State v. Verity

[Cite as State v. Verity, 2013-Ohio-1158.]
STATE OF OHIO, MAHONING COUNTY
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
SEVENTH DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO, )
) CASE NO. 12 MA 139
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, )
)
- VS - ) OPINION
)
JAMES VERITY, )
)
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. )
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Criminal Appeal from Common Pleas
Court, Case No. 11 CR 1154.
JUDGMENT: Judgment Affirmed.
Motion to Withdraw Granted.
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee: Attorney Paul J. Gains
Prosecuting Attorney
Attorney Ralph M. Rivera
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
21 W. Boardman St., 6th Floor
Youngstown, OH 44503
For Defendant-Appellant: Attorney Jay Blackstone
P.O. Box 3412
Youngstown, OH 44513
JUDGES:
Hon. Mary DeGenaro
Hon. Joseph J. Vukovich
Hon. Cheryl L. Waite
Dated: March 25, 2013
[Cite as State v. Verity, 2013-Ohio-1158.]
DeGenaro, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant, James T. Verity appeals the July 12, 2012 judgment
of the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas convicting him of three counts of
breaking and entering and one count of vandalism and sentencing him accordingly.
Appointed appellate counsel filed a no-merit brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386
U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.E.2d 493 (1967), and State v. Toney, 23 Ohio App.2d 203,
262 N.E.2d 419 (7th Dist.1970), and requested leave to withdraw from the case. Verity
failed to file a pro-se brief.
{¶2} A thorough review of the case file reveals that there are no meritorious
errors. The plea colloquy complied with Crim.R. 11(C) and, as such, the plea was
intelligently, voluntarily, and knowingly entered. The sentence imposed by the trial court
was neither clearly and contrary to law, nor was it an abuse of discretion; specifically it
complied with recently enacted H.B. 86. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is
affirmed and counsel’s motion to withdraw is granted.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶3} On November 17, 2011, Verity was indicted by the Mahoning County Grand
Jury on three counts of breaking and entering (R.C. 2911.13(A)) and one count of
vandalism (R.C. 2909.05(B)(1)(b)), all fifth-degree felonies. Verity was accused of
breaking into three Austintown businesses, causing property damage to one of them.
{¶4} Verity was arraigned, pled not guilty and counsel was appointed. He
executed a speedy trial waiver. Verity later entered into a Crim.R. 11 plea agreement with
the State. Verity agreed to plead guilty to all of the charges in the indictment and in
exchange the State agreed to stand silent as to sentencing.
{¶5} A Criminal Rule 11 plea hearing was held during which time the trial court
engaged in a colloquy with Verity regarding the rights he would give up by pleading guilty.
At the end of the hearing, the court accepted Verity's plea as knowingly, voluntarily and
intelligently made and continued sentencing so that a presentencing investigation could
be prepared.
{¶6} At sentencing, the State kept its promise to stand silent. Defense counsel
asserted that Verity had committed the crimes due to his crack cocaine addiction, but that
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since then Verity had received intensive rehabilitative treatment and had been clean and
sober for 16 months. Defense counsel urged the trial court to impose a community
control sanction, or in the alternative, if the trial court deemed prison necessary, six-
month concurrent sentences. The trial court asked Verity if he wanted to make a
statement in mitigation of sentence. Verity made a brief statement, apologizing for his
conduct and expressing that he was attempting to change his life for the better. No
representatives from the affected businesses appeared at sentencing.
{¶7} After considering, inter alia, the PSI, Verity's lengthy criminal history, the fact
that Verity was on community control when he committed the charged offenses, and the
serious economic harm the crimes caused, the trial court sentenced Verity to a two-year
aggregate sentence: 12 months on each of the 4 counts, with Count II to be served
consecutively and the remaining counts to be served concurrently. The trial court
determined that a consecutive sentence was necessary to protect the public. The trial
court gave Verity 16 days of jail-time credit. The trial court informed Verity that upon
completion of his sentence he could be placed on three years of discretionary post-
release control, and explained the consequences of violating post-release control.
{¶8} In the July 12, 2012 sentencing entry, the trial court stated as follows:
The Court has reviewed the sentencing guidelines (criteria) of
enacted House Bill 86 and the revised ORC §§2929.11, 2929.13 and
2929.14
The Court considered the record, presentence investigation report,
oral statements and the principles and purposes of sentencing under Ohio
Revised Code § 2929.11, and has balanced the seriousness and recidivism
factors under Ohio Revised Code § 2929.12. The Court finds that
Defendant is not eligible for a community control sanction. ***
The Court finds that in order to protect the public and not punish the
Defendant disproportionately and pursuant to § 2929.14(C)(4) that a
consecutive prison term is necessary due to Defendant’s previous
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convictions and a high risk of recidivism.
Anders No-Merit Brief
{¶9} An attorney appointed to represent an indigent criminal defendant may seek
permission to withdraw if the attorney can show that there is no merit to the appeal. See
generally Anders, 386 U.S. 738. To support such a request, appellate counsel is required
to undertake a conscientious examination of the case and accompany his or her request
for withdrawal with a brief referring to anything in the record that might arguably support
an appeal. Toney, 23 Ohio App.2d at 207. The reviewing court must then decide, after a
full examination of the proceedings, whether the case is wholly frivolous. Id.
{¶10} In Toney, this Court established guidelines to be followed:
3. Where a 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.
6. Where the Court of Appeals makes such an examination and
concludes that the appeal is wholly frivolous, the motion of an indigent
appellant for the appointment of new counsel for the purposes of appeal
should be denied.
7. Where the Court of Appeals determines that an indigent's appeal
is wholly frivolous, the motion of court-appointed counsel to withdraw as
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counsel of record should be allowed, and the judgment of the trial court
should be affirmed.
Id. at syllabus.
{¶11} After reviewing the record in this case, Verity's appointed counsel concluded
there are no meritorious issues to present on appeal and filed a no-merit brief on October
9, 2012. On October 26, 2012, this court informed Verity of counsel's no-merit brief and
granted Verity 30 days to file his own written brief, which he did not do. Pursuant to
Toney, this court must now review the proceedings and determine whether it agrees that
this appeal wholly lacks merit. As this case involves a guilty plea, the only issues that can
be reviewed on appeal relate to the plea or the sentence.
Plea
{¶12} A plea must be made knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently. State v.
Sarkozy, 117 Ohio St.3d 86, 2008-Ohio-509, 881 N.E.2d 1224, ¶7; State v. Engle, 74
Ohio St.3d 525, 527, 660 N.E.2d 450 (1996). If it is not, it has been obtained in violation
of due process and is void. State v. Martinez, 7th Dist. No. 03MA196, 2004-Ohio-6806,
¶11, citing Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 243, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969).
When determining the voluntariness of a plea, this court must consider all of the relevant
circumstances surrounding it. State v. Johnson, 7th Dist. No. 07 MA 8, 2008-Ohio-1065,
¶8, citing Brady v. United States, 397 U.S. 742, 90 S.Ct. 1463, 25 L.Ed.2d 747 (1970).
{¶13} In order for a trial court to ensure that a felony defendant's plea is knowing,
voluntary and intelligent, it must engage the defendant in a colloquy pursuant to Crim.R.
11(C). State v. Clark, 119 Ohio St.3d 239, 2008-Ohio-3748, 893 N.E.2d 462, ¶25-26.
During the colloquy, the trial court is to provide specific information to the defendant,
including constitutional and nonconstitutional rights being waived. Crim.R. 11(C)(2); State
v. Francis, 104 Ohio St.3d 490, 2004-Ohio-6894, 820 N.E.2d 355.
{¶14} The constitutional rights include the right against self-incrimination, the right
to a jury trial, the right to confront one's accusers, the right to compel witnesses to testify
by compulsory process, and the right to have the state prove the defendant's guilt beyond
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a reasonable doubt. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c); State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St.3d 176, 2008-
Ohio-5200, ¶19-21. A trial court must strictly comply with these requirements. Id. at ¶31;
State v. Ballard, 66 Ohio St.2d 473, 477, 423 N.E.2d 115 (1981). "Strict compliance"
does not require a rote recitation of the exact language of the rule. Rather, a reviewing
court should focus on whether the "record shows that the judge explained these rights in
a manner reasonably intelligible to the defendant." Id. at paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶15} The nonconstitutional rights include that the defendant must be informed of
the effect of his plea, the nature of the charges, and the maximum penalty involved, which
includes an advisement on post-release control. Further, a defendant must be notified, if
applicable, that he is not eligible for probation or the imposition of community control
sanctions. Finally, this encompasses notifying the defendant that the court may proceed
to judgment and sentence after accepting the guilty plea. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a)(b); Veney,
120 Ohio St.3d 176 at ¶10-13; Sarkozy, 117 Ohio St.3d 86, at ¶19-26. The trial court
must substantially comply with these requirements. 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." Id. at 108. In addition, 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 also show a prejudicial effect, meaning the plea
would not have otherwise been made. Veney, 120 Ohio St.3d 176 at ¶15 citing Nero, 56
Ohio St.3d at 108.
{¶16} The trial court's advisement of Verity’s constitutional rights strictly complied
with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c). Verity was informed 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, his right to have the State prove at trial each and every element of
the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt and his right to not testify at trial.
{¶17} The trial court substantially complied with Crim.R. 11(C) when advising
Verity of his nonconstitutional rights. Verity was advised of the elements of charges
against him. He was correctly advised of the maximum penalty involved, four years in
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prison, and that he could be subject to a three-year period of post-release control. R.C.
2929.14(A)(5); R.C. 2967.28(C). The trial court also informed him that it could proceed
immediately to sentencing after accepting the guilty plea. R.C. 2925.11(C)(6)(c).
{¶18} And although the trial court did not specifically inform Verity during the plea
hearing that he was eligible for community control, the written plea agreement explained
that prison was neither mandatory nor presumed, and Verity indicated during the plea
hearing that he had read and understood the plea agreement and had reviewed it with his
attorney. This constitutes substantial compliance with Crim.R. 11(C). Moreover, even if
not, there was no apparent prejudice to Verity, Defense counsel stated during the
hearing that, against legal advice, Verity had rejected a plea deal for a six-month jointly
recommended sentence, because he wanted a PSI prepared in the hopes he would
receive community control. Thus, Verity was aware that community control was an option
for him.
{¶19} Therefore, considering all of the above, the plea colloquy complied with
Crim.R. 11(C) and, as such, the plea was intelligently, voluntarily, and knowingly entered.
There are no appealable issues concerning the plea.
Sentencing
{¶20} When reviewing a felony sentence, an appellate court first examines the
sentence to ensure that the sentencing court clearly and convincingly complied with the
applicable laws. State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124,
¶4. A trial court's sentence would be contrary to law if, for example, it were outside the
statutory range, in contravention to a statute, or decided pursuant to an unconstitutional
statute. Id. at ¶15. An appellate court then reviews the trial court's sentencing decision
for abuse of discretion. Kalish at ¶17, 19-20. An abuse of discretion means more than
an error in judgment; but rather implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary
or unconscionable. State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144 (1980).
Clearly and Contrary to the Law
{¶21} As to the first prong of the Kalish test, Verity's sentence was not clearly and
convincingly contrary to law. Verity was afforded his allocution rights pursuant to Crim.R.
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32(A)(1). The trial court asked Verity if he had anything to say before the sentence was
imposed, and Verity gave a brief statement in mitigation. The trial court properly notified
Verity that upon his release from prison he could be subject to a three-year period of
post-release control and explained the ramifications of violating post-release control.
R.C. 2967.28(C). In addition, the two-year prison sentence Verity received is within the
six-month to two-year statutory range for the charges. See R.C. 2929.14(A)(5). The trial
court considered the purposes of felony sentencing and the sentencing factors. See R.C.
2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12.
H.B. 86
{¶22} With the recent enactment of H.B. 86, there are now other issues this court
must review when consecutive sentences are imposed. H.B. 86 took effect on
September 31, 2011. Verity was sentenced on July 6, 2012.
{¶23} Before H.B. 86 was enacted, the Ohio Supreme Court held "there is no
mandate for judicial fact-finding in the general guidance statutes." State v. Foster, ¶42.
Foster struck down as unconstitutional R.C. 2929.14(E)(4), which at that time governed
the imposition of consecutive sentences, because it required judicial fact-finding.
{¶24} However, this aspect of Foster's holding was later undercut by the United
States Supreme Court's decision in Oregon v. Ice, 555 U.S. 160, 129 S.Ct. 711, 172
L.Ed.2d 517 (2009). As the Ohio Supreme Court noted in State v. Hodge, 128 Ohio St.3d
1, 2010-Ohio-6320, 941 N.E.2d 768, "[a]fter Ice, it is now settled law that * * * the jury-trial
guarantee of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution does not preclude
states from requiring trial court judges to engage in judicial fact-finding prior to imposing
consecutive sentences." Id. at ¶19. The Hodge Court concluded, however, that Ice did
not revive the former consecutive sentencing provisions held to be unconstitutional in
Foster, stating that "[t]rial court judges are not obligated to engage in judicial fact-finding
prior to imposing consecutive sentences unless the General Assembly enacts new
legislation requiring that findings be made." Id. at paragraphs two and three of the
syllabus.
{¶25} With the passage of H.B. 86 in 2011, the Ohio Legislature has re-enacted
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verbatim the consecutive sentencing provisions of former R.C. 2929.14(E)(4) as they
existed prior to Foster, although the provisions have been renumbered.
{¶26} Specifically, R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) now provides:
If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for convictions
of multiple offenses, the court may require the offender to serve the prison
terms consecutively if the court finds that the consecutive service 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, and if the court also finds any of the following:
(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses
while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction
imposed pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised
Code, or was under post-release control for a prior offense.
(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of
one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of
the multiple offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no single
prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of any of the courses
of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender's conduct.
(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that
consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future
crime by the offender.
{¶27} In his no-merit brief, counsel raises a potential issue with regard to the
requirements in the new law. Specifically, counsel notes that the trial court failed to
expressly find during the sentencing hearing that consecutive sentences are "not
disproportionate" to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the
offender poses to the public. A review of the sentencing entry reveals that the trial court
found: “* * * in order to protect the public and not punish the Defendant disproportionately
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and pursuant to § 2929.14(C)(4) that a consecutive prison term is necessary due to
Defendant’s previous convictions and a high risk of recidivism.”
{¶28} Other courts interpreting this provision have looked to pre-Foster precedent
analyzing former R.C. 2929.14(E)(4) to interpret R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). For instance, in
State v. Davis, 8th Dist. Nos. 97689, 97691, and 97692, 2012-Ohio-3951, the Eighth
District concluded:
Under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), the trial court must state its findings in
support of consecutive sentences on the record at the sentencing hearing.
State v. Comer, 99 Ohio St.3d 463, 2003-Ohio-4165, 793 N.E.2d 473,
paragraph one of the syllabus. However, it is not required to recite any
"magic" or "talismanic" words when imposing consecutive sentences
provided it is "clear from the record that the trial court engaged in the
appropriate analysis." State v. Murrin, 8th Dist. No. 83714, 2004-Ohio-
3962, ¶12.
Davis at ¶8.
{¶29} Similarly, in State v. Frasca, 11th Dist. No. 2011-T-0108, 2012-Ohio-3746,
the Eleventh District concluded: "in making findings regarding consecutive sentencing, 'a
verbatim recitation of the statutory language is not required by the trial court.' " Id. at ¶60,
quoting State v. Green, 11th Dist. No.2003-A-0089, 2005-Ohio-3268, ¶26, citing State v.
Grissom, 11th Dist. No.2001-L-107, 2002-Ohio-5154, ¶21.
{¶30} In Frasca, during the sentencing hearing the trial court emphasized
Frasca's extensive criminal record and noted that many of Frasca's prior convictions were
for felonious assault, menacing and aggravated menacing. The trial court further "found
that the victim in the Felonious Assault case was cut 'pretty severely.' The trial court
finally found[:] 'based on your past record, that is the reason I have given the sentence I
have.' In the sentencing entry the trial court also stated that the 'Court finds that the
offender's criminal history shows that consecutive terms are needed to protect the
public.'" Frasca at ¶58-59.
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{¶31} Drawing from recent precedent from other districts, the Eleventh District
concluded that the trial court's findings were sufficient:
The [trial] court noted on the record Frasca's extensive record and
this record being the basis for the sentence. It also stated in the Entry that
a consecutive sentence was needed to protect the public. Such findings
have been found sufficient to satisfy the factual findings requirement under
R.C. 2929.19(C)(4). State v. Jones, 1st Dist. No. C–110603, 2012–Ohio–
2075, ¶ 23 (where the trial court stated during the sentencing hearing that it
was ordering the prison terms to be served consecutively because the
defendant had an extensive criminal history and the victims had been
seriously injured, these statements were sufficient to show that the trial
court's imposition of consecutive sentences was appropriate and complied
with R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)); State v. Johnson, 8th Dist. No. 97579, 2012–
Ohio–2508, ¶ 12 (when the court made findings related to the appellant's
specific conduct in the case and his repeated engagement in criminal
activity, it properly found that the sentence was not disproportionate to his
conduct and threat he posed to society).
Frasca at ¶60.
{¶32} Conversely, courts have held that a mere statement by the trial court that
the statutory conditions for consecutive sentences have been met, without more
specificity, is insufficient and requires a remand for resentencing . See, e.g., State v.
Bradley, 5th Dist. No. 2012CA00011, 2012-Ohio-4787, ¶43-45.
{¶33} In this case, the trial court made sufficient findings on the record prior to
imposing consecutive sentences. Although the court did not recite the language of the
statute verbatim, it is clear that the court found that consecutive sentences are necessary
to protect the public from future crime, that consecutive sentences are not
disproportionate to the seriousness of Verity's conduct and to the danger he poses to the
public, and that Verity's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive
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sentences are necessary to protect the public from his future criminal acts. R.C.
2929.14(C)(4)(c).
{¶34} Specifically, during the sentencing hearing the trial court stated:
THE COURT: * * * Well, as everybody is aware, I have the benefit
of having the pre-sentence investigation. I am sure your lawyer has gone
over it with you. And of particular interest to the court is that these four
different counts are your * * * ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth felony count.
When you committed these offenses you were already out on community
control. In addition to that, you have a minimum of at least 12 prior
misdemeanor convictions all involving thievery, theft, criminal trespass,
everything, which is indicative also, I might add, recognizing you that you
have obviously some underlying problem. But your underlying problem,
obviously, in the years past has been kicked aside and ignored and
obviously must have [sic] recognized that something transpired, at least in
this twelfth felony, that it was about time to do something. But at the same
time it was a little late. I might also add I am not taking into account you
have had more cases dismissed than the average citizen has filed against
them. And, obviously, you stood in front of judges and told them that, you
know, you are trying to do what you can. * * *
But taking everything into account, particularly your prior criminal
history, your history of reoffending, all of a similar nature, and in reviewing
the principles and purposes of sentencing, and in particular in reviewing the
crimes that you committed while you are under the control of another court,
and it shows this court that consecutive sentencing is needed to protect the
public. And I might also add that in the PSI, in the pre-sentence
investigation, it is noted that there was a very significant loss of damages.
(emphasis added.)
{¶35} Based on the totality of the above statement, the trial court made sufficient
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findings to support the imposition of consecutive sentences pursuant to R.C.
2929.14(C)(4).
{¶36} Moreover, in the sentencing entry, the trial court made a more explicit
finding with regard to proportionality: "The Court finds that in order to protect the public
and not punish the Defendant disproportionately and pursuant to §2929.14(C)(4) that a
consecutive prison term is necessary due to Defendant's previous convictions and a high
risk of recidivism." Two of the purposes of Ohio’s felony sentencing scheme are to
provide the defendant with notice of a definite sentence, and meaningful appellate review
if error is alleged. The sentencing transcript and entry here provide Verity with notice of
his definite sentence and why it was imposed; and also provides this court with a record
sufficient to conduct a meaningful review. Accordingly, Verity's sentence is not contrary
to law.
Abuse of Discretion
{¶37} As to the second prong of the Kalish test, the trial court's overall sentencing
decision does not constitute an abuse of discretion. As the trial court found, Verity had a
lengthy criminal history, including 8 prior felonies and at least 12 prior misdemeanor
convictions. See R.C. 2929.12(D)(2). The trial court acknowledged the fact that Verity
was seeking rehabilitation and trying to change his life, but felt essentially that Verity had
waited too long to do so . See R.C. 2929.12(B). Finally, the trial court found that the
crimes had caused significant economic harm. See R.C. 2929.12. Thus, the sentence
imposed by the trial court was fair and reasonable and therefore not an abuse of
discretion. There are no appealable issues with regard to Verity's sentence.
{¶38} In conclusion, there are no meritorious errors. The plea colloquy complied
with Crim.R. 11(C) and, as such, the plea was intelligently, voluntarily, and knowingly
entered. The sentence imposed by the trial court was neither clearly and contrary to law,
nor was it an abuse of discretion; specifically it complied with recently enacted H.B. 86.
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Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed and counsel's motion to withdraw is
granted.
Vukovich, J., concurs.
Waite, J., concurs.