State v. Myers ( 2022 )

[Cite as State v. Myers, 2022-Ohio-4615.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ROSS COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : CASE NO. 21CA3764
v. :
MARVIN L. MYERS, : DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Defendant-Appellant. :
_________________________________________________________________
APPEARANCES:
Craig Jaquith, Assistant State Public Defender, Columbus, Ohio, for
appellant1.
Jeffrey C. Marks, Ross County Prosecuting Attorney, and Pamela C.
Wells, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Chillicothe, Ohio, for
appellee.
__________________________________________________________________
CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM COMMON PLEAS COURT
DATE JOURNALIZED:12-16-22
ABELE, J.
{¶1} This is an appeal from a Ross County Common Pleas Court
judgment of conviction and sentence. A jury found Marvin L. Myers,
defendant below and appellant herein, guilty of (1) failure to
comply with a signal of a police officer and caused a substantial
risk of physical harm in violation of R.C. 2921.331, and (2)
vehicular assault while driving under suspension in violation of
1
Different counsel represented appellant during the trial
court proceedings.
Ross, 21CA3764 2
R.C. 2903.08. Both offenses are third-degree felonies.
{¶2} Appellant assigns one error for our review:
“MR. MYERS’S TRIAL COUNSEL RENDERED INEFFECTIVE
ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL, IN VIOLATION OF THE
SIXTH AMENDMENT. (AUG. 9, 2021, ARRAIGNMENT TR.
3; NOV. 16, 2021, JOURNAL ENTRY; NOV. 30, 2021,
MOTION HEARING TR. 2-6).”
{¶3} In August 2021, a Ross County Grand Jury returned an
indictment that charged appellant with one count of fleeing and
eluding and one count of vehicular assault. At his August 9, 2021
arraignment, appellee also pointed to appellant’s current community
control sanction that stemmed from his 2019 convictions for two
counts of aggravated possession of drugs. Appellant entered not
guilty pleas to the two new charges.
{¶4} On November 15, 2021, appellant filed a pro se
handwritten petition for writ of habeas corpus that asserted a
speedy trial violation. On November 16, 2021, the trial court
denied the motion, ordered it stricken from the record and noted
that, because appellant had legal representation in the case at
bar, he had no right to hybrid representation and could not file
pro se motions or engage in self-representation.
{¶5} On November 30, 2021, a two-day jury trial commenced. On
the morning of trial, appellant requested a continuance in order to
“retain private counsel.” The trial court, however, denied the
motion and indicated “[t]his matter has been set. You had ample
time to hire private counsel. The attorney [appellant sought to
Ross, 21CA3764 3
hire], when consulted, has not spoken to you and is not familiar
with this case. So, this is going to proceed to trial.” Defense
counsel stated that appellant wished to preserve his speedy trial
rights and further explained the desire for a speedy trial is the
reason why counsel did not file a motion to suppress evidence. The
court responded, “the court is aware that Mr. Myers was very keen
to preserve his speedy trial rights, as he filed his own motion
seeking to dismiss this matter,” “alleging speedy trial
violations.” The court stated its belief that both “motions were
meritless based on the actual time passed and secondarily, the
court denied those as Ohio does not allow dual representation with
somebody who is represented.” The state also wanted to include in
the record the fact that appellant rejected the state’s offer of a
four-year prison sentence.
{¶6} At trial, Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Joshua
McCarty testified that at 3:00 a.m. on September 19, 2020 he
observed a black Acura travel south on U.S. 23 at 65 m.p.h. in a 60
m.p.h. speed zone. McCarty followed the Acura, which changed lanes
without a signal and turned onto another road at the “last possible
second.” Because McCarty could not safely follow the Acura, he
notified Trooper Tyler Boetcher. Appellant, however, continued to
evade police, made several turns and eventually drove into a field.
Boetcher initially advised McCarty to use stop-sticks, but McCarty
said he would not have time to deploy the sticks because the Acura
Ross, 21CA3764 4
re-entered the roadway and drove toward McCarty, who activated
lights and siren. McCarty testified that appellant then drove
approximately 100 m.p.h. in a 55 m.p.h. zone. Boetcher also
followed the Acura with lights and siren activated. When McCarty
arrived at appellant’s crash, he found appellant on the ground,
partially in the driver’s side door area, and two passengers, a
male in the back seat and a female in front.
{¶7} Trooper Boetcher testified that he heard the request for
backup around 3:00 a.m., then caught up to appellant to initiate a
traffic stop. At that point, appellant “began rapidly
accelerating” and Boetcher activated his lights and siren and
notified other officers. During pursuit, appellant failed to stop
at three stop signs and Boetcher observed an “unknown object”
(never recovered) come from appellant’s driver’s window. Boetcher
asked Trooper McCarty to utilize stop-sticks, but McCarty instead
had to quickly exit the road to avoid appellant’s vehicle.
Appellant’s speed increased to “well over 100 m.p.h.,” and later
“above 130 m.p.h..” When appellant’s vehicle left the road, he
lost control, re-entered the road, struck a sheriff’s vehicle and
“spun that Sheriff’s cruiser around completely, 180 degrees.”
Appellant continued to drive into oncoming lanes, then drove in the
median where his vehicle stopped near the sheriff’s vehicle. When
Boetcher observed appellant exit the vehicle, appellant admitted he
operated the Acura.
Ross, 21CA3764 5
{¶8} Subsequently, Trooper Boetcher and Trooper McCarty “began
attending” to appellant, who said his leg had been “ripped off.”
When Boetcher advised appellant of his Miranda rights and asked why
he fled, appellant stated, “he was not going back to prison,
because he had warrants.”
{¶9} Ross County Sheriff’s Deputy Brenton Davidson also
responded to assist with the pursuit. Davidson observed appellant
“traveling at a very high rate of speed,” cross the rumble strip on
the right side of the road, overcorrect, then “ended up crashing
into my vehicle.” After Davidson’s vehicle spun from the impact
and airbags deployed, Davidson crawled away from his vehicle, in “a
great deal of pain in several different parts of my body.”
Davidson suffered an abdominal tear, a torn labrum in his right
hip, and a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Davidson later
required shoulder surgery, lost the use of his arm for six weeks,
experienced pain, received physical therapy, and may require
additional surgeries.
{¶10} At the close of the state’s case, defense counsel made a
Crim.R. 29 motion for judgment of acquittal and argued that no
evidence established that appellant drove the vehicle, other than
officers observed him outside the vehicle’s driver’s side. The
trial court, however, pointed out that Trooper Boetcher testified
that he observed appellant exit the driver’s seat, that other
witnesses observed appellant just outside of the driver’s seat, and
Ross, 21CA3764 6
in the video shown to the jury appellant admitted that he drove the
vehicle. Thus, the court denied the motion.
{¶11} After hearing the evidence and counsels’ arguments, the
jury found appellant guilty as charged in the indictment. The
trial court (1) sentenced appellant to serve a 36-month prison term
for failure to comply, (2) sentenced appellant to serve a five-year
mandatory-term for vehicular assault, (3) ordered counts one and
two to be served consecutively pursuant to R.C. 2921.331(D), (4)
ordered a lifetime driver’s license suspension, and (5) sentenced
appellant to serve a discretionary two-year post-release control
term. This appeal followed.
{¶12} In his sole assignment of error, appellant asserts that
he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel because his
counsel did not request a competency evaluation.
{¶13} The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution,
and Article I, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution, provide that
defendants in all criminal proceedings shall have the assistance of
counsel for their defense. To establish constitutionally
ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show that (1)
counsel's performance was deficient and (2) the deficient
performance prejudiced the defense and deprived the defendant of a
fair trial. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct.
2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). To establish deficient performance, a
defendant must prove that counsel's performance fell below an
Ross, 21CA3764 7
objective level of reasonable representation. State v. Conway, 109
Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, 848 N.E.2d 810, ¶ 95.
Additionally, a court need not analyze both Strickland test prongs
if it can resolve the claim under one prong. See State v.
Madrigal, 87 Ohio St.3d 378, 389, 721 N.E.2d 52 (2000); State v.
Bowling, 4th Dist. Jackson No. 19CA2, 2020-Ohio-813, ¶ 12-13.
{¶14} Furthermore, when a court examines whether counsel's
representation amounts to deficient performance, “a court must
indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within
the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.” Strickland
at 689, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Moreover, because a properly
licensed attorney is presumed to execute all duties ethically and
competently, State v. Taylor, 4th Dist. Washington No. 07CA11,
2008-Ohio-482, ¶ 10, to establish ineffectiveness, a defendant must
demonstrate that counsel's errors were “so serious” that counsel
failed to function “as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed * * * by the Sixth
Amendment.” Strickland at 687, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052.
{¶15} Appellant points out that in a prior case in the same
court (Case No. 19CR000293), the trial court initially found
appellant incompetent to stand trial. Appellant argues that,
although his incompetency finding in Case No. 19CR000293 may have
predated his indictment in the case at bar, this court may take
Ross, 21CA3764 8
judicial notice in the proceedings in the other case.2
{¶16} “It has long been recognized that ‘a person [who] lacks
the capacity to understand the nature and object of the proceedings
against him, to consult with counsel, and to assist in preparing
his defense may not be subjected to a trial.’ ” State v. Smith, 89
Ohio St.3d 323, 329, 731 N.E.2d 645 (2000), quoting Drope v.
Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 171, 95 S.Ct. 896, 43 L.Ed.2d 103 (1975);
State v. Thomas, 97 Ohio St.3d 309, 2002-Ohio-6624, 779 N.E.2d
1017, ¶ 35. Thus, due process requires that an incompetent
criminal defendant may not be tried. State v. Berry, 72 Ohio St.3d
354, 359, 650 N.E.2d 433 (1995).
{¶17} Criminal defendants are rebuttably presumed to be
competent to stand trial. State v. Barton, 108 Ohio St.3d 402,
2006-Ohio-1324, 844 N.E.2d 307, ¶ 56, citing R.C. 2945.37(G).
Pursuant to R.C. 2945.37(G), a defendant is incompetent to stand
trial if he or she “is incapable of understanding the nature and
objective of the proceedings against the defendant or of assisting
in the defendant's defense * * *.” Because a defendant is presumed
competent to stand trial, it is the defendant’s burden to prove, by
a preponderance of the evidence, that he is not competent. State
v. Jordan, 101 Ohio St.3d 216, 2004-Ohio-783, 804 N.E.2d 1, ¶ 28;
2
However, after appellant’s months-long civil commitment to a
psychiatric facility, he had been restored to competence on July
28, 2021, nine days before the indictment in the present case.
Ross, 21CA3764 9
R.C. 2945.37(G).
{¶18} The test to determine whether a defendant is competent to
stand trial is (1) the sufficient present ability to consult with
his or her lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational
understanding, and (2) the rational and factual understanding of
the proceedings State v. Neyland, 139 Ohio St.3d 353, 2014-Ohio-
1914, 12 N.E.3d 1112, ¶ 32, citing Berry, 72 Ohio St.3d at 359, 650
N.E.2d 433 and Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788,
4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960). Thus, a person who “lacks the capacity to
understand the nature and object of the proceedings against him, to
consult with counsel, and to assist in preparing his defense” may
not stand trial. State v. Skatzes, 104 Ohio St.3d 195, 2004-Ohio-
6391, 819 N.E.2d 215, ¶ 155. Objective indications such as medical
reports, defense counsel’s specific references to irrational
behavior, or a defendant's demeanor during trial are all relevant
in determining whether good cause was shown after the trial had
begun. State v. Chapin (1981), 67 Ohio St.2d 437, 21 O.O.3d 273,
424 N.E.2d 317, paragraph one of the syllabus; Thomas at ¶ 37.
{¶19} In the case sub judice, appellant asserts that several
matters in the record called appellant’s competency into question.
First, appellant argues that because in a previous case he had been
found incompetent (before this indictment), this fact should impact
his competency in the present case. However, the competency
statute, R.C. 2945.37(G), provides that a finding of incompetency
Ross, 21CA3764 10
must be based upon a preponderance of the evidence demonstrating
that, due to the defendant’s present mental condition, the
defendant is incapable of understanding the nature and objective of
the criminal proceedings and is incapable of assisting in the
defense.
{¶20} Appellant cites State v. Alvarado, 4th Dist. Ross No.
14CA3423, 2014-Ohio-5374, ¶ 9 in support of his argument that the
fact that appellant had been restored to competence in late July
2021 should be “of little import.” In Alvarado, the trial court
recounted in its entry that previous reports found the defendant
competent and considered defense counsel's opinion that the
defendant exhibited signs of extreme paranoia and delusional
thinking, but nevertheless determined that counsel’s untrained
evaluation alone was insufficient to require a third evaluation.
Id. at ¶ 1. This court held:
Even if we accept defense counsel's untrained opinion that
Alvarado was exhibiting signs of paranoia and delusional
thinking, the Supreme Court of Ohio has consistently held
“ ‘[i]ncompetency must not be equated with mere mental or
emotional instability or even with outright insanity’ “
and “ ‘[a] defendant may be emotionally disturbed or even
psychotic and still capable of understanding the charges
against him and of assisting his counsel.’ ” State v.
Neyland, 139 Ohio St.3d 353, 2014–Ohio–1914, 12 N.E.3d
1112, ¶ 48, quoting State v. Bock, 28 Ohio St.3d 108, 110,
502 N.E.2d 1016 (1986). Moreover, in State v. Johnson, 112
Ohio St.3d 210, 2006–Ohio–6404, 858 N.E.2d 1144, the
Supreme Court of Ohio held that a trial court did not abuse
its discretion by denying a defendant's request for a
competency evaluation when the only evidence presented by
counsel was his unsupported assertion of the defendant's
expected diagnosis of “paranoid personality disorder [and]
Ross, 21CA3764 11
reality contact problems.” Johnson at ¶ 163–164.
Alvarado at ¶ 12. Although this court observed that competency is
“fluid,” we also concluded:
Although he advised the court that he was not “well in my
mind,” that it was “very hard to concentrate in the words
that you are saying to me,” and that he had “mental
problems,” there was no outburst or other evidence
supporting his counsel's statements of him experiencing
hallucinations, paranoia, or delusional thinking. And the
record does not indicate that there was anything in
Alvarado's demeanor indicating that his mental status had
decreased to the point where a third competency evaluation
in less than a year was required.
Alvarado at ¶ 15.
{¶21} In the case sub judice, other than appellant’s previous
competency finding, we find no evidence regarding diagnoses,
medication, outbursts, demeanor or any other evidence of mental
incapacity to show that appellant was incapable of understanding
the nature and objective of the proceedings or could not assist in
his defense. Pursuant to R.C. 2945.37(G), his previous finding of
incompetency had no impact on appellant’s “present mental
condition.”
{¶22} Second, appellant points out that during the trial court
proceedings he “inexplicably rejected a plea offer” that the trial
court deemed “very generous.” However, the Supreme Court of Ohio
in State v. Lawson, 165 Ohio St.3d 445, 2021-Ohio-3566, 179 N.E.3d
1216, held:
Ross, 21CA3764 12
We have noted that a defendant's ‘refusal to heed his
counsel's advice * * * [does] not indicate that he was
unable to understand the nature of the charges and
proceedings or the gravity of the situation or that he
could not assist in his defense.’ State v. Johnson, 112
Ohio St.3d 210, 2006-Ohio-6404, 858 N.E.2d 1144, ¶ 161.
Indeed, such a refusal generally ‘evidences [the
defendant's] ability to participate in his defense. State
v. Fletcher, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 49814, 1985 WL 4215,
*2 (Dec. 5, 1985).
Id. at ¶ 54. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for criminal
defendants to ignore counsel’s sound advice and recommendations
even when it may be in their best interest to follow that advice
and recommendation.
{¶23} Third, appellant points to his November 2021 pro se
request for a speedy trial dismissal that the trial court struck
because appellant had legal representation. Appellant contends
that this request also demonstrates that he did not understand the
speedy-trial statute, or “realize that he was not being held solely
on the instant case; he was also completing the 18-month sentence
that had been imposed only four months prior in the 2019 case,
which sentence did not expire until March 2, 2022.”
{¶24} “It is well-established that although a defendant has the
right to counsel or the right to act pro se, a defendant does not
have any right to ‘hybrid representation.’ ” State v. James, 4th
Dist. Ross No. 13CA3393, 2014-Ohio-1702, ¶ 12; quoting State v.
Martin, 103 Ohio St.3d 385, 2004-Ohio-5471, 816 N.E.2d 227,
paragraph one of the syllabus; see also State v. Thompson, 33 Ohio
Ross, 21CA3764 13
St.3d 1, 6–7, 514 N.E.2d 407 (1987). Thus, the trial court’s
dismissal of appellant’s pro se request is obviously within the
court’s discretion. See also State v. Lamb, 2018-Ohio-1405, 110
N.E.3d 564 (4th Dist.). Moreover, a defendant’s misunderstanding
of the intricacies and implications of the speedy trial statute,
especially under the circumstances present in the case at bar, does
not call into question appellant’s competence. In some
circumstances that involve multiple offenses, speedy trial
computations can involve very complex questions and issues.
{¶25} Fourth, appellant contends that his instruction to trial
counsel not to pursue a suppression motion because of his concern
about the speedy-trial clock also calls his competence into
question. On the morning of trial, when trial counsel attempted to
make a motion in limine regarding appellant’s statement about why
he fled the scene, the trial court pointed out that appellant did
not file a written suppression motion. However, as the state
points out, the transcript shows that appellant discussed this
issue with counsel and counsel stated on the record that appellant
was “very interested in preserving his speedy trial [rights],” to
which the trial court replied, “Mr. Myers was very keen to preserve
his speedy trial rights,” and pointed to appellant’s pro se motion.
Furthermore, and as the state points out, a motion to suppress
evidence would not have affected the outcome of this case because
overwhelming evidence, including multiple eyewitnesses and video
Ross, 21CA3764 14
evidence, established appellant’s commission of the offenses.
{¶26} Finally, appellant asserts that his desire to seek new
counsel on the morning of trial is further evidence that should
raise the issue of appellant’s competence. However, as appellee
argues, a last-minute attempt to request a continuance to obtain
different counsel is a common occurrence and does not establish
that a defendant may lack the competence to participate in the
proceeding. Appellant cites no authority to support appellant’s
argument that his request for new counsel is necessarily an indicia
of incompetence.
{¶27} Furthermore, we point out that no expert or lay opinion
offered during the trial court proceeding questioned appellant’s
competence. Defense counsel represented appellant, both in a
previous case and in the instant case, and did not suggest to the
court that she observed any indicia of appellant’s incompetence.
See Smith, 89 Ohio St.3d at 330, 731 N.E.2d 645 (“[i]f counsel had
some reason to question Smith’s competence, they surely would have
done so.”) Also, neither the trial court nor the prosecutor
expressed any concern on the record regarding appellant’s behavior.
See State v. Hough, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 19AP-682, 2021-Ohio-
2198.
{¶28} After our review in the case at bar, we conclude that the
record fails to indicate that appellant exhibited difficulty
understanding the proceedings or may not have been capable of
Ross, 21CA3764 15
assisting counsel in his defense. Instead, the record shows that
appellant had been restored to competency four months before his
trial and that he did participate in his defense, and notably
expressed concern about his speedy trial rights. In general,
defense counsel should not be deemed to have performed
ineffectively if counsel did not request a competency evaluation
when a defendant does not demonstrate sufficient indicia of
incompetency to warrant a competency hearing. Thomas at ¶ 41.
Consequently, if a defendant did not display sufficient indicia of
incompetency to warrant a competency hearing, see Smith, 89 Ohio
St.3d. at 334, 731 N.E.2d 645, counsel's failure to request a
competency hearing does not constitute deficient performance.
{¶29} Therefore, after our review in the case at bar we
conclude that appellant was not deprived of his right to effective
assistance of counsel pursuant to the Sixth and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section
10 of the Ohio Constitution. Accordingly, based upon the foregoing
reasons, we overrule appellant’s assignment of error and affirm the
trial court’s judgment.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Ross, 21CA3764 16
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the judgment be affirmed and appellee
recover of appellant the costs herein taxed.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court
directing the Ross County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment
into execution.
If a stay of execution of sentence and release upon bail has
been previously granted by the trial court or this court, it is
temporarily continued for a period not to exceed 60 days upon the
bail previously posted. The purpose of a continued stay is to
allow appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an
application for a stay during the pendency of the proceedings in
that court. If a stay is continued by this entry, it will
terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the 60-day period, or
the failure of the appellant to file a notice of appeal with the
Supreme Court of Ohio in the 45-day appeal period pursuant to Rule
II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal
prior to expiration of 60 days, the stay will terminate as of the
date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute that mandate
pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Smith, P.J. & Wilkin, J.: Concur in Judgment & Opinion
For the Court
BY:__________________________
Peter B. Abele, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a
final judgment entry and the time period for further appeal
commences from the date of filing with the clerk.