MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Denzel Pittman of Marion has had his conviction upheld by the Third District Court of Appeals following a February jury trial that found him guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) and possessing a controlled substance.
The charges stemmed from a traffic stop during which police conducted an inventory search of Pittman’s vehicle and discovered a clear baggie containing tablets of amphetamine. Testimony during the trial revealed that a woman, who had been drinking at a bar, received a ride home from Pittman. She testified that she was intoxicated at the time and had ongoing memory issues due to previous injuries from a motorcycle accident. The woman also stated that her purse often contained various prescription medications, including Adderall prescribed for her stepson.
According to the woman’s testimony, Pittman had contacted her about returning her medication, and they had made arrangements to meet. However, he was pulled over for the OVI before he could do so. Pittman testified in his defense, claiming he found the pills scattered in his backseat and secured them in a cellophane cigarette wrapper.
Despite his defense, Pittman was convicted of a fifth-degree felony and was placed on 12 months of community control. In its decision, the Third District Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction, stating, “It was undisputed that amphetamine is a schedule II controlled substance and that Pittman possessed the tablets, which contained amphetamine. Additionally, Pittman’s own testimony showed that he knowingly possessed the tablets. Thus, evidence at trial established each of the elements of the offense.”
For the full court findings, please click the link below.