State v. Risner , 2021 Ohio 342 ( 2021 )

[Cite as State v. Risner, 2021-Ohio-342.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
WYANDOT COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
CASE NO. 16-20-05
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
v.
PATRICIA R. RISNER, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Wyandot County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 19-CR-0083
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: February 8, 2021
APPEARANCES:
Edwin M. Bibler for Appellant
Eric J. Figlewicz for Appellee
Case No. 16-20-05
WILLAMOWKSI, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Patricia R. Risner (“Risner”) appeals the judgment
of the Wyandot County Court of Common Pleas, alleging (1) that the trial court
erred by denying her motion to withdraw her guilty plea; (2) that she was denied her
right to the effective assistance of counsel; and (3) that the trial court erred by
sentencing her to serve a term in prison. For the reasons set forth below, the
judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On July 24, 2019, Risner was indicted on one count of burglary in
violation of R.C. 2911.12(A)(3), a felony of the third degree; one count of
complicity to burglary in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2), a felony of the third
degree; one count of misuse of credit cards in violation of R.C. 2913.21(B)(2), a
misdemeanor of the first degree; and one count of complicity to misuse of credit
cards in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2), a misdemeanor of the first degree. Doc.
1. Risner entered her sister’s home without permission and participated in the theft
of money and a bank card. Change of Plea Tr. 11; Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8. Julie
A. Wolf (“Wolf”) and Larae M. Brand (“Brand”) were allegedly involved with
Risner in the commission of these offenses. Doc. 10. On July 29, 2019, Risner pled
not guilty to the charges against her. Doc. 7.
{¶3} However, on January 29, 2020, Risner pled guilty to one count of
complicity to burglary in violation of R.C. 2911.12(A)(3), R.C. 2923.03(A)(2).
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Doc. 28, 30. The remaining three counts against her were subsequently dismissed.
Doc. 28. During the Crim.R. 11 colloquy preceding the entry of her plea of guilty,
Risner informed the trial court that she was on a medication but that it did not
interfere with her ability to think clearly. Change of Plea Tr. 4. The trial court then
found her competent to proceed. Id. After the Crim.R. 11 colloquy, the trial court
accepted Risner’s plea of guilty. Doc. 30.
{¶4} Risner’s sentencing hearing was scheduled for May 20, 2020. Doc. 45.
However, on May 19, 2020, Risner filed a motion to withdraw her guilty plea. Doc.
35. In this motion, Risner alleged that she “only pled guilty out of fear and panic.”
Doc. 35. She further alleged that she was innocent and that she “ha[d] recently
discovered new evidence to help prove her innocence.” Doc. 35. This evidence
was a letter (“the letter”) that Risner alleged to be from Wolf. Motion Hearing Tr.
6. Risner stated that she had obtained this letter from Wolf’s mother. Id.{¶5} On May 20, 2020, the trial court held a hearing on this motion. Motion
Hearing Tr. 1. Risner testified at the hearing about the contents of the letter, but
defense counsel indicated that he had “just got [the letter] before we walked into the
courtroom.” Motion Hearing Tr. 17. The trial court then directed the parties to
quote the relevant portions of the letter in their written, closing arguments on this
motion. Id. The trial court then summarized Risner’s testimony at the motion
hearing as follows:
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[S]he testified that she received a letter from Jessica Wolf and that
Jessica Wolf stated she was bribed by Larae Brand to say that
[Risner] was present for the crime. [Risner] further testified that
she did not know where Jessica Wolf was at this time. [Risner]
testified that she had no actual knowledge of bribery, and further
admitted to telling law enforcement she entered the victim’s
house.
Doc. 35. The State subsequently filed a judgment entry that indicated Wolf had
failed to appear at a hearing in the criminal proceeding against her and that a warrant
had been issued for her arrest. Doc. 44, Ex. A.
{¶6} On June 19, 2020, after considering Riser’s testimony and the written
closing arguments of the parties, the trial court denied Risner’s motion to withdraw
her guilty plea. Doc. 35. In its entry, the trial court noted that
the letter was hearsay at best, and the Court is unaware of its
actual contents. One would also need to believe that this
Defendant was one of the most fortunate persons in the criminal
justice system to obtain such a letter from a co-defendant within
a day of her sentencing and on the very day she also realized she
had been confused when she entered her plea.
Doc. 35. The trial court also noted that Risner had “admitted to the charge and
explained her role in it at the change of plea hearing.” Doc. 35.
{¶7} After the trial court denied Risner’s motion to withdraw her guilty plea,
Wolf resurfaced and appeared in the trial court. Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8. Wolf
“confirmed Defendant’s [(Risner’s)] participation in the crime. Id. at 8. On July
21, 2020, Risner appeared at her sentencing hearing. Doc. 47. The trial court
ordered Risner to serve thirty months in prison. Doc. 47. The appellant then filed
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her notice of appeal on August 5, 2020. Doc. 48. On appeal, Risner raises the
following three assignments of error:
First Assignment of Error
The trial court erred by not permitting further hearing and
ultimately denying the Appellant’s Pre-sentence motion to
Withdraw Guilty Plea when there was evidence of the Appellant’s
innocence.
Second Assignment of Error
Appellant received ineffective assistance of counsel when trial
counsel failed to (1) subpoena Wolf to the hearing on the Motion
to Withdraw Plea; (2) failed to admit the letter from Wolf into
evidence; and (3) by failing to request a continuance of the
hearing so that the location of Appellant’s co-defendant may be
found.
Third Assignment of Error
The trial court erred by sentencing the Defendant to thirty-six
(36) months when the Appellant was a first time felon, and had
shown she was amenable to community control sanctions.
First Assignment of Error
{¶8} Risner argues that the trial court erred in denying her motion to
withdraw her guilty plea.
Legal Standard
{¶9} “A motion to withdraw a guilty plea is governed by Crim.R. 32.1 * *
*.” State v. Bush, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-2000-44, 2002-Ohio-6146, ¶ 10. Under
Crim.R. 32.1,
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A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no contest may be made
only before sentence is imposed; but to correct manifest injustice
the court after sentence may set aside the judgment of conviction
and permit the defendant to withdraw his or her plea.
Crim.R. 32.1. While “a presentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea should be
freely and liberally granted[,] * * * a defendant does not have an absolute right to
withdraw a plea prior to sentencing.” State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 527, 584
N.E.2d 715, 719 (1992).
{¶10} “A trial court must conduct a hearing to determine whether there is a
reasonable and legitimate basis for the withdrawal of the plea.” Xie, paragraph one
of the syllabus.
Some of the factors that are weighed in considering the trial
court’s decision on a presentence motion to withdraw a plea are
as follows: (1) whether the state will be prejudiced by withdrawal;
(2) the representation afforded to the defendant by counsel; (3)
the extent of the Crim.R. 11 plea hearing; (4) the extent of the
hearing on the motion to withdraw; (5) whether the trial court
gave full and fair consideration to the motion; (6) whether the
timing of the motion was reasonable; (7) the reasons for the
motion; (8) whether the defendant understood the nature of the
charges and potential sentences; and (9) whether the accused was
perhaps not guilty or had a complete defense to the charge. State
v. Griffin (2001), 141 Ohio App.3d 551, 554, 752 N.E.2d 310 [(7th
Dist.)].
State v. Lane, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-10-10, 2010-Ohio-4819, ¶ 21. “None of the
factors is determinative on its own and there may be numerous additional aspects
‘weighed’ in each case.” State v. North, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-14-18, 2015-Ohio-
720, ¶ 16.
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{¶11} “The decision to grant or deny a motion to withdraw a guilty plea is
within the sound discretion of the trial and will not be disturbed on appeal, absent
an abuse of discretion.” State v. Peacock, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-13-42, 2014-
Ohio-1571, ¶ 26. An abuse of discretion is not merely an error of judgment. State
v. Sullivan, 2017-Ohio-8937, [102 N.E.3d 86], ¶ 20 (3d Dist.). Rather, an abuse of
discretion is present where the trial court’s decision was arbitrary, unreasonable, or
capricious. State v. Howton, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-16-35, 2017-Ohio-4349, ¶ 23.
When the abuse of discretion standard applies, an appellate court is not to substitute
its judgment for that of the trial court. State v. Thompson, 2017-Ohio-792, 85
N.E.3d 1108, ¶ 11 (3d Dist.).
Legal Analysis
{¶12} Risner argued that her motion to withdraw her guilty plea should have
been granted because “her judgment was impaired when she entered her guilty plea
[due] to emotions of fear and panic” and because she “discovered new evidence to
help prove her innocence.” Doc. 35. We will review these arguments and the
decision of the trial court under the nine applicable factors set forth above. Lane,
supra, at ¶ 21.
{¶13} First, as to whether the State would be prejudiced by the withdrawal,
the prosecution pointed to the fact that this offense occurred in July of 2019 and
argued that the fading memories of “those witnesses that had small, but relevant
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roles in this case” would prejudice their case. Doc. 44. In particular, the State
identified the
employees that created/secured security footage for law
enforcement, an employee that assisted in confirming alleged
fraudulent transactions, and a witness that observed a relevant
vehicle and movement a the victim’s residence during the time
frame of the alleged burglary.
Doc. 44. The trial court found that the State, in this argument, “articulated actual
prejudice” if the trial court allowed Risner to withdraw her plea. Doc. 45.
{¶14} Second, as to the quality of her defense counsel, Risner indicated that
she was satisfied with her attorney at the change of plea hearing. Change of Plea
Tr. 4. Further, the record contains no indication that Risner ever reported any
problems with defense counsel during the course of this case.
{¶15} Third, as to the extent of the Crim.R. 11 plea colloquy, the trial court
discussed the rights that Risner was waiving, the nature of the charges against her,
and the penalties that she could potentially receive. Id. at 5-10. Of particular
importance, the trial court also inquired into Risner’s competence to enter a plea
after she stated she was taking a medication. Id. at 4.
{¶16} Fourth, as to the extent of the hearing on the motion to withdraw the
guilty plea, the trial court received testimony from Risner about her mental state at
the time she pled guilty and about the contents of the letter. Motion Hearing Tr. 5-
14.
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{¶17} Fifth, as to whether the motion was given adequate consideration,
Risner points to the fact that the motion hearing occurred too quickly for her to
secure Wolf as a witness. Appellant’s Brief, 7. However, the trial court stated the
following in its judgment entry:
The Court will concede that the hearing on the Motion occurred
quickly, the day after the Motion to Withdraw was filed. The
defense’s acquiescence to this scheduling is curious at first blush,
but understandable in the context of the facts of this case. Had a
delay occurred, the alleged author of the letter, Ms. Wolf, may
have been unearthed. It was clear at the hearing that Ms. Wolf’s
whereabouts were unknown by the State. Had a delay occurred,
the State may have discovered her whereabouts and obtained
further information relative to this letter that may have weighed
against the Defendant.
Doc. 45. The record also indicates that the trial court heard Risner testify and
considered the written closing arguments of the parties. Motion Hearing Tr. 5-14.
Doc. 43, 44. Further, the trial court issued a decision that detailed the relevant facts
and considered this motion under the applicable factors. Doc. 45.
{¶18} Sixth, as to whether the timing of the motion was reasonable, Risner
filed her motion to withdraw her guilty plea the day before she was scheduled to be
sentenced. Doc. 41. Risner stated that she pled guilty out of fear and panic. But in
its judgment entry, the trial court noted “[i]t took almost two * * * months for
Defendant to discover that she had plead guilty to something she claims not to have
done because of fear and panic.” Doc. 45. For this reason, the trial court found that
“the timing of Defendant’s Motion * * * makes her excuse, that she pled guilty due
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to fear and panic, suspect.” Doc. 45. The trial court also noted that Risner had
obtained the letter from Wolf just as she “realized she had been confused when she
entered her plea.” Doc. 45.
{¶19} Seventh, the trial court considered the stated reasons for this motion.
On appeal, the first argument that Risner advances is that fear and panic made her
unable to understand what she was doing when she pled guilty. However, the
following exchange took place at the change of plea hearing:
[Trial court]: Since that time [Risner’s first appearance at court]
have you suffered from or been treated for any mental illness?
[Risner]: No.
[Trial court]: Are you under the influence of any alcohol, drugs,
or medication right now?
[Risner]: Medication.
[Trial court]: Does it interfere with your ability—
[Risner]: No.
[Trial court]: —to think clearly? You’re good?
[Risner]: Yeah.
***
[Trial court]: Mr. Buckland [defense counsel], satisfied your
client’s competent to understand the nature of these proceedings?
[Buckland]: Yes, I am, Your Honor.
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Change of Plea Hearing Tr. 3-4. But at the motion hearing, Risner testified that she
was “scared and confused” at the time she pled guilty. Motion Hearing Tr. 6. In
evaluating this argument, the trial court
question[ed] why this fear and panic, which was not evident to the
Court at the Change of Plea hearing, was not recognized by the
Defendant until the day before her second scheduled sentencing
hearing. * * * Defendant would urge the Court to believe that it
did not dawn on her before her first scheduled sentencing hearing
set for March 26, 2020 that her judgment was clouded on the day
of her plea. It took almost two months for Defendant to discover
that she had plead guilty to something she claims not to have done
because of fear and panic.
Doc. 45. See also State v. Schmidt, 3d Dist. Mercer No. 10-10-04, 2010-Ohio-4809,
¶ 29 (holding that “it is certainly not unusual for a criminal defendant to be under a
great deal of stress when entering a plea to criminal charges.”). The trial court found
that the record did not support Risner’s assertions and that she “appear[ed] * * * [to
be] experiencing nothing more than a change of heart.” Doc. 45.
{¶20} In her second argument, Risner asserts that the letter from Wolf
establishes her innocence. Doc. 35. At the motion hearing, Risner testified that she
received the letter from Wolf’s mother one day before the hearing. Motion Hearing
Tr. 6-7. She stated that the letter indicated that she “wasn’t there when it [the
offense] happened.” Id. at 7. She also said that Brand had “bribed” Wolf to report
that Risner was present for the offense with the promise of “heroin and a place to
live.” Id. at 7, 12. She further testified that she did not know where Wolf was at
that time. Id. at 9. However, on cross-examination, Risner testified that she had
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previously admitted to committing the offense at a police interview and at the
change of plea hearing. Motion Hearing Tr. 9, 11. She then stated that she only
pled guilty as she thought that “nobody would believe” her. Id. at 12. Risner then
admitted that she had no personal knowledge of the information contained in the
letter. Id. at 13-14.
{¶21} Further, the trial court noted that Risner “presented no motivation for
the alleged bribe by co-defendant Brand.” Doc. 45. The trial court further noted
“[t]he letter was supposedly addressed to the Court, but given to the Defendant * *
*” and that [t]he timing of the letter [was] also very suspicious.” Doc. 45. Given
these facts the trial court concluded that Risner,
[w]hen concerned that this claim [of being fearful and panicked]
may not be enough to have the Court rule in her favor, * * *
concocted a tale about a co-defendant’s mother delivering a letter
to [her] that she claims proves she did not commit the crime, but
she neither placed the letter into evidence nor read its contents on
the record.
Doc. 45. The trial court then determined that Risner, in both of these arguments,
“failed to advance a reasonable basis for the withdrawal of her plea.” Doc. 45.
{¶22} Eighth, Risner understood the nature of the charges and potential
sentences. During the Crim.R. 11 colloquy, when asked if she knew what the
maximum prison term could be for the charge against her, Risner accurately told the
trial court “36 months * * *.” Sentencing Hearing Tr. 5. Risner also stated that she
understood the trial court’s explanation of the potential penalties that she could face
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for pleading guilty. Id. 5-7. Risner also affirmed that she understood “the nature of
the charge” against her “and the possible defenses * * *.” Id. at 7.
{¶23} Ninth, as to whether the defendant was not guilty or had a complete
defense to the charges, Risner testified, at the motion hearing, that she had
previously admitted to being at the scene of the crime at her change of plea hearing
and at a police interview. Motion Hearing Tr. 9-10. Further, even if Brand had
bribed Wolf to report that Risner was present at the scene of the crime, this does not
necessarily mean that Wolf was lying about Risner’s presence at the scene of the
crime.1 See Doc. 44. Further, the State also argued to the trial court that Brand had
implicated Risner in this offense. Doc. 44. While Wolf’s whereabouts were
unknown, the State noted that Brand had been sentenced to prison and “would
presumably be available for testimony” should this matter proceed to trial. Doc. 44.
{¶24} In conclusion, the record indicates that the trial court considered
Risner’s motion to withdraw her guilty plea under the applicable factors in reaching
its decision. Doc. 45. Having reviewed the judgment entry issued by the trial court
and the relevant materials in the record, we cannot conclude that the trial court
abused its discretion in denying Risner’s motion to withdraw her guilty plea. For
this reason, her first assignment of error is overruled.
1
After the trial court denied Risner’s motion to withdraw her guilty plea, Wolf appeared before the trial court
and implicated Risner in the instant offense. Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8.
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Second Assignment of Error
{¶25} Risner next argues that she was denied her constitutional right to the
effective assistance of counsel.
Legal Standard
{¶26} “Under Ohio law, ‘a properly licensed attorney is presumed to carry
out his duties in a competent manner.’” State v. Harvey, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-19-
34, 2020-Ohio-329, ¶ 57, quoting State v. Gee, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-92-9, 1993
WL 270995 (July 22, 1993). For this reason, the appellant has the burden of proving
that he or she was denied the right to the effective assistance of counsel. State v.
Brown, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-17-19, 2018-Ohio-899, ¶ 42. “In order to prove an
ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the appellant must carry the burden of
establishing (1) that his or her counsel’s performance was deficient and (2) that this
deficient performance prejudiced the defendant.” State v. McWay, 3d Dist. Allen
No. 1-17-42, 2018-Ohio-3618, ¶ 24, quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).
{¶27} In order to establish deficient performance, the appellant must
demonstrate that trial “counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.”
Howton, supra, at ¶ 35, quoting Strickland at 687. Generally, “[a] claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel is waived by a guilty plea * * *.” State v. Pettaway,
3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-14-20, 2015-Ohio-226, ¶ 12. However, an ineffective
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assistance of counsel claim may still exist if the alleged deficient performance
“resulted in * * * [the appellant’s] plea not being voluntary or intelligent.” Id.{¶28} “[I]t is well-established that debatable strategic and tactical decisions
may not form the basis of a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, even if, in
hindsight, it looks as if a better strategy had been available.” State v. Artis, 2019-
Ohio-2070, 137 N.E.3d 587 (3d Dist.), citing State v. Cook, 65 Ohio St.3d 516, 524,
605 N.E.2d 70 (1992). “[G]enerally an attorney’s decision whether to call a witness
falls under the rubric of trial strategy, and as such, an appellate court will not second-
guess the attorney’s decision, even if the decision was debatable.” State v. Young,
3d Dist. Seneca Nos. 13-08-21, 13-08-22, and 13-08-23, 2008-Ohio-6072, ¶ 13.
{¶29} In order to establish prejudice, “the defendant must show a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would have
been different.” State v. Davis, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-16-30, 2017-Ohio-2916, ¶
36, quoting State v. Bibbs, 2016-Ohio-8396, 78 N.E.3d 343, ¶ 13 (3d Dist.). If the
appellant does not establish one of these two prongs, the appellate court does not
need to consider the facts of the case under the other prong of the test. State v.
Baker, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-17-61, 2018-Ohio-3431, ¶ 19, citing State v. Walker,
2016-Ohio-3499, 66 N.E.3d 349, ¶ 20 (3d Dist.).
Legal Analysis
{¶30} On appeal, Risner alleges that the letter from Wolf established that she
was not present at her sister’s house at the time of the offense. For this reason,
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Risner argues that the admission of the letter or Wolf’s testimony would have
established her innocence. To establish her ineffective assistance of counsel claim,
Risner argues that defense counsel failed to call Wolf as a witness; failed to seek
admission of the letter into evidence; and failed to request a continuance until Wolf
could be located. Even if any of these three actions did constitute deficient
performance, Risner cannot establish that she was thereby prejudiced because of
three facts.
{¶31} First, Risner had specifically “admitted to committing the offense”
before the hearing on her motion. Doc. 45. At the change of plea hearing, the
following exchange occurred between the trial court and Risner:
[Trial court]: Ms. Risner, what did you do that caused this charge
to be brought against you?
[Risner]: I entered a house with two other people on . . . allowed
to.
[Trial court:] You were not allowed to?
[Risner]: Yeah.
[Trial court]: And the intent was to take things from the house?
[Risner]: Yes.
[Trial court]: So you know what Count Two accuses you of and
you’re admitting to that allegation?
[Risner]: Yes.
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Change of Plea Hearing Tr. 11-12. Further, at the hearing on the motion, Risner
testified that she had previously admitted to having been present for the instant
offense at an interview with the police and at her change of plea hearing. Motion
Hearing Tr. 9-10. Thus, Risner’s own words unequivocally place herself at the
scene of the crime during the commission of the offense. See Doc. 30.
{¶32} Second, the trial court heard Risner testify about the substance of the
letter and considered the written closing arguments of the parties. Motion Hearing
Tr. 6-13, 17. While the Defense’s offer to provide a copy of the letter to the trial
court was declined, the trial court did direct the parties to quote the relevant portions
of the letter in their written closing arguments. Id. at 17. In its subsequent judgment
entry, the trial court found that the
failure to provide co-defendant Wolf’s alleged letter may have
been a tactical move by the defense as the State, who had the
opportunity to review the same, stated in its Response to the
Motion to Withdraw Plea that, ‘the document signed by Jessica
Wolf, does not specifically recant the Defendant’s involvement in
the alleged burglary . . . and does not provide a complete defense
to the allegations.’
(Ellipsis sic). Doc. 45. Nonetheless, the trial court considered her testimony as to
the contents of the letter. Doc. 45.
{¶33} Third, while Wolf was unavailable to testify at the time of the hearing
on the motion, the record indicates that she resurfaced before Risner was sentenced
and implicated Risner in the instant offense. Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8. The trial
court said the following about Wolf:
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Interestingly, after the Defendant stated she received a latter
exonerating her from being part of the crime, the alleged author
of the letter appeared in court and confirmed Defendant’s
participation in the crime.
Id. Thus, Wolf’s testimony did not provide evidence that tended to establish
Risner’s innocence.
{¶34} Since Wolf later appeared and implicated Risner in this offense, Risner
cannot establish that requesting a continuance until Wolf was located or calling
Wolf as a witness would have changed the outcome of this proceeding. Similarly,
as to the argument about seeking admission of the letter into evidence, we note that
defense counsel offered to provide the trial court with a copy of the letter. Motion
Hearing Tr. 16. However, the trial court declined this offer and asked that the parties
quote the relevant portions of the letter in their written closing arguments. Id. at 17.
{¶35} In this case, the trial court noted that Risner was able to testify about
the contents of the letter in a light most favorable to her position. See Doc. 45.2
Further, Risner’s own previous admissions contradicted what the letter allegedly
reported. Motion Hearing Tr. 10-11. She had already admitted to having been at
the scene of the crime during the commission of the instant offense on two prior
occasions. Id. Given these facts, Risner has not demonstrated how the outcome of
2
In its judgment entry, the trial court suggested that the “failure to provide co-defendant Wolf’s alleged
missive may have been a tactical move by the defense as the State, who had the opportunity to review the
same, stated in its Response to the Motion to Withdraw Plea that, “the document signed by Jessica Wolf,
does not specifically recant the Defendant’s involvement in the alleged burglary . . . and does not provide a
complete defense to the allegations.” Doc. 45, quoting Doc. 44.
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this proceeding would have been different if the letter had been admitted into
evidence.
{¶36} In conclusion, Risner has not demonstrated how any of these alleged
instances of her defense counsel’s deficient performance resulted in any prejudice
to her. For this reason, she has not carried the burden of establishing an ineffective
assistance of counsel claim in this appeal. Accordingly, her second assignment of
error is overruled.
Third Assignment of Error
{¶37} Risner argues that the trial court erred in sentencing her to a prison
term when the parties jointly recommended that she only receive a community
control sanction.
Legal Standard
{¶38} In rendering a sentence, “[t]he trial court has full discretion to impose
any sentence within the authorized statutory range * * *.” State v. Dayton, 3d Dist.
Union No. 14-16-05, 2016-Ohio-7178, ¶ 15, quoting State v. King, 2d Dist. Clark
Nos. 2012-CA-25, 2012-CA-26, 2013-Ohio-2021, ¶ 45. However, in this process,
trial courts are to sentence convicted felons in accordance with the overriding
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. * * *
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R.C. 2929.11. “To effectuate compliance with these overriding purposes, the Ohio
Revised Code requires the trial court to consider a number of factors listed in R.C.
2929.12.” State v. Walton, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-17-55, 2018-Ohio-1680, ¶ 6. The
R.C. 2929.12 factors direct the trial court to evaluate the seriousness of the offense
and the likelihood of recidivism. R.C. 2929.12.
{¶39} “Appellate courts defer to the broad discretion of the trial court in
matters of sentencing.”3 State v. Jones, 3d Dist. Shelby No. 17-19-08, 2019-Ohio-
4938, ¶ 7. If the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that his or
her sentence is “(1) contrary to law and/or (2) unsupported by the record,” an
appellate court has the authority, pursuant to R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), “to increase,
reduce, or otherwise modify a sentence * * *.” State v. McGowan, 147 Ohio St.3d
166, 2016-Ohio-2971, 62 N.E.3d 178, ¶ 1.
{¶40} “Under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), an appellate court will reverse a sentence
‘only if it determines by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not
support the trial court’s findings under relevant statutes or that the sentence is
otherwise contrary to law.’” State v. Nienberg, 3d Dist. Putnam Nos. 12-16-15, 12-
16-16, 2017-Ohio-2920, ¶ 8, quoting State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-
Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 1.
3
Trial courts are given discretion in applying the statutory factors in the process of determining an appropriate
sentence. A misapplication of these factors in sentencing that rises to the level of an abuse of discretion is
clearly and convincingly contrary to law. Thus, we examine the record to determine whether the trial court
clearly and convincingly failed to act in accordance with the laws governing the imposition of sentences.
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Clear and convincing evidence is that measure or degree of proof
which is more than a mere ‘preponderance of the evidence,’ but
not to the extent of such certainty as is required ‘beyond a
reasonable doubt’ in criminal cases, and which will produce in the
mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts
sought to be established.
State v. Taflinger, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-17-20, 2018-Ohio-456, ¶ 12, quoting Cross
v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118, paragraph three of the syllabus
(1954).
Legal Analysis
{¶41} In this case, Risner was sentenced to thirty months in prison. Doc. 47.
This sentence falls within the statutory range of nine to thirty-six months. See R.C.
2929.14(A)(3)(b). At the sentencing hearing, defense counsel requested that the
trial court only impose a community control sanction on Risner. Sentencing
Hearing Tr. 5. However, at the sentencing hearing, the trial court found that Risner
“is not amenable to community control and [that] prison is consistent with the
purposes and principles of sentencing.” Id. at 7. See Doc. 47. Thus, in this process,
the trial court considered the overriding purposes of felony sentencing in R.C.
2929.11. See R.C. 2929.11. Further, at the sentencing hearing, the trial court
considered the seriousness and recidivism factors. Sentencing Hearing Tr. 7.
{¶42} As to the seriousness factors, the trial court found that Risner’s
“relationship with the victim facilitated the offense” because the victim was Risner’s
sister. Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8. See R.C. 2929.12(B)(2). The trial court noted
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that Risner, in committing this offense, “brought others with her into her sister’s
home and they stole money and a bank card leaving the victim with no funds.”
Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8. See R.C. 2929.12(B)(6). After considering the contents
of a victim impact statement at the hearing, trial court stated that “the victim feels
very betrayed and very violated.” Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8. See R.C.
2929.12(B)(2). The trial court also found that this offense “violated the sanctity of
another’s home * * *” and was “made even more egregious” by the fact that the
victim of the offense “was [Risner’s] very own sister.” Sentencing Hearing Tr. 7.
{¶43} As to the recidivism factors, the trial court found that the instant
offense was committed while Risner “was * * * on probation” for another offense.
Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8. See R.C. 2929.12(D)(1). The trial court also examined
Risner’s criminal history. The trial court noted that Risner had “convictions for
passing bad checks and some misdemeanor thefts * * *” and that Risner had bond
violations in the instant case. Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8-9. See R.C. 2929.12(D)(2).
The trial court then found that Risner “shows no remorse” for committing this
offense. Sentencing Hearing Tr. 8. See R.C. 2929.12(D)(5).
{¶44} In conclusion, Risner has not carried the burden of establishing that
her sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law nor has she shown by clear
and convincing evidence that her sentence is unsupported by the record. Having
reviewed the evidence in the record, we cannot conclude that the trial court erred by
imposing its sentence. As such, Risner’s third assignment of error is overruled.
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Conclusion
{¶45} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant in the particulars
assigned and argued, the judgment of the Wyandot County Court of Common Pleas
is affirmed.
Judgment Affirmed
ZIMMERMAN and SHAW, J.J., concur.
/hls
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