State v. Sanford

[Cite as State v. Sanford, 2021-Ohio-1619.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF LORAIN )
STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 18CA011308
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
ANDRE SANFORD COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. 16CR095062
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: May 10, 2021
PER CURIAM.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Andre Sanford appeals the judgment of the Lorain County
Court of Common Pleas. This Court affirms in part, reverses in part, and remands the matter for
proceedings consistent with this decision.
I.
{¶2} Around 5:00 a.m. on October 6, 2016, the victim, who was driving a motorcycle,
was on his way to work. As the victim was stopped at a traffic light, Mr. Sanford, who was driving
a car at nearly 60 m.p.h., crashed into the rear of the victim’s motorcycle. The victim was thrown
from his motorcycle across the intersection. The victim died at the scene. Mr. Sanford’s vehicle
continued through the intersection and struck a control box. Mr. Sanford and the passenger in the
car, Mr. Sanford’s brother, fled on foot. That same day, Mr. Sanford and his brother turned
themselves into the police. Mr. Sanford told the police that, prior to the collision, he and his
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brother had consumed some whiskey and smoked two “blunts” of marijuana. Mr. Sanford
submitted to having his blood tested.
{¶3} On October 7, 2016, a complaint was filed in Elyria Municipal Court asserting that
on October 6, 2016, Mr. Sanford, as “[t]he operator of a motor vehicle did knowingly fail to remain
at the scene of an accident or collision and the operator knew the accident or collision resulted in
the death of a person[.]” While Mr. Sanford and the State assert that Mr. Sanford was arrested on
October 6, 2016, the entries in the record seem to indicate that Mr. Sanford may not have been
arrested until October 7, 2016. There is no entry in the record reflecting an October 6, 2016 arrest
date. Nonetheless, the record is clear that Mr. Sanford appeared in court on October 7, 2016 and
was unable to post bond.
{¶4} On October 13, 2016, Mr. Sanford again appeared in court with counsel and waived
his right to a preliminary hearing. He was bound over to the court of common pleas.
{¶5} On December 29, 2016, an indictment was filed in the court of common pleas
charging Mr. Sanford with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide in violation of R.C.
2903.06(A)(1)(a) (count one), one count of aggravated vehicular homicide in violation of R.C.
2903.06(A)(2)(a) (count two), one count of failure to stop after an accident in violation of R.C.
4549.02(A) (count three), one count of driving under suspension or in violation of license
restriction in violation of R.C. 4510.11(A) (count four), one count of operating a motor vehicle
without a valid license in violation of R.C. 4510.12(A)(1) (count five), one count of operating a
vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or a drug of abuse in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a)
(count six), and one count of operating a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance or
metabolite of a controlled substance in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(I) (count seven).
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The indictment specified that the aggravated vehicular homicide charge involving R.C.
2903.06(A)(1)(a) was premised on a violation of R.C. 4511.19(A).
{¶6} On January 9, 2017, Mr. Sanford was arraigned on the charges and was also
released on bond. On January 13, 2017, Mr. Sanford filed a motion to dismiss alleging violations
of his right to a speedy trial. In the motion, Mr. Sanford argued that, because he had remained in
jail from the time of his arrest until he posted bond on January 9, 2017, he was jailed for more than
the time authorized by the relevant statute.
{¶7} The State responded in opposition to the motion. The State maintained that Mr.
Sanford was only initially charged with failure to stop after an accident because “the investigation
into the cause of the accident was ongoing and details were mostly unknown * * *.” The State
then discussed the additional investigation and testing that was conducted as well as when it
received the results. The State argued that several of the charges were based upon facts not known
at the time of the arrest, and, thus, those charges were subject to a different speedy-trial timeframe.
{¶8} A hearing was held on the motion, at which both sides presented argument.
Subsequently, the trial court held another hearing, at which time the trial court stated its ruling on
the record. The trial court granted Mr. Sanford’s motion as to counts three, four, and five, but
denied it as to counts one, two, six, and seven.
{¶9} Mr. Sanford then filed a motion to suppress, which was denied following a hearing.
Mr. Sanford thereafter entered a no-contest plea to the remaining counts. The trial court sentenced
Mr. Sanford to an aggregate term of eight years in prison. As some of the offenses were determined
to be allied, Mr. Sanford was only sentenced on two of the counts.
{¶10} Mr. Sanford has appealed, raising four assignment of error for review.
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II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT “ACCEPTED” MR. SANFORD’S
PLEA BECAUSE IT WAS WITHOUT AUTHORITY TO ENTER THE PLEA.
{¶11} Mr. Sanford argues in his first assignment of error that the trial court erred in
accepting his plea because the trial court never elicited a plea from Mr. Sanford. In so doing, Mr.
Sanford relies upon State v. Kubisen, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 16CA011065, 2017-Ohio-8781.
{¶12} In Kubisen, the Court stated that, “[t]he most basic premise of Crim.R. 11(C) is that
a defendant enter a guilty (or no contest) plea and, thereafter, the court accept the plea.” Id. at ¶
6. Therein, this Court concluded that “a guilty plea cannot be accepted under Crim.R. 11 unless
the defendant actually pleads guilty in court * * *.” Id. at ¶ 10. However, in State v. White, 9th
Dist. Lorain No. 18CA011305, 2019-Ohio-1159, ¶ 7, this Court concluded that Kubisen was
“wrongly decided.” In White, this Court noted that “Crim.R. 11(C) * * * does not speak with
specificity to the form that ‘a plea of guilty’ must take.” Id.{¶13} Accordingly, to the extent Mr. Sanford relies upon Kubisen, his argument is
misplaced. Further, contrary to Mr. Sanford’s assertion, the record reflects that he did enter a plea
at the plea hearing. At the plea hearing, the trial court asked Mr. Sanford, “And, although your
attorney’s entered a plea of no contest [o]n your behalf in this regard, do you also personally enter
a plea of no contest?” Mr. Sanford responded, “Yes, sir.”
{¶14} Given the foregoing, we cannot say that Mr. Sanford has demonstrated that the trial
court committed error in accepting his plea. Mr. Sanford’s first assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING MR. SANFORD’S MOTION TO
DISMISS IN VIOLATION OF [R.C.] 2945.71 AND [] 2945.72 AS WELL AS
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THE UNITED STATES AND STATE OF OHIO CONSTITUTION AS MR.
SANFORD’S RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL WAS VIOLATED.
{¶15} Mr. Sanford argues in his second assignment of error that the trial court erred in
denying his motion to dismiss. Specifically, he disagrees with the trial court’s conclusion that the
four charges at issue were subject to a different speedy-trial calculation than that of the original
charge.
{¶16} “When a trial court denies a motion to dismiss on speedy trial grounds, this Court
reviews questions of law de novo, but considers whether the trial court’s factual determinations
are clearly erroneous.” (Internal quotations and citations omitted.) State v. Gall, 9th Dist. Lorain
No. 18CA011445, 2019-Ohio-4907, ¶ 5. “‘The Supreme Court of Ohio has found that the statutory
speedy trial provisions set forth in R.C. 2945.71 are coextensive with Ohio and federal
constitutional speedy trial provisions.’” State v. Purefoy, 9th Dist. Summit No. 27992, 2017-Ohio-
79, ¶ 8, quoting State v. Gaines, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 00CA008298, 2004-Ohio-3407, ¶ 9, citing
State v. O’Brien, 34 Ohio St.3d 7 (1987), paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶17} The parties do not dispute that Mr. Sanford remained in jail for over 90 days
following his arrest on the charge of failing to stop after an accident. See R.C. 2945.71(C)(2)-(E).
Thus, Mr. Sanford argues that the time for the State to bring him to trial expired. The State
maintains that, at the time of Mr. Sanford’s arrest, the investigation was ongoing and it was not
until mid-November that the State received the toxicology report that allowed the State to indict
Mr. Sanford on the two aggravated vehicular homicide counts and the two operating a vehicle
while under the influence counts. Therefore, the State asserts that those four counts were subject
to a separate speedy-trial timetable.
{¶18} The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that, “[i]n issuing a subsequent indictment,
the state is not subject to the speedy-trial timetable of the initial indictment, when additional
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criminal charges arise from facts different from the original charges, or the state did not know of
these facts at the time of the initial indictment.” State v. Baker, 78 Ohio St.3d 108 (1997), syllabus.
In applying Baker, we have concluded that “[t]he State is not required to bring additional charges
within the time period of the original indictment if the State did not have knowledge of the
additional charges until performing investigations of later-seized evidence.” State v. Armstrong,
9th Dist. Medina No. 03CA0064-M, 2004-Ohio-726, ¶ 7, citing Baker at 111. “[I]n construing the
speedy-trial statutes, we must balance the rights of an accused with the public’s interest in
‘obtaining convictions of persons who have committed criminal offenses against the state.’” Baker
at 111, quoting State v. Bonarrigo, 62 Ohio St.2d 7, 11 (1980).
{¶19} Here, the indictment charged Mr. Sanford with aggravated vehicular homicide in
violation of R.C. 2903.06(A)(1)(a). That provision provides that “[n]o person, while operating or
participating in the operation of a motor vehicle, * * * shall cause the death of another * * *[a]s
the proximate result of committing a violation of division (A) of section 4511.19 of the Revised
Code or of a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance[.]” The second count alleged that Mr.
Sanford committed aggravated vehicular homicide in violation of R.C. 2903.06(A)(2)(a), which
states that “[n]o person, operating or participating in the operation of a motor vehicle * * * shall
cause the death of another * * * [r]ecklessly[.]” Additionally, Mr. Sanford was charged with two
counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One of the counts was
a violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) and one was a violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(j)(viii)(I). R.C.
4511.19(A)(1)(a) provides that “[n]o person shall operate any vehicle * * * within this state, if, at
the time of the operation * * * [t]he person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a
combination of them.” R.C. 4511.19(A)(j)(viii)(I) states that:
No person shall operate any vehicle * * * within this state, if, at the time of the
operation * * * the person has a concentration of any of the following controlled
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substances or metabolites of a controlled substance in the person’s whole blood,
blood serum or plasma, or urine that equals or exceeds any of the following: * * *
The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of
them, and, as measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, the person has
a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person’s urine of at least fifteen
nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a
concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person’s whole blood or blood serum
or plasma of at least five nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the
person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
{¶20} We conclude that, under the facts of this case, two of the four charges were
dependent upon the toxicology report of Mr. Sanford’s blood. It was not until the State received
the toxicology report that the State knew that Mr. Sanford’s blood contained substances at a level
prohibited by R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(I). This information was not available to the State at the
time the initial charge of failing to remain at the scene of an accident was filed. However, not only
was the toxicology report necessary for the R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(I) charge (count seven), it
was also probative of whether Mr. Sanford committed aggravated vehicular homicide as contained
in count one. That charge of aggravated vehicular homicide under R.C. 2903.06(A)(1)(a) requires
the death to be caused “[a]s the proximate result of committing a violation of division (A) of section
4511.19 of the Revised Code * * *.” (Emphasis added.) Here, the record supports that the State
was relying on the R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(I) OVI charge to satisfy the requisite R.C.
4511.19(A) element listed in R.C. 2903.06(A)(1)(a). Given the broad language in the statute and
the indictment, we cannot say that doing so was impermissible. As such, the facts contained in the
toxicology report were not initially available to the State and were also necessary in prosecuting
the crime alleged in count one.
{¶21} The same cannot be said for counts two and six, however, as they were not
dependent upon the toxicology report. Instead, the State was initially aware of the facts necessary
to prosecute both of those charges. Mr. Sanford was driving his vehicle nearly 60 miles per hour
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when he crashed into and killed the victim, whose motorcycle was stopped at a traffic light. Mr.
Sanford fled the scene, but later turned himself in and admitted to police that he was drinking
whiskey and smoking marijuana prior to the accident. These facts would be sufficient to prosecute
Mr. Sanford for the crimes alleged in counts two and six.
{¶22} First, R.C. 2903.06(A)(2)(a), the basis of count two, prohibits operating a motor
vehicle and causing the death of another recklessly. Pursuant to R.C. 2901.22(C):
A person acts recklessly when, with heedless indifference to the consequences, the
person disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the person’s conduct is
likely to cause a certain result or is likely to be of a certain nature. A person is
reckless with respect to circumstances when, with heedless indifference to the
consequences, the person disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that such
circumstances are likely to exist.
{¶23} This Court recently affirmed a conviction for aggravated vehicular homicide—
under R.C. 2903.06(A)(2)(a)—under a somewhat similar fact-pattern. See State v. Glaze, 9th Dist.
Lorain No. 18CA011289, 2020-Ohio-53, ¶ 18 (rejecting a sufficiency challenge because the
evidence demonstrated the offender acted recklessly when he drove at an excessive rate of speed,
crashed into a stopped car at a traffic light, killing both victims, and then discarded drug
paraphernalia which was later found by law enforcement). See also State v. Schmidt, 9th Dist.
Medina No. 10CA0071-M, 2012-Ohio-537, ¶ 9 (“Recklessness may be inferred from a
combination of excessive speed and the surrounding circumstances.”).
{¶24} Next, R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a), the basis of count six, prohibits operating a vehicle
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In recently affirming an OVI conviction—under
R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a)—this Court acknowledged probative evidence of the offender’s admission
to police that he consumed alcohol that evening and also recognized that causing an accident may
provide evidence of impairment. State v. Miller, 9th Dist. Summit No. 29469, 2020-Ohio-1209, ¶
9, ¶ 14. Additionally, fleeing the scene of a crash may be indicative of a consciousness of guilt.
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See State v. Robertson, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 13CA010395, 2014-Ohio-5389, ¶ 10, citing State v.
Nichols, 9th Dist. Summit No. 24900, 2010-Ohio-5737, ¶ 11, and State v. Taylor, 78 Ohio St.3d
15, 27 (1997).
{¶25} While a toxicology report would certainly be probative of whether someone acted
recklessly in violation of R.C. 2903.06(A)(2)(a) and was driving under the influence in violation
of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a), the facts contained in the report would be by no means necessary in the
prosecution of those offenses. We recognize that “prosecutors are under no duty to file charges as
soon as probable cause exists but before they are satisfied they will be able to establish the
suspect’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” United States v. Lovasco, 431 U.S. 783, 791 (1977).
Under this particular fact-pattern, however, the State had ample evidence at the outset to prosecute
and convict Mr. Sanford for violations of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) (count six) and R.C.
2903.06(A)(2)(a) (count two), without any additional reliance on the results of a toxicology report.
The State was therefore subject to the speedy-trial timetable applicable to the initial charge with
respect to counts two and six and the trial court should have granted Mr. Sanford’s motion to
dismiss those two counts on speedy trial grounds. See, generally, Baker, 78 Ohio St.3d 108. The
situation would be different for these two charges if laboratory analysis of a blood sample was
required, if some new or additional information became known later, or if the charges resulted
from different conduct. See Cleveland v. Evans, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100721, 2014-Ohio-
4567, ¶ 20.
{¶26} Thus, this Court sustains Mr. Sanford’s second assignment of error in part, and
overrules it in part.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING MR. SANFORD’S MOTION TO
SUPPRESS BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE SEIZED WAS THE FRUIT OF AN
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UNCONSTITUTIONAL SEARCH AND SEIZURE IN VIOLATION OF
DEFENDANT’S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
{¶27} Mr. Sanford argues in his third assignment of error that the trial court erred in
denying his motion to suppress. Specifically, he maintains that: (1) he was arrested for operating
a vehicle while under the influence without probable cause; (2) he did not consent to the blood
draw and/or was without authority to consent to the blood draw; and (3) the blood test was taken
outside the specified time limits.
{¶28} A motion to suppress evidence presents a mixed question of law and fact. State v.
Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8. “When considering a motion to suppress,
the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and is therefore in the best position to resolve factual
questions and evaluate the credibility of witnesses.” Id., citing State v. Mills, 62 Ohio St.3d 357,
366 (1992). Thus, a reviewing court “must accept the trial court’s findings of fact if they are
supported by competent, credible evidence.” Burnside at ¶ 8. “Accepting these facts as true, the
appellate court must then independently determine, without deference to the conclusion of the trial
court, whether the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard.” Id., citing State v. McNamara, 124
Ohio App.3d 706 (4th Dist.1997).
{¶29} As to Mr. Sanford’s challenges to the issue of consent, Mr. Sanford did not raise
that issue in his motion to suppress or at the hearing on the motion. Accordingly, we conclude he
has forfeited that issue and we decline to address it in this appeal. See State Jones, 9th Dist. Medina
No. 17CA0070-M, 2019-Ohio-60, ¶ 15.
{¶30} Mr. Sanford also argues that he was arrested for operating a vehicle while under
the influence without probable cause. He bases his argument on the fact that Officer Adam Garvin
read Mr. Sanford the BMV 2255 form, which includes language indicating the person is under
arrest for operating a vehicle while under the influence, and that neither Officer Garvin nor
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Detective Daniel Sumpter noticed any signs that Mr. Sanford was impaired. Nonetheless, we reject
his argument because we determine Mr. Sanford was not actually arrested for operating a vehicle
while under the influence.
{¶31} “An arrest requires the existence of four elements: ‘(1) An intent to arrest, (2) under
real or pretended authority, (3) accompanied by an actual or constructive seizure or detention of
the person, and (4) which is so understood by the person arrested.’” State v. Barr, 9th Dist. Summit
No. 16822, 1995 WL 244156, *2 (Apr. 26, 1995), quoting State v. Barker, 53 Ohio St.2d 135(1978), paragraph one of the syllabus. This Court has concluded that, “[t]he reading of the implied
consent form, informing defendant that []he was under arrest, not only manifested the officer’s
intent to place defendant under arrest, but also constituted a seizure of h[is] person.” Barr at *3.
“Although completion of a BMV 2255 form does not always establish that a driver has in fact been
arrested, it is evidence of an arrest.” Id. Therefore, “[i]n the absence of contradictory evidence[,]”
a trial court errs in determining that a defendant was not under arrest after the completion of a
BMV 2255 form. See id.{¶32} While the trial court did not issue findings of fact and conclusions of law in a
judgment entry, it did so on the record after the suppression hearing. The trial court found that the
vehicle operated by Mr. Sanford collided with the motorcycle driven by the victim at
approximately 4:52 a.m. and that Mr. Sanford and his passenger left on foot shortly thereafter. Mr.
Sanford turned himself into the Elyria Police Department around 6:15 a.m. Mr. Sanford was then
taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The trial court determined that Officer Garvin was
instructed by his superior to obtain consent through the BMV 2255 form. “Based upon [Officer
Garvin’s] testimony and the testimony of [Detective] Sumpter, [the trial court concluded] that
Officer Garvin was not arresting the Defendant at the time that he read that form to him, but that
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the form utilized advised Defendant he was under arrest for driving under the influence.” The trial
court noted that “[n]o other arrest-related activity * * * took place.” “[The officers] didn’t place
Defendant under handcuffs. They didn’t limit his movement about, although the medical care may
have caused some limitations in his being able to move about the hospital. He was not removed
from his bed or from the hospital. And, ultimately, within a short period of time, he was
specifically advised by [Detective] Sumpter that he was not under arrest for driving under the
influence.”
{¶33} At the hearing, both Officer Garvin and Detective Sumpter testified. Both agreed
that Mr. Sanford was cooperative with them. On the date of the accident, Officer Garvin was
training on the day shift and had not yet made any arrests for operating a vehicle while under the
influence. Officer Garvin spoke to Mr. Sanford at the police station and determined that he needed
medical care. Mr. Sanford was then transported to the hospital. Mr. Sanford was not handcuffed.
Officer Garvin was instructed by his superior to read the BMV 2255 form to Mr. Sanford, complete
it, and obtain a consent for a blood sample. Officer Garvin did not remember Mr. Sanford
exhibiting any signs of impairment. Officer Garvin read Mr. Sanford the form. Officer Garvin
completed the form at approximately 6:55 a.m. Mr. Sanford was provided a copy of the form and
signed it. The form states that the grounds for the “OVI” arrest were “Accident[.]” The form
specifically advises the offender that he or she is under arrest for operating a vehicle while under
the influence. Officer Garvin and Detective Sumpter signed the portion of the form that indicates
it should only be completed on an “OVI Arrest/Physical Control Arrest[.]”
{¶34} Detective Sumpter testified that his purpose at the hospital was to interview Mr.
Sanford in relation to Mr. Sanford leaving the scene of the accident. Prior to interviewing Mr.
Sanford, and after the BMV 2255 form was completed, Mr. Sanford was asked to complete a
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general consent form from the police department for a blood draw. That form does not mention
arrest and instead indicates that the subject “g[ave] permission to obtain biological samples without
a search warrant to the above named officers, voluntarily and without any threats or promises or
coercion of any kind[.]” Mr. Sanford signed the form and the form indicates consent was granted
at 7:00 a.m.
{¶35} Detective Sumpter testified that he told Mr. Sanford that they wanted a sample to
check to see if Mr. Sanford was intoxicated but that “right now, [Detective Sumpter was] not
arresting him for that.” Detective Sumpter specifically told Mr. Sanford that he was not getting
arrested for operating a vehicle while under the influence but that he may be charged at a later
date.
{¶36} Mr. Sanford’s blood was then drawn. Detective Sumpter then read Mr. Sanford the
Miranda warning and interviewed him. Mr. Sanford subsequently had x-rays and was afterwards
released from the emergency room. Upon his release from the emergency room, Mr. Sanford was
placed in handcuffs and informed that he was being arrested for failing to stop after the accident
and leaving the scene. Mr. Sanford was then charged with failing to stop after an accident. At that
time, no charges for operating a vehicle while under the influence were filed.
{¶37} Given the record before us, we conclude that the trial court’s factual findings
outlined above are supported by competent, credible evidence. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152,
2003-Ohio-5372, at ¶ 8. Further, given the totality of the evidence, and notwithstanding the
reading and completion of the BMV 2255 form, we conclude that Mr. Sanford was not arrested
for driving while under the influence. Accordingly, and in light of Mr. Sanford’s arguments, it
does not matter whether officers had probable cause to arrest Mr. Sanford for operating a vehicle
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while under the influence because we agree with the trial court that Mr. Sanford was not arrested
for operating a vehicle while under the influence.
{¶38} Mr. Sanford additionally argues that the blood draw was taken outside the two-hour
time limit set forth in R.C. 4511.192(A) and, therefore, the evidence was inadmissible. See R.C.
4511.192(A). Even assuming that we agreed that R.C. 4511.192(A) is related to the admissibility
of evidence, the statute, by its plain language, clearly contemplates that the person was arrested
for operating a vehicle while under the influence. R.C. 4511.192(A). R.C. 4511.192(A) states:
Except as provided in division (A)(5) of section 4511.191 of the Revised Code, the
arresting law enforcement officer shall give advice in accordance with this section
to any person under arrest for a violation of division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19
of the Revised Code, section 4511.194 of the Revised Code or a substantially
equivalent municipal ordinance, or a municipal OVI ordinance. The officer shall
give that advice in a written form that contains the information described in division
(B) of this section and shall read the advice to the person. The form shall contain
a statement that the form was shown to the person under arrest and read to the
person by the arresting officer. One or more persons shall witness the arresting
officer’s reading of the form, and the witnesses shall certify to this fact by signing
the form. The person must submit to the chemical test or tests, subsequent to the
request of the arresting officer, within two hours of the time of the alleged violation
and, if the person does not submit to the test or tests within that two-hour time limit,
the failure to submit automatically constitutes a refusal to submit to the test or tests.
{¶39} We have already concluded that Mr. Sanford was not arrested for operating a
vehicle while under the influence and, thus, we conclude the time limit in R.C. 4511.192(A) is
inapplicable to his situation. Instead, R.C. 4511.19(D)(1)(b), which expressly addresses the
admissibility of evidence, provides, in relevant part:
In any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of division
(A) or (B) of this section or for an equivalent offense that is vehicle-related, the
court may admit evidence on the concentration of alcohol, drugs of abuse,
controlled substances, metabolites of a controlled substance, or a combination of
them in the defendant’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, urine, or other
bodily substance at the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical analysis
of the substance withdrawn within three hours of the time of the alleged violation.
The three-hour time limit specified in this division regarding the admission of
evidence does not extend or affect the two-hour time limit specified in division (A)
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of section 4511.192 of the Revised Code as the maximum period of time during
which a person may consent to a chemical test or tests as described in that section.
{¶40} As neither side disputes that Mr. Sanford’s blood was collected prior to the
expiration of the three-hour time limit set forth in R.C. 4511.19(D)(1)(b), we therefore conclude
that the trial court did not err in denying Mr. Sanford’s motion to suppress.
{¶41} Mr. Sanford’s third assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY IMPOSING, CONTRARY TO LAW AND
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITIONS AGAINST CRUEL AND
UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT, WHICH ARE DISPROPORTIONATE WITH THE
SENTENCES IMPOSED ON SIMILAR DEFENDANTS. [SIC.]
{¶42} Mr. Sanford argues in his fourth assignment of error that his sentence for
aggravated vehicular homicide is disproportionate to other sentences imposed in the Lorain County
Court of Common Pleas on similar offenders for the same crime and therefore violates the Eighth
Amendment. Given this Court’s resolution of Mr. Sanford’s second assignment of error, this
assignment of error has been rendered moot and we decline to address it. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
III.
{¶43} Mr. Sanford’s second assignment of error is sustained in part and overruled in part.
Mr. Sanford’s fourth assignment of error has been rendered moot. His remaining assignments of
error are overruled. The judgment of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed in
part, reversed in part, and this matter is remanded for proceedings consistent with this decision.
Judgment affirmed in part,
reversed in part,
and cause remanded.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
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We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Lorain, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of
this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period
for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to
mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the
docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed equally to both parties.
THOMAS A. TEODOSIO
FOR THE COURT
TEODOSIO, P. J.
CALLAHAN, J.
CONCUR.
CARR, J.
CONCURRING IN PART, AND DISSENTING IN PART.
{¶44} “The key question in this case is whether all of the offenses at issue arose out of the
same set of facts, or whether additional charges arose from new facts that were either not present
at the time of the original arrest or not available to the [S]tate at the time of the original arrest and
indictment.” State v. Mohamed, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 08AP-960, 2009-Ohio-6658, ¶ 32. In
other words, does the speedy trial limit on Sanford’s initial charge of failure to stop after an
accident control on the subsequent charges or does a new speedy trial period begin? I would hold
that the speedy trial clock started over when Sanford was subsequently indicted on additional
17
charges because the State was not subject to the speedy trial time limits of the original arrest, as
the subsequent charges were based on additional facts revealed through further investigation. See
State v. Baker, 78 Ohio St.3d 108, 111(1996).
{¶45} As the majority lays out, the victim was tragically killed in the early morning hours
of October 6, 2016, on Route 57 in Elyria, Ohio. The victim who was on his way to work was
stopped at a red light when Sanford’s car struck the victim’s motorcycle from behind, causing the
victim to be ejected onto Sanford’s hood and then thrown across the intersection. Sanford and his
brother, who was a passenger in the car, fled on foot from the scene without checking on the victim
or calling 911. Sanford’s stepfather ultimately talked the brothers into turning themselves in to
the police around an hour and a half after the accident. At the police station, Sanford admitted he
was driving and had struck the victim’s motorcycle. He also indicated that his brother was going
to call and report the car as stolen and Sanford talked him out of it because he did not want to face
a stolen car charge, too. Police were skeptical of Sanford’s story because his brother had a record
and police were concerned that Sanford may have been lying as to being the driver in order to
protect his brother. Sanford admitted to drinking whiskey and to smoking two blunts with his
brother a few hours before the accident. After advising him of his Miranda rights and questioning
him briefly, the police had him physically evaluated. He was then taken to the hospital for further
examination.
{¶46} While at the hospital, Sanford was questioned by Elyria police. The officers
testified at the suppression hearing that Sanford was cooperative but upset, crying sometimes.
Despite Sanford admitting to drinking and smoking marijuana, the officers testified that he did not
exhibit signs of being under the influence. He did not smell of alcohol, have glassy or blood shot
eyes, or slur his words. The officers obtained his consent to a blood draw in order to perform a
18
toxicology screen. After they were notified that Sanford was being released from the hospital,
Elyria police arrested him for failing to stop after an accident. The officers at the hospital were
not involved in any further investigation of the car accident.
{¶47} Over the next two months Sanford remained in jail and an investigation was
conducted into the accident. DNA was collected from the car’s airbag and analyzed. The DNA
results confirmed that Sanford was the driver of the car at the time of the accident. Police also
received the toxicology report from Sanford’s blood sample showing marijuana metabolites over
the legal limit.
{¶48} Upon getting the results back, Sanford was indicted in December 2016 by the grand
jury with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide in violation of R.C. 2903.06(A)(1)(a) (count
one), one count of aggravated vehicular homicide in violation of R.C. 2903.06(A)(2)(a) (count
two), one count of failure to stop after an accident in violation of R.C. 4549.02(A) (count three),
one count of driving under suspension or in violation of license restriction in violation of R.C.
4510.11(A) (count four), one count of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license in violation
of R.C. 4510.12(A)(1) (count five), one count of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol
and/or a drug of abuse in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) (count six), and one count of operating
a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance or metabolite of a controlled substance in
violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(I) (count seven). The indictment specified that the
aggravated vehicular homicide charge involving R.C. 2903.06(A)(1)(a) was premised on a
violation of R.C. 4511.19(A). On January 9, 2017 Sanford was arraigned on the additional charges
and released on bond. Sanford quickly filed a motion to dismiss all the charges alleging a violation
of his speedy trial rights.
19
{¶49} The State filed a motion in opposition contending that Sanford was only initially
charged with failure to stop after an accident because “the investigation into the cause of the
accident was ongoing and details were mostly unknown * * *.” The State then discussed the
additional investigation and testing that was conducted as well as when it received the results. The
State argued that several of the charges were based upon facts not known at the time of the arrest,
and, thus, those charges were subject to a different speedy-trial timeframe. In support of its
position, the State cited State v. Henrick, 9th Dist. Summit No. 24771, 2010-Ohio-877, ¶ 21,
wherein this Court stated that, “in issuing a subsequent indictment, the [S]tate is not subject to the
speedy-trial timetable of the initial indictment, when additional criminal charges arise from facts
different from the original charges, or the [S]tate did not know of these facts at the time of the
initial indictment.” (Internal quotations, citations, and emphasis omitted.) Id.{¶50} A hearing was held on the motion, at which only argument was presented.1 No
stipulations were entered into at the time of the hearing and no exhibits were admitted.
Subsequently, the trial court held a second hearing, at which time the trial court stated its ruling
on the record. The trial court granted Sanford’s motion as to counts three, four, and five, but
denied it as to counts one, two, six, and seven.
1
Upon initial review of the record, this Court questioned whether an evidentiary hearing
was necessary on Sanford’s motion to dismiss in light of the lack of evidentiary materials or
stipulations in the record at the time the trial court ruled on the motion to dismiss and in light of
the arguments made. Both parties responded and maintained, for different reasons, that an
evidentiary hearing was not required. At that time, Sanford also moved to supplement the record
with the transcript of a second hearing at which the trial court issued its ruling on the motion to
dismiss. That transcript had been inadvertently omitted from the appellate record. This Court
granted the motion.
20
{¶51} To convict Sanford of aggravated vehicular homicide under count two of the
indictment, the State had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Sanford recklessly caused the
victim’s death. R.C. 2903.06(A)(2)(a). A person acts recklessly “when, with heedless indifference
to the consequences, the person disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the person’s
conduct is likely to cause a certain result or is likely to be of a certain nature.” R.C. 2901.22(C).
Risk is defined as a “significant possibility, as contrasted with a remote possibility, that a certain
result may occur or that certain circumstances may exist.” R.C. 2901.01(A)(7).
{¶52} Although I agree there was some evidence of reckless driving when Sanford was
initially charged, I do not agree that there was “ample evidence” to charge and convict him. See
Majority Opinion at ¶ 25. The police knew that Sanford struck the victim’s motorcycle from
behind, fled from the scene, and admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol at some point
before the accident. Sanford was traveling at around 60 mph. However, there was no evidence
before the trial court as to how excessive this speed actually was.2 Further, “proof of excessive
speed in the operation of an automobile is not, in and of itself, always sufficient to prove
recklessness.” State v. Young, 5th Dist. Morrow No. CA-925, 2002 WL 171864, *5 (Jan. 28,
2002).
{¶53} The Supreme Court has held “in issuing a second indictment against the defendant,
the [S]tate was not subject to the speedy-trial time limits of the original indictment, since the
subsequent charges were based on new and additional facts which the [S]tate had no knowledge
of at the time of the original indictment. Additional crimes based on different facts should not be
considered as arising from the same sequence of events for the purposes of speedy-trial
2
When Sanford pled no contest, during the recitation of the facts, it was set forth that
Sanford was driving 60 mph in a 50 mph zone. However, this was not before the trial court at the
motion to dismiss stage.
21
computation.” Baker, 78 Ohio St.3d at 110; State v. McKinney, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 11-CA-
26, 2011-Ohio-3951, ¶ 29. “[T]he speedy-trial clock resets when the [S]tate brings new charges
based on either (1) facts different from those supporting the original charges or (2) lack of
knowledge, at the time the original indictment is filed, of the facts supporting the new charges.”
State v. Parker, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-18-1238, 2020-Ohio-4607, ¶ 69. “[S]everal appellate
districts have analyzed similar facts and repeatedly found that laboratory results that were not
known at the time of the original indictment constituted ‘additional facts,’ which warranted the
triggering of a new speedy trial clock.” Mohamed, 2009-Ohio-6658, at ¶ 42. See also Judge
Jennifer P. Weiler & Kevin P. Weiler, Sr., Baldwin’s Ohio Driving Under the Influence Law,
Section 12:10 (2020 ed.); State v. Lekan, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 16108, 1997 WL 351287, *2
(June 27, 1997) (concluding a charge of violating R.C. 4511.19(A)(4) was dependent on results
of a urinalysis that were not available at the time the original charges were filed); State v. Riley,
12th Dist. Clermont No. CA99-09-087, 2000 WL 745300, *2 (June 12, 2000) (determining that
probable cause for arrest on possession charge did not arise until the results confirmed the
substance was cocaine); State v. Skinner, 4th Dist. Ross No. 06CA2931, 2007-Ohio-6320, ¶ 2-3,
15-16; State v. Clark, 11th Dist. Portage Nos. 2001-P-0031, 2001-P-0033, 2001-P-0034, 2001-P-
0057, 2001-P-0058, 2004-Ohio-334, ¶ 73 (“The [S]tate did not know of two important facts at the
time of the original indictment, both of which are essential to a charge of drug possession. First,
the analysis date of the white substance, determined to be cocaine, was January 3, 2001. Although
the [S]tate may have had a good idea that the substance was cocaine prior to the analysis date, they
did not know for sure until the substance was analyzed in January 2001. Moreover, the cocaine
was found in Jelaketa Jackson’s van. The [S]tate did not know whose cocaine it was. It could
have been Jackson’s, since she owned the van, or any of three individuals whom the police knew
22
were in the van on that morning, Clark, Robin Stewart, or Gregory Hawkins. It was not until Clark
admitted that the cocaine was his at the first trial, that the [S]tate was aware of a key element of
drug possession, ownership.”); State v. Wieland, 12th Dist. Clermont Nos. CA2015-04-036,
CA2015-08-067, 2016-Ohio-261, ¶ 13 (“In similar circumstances, this court has previously found
that lab reports confirming the chemical makeup of a substance constitute new facts not available
to the [S]tate at the time of the original arrest regardless of an officer’s belief as to whether a pill
was a controlled substance. State v. Schuster, 12th Dist. Clermont Nos. CA2015-05-040 and
CA2015-05-041, 2015-Ohio-4818. The same analysis applies in our finding that lab reports
confirming the blood alcohol level of an offender constitute new facts not available to the [S]tate
at the time of the original arrest regardless of an officer’s belief as to an offender’s intoxication.”).
{¶54} Here the toxicology report was not only necessary for the R.C.
4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(I) charge as the majority concludes, it was also probative of whether
Sanford was driving under the influence of marijuana, and, in turn, relevant to whether Sanford
recklessly caused the death of the victim. See State v. Hatfield, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2006-A-
0033, 2007-Ohio-7130, ¶ 155. Sanford’s mere admission to drinking alcohol and smoking
marijuana would not indicate whether he consumed enough to be liable under the relevant statutes.
See State v. Wood, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 18AP0011, 2019-Ohio-3985, ¶ 14 (“For better or worse,
the law prohibits drunken driving, not driving after a drink.”) (Emphasis, internal quotations, and
citations omitted.). Moreover, it is presumed a driver is operating under the influence when he is
driving over the legal limit of marijuana metabolites in his blood.
{¶55} “Prosecutors are under no duty to file charges as soon as probable cause exists, but
before they believe they can prove a suspect guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Kinsey,
1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-180431, 2019-Ohio-4248, ¶ 36, citing United States v. Lovasco, 431 U.S.
23783, 791 (1977). “Such a requirement could pressure prosecutors into engaging in premature and
unwarranted prosecutions.” Kinsey at ¶ 36, citing Lovasco at 793. “They are permitted to wait
until they are satisfied that they will be able to establish the defendant’s guilt at trial.” Kinsey at ¶
36, citing Lovasco at 791.
{¶56} Given the facts that the State did not possess at the time the initial indictment was
filed, it was within the State’s discretion to wait to file the remaining charges until it possessed the
evidence, namely the toxicology report, that would “satisf[y] [it] that [it] [would] be able to
establish [Sanford’s] guilt at trial.” Kinsey at ¶ 36. The toxicology report provided convincing
evidence that Sanford’s behavior was not just negligent, it was in fact reckless. It additionally
cemented the idea that Sanford was under the influence of marijuana. Absent the toxicology
report, which was not available at the time the initial indictment was filed, the State was not
unreasonable in its hesitancy to pursue the remaining charges.
{¶57} Accordingly, I would conclude that, with respect to these four charges, the State
was not subject to the speedy-trial timetable applicable to the initial charge. Therefore, the trial
court did not err in denying Sanford’s motion to dismiss.
{¶58} With respect to Sanford’s fourth assignment of error, I would address it and
overrule it. Sanford argues in his fourth assignment of error that his sentence for aggravated
vehicular homicide is disproportionate to other sentences imposed in the Lorain County Court of
Common Pleas on similar offenders for the same crime and therefore violates the Eighth
Amendment.
{¶59} Sanford does not dispute that his sentence of eight years falls within the applicable
range for a first-degree felony. See former R.C. 2929.14(A)(1); see also State v. Hairston, 118
Ohio St.3d 289, 2008-Ohio-2338, ¶ 21 (“[A]s a general rule, a sentence that falls within the terms
24
of a valid statute cannot amount to a cruel and unusual punishment.”) (Internal quotations and
citations omitted.). Instead, he argues that his sentence is disproportionate to sentences imposed
on other similarly situated offenders. Essentially, he asserts that his sentence is not consistent with
that of similar offenders.
{¶60} “R.C. 2929.11(B) provides that felony sentences shall be ‘consistent with sentences
imposed for similar crimes committed by similar offenders.’” State v. Carmel, 9th Dist. Summit
No. 28463, 2017-Ohio-7589, ¶ 7, quoting R.C. 2929.11(B). “Consistency, however, does not
necessarily mean uniformity. Instead, consistency aims at similar sentences.” (Internal quotations
and citations omitted.) State v. Zaharie, 9th Dist. Medina No. 09CA0077-M, 2010-Ohio-3542, ¶
13. “[T]wo defendants convicted of the same offense with a similar or identical history of
recidivism could properly be sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.” Carmel at ¶ 7,
quoting State v. Babb, 9th Dist. Summit No. 23631, 2007-Ohio-5102, ¶ 6. “Consequently, an
appellant cannot establish, either at trial or on appeal, that his sentence is contrary to law because
of inconsistency by providing evidence of other cases showing similarly situated offenders who
received sentences that are different from his own sentence.” Carmel at ¶ 7. “[A] consistent
sentence is not derived from a case-by-case comparison; rather, the trial court’s proper application
of the statutory sentencing guidelines ensures consistency.” (Internal quotations and citations
omitted.) Zaharie at ¶ 13.
{¶61} Sanford has not argued that the trial court improperly applied the statutory
sentencing guidelines, and, instead, focuses only on comparing his sentence to that of other
defendants. Given our precedent, his argument is without merit. See Carmel at ¶ 7; Zaharie at ¶
13.
{¶62} Accordingly, I would affirm the trial court’s judgment.
25
APPEARANCES:
GIOVANNA V. BREMKE, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
J. D. TOMLINSON, Prosecuting Attorney, and LINDSEY C. POPROCKI, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for Appellee.