State v. Forney , 2013 Ohio 3458 ( 2013 )

[Cite as State v. Forney, 2013-Ohio-3458.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO :
: Appellate Case No. 2012-CA-36
Plaintiff-Appellee :
: Trial Court Case No. 2012-CR-92
v. :
:
KANDIS J. FORNEY : (Criminal Appeal from
: (Common Pleas Court)
Defendant-Appellant :
:
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OPINION
Rendered on the 9th day of August, 2013.
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KEVIN S. TALEBI, Atty. Reg. #0069198, by JANE A. NAPIER, Atty. Reg. #0061426,
Champaign County Prosecutor’s Office, 200 North Main Street, Urbana, Ohio 43078
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
ADAM JAMES STOUT, Atty. Reg. #0080334, 2600 Far Hills Avenue, Suite 315, Dayton, Ohio
45419
Attorney for Defendant-Appellant
.............
FAIN, P.J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant Kandis Forney appeals from her conviction and sentence for
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Failure to Report a Crime, Complicity to Tampering with Evidence, and Obstructing Justice.
She contends that the trial court erred by failing to merge the convictions of Complicity to
Tampering with Evidence and Obstructing Justice for purposes of sentencing. She further
contends that the trial court erred by sentencing her to consecutive sentences on those counts.
Forney also claims that the trial court did not follow the proper statutory procedure regarding the
forfeiture of her vehicle. Finally, she contends that the trial court improperly imposed a term of
mandatory post-release control.
{¶ 2} We conclude that the offenses of Complicity to Tampering with Evidence and
Obstructing Justice of which Forney was convicted are not allied offenses of similar import,
because each involved a separate animus. We further conclude that the trial court followed the
applicable law and did not abuse its discretion with regard to sentencing. The forfeiture of
Forney’s vehicle was not error. Finally, we conclude that the trial court did not improperly
impose post-release control. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is Affirmed.
I. Forney’s Involvement in the Events Following the Murder of Jessica Sacco
{¶ 3} Jessica was residing in Urbana with Matthew Puccio. Forney and her husband,
Andrew Forney, began living with Sacco and Puccio in November 2011.
{¶ 4} During the early morning hours of March 22, 2012, Sacco was stabbed in the
abdomen by Matthew Puccio. Forney was aware of the stabbing. Sacco did not die from the
stab wound. Some time later, Puccio suffocated Sacco by placing a plastic bag over her head.
After Sacco died, Puccio, Andrew Forney and Christopher Wright proceeded to dismember
Sacco’s body in the bathroom of the residence. Thereafter, the Forneys used their vehicle to
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transport Puccio and the dismembered body parts, which were placed in plastic bags, to Wright’s
home in Hamilton, Ohio. Puccio spent the night in Wright’s house, while the Forneys slept in
their van with the body parts. At some point, Puccio discarded the body parts. Eventually the
parties were apprehended.
II. The Course of Proceedings
{¶ 5} Forney was indicted on two counts of Failure to Report a Crime, two counts of
Possession of Criminal Tools, one count of Complicity to Tampering with Evidence and two
counts of Obstructing Justice. The Complicity to Tampering and Obstructing Justice counts
carried forfeiture specifications regarding Forney’s vehicle, which was used to transport the body
parts. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Forney pled guilty to two counts of Failure to Report a
Crime, and one count each of Complicity to Tampering with Evidence and Obstructing Justice.
The remaining charges were dismissed.
{¶ 6} The trial court sentenced Forney to 30 days in jail on each of the convictions for
Failure to Report a Crime, a prison term of 36 months for Obstructing Justice, and a prison term
of 36 months for Complicity to Tampering with Evidence. The trial court ordered that the prison
terms for Obstructing Justice and Complicity to Tampering with Evidence be served
consecutively, with the other two counts running concurrently to each other and to the prison
terms. The trial court also entered an order of forfeiture of Forney’s vehicle. From her
conviction and sentence, Forney appeals.
III. Because Forney’s Complicity to Tampering with Evidence
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Conviction Related to the Disposal of the Murder Victim’s Body, and
her Obstruction of Justice Conviction Involved her Aiding the Murderer
to Elude Justice, the Two Offenses Were Each Committed with a
Separate Animus, and They Are Not Allied Offenses of Similar Import
{¶ 7} Forney’s First Assignment of Error states as follows:
THE COURT ERRED IN SENTENCING APPELLANT KANDIS
FORNEY TO ALLIED OFFENSES BECAUSE THE CONDUCT THE [SIC]
SUPPORTED THE CONVICTIONS OF COMPLICITY TO TAMPERING
WITH EVIDENCE AND OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE WAS THE SAME
CONDUCT WITH THE SAME ANIMUS.
{¶ 8} Forney contends that the trial court erred by failing to merge, for purposes of
sentencing, her convictions for Complicity to Tampering with Evidence and Obstructing Justice.
In support, Forney argues that by “accompanying Mr. Puccio to leave the murder scene and to
transport the Ms. Sacco’s body [sic] and by providing him with transportation to do so, [she]
simultaneously committed” the two offenses with a single state of mind – to help him dispose of
the evidence.
{¶ 9} In State v. Johnson, 128 Ohio St.3d 153, 2010-Ohio-6314, 942 N.E.2d 1061, ¶
48-51, the Supreme Court of Ohio held:
In determining whether offenses are allied offenses of similar import under
R.C. 2941.25(A), the question is whether it is possible to commit one offense and
commit the other with the same conduct, not whether it is possible to commit one
without committing the other. * * * If the offenses correspond to such a degree
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that the conduct of the defendant constituting commission of one offense
constitutes commission of the other, then the offenses are of similar import.
If the multiple offenses can be committed by the same conduct, then the
court must determine whether the offenses were committed by the same conduct,
i.e., “a single act, committed with a single state of mind.” * * *
If the answer to both questions is yes, then the offenses are allied offenses
of similar import and will be merged.
Conversely, if the court determines that the commission of one offense
will never result in the commission of the other, or if the offenses are committed
separately, or if the defendant has separate animus for each offense, then,
according to R.C. 2941.25(B), the offenses will not merge. (Citations and
quotations omitted, emphasis in original.)
{¶ 10} The defendant bears the burden to prove entitlement to merger. State v. Jackson,
2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24430, 2012-Ohio-2335, ¶ 134.
{¶ 11} Forney was charged with Complicity to Tampering with Evidence in violation of
R.C. 2923.02(A)(2) and 2921.12(A)(1). R.C. 2921.12(A) provides that a person commits the
crime of tampering with the evidence when she “know[s] that an official proceeding or
investigation is in progress, or is about to be or likely to be instituted, [and she]* * * [a]lters,
destroy [s], conceal[s], or remove[s] any record, document, or thing, with purpose to impair its
value or availability as evidence in such proceeding or investigation.”
{¶ 12} Forney was also convicted of Obstruction of Justice in violation of R.C. 2921.32,
which provides that “[n]o person, with purpose to hinder the discovery, apprehension,
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prosecution, conviction, or punishment of another for crime or to assist another to benefit from
the commission of a crime, and no person, with purpose to hinder the discovery, apprehension,
prosecution, * * * shall * * * [p]rovide the other person * * * with money, transportation, a
weapon, a disguise, or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension.” R.C.
2921.32(A)(2).
{¶ 13} The indictment alleged the underlying facts for both offenses. With regard to
Complicity to Tampering with Evidence, the indictment stated that Forney aided and abetted
Puccio in committing the offense of Tampering with Evidence by using her vehicle “to remove
and transport the severed limbs and fingers of the deceased Jessica Rae Sacco from her residence
in Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, to Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio.” The charge regarding
Obstruction of Justice alleges that Forney “with purpose to hinder the discovery and
apprehension of [Puccio] * * * provided [Puccio] with transportation in your motor vehicle * * *
from the scene of a homicide [in Urbana] to * * * Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, so as to help
him avoid detection by law enforcement authorities.”
{¶ 14} Forney admitted the commission of the offenses upon which she was indicted.
While the crimes involved the same mode of transport, and occurred at the same time, the crimes
had two distinct purposes. One crime involved the transport of the body parts, for the purpose of
impairing their value or availability as evidence, while the other crime involved the transport of
Puccio, for the purpose of hindering his discovery, apprehension, and prosecution. Although
Forney’s underlying motive for committing both crimes may have been to help Puccio avoid
having to answer for Sacco’s murder, each crime had a distinct purpose, and they are therefore
not allied offenses of similar import.
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{¶ 15} Accordingly, the First Assignment of Error is overruled.
IV. Where a Criminal Defendant Expressly Declines an Invitation to Object to a
Forfeiture, the Trial Court Is Not Required to Conduct a Proportionality Review
{¶ 16} Forney’s Second Assignment of Error provides:
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ORDERING THE FORFEITURE OF
APPELLANT’S VEHICLE BECAUSE THE COURT FAILED TO CONDUCT A
“PROPORTIONALITY REVIEW” AS REQUIRED UNDER R.C. 2981.04(B)
AND 2981.09(A).
{¶ 17} Forney contends that the trial court failed to conduct a review to determine
whether the value of the vehicle was proportional to the nature of the offense.
{¶ 18} “In Ohio, forfeitures are typically not favored in law or in equity.” In re
Forfeiture of Property of Rhodes, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25464, 2013-Ohio-3046, ¶ 6. Thus,
forfeiture statutes must be strictly construed against forfeiture. State v. Lilliock, 70 Ohio St.2d
23, 25-26, 434 N.E.2d 723 (1982).
{¶ 19} R.C. 2981.04(B) states in pertinent part:
If a person pleads guilty to * * * an offense * * * and the * * * indictment
* * * charging the offense or act contains a specification covering property subject
to forfeiture under section 2981.02 of the Revised Code, the trier of fact shall
determine whether the person's property shall be forfeited. If the state or political
subdivision proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the property is in
whole or part subject to forfeiture under section 2981.02 of the Revised Code,
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after a proportionality review under section 2981.09 of the Revised Code when
relevant, the trier of fact shall return a verdict of forfeiture that specifically
describes the extent of the property subject to forfeiture. * * *
{¶ 20} Property subject to forfeiture includes “an instrumentality that is used in or
intended to be used in the commission or facilitation of * * * a felony * * * .” R.C.
2981.02(A)(1)(a). Property is not subject to forfeiture as an “instrumentality” if the value of the
“property is disproportionate to the severity of the offense.” The defendant has the burden to
prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, the fact that the value of the instrumentality is
disproportionate to the severity of the offense. R.C. 2981.09(A).
{¶ 21} Forney does not dispute that her vehicle was an instrumentality subject to
forfeiture. She contends that the trial court erred by failing to hold a proportionality review. In
support, she cites State v. Luong, 2012-Ohio-4519, 977 N.E.2d 1075 (12th Dist.), for the
proposition that the trial court’s failure to hold a proportionality review constitutes plain error,
notwithstanding the defendant’s failure to request a proportionality review. Id. at ¶ 44. That
court reasoned, in part, that a proportionality review is “mandated by the Excessive Fines Clause
of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 9, Article I of the Ohio
Constitution, because the forfeiture of property is a form of punishment for a specified offense
and thus is a ‘fine’ for purposes of the United States and Ohio Constitutions.” (Citation
omitted.) Id. at ¶ 37.
{¶ 22} We find the facts in this case distinguishable from those in Luong. Like the
defendant in Luong, Forney did not seek a review on proportionality. Luong at ¶ 43. But unlike
the defendant in Luong, Forney was specifically asked whether she had any objection to the
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forfeiture of the vehicle. Her counsel replied that she had no objection to the forfeiture. By
declining the trial court’s invitation to object to the forfeiture of her vehicle, Forney acquiesced in
the forfeiture, thereby affirmatively waiving the requirement of a proportionality review.
{¶ 23} As noted above, R.C. 2981.04(B) provides that after the State has proved that
the property is subject to forfeiture, the trier of fact, “after a proportionality review under section
2981.09 of the Revised Code when relevant, * * * shall return a verdict of forfeiture.” (Emphasis
added). R.C. 2981.09(A) states that the burden of proving that the value of the property is
disproportionate to the severity of the offense is on the owner of the property. This language
supports the conclusion that if a defendant acquiesces to a forfeiture, then there is no error in
failing to hold a proportionality hearing. This holding only applies to the facts of this case: to
wit, there is no showing of any liens on the vehicle, the vehicle does not appear to hold much
value from the record, and the defendant specifically acquiesced to the forfeiture.
{¶ 24} The Second Assignment of Error is overruled.
V. The Record Does Not Support Forney’s Contention that She
Was Sentenced to a Mandatory Term of Post-Release Control
{¶ 25} For her Third Assignment of Error, Forney asserts the following:
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPOSING POST-RELEASE
CONTROL PURSUANT TO R.C. 2967.28 BY IMPOSING MANDATORY
POST-RELEASE CONTROL.
{¶ 26} Forney contends that the trial court imposed mandatory post-release control,
because the sentencing entry omits a statement that post-release control is optional and will be
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imposed, if necessary, at the discretion of the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.
{¶ 27} R.C. 2967.28 provides that felony prison sentences are subject to post-release
control, either mandatory or discretionary, based on the nature and degree of the offense. R.C.
2967.28(B) and (C). Based on her offenses, Forney was subject to a discretionary three years of
post-release control.
{¶ 28} The sentencing entry in this case provides: “Upon release from prison, Defendant
is ordered to be subject to post release control for a maximum of three (3) years, all subject to
Parole Board determination according to law.”
{¶ 29} At the sentencing hearing, the trial court advised Forney of the fact that she
would be subject to post-release control:
At the time you complete your sentence, the Adult Parole Authority will
advise you if post release control is to apply, if so, for how long. Can last for
three years. Current practice is to actively supervise it for one, but can last for
three. There are rules to follow on post release control. If the rules aren’t
followed, you can be punished. Punishment can be as severe as time behind bars
either in a local jail or a state prison for up to one-half of your original sentence.
In addition to that, if you’re on post release control and you’re charged with a new
crime where prison is a possible penalty, you not only have to face that new crime
and its penalty, but you can also be sent back to prison on this original charge for
either one year or the balance or your post release control time period, whichever
is greater.
{¶ 30} Based upon the record, we find no merit to Forney’s contention that the trial
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court improperly sentenced her to a mandatory term of post-release control. The Third
Assignment of Error is overruled.
VI. The Trial Court’s Decision to Impose Consecutive Sentences for Forney’s Felony
Offenses Is Neither Contrary to Law Nor an Abuse of Discretion
{¶ 31} The Fourth Assignment of Error states:
THE TRIAL COURT ERRONEOUSLY SENTENCED APPELLANT TO
CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES FOR COMPLICITY TO TAMPERING WITH
EVIDENCE AND OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE.
{¶ 32} Forney contends that the record does not support the trial court’s decision to
impose consecutive sentences. In support, she argues that her only role in the murder of Sacco
was a passive one; i.e., she did not play an active role in the killing or in the transfer of Sacco’s
remains.
{¶ 33} When reviewing a felony sentence, an appellate court must first determine
whether the sentencing court complied with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing the
sentence, including R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, in order to decide whether the sentence is contrary
to law. State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124, ¶ 4. If the
sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law, the trial court's decision in imposing the
term of imprisonment must be reviewed under an abuse-of-discretion standard. Id. The term
“abuse of discretion” has been defined as an attitude that is unreasonable, arbitrary or
unconscionable. Hufman v. Hair Surgeon, Inc., 19 Ohio St.3d 83, 87, 482 N.E.2d 1248 (1985).
{¶ 34} A court that sentences an offender for a felony shall be guided by the overriding
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purposes of felony sentencing, which “are to protect the public from future crime by the offender
and others and to punish the offender using the minimum sanctions that the court determines
accomplish those purposes without imposing an unnecessary burden on state or local government
resources.” R.C. 2929.11(A). A court imposing a sentence for a felony “has discretion to
determine the most effective way to comply with the purposes and principles of sentencing set
forth in section 2929.11 of the Revised Code.” R.C. 2929.12(A).
{¶ 35} R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires a trial court to make certain findings before
imposing consecutive sentences:
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
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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.
{¶ 36} At the sentencing hearing, the trial court stated, at Tr. 32-33:
Court specifically finds in imposing consecutive terms that the consecutive
sentence is necessary to protect the public from future crime and to punish the
defendant.
Court makes those findings based on the nature of defendant’s
participation in the criminal activity. Court finds that the consecutive sentences
are not disproportionate to the seriousness of this defendant’s conduct, and to the
danger this defendant poses to the public.
Court finds that 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 was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the
offenses adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender’s conduct.
{¶ 37} We conclude that the trial court complied with all applicable rules and statutes
in imposing Forney's sentence, including R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12. Thus, the sentence is
not clearly and convincingly contrary to law.
{¶ 38} We also conclude that the sentence imposed does not constitute an abuse of
discretion. While it is true that Forney did not play an active role in the murder or
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dismemberment of the body, she displayed a disregard for the law by failing on multiple
occasions to inform the authorities of the murder, dismemberment and transport of the
dismembered body parts that took place in her presence. According to the record, the parties
knew that Sacco was alive following the stabbing, and that she remained so for a period of time
until Puccio decided to kill her by suffocation. The dismemberment occurred over the course of
about two days and Forney entered the bathroom where the dismemberment took place.
Forney’s vehicle was used to transport Puccio and the body parts to Hamilton, and Forney slept
in the vehicle with the parts for at least one night, while Puccio slept inside the Wright residence.
These facts establish that both of Forney’s felony offenses were more serious forms of
Complicity to Tampering with Evidence and Obstruction of Justice.
{¶ 39} Forney’s Fourth Assignment of Error is overruled.
VII. Conclusion
{¶ 40} All of Forney’s Assignments of Error being overruled, the judgment of the trial
court is Affirmed.
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FROELICH and WELBAUM, JJ., concur.
Copies mailed to:
Kevin S. Talebi
Jane A. Napier
Adam James Stout
Hon. Nick A. Selvaggio