State v. McClure , 2015 Ohio 5203 ( 2015 )


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  • [Cite as State v. McClure, 
    2015-Ohio-5203
    .]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
    TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
    CLERMONT COUNTY
    STATE OF OHIO,                                  :
    Plaintiff-Appellee,                     :      CASE NO. CA2015-06-045
    :             OPINION
    - vs -                                                     12/14/2015
    :
    JOEL VINCENT MCCLURE,                           :
    Defendant-Appellant.                    :
    CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM CLERMONT COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
    Case No. 2015 CR 001918
    D. Vincent Faris, Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney, Nicholas Horton, 76 South
    Riverside Drive, 2nd Floor, Batavia, Ohio 45103, for plaintiff-appellee
    Christine D. Tailer, P.O. Box 14, Georgetown, Ohio 45121, for defendant-appellant
    PIPER, P.J.
    {¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Joel McClure, appeals his sentence and a decision of the
    Clermont County Court of Common Pleas to accept his waiver of a conflict of interest.
    {¶ 2} McClure, who had previously been convicted of aggravated robbery, entered a
    salon and demanded that the employee give him cash from the register.             McClure
    brandished a knife during the robbery, and absconded with $600 cash. McClure was later
    charged with aggravated robbery and a repeat offender specification.
    Clermont CA2015-06-045
    {¶ 3} McClure entered into plea negotiations with the state, and agreed to plead
    guilty to one count of aggravated robbery in return for the state dismissing the repeat
    offender specification. During the plea negotiations, McClure's counsel was informed that he
    had a potential conflict of interest in that another member of the public defender's office
    represented an individual in another matter, and that person was identified as a potential
    witness against McClure. McClure's counsel and another member of the public defender's
    office discussed the issue fully with McClure and informed McClure that he could obtain
    different counsel. McClure's counsel gave McClure the weekend to consider the issue.
    McClure informed his counsel that he wanted to waive the conflict and proceed with the plea
    after acknowledging that his attorney discussed the nature of the conflict, its potential
    consequences, and McClure's options.
    {¶ 4} During the plea hearing, the trial court and the parties discussed the conflict of
    interest issue in full, with the trial court personally addressing McClure regarding the conflict
    and his options. The trial court offered several times to appoint different counsel for McClure,
    and further explained the impact of waiving the conflict and proceeding with the guilty plea.
    However, McClure was steadfast in his desire to waive the conflict, and in his desire to
    accept the state's offer of a plea agreement.
    {¶ 5} The trial court held a sentencing hearing after ordering a presentence
    investigation, and sentenced McClure to ten years in prison. McClure now appeals the trial
    court's decision to accept his waiver of his counsel's conflict of interest as well as his
    sentence, raising the following assignments of error.
    {¶ 6} Assignment of Error No. 1:
    {¶ 7} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN, EVEN THOUGH IT DID DISCUSS THE
    EFFECT OF A WAIVER OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH APPELLANT, IT DID NOT
    INQUIRE AS TO THE NATURE OF THE ACTUAL CONFLICT.
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    Clermont CA2015-06-045
    {¶ 8} McClure argues in his first assignment of error that the trial court erred in
    accepting his waiver of his trial counsel's conflict of interest without first inquiring into the
    conflict.
    {¶ 9} "Where a trial court knows or reasonably should know of an attorney's possible
    conflict of interest in the representation of a person charged with a crime, the trial court has
    an affirmative duty to inquire whether a conflict of interest actually exists." State v. Gillard, 
    64 Ohio St.3d 304
    , 311(1992). A trial court has substantial latitude in determining the existence
    and waiver of an actual or potential conflict of interest. State v. Keenan, 
    81 Ohio St.3d 133
    (1998).
    {¶ 10} After reviewing the record, we find that the trial court inquired into whether a
    conflict of interest actually existed and determined a conflict did exist. At the beginning of the
    plea hearing, McClure's trial counsel informed the court that it had "identified a conflict
    between a witness in this case and Mr. McClure. Specifically another attorney in our office
    represents – represents someone who was approached to be a witness." McClure's attorney
    then told the trial court that he and another member of his office "laid out the conflict for
    [McClure], what it means at trial, offered to withdraw or we could proceed today to a plea with
    his consent and his waiver of that conflict." After giving McClure the weekend to consider the
    issue, McClure "indicated that he wanted to go forward with the plea * * * he was willing to
    waive the conflict" and executed the plea agreement form with his counsel.
    {¶ 11} The trial court confirmed with McClure that his counsel's representations
    regarding the conflict were accurate, and then personally addressed McClure regarding the
    possibility of a conflict and its impact. During his direct conversation with McClure, the trial
    court stated,
    This is a big matter. I mean you've got a very - - very serious
    charge, a felony of the first degree, and you can be sentenced to
    what you're pleading to today to up to 11 years in prison, which
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    means if – if you would rather me appoint someone else, and - -
    and unless you waive the conflict I'm going to appoint someone
    else. Then I will - - then I'll appoint someone. So I'll - - we have
    a lot of attorneys in Clermont County, and I would make sure you
    have one that I feel is very competent to represent you. So I will
    do that whether you want to go to trial or whether you want to
    plea. So, in other words, I'm – you—you are entitled to counsel
    that does not have any conflict, and you're entitled to effective
    representation. So if - - do you understand I'm willing to do that
    for you?
    {¶ 12} Once McClure indicated his understanding, the trial court again offered to
    appoint different counsel. The trial court also assured McClure that appointing a different
    attorney would not cause delay, and that the appointment would occur that day. Still,
    McClure expressed his desire to move forward and waive the conflict of interest. The trial
    court then inquired as to whether McClure felt that his trial counsel had "fully disclosed the
    nature" of the conflict and that McClure understood the conflict and impact of waiver fully.
    McClure answered that he fully understood, and affirmed his understanding multiple times.
    {¶ 13} McClure asserts that despite his indication during the plea hearing that he
    waived the conflict, the waiver was invalid because the trial court, itself, did not have a
    complete understanding of the conflict. We disagree. During the same plea hearing, and
    after the trial court inquired into the conflict issue and whether McClure wished to waive the
    conflict, the trial court once again addressed McClure to further develop the issue. The trial
    court stated, "you understand there's a witness who if - - if the case went to trial would - -
    would - - their office is represented would testify presumably against you." The trial court
    directly referred to the representation by the public defender's office of the potential witness
    as a conflict, and asked once more if McClure wished to waive the conflict and proceed with
    his trial counsel representing him during the plea process.
    {¶ 14} The trial court's discussion of the duel representation as a conflict demonstrates
    that the trial court made a valid inquiry into the possibility of a conflict of interest and what it
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    Clermont CA2015-06-045
    entailed as required by the Ohio Supreme Court in Gillard. While McClure argues that the
    trial court had no "knowledge as to the extent of the conflict or whether or not that conflict
    could even be waived," the record clearly indicates that the court inquired into the issue
    enough to determine that a conflict did in fact exist, and that the conflict was based upon
    McClure's trial counsel working in the same office as an attorney who represented a potential
    state's witness.
    {¶ 15} Although the trial court did not obtain specific details as to the identity of the
    witness or the substance of that witness' testimony, the facts of the case were relatively
    simple and straightforward, and McClure never denied having committed the crime. In fact,
    McClure chose to plead guilty in return for the state dismissing the repeat offender
    specification, and there is absolutely no indication in the record that McClure's acceptance of
    the state's plea offer was in any way impacted by the public defender's office representing
    multiple parties.
    {¶ 16} We find the case sub judice distinguishable from Gillard in which the Ohio
    Supreme Court set forth the rule of law regarding the trial court's duty to inquire into the
    possibility of a conflict. In Gillard, the same attorney represented Gillard and his brother both
    of whom were suspected of committing two murders and attempted murder. While Gillard
    went to trial on the charges against him, Gillard's brother pled no contest to a reduced
    charge. Gillard's brother appeared at trial as a defense witness, and the state raised the
    issue of a possible conflict of interest.     In so doing, the state noted that it was still
    investigating the possibility that the brother was involved in the homicides and attempted
    murder separate from the charge to which he pled no contest. Gilliard's attorney did not
    believe a conflict existed, and the trial court only addressed the brother/witness regarding his
    right to have separate counsel and his right to remain silent given that the investigation
    against him was ongoing. However, the trial court did not address the issue with Gillard, nor
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    Clermont CA2015-06-045
    inquire into what impact the possible conflict would have on him.
    {¶ 17} The Ohio Supreme Court remanded the case to the trial court to determine
    whether there was a conflict of interest created by Gillard's counsel representing both Gillard
    and his brother. In so doing, the court held as noted above that a trial court has an
    affirmative duty to inquire whether a conflict of interest actually exists when the trial court
    knows or reasonably should know of an attorney's possible conflict of interest in the
    representation of a person charged with a crime.
    {¶ 18} The record is clear that the trial court in the case sub judice complied with the
    mandate set forth in Gillard. As previously stated, the trial court inquired into the possibility of
    a conflict, and determined that there was one. Unlike the attorney in Gilliard, McClure's
    attorney never denied there was a potential conflict of interest. The trial court directly
    indicated that the conflict was that two attorneys from the same public defender's office
    represented both McClure and a potential state's witness. Because of the conflict, the trial
    court gave McClure multiple opportunities to have different counsel appointed and ensured
    that McClure gave a valid waiver of the right to have conflict-free representation. See State
    v. Myles, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-2000-93, 
    2001 WL 542115
    , (May 23, 2001) (finding trial court
    made sufficient inquiry where the trial court explained to the appellant that there was a
    conflict of interest, what the conflict could potentially mean, and that appellant had the right to
    have different counsel represented).
    {¶ 19} The key difference therefore between Gillard and what occurred here is that the
    trial court personally addressed McClure, identified the conflict, explained in detail the ability
    to have different counsel appointed, and then accepted a valid waiver of the conflict from
    McClure. As such, the trial court fulfilled its duty as set forth in Gillard.
    {¶ 20} After reviewing the record, we find that the trial court properly inquired into the
    nature of the conflict of interest, and properly accepted McClure's waiver of that conflict.
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    McClure's first assignment of error is therefore overruled.
    {¶ 21} Assignment of Error No. 2:
    {¶ 22} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT IMPOSED A SENTENCE THAT WAS
    CONTRARY TO LAW BY SENTENCING APPELLANT TO A MANDATORY STATED
    PRISON TERM OF TEN YEARS.
    {¶ 23} McClure argues in his second assignment of error that the trial court erred in
    imposing a ten-year sentence.
    {¶ 24} R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) shall govern all felony sentences. State v. Crawford, 12th
    Dist. Clermont No. CA2012-12-088, 
    2013-Ohio-3315
    , ¶ 6. Pursuant to R.C. 2953.08(G)(2),
    when hearing an appeal of a trial court's felony sentencing decision, "the appellate court may
    increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a sentence that is appealed under this section or may
    vacate the sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court for resentencing."
    However, as explicitly stated in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), "[t]he appellate court's standard for
    review is not whether the sentencing court abused its discretion."
    {¶ 25} Instead, an appellate court may only take action authorized by R.C.
    2953.08(G)(2) if the court "clearly and convincingly finds" that the sentence is contrary to law.
    A sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law where the trial court considers the
    purposes and principles of R.C. 2929.11, as well as the seriousness and recidivism factors
    listed in R.C. 2929.12, and sentences appellant within the permissible statutory range. State
    v. Elliott, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2009-03-020, 
    2009-Ohio-5926
    , ¶ 10.
    {¶ 26} After reviewing the record, the trial court's sentence is not contrary to law. The
    trial court discussed the factors related to the principles and purposes of Ohio's sentencing
    statutes at the sentencing hearing, and expressly stated in its entry that it had considered the
    purposes and principles of sentencing according to R.C. 2929.11 and had balanced the
    seriousness and recidivism factors within R.C. 2929.12.
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    {¶ 27} While the trial court did not expressly cite R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12
    during the sentencing hearing, its discussion of the individual factors found within those
    statutes indicates that it gave due consideration to the purposes and principles of sentencing,
    as well as the seriousness and recidivism factors. This is especially true where the trial court
    also included the specific citations to R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 in its sentencing entry.
    See State v. Back, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2013-CA-62, 
    2014-Ohio-1656
    , ¶ 14 (affirming a
    sentence where the trial court failed to cite R.C. 2929.11 or 2929.12 during the sentencing
    hearing but stated in its judgment entry of conviction that it had considered the principles and
    purposes of sentencing pursuant to R.C. 2929.11 and balanced the seriousness and
    recidivism factors pursuant to R.C. 2929.12); and State v. Lancaster, 12th Dist. Butler No.
    CA2007-03-075, 
    2008-Ohio-1665
     (affirming a sentence where the trial court did not state at
    the sentencing hearing that the court considered R.C. 2929.11 or R.C. 2929.12 specifically,
    but stated its consideration of both statutes in its judgment entry of conviction). Based on the
    record, it is clear that the trial court gave the proper consideration to the purposes and
    principles of sentencing as well as the seriousness and recidivism factors as required by
    Ohio's sentencing statutes.
    {¶ 28} McClure was convicted of aggravated robbery in violation of R.C.
    2911.01(A)(1), which is a first-degree felony. According to R.C. 2929.14(A)(1), "For a felony
    of the first degree, the prison term shall be three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or
    eleven years." As such, McClure's ten-year sentence was within the sentencing range for a
    first-degree felony.
    {¶ 29} After reviewing the record, we find that McClure's sentence was not clearly and
    convincingly contrary to law where the trial court considered the purposes and principles of
    sentencing according to R.C. 2929.11, as well as the seriousness and recidivism factors
    listed in R.C. 2929.12, and sentenced McClure within the permissible statutory range. As
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    Clermont CA2015-06-045
    such, McClure's sentence was not contrary to law, and his second assignment of error is
    overruled.
    {¶ 30} Judgment affirmed.
    S. POWELL, J., concurs.
    RINGLAND, J., dissents.
    RINGLAND, J., dissenting.
    {¶ 31} I respectfully dissent from the majority's decision. I would find that the trial court
    failed to adequately inquire about the conflict of interest in order to ensure that McClure's
    waiver was voluntary and intelligent.
    {¶ 32} As stated above, when a trial court becomes aware of a potential conflict of
    interest, the court has an affirmative duty to inquire about the potential conflict. Gillard at
    311. If the conflict of interest exists, the trial court must alert the defendant to the possible
    consequences of the conflict and obtain a voluntary and intelligent waiver of such a conflict.
    State v. Garcia, 6th Dist. Huron No. H-06-003, 
    2007-Ohio-1525
    , at ¶ 16; State v. Crosky,
    10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-816, 
    2007-Ohio-6533
    , ¶ 17.
    {¶ 33} The court's duty to inquire into the specifics of the conflict is imperative where
    some conflicts of interest cannot be waived. The court in State v. Johnson, 
    185 Ohio App.3d 654
    , 
    2010-Ohio-315
    , ¶ 7 (3d Dist.), recognized that "if the representation of the informant
    was related to matters that led to the current charges against the defendant, there might be a
    conflict significant enough to override even the most thorough of admonishments."
    {¶ 34} In the present case, the trial court presumed that the witness would testify
    against McClure, but there is nothing to indicate the extent of that potential testimony and the
    witness' significance to the state's case against McClure. While the trial court asked McClure
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    whether he fully understood the conflict and McClure affirmed his understanding, the trial
    court had no way of knowing whether his understanding was accurate without itself knowing
    the exact circumstances of the conflict. McClure's counsel stated that he and another
    member of the office fully described the conflict to McClure, but the trial court cannot be sure
    that is true without further inquiry into the circumstances of the conflict.
    {¶ 35} Furthermore, the Ohio Supreme Court has recognized that the Ohio Rules of
    Professional Conduct forbid the waiver of conflicts of interest in some instances. Columbus
    Bar Assn. v. Ross, 
    107 Ohio St.3d 354
    , 
    2006-Ohio-5
    . This is true even where the attorney
    obtains a written waiver of the conflict, something which is absent from the record in the
    present case.1 Prof.Cond.R. 1.7(c)(2) provides that an attorney shall not accept or continue
    representation if "the representation would involve the assertion of a claim by one client
    against another client represented by the lawyer in the same proceeding."
    {¶ 36} While the Supreme Court exercises exclusive jurisdiction over admission to the
    practice of law and discipline of persons so admitted, a trial court retains the "'authority and
    duty to see to the ethical conduct of attorneys in proceedings before it * * * [and] [u]pon
    proper grounds it can disqualify an attorney.'" Royal Indemn. Co. v. J.C. Penney Co., 
    27 Ohio St.3d 31
    , 34 (1986), quoting Hahn v. Boeing Co., 
    95 Wash.2d 28
    , 34 (1980). As
    explained further in Mentor Lagoons, Inc. v. Rubin, 
    31 Ohio St.3d 256
    , 259-260 (1987):
    This includes the inherent authority of dismissal or
    disqualification from a case if an attorney cannot, or will not,
    comply with the Code of Professional Responsibility when
    representing a client. This power is distinct from the exclusive
    authority of the Supreme Court of Ohio over attorney disciplinary
    proceedings, and does not conflict with such power. Indeed we
    hasten to approve and encourage courts throughout this state in
    their efforts to halt unprofessional conduct and meet their
    responsibilities in reporting violations of the Code.
    1. A review of the record does not indicate that counsel for McClure obtained informed consent, confirmed in
    writing, as required by Prof.Cond.R. 1.7(b)(2).
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    (Internal citations omitted.)
    {¶ 37} Without inquiring into the full extent and nature of the conflict between the
    witness and McClure, the trial court could not be sure that counsel's continued representation
    of McClure was not subject to Prof.Cond.R. 1.7(c)(2) and ineligible for waiver on ethical
    grounds.
    {¶ 38} Thus, I would find that the trial court could not obtain a voluntary and intelligent
    waiver of the conflict if the court itself was not fully aware of the extent of conflict, nor whether
    the conflict was eligible for waiver.
    {¶ 39} Accordingly, I respectfully dissent from the majority's decision and would find
    that the trial court erred in failing to inquire further into the conflict of interest.
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