State v. Martin ( 2021 )


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  • [Cite as State v. Martin, 
    2021-Ohio-1615
    .]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
    SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    LUCAS COUNTY
    State of Ohio                                          Court of Appeals No. L-19-1133
    Appellee                                       Trial Court No. CR0201802792
    v.
    Kevin Martin                                           DECISION AND JUDGMENT
    Appellant                                      Decided: May 7, 2021
    *****
    Julia R. Bates, Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney, and
    Evy M. Jarrett, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.
    John F. Potts, for appellant.
    *****
    ZMUDA, P.J.
    I. Introduction
    {¶ 1} This matter is before the court on appeal of the judgment of the Lucas
    County Court of Common Pleas which, after a jury trial, sentenced appellant, Kevin
    Martin, to an aggregate term of imprisonment of seven years. For the reasons that follow,
    we affirm.
    {¶ 2} On August 22, 2018, after an argument over access to fuel pumps at the gas
    station at Cherry and East Bancroft Streets in Toledo, Ohio, appellant and his
    codefendants, Shawna Merriweather, Deangelo Gott, and Shantay Saxton participated in
    the assault and robbery of a man. The gas station’s surveillance video recorded the
    incident, occurring between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m.
    {¶ 3} The video depicted the following sequence of events.
    {¶ 4} Between 9:00 and 9:20 p.m., appellant and Merriweather parked their
    vehicles on either side of the gas pump, but neither appeared to pump gas. Gott was a
    passenger in appellant’s vehicle. Saxton arrived shortly after, and began fueling her car
    at another pump, on the other side of appellant’s car. As her car was fueling, Saxton
    walked over to converse with Merriweather, seated in her vehicle. The group was
    gathered around the gas pump at the center of the dispute when the victim, L.I., arrived to
    get gas.
    {¶ 5} L.I. and his girlfriend arrived in their vehicle around 9:20 p.m., and stopped
    at the rear of Merriweather’s car. All other pumps were in use at the time, and
    Merriweather was just parked, not pumping gas. L.I.’s girlfriend exited the vehicle and
    went into the store to prepay before pumping gas. However, because Merriweather did
    not move, L.I. could not access the pump.
    {¶ 6} After waiting a few minutes, L.I. walked up to the driver’s side window,
    briefly spoke with Merriweather, and returned to his car. L.I. left his car once more to
    access his trunk, but was back in his car when the group moved toward him. At about
    2.
    9:26 p.m., L.I. and the group appeared to engage in an argument. L.I. attempted to inch
    his car closer to the pump and Merriweather’s vehicle remained in place, blocking access.
    {¶ 7} Around 9:28 p.m., L.I. exited his vehicle once more, gesturing, yelling, and
    appearing agitated. L.I. then walked toward the front door of the store, continuing to
    speak with the group following behind him. When L.I. turned toward appellant, Gott
    struck L.I. in the head, from behind, and L.I. dropped to the ground. Saxton and
    Merriweather then began kicking L.I. Appellant then grabbed L.I.’s pant legs or ankles
    and shook him upside down, with L.I.’s head toward the ground. Appellant, with
    Saxton’s help, then dragged L.I. across the pavement and removed L.I.’s pants, leaving
    him naked from the waist down. Saxton took the pants and went through the pockets as
    Gott picked up loose items around L.I.’s motionless body. Appellant stood over L.I. and
    recorded him with his phone. Appellant then returned to his car, and Gott picked
    something up near L.I. and handed it to appellant. The group, each in their own vehicle,
    then drove away.
    {¶ 8} Police received 911 calls from the scene, and when they arrived in response
    to the calls, they found L.I. unconscious and half-naked. By the time a medical crew
    arrived, L.I. had regained consciousness, and indicated he was unhurt. There was no
    further assessment at the scene, as L.I.’s family arrived, put L.I. in their car, and drove
    off. Sometime later, L.I.’s family took him to the hospital where he was admitted and
    treated for injuries including a brain bleed and potential seizures.
    3.
    {¶ 9} Appellant was indicted on three counts: Count 1, complicity to commit
    felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) and (D), a felony of the second
    degree with an attached specification of participation in a criminal gang in violation of
    R.C. 2941.142; Count 2, complicity to commit aggravated robbery in violation of R.C.
    2911.01(A)(3) and (C), a felony of the first degree, with an attached specification of
    participation in a criminal gang in violation of R.C. 2941.142; and Count 3, participation
    in a criminal gang in violation of R.C. 2923.42(A) and (B), a felony of the second degree.
    {¶ 10} The matter proceeded to a jury trial on May 6 through 10, 2019. Prior to
    seating a jury, the trial court addressed motions in limine filed by appellant, seeking to
    preclude mention of gang activity that served as a basis for a prior conviction for gang
    activity, as well as social media materials. The trial court denied the motions in limine
    after the prosecution indicated it would only use gang activity after the date of the prior
    conviction1, and indicated the use of social media materials would be limited to the
    Facebook account belonging to appellant and photographs posted of appellant and Gott
    and identified as such in testimony.
    {¶ 11} At trial, the prosecution presented evidence including the surveillance
    video,2 the 911 calls, L.I.’s medical records, and testimony of the first responders and a
    1
    The state moved to amend the indictment to indicate conduct between December 29,
    2013 and September 28, 2018, and the trial court granted the motion. The trial court also
    denied appellant’s pro se motion to suppress, advising appellant that he had an attorney
    and hybrid representation was not permitted.
    2
    The surveillance video was admitted by stipulation of the parties prior to trial.
    4.
    treating nurse at the hospital. Detective William Noon also testified as an expert in gang
    activity, and linked appellant to continuing membership in the Moody Manor Bloods, a
    Toledo gang, through evidence including appellant’s prior, admitted association with a
    gang and his more current association and Facebook posts. Detective Noon also testified
    that gangs often used social media to post video of their crimes.
    {¶ 12} Detective Richard Holland, the lead investigator, also testified. He
    indicated he interviewed the first responders and followed-up with L.I. and his girlfriend
    at the hospital, and learned that L.I.’s cell phone was missing after the assault, along with
    other property. L.I.’s girlfriend provided a description of the assailants to police, and
    after reviewing surveillance video, Detective Holland obtained photographs from the
    video of each of the individuals involved in the incident. Detective Holland identified
    appellant from his photograph, and as the jury viewed video of the incident, Holland
    pointed out each individual, including appellant, in the video. Based on the video and
    report of missing property, Detective Holland issued a robbery warrant for all four
    individuals involved in the attack on L.I.
    {¶ 13} Appellant testified in his own defense. He acknowledged his past gang
    membership and his continued association with gang members, but denied he was still
    part of a gang, stating he left the gang. He also testified he grabbed L.I.’s pants because
    he was “checking the waistband,” but denied assaulting or robbing him.3 He also
    3
    This testimony contradicted earlier representations in court, as appellant had previously
    represented to the court that he was “jumped out” of the gang and he removed L.I.’s pants
    5.
    testified that he recorded the argument over the gas pump between Merriweather and L.I.,
    and recorded L.I. laying half-naked and unconscious. Appellant admitted uploading the
    recordings to Snapchat.4
    {¶ 14} The trial court instructed the jury regarding the charges, and included an
    instruction on complicity. After deliberating, the jury returned a verdict of guilty as to all
    counts and made the additional finding that appellant was participating in a criminal gang
    as to each specification.
    {¶ 15} The trial court held a sentencing hearing on May 29, 2019, and ordered
    appellant to serve a prison term of two years as to Count 1, complicity to commit
    felonious assault, with an additional mandatory and consecutive two-year term imposed
    based on the jury’s finding for the specification that appellant participated in a criminal
    gang. The trial court ordered appellant to serve a prison term of three years as to
    Count 2, complicity to commit aggravated robbery, with an additional mandatory and
    consecutive two-year term imposed based on the jury’s finding for the specification that
    appellant participated in a criminal gang. The trial court ordered appellant to serve a
    because he thought it would be funny. The prosecution noted this contradiction at
    appellant’s sentencing hearing, questioning whether appellant lied under oath or lied to
    the trial court through his prior representations.
    4
    These recordings were not admitted as exhibits and are not part of the record. Snapchat
    images are designed to disappear within a specified time period, and once that time
    period expires, the images are removed from the user’s phone and the Snapchat server.
    State v. Heard, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 17 MA 0064, 
    2019-Ohio-1227
    , ¶ 67, citing Snap
    and Destroy: Preservation Issues for Ephemeral Communications, 62 Bluff.L.Rev.
    1239, 1248-1250 (2014).
    6.
    prison term of two years for Count 3, participating in a criminal gang. The trial court
    ordered the sentences for Counts 1, 2, and 3 to be served concurrently, with the
    mandatory two-year terms for the criminal gang specifications attached to Counts 1 and 2
    to be served consecutively, for an aggregate prison term of seven years.
    {¶ 16} At sentencing, appellant’s trial counsel did not request merger of the
    felonious assault count with the aggravated robbery count and there was no discussion of
    limiting the sentence to only one specification.
    {¶ 17} Appellant filed a timely appeal from the judgment.
    II. Assignments of Error
    {¶ 18} Appellant asserts the following issues as error on appeal:
    I. IT CONSTITUTED ERROR NOT TO MERGE THE
    AGGRAVATED ROBBERY COUNT WITH THE FELONIOUS
    ASSAULT COUNT.
    II. IT IS CONTRARY TO LAW TO SENTENCE DEFENDANT
    SEPARATELY FOR BOTH THE SPECIFICATION TO COUNT ONE
    AND THE SPECIFICATION TO COUNT TWO.
    III. THE VERDICT ON COUNT TWO (AGGRAVATED
    ROBBERY) IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
    EVIDENCE.
    7.
    III. Analysis
    {¶ 19} Appellant challenges the trial court’s sentence, arguing the aggravated
    robbery and felonious assault convictions should have merged and the two specifications
    should not have resulted in two, separate sentences. He also challenges the weight of the
    evidence in support of his aggravated robbery conviction. We address his third
    assignment of error first.
    A. Manifest Weight
    {¶ 20} In his third assignment of error, appellant argues his conviction for
    aggravated robbery was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Appellant was
    charged based on complicity in committing aggravated robbery in violation of R.C.
    2911.01(A)(3) and (C), which provides:
    (A) No person, in attempting or committing a theft offense, as
    defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, or in fleeing immediately
    after the attempt or offense, shall do any of the following:
    ***
    (3) Inflict, or attempt to inflict, serious physical harm on another.
    (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of aggravated robbery, a
    felony of the first degree.
    {¶ 21} Appellant argued the evidence could not sustain a verdict because there
    was no evidence demonstrating he acted with a purpose to commit a theft offense.
    Specifically, appellant argues there was no distinction between the conduct required for
    8.
    complicity to commit a felonious assault and the conduct required for complicity to
    commit aggravated robbery, with an intent to commit theft.
    {¶ 22} Applying the “manifest weight” standard, we sit as a “thirteenth juror,” and
    may disagree with the jury’s resolution of conflicting testimony. State v. Thompkins, 
    78 Ohio St.3d 380
    , 387, 
    678 N.E.2d 541
     (1977). We review the entire record, weigh the
    evidence and any reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of the witnesses, and
    determine whether the jury lost its way in resolving conflicts in the evidence, creating
    such a manifest miscarriage of justice that reversal and a new trial is necessary.
    Thompkins at 387, citing State v. Martin, 
    20 Ohio App.3d 172
    , 175, 
    485 N.E.2d 717
    (1st Dist.1983). Reversal based on the manifest weight of the evidence is reserved for
    only the exceptional case “in which the evidence weighs heavily against conviction.”
    Thompkins at 387, quoting Martin at 175.
    {¶ 23} Appellant was tried based on a complicity theory, and not as the principal
    actor. Ohio’s complicity statute, R.C. 2923.03, provides in pertinent part, “No person,
    acting with the kind of culpability required for the commission of an offense, shall * * *
    [a]id or abet another in committing the offense[.]” To support a conviction based on
    complicity, there must be evidence showing appellant “supported, assisted, encouraged,
    cooperated with, advised, or incited the principal in the commission of the crime, and that
    [appellant] shared the criminal intent of the principal.” State v. Johnson, 
    93 Ohio St.3d 240
    , 
    754 N.E.2d 796
     (2001), syllabus. A jury may infer such intent “from the
    circumstances surrounding the crime.” Id.
    9.
    {¶ 24} In this case, appellant argues he “never took anything from [L.I.]” and the
    assault was “a spontaneous occurrence,” and not something that he planned with Saxton
    or Merriweather or Gott. He also argues that there was no evidence of separate conduct
    relative to the assault and the robbery. In support, appellant refers to his testimony that
    he barely knew Merriweather and Saxton. Appellant also argues that he, himself, did not
    take any of L.I.’s property with him when he drove away with Gott. However, appellant
    does not address other evidence or circumstances surrounding the crime.
    {¶ 25} Regardless of any plan to assault and rob L.I., the video evidence
    demonstrated appellant’s participation with the group before, during, and after the attack.
    Appellant was part of the group shown surrounding L.I. at his car and as he walked
    toward the store, and after Gott punched L.I. in the head and the women beat and kicked
    L.I. as he lay on the ground, appellant grabbed L.I. by the ankles or pant legs and held
    him upside down, jerking L.I.’s legs up and down as L.I.’s head hit the pavement.
    Appellant also participated in pulling L.I.’s pants off, and handed the pants to Saxton,
    who then went through the pockets and handed an object to appellant, which he put in his
    pocket. Furthermore, by his own admission, appellant filmed the argument before the
    attack and L.I.’s half-naked, unconscious body after the attack so that he could post the
    events to Snapchat. Appellant also drove off with Gott, leaving the scene of the attack as
    Saxton and Merriweather also drove away.
    {¶ 26} Appellant’s argument places him at the scene, but minimizes his role in the
    attack of L.I. and theft of his property. It is well-settled law that “mere presence” at the
    10.
    scene is not evidence of aiding or abetting. Johnson at 244. However, evidence
    demonstrating “presence, companionship and conduct before and after the offense is
    committed” may provide support for the inference of criminal intent to assist in the
    crime. Johnson at 245, quoting State v. Pruett, 
    28 Ohio App.2d 29
    , 34, 
    273 N.E.2d 884
    (4th Dist.1971). Here, there was an abundance of evidence of companionship and
    cooperative conduct. Furthermore, the video of the incident contradicts appellant’s
    argument that he played no part in taking L.I.’s property, as the video showed appellant
    stripping L.I.’s pants off and handing them to Saxton, who then took items from the
    pockets.
    {¶ 27} Accordingly, based on the evidence presented to the jury, we find this is
    not one of those exceptional cases where the jury lost its way in finding appellant guilty
    of aggravated robbery. Appellant’s third assignment of error, therefore, is not well-taken.
    B. Merger
    {¶ 28} Having found the aggravated robbery conviction was supported by the
    weight of the evidence, we next consider appellant’s first assignment of error regarding
    merger of the felonious assault and aggravated robbery convictions. Appellant’s
    argument as to merger relies on his assertion that the attack was spontaneous and his own
    conduct was limited to a single harm unrelated to any theft, similar to the position we
    rejected relative to his weight of the evidence challenge for his aggravated robbery
    conviction. Appellant contends that “it is identical conduct on the part of [appellant] that
    11.
    simultaneously constitutes the factual basis [for appellant’s] complicity in both
    [offenses].”
    {¶ 29} Appellant did not seek merger in the trial court, and therefore, forfeited all
    but plain error review. State v. Johnson, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-16-1282, 2018-Ohio-
    1657, ¶ 39, citing State v. Rogers, 
    143 Ohio St.3d 385
    , 
    2015-Ohio-2459
    , 
    38 N.E.3d 860
    ,
    ¶ 3. Therefore, we will not reverse unless appellant demonstrates error, affecting his
    substantial rights and creating a manifest miscarriage of justice. Rogers at ¶ 3; State v.
    Barnes, 
    94 Ohio St.3d 21
    , 27, 
    759 N.E.2d 1240
     (2002), citing Crim.R. 52(B).
    {¶ 30} The Double Jeopardy Clause of the United States Constitution protects
    against multiple punishments for the same offense. (Citations omitted.) State v. Ruff,
    
    143 Ohio St.3d 114
    , 
    2015-Ohio-995
    , 
    34 N.E.3d 892
    , ¶ 10. Ohio law codifies this
    constitutional protection under R.C. 2941.25, which provides:
    (A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to
    constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment or
    information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the defendant
    may be convicted of only one.
    (B) Where the defendant's conduct constitutes two or more offenses
    of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more offenses
    of the same or similar kind committed separately or with a separate animus
    as to each, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such
    offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of all of them.
    12.
    {¶ 31} “At its heart, the allied-offense analysis is dependent upon the facts of a
    case because R.C. 2941.25 focuses on the defendant’s conduct.” Ruff at ¶ 26. Thus, the
    same set of offenses might yield different results in different cases, “‘given that the
    statute instructs courts to examine a defendant’s conduct – an inherently subjective
    determination.’” Id. at ¶ 32, quoting State v. Johnson, 
    128 Ohio St.3d 153
    , 2010-Ohio-
    6314, 
    942 N.E.2d 1061
    , ¶ 52 (plurality opinion).
    {¶ 32} In applying the Ruff analysis, rather than focusing on the various elements
    of each offense, courts consider three, separate factors: “the conduct, the animus, and the
    import.” Ruff at paragraph one of the syllabus. This consideration requires a court to ask
    three questions where a defendant’s conduct supports multiple offenses: “(1) Were the
    offenses dissimilar in import or significance? (2) Were they committed separately? and
    (3) Were they committed with separate animus or motivation? An affirmative answer to
    any of the above will permit separate convictions.” Ruff at ¶ 31.
    {¶ 33} Appellant was convicted of both aggravated robbery and felonious assault,
    based on complicity as to each offense. As previously noted, proof of aggravated robbery
    requires evidence that appellant committed or attempted to commit a theft offense and
    inflicted or attempted to inflict serious physical harm on another. R.C. 2911.01(A)(3).
    Proof of felonious assault required evidence that appellant knowingly caused serious
    physical harm to another. R.C. 2903.11(A)(1).
    {¶ 34} Appellant raises no challenge to the serious physical harm element required
    for conviction on each offense, and he acknowledges the various, continuing attacks on
    13.
    L.I., including the punch from Gott that sent L.I. to the ground, the beating inflicted by
    Merriweather and Saxton as L.I. lay on the ground, and appellant’s own conduct in
    shaking L.I. upside down and striking L.I.’s head on the pavement. In arguing that
    merger was required, appellant argues that L.I. sustained a single harm resulting from a
    single, ongoing attack, and that there was no separate animus in the commission of each
    offense. Appellant also argues he, personally, caused no harm, “except to the extent
    [L.I.] may have been hurt when he fell or was dropped to the ground.” Thus, while
    acknowledging he may have caused harm, appellant argues that the same conduct
    provided the basis for complicity as to both offenses, and therefore merger was required.
    {¶ 35} Appellant’s argument relies on his characterization of the facts, limiting his
    participation to dropping L.I. on his head and taking L.I.’s pants. Appellant also argues
    that he did not participate in any theft or any additional assault. However, as we
    previously noted in considering his manifest weight challenge, the evidence contradicts
    appellant’s argument and instead supports a finding that he acted with complicity in the
    attacks and the theft of property.
    {¶ 36} Multiple offenses against a single person “can support multiple convictions
    if the harm that results from each offense is separate and identifiable from the harm of the
    other offense.” Ruff, 
    143 Ohio St.3d 114
    , 
    2015-Ohio-995
    , 
    34 N.E.3d 892
    , at ¶ 26. Here,
    appellant participated with or was complicit in the attacks on L.I. that included Gott
    punching L.I. and knocking him to the ground, Merriweather and Saxton pummeling L.I.
    with kicks, and appellant—himself—lifting L.I. by his legs and dropping him on his
    14.
    head. Evidence of harm included testimony that L.I. required treatment for a brain bleed
    and potential seizures and testimony that L.I.’s phone was taken, coupled with the video
    of the group repeatedly beating L.I., taking L.I.’s pants, and removing contents from the
    pockets. Appellant argues each action was part of a continuum and should be treated as
    inflicting a single harm.
    {¶ 37} Injury inflicted in quick succession with a single animus, such as repeated,
    rapid gunshots or stabbings, without any “break in a ‘temporal continuum,’” is deemed as
    resulting in a single harm for purposes of merger. (Citations omitted.) State v.
    Welninski, 
    2018-Ohio-778
    , 
    108 N.E.3d 185
    , ¶ 92-94 (6th Dist.) (noting rapid gunshots or
    multiple stabbings, with a single animus, were subject to merger). In arguing a single
    harm, appellant focuses on the repeated physical attacks against L.I.’s person and ignores
    the separate and additional harm caused by the aggravated robbery, the harm to L.I.’s
    property. See State v. Tellis, 
    2020-Ohio-6982
    , 
    165 N.E.3d 825
    , ¶ 80 (6th Dist.) (harm to
    property is separate and identifiable from the physical harm caused by felonious assault).
    {¶ 38} The evidence at trial also supported a finding that felonious assault and
    aggravated robbery were committed with separate animus. Where a victim is first
    severely beaten, and then robbed, courts have found the two crimes were committed with
    a separate animus. See State v. Smith, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-13-09, 
    2013-Ohio-3789
    , ¶ 33,
    citing State v. Diggle, 3d Dist. Auglaize No. 2-11-19, 
    2012-Ohio-1583
    , ¶ 17. In this case,
    Gott punched L.I. in the head as L.I. walked toward the store, arguing with the group
    surrounding him, and there was no attempt to take L.I.’s property in conjunction with this
    15.
    assault. Merriweather and Saxton took over the beating, followed by appellant, dropping
    L.I. on his head as he stripped off the pants.
    {¶ 39} Considering the evidence adduced at trial, we reject appellant’s
    characterization of events as a single attack, producing a single harm, and carried out
    with a single animus. The evidence clearly supports finding an initial attack precipitated
    by the argument, followed by further attack motivated by a desire to deprive L.I. of his
    pants and property. Accordingly, we find no basis for merger of the felonious assault and
    aggravated robbery convictions. With no basis for merger, the trial court did not err, and
    appellant cannot demonstrate plain error affecting a substantial right and creating a
    manifest miscarriage of justice. Appellant’s first assignment of error, accordingly, is not
    well-taken.
    C. Specifications
    {¶ 40} In his second assignment of error, appellant contends the trial court erred in
    sentencing him on both specifications, arguing such sentence is contrary to law. In
    support, appellant raises separate arguments. First, appellant argues that, because the
    predicate sentences merge, the trial court could only impose a sentence for the
    specification attached to the offense elected by the prosecutor at the time of sentencing.
    As we determined merger did not apply, this argument is without merit.
    {¶ 41} In the alternative, appellant argues that separate sentences for each
    specification would violate his Double Jeopardy protections under the Fifth Amendment
    to the United States Constitution, prohibiting multiple punishments for the same offense.
    16.
    The gang specifications, however, are sentence enhancements to the predicate offenses
    and not separate criminal offenses. See State v. Ford, 
    128 Ohio St.3d 398
    , 2011-Ohio-
    765, 
    945 N.E.2d 498
    , ¶ 16-17 (construing a firearm specification). Therefore, the double
    jeopardy protections and merger, codified at R.C. 2941.25, do not apply to specifications.
    Ford at ¶ 16.
    {¶ 42} Finally, appellant argues that, based on the circumstances of his case, the
    trial court should have sentenced on only one specification. In support, he cites to
    authority applying the sentencing provisions under R.C. 2929.14(B), pertinent to firearm-
    related specifications. Pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(B), relative to specifications under R.C.
    2941.141 (firearm possession essential to affect sentence), R.C. 2941.144 (possession of
    automatic firearm or firearm with suppressor), and R.C. 1941.145 (use of firearm to
    facilitate the offense), a court may not impose more than one prison term “for felonies
    committed as part of the same act.” However, appellant’s sentencing did not fall within
    any of these sections under R.C. 2929.14(B).
    {¶ 43} Here, the trial court sentenced appellant for a gang specification, as
    provided by R.C. 2929.14(G), which contains no limiting provision based on the “same
    act.” Pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(G):
    If an offender who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony that is
    an offense of violence also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification
    of the type described in section 2941.142 of the Revised Code that charges
    the offender with having committed the felony while participating in a
    17.
    criminal gang, the court shall impose upon the offender an additional prison
    term of one, two, or three years.
    {¶ 44} Upon review of the sentencing provisions, we find no basis for a trial court
    to impose a single sentence for multiple gang specification findings, based on a single
    course of conduct as argued by appellant. Accordingly, we find appellant’s second
    assignment of error not well-taken.
    IV. Conclusion
    {¶ 45} For the forgoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the Lucas County
    Court of Common Pleas. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to
    App.R. 24.
    Judgment affirmed.
    A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
    See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
    Thomas J. Osowik, J.                           _______________________________
    JUDGE
    Christine E. Mayle, J.
    _______________________________
    Gene A. Zmuda, P.J.                                        JUDGE
    CONCUR.
    _______________________________
    JUDGE
    This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
    Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
    version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
    http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/.
    18.
    

Document Info

Docket Number: L-19-1133

Judges: Zmuda

Filed Date: 5/7/2021

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 5/7/2021