State v. Jones , 2014 Ohio 3740 ( 2014 )

[Cite as State v. Jones, 2014-Ohio-3740.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
State of Ohio, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
No. 14AP-80
v. : (C.P.C. No. 12CR-10-5337)
Delrico E. Jones, : (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Defendant-Appellant. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on August 28, 2014
Ron O'Brien, Prosecuting Attorney, and Barbara A.
Farnbacher, for appellee.
Yeura R. Venters, Public Defender, and David L. Strait, for
appellant.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
SADLER, P.J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Delrico E. Jones, appeals from the judgment of the
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas convicting him of two counts of felonious assault
and a one-year firearm specification, and sentencing him to a total of ten years
incarceration and payment of $50,000 in restitution. For the following reasons, we
reverse and remand for resentencing and an evidentiary hearing on restitution.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} On October 18, 2012, appellant was indicted on two counts of felonious
assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.11, with accompanying three-year firearm specifications,
No. 14AP-80 2
in violation of R.C. 2941.145. The charges arose from the shootings of Shawn Walker
(Count 1) and William Walker (Count 2) on August 12, 2012.
{¶ 3} On October 16, 2013, appellant entered guilty pleas to the felonious assault
charges, as alleged in Counts 1 and 2 of the indictment, and a one-year firearm
specification, in violation of R.C. 2941.141, corresponding to Count 1. In exchange for the
guilty pleas, plaintiff-appellee, State of Ohio, requested that the trial court enter a nolle
prosequi on the firearm specification attached to Count 2.
{¶ 4} At the plea hearing, the prosecutor provided the following uncontested
factual summary. On August 12, 2012, appellant and another man went to the Walkers'
residence and engaged in a verbal altercation with Shawn and William over some money.
During this incident, appellant produced a handgun but did not use it. Appellant and the
man left and went to a nearby store. Appellant later returned to the Walkers' residence
with three other men. A physical altercation ensued, during which appellant shot Shawn
in the leg, and one of the other men shot William in the arm. Appellant and the three men
then fled the scene. Appellant was apprehended on October 10, 2012. Police recovered a
gun nearby, which matched bullet casings found at the scene of the shooting.
{¶ 5} The trial court accepted appellant's guilty pleas and found him guilty of two
counts of felonious assault and a one-year firearm specification. The court ordered a
presentence investigation report and set the matter for sentencing.
{¶ 6} At the November 21, 2013 sentencing hearing, both Shawn and William,
along with Howard Walker, who was also present during the shootings, provided
statements regarding the impact of appellant's actions on their lives. William also told the
court, "I got medical bills I can't pay" resulting from being shot in the arm by appellant's
accomplice. (Nov. 21, 2013 Tr., 27.) When the trial court inquired as to the amount of
those medical bills, William responded, "it's up over 100 some thousand dollars. * * * My
bills are still going." (Nov. 21, 2013 Tr., 27-28.) At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial
court imposed a period of six years imprisonment on Count 1, with an additional one year
for the firearm specification, and a period of six years imprisonment on Count 2, to be
served consecutively, for an aggregate 13-year prison term. The trial court also ordered
appellant to pay $50,000 in restitution with no deferral.
No. 14AP-80 3
{¶ 7} Immediately after sentence was imposed, appellant's counsel objected to the
restitution order and argued that the award lacked supporting documentation. Upon
appellant's request, the court permitted appellant to make a statement, in which appellant
averred that he did not return to the Walkers' residence with the intention of harming
anyone, but, rather, he returned because one of the residents requested that he return to
discuss whether he had stolen some money. According to appellant, this discussion
ultimately resulted in the shootings.
{¶ 8} Following appellant's statement, the trial court inquired if any
documentation had been provided regarding the restitution; the prosecutor answered in
the negative. The trial court then modified appellant's sentence to five years
imprisonment on Count 1, with an additional one year for the firearm specification, and a
period of four years imprisonment on Count 2, to be served consecutively, for an
aggregate ten-year prison term. The trial court again ordered appellant to pay $50,000 in
restitution, but deferred payment until after appellant's release from prison. On
January 2, 2014, the trial court issued a judgment entry memorializing appellant's
sentence.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶ 9} In a timely appeal, appellant asserts the following two assignments of error:
[I.] The trial court committed plain error in imposing
consecutive sentences without making the necessary findings
in violation of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).
[II.] The trial court erred by ordering restitution when the
record did not contain competent, credible evidence
establishing the amount of loss sustained by the victim.
A. First Assignment of Error
{¶ 10} In his first assignment of error, appellant contends the trial court
committed plain error in imposing consecutive sentences without making the necessary
findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).
{¶ 11} We note initially that appellant did not object to the imposition of
consecutive sentences at the sentencing hearing; thus, he has forfeited all but plain error.
See Crim.R. 52(B); State v. Wilson, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-551, 2013-Ohio-1520, ¶ 8. Under
No. 14AP-80 4
Crim.R. 52(B), "[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be noticed
although they were not brought to the attention of the court." "To constitute plain error,
the error must be obvious on the record, palpable, and fundamental such that it should
have been apparent to the trial court without objection." State v. Gullick, 10th Dist. No.
13AP-26, 2013-Ohio-3342, ¶ 3, citing State v. Tichon, 102 Ohio App. 3d 758, 767 (9th
Dist.1995).
{¶ 12} R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) provides:
If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for
convictions of multiple offenses, the court may require the
offender to serve the prison terms consecutively if the court
finds that the consecutive service is necessary to protect the
public from future crime or to punish the offender and that
consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the
seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the
offender poses to the public, and if the court also finds any of
the following:
(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple
offenses while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing,
was under a sanction imposed pursuant to section 2929.16,
2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-
release control for a prior offense.
(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as
part of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused
by two or more of the multiple offenses so committed was so
great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the
offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct
adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender's conduct.
(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates
that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public
from future crime by the offender.
{¶ 13} Although the trial court need not use talismanic words to comply with R.C.
2929.14(C)(4) before imposing consecutive sentences, the trial court must make clear on
the record that it made the required findings. State v. Revels, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-831,
2014-Ohio-795, ¶ 10, citing State v. Boynton, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-975, 2013-Ohio-3794,
¶ 9, citing State v. Marton, 8th Dist. No. 99253, 2013-Ohio-3430, ¶ 13 ("it must be clear
No. 14AP-80 5
from the record that the trial court actually made the findings required by statute").
(Emphasis sic.)
{¶ 14} The state essentially concedes that the trial court did not comply with R.C.
2929.14(C)(4). Indeed, the state avers in its brief that, "[a]lthough the trial court did not
say the 'magic words' required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), its comments at the sentencing
hearing indicate that it would have had no problem making the statutory findings if an
objection had been lodged or the issue otherwise had been brought to its attention."
(Appellee's Brief, 4-5.)
{¶ 15} Pursuant to our review, we note that the trial court did state that it
"considered all the factors this court is required to consider before imposing a sentence"
and that "this is a case * * * where the factors demand and require consecutive sentences."
(Nov. 21, 2013 Tr., 35, 37.) In addition, the trial court discussed the seriousness of
appellant's offenses and the need to punish him for committing the offenses. In
particular, the court averred that appellant had returned to the Walkers' residence after
the initial verbal confrontation, shot one victim, and was responsible for the second victim
being shot by an assailant who accompanied appellant to the residence. The court further
stated that the victims had sustained serious injuries in the shooting. The court also
observed that the victims had helped appellant in the past, and appellant had failed to
assist law enforcement in finding the other offenders. In addition, the trial court averred
that "[t]here's a price to pay for shattering the trust and the lives of folks who took you in"
and that appellant had "to pay" for the "stupid decisions" he made. (Nov. 21, 2013 Tr.,
36.) However, the trial court did not make the findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).
{¶ 16} It is established in this district that "when the record demonstrates that the
trial court failed to make the findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) before imposing
consecutive sentences on multiple offenses, 'appellant's sentence is contrary to law and
constitutes plain error.' " State v. Ayers, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-371, 2014-Ohio-276, ¶ 15,
quoting Wilson at ¶ 18; Boynton at ¶ 12; see also State v. Bailey, 10th Dist. No 12AP-699,
2013-Ohio-3596, ¶ 46; State v. Hunter, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-196, 2013-Ohio-4013, ¶ 9;
State v. Castlin, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-331, 2013-Ohio-4889, ¶ 8-9; State v. Phipps, 10th
Dist. No. 13AP-351, 2013-Ohio-5546, ¶ 15; State v. Bender, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-934,
2013-Ohio-2777, ¶ 7; Revels at ¶ 11; State v. V.J., 10th Dist. No. 13AP-799, 2014-Ohio-
No. 14AP-80 6
2618, ¶ 39. In addition to this court's jurisprudence, the Supreme Court of Ohio has very
recently held that, "[i]n order to impose consecutive terms of imprisonment, a trial court
is required to make the findings mandated by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing
hearing and incorporate its findings into its sentencing entry." State v. Bonnell, ___ Ohio
St.3d ___, 2014-Ohio-3177, syllabus.
{¶ 17} The state argues that this case should not be remanded for resentencing
despite the trial court's failure to comply with R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). The state first contends
that this court's decisions in Wilson and its progeny conflict with our decision in State v.
Gilbert, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-142, 2012-Ohio-5521, and that such conflict is "en-banc-
worthy." (Appellee's Brief, 8.) In Revels, we considered and rejected this identical
argument, stating:
[W]e recently denied the state's application for en banc
consideration in State v. Castlin, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-331,
2014-Ohio-223, ¶ 5, finding that there is "no way to link the
analysis in Gilbert * * * to the precedent established in Wilson
and its progeny." Accordingly, Gilbert does not assist the
state in arguing against requiring compliance with R.C.
2929.14(C)(4).
Id. at ¶ 17.
{¶ 18} The state also contends that, even if appellant's sentence is contrary to law,
appellant cannot demonstrate plain error. The state specifically maintains that the
evidence supports the imposition of consecutive sentences, and the record provides no
indication that the trial court would have sentenced appellant differently had it made the
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) findings on the record. As we acknowledged above, the record
demonstrates that the trial court was well aware of the seriousness of appellant's offenses
and believed that appellant needed to be punished for his actions. However, the court was
mandated by statute to make the R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) findings on the record. Because the
trial court failed to do so, appellant's sentence is contrary to law and constitutes plain
error. Boynton at ¶ 12, citing Wilson at ¶ 18. Accordingly, we must remand this matter to
the trial court to consider whether consecutive sentences are appropriate, pursuant to
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), and, if so, to make the proper findings on the record at the sentencing
No. 14AP-80 7
hearing and incorporate those findings into its sentencing entry. Bonnell; Revels; V.J.
Appellant's first assignment of error is sustained.
B. Second Assignment of Error
{¶ 19} In his second assignment of error, appellant contends the trial court erred
by ordering appellant to pay $50,000 in restitution to William. Appellant argues that the
record does not contain competent, credible evidence to support the restitution order, as
"the only information in the record regarding financial loss sustained by a victim is
William Walker's unsupported statement that the medical bills were 'up over 100 some
thousand dollars.' " (Appellant's Brief, 11.)
{¶ 20} R.C. 2929.18(A)(1) authorizes a trial court to impose restitution as part of a
sentence in order to compensate the victim for economic loss. "A trial court has discretion
to order restitution in an appropriate case and may base the amount it orders on a
recommendation of the victim, the offender, a presentence investigation report, estimates
or receipts indicating the cost of repairing or replacing property, and other information,
but the amount ordered cannot be greater than the amount of economic loss suffered as a
direct and proximate result of the commission of the offense." State v. Lalain, 136 Ohio
St.3d 248, 2013-Ohio-3093, paragraph one of the syllabus; R.C. 2929.18(A)(1). As
relevant here, "[e]conomic loss" is defined in R.C. 2929.01(L) as "any economic detriment
suffered by a victim as a direct and proximate result of the commission of an offense and
includes any * * * medical cost * * * incurred as a result of the commission of the offense."
{¶ 21} "The amount of restitution ordered by a trial court must bear a reasonable
relationship to the loss suffered." State v. Norman, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-505, 2013-Ohio-
1908, ¶ 66, citing State v. Blay, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-247, 2010-Ohio-4749, ¶ 7. "An award
of restitution is limited to the actual loss caused by the defendant's criminal conduct for
which he [or she] was convicted, and there must be competent and credible evidence in
the record from which the court may ascertain the amount of restitution to a reasonable
degree of certainty." Id., citing Blay at ¶ 7.
{¶ 22} This court applies an abuse of discretion standard to a trial court's
restitution order. Id. at ¶ 67, citing State v. Whiting, 2d Dist. No. 20168, 2004-Ohio-
5284, ¶ 7. "A trial court abuses its discretion when it orders restitution in an amount that
has not been determined to bear a reasonable relationship to the actual loss suffered as a
No. 14AP-80 8
result of the defendant's offense." State v. Aliane, 10th Dist. No. 03AP-840, 2004-Ohio-
3730, ¶ 15. "The term 'abuse of discretion' connotes more than an error of law or
judgment; it implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or
unconscionable." Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St. 3d 217, 219 (1983).
{¶ 23} The evidence to support a restitution order can take the form of either
documentary evidence or testimony. State v. DeJoy, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-919, 2011-Ohio-
2745, ¶ 33, citing State v. Holt, 8th Dist. No. 95520, 2011-Ohio-1582; Columbus v.
Martin, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-937, 2012-Ohio-2654, ¶ 12 (construing identical language in
R.C. 2929.28); State v. Hatmaker, 12th Dist. No. CA2012-10-198, 2013-Ohio-3202
(victim's loss may be substantiated through documentary evidence or testimony,
including that of the victim); In re Czika, 11th Dist. No. 2007-L-009, 2007-Ohio-4110, ¶ 8
(amount of loss may be established with documentary evidence or testimony); In re
Hatfield, 4th Dist. No. 03CA14, 2003-Ohio-5404, ¶ 9 (victim may establish loss through
documentary evidence or testimony).
{¶ 24} A victim's testimony alone is sufficient to establish economic loss for the
purpose of a trial court's restitution order. State v. Policaro, 10th Dist. No. 06AP-913,
2007-Ohio-1469 (restitution order supported by victim's testimony, which was sufficient
evidence to establish the value of her loss for the purpose of the trial court's restitution
order); State v. Tabasso, 8th Dist. No. 98248, 2013-Ohio-3721 (victim's testimony
regarding accumulated medical bills and lost wages established value of loss and amount
of restitution awarded the victim); State v. Sexton, 1st Dist. No. C-110037, 2011-Ohio-
5246 (victim's testimony was competent, credible evidence substantiating loss and
supporting restitution award; substantiation of testimony by documentary evidence not
required by R.C. 2929.18(A)(1)); Czika (no absolute requirement that the victim must
demonstrate loss through documentary evidence); Hatfield (theft victim's testimony
alone established economic loss without resort to documentary evidence); State v.
McClain, 5th Dist. No. 2010 CA 00039, 2010-Ohio-6413 (unrebutted testimony of victim,
without written documentation, sufficient to establish economic loss).
{¶ 25} In the present case, William averred at the sentencing hearing, "I got
medical bills I can't pay" resulting from being shot in the arm by appellant's accomplice.
(Nov. 21, 2013 Tr., 27.) When the trial court inquired as to the amount of those medical
No. 14AP-80 9
bills, William responded, "it's up over 100 some thousand dollars. * * * My bills are still
going." (Nov. 21, 2013 Tr., 27-28.) No documentation supporting William's statement
was offered. The trial court expressly based its $50,000 restitution order solely on
William's statement, stating, "I heard some statements for restitution in the ballpark of
$100,000. The court's going to order restitution in the amount of $50,000." (Nov. 21,
2013 Tr., 39.) As noted above, this court and others have determined that a restitution
order may be supported solely by the victim's testimony without documentary
corroboration. Policaro; Tabasso; Sexton; Czika; Hatfield; McClain.
{¶ 26} However, appellant's counsel objected to the trial court's restitution order.
R.C. 2929.18(A)(1) states that "[i]f the court decides to impose restitution, the court shall
hold a hearing on restitution if the offender, victim, or survivor disputes the amount."
The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that "[a] trial court is required to conduct a hearing
on restitution * * * if the offender, victim, or survivor disputes the amount of restitution
ordered." Lalain at paragraph two of the syllabus. In addition, this court has stated
" 'R.C. 2929.18(A)(1) "expressly provides that a trial court shall hold a hearing on
restitution if the victim, offender, or survivor disputes the amount." ' " (Emphasis sic.)
Norman at ¶ 69, quoting Blay at ¶ 12, quoting State v. Lamere, 3d Dist. No. 1-07-11,
2007-Ohio-4930, ¶ 10.
{¶ 27} The present case is similar to Aliane. There, the defendant argued that the
trial court erred in ordering him to pay restitution because there was no evidence
presented as to the actual amount of restitution owed. At the sentencing hearing, the trial
court stated that restitution was established by the probation department. Furthermore,
the trial court indicated in its journalized entry that it had ordered and received a pre-
sentence investigation report ("PSI"). This court noted that "[t]he trial court may
consider a PSI when ordering restitution." Id. at ¶ 16, citing State v. Brumback, 109 Ohio
App.3d 65, 83 (9th Dist.1996); State v. Williams, 34 Ohio App. 3d 33, 34 (2d Dist.1986).
{¶ 28} This court further noted, however, that both appellant and his attorney had
objected to the amount of restitution ordered. Citing the language in R.C. 2929.18(A)(1)
mandating that a trial court hold a hearing on restitution if the victim, offender or
survivor disputes the amount, this court found that the trial court committed reversible
error by failing to comply with the requirements of the statute. Accordingly, we reversed
No. 14AP-80 10
the portion of the trial court order relating to restitution and ordered the trial court to
conduct a hearing to determine the correct amount of restitution owed.
{¶ 29} In the present case, because appellant's counsel specifically disputed the
amount of restitution ordered, the trial court was required to hold a hearing to determine
the appropriate amount of restitution and failure to do so constitutes reversible error.
Lalain; Norman; Blay; Lamere; Aliane. Upon remand, the trial court shall conduct an
evidentiary hearing in compliance with the requirements of R.C. 2929.18(A)(1).
Accordingly, appellant's second assignment of error is sustained.
III. CONCLUSION
{¶ 30} Having sustained appellant's first and second assignments of error, we
reverse the judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and remand this
matter to that court for resentencing and an evidentiary hearing on restitution.
Judgment reversed;
cause remanded with instructions.
TYACK and O'GRADY, JJ., concur.
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