.
VII
INDEPENDENT SENTENCE ASSESSMENT

In proposition of law six, Wilson argues that the death sentence is
inappropriate for him. After independent assessment, we find that the evidence
proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, the aggravating circumstance charged against
Wilson, i.e., that he killed Lutz "for the purpose of escaping detection,
apprehension, trial, or punishment" for kidnapping Lutz. R.C. 2929.04(A)(3). We
find nothing in the nature and circumstances of the crimes themselves to be
mitigating.
47

Wilson's history and background do provide some mitigating features.
Until he was fourteen, Wilson suffered at the hands of a tyrannical, alcoholic
father, who alternatively teased, beat, and neglected his sons. His mother could do
little and ultimately abandoned him to his father. At fourteen, Wilson was
adjudged delinquent, spent two years in an institutional setting, and then lived
successfully in a foster home for four years. Undoubtedly, Wilson's "personality
disorders" resulted in part from that deprived childhood. We find all of this
entitled to some weight. However, its significance is undercut by the fact that, at
about age seventeen, Wilson had an opportunity for a fresh start in life, in a loving
home, and he failed to follow through successfully. We find nothing in Wilson's
character to be mitigating.

We accord appropriate weight to the statutory mitigating factor of age. See
R.C. 2929.04(B)(4). Wilson was twenty-one at the time of the offense. No other
statutory mitigating factor in R.C. 2929.04(B)(1)-(3), (B)(5), or (B)(6) is raised by
the evidence or applicable. As to R.C. 2929.04(B)(7), "other factors," Wilson's
anti-social and borderline personality disorders, his alcoholism, his confession,
48

and his adaptation to confinement collectively deserve some weight. However,
Wilson confessed only after he was identified and taken into custody, and thus his
confession is entitled to little weight. Personality disorders are often accorded
little weight because they are so common in murder cases. Alcoholism is of little
mitigating value here because, as we have previously discussed, Wilson's claim
that he was drunk when he killed Lutz does not hold up under examination.

In this case, the aggravating circumstance outweighs the combined
mitigating factors beyond a reasonable doubt. Wilson acted in the full light of the
afternoon, hours after waking up and thinking about his options. When weighed
against this aggravating circumstance, the mitigating factors -- his history,
background, youth, alcoholism, and the "other factors" cited -- are of minor
consequence.

The death penalty is both appropriate and proportionate when compared
with similar capital cases. State v. Lawson (1992), 64 Ohio St.3d 336, 595 N.E.2d
902; State v. Brewer (1990), 48 Ohio St.3d 50, 549 N.E.2d 491; State v. Stumpf,
32 Ohio St.3d 95, 512 N.E.2d 598.
49

The judgment of the court of appeals is affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.

MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER and FARMER, JJ., concur.

DOUGLAS, J., concurs in judgment only.

SHEILA G. FARMER, J., of the Fifth Appellate District, sitting for Cook, J.

50

FOOTNOTES:

1 All jurors denied knowledge of the events at issue in the trial, except as
indicated. Beere, "headlines" only; Edwards, heard and saw "something about it";
Schlegelmilch, "read a little bit," but had no opinion; Schuller, "read some
articles," but had no opinion; Perez, "haven't followed it much" ; Barnes, recalled
hearing about it "[a] long time ago."

2 Wilson's counsel asked Sibley what factors he would like to know about
an accused before deciding on the sentence. Sibley replied he would "like to
know about the crime" and that "would be the deciding factor" or "main thing." It
isn't possible for a prospective juror to know what, if any, mitigating factors are to
be considered before being accepted as a juror. Sibley stated he would follow the
court's instructions and not his personal views, would fairly consider mitigating
factors, and would consider penalties other than death if the evidence warranted.
We find that no basis for challenge existed.

Wilson's counsel objects to Clutter because Clutter had read about the case,
and at some point became "too disgusted" to read further. Clutter stated she could
51

not understand "why in the world anybody would burn anybody." Clutter also
stated that she had "no idea what happened" and thus had no opinion as to the
guilt or innocence of Wilson. She stated that she would not "judge anybody until"
she "hear[s] everything." She agreed to set aside any feelings of disgust, to follow
the court's instructions, and to consider mitigating evidence and penalties other
than the death penalty. The court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting Wilson's
challenge to Clutter.

Edwards expressed concern over her absence from a family business in the
event she was sequestered for "a week or something." She said, "[I]f it's more
than a couple of days, it's going to be a problem." She also stated, "As long as I
go home at night that's okay." She promised not to think about her business "in
this courtroom" and to "give this case" her "full attention." She promised to "be
here and listening" during all court sessions. Again, the court did not abuse its
discretion by rejecting this challenge.
52