State v. Mathis

[Cite as State v. Mathis, 2014-Ohio-1841.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 100342
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
GREGORY MATHIS
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case Nos. CR-11-557923-A and CR-13-575173-A
BEFORE: McCormack, J., Boyle, A.J., and Kilbane, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: May 1, 2014
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Susan J. Moran
55 Public Square
Suite 1616
Cleveland, OH 44113
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
By: Milko Cecez
Assistant County Prosecutor
9th Floor, Justice Center
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
TIM McCORMACK, J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Gregory Mathis, appeals from a judgment of the Cuyahoga
County Court of Common Pleas that convicted him of attempted felonious assault and
probation violation and sentenced him to a consecutive sentence of 46 months for these
offenses. Mathis claims his guilty plea was not knowing, voluntary, or intelligent, and the
trial court abused its discretion in not allowing him to withdraw his plea. He also claims
the trial court’s sentence was motivated by “vindictive retaliation.” Finding no merit to the
claims after a careful review of the record, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Substantive Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} Mathis engaged in an altercation with his wife when he attempted to retrieve
his personal items from her after the couple separated. During the altercation, he slapped
his wife twice, injuring her. He was charged with kidnapping, attempted felonious assault,
and domestic violence. Because he was on probation for a previous menacing-by-stalking
case while this incident occurred, he was also charged with probation violation.
{¶3} At a plea hearing, Mathis pleaded guilty to attempted felonious assault, a
third-degree felony, and domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony, 1 and the kidnapping
count was nolled. The court then ordered a mitigation-of-penalty report and a presentence
investigation report for sentencing purposes.
The domestic violence offense was a fourth-degree felony due to a prior conviction of meaning
1
by stalking.
{¶4} At the sentencing hearing, Mathis’s counsel pleaded for lenience, stating that
Mathis suffered emotional trauma due to the loss of a child 26 years ago. His counsel also
stated that Mathis needed mental health counseling for his lack of impulse control. The
state requested a maximum sentence, pointing out that Mathis had 19 prior convictions for
drug and theft offenses from 1990 to 2013, and that he was on probation for his conviction
of menacing by stalking of the same victim when he committed the instant offenses. The
court imposed a concurrent term of 18 months each on attempted felonious assault and
domestic violence. It also imposed a ten-month term on the probation violation case. As
the court proceeded to make the statutory findings for consecutive sentences for these two
cases, Mathis interrupted the proceeding, lashing out at his wife, who was in the courtroom.
He shouted:
Stinkin’ bitch, I’m gonna’ kill you when I get out. My car and
everything, she done took my car, my life, my job, everything. I’m gonna kill
your black ass. God damn. Now that’s on the record. That’s on record.
Your ass gonna die when I get out. My whole life is destroyed. Stinkin’
bitch, I’m gonna kill you, bitch ass. I’m gonna’ kill that bitch. My whole
life is destroyed because of your dumb ass.
{¶5} As he was removed from the courtroom, Mathis continued to threaten his wife,
shouting, “You better leave the State of Ohio, bitch. I swear I’m gonna kill you. I’m
gonna kill that goddamn bitch. I’m gonna kill that black bitch. Tell that bitch I’m gonna
kill her.”
{¶6} When the sentencing hearing resumed the next day, the court noted that it was
informed by a deputy that after Mathis was removed from the courtroom, he continued to
make threats against his wife for another 20 minutes. Considering the conduct Mathis
displayed in court and his lengthy criminal record, the court found that consecutive
sentences are “absolutely” necessary to protect the public from future crimes and to punish
him, and not disproportionate to the seriousness of his conduct, and further that Mathis
committed the current offense while on community control in a prior case. The court
decided to impose the maximum 36-month term, instead of the original 18-month term, on
the merged attempted felonious assault and domestic violence.
{¶7} Mathis’s counsel asked the court to reconsider the increased punishment. The
court explained that Mathis’s threats against the victim in open court and his continued
threatening conduct afterwards caused it to believe that the minimum sentence originally
imposed would undermine the sentence purposes and principles.
{¶8} The transcript then reflects a recess, and when the case came back on the
record, Mathis’s counsel reported to the court that “during sentencing Mr. Mathis indicated
to counsel that he wanted to discuss the possibility of vacating his plea.” Counsel did not
give reasons for Mathis’s change of heart. The court denied the oral motion to withdraw
the guilty plea.2 Mathis now appeals, raising three assignments of error for our review.
Validity of the Guilty Plea
{¶9} Under the first assignment of error, Mathis asserts his plea was invalid
because he was represented by counsel “who did not actively pursue a defense with” him,
The court, however, agreed to entertain a written motion to withdraw and any briefing before
2
ordering the sentence into execution. The motion and/or brief was never filed.
and because he was coerced by the trial court “under threat of additional charges and a
longer sentence.”
{¶10} To ensure that a defendant enters a plea knowingly, voluntarily, and
intelligently, a trial court must engage in an oral dialogue with the defendant in accordance
with Crim.R. 11(C)(2). State v. Engle, 74 Ohio St. 3d 525, 527, 660 N.E.2d 450 (1996).
Crim.R. 11(C)(2) requires that a trial court determine from a colloquy with the defendant
whether the defendant understands (1) the nature of the charge and maximum penalty, (2)
the effect of the guilty plea, and (3) the constitutional rights waived by a guilty plea.
{¶11} In this case, Mathis does not complain that the trial court failed to explain his
constitutional rights or the charges he was pleading guilty to. Rather, he claims his plea
was not voluntary because the trial court coerced him.
{¶12} Our reading of the sentencing transcript shows that the trial court engaged
Mathis in an extended colloquy prior to the acceptance of his guilty plea. At the beginning
of the dialogue, Mathis expressed dissatisfaction with his counsel’s representation, claiming
counsel was “not preparing a defense.” The court explained to Mathis how a plea bargain
typically worked and expressed its confidence in counsel’s ability in handling the matter.
His counsel then informed the court that she advised Mathis to take the plea bargain because
she had learned from the state that it was considering reindicting Mathis for more serious
charges based on additional facts surrounding the incident. The prosecutor confirmed the
possibility of a reindictment for robbery and felonious assault. The court then explained to
Mathis he should be aware that the plea bargain might be his best option in light of the
possibility of a reindictment. The court, however, made it clear that the choice was
Mathis’s, advising him, “I’ll keep saying * * * you have a right to maintain your plea of
not guilty and go forward with trial. * * * I don’t want you to construe the comments I’m
saying to you as in any way my saying to you you better take this plea or not or otherwise.”
{¶13} After additional dialogue, Mathis indicated he was ready to “get this over.”
Before accepting his plea, the trial court asked him about his age, years in school, mental
capacity, and asked him if anyone had made any threats or promises to induce his plea.
Mathis stated the decision to plead was solely his. He also answered affirmatively when
asked if he was currently satisfied with counsel’s services. The court explained to him the
nature of the charges against him and the maximum exposure for his offenses, and the
various constitutional rights he gave up by pleading guilty. After stating it was satisfied
that Mathis was entering his plea knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently, the court
accepted his guilty plea.
{¶14} Our review of the extensive plea colloquy thus indicates Mathis’s plea of guilty
was not anything but knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. There is not any indication that
the trial court induced his guilty plea by false promises or threats. The trial court’s
engagement in this plea matter did not lead Mathis to believe he could not receive a fair trial
if he chose not to plead guilty. Indeed, on his oral motion to withdraw the guilty plea after
his sentence was pronounced, Mathis gave no reasons for his desire to withdraw the plea,
neither did his counsel file a brief later setting forth grounds for a withdraw of the plea.
Rather, the claim of coercion by the trial court is raised for the first time on appeal.
Discerning no coercion from our reading of the plea transcript, we find the first assignment
of error without merit.
Motion to Withdraw the Guilty Plea
{¶15} Under the second assignment of error, Mathis argues the trial court erred in not
allowing him to withdraw his guilty plea.
{¶16} Different standards govern a motion to withdraw the guilty plea, depending on
whether the motion is raised before or after sentencing. Crim.R. 32.1 provides that “[a]
motion to withdraw a plea of guilty * * * may be made only before sentence is imposed;
but to correct manifest injustice the court after sentence may set aside the judgment of
conviction and permit the defendant to withdraw his or her plea.” “[A] presentence motion
to withdraw a guilty plea should be freely and liberally granted.” State v. Boswell, 121
Ohio St. 3d 575, 2009-Ohio-1577, 906 N.E.2d 422, ¶ 1. On the other hand, a defendant who
moves to withdraw his plea after the imposition of sentence “has the burden of establishing
the existence of manifest injustice.” State v. Smith, 49 Ohio St. 2d 261, 361 N.E.2d 1324
(1977), at paragraph one of the syllabus. Either way, a motion made pursuant to Crim.R.
32.1 is “addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, and the good faith, credibility
and weight of the movant’s assertions in support of the motion are matters to be resolved by
that court.” Smith at paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶17} Here, the sentencing transcript reflects that after the court pronounced the
sentence from the bench in the resumed proceeding, the court took a recess. When the case
was back on the record, Mathis’s counsel reported to the trial court that “during sentencing
Mr. Mathis indicated to counsel that he wanted to discuss the possibility of vacating his
plea.” Two pages later, the transcript also reflects a statement by the court that Mathis’s
counsel had indicated to the trial court earlier that it was an “oversight” of counsel not to
bring to the court’s attention at the beginning of the resumed sentencing procedure the issue
of Mathis’s desire to withdraw his guilty plea.
{¶18} Regardless of when Mathis decided to withdraw his plea, what is clear from
the record is that Mathis’s counsel moved to withdraw his plea only after the court
pronounced his sentence. The initial question is, therefore, whether a motion to withdraw a
guilty plea raised after a sentence is imposed but before the sentence is journalized should
be treated as a presentence or postsentence motion.
{¶19} In State v. Wyley, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 78315, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 1155
(Mar. 16, 2001), the defendant similarly made an oral motion to vacate the guilty plea after
the trial court pronounced its sentence, but before the sentence was journalized. This court
treated appellant’s motion as a postsentence motion and applied the “manifest injustice”
standard. Id. at *4.
{¶20} This court explained that “if a plea of guilty could be retracted with ease after
sentence, the accused might be encouraged to plead guilty to test the weight of potential
punishment, and withdraw the plea if the sentence were unexpectedly severe.” Wyley at
*4-5, citing State v. Peterseim, 68 Ohio App. 2d 211, 428 N.E.2d 863 (8th Dist.1980),
quoting Kadwell v. United States, 315 F.2d 667, 670 (9th Cir.1963). “Postsentence motions
to withdraw guilty pleas are not freely granted because that would allow defendants to
withdraw their pleas when unfavorable sentences are received.” Wyley at *4, citing State v.
Mushrush, 135 Ohio App. 3d 99, 107, 733 N.E.2d 252 (1st Dist.1999). See also State v.
Harris, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89559, 2007-Ohio-6080, ¶ 6; State v. Welker, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 83252, 2004-Ohio-1132, ¶ 7.
{¶21} This court emphasized furthermore in Wyley that “case law allowing the carte
blanche withdrawal of guilty pleas after the court pronounced sentence would substantially
affect the plea bargaining process and erode the court’s ability to exercise its discretion in
imposing sentence.” Wyley at *5.
{¶22} Here, in the oral motion to withdraw, Mathis’s counsel did not give any reasons
for Mathis’s desire to withdraw his guilt plea. On appeal, for the first time, Mathis claims
the trial court coerced him into entering the guilty plea. Our careful reading of the record
does not indicate that Mathis’s plea of guilty was anything but knowing, intelligent, and
voluntary, nor does it reflect that the trial court coerced his guilty plea. The transcript
shows the trial court limited its role to explaining the options available to Mathis and the risk
he faced from the possibility of a reindictment for more severe charges. Nothing about the
trial court’s statements conveyed a message that going to trial would be futile or that his
sentence after a trial would be greater than if he pled guilty. Thus, we do not find the trial
court’s participation in the plea colloquy coercive.
{¶23} Rather, from our reading of the transcript, it appears Mathis simply had a
change of heart regarding pleading guilty because he received a more severe sentence than
he expected. The court will not permit a defendant to withdraw his guilty plea merely
because he receives a harsher penalty than he subjectively expected. State v. Thomas, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 85294, 2005-Ohio-4145, ¶ 5, citing State v. Conaway, 4th Dist.
Highland No. 94CA845, 1994 Ohio App. LEXIS 5180 (Nov. 10, 1994). “A mere change of
heart” regarding a guilty plea and the possible sentence is insufficient justification for the
withdrawal of a guilty plea.” Ohio v. Westley, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97650,
2012-Ohio-3571, ¶ 7, citing State v. Drake, 73 Ohio App. 3d 640, 645, 598 N.E.2d 115 (8th
Dist.1991). As our review of the case law indicates, the courts frown upon allowing a
defendant to plead guilty to test the potential punishment and withdraw when the sentence
was unexpectedly severe.
{¶24} Consequently, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Mathis’s
motion to withdraw the guilty plea, as there is no manifest injustice to correct pursuant to
Crim.R. 32.1. The second assignment of error lacks merit.
Whether Trial Court Acted in “Vindictive Retaliation”
{¶25} Under the third assignment of error, Mathis claims the trial court acted in
“vindictive retaliation” when it lengthened his sentence after his outburst. Mathis likens this
case to a resentencing of a defendant following a successful appeal and claims a presumption
of vindictiveness arises when the same judge imposes a harsher sentence following a
successful appeal, citing North Carolina v. Pearce, 395 U.S. 711, 725, 89 S. Ct. 2072, 23
L. Ed. 656 (1969).3
Mathis also cites former R.C. 2929.51, which provided the trial court with authority to modify
3
{¶26} The analogy of this case to a resentencing following an appeal is inapt. The
sentencing proceeding in this case was abruptly interrupted by Mathis’s death threats against
the very victim he was charged with assaulting. When the proceeding resumed, the trial
court, within its discretion, took into account the egregiousness of Mathis’s actions and
sentenced him to a longer term within the statutory range of his offenses. The court noted
its heightened obligation to protect the victim and the public in light of the brazenness of the
defendant’s conduct. Our reading of the record does not reflect vindictiveness of the trial
court, presumed or otherwise. The third assignment of error lacks merit.
{¶27} Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover of appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas
court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s conviction having been
affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court for
execution of sentence.
a sentence before its execution under certain situations. Former R.C. 2929.51 stated that after
sentencing, up to the time the defendant is delivered to the institution where he is to serve his sentence,
the court may suspend the sentence and place the defendant on probation or impose a more lenient
sentence. This statute had been appealed and would have no application in this case in any event.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
______________________________________________
TIM McCORMACK, JUDGE
MARY J. BOYLE, A.J., and
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, J., CONCUR