State v. Adams6/30/2004
. Appellant, Stanley T. Adams, appeals from the December 11, 2000 judgment entry of the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas, in which appellant was convicted and sentenced for murder and rape.
. On March 16, 2000, appellant was secretly indicted by the Trumbull County Grand Jury on one count of aggravated murder with specifications of aggravating circumstances, in violation of R.C. 2903.01(B) and R.C. 2929.04(A)(7), one count of rape, a felony of the first degree, in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1) and (2), and one count of aggravated arson, a felony of the first degree, in violation of R.C. 2909.02(A)(1). On March 16, 2000, appellant entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment. On March 30, 2000, appellant filed a motion to suppress statements, a motion to suppress fruits of an unconstitutional arrest, and a constitutional motion to dismiss, which were all denied. Also, on March 30, 2000, appellant filed a motion for an order directing that a complete copy of the prosecutor's file be made and turned over to the court for review and be sealed for appellate review, if necessary, as well as a motion to compel disclosure of exculpatory and impeachment evidence, which were ultimately granted.
. A jury trial commenced on October 13, 2000. The trial court sustained appellant's motion for acquittal as to the aggravated arson charge and the arson specification to the aggravated murder charge. Appellant was found guilty of the remaining aggravated murder count with an aggravated circumstance of rape and the rape charge. On November 9, 2000, appellant filed a motion for mistrial, as well as a motion for a new trial and/or judgment notwithstanding the verdict. On November 15, 2000, a judgment entry was filed, which denied appellant's motion for mistrial, but granted the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict as to the aggravated murder charge with a specification. The trial court then entered a verdict against appellant on the lesser included offense of murder pursuant to R.C. 2903.02(B), but did not disturb the jury's guilty verdict on the rape charge.
. The essential facts presented in evidence at the trial are as follows: David Taylor ("David") and Roslyn Taylor ("Roslyn") were divorced and had an unconventional relationship. Although they continued to live together, Roslyn was in the process of moving out. In addition, Tara Evans ("Tara") and Fahim Evans ("Fahim"), as well as Tracy Justice ("Justice"), lived in David's home, located at 6301 Morningside Drive, Hubbard, Ohio. David and Roslyn had problems with cocaine and alcohol. Roslyn also had problems with Valium (a muscle relaxant).
. On the night of August 4, 1999, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Roslyn and Justice, who were long time friends, went to the Motor Bar on Logan Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio. David arrived at the bar and ordered Roslyn to return home. Roslyn and Justice left the bar around 1:00 a.m. on August 5, 1999. Because Roslyn's driving was so poor, due to her consumption of alcohol and Valium, Justice asked Roslyn to stop the vehicle, and Justice drove the rest of the distance to David's home.
. About 2:00 a.m., appellant arrived at David's home with Millie Homa ("Millie") and John Gaia. Roslyn and appellant began kissing and fondling one another. Justice heard Roslyn say that she thought appellant was cute and that she was thinking about having sex with him. Roslyn later told Justice that she planned to engage in sex with appellant on David's bed.
. At approximately 2:30 a.m., David returned home. A verbal argument ensued between David and Roslyn, which escalated into a physical encounter. Justice stated that David and Roslyn pushed each other, and Ro
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