State v. Bembry

[Cite as State v. Bembry, 2014-Ohio-5498.]
STATE OF OHIO, COLUMBIANA COUNTY
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
SEVENTH DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO, )
) CASE NO. 13 CO 33
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, )
)
VS. ) OPINION
)
ROBERT BEMBRY, )
)
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. )
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Criminal Appeal from Common Pleas
Court, Case No. 12CR103.
JUDGMENT: Affirmed.
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee: Attorney Robert Herron
Prosecuting Attorney
Attorney John Gamble
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
105 South Market Street
Lisbon, Ohio 44432
For Defendant-Appellant: Attorney Richard Hura
9 East Park Avenue
Columbiana, Ohio 44408
JUDGES:
Hon. Joseph J. Vukovich
Hon. Cheryl L. Waite
Hon. Mary DeGenaro
Dated: December 15, 2014
[Cite as State v. Bembry, 2014-Ohio-5498.]
VUKOVICH, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Robert Bembry appeals from his convictions and
sentences entered in the Columbiana County Common Pleas Court for two counts of
burglary and one count of attempted safe cracking. Counsel for Bembry has filed a
no-merit brief and has requested leave to withdraw. A review of the case file and brief
reveals that there are no appealable issues. Accordingly, appointed counsel’s motion
to withdraw is granted and the convictions and sentences are hereby affirmed in all
respects.
Statement of the Case
{¶2} On May 23, 2012, Bembry was indicted with two counts of burglary, each
in violation of R.C. 2911.12(A)(1), second-degree felonies, and one count of attempted
safe cracking in violation of R.C. 2911.31(A) and R.C. 2923.02(A), a fifth-degree
felony. He pled not guilty by reason of insanity, but later withdrew his plea. 08/13/12
Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Plea; 08/20/12 J.E.
{¶3} Bembry and the state negotiated a plea agreement where the state
would recommend an aggregate sentence of three years; it would recommend 3 years
for each count of Burglary and 9 months for Attempted Safe Cracking, all to be served
concurrently. 10/19/12 Felony Plea Agreement. The state also agreed to recommend
that the court modify Bembry’s bond and that Bembry be released on his own
recognizance with certain pretrial-release conditions. 10/18/12 Plea Tr. 4, 30. These
pre-trial release conditions were the standard terms of probation and random drug
testing. 10/18/12 Plea Tr. 30. This deal was also subject to a cooperation agreement
under which Bembry would provide information on separate cases.
{¶4} Following a plea colloquy, the judge accepted Bembry’s guilty plea and
modified bond. 10/18/12 Plea Tr. 28-32; 10/19/12 J.E. Thereafter, Bembry was
released on his own recognizance.
{¶5} However, within a day or two of his release, Bembry allegedly committed
a nearly identical offense involving burglary and safe cracking. The state then moved
to revoke his bond, which was granted. 11/15/12 J.E.
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{¶6} A sentencing hearing was held on June 27, 2013. At sentencing, the
state argued that Bembry has “a prior criminal record that is not often seen”. The state
urged that Bembry’s priors were serious offenses that are mostly comprised of
burglary and theft crimes. The state alleged that the offenses were a product of a
long-standing drug and alcohol addiction that Bembry has not addressed. The state
pointed to the alleged crime Bembry committed after his release as evidence that he
has shown no inclination to change his behavior.
{¶7} Due to the fact that Bembry violated the terms of his release, the state
did not recommend the three year sentence from the plea agreement. Rather, based
on Bembry’s criminal record, the state urged that the only appropriate punishment
would be long-term imprisonment. It recommended 6 years on the first Burglary count,
4 years on the second Burglary count, and 12 months on the Attempted Safe Cracking
count. The state recommended that the two Burglary counts be served consecutively
and the Attempted Safe Cracking be served concurrently to the Burglary sentences for
an aggregate 10 years sentence.
{¶8} The defense asked the court to abide by the plea agreement and
sentence Bembry to 3 years. The defense also urged that the instant offense was
non-violent and no items were actually removed from the store he burglarized.
{¶9} Bembry spoke at sentencing and requested leniency from the judge.
Bembry admitted that he had a long-standing drug and alcohol problem that fueled his
criminal activities. He asked the court for drug treatment with his sentence.
{¶10} The judge explained that even though he believed that Bembry’s
remorse was genuine, he could not overlook his lengthy record. Accordingly, the
judge sentenced Bembry to an aggregate sentence of 10 years. He received a 5 year
sentence for each burglary conviction, which were ordered to be served consecutively
to each other. For attempted safe cracking, he was sentenced to a 12 month
sentence, which was ordered to be served concurrent to the burglary sentences.
{¶11} Bembry filed a timely motion to appeal. After reviewing the record,
appointed counsel filed a no merit brief asking to withdraw because there are allegedly
no appealable issues.
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Analysis
{¶12} When appellate counsel seeks to withdraw and discloses that there are
no meritorious arguments for appeal, the filing is known as a no merit brief or an
Anders brief. Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396 (1967). In this district,
it has also been called a Toney brief. State v. Toney, 23 Ohio App. 2d 203, 262 N.E.2d
419 (7th Dist.1970).
{¶13} In Toney, this court set forth the procedure to be used when counsel of
record determines that an indigent's appeal is frivolous:
3. Where court-appointed counsel, with long and extensive experience in
criminal practice, concludes that the indigent's appeal is frivolous and
that there is no assignment of error which could be arguably supported
on appeal, he should so advise the appointing court by brief and request
that he be permitted to withdraw as counsel of record.
4. Court-appointed counsel's conclusions and motion to withdraw as
counsel of record should be transmitted forthwith to the indigent, and the
indigent should be granted time to raise any points that he chooses, pro
se.
5. It is the duty of the Court of Appeals to fully examine the proceedings
in the trial court, the brief of appointed counsel, the arguments pro se of
the indigent, and then determine whether or not the appeal is wholly
frivolous.
***
7. Where the Court of Appeals determines that an indigent's appeal is
wholly frivolous, the motion of court-appointed counsel to withdraw as
counsel of record should be allowed, and the judgment of the trial court
should be affirmed.
Id. at syllabus.
{¶14} The no merit brief was filed by counsel on February 24, 2014. On May 5,
2014, this court informed Bembry of counsel's no merit brief and granted him 30 days
to file his own written brief. Bembry did not file a brief. Thus, our analysis will proceed
with an independent examination of the record to determine if the appeal is frivolous.
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Our review will address whether the plea was entered knowingly, intelligently, and
voluntarily, whether the state breached the plea agreement, and whether the sentence
complies with the law.
Plea
{¶15} Crim.R. 11(C) provides that a trial court must make certain advisements
prior to accepting a defendant's guilty plea to ensure that the plea is entered into
knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. These advisements are typically divided into
constitutional rights and nonconstitutional rights.
{¶16} The constitutional rights are: 1) a jury trial; 2) confrontation of witnesses
against him; 3) the compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; 4) that the
state must prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial, and 5) that
the defendant cannot be compelled to testify against himself. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c);
State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St. 3d 176, 2008–Ohio–5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, ¶ 19–21. The
trial court must strictly comply with these requirements; if it fails to strictly comply, the
defendant's plea is invalid. Veney at ¶ 31; State v. Ballard, 66 Ohio St. 2d 473, 477,
423 N.E.2d 115 (1981).
{¶17} The nonconstitutional rights that the defendant must be informed of are:
1) the nature of the charges; 2) the maximum penalty involved, which includes, if
applicable, an advisement on postrelease control; 3) if applicable, that the defendant is
not eligible for probation or the imposition of community control sanctions, and 4) that
after entering a guilty plea or a no contest plea, the court may proceed directly to
judgment and sentencing. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a)(b); Veney at ¶ 10–13; State v. Sarkozy,
117 Ohio St. 3d 86, 2008–Ohio–509, 423 N.E.2d 1224, ¶ 19–26, (postrelease control is
a nonconstitutional advisement). For the nonconstitutional rights, the trial court must
substantially comply with Crim.R. 11's mandates. State v. Nero, 56 Ohio St. 3d 106,
108, 564 N.E.2d 474 (1990). “Substantial compliance means that under the totality of
the circumstances the defendant subjectively understands the implications of his plea
and the rights he is waiving.” Veney at ¶ 15, quoting Nero at 108. Furthermore, a
defendant who challenges his guilty plea on the basis that the advisement for the
nonconstitutional rights did not substantially comply with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a)(b) must
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also show a prejudicial effect, meaning the plea would not have been otherwise
entered. Veney at ¶ 15, citing Nero at 108.
{¶18} The trial court's advisement on the constitutional rights strictly complied
with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c). Bembry was informed and indicated that he understood that
by pleading guilty he was waiving his right to a jury trial, his right to confront witnesses
against him, his right to subpoena witnesses in his favor and his right to have the state
prove beyond a reasonable doubt every element of the indicted offenses. 10/18/12
Plea Tr. 22-25. He was also informed and stated he understood that if he went to trial
he could not be compelled to testify against himself. 10/18/14 Plea Tr. 23.
{¶19} As to the nonconstitutional rights, Bembry was advised that he was
charged with burglary and attempted safe cracking and was informed of the elements
of those offenses. 10/18/14 Plea Tr. 15-17, 26-28. He was informed of the minimum
and maximum penalty involved for the offenses, including fines. 10/18/14 Plea Tr. 19.
He was also advised of postrelease control. 10/18/14 Plea Tr. 21-22.
{¶20} The only right for which there was arguably a defect was the trial court’s
failure to advise Bembry that it could proceed immediately to sentencing. However,
this oversight does not affect the validity of the plea. It is clear from the agreement
with the state, and from the transcript, that the court would not immediately proceed to
sentencing. The state agreed that the bond could be modified so that Bembry would
be released on bond until sentencing and the trial court did in fact modify bond.
Therefore, since the trial court did not proceed directly to sentencing there was no
prejudicial effect from the trial court’s failure to advise Bembry that it could proceed
directly to sentencing if the plea was accepted.
{¶21} Consequently, for the above reasons, there are no appealable issues
concerning the plea. The record confirms that the plea was intelligently, voluntarily,
and knowingly entered.
Compliance with the Plea Agreement
{¶22} Here, the state did not abide by the terms of the plea agreement. It has
been explained that when a defendant enters a guilty plea in exchange for the
prosecutor’s promise to recommend a certain sentence, there is an implied condition
that the circumstances surrounding the bargain will remain substantially the same; a
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substantial change in the circumstances is sufficient to relieve the state of its
obligation. State v. Hill, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-463, 2013-Ohio-674, ¶ 20 (probation
recommendation), citing State v. Pascall, 49 Ohio App. 2d 18 (9th Dist.1972); State v.
Cox, 11th Dist. No. 92-T-4753 (Dec. 10. 1993); State v. Calderon, 2nd Dist. No. CA
15250 (Nov. 29, 1995); State v. Grier, 3rd Dist. No. 3-10-09, 2011-Ohio-902. A breach
of the plea agreement by the defendant will relieve the prosecution of any obligation
under the agreement. State v. Payton, 6th Dist. No. E-09-070, E-09-071, 2010-Ohio-
5178, ¶ 11.
{¶23} The trial court has sole discretion in determining whether a plea
agreement has been breached. State v. Willis, 6th Dist. No. E-05-026, 2005-Ohio-
7002, ¶ 9, citing State v. McCartney, 12th Dist. No. CA2005-03-008, 2005-Ohio-5627,
State v. Matthews, 9 Ohio App. 3d 145, 146 (10th Dist.1982). See also Payton, 6th
Dist. No. E-09-070 (Need not advise defendant that failure to appear at sentencing
results in a breach of the plea agreement.) The court must examine the nature of the
state’s promise and the language used by the state in the plea agreement in order to
determine whether the state actually breached the plea agreement. State v. Namack,
7th Dist. No. 01BA46, 2002-Ohio-5187, ¶ 28, citing State v. Hess, 4th Dist. No. 515,
(Dec. 24, 1991), at 9.
{¶24} The record reveals that as part of the plea agreement, Bembry entered in
a cooperation agreement with the state; the written plea agreement specifies that
“[t]his agreement is subject to a separate agreement executed by the Defendant and
the state of Ohio this same date.” The fact that he was arrested within a day or two of
his release, he was not able to complete his end of the cooperation agreement. Thus,
Bembry breached the agreement.
{¶25} Moreover, in addition to breaching the cooperation agreement, the
written plea agreement also contained bond conditions. Specifically, the plea
agreement stated that the defendant would cooperate with bond requirements. The
condition listed within the recognizance form in relevant part provided that “[d]efendant
shall report to the CCAPD [Columbiana County Adult Probation Department] as
ordered by that department, obey all rules and regulations of the CCAPD.” (Emphasis
added.)
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{¶26} Appellant’s Notification of Hearing and Violations generally alleged that
he committed the following bond violation: “[o]bey all laws, all Court orders, and be of
general good behavior and shall be at all times a responsible law abiding citizen.” The
notification specifically stated the following accusation: “Defendant was arrested and
jailed in Columbiana County Jail for theft/burglary following a reported safe burglary on
or about 10/23/2012 at the Guilford Grille.”
{¶27} Thus, Bembry’s violation of the bond condition also relieved the state of
its obligation to recommend 3 years under the plea agreement. Bembry agreed to
cooperate with the conditions of his bail, which required him to “obey all rules and
regulations of the CCAPD.” Similar to the earlier analysis, the sentence
recommendation and release on recognizance was conditioned on Bembry meeting
specific conditions. Bembry admitted that he violated the conditions at the sentencing
hearing.
{¶28} Consequently, the state was relieved of its obligation under the plea
agreement and there are no appealable issues concerning the plea agreement.
Sentencing
{¶29} We review felony sentences using both the clearly and convincingly
contrary to law and abuse of discretion standards of review. State v. Gratz, 7th Dist.
No. 08MA101, 2009–Ohio–695, ¶ 8; State v. Gray, 7th Dist. No. 07MA156, 2008–
Ohio–6591, ¶ 17. We first determine whether the sentencing court complied with all
applicable rules and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine whether the
sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law. Gratz at ¶ 8, citing State v.
Kalish, 120 Ohio St. 3d 23, 2008–Ohio–4912, 896 N.E.2d 124, ¶ 13–14. Then, if it is
not clearly and convincingly contrary to law, we must determine whether the
sentencing court abused its discretion in applying the factors in R.C. 2929.11, R.C.
2929.12 and any other applicable statute. Gratz at ¶ 8, citing Kalish at ¶ 17.
{¶30} Bembry pled guilty to burglary, a second-degree felony, and attempted
safe cracking, a fifth-degree felony. The trial court sentenced him to 5 years for each
of the burglary convictions and 12 months for the attempted safe cracking convictions.
These sentences are within the applicable range. R.C. 292914(A)(2), (5) (sentencing
range for a second-degree felony is two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight years;
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sentencing range for a fifth-degree felony is a six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven or
twelve months) month.
{¶31} Furthermore, at the sentencing hearing and in the judgment entry, the
trial court indicated that it considered both R.C. 2929.11, the purposes and principles
of sentencing, and R.C. 2929.12, the seriousness and recidivism factors, when
rendering the sentence. 06/27/13 Sentencing Tr. 17; 06/28/13 J.E. The trial court
found that Bembry was remorseful, which is a factor that may indicate that recidivism
is less likely. 06/27/13 Sentencing Tr. 17; R.C. 2929.12(E)(5). However, the trial court
found that his remorsefulness was outweighed by his lengthy criminal record, which is
a factor making recidivism more likely. R.C. 2929.12(D)(2). Bembry’s criminal record
went back 20 years and contained more than 20 prior offenses. Thus, the trial court
concluded that a lengthy prison term was needed. That determination was not an
abuse of discretion given the record.
{¶32} In addition to considering the purposes and principles of sentencing and
the recidivism and seriousness factors, the trial court was also required to make the
consecutive sentencing findings since it ordered the burglary sentences to be served
consecutive to each other. The Ohio Supreme Court has recently explained that, “a
trial court is required to make the findings mandated by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the
sentencing hearing and incorporate its findings into its sentencing entry, but it has no
obligation to state reasons to support its findings. Nor is it required to give a talismanic
incantation of the words of the statute, provided that the necessary findings can be
found in the record and are incorporated into the sentencing entry.” State v. Bonnell,
140 Ohio St. 3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.3d 659, ¶ 37
{¶33} Under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a), when multiple prison terms are imposed
for multiple offenses, the offender may be sentenced to consecutive prison terms “if
the court finds that the consecutive sentence is necessary to protect the public from
future crime or to punish the offender and that consecutive sentences are not
disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and to the danger the
offender poses to the public.” The court must also find one of three additional factors
to apply. Here, the pertinent factor would be “[t]he offender’s history of criminal
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conduct demonstrates that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public
from future crime by the offender.” R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(c).
{¶34} In the instant case, the judge made several findings on record. First, the
judge found “that the offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates that
consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the
offender.” 06/27/13 Sentencing Tr. 18; 06/28/13 J.E. Further, he found that
“consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime, to
punish the offender.” 06/27/13 Sentencing Tr. 18; 06/28/13 J.E. Additionally, he found
that “consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the
offender’s conduct and to the danger that he poses to the public.” 06/27/13
Sentencing Tr. 18-19; 06/28/13 J.E. Therefore, the trial court considered all relevant
sentencing statutes in sentencing appellant to consecutive prison terms.
{¶35} Considering all of the findings by the trial court, the sentence order is not
clearly and convincingly contrary to law and the trial court did not abuse its discretion
in ordering the sentence that it did. There are no appealable issues concerning the
sentence imposed.
Conclusion
{¶36} For the foregoing reasons the judgment of the trial court is hereby
affirmed. Counsel’s motion to withdraw is granted.
Waite, J., concurs.
DeGenaro, P.J., concurs.