STATE OF OHIO vs. SHYLO ROBINSON

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Robinson was charged after a fight with a woman that resulted in

damage to her property. The matter proceeded to a bench trial, after which

Robinson was found guilty and sentenced accordingly. During the course of the trial,

however, no evidence was presented as to venue. The only witness to testify was the

woman whose property was damaged.

{¶3} In his first assignment of error, Robinson claims that his conviction

was based upon insufficient evidence. In his second assignment of error, Robinson

claims that his conviction was contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence. In a

challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, the question is whether after reviewing

the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact

could have found all the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the

syllabus. In reviewing a challenge to the weight of the evidence, we must review the

entire record, weigh the evidence, consider the credibility of the witnesses, and

determine whether the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created a manifest

miscarriage of justice. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541

(1997).

{¶4} “It has been the Ohio law since 1907 that venue must be proved

beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal case.” State v. Gardner, 42 Ohio App.3d

157, 158, 536 N.E.2d 1187 (1st Dist.1987), citing State v. Gribble, 24 Ohio St.2d 85,

263 N.E.2d 904 (1970). “Although venue is not a material element of a charged

offense, the prosecution must nevertheless prove it.” State v. Richardson, 2016

OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

3

Ohio-8081, 75 N.E.3d 831, ¶ 25 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Draggo, 65 Ohio St.2d 88,

90, 418 N.E.2d 1343 (1981).

{¶5} Robinson claims that the failure to prove venue renders his conviction

improper. The state concedes the error, and we agree. Without having proven venue,

the state failed to establish an essential element of its case. Therefore, Robinson’s

conviction was based on insufficient evidence, and we sustain Robinson’s first

assignment of error. Because we have determined that Robinson’s conviction was

based on insufficient evidence, his claim raised in the second assignment of error

that it was against the manifest weight of the evidence is moot, and we decline to

address it.

We reverse the judgment convicting Robinson of criminal damaging,

and we hereby discharge him from further prosecution for that offense.



Judgment reversed and appellant discharged.