State v. Williams

[Cite as State v. Williams, 2019-Ohio-1348.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 107416
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
DARRYL W. WILLIAMS
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-17-622120-A
BEFORE: S. Gallagher, P.J., Laster Mays, J., and Sheehan, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: April 11, 2019
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Edward M. Heindel
2200 Terminal Tower
50 Public Square
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Michael C. O’Malley
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
By: Melissa Riley
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Justice Center - 9th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, P.J.:
{¶1} Darryl Williams appeals his conviction for a first-degree rape, in which he claims
the trial court failed to consider the principles and purposes of sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 or
the sentencing factors under R.C. 2929.12 and failed to make the required findings under R.C.
2929.14(C)(4). In addition, Williams claims his guilty plea was not knowing and voluntary
because the court “should have done more to fully explain the rights” he was waiving. As part
of the plea, Williams agreed that his sentence imposed on the rape count would be served
consecutive to a sentence in another case he was already serving. We affirm.
{¶2} In support of appellate review of his sentence, Williams cites R.C. 2953.08(G)(2),
implicitly relying on State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St. 3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶
23. Williams’s conviction stems from a rape committed in 1998, and as a result, the maximum
term of imprisonment for the first-degree offense is ten years. He contends that the trial court
failed to consider the sentencing factors and the principles and purposes of sentencing because if
the court had, Williams’s remorse and conduct in the ensuing years would have demonstrated
that a shorter prison term would have sufficed. Williams has not demonstrated error.
{¶3} Under R.C. 2953.08(A)(1), maximum sentences imposed for one offense are
appealable. That statutory section sets forth the boundaries of appellate review over felony
sentences and establishes a deferential standard of review of the findings necessary to impose
certain sentences. Under division (G)(2) of that statutory section, however, appellate courts are
only permitted to review certain findings or whether a sentence is contrary to law. Id. (appellate
court may reverse a sentence if the record does not support the findings under R.C. 2929.13(B) or
(D), R.C. 2929.14(B)(2)(e) or (C)(4), R.C. 2929.20(I), or if the sentence is contrary to law).
{¶4} In this case, the trial court specifically considered the sentencing factors and the
principles of sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. The trial court expressly stated that
all relevant seriousness and recidivism factors and Williams’s history of criminal conduct and
remorse as set forth by trial counsel during the sentencing hearing were considered. The
sentence is not contrary to law. State v. Borden, 6th Dist. Wood No. WD-18-015,
2019-Ohio-424, ¶ 13; State v. Wilson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106862, 2019-Ohio-150, ¶ 8.
Further, Williams does not argue that the record does not support the sentence under the standard
announced in Marcum. App.R. 16(A)(7).
{¶5} Williams next contends that the trial court failed to make the findings necessary to
the imposition of consecutive service of the prison term. Generally under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4),
the trial court is required to make findings before imposing consecutive sentences. Williams,
however, agreed to serve his term of imprisonment in such a manner, relieving the trial court of
the need to justify the discretionary imposition of consecutive sentences by making the findings
under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).
{¶6} Consecutive-sentence findings are not required when the state and the defendant
jointly recommend a sentence that includes nonmandatory consecutive sentences. State v.
Sergent, 148 Ohio St. 3d 94, 2016-Ohio-2696, 69 N.E.3d 627, ¶ 14. Even in the absence of the
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) findings, a consecutive sentence is authorized by law when the defendant
agrees to serve a term of imprisonment imposed upon a felony offense consecutive to another
term. Id. A “joint recommendation to impose consecutive sentences eliminates the need for a
trial judge to make the consecutive-sentence findings set out in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) and that such
a sentence, once imposed, is not subject to review.” Id., citing State v. Porterfield, 106 Ohio
St.3d 5, 2005-Ohio-3095, 829 N.E.2d 690, and R.C. 2953.08(D)(1). “Once a defendant
stipulates that a particular sentence is justified, the sentencing judge no longer needs to
independently justify the sentence.” Porterfield at ¶ 25.
{¶7} The only difference between Sergent and the current case is the fact that Williams
did not agree to serve a specific sentence on the underlying conviction. He agreed to permit the
trial court discretion to impose any sentence within the range for the first-degree felony, but he
agreed to serve that term consecutive to a term of imprisonment imposed in another case.1 This
distinction is of little consequence. Although the base sentence is potentially reviewable under
1
“A plea agreement is a contract between the state and a criminal defendant and is subject to contract-law
principles.” State v. Grove, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103042, 2016-Ohio-2721, ¶ 36, citing State v. Butts, 112 Ohio
App.3d 683, 686, 679 N.E.2d 1170 (8th Dist.1996); Baker v. United States, 781 F.2d 85, 90 (6th Cir.1986). In
exchange for dismissing several counts, Williams agreed to serve any sentence within the range for the first-degree
felony rape offense consecutive to another sentence he was already serving. Despite the fact that the agreed
sentencing range was any permissible sentence for that offense, the state offered a deal in exchange for dismissing
several counts that could have increased Williams’s sentencing exposure. In light of the contract principles at play,
especially given the parties’ agreement, R.C. 2953.08(D)(1) should preclude any challenge to the sentence imposed
in this case. The state, however, did not discuss this concept in its appellate briefing. Under App.R. 16(A)(7), we
shall not consider the argument either.
R.C. 2953.08(A)(1), the consecutive nature of that sentence is not. Sergent at ¶ 30. The state
agreed to dismiss several charges in exchange for Williams’s agreement to plead guilty to the
rape knowing that any sentence imposed would be consecutively served. Williams received the
benefit of the bargain and, in doing so, relieved the trial court of the need to justify the
consecutive sentence. The sentence imposed and the manner in which it is served is authorized
by law and not subject to appellate review.
{¶8} Finally, Williams claims his guilty plea was not knowing and voluntary because the
trial court “should have done more to fully explain the rights” Williams was waiving. This
specific argument was made and rejected in State v. Russell, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107215,
2019-Ohio-704. The same analysis applies with equal force to this case.
{¶9} “When a defendant enters a plea in a criminal case, the plea must be made
knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily.” State v. Engle, 74 Ohio St. 3d 525, 527,
1996-Ohio-179, 660 N.E.2d 450. The standard of review for determining whether a plea was
knowing, intelligent, and voluntary within the meaning of Crim.R. 11 for nonconstitutional
issues is substantial compliance and strict compliance for constitutional issues. State v. Nero, 56
Ohio St. 3d 106, 108, 564 N.E.2d 474 (1990), citing State v. Stewart, 51 Ohio St. 2d 86, 92-93,
364 N.E.2d 1163 (1977). “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.” Nero. In addition, when challenging his guilty plea based on the trial court’s
lack of substantial compliance, a defendant must also show a prejudicial effect — that the plea
would not have been otherwise entered but for the error. State v. Clark, 119 Ohio St. 3d 239,
2008-Ohio-3748, 893 N.E.2d 462, ¶ 32, citing Nero at 108.
{¶10} Williams has not demonstrated prejudice, let alone has he argued that the trial
court’s plea colloquy was not in compliance with the criminal rule. His sole argument is that the
trial court should have done more than was required. “Although it is always possible to provide
more information to a defendant during the plea colloquy, the failure to do so is not a basis for
reversal if the trial court otherwise complies with Crim.R. 11.” Russell at ¶ 9. As in Russell,
Williams has not suggested, let alone demonstrated, that the trial court erred.
{¶11} We affirm.
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 certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, PRESIDING JUDGE
ANITA LASTER MAYS, J., and
MICHELLE J. SHEEHAN, J., CONCUR