State v. Caraballo ( 2012 )

[Cite as State v. Caraballo, 2012-Ohio-5725.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 97915
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
VIRGEN CARABALLO
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-551566
BEFORE: Rocco, J., Sweeney, P.J., and S. Gallagher, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: December 6, 2012
-i-
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
R. Brian Moriarty
R. Brian Moriarty, L.L.C.
2000 Standard Building
1370 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
BY: Katherine Mullin
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
The Justice Center
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
KENNETH A. ROCCO, J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Virgen Caraballo appeals from her
convictions and the consecutive sentences imposed after she pleaded guilty in
the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to seven counts of patient
abuse in violation of R.C. 2903.34(A)(1).
{¶2} Caraballo presents five assignments of error. She claims the trial
court failed to provide clear information during her plea hearing concerning
the maximum penalties involved, thus, the court should not have accepted
her pleas. She also claims the trial court abused its discretion in failing to
grant her a continuance of her sentencing hearing and in determining that
the presentence investigation report was inaccurate with respect to the issue
of whether the victim suffered physical harm. She asserts the trial court did
not act in an impartial manner in sentencing her, and further asserts that the
maximum and consecutive sentences imposed are disproportionate to the
sentences imposed on other similarly situated offenders.
{¶3} Because a review of the record does not support Caraballo’s
arguments, her assignments of error are overruled. Caraballo’s convictions
and sentences are affirmed.
{¶4} Caraballo was originally indicted in this case in July 2011 on 13
counts of patient abuse. Each count named the same victim, and the counts
included a range of dates for the offenses beginning on April 8, 2011, until
May 15, 2011.
{¶5} After several pretrial hearings, the parties notified the trial court
that a plea agreement had been reached. The plea hearing took place on
December 1, 2011.
{¶6} As outlined by the prosecutor, in exchange for Caraballo’s guilty
pleas to seven separate counts and her agreement to relinquish her
state-tested nursing assistant license, the state would dismiss the other six
counts. The prosecutor noted that, pursuant to the new sentencing
provisions in effect, Caraballo was “eligible for mandatory probation if in fact
requirements are met,” but, “the Court may impose a prison term pursuant to
[R.C.] 2929.13(B)(1)(c) and (B)(1)(b) if certain conditions or requirements are
met.
***”
{¶7} After these representations, the trial court conducted a careful
colloquy. The court noted that the potential penalties included:
a possible period of incarceration. You are eligible for mandatory
probation, but I don’t know what [the court] will do, but you could
receive anywhere between six and twelve months — I should say
six and eighteen months on any one of these counts.
(Emphasis added.)
{¶8} Caraballo answered, “Yes,” when the trial court asked her if she
understood. The court also informed her that, if she were sent to prison,
Caraballo “might be subject to * * * post-release control * * * for a period up
to three years.” The court described the possible consequences should she
violate postrelease control, satisfied itself that Caraballo had no questions,
then asked for her pleas. Caraballo entered guilty pleas. The trial court
referred her for a presentence investigation report and set January 9, 2012,
as the date for the sentencing hearing.
{¶9} The record reflects both the prosecutor and defense counsel filed
sentencing memoranda on January 6, 2012. When Caraballo’s case was
called for sentencing, her attorney requested a continuance. Defense counsel
informed the trial court that he had received the state’s sentencing
memorandum only the night before and, at that time, discovered the state
attached an expert report.
{¶10} Prior to deciding the issue, the trial court listened to arguments
from both the prosecutor and defense counsel. The court then denied defense
counsel’s motion to continue the sentencing hearing, but struck the expert’s
report from the state’s brief.
{¶11} The prosecutor proceeded to recommend that the trial court
impose a prison term on Caraballo for her convictions. The prosecutor
asserted that Caraballo inflicted physical harm on the victim and supported
this position by displaying a video that showed the basis for the charges that
had been brought against Caraballo.
{¶12} The trial court subsequently heard from the victim’s son, who told
the court that his suspicions about the care his mother received at the
nursing facility had been aroused when he observed bruises on her body.
Over defense counsel’s objection, the victim’s son produced a photograph that
depicted a contusion on the victim’s left cheek.
{¶13} When Caraballo addressed the trial court, her first comments
included the declaration that the situation had been “very hard for [her],” and
that the victim “fought all the time.” Caraballo could not explain why the
video showed no such action on the victim’s part.
{¶14} The trial court described for the record some of Caraballo’s
behaviors as demonstrated on the video. The court then stated that,
although Caraballo’s defense counsel requested probation, persons who
treated infirm people in such a manner needed to be “disciplined.”
{¶15} The trial court continued,
This Court is satisfied that based upon what the Court viewed in
the video, which was [the victim] being thrown, being roughly
handled, being pushed in the face, being turned upside-down,
being thrown into a corner, sheets being pulled from underneath
her, being thrown to the side, * * * that [the bruise] could have
resulted from the physical harm that was caused to her * * * .
{¶16} The trial court found that Caraballo physically harmed the
victim, that Caraballo’s actions constituted “some of the worst conduct” that
the court had seen, that consecutive sentences were necessary to protect the
public from future crimes and to punish the offender, that Caraballo’s actions
occurred as a course of continuous criminal conduct, and that prison terms
were “not disproportionate to the seriousness of defendant’s conduct and to
the danger that the offender poses to the public.” After stating these
findings, the trial court imposed consecutive terms of eighteen months on
each count.
{¶17} Caraballo presents the following five assignments of error in this
appeal.
I. The trial court did not comply with Crim.R. 11 and Defendant’s
plea was not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made.
II. The trial court erred and/or abused its discretion in refusing
to grant a continuance so that defense counsel could rebut the
state’s sentencing memorandum and/or argument of physical
harm.
III. The trial court erred and/or abused its discretion in
overruling the pre-sentence investigation report and finding
physical harm was involved in this case.
IV. The Defendant was denied a fair sentencing hearing
resulting in a violation of her due process rights.
V. The trial court erred in imposing a term of incarceration that
is not proportionate to similarly situated offenders.
{¶18} In her first assignment of error, Caraballo claims that the trial
court violated Crim.R. 11(C) at her plea hearing. She argues that using the
word “mandatory” in informing her that she might be eligible to receive
community control sanctions rather than prison was so “confusing” as to
render her plea invalid. She further argues, without citation to any
authority, that the trial court neglected to describe all “the additional
penalties and options available for the Adult Parole Authority” when
discussing postrelease control at the plea hearing. Upon a review of the
record, this court finds that her arguments lack merit.
{¶19} Pursuant to Crim.R. 11(C), a trial court must make certain
advisements prior to accepting a defendant’s guilty plea in order to ensure
that the plea is knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. State v. Engle, 74 Ohio
St.3d 525, 660 N.E.2d 450 (1996). These advisements are divided into
constitutional rights and nonconstitutional rights. State v. Griggs, 103 Ohio
St.3d 85, 2004-Ohio-4415, 814 N.E.2d 51.
{¶20} The constitutional rights are: (1) a jury trial; (2) confrontation of
witnesses; (3) compulsory process; (4) proof of the defendant’s guilt by the
state beyond a reasonable doubt at trial; and (5) the right against
self-incrimination. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c); State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St.3d 176,
2008-Ohio-5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, ¶ 19-21. Because the trial court must
strictly comply with these requirements, if it fails, the defendant’s guilty plea
is invalid. Veney at ¶ 31; State v. Ballard, 66 Ohio St.2d 473, 477, 423
N.E.2d 115 (1981).
{¶21} The nonconstitutional rights of which the defendant must be
informed are: (1) the nature of the charges; (2) the maximum penalty
involved, which includes, if applicable, an advisement on postrelease control;
(3) if applicable, that the defendant is not eligible for the imposition of
community control sanctions; and (4) that the court may proceed directly to
judgment and sentencing. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a)(b); Veney at ¶ 10-13; State v.
Sarkozy, 117 Ohio St.3d 86, 2008-Ohio-509, 881 N.E.2d 1224, ¶ 19-26.
{¶22} The trial court must substantially comply with the mandates of
Crim.R. 11 with respect to nonconstitutional rights. Griggs, 103 Ohio St.3d
85, 2004-Ohio-4415, 814 N.E.2d 51, at ¶ 12, citing State v. Nero, 56 Ohio St.3d
106, 564 N.E.2d 474 (1990). “Substantial compliance means that under the
totality of the circumstances the defendant subjectively understands the
implications of [her] plea and the rights [s]he is waiving.” Veney at ¶ 15,
quoting Nero at 108. A defendant who challenges her guilty plea on the
basis that the trial court’s advisement of nonconstitutional rights was not in
substantial compliance with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a)(b) must also show a
prejudicial effect, i.e., that the plea would not have been entered. Veney at ¶
15, citing Nero at 108.
{¶23} R.C. 2929.13, as amended by H.B. 86, sets forth the penalties for
fourth and fifth degree felonies, and provides in relevant part as follows:
(B)(1)(a) Except as provided in division (B)(1)(b) of this
section, if an offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony of
the fourth or fifth degree that is not an offense of violence, the
court shall sentence the offender to a community control sanction
of at least one year’s duration if all of the following apply:
(i) The offender previously has not been convicted of or
pleaded guilty to a felony offense or to an offense of violence that
is a misdemeanor and that the offender committed within two
years prior to the offense for which sentence is being imposed.
(ii) The most serious charge against the offender at the time of
sentencing is a felony of the fourth or fifth degree.
(iii) If the court made a request of the department of rehabilitation and
correction pursuant to division (B)(1)(c) of this section, the department,
within the forty-five-day period specified in that division, provided the court
with the names of, contact information for, and program details of one or
more community control sanctions of at least one year’s duration that are
available for persons sentenced by the court.
(b) The court has discretion to impose a prison term upon an offender
who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony of the fourth or fifth degree
that is not an offense of violence if any of the following apply:
(i) The offender committed the offense while having a firearm on or
about the offender’s person or under the offender’s control.
(ii) The offender caused physical harm to another person while
committing the offense. * * *
***
(2) If division (B)(1) of this section does not apply, except as provided
in division (B)(3), (E)[pertaining to drug offenses], (F)[pertaining to certain
listed offenses], or (G)[pertaining to OVI offenses] of this section, in
sentencing an offender for a felony of the fourth or fifth degree, the
sentencing court shall determine whether any of the following apply:
(a) In committing the offense, the offender caused physical harm to a
person.
***
(3)(a) If the court makes a finding described in division (B)(2)(a), * * *
of this section and if the court, after considering the factors set forth in
section 2929.12 of the Revised Code, finds that a prison term is consistent
with the purposes and principles of sentencing set forth in section 2929.11 of
the Revised Code and finds that the offender is not amenable to an available
community control sanction, the court shall impose a prison term upon the
offender.
(b) Except as provided in division (E), (F), or (G) of this section, if the
court does not make a finding described in division (B)(2)(a) * * * of this
section and if the court, after considering the factors set forth in section
2929.12 of the Revised Code, finds that a community control sanction or
combination of community control sanctions is consistent with the purposes
and principles of sentencing set forth in section 2929.11 of the Revised Code,
the court shall impose a community control sanction or combination of
community control sanctions upon the offender. (Emphasis added.)1
1 Given the morass that constitutes R.C. 2929.13, as amended by H.B. 86, it is no surprise
{¶24} Caraballo was charged with patient abuse in violation of R.C. 2903.34(A)(1).
According to R.C. 2903.34(A)(1), an employee of a nursing facility shall not “[c]ommit
abuse against a resident or patient of the facility
* * * .” In R.C. 2903.33(B), “abuse” is defined as “knowingly causing physical harm or
recklessly causing serious physical harm to a person by physical contact with the person *
* * .” R.C. 2901.01(A)(9) defines an “offense of violence” to mean, in pertinent part, “an
offense, other than a traffic offense,
* * * committed purposely or knowingly, and involving physical harm to persons or a risk
of serious physical harm to persons * * * .” (Emphasis added.)
{¶25} Because R.C. 2929.13(B) was the only section of the sentencing
statutes that applied to R.C. 2903.34(A)(1), neither community control
sanctions nor a prison sentence was “mandatory” for Caraballo’s crimes.
Compare State v. Dunn, 9th Dist. No. 13093, 1987 Ohio App. LEXIS 9074(Oct. 7, 1987). The use of the term “mandatory” by the prosecutor and the
trial court in informing Caraballo about the possibility of the imposition of
community control sanctions was, therefore, inartful at best.
{¶26} However, in context, all the information Caraballo received at the
plea hearing concerning the potential penalties she faced upon entering guilty
that there appeared to be some initial confusion during the plea and sentencing hearings as to
what potential penalties applied to Caraballo’s offenses. Clarification of R.C. 2929.13 by the
legislature would be helpful to ensure its proper application in future cases.
pleas was conditional; thus, there was “partial compliance” with Crim.R.
11(C). State v. Clark, 119 Ohio St.3d 239, 2008-Ohio-3748, 893 N.E.2d 462,
¶ 32. Caraballo neither asked any questions nor indicated she had any
confusion about the possibility that she could receive a prison sentence. The
record also reflects that the trial court provided Caraballo with an adequate
explanation of applicable postrelease control requirements. State v. Poole,
8th Dist. No. 96921, 2012-Ohio-2622, ¶ 11. Furthermore, Caraballo obtained
the dismissal of nearly half of the charges by entering her guilty pleas.
{¶27} Under these circumstances, the totality of circumstances supports
a conclusion that Caraballo subjectively understood the consequences of
entering her guilty pleas, and, further, that Caraballo cannot demonstrate
that she would not have entered her pleas if the word “mandatory” had not
been used by the trial court. State v. Anderson, 8th Dist. No. 92576,
2010-Ohio-2085; compare State v. Hollobaugh, 5th Dist. No. 11-AP-0006,
2012-Ohio-2620; State v. Bryant, 4th Dist. No. 11CA19, 2012-Ohio-3189;
State v. Farley, 1st Dist. No. C-0100478, 2002-Ohio-1142. Her first
assignment of error, consequently, is overruled.2
Caraballo was represented by counsel during the plea negotiations and at
2
the plea and sentencing hearings. As this court has previously stated, “[a]
defendant has a right to effective assistance of counsel in considering plea offers
and * * * is entitled to accurate information allowing [her] to compare the plea offer
with the outstanding charges.” State v. Jeffries, 8th Dist. No. 78070, 2001 Ohio
App. LEXIS 2875, at *7 (June 28, 2001); see also State v. Simmons, 8th Dist. No.
91062, 2009-Ohio-2028, ¶ 27 (“A guilty plea is not voluntary if it is the result of
{¶28} Caraballo argues in her second assignment of error that the trial
court should have granted her motion for a continuance of the sentencing
hearing. She contends her defense to the allegations the state made in its
sentencing memorandum was compromised because she did not receive the
memorandum in a timely manner.
{¶29} “The grant or denial of a continuance is a matter which is
entrusted to the broad, sound discretion of the trial judge. [Therefore, an]
appellate court must not reverse the denial of a continuance unless there has
been an abuse of discretion.” State v. Unger, 67 Ohio St.2d 65, 67, 423
N.E.2d 1078 (1981), citing Ungar v. Sarafite, 376 U.S. 575, 589, 84 S.Ct. 841,
11 L.Ed.2d 921 (1964); State v. Bayless, 48 Ohio St.2d 73, 101, 357 N.E.2d
1035 (1976). An abuse of discretion “implies that the court’s attitude is
ineffective assistance of counsel”), citing State v. Masterson, 8th Dist. No. 90505,
2008-Ohio-4704. It is impossible to determine from the trial court record what
Caraballo’s counsel told her, prior to her guilty pleas, regarding the maximum
sentence she could receive for the seven counts of patient abuse to which she pled
guilty. If Caraballo’s counsel improperly advised Caraballo that the court was
required to impose a mandatory community control sanction and did not inform her
that she could be sentenced to a possible prison term of six to eighteen months on
each count, Caraballo could have a viable claim for ineffective assistance of counsel.
See, e.g., Jeffries at *7-8 (when accompanied by prejudice, defense counsel’s failure
to properly inform defendant of potential penalties in connection with a plea offer
could support a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel); State v. Bray, 7th
Dist. No. 04 MA 27, 2005-Ohio-2117, ¶ 40-44 (assistance of counsel may have been
ineffective where defense counsel failed to inform defendant of potential complicity
conviction during plea negotiations). Because it would require evidence outside the
trial court record, any such claim should be raised in a petition for postconviction
relief. See, e.g., State v. Reed, 8th Dist. No. 91767, 2009-Ohio-2264, ¶ 33.
unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.” State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d
151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144 (1980).
{¶30} The Ohio Supreme Court has stated that the following facts can
be considered when determining whether the trial court should have granted
a motion for a continuance: “the length of delay requested, prior continuances,
inconvenience, the reasons for the delay, whether the defendant contributed
to the delay, and other relevant factors.” State v. Landrum, 53 Ohio St.3d
107, 115, 559 N.E.2d 710 (1990) (Emphasis added.)
{¶31} The record in this case reveals that the reason defense counsel
gave as the basis for the motion was the fact that the state had attached the
report of a previously undisclosed expert to its sentencing memorandum.
The trial court thereupon permitted defense counsel time to review the
expert’s report.
{¶32} Afterward, defense counsel requested the trial court to strike
from the state’s sentencing memorandum any and all references to the
expert’s report. The trial court granted this request, thus rendering
Caraballo’s motion for a continuance moot. The trial court further informed
the parties that it would not rely on the sentencing memoranda. The
transcript of the sentencing hearing demonstrates defense counsel was
satisfied with this result and made no further reference to any need for a
continuance. Under these circumstances, no abuse of discretion occurred.
{¶33} Accordingly, Caraballo’s second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶34} In her third assignment of error, Caraballo argues that the trial
court acted improperly in rejecting one of the conclusions set forth in the
presentence investigation report, viz., that the victim incurred “no physical
harm.” Caraballo also claims that, in concluding otherwise, the trial court
relied upon improper evidence, viz., the photograph produced by the victim’s
son.
{¶35} At the time of Caraballo’s sentencing hearing, R.C. 2929.19 stated
in relevant part:
(A) The court shall hold a sentencing hearing before
imposing a sentence under this chapter upon an offender who was
convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony * * *. At the hearing,
the offender, the prosecuting attorney, the victim or the victim’s
representative in accordance with section 2930.14 of the Revised
Code * * * may present information relevant to the imposition of
sentence in the case. * * *
(B) (1) At the sentencing hearing, the court, before imposing sentence,
shall consider the record, any information presented at the hearing by any
person pursuant to division (A) of this section, and, if one was prepared, the
presentence investigation report made pursuant to section 2951.03 of the
Revised Code or Criminal Rule 32.2, and any victim impact statement made
pursuant to section 2947.051 of the Revised Code.
{¶36} Notably, the statute requires the trial court to “consider” the presentence
report, not to accept all of it as true. State v. Mayor, 7th Dist. No 07 MA 177,
2008-Ohio-7011. As previously stated, Caraballo pleaded guilty to seven counts of
patient abuse, and “abuse” is, by definition, the causing of “physical harm” to the victim.
R.C. 2903.33(B). The trial court did not act improperly, therefore, in coming to the
conclusion that the presentence investigation report was not entirely accurate in this
respect.
{¶37} In any event, the record of the sentencing hearing demonstrates that the
state introduced into evidence a video that depicted some of the treatment the victim
received at Caraballo’s hands. Based upon this evidence, the court concluded that the
victim certainly sustained some physical harm. State v. Witt, 8th Dist. No. 94800,
2011-Ohio-336. In light of the video and all the other factors the trial court considered, if
the introduction of the photograph as evidence of physical harm was error at all, it
constituted harmless error. State v. Ball, 11th Dist. No. 2009-A-0054, 2009-Ohio-999.
{¶38} Caraballo’s third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶39} Caraballo argues in her fourth and fifth assignments of error that the trial
court’s conduct and comments during the sentencing hearing demonstrate the proceeding
was so unfair as to deny Caraballo her right to due process of law. She supports this
argument by claiming that the court’s ultimate decision to impose maximum and
consecutive terms for her convictions constitutes disproportionate punishment.
{¶40} Recently, in State v. Balta, 8th Dist. No. 97755, 2012-Ohio-3462,
¶ 7, this court noted the following as the appropriate standard of review of a felony
sentence:
Appellate courts must first “examine the sentencing court’s compliance
with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine
whether the sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law.” [State v.]
Kalish, [120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124] at ¶ 4. If this
first prong is satisfied, then we review the trial court’s decision under an
abuse-of-discretion standard. Id. To constitute an abuse of discretion, the
ruling must be unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable. Blakemore v.
Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 5 Ohio B. 481, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶41} As in Balta, Caraballo must acknowledge that the trial court
complied with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing sentence in this
case. The trial court considered the presentence investigation report, the
circumstances surrounding Caraballo’s convictions, the video, and Caraballo’s
statement in her own behalf; Caraballo essentially blamed the 78-year-old
victim, who suffered from dementia, for being insufficiently cooperative. The
sentence imposed for each of Caraballo’s convictions was within the statutory
limits. In addition, the trial court made the necessary findings to impose
consecutive terms. Id. at ¶ 8-11.
{¶42} Caraballo failed to raise the issue of proportionality in the trial
court. Thus, neither the trial court nor this court has any “starting point for
analysis” of her assertion on appeal that her total sentence did not comply
with R.C. 2929.11(B), and she waived the issue for appellate review. State v.
Cooper, 8th Dist. No. 93308, 2010-Ohio-1983, ¶ 24.
{¶43} The record reflects that, in explaining her reasoning process in
deciding the appropriate sentences to impose, the trial judge referred to the
fact that the victim’s age was approximately her own. The judge indicated
that this fact made her much more aware of the seriousness of Caraballo’s
crimes. Although Caraballo argues the trial court’s reference was improper,
the Ohio Supreme Court addressed a similar argument in State v. Arnett, 88
Ohio St.3d 208, 215, 724 N.E.2d 793 (2000), as follows:
This court has held that the individual decisionmaker has the
discretion to determine the weight to assign a particular statutory factor.
State v. Fox (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 183, 193, 631 N.E.2d 124, 132, citing State
v. Mills (1992), 62 Ohio St.3d 357, 376, 582 N.E.2d 972, 978. A discretionary
decision necessitates the exercise of personal judgment, and we have
determined that when making such judgments, the sentencing court “is not
required to divorce itself from all personal experiences and make [its] decision
in a vacuum.” State v. Cook (1992), 65 Ohio St.3d 516, 529, 605 N.E.2d 70,
84, citing Barclay v. Florida (1983), 463 U.S. 939, 103 S.Ct. 3418, 77 L.Ed.2d
1134. For this reason, we have previously permitted a judge in a
death-penalty case to refer, during sentencing, to a personal friend of his who
was murdered. Id.{¶44} The record of this case reflects Caraballo committed her crimes while in a
position of trust. Caraballo abused the helpless victim over a period of time. Moreover,
Caraballo made affirmative efforts to conceal her actions, so she could continue her abuse
without detection. Balta, 8th Dist. No. 97755, 2012-Ohio-3462. Finally, when
brought to account for her actions, Caraballo displayed insincere remorse, blaming the
victim for being insufficiently cooperative with Caraballo’s “care.”
{¶45} A review of the entire sentencing hearing that took place in this case,
therefore, fails to demonstrate that the trial court conducted itself in an unfair manner.
Accordingly, Caraballo’s fourth and fifth assignments of error are overruled.
{¶46} Caraballo’s convictions and sentences are affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant 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 common
pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s convictions having
been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court
for execution of sentences.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to
Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
_________________________________
KENNETH A. ROCCO, JUDGE
JAMES J. SWEENEY, P.J., CONCURS;
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., DISSENTS
(SEE ATTACHED OPINION)
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., DISSENTING:
{¶47} I do not fault the trial judge, the prosecutor, defense counsel, or
Caraballo for the confusion raised by this case. The responsibility rests with
the legislature that chose to amend a statute to include the term “mandatory
probation” when in fact a finding of “physical harm” precludes such an
outcome. The fact that we would tell someone that she is eligible for
“mandatory probation” but also tell her that she can be sent to prison does not
lend clarity to the plea and sentencing process. The resulting confusion
makes the plea suspect. For these reasons, I respectfully dissent.