State v. Cartlidge , 2019 Ohio 1283 ( 2019 )

[Cite as State v. Cartlidge, 2019-Ohio-1283.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
SENECA COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 13-18-33
v.
LAMAR L. CARTLIDGE, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Seneca County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 17 CR 0166
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: April 8, 2019
APPEARANCES:
Jennifer L. Kahler for Appellant
Stephanie J. Kiser for Appellee
Case No. 13-18-33
ZIMMERMAN, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Lamar L. Cartlidge (“Cartlidge”), appeals the
September 13, 2018 judgment entry of sentence of the Seneca County Court of
Common Pleas finding him guilty of: Count One, aggravated trafficking in drugs;
Count Two, trafficking in cocaine; Count Three, failure to comply with an order or
signal of a police officer; Count Four, tampering with evidence; Count Five,
possession of cocaine; Count Six aggravated trafficking in drugs; and Count Seven,
aggravated possession of drugs.
{¶2} On appeal, Cartlidge asserts that: 1) the prosecution breached the plea
agreement thereby denying Cartlidge due process of law, 2) the trial court erred in
ordering Cartlidge to serve consecutive sentences, 3) Cartlidge was denied the
effective assistance of counsel when he failed to file a motion to withdraw his guilty
plea and failed to request a continuance to file said motion, and 4) the trial court
erred by not merging allied offenses of similar import for the purposes of
sentencing. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
{¶3} On November 8, 2017 and later in a superceding indictment, Cartlidge
was indicted by the Seneca County Grand Jury on seven counts: Count One,
aggravated trafficking in drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(1), (C)(1)(a), a
fourth-degree felony; Count Two, trafficking in cocaine in violation of R.C.
2925.03(A)(1), (C)(4)(a), a fifth-degree felony; Count Three, failure to comply with
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the order or signal of a police officer in violation of R.C. 2921.331(B), (C)(5)(a)(ii),
a third-degree felony; Count Four, tampering with evidence in violation of R.C.
2921.12(A)(1), (B), a third-degree felony; Count Five, possession of cocaine in
violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(4)(a), a fifth-degree felony; Count Six,
aggravated trafficking in drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2), (C)(1)(a), a
fourth-degree felony; and Count Seven, aggravated possession of drugs in violation
of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(1)(a), a fifth-degree felony. (Doc. No. 2, 44). Counts Three
through Seven arose from the arrest warrant of Cartlidge on September 6, 2017 for
his offense set forth in Count Two. (PSI).
{¶4} On November 17, 2017, Cartlidge appeared for his initial arraignment
without counsel. (Doc. No. 6). On November 30, 2017, Cartlidge appeared for his
re-scheduled arraignment together with court appointed counsel. (Doc. No. 9). At
that hearing, the trial court entered a plea of not guilty (for Cartlidge), and the matter
was scheduled a pre-trial conference. (Id.).
{¶5} However, on March 16, 2018, Ronnie L. Wingate (“Wingate”), entered
his appearance as counsel of record on behalf of Cartlidge. Wingate filed a demand
for discovery pursuant Ohio Criminal Rule 16 and a motion for bill of particulars
(Doc. No. 15, 16). Thereafter, Cartlidge’s court appointed counsel was granted
leave of court to withdraw on the basis that Cartlidge had privately retained
Wingate. (Doc. No. 17, 19).
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{¶6} On May 30, 2018, the State filed a superceding indictment against
Cartlidge with a summons requiring Cartlidge to appear for arraignment on June 11,
2018. (Doc. No. 44, 45). However, prior to his arraignment and while out on bond,
Cartlidge was arrested for complicity to possess cocaine, a fifth-degree felony,
which the State alleged was committed on or about May 30, 2018. (Doc. No. 48).
Thus, on June 13, 2018, the State requested revocation of Cartlidge’s bond. On June
19, 2018, Cartlidge was arraigned on the superceding indictment and issues related
to the bond revocation were addressed. (Doc. Nos. 52, 53).
{¶7} Ultimately, on August 3, 2018, Cartlidge withdrew his pleas of not
guilty and pled guilty to all counts in the superceding indictment. (Doc. No. 58).
The trial court accepted Cartlidge’s guilty pleas, found him guilty, referred the
matter for the preparation of a presentence investigation report (“PSI”) and
scheduled the matter for a sentencing and a forfeiture hearing on September 12,
2018.1 (Doc. No. 58).
{¶8} On October 3, 2018, the trial court sentenced Cartlidge to: 18 months
in prison on Count One; 12 months in prison on Count Two; 36 months in prison
on Count Three; 36 months in prison on Count Four; 12 month of prison on Count
Five; 18 months in prison on County Six; and to 12 months in prison on Count
Seven of the indictment. (Doc. No. 61). The trial court further ordered Cartlidge to
1
We were not provided with a transcript from the change of plea hearing conducted on August 3, 2018.
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serve the stated terms consecutively for an aggregate term of 144 months in prison.
(Id.). The trial court also denied Appellant’s request to merge Count Six and Count
Seven of the indictment. (Id.). Lastly, the trial court ordered Cartlidge’s terms to
run consecutive to the balance of his post release control days.2 (Id.).
{¶9} On October 9, 2018, Cartlidge filed a notice of appeal and raises four
assignments of error for our review. (Doc. No. 65).
Assignment of Error No. I
The sentence should be reversed and remanded because the
prosecution breached the plea agreement, thereby, denying
appellant due process of law as guaranteed to him by both the
United States’ Constitution and Ohio Constitution and was plain
error
{¶10} In his first assignment of error, Cartlidge argues that his due process
rights were violated when the State breached the plea agreement. Specifically, in
the negotiated plea agreement, the State agreed “to argue for a total stated prison
term of no more than six (6) years…” (Doc. No. 67). Nevertheless, Cartlidge failed
to raise this issue at sentencing. Accordingly, Cartlidge’s failure to object at
sentencing results in a waiver of any error related to the State’s breach of its
agreement under the plea agreement except for plain error. See State v. Simmons,
3d Dist. Allen No. 1-14-45, 2015-Ohio-1594, citing State v. Sexton, 3d Dist. Union
No. 14-13-25, 2015-Ohio-934, ¶ 85 (the defendant's failure to object to alleged
2
Cartlidge had a balance of 1280 post release control days.
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errors at sentencing resulted in forfeiture of the errors on appeal subject to
the plain error exception only); State v. Hartley, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-14-04,
2014-Ohio-4536, ¶ 9 (failure to object to the alleged breach of the plea agreement in
the trial court resulted in forfeiture of “all but plain error on appeal”), citing State v.
McGinnis, 3d Dist. Van Wert No. 15-08-07, 2008-Ohio-5825, ¶ 8. Thus, plain error
guides this Court’s review.
Standard of Review
{¶11} We recognize plain error “‘with the utmost caution, under exceptional
circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.’” State v. Frye,
3d Dist. Allen No. 1-17-30, 2018-Ohio-894, citing State v. Landrum, 53 Ohio St. 3d
107, 110, 559 N.E.2d 710 (1990), quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St. 2d 91, 372
N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus. Plain error review in criminal
cases is governed by Crim.R. 52(B). State v. Frye, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-17-30,
2018-Ohio-894, citing State v. Risner, 73 Ohio App. 3d 19, 24, 595 N.E.2d 1040 (3d
Dist. 1991). For plain error to apply, the trial court must have deviated from a legal
rule, the error must have been an obvious defect in the proceeding, and the error
must have affected a substantial right. State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St. 3d 21, 27, 759
N.E.2d 1240 (2002). Under the plain error standard, the appellant must demonstrate
that the outcome of his trial would clearly have been different but for the trial court's
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errors. State v. Waddell, 75 Ohio St. 3d 163, 166, 661 N.E.2d 1043
(1996), citing State v. Moreland (1990), 50 Ohio St. 3d 58, 552 N.E.2d 894 (1990).
Analysis
{¶12} It is important to note that Cartlidge did not object to the State’s failure
to honor its sentencing recommendation. (September 12, 2018 Tr. at 1-28). The
plea agreement breach raised by the appellant is that the State agreed to recommend
a total of six years in prison for Cartlidge. Regardless, the plea agreement also
contained the following language relative to the State’s promised recommendation:
I also understand that if I have been charged with having violated or
have been found guilty of having violated any law: local, state, or
federal subsequent to accepting the Sentence Recommendation within
this Plea of Guilty and prior to sentencing…the Prosecutor is released
from and will not be required to make the Recommendation at
sentencing. That decision will be left solely to the discretion of the
Prosecuting Attorney.
(Emphasis added.)3 (Doc. No. 57).
{¶13} The record reveals that Cartlidge committed a new offense on May 30,
2018, while out on bond for the original indictment. (Doc. No. 48). Cartlidge was
arrested on June 11, 2018, the day of his arraignment, on the superceding indictment
for the May 30th offense. (Doc. No. 45, 48). Additionally, the record reveals that
Cartlidge was arrested on a second felony drug charge (while out on bond here) on
3
The plea agreement is silent as to the May 30th offense. The plain language of the plea agreement suggests
the May 30th offense was contemplated at the time of Cartlidge’s plea on August 3rd.
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September 12, 2018, the morning of his sentencing hearing in this case. (September
12, 2018 Tr. at 13).
{¶14} Cartlidge asserts that the State failed to abide by the terms of the plea
agreement, but fails to address how his being “charged with” committing new
criminal offenses while on bond impacts his plea agreement with the State. To us,
Cartlidge’s new charges filed prior to sentencing released the State from its plea
recommendation contained in the agreement.
{¶15} Accordingly, Cartlidge has failed to meet his burden to demonstrate
plain error that the trial court deviated from a legal rule, an obvious defect in the
proceeding. Moreover, Cartlidge also has failed to establish how his substantial
rights were affected. We can find no manifest miscarriage of justice apparent from
the record as a result of the alleged errors. Cartlidge’s sentence falls within the
statutory limit; it was appropriate, given his prior criminal record and his newly-
charged criminal activity committed while out on bond, awaiting sentencing for the
instant case; and it is supported by the principles and purposes of sentencing in R.C.
2929.11 and the seriousness and recidivism factors under R.C. 2929.12, which the
trial court expressly cited in the its judgment entry.
{¶16} For the foregoing reasons, we overrule Cartlidge’s first assignment of
error.
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Assignment of Error No. II
Appellant’s maximum consecutive sentences is (sic) cruel and
unusual punishment when the trial court considered defendant’s
arrest and 2013 photos when sentencing
Standard of Review
{¶17} Next, the appellant argues that the maximum, consecutive sentences
imposed by the trial court violated his Eighth Amendment rights under the United
States Constitution. We disagree.
{¶18} In State v. Anderson, 151 Ohio St. 3d 212, 2017-Ohio-5656, ¶ 27, the
Supreme Court of Ohio recognized:
The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution precludes
cruel and unusual punishment is the ‘precept of justice that
punishment for the crime should be graduated and proportioned to
[the] offense.’ “ [Brackets sic.] State v. Moore, 149 Ohio St. 3d 557,
2016-Ohio-8288, 76 N.E.3d 1127, ¶ 31, quoting Weems v. United
States, 217 U.S. 349, 367, 30 S. Ct. 544, 54 L. Ed. 793 (1910). To
constitute cruel and unusual punishment, “the penalty must be so
greatly disproportionate to the offense as to shock the sense of justice
of the community.” McDougle v. Maxwell, 1 Ohio St. 2d 68, 70, 203
N.E.2d 334 (1964).
State v. Lucious, 3d. Dist. Logan No. 8-18-31, 2019-Ohio-741, ¶ 24.
Analysis
{¶19} Cartlidge argues that the trial court based its decision to impose
maximum, consecutive sentences upon Cartlidge’s arrest on September 12th and the
2013 exhibits presented at the sentencing hearing. (Appellant’s Brief at 15). To the
contrary, the record supports that the trial court considered the PSI, the oral
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arguments, the principles and purposes of sentencing (under R.C. 2929.11), and
balanced the seriousness and recidivism factors (under R.C. 2929.12) prior to
imposing sentence. (September 12, 2018 Tr. 22-23). Here, the maximum terms
imposed were within the statutory range, and the record demonstrates that the trial
court made the statutorily required findings regarding the imposition of consecutive
sentences. Cartlidge’s counsel of record highlighted Cartlidge’s prior conviction
for robbery and his conviction for drug offenses in 2013. (Id. at 8). The State
emphasized that Cartlidge committed new offenses while out on bond for the instant
offense; that Cartlidge had been convicted of fourteen drug-related offenses, eleven
of which were felonies; and that Cartlidge had significant criminal history. (Id. at
13-14).
{¶20} Based upon the record before us, the trial court engaged in a clear
analysis of all the evidence presented at the sentencing hearing. Thus, upon our
review of the record, we cannot conclude that the trial court’s sentence was so
grossly disproportionate to the offenses committed that it would “shock the sense of
justice of the community.” Accordingly, Cartlidge’s second assignment of error is
overruled in its entirety.
Assignment of Error No. III
Appellant was not provided effective assistance of counsel when
appellant’s attorney failed to motion the court to withdraw
defendant’s plea and failed to ask for a continuance to allow
defendant file a motion to withdraw his plea
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Standard of Review
{¶21} “To establish a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant
must show that counsel’s performance was deficient and that counsel’s deficient
performance prejudiced him.” State v. Huddleston, 3d. Dist. Logan No. 8-17-21,
2018-Ohio-1114, 2018 WL 1468739, ¶ 6, citing State v. Phillips, 3d Dist. Allen No.
1-15-43, 2016-Ohio-3105, 2016 WL 2957049, ¶ 11, (emphasis added), citing State
v. Jackson, 107 Ohio St. 3d 53, 2005-Ohio-5981, 836 N.E.2d 1173, ¶ 133,
citing, *587 Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80
L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). “The failure to make either showing defeats a claim
of ineffective assistance of counsel.” State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St. 3d 136, 143, 538
N.E.2d 373 (1989), quoting Strickland at 697, 104 S. Ct. 2052 (“[T]here is no reason
for a court deciding an ineffective assistance claim to approach the inquiry in the
same order or even to address both components of the inquiry if the defendant makes
an insufficient showing on one.”).
Analysis
{¶22} Here, Cartlidge argues that he was denied effective assistance of
counsel because his trial counsel should have objected to the State’s breach of the
plea agreement at the sentencing hearing. Appellant argues that Wingate should
have “upon receiving notice that the State intended to back out of the plea agreement
and argue for the maximum, consecutive sentences…” moved the trial court
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pursuant to Ohio’s criminal rules to withdraw Cartlidge’s guilty pleas. (Emphasis
added.) (Appellant’s Brief at 16).
{¶23} As we have noted herein before, Cartlidge’s conduct prior to
sentencing (i.e., arrest on new charges) released the State from its sentencing
recommendation contained in the plea agreement. Based upon Cartlidge’s new
charges the State recommended that the trial court impose maximum, consecutive
sentences at the sentencing hearing. The record is void as to whether Appellant’s
counsel had received advanced notice of the State’s decision prior to the sentencing
hearing. (September 12, 2018 Tr. 1-28). Even if such were the case, despite
Cartlidge’s new criminal charges, Appellant’s counsel made a strategic decision to
proceed with sentencing, begging for the trial court’s leniency. He had no
opposition from his client on this strategy.
{¶24} Moreover, Cartlidge in his statements to the trial court at sentencing,
acknowledged responsibility for his criminal activity and requested leniency which
to us suggests a coordinated plan of attack. (Id. at 6-7). There is no indication in
the record that Cartlidge wanted to test the State’s cases against him.
{¶25} Accordingly, there is nothing deficient in counsel’s performance under
the facts presented. Accordingly, Cartlidge’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error No. IV
The trial court erred by not merging allied offenses for purposes
of sentencing
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Standard of Review
{¶26} “‘A defendant bears the burden of proving that the offenses for which
he has been convicted and sentenced constitute allied offenses of similar
import.’” State v. Vanausdal, 3rd Dist. Shelby No. 17-16-06, 2016-Ohio-7735, ¶ 17,
quoting State v. Campbell, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2014-06-137, 2015-Ohio-1409,
¶ 18, citing State v. Luong, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2011-06-110, 2012-Ohio-4520,
¶ 46. Additionally, a reviewing court may look to the information contained in the
record to make its allied offense determination. Id. “Whether offenses are allied
offenses of similar import is a question of law that this Court reviews de novo.”
State v. Frye, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-17-30, 2018-Ohio-894; see also State v. Ruff,
143 Ohio St. 3d 114, 2013-Ohio-1441.
Analysis
{¶27} The Double Jeopardy Clause “protects against three abuses: (1) ‘a
second prosecution for the same offense after acquittal,’ (2) ‘a second prosecution
for the same offense after conviction,’ and (3) ‘multiple punishments for the same
offense.’” State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio St. 3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, ¶ 10, quoting North
Carolina v. Pearce, 395 U.S. 711, 717, 89 S. Ct. 2072, 23 L. Ed. 2d 656 (1969),
overruled on other grounds, Alabama v. Smith, 490 U.S. 794, 109 S. Ct. 2201, 104
L. Ed. 2d 865 (1989). The Double Jeopardy Clause’s third protection is codified in
the Ohio Revised Code in section 2941.25, which prohibits multiple punishments
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for the same offense by prohibiting multiple convictions for “allied offenses of
similar import” arising out of the same conduct.
{¶28} R.C. 2941.25, Ohio’s multiple-count statute, states:
(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.
R.C. 2941.25.
{¶29} The Supreme Court directs us to apply a three-part test to determine
whether a defendant can be convicted of multiple offenses:
As a practical matter, when determining whether offenses are allied
offenses of similar import within the meaning of R.C. 2941.25, courts
must ask three questions when 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. The conduct, the animus,
and the import must all be considered.
State v. Earley, 145 Ohio St. 3d 281, 2015-Ohio-4615, ¶ 12, quoting State v. Ruff,
143 Ohio St. 3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, ¶ 12 and citing Ruff at paragraphs one, two,
and three of the syllabus.
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{¶30} Applying the allied-offense analysis, we conclude that Cartlidge’s
convictions for aggravated trafficking in drugs and aggravated possession of drugs
are not allied offenses of similar import. We now address only the dissimilar-import
question of the three-part test.
{¶31} “As explained in Ruff, offenses are of dissimilar import ‘when the
defendant’s conduct constitutes offenses involving separate victims or if the harm
that results from each offense is separate and identifiable.’” Id. at ¶ 77, quoting Ruff
at paragraph two of the syllabus.
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. The
evidence at trial * * * will reveal whether the offenses have similar
import. When a defendant’s conduct victimizes more than one
person, the harm for each person is separate and distinct, and
therefore, the defendant can be convicted of multiple counts.
Ruff at ¶ 26.
{¶32} In the case sub judice, we find that the above listed factors weigh
heavily against finding that the Counts Six and Seven are allied offenses of similar
import. Both parties noted at the sentencing hearing that the drugs were packaged
separately. (September 12, 2018 Tr. 9, 18-19). Count Six involved seven individual
bindles of fentanyl packaged for sale.4 (September 12, 2018 Tr. at 19). Whereas
Count Seven, was packaged in bulk.5 (Id.). The crux of Cartlidge’s argument is
4
Each bindle contained .26 grams of fentanyl packaged individually for sale. (September 12, 2018 at 19).
5
The bulk package contained 2.12 grams of fentanyl packaged either for personal use or for sale. (Id.).
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that the drug packages whether packaged individually or packaged in bulk,
contained the same substance. This is not dispositive. The packaging of the seven
separate bindles demonstrates the separate animus of preparation for sale with
intended sales to, potentially, seven different drug users. Where the single package
represents the separate amicus for either personal consumption or for a bulk sale to
a purchaser, other than, to those who wish purchase smaller bindles.
{¶33} Notwithstanding the previous point, we were not provided with the
change of plea transcript to fully address the facts as they relate to allied offenses.
The appellant bears the burden of providing this Court with the record of the facts
(the missing transcript) necessary to support Cartlidge’s arguments. See, State v
Muller, 3d Dist. Defiance No. 4-11-09, 2012-Ohio-3530, 2012 WL 3194139, citing
In re Predmore, 3d Dist. Logan Nos. 8-09-03, 8-09-04, 8-09-05, 2010-Ohio-1626,
citing State v. West, 3d. Dist. Auglaize No. 2-06-04, 2006-Ohio-5834, 2006 WL
3159354, citing App.R. 9(B). In the absence of the transcript, this Court is required
to presume regularity in the trial court proceedings and affirm. (Id.). We conclude,
if the presumption of a given set of facts is necessary to determine if the offenses
were allied offenses of similar import, we must presume the facts established at the
change of plea hearing would have validated, rather than invalidated, the judgment
of the trial court. See State v. Brandon, 45 Ohio St. 3d 85, 543 N.E.2d 501 (1989)
citing Fisher v. Lanning v. Quillen, 76 Ohio St. 189, 81 N.E. 182 (1907). Based
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upon the foregoing, we cannot find that the trial court committed an error is law in
failing to merge Counts Six and Seven.
{¶34} For the foregoing reasons, we reject Cartlidge’s contention that Count
Six and Count Seven are allied offenses of similar import, and we overrule the fourth
assignment of error.
Conclusion
{¶35} Having reviewed the arguments, the briefs, and the record in this case,
we find no error prejudicial to Cartlidge in the particulars assigned and argued. The
judgment of the Common Pleas Court of Seneca County, Ohio is therefore affirmed.
Judgment Affirmed
PRESTON and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.
/jlr
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