State v. Hilliard , 2015 Ohio 5324 ( 2015 )

[Cite as State v. Hilliard, 2015-Ohio-5324.]
COURT OF APPEALS
RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. John W. Wise, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 15CA16
CURTIS L. HILLIARD :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Richland County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No.
1996CR0641
JUDGMENT: Vacated and Remanded
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: December 16, 2015
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
MELISSA ANGST JEFFREY UHRICH
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney P.O. Box 1977
38 South Park Street Westerville, OH 43086
Mansfield, OH 44902
[Cite as State v. Hilliard, 2015-Ohio-5324.]
Gwin, P.J.
{¶1} Appellant Curtis L. Hilliard appeals the Richland County Court of Common
Pleas February 2, 2015 re-sentencing entry.
Facts and Procedural History1
{¶2} In 1988, the Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court sentenced Hilliard for an
indeterminate sentence of fifteen to forty years in prison.
{¶3} On April 8, 1997, in Richland County Common Pleas Court, Hilliard was
found guilty of attempted rape, in violation of R. C. 2907.02, a felony of the second degree;
abduction, in violation of R. C. 2905.02, a felony of the third degree, and assault, in
violation of R. C. 2903.13, a felony of the fifth degree. The Richland County Court of
Common Pleas sentenced Hilliard to a term of two years on abduction, twelve months on
assault and two years on attempted rape. The sentences were to be served concurrently
to each other but consecutively to Hilliard’s Cuyahoga County sentence.
{¶4} On December 13, 2007, the State of Ohio filed with the trial court a Motion
to Transport Prisoner for a Resentencing Hearing. The purpose of the Motion was to ask
the Court to impose a mandatory term of post-release control.
{¶5} A resentencing hearing was held in front of Judge James Henson on March
12, 2008. At the resentencing hearing, the trial court noted that Hilliard was previously
sentenced on April 9, 1997. The trial court further noted that "[t]he law has changed since
the Defendant was sentenced, now requiring that he be sentenced to a certain number
1 A Statement of the Facts underlying Hilliard’s original convictions are unnecessary to our disposition of
this appeal. Any facts needed to clarify the issues addressed in appellant’s assignment of error shall be
contained therein
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 3
of years of post-release control and that he be told of his registration requirements.” T.,
Resentencing, March 12, 2008 at 2.
{¶6} The trial court acknowledged that at the time Hilliard was sentenced, "we
told him that there was a possibility of post-release control. It can last up to five years,
with a violation causing the Defendant to have to go back to the institution to do more
time. . ." Id.{¶7} Counsel for Hilliard entered an objection to the ex post facto application of
the rules of law in this case. Counsel for Hilliard also advised the trial court of information
obtained on printouts from the state penal institutions that specify Hilliard was sentenced
to a stated prison sentence of two years, and that the expiration of that sentence
happened on April 6, 1999. Trial counsel provided the trial court with a copy of the printout.
Unfortunately, the copy of the document was not marked as an exhibit and made a part
of the record during the hearing.
{¶8} During the hearing, the trial court inquired of Hilliard and learned that his
sentence out of Cuyahoga County was for term of 15-40 years, and that it commenced in
1988. Id. at 4. The trial court and defense counsel further discussed the document that
was provided by defense counsel, which trial counsel described as establishing as
follows, "And then expiration of the stated sentence, which is the only thing I know on
there that was two years, is out of this court and says that that expiration is what is marked
in yellow there, which coincides with the date basically of your sentencing.” Id. at 5.
{¶9} Judge Henson then stated, "Okay. I think you're right. I can't reclassify a
guy, have him register under these numbers when his time is done. Of course, that
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 4
doesn't absolve him from the registration requirements, because if he hasn't been
resentenced in Cleveland, he's going to be." Id. at 5.
{¶10} Judge Henson then essentially ruled from the bench, stating: "I can't
sentence a man to ex post facto after a sentence has expired. Now, if the sentence hadn't
expired, I would be required by law to tell him he has to register forever. And he's going
to have that regulation, I guess, out of Cuyahoga County anyway because the law
requires it. You're out of here." Id. at 6.
{¶11} Subsequent to the hearing, no entry was filed by the trial court journalizing
Judge Henson's decision from the bench.
{¶12} On December 18, 2013 more than six years after Judge Henson's hearing,
the State of Ohio filed a second Motion for Resentencing. A hearing was held before
Judge James DeWeese on January 12, 2015. Although efforts were made to find
documentation consistent with the printout document discussed during the hearing on
March 12, 2007, no documentation was able to be located confirming that Hilliard's prison
sentence in this case had been terminated.
{¶13} On February 2, 2015, Judge DeWeese filed a Re-Sentencing Entry
imposing the same prison sentence that was originally imposed; however, the
Resentencing Entry contained the additional requirement that Hilliard's sentence include
a five (5) year term of mandatory post-release control.
Assignment of Error
{¶14} Hilliard raises one assignment of error,
{¶15} “I. TRIAL COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT WAS INEFFECTIVE AND
VIOLATED HIS 6TH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE COUNSEL AND FAIR
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 5
TRIAL BY FAILING TO IDENTIFY A DOCUMENT AND PRESERVE AN IMPORTANT
DOCUMENT AS PART OF THE RECORD DURING DEFENDANT'S RESENTENCING
HEARING.”
Analysis
1. Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-86-212832-B.
{¶16} Hilliard was sentenced in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case
No. CR-86-212832-B on March 27, 1987 to definite terms of one year and 6 months,
concurrent. That sentence was suspended and Hilliard was placed on probation. On
May 12, 1988, Hilliard was convicted of a probation violation and his sentenced was
imposed. The terms were to run concurrent to one another but consecutive to the
sentences in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-87-217665-ZA
and Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-87-218830.
{¶17} This is a “Pre-Senate Bill 2 definite sentence.” Ohio Adm. Code 5120-2-
03.2(A) (3).
2. Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-87-217665-ZA.
{¶18} On May 12, 1988, Hilliard was convicted of one count of attempted rape
with a violence specification and one count of aggravated assault with a violence
specification. The trial court sentenced Hilliard to an indefinite term of 5-15 years on the
attempted rape and to an indefinite term of 3-15 years on the aggravated assault.
{¶19} These terms were to run concurrent to one another but consecutive the
sentences in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-86-212832-B and
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-87-2128830.
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 6
{¶20} This is a “Pre-Senate Bill 2 indefinite sentence.” Ohio Adm. Code 5120-2-
03.2(A) (4).
3. Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-87-218830.
{¶21} On May 12, 1988, Hilliard was convicted in Cuyahoga County Court of
Common Pleas, Case No. CR-87-218830 on one count of aggravated robbery and one
count of rape. The trial court sentenced Hilliard to an indefinite term of 10-25 years on
the aggravated robbery and an indefinite term of 10-25 years on the rape.
{¶22} These terms were to run concurrent to one another but consecutive the
sentences in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-86-212832-B and
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR-87-217665-ZA.
{¶23} This is a “Pre-Senate Bill 2 indefinite sentence.” Ohio Adm. Code 5120-2-
03.2(A) (4).
4. Richland County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 1996 CR 641.
{¶24} On April 9, 1997, Hilliard was convicted in Richland County Court of
Common Pleas, Case No. 1996 CR 641, on one count of abduction, one count of assault
and one count of attempted rape.
{¶25} The trial court sentenced Hilliard to a definite term of 2 years on the
abduction, a definite term of 12 months on the assault and a definite term of 2 years on
the attempted rape.
{¶26} The trial court ordered the sentences “be served concurrently to each other
but consecutive to current term of incarceration.”
{¶27} This is a “Senate Bill 2 sentence.” Ohio Adm. Code 5120-2-03.2(A) (1).
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 7
The 1988 Cuyahoga County Sentences.
{¶28} As it existed in 1988, R.C. 2929.41 provided in relevant part,
(C) Subject to the maximums provided in division (E) of this section:
***
(4) When a person is serving definite terms of imprisonment
consecutively to indefinite terms of imprisonment or to three-year terms of
actual incarceration imposed pursuant to section 2929.71 of the Revised
Code or to both indefinite terms of imprisonment and the three-year terms
of actual incarceration, the aggregate of the three-year terms of actual
incarceration shall be served first, then the aggregate of the definite terms
of imprisonment shall be served, and then the indefinite terms of
imprisonment shall be served, with the aggregate minimum and maximum
terms being determined in the same manner as aggregate minimum and
maximum terms are determined pursuant to division (C)(2) of this section.
{¶29} Thus, Hilliard began serving his 1-year definite sentence in Cuyahoga
County Court of Common Pleas Case No. CR-86-212832-B on May 12, 1988. That
sentence would expire on or about May 12, 1989. Hilliard would then begin to serve his
indefinite sentences. However, Hilliard would not receive credit for this one year against
his indefinite sentences because the sentences were ordered to be served consecutively.
{¶30} The current version of R.C. 2967.021 states,
(A) Chapter 2967. of the Revised Code, as it existed prior to July 1,
1996, applies to a person upon whom a court imposed a term of
imprisonment prior to July 1, 1996, and a person upon whom a court, on or
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 8
after July 1, 1996, and in accordance with law existing prior to July 1, 1996,
imposed a term of imprisonment for an offense that was committed prior to
July 1, 1996.
(B) Chapter 2967. of the Revised Code, as it exists on and after July 1,
1996, applies to a person upon whom a court imposed a stated prison term
for an offense committed on or after July 1, 1996.
{¶31} In 1988 when Hilliard was originally sentenced in Cuyahoga County, R.C.
2929.41 provided,
(C) Subject to the maximums provided in division (E) of this section:
(1) When consecutive sentences of imprisonment are imposed for
felony [sic.] under division (B)(1) of this section, the minimum term to be
served is the aggregate of the consecutive minimum terms imposed, and
the maximum term to be served is aggregate of the maximum terms
imposed.
Also in 1988, R.C. 2967.13 would determine Hilliard’s eligibility for parole,
(A) A prisoner serving a sentence of imprisonment for a felony for
which an indefinite term of imprisonment is imposed becomes eligible for
parole at the expiration of his minimum term, diminished as provided in
Section 2967.19 of the Revised Code.2
{¶32} In 1988, Hilliard received indefinite sentences of 5-15 years and 10-25
years. Thus, his minimum term to be served was 15 years and the maximum term to be
served was forty years.
2 R.C. 2967.19 is not relevant to our analysis in the case at bar.
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 9
The 1997 Richland County Sentence.
{¶33} On April 9, 1997, Hilliard received an aggregate definite sentence of 2
years. Ohio Admin. Code 5120-2-03.2 provides in relevant part,
(E) When a Senate Bill 2 sentence or a House Bill 86 sentence is
imposed to run consecutively to a pre-Senate Bill 2 definite sentence, the
pre-Senate Bill 2 definite sentence shall be served first, then the Senate Bill
2 sentence or House Bill 86 sentence. * * *When a Senate Bill 2 sentence
or House Bill 86 sentence is imposed to run consecutively to a pre-Senate
Bill 2 indefinite sentence, any Senate Bill 2 sentence shall be served first,
then any House Bill 86 sentence, and, lastly, the pre-Senate Bill 2 indefinite
sentence shall be served.
Emphasis added. Further, Ohio Admin. Code 5120-2-03 provides in relevant part,
{¶34} (E) Subject to the maximums provided in this rule:
***
(5) When a person is serving any definite terms of imprisonment
consecutively to any indefinite or life terms of imprisonment or to any three-
year terms of actual incarceration imposed pursuant to section 2929.71 of
the Revised Code or to both, the aggregate of all such three-year terms of
actual incarceration shall be served first, then the aggregate of the definite
terms of imprisonment shall be served, and then the indefinite or life terms
of imprisonment shall be served.
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 10
{¶35} Thus, Hilliard began serving his 2-year definite Richland County sentence
on April 9, 1997. Obviously, he could not be given credit for time served in the Cuyahoga
County cases because the Richland County sentence had just been imposed. See, 1975
Ohio Atty.Gen.Ops. No. 75-097. However, Hilliard would receive credit for approximately
9 years served against his Cuyahoga County indefinite sentences.
Richland County 2008 Re-Sentencing.
{¶36} On March 12, 2008, the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, held a
resentencing hearing pursuant to a motion filed by the state. The purpose of this hearing
was to ask the Court to impose a mandatory term of post-release control. The trial court
conducted a hearing on the record. The trial court determined that it could not impose
post release control because Hilliard had completed his sentence on the Richland County
charges. We find the trial court was correct.
{¶37} Hilliard’s aggregate minimum sentence in the Cuyahoga County cases was
15 years. That sentence began in 1988. At the time of the sentencing in the Richland
County case in 1997, Hilliard had earned nine years of credit against his 15-year minimum
sentence. Leaving 8 years to be served on his aggregate minimum indefinite sentence.
The two-year definite Richard County sentence would not count against Hilliard’s
indefinite sentence because the sentences were to be served consecutively.
{¶38} Pursuant to Ohio Admin. Code 5120-2-03.2(E) and Ohio Admin. Code
5120-2-03(E) (5), the Richland County definite Senate Bill 2 sentence would be served
before the indefinite Pre-Senate Bill 2 sentences. Thus, Hilliard would have begun to
serve the Richland County sentence in 1997. That sentence would have expired well in
advance of the 2007 hearing.
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 11
{¶39} Our brethren in the Tenth District recognized this point,
If, pursuant to former R.C. 2929.41(B)(3), a prisoner must serve
consecutive indefinite sentences for felonies, the minimum term to be
served is the aggregate of the consecutive minimum terms, and the
maximum term to be served is the aggregate of the consecutive maximum
terms. Former R.C. 2929.41(C) (2); Ohio Adm.Code 5120–2–03(E) (1). For
consecutive definite sentences, the term to be served is the aggregate of
the definite terms imposed. Ohio Adm.Code 5120–2–03(E) (2). When a
definite term of imprisonment was imposed consecutively to an indefinite
term, the prisoner must serve the definite term first, followed by the
indefinite term. Former R.C. 2929.41(C) (4); Ohio Adm.Code 5120–2–03(E)
(5). While the prisoner serves the definite term, the indefinite term is tolled.
State ex rel. Foster v. Ohio State Adult Parole Auth., 10th Dist. No.
91AP1109 (Aug. 6, 1992), aff’d, 65 Ohio St.3d 456 (1992).
Davis v. Dept. of Rehabilitation and Correction, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-337, 2014-
Ohio-4589, ¶16.
{¶40} The Ohio Supreme Court has found that consecutive sentences are
separate and distinct from one another and do not combine in the aggregate to form a
“sentencing package.” State v. Holdcroft, 137 Ohio St.3d 526, 2013–Ohio–5014, 1 N.E.3d
382, ¶ 6. In Holdcroft, the offender was sentenced to a ten-year prison sentence for
aggravated arson and to another five years for arson, to be served consecutively. Id. at ¶
2. The trial court imposed post release control, but did not state how long the sanction
would be imposed, or to which sentence it applied. Id. The offender served over ten years
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 12
in prison before the trial court held a new sentencing hearing to correct its error. Id. at ¶
3. The Court found that the trial court could not resentence a defendant who has served
the entire sentence. Id. at ¶19. As the Court stated, “a sentence served is a sentence
completed.” Id. at ¶18. While it was argued that the offender had not completed his
aggregate sentence of fifteen years, the Court found that sentences are not viewed in the
aggregate, as “‘Ohio’s felony-sentencing scheme is clearly designed to focus the judge’s
attention on one offense at a time.’” Id. at ¶ 6, quoting State v. Saxon, 109 Ohio St.3d
176, 2006–Ohio–1245, ¶ 8.
{¶41} A trial court cannot add a term of post-release control as a sanction for a
particular offense after the defendant has already served the prison term for that offense,
even if the defendant remains in prison for other offenses. State v. Holdcroft, 137 Ohio
St.3d 526, 2013-Ohio-5014, 1 N.E.2d 382, ¶18. “But once a valid prison sanction has
been served, it is no longer res judicata that acts as a bar to modification; rather, the court
has lost jurisdiction to modify the sentence. Id. at ¶14 (citing Hernandez v. Kelly, 108 Ohio
St.3d 395, 2006-Ohio-126, 844 N.E.2d 301, ¶28-30).
{¶42} In the case at bar, since the trial court in this case exercised jurisdiction over
the merits of the case in 2015 after Hilliard had completed his sentence in the case, the
court acted outside of its subject-matter jurisdiction and its subsequent judgment is void.
{¶43} On remand, Hilliard shall not be subject to resentencing with respect to the
1997 Richland County sentencing entry as he has completed his sentence for the offense
that is the subject of that entry.
Richland County, Case No. 15CA16 13
{¶44} The February 2, 2015 judgment of the Richland County Court of Common
Pleas resentencing Hilliard is vacated and this case is remanded for proceedings in
accordance with our opinion and the law.
By: Gwin, P.J.,
Farmer, J., and
Wise, J., concur