State v. Kraus , 2018 Ohio 5283 ( 2018 )

[Cite as State v. Kraus, 2018-Ohio-5283.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
OTTAWA COUNTY
State of Ohio Court of Appeals No. OT-18-014
Appellee Trial Court No. 2014-CR-0150
v.
Steven W. Kraus DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Appellant Decided: December 28, 2018
*****
Matthew J. Donahue, Special Prosecutor, for appellee.
Steven W. Kraus, pro se.
*****
MAYLE, P.J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, Steven W. Kraus, appeals the trial court’s dismissal of his
petition for postconviction relief. As explained further below, we affirm. The petition
was, in fact, untimely under R.C. 2953.21(A)(2), and appellant did not argue or
demonstrate that any of the narrow exceptions for untimely petitions under R.C.
2953.23(A) apply. The trial court, therefore, lacked jurisdiction to consider the untimely
petition, and the trial court was not required to issue findings of fact and conclusions of
law.
I. Background
{¶ 2} On July 27, 2015, appellant was convicted of one count of theft from an
elderly person in violation of R.C. 2913.02, a felony of the fifth degree. The trial court
sentenced him to two years of community control, and ordered appellant to pay a $2,500
fine. Appellant filed a direct appeal to this court. On December 2, 2016, his conviction
was affirmed. State v. Kraus, 6th Dist. Ottawa No. OT-15-034, 2016-Ohio-8003.
{¶ 3} On February 21, 2017, appellant filed a pro-se Petition to Vacate or Set
Aside Sentence pursuant to R.C. 2953.21.1 In his petition, appellant asserts various
allegations of intentional wrongdoing against the former Ottawa County Prosecutor, the
appointed Special Prosecutor in his case, the former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party,
the visiting judge who presided over his criminal trial, and the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of Ohio. He argues that their allegedly wrongful acts should render his
conviction void or voidable under the constitutions of the United States and Ohio. In
support of these allegations, he attaches a voluminous amount of unverified and
unauthenticated exhibits (“Exhibit A” through Exhibit “AAAAAAA”), which are varied
1
Appellant subsequently filed an amended and supplemented petition on March 2, 2017;
an amended and supplemented petition on March 13, 2017; a third amended petition on
March 20, 2017; and a fourth amended petition on September 18, 2017.
2.
in content, but largely consist of correspondence, news articles dating back to 2014, court
documents, and public commentary from social media.
{¶ 4} The state argued, among other things, that appellant’s petition should be
dismissed as untimely under R.C. 2953.21(A)(2), which provides that a petition for
postconviction relief must be filed within 365 days after “the date on which the trial
transcript is filed in the court of appeals in the direct appeal of the judgment of conviction
* * *.” The trial court agreed. The court found that because the trial transcripts were
filed in appellant’s direct appeal on November 17, 2015, his petition “was due no later
than November 17, 2016.” Given that appellant did not file his petition until
February 21, 2017, the trial court found that it was untimely under R.C. 2953.21(A)(2).
{¶ 5} The trial court further noted that because appellant’s petition was untimely,
the court lacked jurisdiction to consider it unless the elements of R.C. 2953.23(A) were
satisfied. It stated that appellant “made no showing of these elements in the statute, nor
did he even attempt to meet this burden under the statute.” The trial court concluded that
it lacked jurisdiction to consider the petition.
{¶ 6} The trial court nonetheless proceeded to state that, even if it had the
jurisdictional authority to consider the petition, it was meritless on its face given that it
was wholly supported by “unauthenticated and inadmissible evidence” which, in any
event, was discoverable at the time of trial. The trial court also admonished appellant for
asserting “improper collateral attacks” on the visiting judge that presided over his trial
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and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, stating that his claims against them were
based on nothing more than “wild speculation” and therefore improper under Civ.R. 11.
{¶ 7} Appellant appealed the dismissal of his postconviction petition, and assigns
the following errors for our review:
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN RULING KRAUS’S
PETITION UNTIMLY [sic][.]
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING KRAUS’S
PETITION FOR LACK OF SUBSTANTIVE GROUNDS[.]
II. Law and Analysis
{¶ 8} Both of appellant’s assignments of error revolve around the trial court’s
refusal to consider the actual merits of his petition for postconviction relief. We will
consider his two assignments of error in order.
A. The Postconviction Petition was Untimely under R.C. 2953.21(A)(2)
{¶ 9} Appellant filed a petition for postconviction relief under R.C.
2953.21(A)(1)(a), which provides that “[a]ny person who has been convicted of a
criminal offense * * * and who claims that there was such a denial or infringement of the
person’s rights as to render the judgment void or voidable under the Ohio Constitution or
the Constitution of the United States * * * may file a petition in the court that imposed
sentence, stating the grounds for relief relied upon, and asking the court to vacate or set
aside the judgment or sentence or to grant other appropriate relief.”
4.
{¶ 10} Such a petition, however, “shall be filed no later than three hundred sixty-
five days after the date on which the trial transcript is filed in the court of appeals in the
direct appeal of the judgment of conviction * * *.” R.C. 2953.21(A)(2) (Emphasis
added). A convicted defendant may file only one postconviction petition within the
prescribed 365-day window, and may not file an untimely or successive petition unless
the defendant meets a high burden of demonstrating the “specific, limited circumstances”
of R.C. 2953.23(A). State v. Apanovitch, Slip Opinion No. 2018-Ohio-4744, ¶ 22.
{¶ 11} Here, appellant does not argue that any of the specific, limited
circumstances of R.C. 2953.23(A) exist. Rather, he argues that his petition for
postconviction relief was timely under R.C. 2953.21(A)(2)―even though it is undisputed
that appellant filed his petition more than 365 days after the trial transcripts were filed in
the court of appeals on November 17, 2015. Appellant argues that he nonetheless
satisfied R.C. 2953.21(A)(2) because he filed his petition on February 21, 2017―which
was within 365 days after the clerk’s February 22, 2016 notice to all counsel that the
entire trial court record, which expressly included “4 TRANSCRIPTS,” had been filed
with the court of appeals. In support, appellant points to App.R. 11(B), which states that
“[u]pon receipt of the record, the clerk shall file the record, and shall immediately give
notice to all parties of the date on which the record was filed.” In essence, he reasons that
the date on which “the record was filed” under App.R. 11(B) should be the triggering
date for purposes of the 365-day period of R.C. 2953.21(A)(2). He also argues that
“[a]lthough the transcripts show a stamp from the Court of Appeals reflecting filing in
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November 17, 2015, * * * the Court speaks through its journal and nothing was duly
journalized until February 22, 2016.” (Emphasis in original.)
{¶ 12} But, as the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Thomas J.
Moyer, recognized, “we cannot hold that the limitations period begins when the record
was filed, because we are restricted by the language of R.C. 2953.21(A)(2), which
expressly provides that the limitations period begins on the date the trial transcript is
filed.” State v. Hollingsworth, 118 Ohio St.3d 1204, 2008-Ohio-1967, 886 N.E.2d 863, ¶
3 (Moyer, J., concurring). Nor can we hold that the applicable 365-day period for filing a
petition for postconviction relief is triggered by, as appellant also argues, the “date of
journalization” or “the date of the clerk’s notice to counsel” because, very simply, that is
not what the statute says. Under the plain language of R.C. 2953.21(A)(2), a petition for
postconviction relief must be filed within 365 days after the “date on which the trial
transcript is filed in the court of appeals.” R.C. 2953.21(A)(2) (Emphasis added). It is a
well-established separation-of-powers principle that courts must apply statutes as they are
written by the legislature, and must “refrain from adding or deleting words when the
statute’s meaning is clear and unambiguous.” Risner v. Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources,
144 Ohio St. 3d 278, 2015-Ohio-3731, 42 N.E.3d 718, ¶ 12.
{¶ 13} It is undisputed that the trial transcripts were filed in the court of appeals in
appellant’s direct appeal on November 17, 2015. Under R.C. 2953.21(A)(2), appellant
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had until November 16, 2016,2 to file a petition for postconviction relief. He did not file
his petition until February 21, 2017. The trial court correctly found that appellant’s
petition was untimely.
{¶ 14} For these reasons, appellant’s first assignment of error is not well-taken.
B. The Trial Court Lacked Jurisdiction to Consider the Petition
{¶ 15} In his second assignment of error, appellant claims that the trial court erred
by refusing to make findings of fact and conclusions of law when dismissing his petition.
He states that “[s]ince the Trial Court did not provide finding of facts and conclusion of
law [sic], it is thus impossible for the appellant to proffer a proper argument on the Trial
Court errors of this case.” But, as we have recognized, a trial court is required to make
findings of fact and conclusions of law under R.C. 2953.21(D) when it dismisses a
petition for postconviction relief “for reasons other than untimeliness.” State v. Allen, 6th
Dist. Lucas No. L-17-1225, 2018-Ohio-878, ¶ 15 (emphasis added). Here, the trial court
dismissed appellant’s petition as untimely. The salient issue is therefore whether the trial
court properly dismissed appellant’s petition as untimely―because, if it did, then it had
no duty to issue findings of fact and conclusions of law when doing so. Id.{¶ 16} A trial court must dismiss an untimely petition for postconviction relief
unless one of the exceptions in R.C. 2953.23(A) applies. R.C. 2953.23(A) allows a
2
The trial court found that Kraus’s petition was due no later than November 17, 2016,
but because 2016 was a leap year, Kraus’s petition would actually have been due on
November 16, 2016.
7.
convicted defendant “to file an untimely, successive petition for postconviction relief
only under specific, limited circumstances.” Apanovitch at ¶ 22. It is a “limited gateway
through which only those otherwise-defaulted postconviction claims that meet its specific
terms may proceed.” Id. R.C. 2953.23(A) provides:
(A) Whether a hearing is or is not held on a petition filed pursuant
to section 2953.21 of the Revised Code, a court may not entertain a petition
filed after the expiration of the period prescribed in division (A) of that
section or a second petition or successive petitions for similar relief on
behalf of a petitioner unless division (A)(1) or (2) of this section applies:
(1) Both of the following apply:
(a) Either the petitioner shows that the petitioner was unavoidably
prevented from discovery of the facts upon which the petitioner must rely
to present the claim for relief, or, subsequent to the period prescribed in
division (A)(2) of section 2953.21 of the Revised Code or to the filing of an
earlier petition, the United States Supreme Court recognized a new federal
or state right that applies retroactively to persons in the petitioner’s
situation, and the petition asserts a claim based on that right.
(b) The petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that, but
for constitutional error at trial, no reasonable factfinder would have found
the petitioner guilty of the offense of which the petitioner was convicted or,
if the claim challenges a sentence of death that, but for constitutional error
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at the sentencing hearing, no reasonable factfinder would have found the
petitioner eligible for the death sentence.
(2) The petitioner was convicted of a felony, the petitioner is an
offender for whom DNA testing was performed under sections 2953.71 to
2953.81 of the Revised Code or under former section 2953.82 of the
Revised Code and analyzed in the context of and upon consideration of all
available admissible evidence related to the inmate’s case as described in
division (D) of section 2953.74 of the Revised Code, and the results of the
DNA testing establish, by clear and convincing evidence, actual innocence
of that felony offense or, if the person was sentenced to death, establish, by
clear and convincing evidence, actual innocence of the aggravating
circumstance or circumstances the person was found guilty of committing
and that is or are the basis of that sentence of death.
As used in this division, “actual innocence” has the same meaning as in
division (A)(1)(b) of section 2953.21 of the Revised Code, and “former
section 2953.82 of the Revised Code has the same meaning as in division
(A)(1)(c) of section 2953.21 of the Revised Code.
{¶ 17} The Supreme Court of Ohio recently confirmed that “a petitioner’s failure
to satisfy R.C. 2953.23(A) deprives a trial court of jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of
an untimely or successive postconviction petition.” Apanovitch at ¶ 36. Given that the
legislature has “created a narrow path” for an offender to pursue a claim for
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postconviction relief, a trial court “fundamentally lack[s] jurisdiction” to consider an
untimely petition that does not satisfy the limited exceptions of R.C. 2953.23(A). Id. at ¶
41.
{¶ 18} Here, given that appellant’s petition does not concern DNA testing (R.C.
2953.23(A)(2)) or a recently-issued opinion of the United States Supreme Court (R.C.
2953.23(A)(1)(a)), the trial court could consider the merits of his untimely petition only if
(1) he demonstrated that he was “unavoidably prevented from discovery of the facts upon
which the petition must rely to present the claim for relief” R.C. 2953.23(A)(1)(a), and
(2) he showed by “clear and convincing evidence that, but for the constitutional error at
trial, no reasonable factfinder would have found the petitioner guilty.” R.C.
2953.23(A)(1)(b). “Clear and convincing evidence” means “that degree of proof which
will provide in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the facts
sought to be established.” Hook v. Hook, 189 Ohio App.3d 440, 2010-Ohio-4165, 938
N.E.2d 1094, ¶ 19 (6th Dist.), quoting Barkley v. Barkley, 119 Ohio App.3d 155, 168,
694 N.E.2d 989 (4th Dist.1997). It is the highest evidentiary standard in a civil case. In
re Williams, 11th Dist. Geauga Nos. 2003-G-2498, 2003-G-2499, 2003-Ohio-3550, ¶ 35.
{¶ 19} Here, the trial court found that appellant “made no showing of these
elements in the statute, nor did he even attempt to meet his burden under the statute.” We
agree. Appellant did not argue or demonstrate that he was “unavoidably prevented from
discovery” of the facts that he relies upon in his petition. R.C. 2953.23(A)(1)(a). And he
does not identify―let alone affirmatively establish through “clear and convincing”
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evidence3―a “constitutional error at trial” that, without which, “no reasonable factfinder
would have found [him] guilty” of theft. R.C. 2953.23(A)(1)(b).
{¶ 20} We do note, however, that although the trial court found that appellant
“[did] not challenge the underlying merits of the felony for which he stands convicted,”
that is not entirely accurate. Appellant did provide an affidavit from a new witness, Ann
Chio, who states that she contacted appellant on July 29, 2017 through Facebook
Messenger because she had information “relevant to his case, which [she] had seen on the
news.” Chio states that she overheard the alleged victim of appellant’s theft give her real
estate agent, Jenine Porter, “permission to let someone into [her] house to appraise the
antiques.” At trial, “Porter expressly testified that she only authorized appellant to go
into the garage to look at the car; she did not give him permission to go into the house or
to appraise other property.” Kraus, 6th Dist. Ottawa No. OT-15-034, 2016-Ohio-8003, at
¶ 4. Appellant, on the other hand, testified that Porter gave him permission to enter the
3
The vast majority of exhibits that are attached to his petition―including
correspondence, typed transcriptions of audio recordings, news articles dating back to
2014, comments from social media, notes, and other items―are unauthenticated and, in
any event, mostly inadmissible hearsay. “[T]he trial court was not bound to accept these
documents as substantive evidence. These documents contain no affidavit, and on most
authorship is unclaimed. Even had these documents been authenticated, they would not
be sufficient because they are absolutely hearsay.” State v. Trimble, 11th Dist. Portage
No. 2007-P-0098, 2008-Ohio-6409, ¶ 96, quoting State v. Taborn, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 77650, 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 5488, *11 (Nov. 22, 2000) (finding unauthenticated
documents submitted in support of a petition for postconviction relief were patently
insufficient to meet petitioner’s burden). Moreover, as the trial court noted, most of the
materials are largely irrelevant to the required inquiry under R.C. 2953.23(A)(1)(b)
―i.e., whether a “constitutional error” occurred at trial, without which he would not have
been convicted of theft.
11.
victim’s property to evaluate personal belongings for possible auction. Id. Appellant
claims that Chio’s new affidavit “directly contradicts” the sworn trial testimony of the
victim and Porter.
{¶ 21} But, even if we assume for the sake of argument that the theft victim’s
alleged out-of-court statement to Porter, which Chio now claims to have overheard, is not
hearsay or would have been admitted pursuant to an exception to the hearsay rule, and
that appellant demonstrated that he was “unavoidably prevented” from discovering this
witness before trial (R.C. 2953.23(A)(1)(a)), and that Chio’s testimony would have
actually “directly contradicted” the testimony of other “key” witnesses as appellant now
claims, such evidence merely challenges witness credibility―it is not clear and
convincing evidence that appellant would not have been convicted if Chio had testified.
Under R.C. 2953.23(A), it is not enough for appellant to claim to have acquired new
evidence that is somehow relevant to his case; appellant must prove by clear and
convincing evidence that an outcome-determinative constitutional error occurred at trial.
“[A witness] credibility challenge is insufficient to demonstrate, by clear and convincing
evidence, that ‘no reasonable factfinder would have found the petitioner guilty of the
offense of which the petitioner was convicted[.]’” State v. Sprenz, 9th Dist. Summit No.
22433, 2005-Ohio-1491, ¶ 11, quoting R.C. 2953.23(A)(1)(b) (finding that the trial court
lacked jurisdiction to consider petitioner’s untimely petition because he did not
demonstrate that any of the exceptions of R.C. 2953.23(A) applied).
12.
{¶ 22} Because appellant failed to satisfy the narrow exceptions of R.C.
2953.23(A), we find that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to consider appellant’s
untimely petition. Apanovitch, Slip Opinion No. 2018-Ohio-4744, at ¶ 36. And, because
the petition was dismissed as untimely, the trial court was not required to issue findings
of fact and conclusions of law. Allen, 6th Dist. No. L-17-1225, 2018-Ohio-878, at ¶ 15.
Although “it may seem unduly formalistic or unfair to foreclose the trial court from
considering a postconviction claim * * * it is the prerogative of the General Assembly,
not this court, to set the terms by which an offender may pursue postconviction relief.”
Apanovitch at ¶ 41.
{¶ 23} Appellant’s second assignment of error is not well-taken.
III. Conclusion
{¶ 24} In sum, we find that the trial court properly concluded that (1) appellant’s
petition for post-conviction relief was untimely under R.C. 2953.21(A)(2); (2) the trial
court lacked jurisdiction to consider the petition under R.C. 2953.23(A); and (3) the court
was not required to issue findings of fact or conclusions of law.
{¶ 25} We find appellant’s two assignments of error not well-taken, and we affirm
the April 10, 2018 judgment of the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas. The costs of
this appeal are assessed to appellant under App.R. 24.
Judgment affirmed.
13.
State of Ohio
v. Steven W. Kraus
C.A. No. OT-18-014
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
Thomas J. Osowik, J.
____________________________
Christine E. Mayle, 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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