Toledo v. Blackshear , 2020 Ohio 1233 ( 2020 )

[Cite as Toledo v. Blackshear, 2020-Ohio-1233.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
LUCAS COUNTY
State of Ohio/City of Toledo Court of Appeals No. L-19-1092
Appellee Trial Court No. TRC-17-18903
v.
Ishmial Blackshear DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Appellant Decided: March 31, 2020
*****
David Toska, Chief Prosecutor, and Jimmie Jones,
Assistant Prosecutor, for appellee.
Emil G. Gravelle III, for appellant.
*****
MAYLE, J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, Ishmial Blackshear Bey1, appeals the May 10, 2019 judgment of
the Toledo Municipal Court convicting him of one count of operating a vehicle while
intoxicated. For the following reasons, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
1
At the April 3, 2019 plea hearing, appellant informed the trial court that his full name is
Ishmial Blackshear-Bey. In his filings, however, he identifies his last name only as Bey.
For that reason, we identify appellant as Bey despite the matter being captioned Toledo v.
Blackshear.
I. Background
{¶ 2} The facts underlying this appeal are not in dispute.2 On August 28, 2017,
appellant was arraigned on one count of driving while under the influence of alcohol
(“OVI”) in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1), a first-degree misdemeanor; one count of
making an improper turn at an intersection in violation of R.C. 4511.36, a minor
misdemeanor; and one count of possession of marijuana in violation of R.C.
2925.11(C)(3)(a), a minor misdemeanor. Bey declined the assistance of counsel and
proceeded pro se to a bench trial on March 13, 2018. He was convicted of driving while
under the influence of alcohol but was acquitted of the traffic violation and the possession
of marijuana charge.
{¶ 3} Bey appealed his conviction arguing the trial court failed to properly advise
him of the dangers of proceeding at trial without the assistance of counsel. On
February 22, 2019, we reversed Bey’s conviction finding that while Bey consistently
expressed his desire to represent himself, the trial court failed to conduct the necessary
pretrial colloquy “to ensure that Bey understood the dangers and disadvantages of self-
representation.” Blackshear at ¶ 25. The failure to engage in this colloquy prevented
appellant from knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waiving his right to the
assistance of counsel at trial and rendered his conviction invalid under the Sixth
2
For a full recitation of facts see State v. Blackshear, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-18-1103,
2019-Ohio-655, ¶ 2-15.
2.
Amendment of the United States Constitution. Id. We remanded the matter for further
proceedings related to the OVI charge.
{¶ 4} While his initial appeal was pending, Bey was charged with driving while
under a license suspension in violation of R.C. 4511.10, a first-degree misdemeanor, and
for driving with an expired registration in violation of R.C. 4503.11, a minor
misdemeanor. These additional charges were consolidated with the remanded case under
Toledo Municipal Court case No. TRC-17-18903. The consolidated case was set for
pretrial on April 3, 2019.
{¶ 5} On that same date, Bey filed a “Judicial Notice of Notice of Special
Appearance” in which he advised the trial court of his intent to enter a guilty plea
pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25, 91 S.Ct. 160 (1970). Then, at the
pretrial, appellant renewed his desire to enter an Alford plea but also described it as a no
contest plea. The court explained the difference between the two pleas to Bey and
allowed him to speak with the public defender to help answer any questions he may have.
After speaking with the public defender, Bey confirmed his understanding of the
difference between a no contest plea and an Alford plea, and reaffirmed his desire to enter
an Alford plea.
{¶ 6} Next, the court explained the charge to which Bey was entering his plea—
the OVI—and that as a result of his plea, the state was dismissing the additional charges
of driving while under suspension and driving with an expired registration. The court
also explained the potential penalties resulting from entering an Alford plea to the OVI
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charge. Bey responded by challenging the legitimacy of the statute establishing the
penalties. Following a discussion regarding his disagreement with the provisions of the
statute, Bey ultimately confirmed his understanding of both the minimum and maximum
sanctions he faced if convicted.
{¶ 7} Finally, the court explained to Bey that he had the right to the assistance of
counsel in entering his plea. Bey stated that he wished to proceed without counsel but
declined to waive his right to counsel. The court explained that he could not accept
Bey’s plea unless he either agreed to the representation of a court-appointed counsel or
waived his right to counsel. Bey continued to ask the trial court to move forward with the
plea hearing but refused to accept appointed counsel or waive his right to counsel. After
a lengthy discussion, the trial judge stated that he decided to recuse himself because he
was unable to effectively communicate with Bey. A recusal order was filed later that day
and the matter was assigned a different judge.
{¶ 8} The court set the matter for a new pretrial, before the newly-assigned judge,
on April 17, 2019. One day before the pretrial, Bey again filed a “Judicial Notice of
Notice of Special Appearance” in which he announced his intention to enter an Alford
plea. At the pretrial, Bey again stated that he wished to enter an Alford plea to the OVI
charge. Just as the previous judge had done, the court advised Bey of the parameters of
an Alford plea and its distinction from a no contest plea. The court also advised Bey that
by entering his chosen plea he would be waiving his right to a trial and the right to
confront any witnesses presented against him. Bey was also advised that entering an
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Alford plea would serve as consent to being found guilty. The court informed Bey of the
potential penalties he could impose upon finding Bey guilty.
{¶ 9} Finally, the court advised Bey of his right to counsel. Bey was adamant that
he wished to proceed without counsel in entering an Alford plea but declined to waive his
right to counsel. The court asked Bey if his eyes were wide open “with regards to the
hazards of proceeding, on your own, and without an attorney?” Bey responded “[y]es,
they are. And the hazards of having an attorney is also wide open.” The court concluded
that Bey had been sufficiently advised of his right to counsel and that he had waived that
right.
{¶ 10} Following the discussion of Bey’s rights, the state proceeded to describe
the evidence it expected would be introduced at trial in support of the OVI charge. The
court then explained to Bey that the state had provided a statement of the facts it expected
to prove at trial and that if Bey entered an Alford plea he would determine whether Bey
was guilty based on those facts. Bey affirmed his understanding of the process and
entered a guilty plea pursuant to Alford. The court then asked Bey if he wished to make
any additional statements before it issued its finding of guilt. Bey responded “[o]nly the
retention of all my rights; constitutional and through the state of Ohio.” The court found
Bey guilty of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in
violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1). The remaining charges of driving on a suspended
license and driving with expired registration were dismissed.
5.
{¶ 11} The court sentenced Bey to 90 days in jail with 87 days suspended. Bey
was given the opportunity to serve the remaining three days at a driver intervention
program provided he complete the program before June 19, 2019. The court also
imposed a fine of $375, ordered Bey to pay courts costs of $108, imposed one year of
inactive probation as a community control sanction, and imposed a mandatory one-year
driver’s license suspension. Bey’s conviction and sentence were memorialized in the
trial court’s May 10, 2019 judgment entry.
{¶ 12} Bey timely appealed the trial court’s judgment and asserts the following
assignments of error for our review:
1. The trial court erred and deprived Mr. Bey of his right to counsel
under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States
Constitution and Section 10, Article 1 of the Ohio Constitution as the court
failed to ensure that Mr. Bey had made a voluntary, knowing, and
intelligent waiver of his right to counsel.
2. The trial court erred when it failed to substantially comply with
Criminal Rule 11(E).
3. He trial court erred when it failed to determine if Mr. Bey’s
Alford plea had been voluntarily and intelligently made.
6.
II. Law & Analysis
A. Bey voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his right to counsel.
{¶ 13} Bey’s first assignment of error alleges he did not voluntarily, knowingly, or
intelligently waive his right to counsel before entering his plea. Bey argues that this
ineffective waiver of his right to counsel renders his conviction invalid. We review
whether a defendant voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his or her right to
counsel de novo. State v. Reece, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-17-1314, 2019-Ohio-2259, ¶ 14.
{¶ 14} Criminal defendants are guaranteed the right to counsel at all critical stages
of the criminal process under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and
Article I, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution. Id. at ¶ 7, citing Gideon v. Wainwright,
372 U.S. 335, 342, 83 S.Ct. 792, 9 L.Ed.2d 799 (1963); State v. Martin, 103 Ohio St.3d
385, 2004-Ohio-5471, 816 N.E.2d 227. A plea hearing is a critical stage of the criminal
process at which the right to counsel applies. Id., citing Iowa v. Tovar, 541 US. 77, 81,
124 S.Ct. 1379, 158 L.Ed.2d 209 (2004). Thus, defendants wishing to enter a plea
without the assistance of an attorney must waive their right to counsel. State v. Doane,
69 Ohio App.3d 638, 646, 591 N.E.2d 735 (11th Dist.1990). Any waiver of a
defendant’s right to counsel must be made voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently. Id.Moreover, Crim.R. 44(C) requires that the “[w]aiver of counsel shall be in open court and
the advice and waiver shall be recorded[.]”
{¶ 15} There is a strong presumption against finding that a defendant has waived
his or her right to counsel. Reece at ¶ 9. “In order to establish an effective waiver of
7.
right to counsel, the trial court must make sufficient inquiry to determine whether
defendant fully understands and intelligently relinquishes that right.” State v. Gibson, 45
Ohio St.2d 366, 345 N.E.2d 399 (1976), syllabus. To do so, the trial court must engage
in a colloquy with the defendant to ensure that he or she “‘has been made aware of the
dangers and disadvantages of self-representation.’” State v. Obermiller, 147 Ohio St.3d
175, 2016-Ohio-1594, 63 N.E.3d 93, ¶ 43. That is, a valid waiver of one’s right to
counsel “must be made with an apprehension of the nature of the charges, the statutory
offenses included within them, the range of allowable punishments thereunder, possible
defenses to the charges and circumstances in mitigation thereof, and all other facts
essential to a broad understanding of the whole matter.” Gibson at 377, quoting Von
Moltke v. Gillies, 332 U.S. 708, 723, 68 S.Ct. 316, 92 L.Ed. 309 (1948). But, there is no
“one-size-fits-all” approach for trial courts to follow. “The information a defendant must
possess in order to make an intelligent [waiver] * * * will depend on a wide range of
case-specific factors, including the defendant’s education or sophistication, the complex
or easily grasped nature of the charge, and the stage of the proceeding.” State v. Johnson,
112 Ohio St.3d 210, 2006-Ohio-6404, 858 N.E.2d 1144, ¶ 101.
{¶ 16} Moreover, while there is a strong presumption against finding a defendant
waived their right to counsel, the defendant’s right to counsel “must be considered along
with the need for the efficient and effective administration of criminal justice.” State v.
Hook, 33 Ohio App.3d 101, 514 N.E.2d 721 (10th Dist.1986), citing U.S. v. Weninger,
624 F.2d 163, 166 (10th Cir.1980). “A defendant may not be permitted to be reasonably
8.
perceived as taking advantage of the trial court by claiming his right to counsel in order
to frustrate or delay the judicial process.” Id., citing State v. Wellman, 37 Ohio St.2d 162,
309 N.E.2d 915 (1974). A waiver of counsel can be inferred when a defendant’s conduct
in requesting counsel is perceived as frustrating the judicial process. Id. To ascertain
whether a waiver may be inferred, the court must take into account the total
circumstances of the individual case including the background, experience, and conduct
of the accused person. Id.{¶ 17} Turning to the facts of this case, we review the specific exchanges between
Bey and the court at the April 3 and April 17 hearings.
{¶ 18} At the April 3, 2019 hearing, the court advised Bey of the difference
between an Alford plea and a no contest plea after Bey’s statements indicated confusion
on that issue. The court provided appointed counsel to Bey for the limited purpose of
assisting in explaining the difference between two types of pleas. Once that confusion
was resolved, the court went through each potential penalty that could be imposed should
Bey proceed with his Alford plea and be found guilty of the OVI charge. Finally, with
regard to Bey’s right to counsel, the court engaged in the following exchange:
THE COURT: So under the statute 4511.19, and under Federal and
State Constitution, since you are looking at potential jail time upon a
conviction, you’ve got the right to an attorney. And of course, if you can’t
afford an attorney, The (sic) Court would appoint you an attorney. Entering
9.
a guilty plea, at this time, you would be waiving your right to an attorney.
Do you wish to waive your right to an attorney?
THE DEFENDANT: No. I’m not waiving any rights of mine. I
want all of them.
THE COURT: Okay, well I can’t accept your guilty plea, right now,
if you are not waiving your right to an attorney. Do you wish to have
additional time to come back with an attorney? Do you want the public
defender assigned to you?
THE DEFENDANT: No. I don’t – why would – why would I need
an attorney? I’m a grown man. Why would I need an attorney?
THE COURT: I didn’t say you need an attorney. I said you’ve got
the right to an attorney.
THE DEFENDANT: Exactly. So I’m saying that I don’t want one.
Why would I have to waive it? It’s mine. I’m not waiving anything. I’m
just saying that I don’t need one. I simply don’t need a lawyer. I wrote this
out –
THE COURT: If you intend to proceed, without an attorney, you’d
be waiving that right.
THE DEFENDANT: Okay. If you need the attorney you can utilize
him. I’m reserving all of my rights, but if you need to utilize him that’s
fine. As long as it don’t impeach any of my rights, I’m fine.
10.
THE COURT: Well, again, it’s not my rights. It’s your right.
THE DEFENDANT: Exactly.
THE COURT: It doesn’t make a difference to me.
THE DEFENDANT: Okay.
THE COURT: But again, if you’re proceeding, without an attorney,
-- right now you’re saying you don’t want one. That would be, in fact, a
waiver of your right to an attorney.
THE DEFENDANT: Not a waiver. It’s me saying that I don’t want
to use an attorney. I don’t want to waive my right just because I don’t want
to use an attorney. I don’t want – I don’t want one.
***
THE COURT: Okay. So you want to proceed, but you’re not
saying you want to waive your right to an attorney; is that what I hear?
THE DEFENDANT: I don’t want to waive any of my rights.
THE COURT: Okay.
THE DEFENDANT: I don’t want to go around waiving my rights.
I don’t want to do that.
{¶ 19} Following this exchange, the judge recused himself and a different judge
was assigned. On April 17, 2019, the court held a second plea hearing before the newly-
assigned judge, and the following exchange occurred:
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THE COURT: Okay. Ishmial Blackshear-Bey, you do have the
right to an attorney. You can get up to six months, in jail, and a thousand
dollar fine, plus a license suspension on the charge of Driving Under the
Influence (sic). Because you have the possibility of going to jail, you do
have the right to an attorney. And if you cannot afford one, I would
appoint a public defender to discuss the two – to represent you, and you
could discuss this case, with that attorney, before entering any kind of plea.
Do you want to have the opportunity to hire your own attorney? Do you
want to have the opportunity to see if you qualify for a public defender, or
do you want to proceed on your own?
THE DEFENDANT: Proceed on my own.
THE COURT: Okay. And you understand, by doing that, you are
waiving your constitutional right to an attorney, correct?
THE DEFENDANT: I’m just not using it. I’m not waiving it, I’m
just not using it.
THE COURT: Okay. * * * Are your eyes wide open to the hazards
of proceeding, on your own, and without an attorney?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, they are. And the hazards of having an
attorney is wide open also.
12.
{¶ 20} Based on this record and the specific circumstances of this case, we find
that Bey voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his right to counsel for the
following reasons.
{¶ 21} First, the court made Bey aware of the nature of the charges he was facing
and the range of allowable punishments thereunder, which is an important prerequisite
for any valid waiver of one’s right to counsel. Gibson, 45 Ohio St.2d at 377, 345 N.E.2d
399, quoting Von Moltke, 332 U.S. 708 at 723, 68 S.Ct. 316, 92 L.Ed. 309. And Bey
confirmed to the trial court that he understood the penalties associated with a conviction.
{¶ 22} Next, when we consider “case-specific factors, including the defendant’s
education or sophistication, the complex or easily grasped nature of the charge, and the
stage of the proceeding” Johnson, 112 Ohio St.3d 210, 2006-Ohio-6404, 858 N.E.2d
1144, at ¶ 101, we find that there are important distinctions between this appeal and his
previous appeal, Blackshear, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-18-1103, 2019-Ohio-655, which we
cannot ignore. In his previous appeal, we considered whether the court had secured a
voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of Bey’s right to counsel before trial—which
implicated additional considerations not at issue now, such as the fact that the defendant
“will be required to follow the same rules of procedure and evidence which normally
govern the conduct of a trial.” Blackshear at ¶ 21, quoting State v. Furr, 1st Hamilton
Dist. No. C-170046, 2018-Ohio-2205, ¶ 9. In addition, we find that Bey’s prior
experience with legal proceedings—including his previous appeal— suggests to us that
he is more familiar than the average litigant with the disadvantages of proceeding without
13.
defense counsel. Moreover, the OVI charge against Bey is not particularly complex and
its nature would not be difficult for Bey to grasp.
{¶ 23} Most importantly, considering the “total circumstances of this case”—
including but not limited to the “conduct of the accused person”— we find that this case
presents a rare situation in which a waiver may be inferred because Bey is “reasonably
perceived as taking advantage of the trial court by claiming his right to counsel in order
to frustrate or delay the judicial process.” Hook, 33 Ohio App.3d at 103, 514 N.E.2d 721.
Throughout both hearings, Bey repeatedly stated that he did not “need” or “want” a
lawyer, but simultaneously refused to acknowledge that he was “waiving” his right to an
attorney. Despite Bey’s obstinance, the trial court provided Bey with enough information
to make an intelligent election to proceed with his Alford plea without the assistance of
counsel, and Bey did, in fact, freely and intelligently elect to waive his right to counsel by
stating that he did not “need” or “want” a lawyer.
{¶ 24} We therefore find that Bey voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived
his right to counsel, and his first assignment of error is found not well-taken.
B. Bey voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently entered his Alford plea.
{¶ 25} Bey’s second assignment or error alleges that the trial court failed to
comply with Crim.R. 11 in accepting his Alford plea, and his third assignment of error
alleges that the trial court failed to confirm that Bey entered his plea voluntarily,
knowingly, and intelligently. We will address these assignments of error together.
14.
{¶ 26} Initially, we note that Bey was charged with and convicted of operating a
vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1),
which is a traffic offense. See State v. Blatnick, 17 Ohio App.3d 201, 207, 478 N.E.2d
1016 (6th Dist.1984) (holding that a violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1) is a traffic offense).
As such, the Ohio Traffic Rules—rather than the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure—are
applicable in this case. State v. Everson, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-17-1138, 2018-Ohio-323,
¶ 8. Specifically, given that a violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1) is a petty offense, Traf.R.
10(D) controls. Blackshear at ¶ 24. Courts have recognized, however, that Traf.R. 10(D)
and Crim.R. 11(E)—which addresses pleas in misdemeanor (non-traffic) cases involving
petty offenses—are “identical in all relevant respects” and, therefore, “cases analyzing a
court’s duties under Crim.R. 11(E) can also be applied to cases analyzing Traf.R. 10(D).”
Id.{¶ 27} Under Traf.R. 10(D), the trial court cannot accept a plea of guilty “without
first informing the defendant of the effect of the plea.” A trial court properly
communicates the “effect of the plea” under Traf.R. 10(D) “by informing the defendant
of the applicable information in Traf.R. 10(B).” State v. Watkins, 99 Ohio St.3d 12,
2003-Ohio-2419, 788 N.E.2d 635, ¶ 7. Regarding guilty pleas, Traf.R. 10(B)(1) states
that a “plea of guilty is a complete admission of the defendant's guilt.” Bey argues that
his plea was not voluntary, knowing, or intelligent because the trial court failed to inform
him that his Alford plea was a complete admission of guilt. We disagree.
15.
{¶ 28} Although the court did not recite the exact language from Traf.R. 10(B)
when informing Bey about the effect of his plea, such literal compliance is “preferable”
but not required. State v. Willis, 6th Dist. No. WD-16-048, 2019-Ohio-1182, ¶ 9. Where
a trial court does not literally comply with the applicable rule with regard to a
nonconstitutional right—such as informing the defendant of the effect of the plea—
substantial compliance is sufficient to satisfy the trial court’s obligations. Id. at ¶ 14.
{¶ 29} Here, the record shows that the court advised Bey that his Alford plea
would constitute his consent to being found guilty. Specifically, the court stated “by
entering a plea, you would be consenting to being found guilty. And I would then find
you guilty, of the Driving Under the Influence charge, and we would proceed to
sentencing.” We find this statement advised Bey of the effect of his chosen plea and
substantially complied with the requirements of Traf.R. 10(D).
{¶ 30} Additionally, we note that a trial court does not necessarily need to inform
the defendant of the effect of his guilty plea at the same hearing at which the plea is
entered. Everson at ¶ 10, citing Jones, 116 Ohio St.3d 211, 2007-Ohio-6093, 877 N.E.2d
677, at ¶ 20, fn. 3. While we have already determined that the trial court substantially
complied with Traf.R. 10(D) when accepting Bey’s plea at the April 17 hearing, we also
recognize that the trial court had already offered a more-detailed explanation of the effect
of his Alford plea during the April 3 hearing. At that plea hearing—which occurred only
14 days before the ultimate plea hearing—the trial court substantially complied with
Traf.R. 10(D) by informing Bey that “with an Alford plea, you’re pleading guilty, okay?
16.
But with an Alford plea you’re not admitting guilt. You’re simply saying that I’m
entering a guilty plea because, I believe, the prosecution has sufficient evidence for a
conviction, if we went to trial.”
{¶ 31} In sum, given that the trial court complied with Traf.R. 10(D) in accepting
Bey’s plea, we find that Bey’s plea was entered voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently.
Bey’s second and third assignments of error are therefore not well-taken.
III. Conclusion
{¶ 32} For the foregoing reasons, we find Bey’s assignments of error not well-
taken. We therefore affirm the May 10, 2019 judgment of the Toledo Municipal Court.
Bey is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24.
Judgment affirmed.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Mark L. Pietrykowski, J. _______________________________
JUDGE
Christine E. Mayle, J.
_______________________________
Gene A. Zmuda, P.J. JUDGE
CONCUR.
_______________________________
JUDGE
This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/.
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