Case Brief: Hamilton v. Cameron

1. HaroldSowardsII
CJ 322, Tu/Th 9:30
11/2/15
Hamilton v. Cameron
700 N.E. 2d 336 (Oh.App.3d 1997)
1. Facts
 BobbyCameronand hiswife Darlene Cameronhave argumentonFeb.22,1996 about
their12 yr oldson
 Duringsaidargument,Cameronclaims“I’dprobably have toblow yourheadoff to get
youto shut up.”
 She callsher mom,whocallshersister,whocallsthe cops to reportthe threat
 45 minuteslater,the police arrive andfindnodisturbance,howevertheyfindashotgun
and anotherone inthe closet,bothare loaded
 ComplaintfiledagainstCamerongetssignedbyDarlene sayinghe violatedR.C.2919 25
(A)(B)
 FoundguiltyinMunicipal Court,HamiltonCo.fordomesticviolence,hastopay $50 fine
pluscourt costsand hisshotgunsare confiscated
 Appeals
 Court of Appealsholdsthatthe defendantdidn’tcommitdomesticviolence and
reversedthe decisionandrepaidCameronforthe feeshe paid
2. Issue
Didthe trial court err inthe prejudice of Cameronbyfindinghimguiltyof domesticviolence
whenan essentialelementof the crime islacking?
3. Holdings
Yes,reversed
4. Reasoning
Accordingto RC 2919.25 (A) the defendantmusthave knowinglycausedorattemptedtocause,
physical harmto a familyorhouseholdmember.Physical harmisdefinedas“anyinjury,illness
or physical impairmentregardless of itsgravityordurationaccordingto RC 2901.01 (C).There is
no evidence thatCameroncausedphysical harmtoDarlene or evenanallegationbyDarlene
that she had beenphysicallyharmed.Hisstatementcanat bestbe describedasa conditional
threatand the meansto carry the threatout where availabletohim.Noevidence was
presentedthatCameronevermade amotiontowardsa shotgunor to take any actionto farther
the threat.Victimstatedshe didn’tbelieveinthe threateither.