State v. Luce

[Cite as State v. Luce, 2019-Ohio-2875.]
COURT OF APPEALS
ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES:
: Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. John W. Wise, J.
: Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., J.
-vs- :
:
CHRISTOPHER LUCE : Case No. 19-COA-001
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Case No. 17-CRI-025
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT: July 15, 2019
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
COLE F. OBERLI RUTH R. FISCHBEIN-COHEN
VICTOR R. PEREZ 3552 Severn Road
110 Cottage Street Cleveland, OH 44118
Ashland, OH 44805
Ashland County, Case No. 19-COA-001 2
Wise, Earle, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant, Christopher Luce, appeals his December 27, 2018
resentence by the Court of Common Pleas of Ashland County, Ohio. Plaintiff-Appellee
is state of Ohio.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} On March 9, 2017, the Ashland County Grand Jury indicted appellant on
one count of involuntary manslaughter in violation of R.C. 2903.04, one count of
corrupting another with drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.02, two counts of aggravated
trafficking in drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.03, two counts of aggravated possession of
drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.11, two counts of possessing drug abuse instruments in
violation of R.C. 2925.12(A), one count of illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia
in violation of R.C. 2925.14(C)(1), one count of illegal use or possession of marijuana
drug paraphernalia in violation of R.C. 2925.141, and one count of possession of drugs
in violation of R.C. 2925.11.
{¶ 3} On August 1, 2017, appellant pled guilty to three of the counts: one of the
aggravated possession of drugs counts, one of the possessing drug abuse instruments
counts, and the possession of drugs count. A jury trial then commenced on the remaining
eight counts. The jury found appellant guilty on all tried counts. The trial court merged
the involuntary manslaughter and corrupting another with drugs convictions. The state
elected to have appellant sentenced on the involuntary manslaughter conviction. By
judgment entry filed October 3, 2017, the trial court sentenced appellant to an aggregate
term of ten years in prison, with the ten year prison term for the involuntary manslaughter
conviction being mandatory time.
Ashland County, Case No. 19-COA-001 3
{¶ 4} Appellant appealed his convictions and sentence. By opinion and judgment
entry filed October 31, 2018, this court affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded
the matter for resentencing, finding the trial court erred in pronouncing the ten year term
on the involuntary manslaughter conviction to be mandatory. State v. Luce, 5th Dist.
Ashland No. 17-COA-037, 2018-Ohio-4409. The trial court was ordered to resentence
appellant on that count only. A resentencing hearing was held on December 27, 2018.
By judgment entry filed same date, the trial court resentenced appellant to the original
term of ten years, without the mandatory language.
{¶ 5} Appellant filed an appeal and this matter is now before this court for
consideration. Assignment of error is as follows:
I
{¶ 6} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO CHRISTOPHER LUCE'S DETRIMENT
WHEN IN THE SENTENCING FINDINGS, IT DID NOT INCLUDE FACTORS UNDER
R.C. 2929.12, WHICH WERE SUPPORTED BY THE RECORD, THEREBY THE
SENTENCE WAS RENDERED CONTRARY TO LAW."
II
{¶ 7} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO CHRISTOPHER LUCE'S DETRIMENT
WHEN HE WAS GIVEN A HEAVY INCONSISTENT SENTENCE WHILE OTHER
SENTENCES, WITH SIMILAR CRIMES WERE OF SHORTER DURATION."
I
{¶ 8} In his first assignment of error, appellant claims the trial court erred in
sentencing him because it did not include R.C. 2929.12 factors. We disagree.
Ashland County, Case No. 19-COA-001 4
{¶ 9} This court reviews felony sentences using the standard of review set forth
in R.C. 2953.08. State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231,
¶ 22; State v. Howell, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2015CA00004, 2015-Ohio-4049, ¶ 31. R.C.
2953.08(G)(2) states we may either increase, reduce, modify, or vacate a sentence and
remand for resentencing where we clearly and convincingly find that either the record
does not support the sentencing court's findings under R.C. 2929.13(B) or (D),
2929.14(B)(2)(e) or (C)(4), or 2929.20(I), or the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.
{¶ 10} "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." Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954), paragraph
three of the syllabus.
{¶ 11} There is no dispute that the ten year sentence is within the statutory range.
R.C. 2929.14(A)(1). Appellant argues the trial court failed to include seriousness and
recidivism factors under R.C. 2929.12.
{¶ 12} In fashioning a sentence, trial courts must consider factors under R.C.
2929.12. State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124; Marcum,
supra, at ¶ 23. However, as this court stated in State v. Moyer, 5th Dist. Licking No. 18
CA 0065, 2019-Ohio-0065, 2019-Ohio-1187, ¶ 26:
There is no requirement in R.C. § 2929.12 that the trial court states
on the record that it has considered the statutory criteria concerning
Ashland County, Case No. 19-COA-001 5
seriousness and recidivism or even discussed them. State v. Polick, 101
Ohio App.3d 428, 431 (4th Dist. 1995); State v. Gant, 7th Dist. No. 04 MA
252, 2006-Ohio-1469, at ¶ 60 (nothing in R.C. § 2929.12 or the decisions
of the Ohio Supreme Court imposes any duty on the trial court to set forth
its findings), citing State v. Cyrus, 63 Ohio St.3d 164, 166, 586 N.E.2d 94(1992); State v. Hughes, 6th Dist. No. WD-05-024, 2005-Ohio-6405, ¶ 10
(trial court was not required to address each R.C. § 2929.12 factor
individually and make a finding as to whether it was applicable in this case),
State v. Woods, 5th Dist. No. 05 CA 46, 2006-Ohio-1342, ¶ 19 ("... R.C.
2929.12 does not require specific language or specific findings on the
record in order to show that the trial court considered the applicable
seriousness and recidivism factors"). (Citations omitted.)
{¶ 13} The trial judge who resentenced appellant was the same trial judge who
imposed the original sentence. During the resentencing hearing, the trial court stated the
following: "And of course in this case, an involuntary manslaughter charge reflects the
fact that the victim died in this matter, an individual lost their life, and I've considered and
weighed the various sentencing factors that the Court must consider and weigh as well
as the additional information that was presented to me today." December 27, 2018 T. at
7. The trial court clearly considered R.C. 2929.12(B)(2): "The victim of the offense
suffered serious physical, psychological, or economic harm as a result of the offense."
{¶ 14} The trial court further stated at 7-8:
Ashland County, Case No. 19-COA-001 6
I find nothing today that changes the situation as it was presented to
me at the time of the original sentencing, and I draw the same conclusions
and inferences, and upon consideration of the statutory sentencing factors
and the information of the victim impact statements, the statements made
to the Court by the victims, * * * so all of those things collectively, and I am
finding that a ten-year prison sentence remains appropriate and consistent
with the purpose and principles of Ohio Sentencing Statutes, and the only
difference is that this is not a mandatory term.
{¶ 15} During the original sentencing hearing, the trial court found appellant has a
"high ORAS Score, high risk of recidivism, prior prison having been served, and of course
supervision history." October 2, 2017 T. at 26. The trial court clearly considered R.C.
2929.12(D)(2): "[T]he offender has a history of criminal convictions."
{¶ 16} In its December 27, 2018 judgment entry, the trial court noted "it is taking
into consideration everything previously considered by the Court at the original
sentencing hearing. The Court is also taking into consideration the letters recently sent
by the victims in this case." The trial court stated it reviewed the purposes and principles
of sentencing under R.C. 2929.11, and "considered the provisions of O.R.C. Chapter
2929, the circumstances of the offense, the information contained in the pre-sentence
investigation and the information furnished by the parties to this case." The trial court
stated it fashioned its sentence upon the purposes and principles of the felony sentencing
law and the statutory sentencing factors.
Ashland County, Case No. 19-COA-001 7
{¶ 17} Upon review, we find the trial court considered the R.C. 2929.12 factors and
the sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law.
{¶ 18} Assignment of Error I is denied.
II
{¶ 19} In his second assignment of error, appellant claims he was given a heavy
inconsistent sentence of ten years. We disagree.
{¶ 20} In State v. Frank, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2017-0102, 2018-Ohio-5148,
¶ 57, this court stated the following:
In regard to the consistency-in-sentencing argument, appellant bears
a significant burden and must provide us with the detail necessary to
establish that the sentence is inconsistent with other relevant sentences.
Thadur, supra, 2016-Ohio-417, 59 N.E.3d 602 at ¶ 19, citing State v.
Friesen, 3rd Dist. Crawford No. 3-05-06, 2005-Ohio-5760, 2005 WL
2840722, ¶ 16-19. Ohio courts have recognized that consistency in
sentencing does not necessarily mean uniformity. See State v. Ryan, 1st
Dist. Hamilton No. C-020283, 2003-Ohio-1188, 2003 WL 1094003, ¶ 10
(addressing felony sentencing). As an appellate court, we may decline to
compare a particular defendant's sentences with similar crimes in this or
other jurisdictions unless there is an inference of gross disproportionality.
Thadur, supra, 2016-Ohio-417, 59 N.E.3d 602 at ¶ 20, citing State v. King,
Ashland County, Case No. 19-COA-001 8
5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT06-0020, 2006-Ohio-6566, 2006 WL 3614754,
¶ 26 (addressing felony sentencing).
{¶ 21} Appellant cites to five case, all of which are from other appellate districts
other than the case of his co-defendant who happened to be his wife. The co-defendant
was similarly convicted and received a sentence of eight years.
{¶ 22} As stated above, during the original sentencing hearing, the trial court found
appellant has a "high ORAS Score, high risk of recidivism, prior prison having been
served, and of course supervision history." October 2, 2017 T. at 26. A review of
appellant's presentence investigation report filed under seal supports the trial court's
findings. The trial court also found the co-defendant has a "low to moderate ORAS Score,
no prior felony history." October 2, 2017 T. at 26. As explained by our colleagues from
the Eighth District in State v. Ware, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106176, 2018-Ohio-2294, ¶
17:
The fact that a defendant receives a longer prison sentence than a
codefendant does not, in and of itself establish a violation of the consistency
requirement. State v. Cargill, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103902, 2016-Ohio-
5932, ¶ 13; see also Moore, 2014-Ohio-5135, 24 N.E.3d 1197, at ¶ 17 ("[A]
sentence is not contrary to law because the trial court failed to impose a
sentence that is the same as [that imposed on] another offender who
committed similar conduct.' "), quoting State v. Graham, 12th Dist. Warren
No. CA3013-07-066, 2014-Ohio-1891, ¶ 15; State v. Blacked, 8th Dist.
Ashland County, Case No. 19-COA-001 9
Cuyahoga No. 100574, 2014-Ohio-3140, ¶ 15 (Although "[t]here is a
statutory mandate for consistency in sentencing," consistency does not
require "identical sentences" for codefendants.).
{¶ 23} During the resentencing hearing, the trial court noted appellant's sentence
"should be consistent for sentences for similar crimes by similar situated offenders."
December 27, 2018 T. at 6. The record reflects that the trial court properly considered
the statutory sentencing factors, weighed them, and applied them accordingly.
{¶ 24} Upon review, we do not find the trial court imposed an inconsistent sentence
or that the sentence is contrary to law.
{¶ 25} Assignment of Error II is denied.
{¶ 26} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Ashland County, Ohio is
hereby affirmed.
By Wise, Earle, J.
Gwin, P.J. and
Wise, John, J. concur.
EEW/db 625