State v. Heard

Citations

• 2022 Ohio 2266

Syllabus

Felonious assault surveillance camera footage authentication of video evidence chain of custody sufficiency of evidence manifest weight of evidence. Judgment affirmed. There is sufficient evidence to sustain appellant's convictions, and his convictions are not against the manifest weight of the evidence. The nightclub's surveillance cameras captured appellant entering the venue wearing a green sweatshirt, with a large distinctive ornamental \X\ adorning the back of the garment, as well as the embellishments on the sleeve. Appellant's face was clearly visible. The surveillance cameras captured the shooting, from three different angles, wherein the appellant is easily identified as the shooter by his unique sweatshirt. The detective testified that he saw no one else on the surveillance footage wearing the same sweatshirt as appellant's. The thumb drive containing footage from the surveillance camera was properly authenticated. The general manager, who was present on the night of the shooting and regularly worked the security system, reviewed the footage with the detective. The general manager testified that the footage on the thumb drive accurately represented what the surveillance camera captured that night. Additionally, the general manager, in conjunction with the owner of the nightclub, copied the contents of the surveillance cameras onto a thumb drive and provided it to the detective. As such, we find nothing improper about the chain of command.