State v. Shoulders

[Cite as State v. Shoulders, 2014-Ohio-435.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
HANCOCK COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 5-13-12
v.
EMANUEL L. SHOULDERS, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 5-13-20
v.
EMANUEL L. SHOULDERS, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeals from Hancock County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 2013 CR 11
Judgments Affirmed
Date of Decision: February 10, 2014
APPEARANCES:
Scott B. Johnson for Appellant
Elizabeth H. Smith for Appellee
Case Nos. 5-13-12, 5-13-20
PRESTON, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Emanuel L. Shoulders (“Shoulders”), appeals the
Hancock County Court of Common Pleas’ judgment entry of conviction and
sentence and judgment entry denying his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. For
the reasons that follow, we affirm.
{¶2} On January 8, 2013, the Hancock County Grand Jury indicted
Shoulders on one count of aggravated robbery in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1),
a first-degree felony. (Doc. No. 1).
{¶3} The trial court held an arraignment hearing on January 16, 2013. (Jan.
16, 2013 Tr. at 3); (Doc. No. 9). Miller appeared with counsel from the Hancock
County Public Defender’s Office and entered a plea of not guilty. (Id.); (Id.).
{¶4} On January 17, 2013, the trial court overruled various motions filed by
Shoulders, pro se, requesting that his case be sent back to the Findlay Municipal
Court and that the trial court “stop this sham legal process.” (Doc. No. 13). In its
entry, the trial court ordered that any future filings be made through Shoulders’
counsel. (Id.).
{¶5} At a pretrial conference on January 31, 2013, the trial court relieved
counsel from the Hancock County Public Defender’s Office from representation of
Shoulders. (Jan. 31, 2013 Tr. at 7); (Doc. No. 24). On February 4, 2013, the trial
court appointed Shoulders new counsel, notwithstanding Shoulders’ statement at
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the January 31, 2013 pretrial conference that he would like to represent himself.
(Doc. No. 20); (Jan. 31, 2013 Tr. at 9).
{¶6} At a pretrial conference on February 14, 2013, the trial court
scheduled a jury trial for March 26, 2013. (Feb. 14, 2013 Tr. at 7); (Doc. No. 29).
{¶7} On March 20, 2013, Shoulders and plaintiff-appellee, State of Ohio,
entered into a plea agreement under which Shoulders agreed to plead guilty, to
proceed straight to sentencing, and to jointly recommend with the State a sentence
of five years in prison. (Doc. No. 42); (Mar. 20, 2013 Tr. at 4-8). The trial court
held a change-of-plea hearing on March 20, 2013. (Mar. 20, 2013 Tr. at 3). At
the hearing, Shoulders signed the plea agreement and requested that he be allowed
to withdraw his guilty plea and plead guilty. (Mar. 20, 2013 Tr. at 41-42); (Doc.
No. 45). The trial court found Shoulders guilty and proceeded to sentence him to
the jointly recommended sentence of five years imprisonment. (Id. at 42, 45);
(Id.).
{¶8} Two days after the change-of-plea hearing, the trial court filed its
judgment entry of conviction and sentence. (Doc. No. 45).
{¶9} On March 28, 2013, Shoulders, acting pro se even though he was
represented by counsel, filed two motions. One was a “motion to withdraw guilty
plea,” in which Shoulders argued that he should be allowed to withdraw his guilty
plea because he was under the influence of medications that affected his judgment
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at the March 20, 2013 change-of-plea hearing. (Doc. No. 49). His second motion
was a “motion to hold or stay excution [sic] of sentence pending investigation of
the withdrawl [sic] of guilty plea by the defendant.” (Doc. No. 50). Underneath
his signature on both of his motions filed on March 28, 2013, Shoulders wrote “3-
20-13.” (Doc. Nos. 49, 50). Also on March 28, 2013, Shoulders filed a letter
from him to the trial court judge dated “3-26-13.” (Doc. No. 51).
{¶10} On April 4, 2013, Shoulders, this time through counsel, filed a
second “motion to withdraw guilty plea,” arguing that he “was so medicated that
his plea was not knowingly, and intelligently offered.”1 (Doc. No. 53).
{¶11} On April 19, 2013, Shoulders filed a notice of appeal of the trial
court’s March 22, 2013 judgment entry of conviction and sentence. (Doc. No. 60).
That appeal was assigned appellate case number 5-13-12; however, we stayed that
appeal and granted Shoulders’ motion to remand the matter to the trial court for
the trial court’s ruling on Shoulders’ pending motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
(See Doc. No. 95). Also on April 19, 2013, Shoulders requested that the trial court
appoint him appellate counsel. (Doc. No. 63).
{¶12} On April 25, 2013, the trial court appointed Shoulders new counsel
for purposes of appeal and his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. (Doc. No. 87).
1
Although Shoulders filed two motions to withdraw his guilty plea—one pro se and one through counsel—
we will refer to them collectively as a single motion to withdraw his guilty plea, as the parties do in their
briefs, unless otherwise noted.
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{¶13} On June 7, 2013, the State filed its memorandum in opposition to
Shoulders’ motion to withdraw his guilty plea. (Doc. No. 92).
{¶14} On June 13, 2013, the trial court held a hearing on Shoulders’ motion
to withdraw his guilty plea. (June 13, 2013 Tr. at 4); (Doc. No. 95).
{¶15} On August 9, 2013, the trial court issued its judgment entry denying
Shoulders’ motion to withdraw his guilty plea. (Doc. No. 95).
{¶16} On August 23, 2013, Shoulders filed his notice of appeal of the trial
court’s August 9, 2013 judgment entry. (Doc. No. 96). That appeal was assigned
appellate case number 5-13-20, and we consolidated it with appellate case number
5-13-12.
{¶17} On August 29, 2013, Shoulders’ counsel—whom the trial court
appointed on April 25, 2013—moved to withdraw as counsel. (Doc. No. 103).
The trial court granted that motion on September 6, 2013 and appointed Shoulders
new appellate counsel on September 13, 2013. (Doc. Nos. 104, 105).
{¶18} Shoulders raises two assignments of error for our review. To
facilitate our analysis, we review both assignments of error together.
Assignment of Error No. I
The trial court erred in denying defendant’s motion to withdraw
his guilty plea in that his plea was not voluntary or knowingly
[sic] because he was on medication and was not in his right
mind.
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Assignment of Error No. II
The counsel for the defendant provided ineffective assistance of
counsel.
{¶19} In his first assignment of error, Shoulders argues that the trial court
erred when it denied his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Specifically, he
argues that the trial court should have treated his motion as a presentence motion
rather than a postsentence motion because his pro se motion was dated March 20,
2013, and the trial court did not file its judgment entry of conviction and sentence
until March 22, 2013. Shoulders also argues that, even treating his motion as
postsentence, it was a manifest injustice for the trial court to not allow him to
withdraw his guilty plea because he “was medicated and not in his right mind” at
the change-of-plea hearing, he was misled and pressured by his attorney and
received ineffective assistance of counsel, he drafted his pro se motion to
withdraw his guilty plea the same day as the change-of-plea hearing, and he
asserted at the hearing on his motion to withdraw his guilty plea that he was not
guilty.
{¶20} In his second assignment of error, Shoulders argues that he was
denied effective assistance of counsel relating to his change of plea. Specifically,
he argues that his counsel misled him into believing that he had no defenses and
pressured him into changing his plea, even though Shoulders was under the
influence of medication. Shoulders also argues in his second assignment of error
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that his counsel was ineffective at the hearing on his motion to withdraw his guilty
plea. Specifically, he argues that his counsel was unprepared, failed to offer
expert testimony concerning the physiological and psychological effects of the
medication Shoulders was taking at the time of the change-of-plea hearing, and
failed to elicit testimony from Shoulders concerning his alleged innocence.
{¶21} Crim.R. 32.1 provides: “A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no
contest 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.” Although a defendant does not
maintain an absolute right to withdraw his or her plea prior to sentencing, the
general rule is that a trial court should freely grant a presentence motion to
withdraw a guilty plea. State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 526 (1992). However, a
defendant seeking to withdraw a guilty plea after sentence has the burden of
demonstrating a “manifest injustice.” State v. Smith, 49 Ohio St.2d 261 (1977),
paragraph one of the syllabus. Accordingly, before reviewing the trial court’s
decision, we must determine whether Shoulders’ motion was a presentence motion
or a postsentence motion.
{¶22} The trial court sentenced Shoulders at the March 20, 2013 hearing,
and it filed its judgment entry of conviction and sentence, dated March 20, 2013,
on March 22, 2013. (Mar. 20, 2013 Tr. at 45); (Doc. No. 45). Shoulders filed his
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pro se motion to withdraw his guilty plea, dated March 20, 2013, on March 28,
2013. (Doc. No. 49). Shoulders argues that the judgment entry of conviction and
sentence was not effective until it was filed on March 22, 2013, which was after
March 20, 2013—the date Shoulders wrote on his motion to withdraw his guilty
plea. However, even assuming the trial court’s judgment entry of conviction and
sentence was not effective until March 22, 2013, Shoulders’ motion was filed six
days after it and, therefore, was a postsentence motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
See Crim.R. 12(B) (“The filing of documents with the court, as required by these
rules, shall be made by filing them with the clerk of court * * *.”).
{¶23} As we stated above, a defendant seeking to withdraw a guilty plea
after sentence has been imposed must demonstrate a “manifest injustice.” Smith,
49 Ohio St.2d 261, paragraph one of the syllabus. This Court has previously
defined a “manifest injustice” as a “clear or openly unjust act.” State v. Walling,
3d Dist. Shelby No. 17-04-12, 2005-Ohio-428, ¶ 6. Notably, a postsentence
withdrawal of a guilty plea is available only in “extraordinary cases.” Smith, 49
Ohio St.2d at 264. As Shoulders acknowledges, the manifest-injustice standard is
“a relatively high hurdle to clear.” (Appellant’s Brief at 16).
{¶24} A trial court maintains discretion in determining whether a defendant
established a “manifest injustice.” Smith, 49 Ohio St.2d 261, paragraph two of the
syllabus. As such, this Court will not reverse a trial court’s decision absent an
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abuse of discretion. State v. Nathan, 99 Ohio App.3d 722, 725 (3d Dist.1995). An
abuse of discretion is more than a mere error in judgment; it suggests that a
decision is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. State v. Adams, 62 Ohio
St.2d 151, 157-158 (1980).
{¶25} We first address Shoulders’ argument that he did not make his plea
knowingly, voluntarily, or intelligently because he was under the influence of
medications at the time he entered his plea. “Before accepting a guilty plea,
Crim.R. 11 requires the trial court to personally address a defendant to determine
if the plea is voluntary, and that the defendant understands both the plea itself as
well as the rights waived by pleading guilty.” State v. Spencer, 3d Dist. Hardin
Nos. 6-12-15 and 6-12-16, 2013-Ohio-137, ¶ 13, citing Crim.R. 11(C)(2).
{¶26} In this case, the trial court conducted a thorough colloquy with
Shoulders at the change-of-plea hearing, which demonstrated that Shoulders was
lucid at the time he entered his guilty plea and that he entered it knowingly,
intelligently, and voluntarily, notwithstanding his being on medications:
[Trial Court]: Okay. You ever been treated for any mental
illness? To your knowledge do you now suffer
from any mental or emotional disability that would
effect [sic] your understanding of these
proceedings right here, right now in the courtroom?
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[Shoulders]: Yes, I do suffer from mental illness and disabilities.
Yes, I do suffer from some situations. At this time,
Your Honor, I am under some medications that are
suppose [sic] to help me. Due to the nature of this
crime, and to the seriousness of the situation here,
Your Honor, I am moving forward with this matter.
[Trial Court]: You’re what?
[Shoulders]: I am moving forward with this matter, Your Honor.
[Trial Counsel]: What do you mean by moving forward?
[Shoulders]: I’m ready to proceed.
[Trial Counsel]: Ready to proceed with the plea, okay.
[Trial Court]: So the medications, the emotional, whatever, are
not effecting [sic] your ability to understand what
we’re doing today and to make decisions about
what we’re doing today, is that correct?
[Shoulders]: No, Your Honor. It’s not effecting [sic] my
decision making. Though I must concur that I am a
little at ease about some things because I haven’t
really had a chance to talk with my family. That
was a concern I did tell my lawyer. So I’m a little
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nervous about this situation I’m doing right now.
But I’m being told that this is to my best interest to
enter this plea today.
I wish, however, that I could have a little time to
talk to my family, but I’m told if I don’t that my
plea agreement may be tooken [sic] away. And I
don’t want to waste the Court time, nor mines [sic],
so I’m proceeding, Your Honor.
[Trial Court]: Okay. You understand we have a trial date of next
Tuesday if you want to take advantage of that?
We’ve got a jury summoned, they’re coming in.
[Shoulders]: I don’t want to go to a jury trial, Your Honor. I
understand that. I want to do what I have to do to
get this plea that has been offered to me today.
[Trial Court]: Okay. And I want to do what I have to do, which is
make the record here.
[Shoulders]: Yes, sir.
[Trial Court]: Which is what I’m trying to do, okay.
[Shoulders]: Yes, sir.
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[Trial Court]: Now the emotional difficulties, the mental health
issues are not of such a nature that they’re effecting
[sic] your understanding of what we’re doing, is
that correct?
[Shoulders]: That’s right.
[Trial Court]: Okay. Now, have you had sufficient time to think
about and discuss with your attorney * * * the
agreement previously referred to and the plea that
you’re about to enter?
[Shoulders]: Yes, sir.
[Trial Court]: Are you currently under the influence of any
intoxicants, any drugs or medication that would
effect [sic] your understanding?
[Shoulders]: I am under the influence of medication. Other than
my psych meds, that’s it. But no drugs, Your
Honor.
[Trial Court]: Is the medication that you’re taking effecting [sic]
your ability to make decisions?
[Shoulders]: No, Your Honor.
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[Trial Court]: Okay. Do you understand that a plea of guilty is a
complete admission of your guilt? In other words,
you’re telling me, Judge, I did exactly what I’m
charged with here in this one count indictment. Do
you understand?
[Shoulders]: Yes, Your Honor.
***
[Trial Court]: It’s my understanding you’re pleading guilty to the
charge, is that correct, Mr. Shoulders?
[Shoulders]: Yes, sir, Your Honor.
[Trial Court]: We are immediately proceeding with sentencing, is
that your understanding?
[Shoulders]: Yes, Your Honor.
(Mar. 20, 2013 Tr. at 16-19, 21).
{¶27} The trial court thoroughly explained to Shoulders the rights he was
waiving by pleading guilty, including his rights to a jury or bench trial, to publicly
testify about the facts of the case, to confrontation, to compulsory process, to
require the State to prove the indicted count beyond a reasonable doubt, and
against compulsory self-incrimination. (Id. at 25-28). Shoulders indicated that he
understood he was waiving these rights by pleading guilty. (Id.).
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{¶28} At the June 13, 2013 hearing on Shoulders’ motion to withdraw his
guilty plea, he testified that the medications he had taken before the change-of-
plea hearing—Vistaril, Celexa, and a blood pressure pill—make him “drowsy and
sleepy and tired at times.” (June 13, 2013 Tr. at 21). He said the medications
were given to him to “slow [him] down from acting out” and “[f]rom basically
losing control of [his] mind all the time.” (Id. at 22). Shoulders also testified that
at the change-of-plea hearing, he “kind of went into a shell shock situation where
[he] was just going with the flow.” (Id. at 30). He testified that he was “just
answering” questions at the change-of-plea hearing. (Id.).
{¶29} The record belies Shoulders’ arguments. At the June 13, 2013
hearing, he testified that he “recall[ed] very clearly that [he] made it aware to the
Court that [he] had just tooken [sic] medications.” (Emphasis added.) (Id.). In
other words, Shoulders’ clarity of mind at the change-of-plea hearing was such
that he was able to “very clearly” recall twelve weeks later that he informed the
trial court that he had just taken his medications.
{¶30} Nor was Shoulders simply “going with the flow” or “answering
questions” at the change-of-plea hearing. Rather, Shoulders was engaged in the
colloquy. For example, when the trial court asked Shoulders whether he had any
questions concerning the written plea form, he articulated a concern regarding
judicial release:
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I was a little concerned about the plea agreement about not being
able to file any judicial releases. I was [sic] wanted to add, if
possible, could I have that stipulation took out of my plea agreement.
That’s one thing that kind of shook me that I kind of wasn’t too sure
of. Though I don’t know my chances of getting it granted, however
that case may be, but I do not want to give up that right.
(Mar. 20, 2013 Tr. at 12-13). At that point—and at no fewer than five other points
during the change-of-plea hearing—the trial court allowed Shoulders to confer
with his counsel. (Id. at 13, 14, 31, 35, 40, 41).
{¶31} As excerpted above, Shoulders engaged in a thorough discussion
with the trial court concerning his medications. (Id. at 16-19). He informed the
trial court that he was “on probation with the Federal Government at this time.”
(Id. at 15). When asked by the trial court whether he had any questions about
what they discussed in the colloquy, Shoulders was able to articulate a question
concerning court costs. (Id. at 29-30). In fact, he stated to the trial court, “I’m
requesting at this time that my record be checked. It will show that I’m indigent.
And I want that on record that I’m an indigent Defendant.” (Id. at 30).
{¶32} Shoulders said he regretted his involvement in the crime for which he
was charged. (Id. at 39). When invited by the trial court to make a statement
before sentencing, Shoulders had the wherewithal to describe as “a terrible
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situation” the events leading to the aggravated robbery count, to express remorse
and say he wished he “had the knowledge to deal with that day better,” to ask for
forgiveness, and to say he has tried to learn from his mistakes, including the one at
issue in this case. (Id. at 44-45).
{¶33} Based on our review of the transcripts of the change-of-plea hearing
and the June 13, 2013 hearing, we reject Shoulders’ argument that his being under
the influence of medications at the time he changed his plea to guilty created a
manifest injustice. See State v. Taylor, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2002-L-005, 2003-
Ohio-6670, ¶ 46 (affirming the trial court’s denial of the defendant’s motion to
withdraw his guilty pleas, notwithstanding his argument that he was under the
influence of several medications at the time he entered his pleas, because the
record reflected that the defendant “was lucid at the time he entered his pleas”).
{¶34} We next turn to Shoulders’ argument that a manifest injustice was
created because he was misled and pressured by, and received ineffective
assistance of counsel from his attorney at the change-of-plea hearing. “Under
Ohio law, ‘[i]neffective assistance of counsel can constitute manifest injustice
sufficient to allow the post-sentence withdrawal of a guilty plea.’” State v.
Miranda, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-271, 2013-Ohio-5109, ¶ 12, quoting State
v. Dalton, 153 Ohio App.3d 286, 2003-Ohio-3813, ¶ 18 (10th Dist.). See also
State v. Williamson, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-10-11, 2010-Ohio-5060, ¶ 16.
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{¶35} “When an alleged error underlying a motion to withdraw a guilty
plea is the ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must show (1) that his
counsel’s performance was deficient and (2) that there is a reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s errors, he would not have pled guilty.” Williamson at ¶ 16,
citing Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d at 524 and Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104
S.Ct. 2052 (1984). “When a defendant pleads guilty, a claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel may be grounds for vacating his plea only to the extent that
counsel’s ineffectiveness makes the plea less than knowing and voluntary.” State
v. Milbrandt, 2d Dist. Champaign No. 2007-CA-3, 2008-Ohio-761, ¶ 9.
{¶36} In order to show counsel’s conduct was deficient or unreasonable,
the defendant must overcome the presumption that counsel provided competent
representation and must show that counsel’s actions were not trial strategies
prompted by reasonable professional judgment. Strickland at 687. Counsel is
entitled to a strong presumption that all decisions fall within the wide range of
reasonable professional assistance. State v. Sallie, 81 Ohio St.3d 673, 675 (1998).
Tactical or strategic trial decisions, even if unsuccessful, do not generally
constitute ineffective assistance. State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 558 (1995).
Rather, the errors complained of must amount to a substantial violation of
counsel’s essential duties to his client. See State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136,
141-142 (1989), quoting State v. Lytle, 48 Ohio St.2d 391, 396 (1976).
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{¶37} We first address Shoulders’ argument that his counsel was
ineffective because he misled him by allegedly telling him that he had no defenses.
The decision whether to raise a defense is a tactical or strategic decision. See State
v. Collins, 6th Dist. Huron Nos. H-09-001 and H-09-005, 2009-Ohio-6346, ¶ 44
(concluding that counsel was not ineffective for not discussing the defense of
entrapment with the defendant before he entered his guilty plea).
{¶38} At the June 13, 2013 hearing, Shoulders testified that his counsel did
not discuss potential defenses with him. (June 13, 2013 Tr. at 35-37). That
testimony contradicts his statements to the trial court at the change-of-plea
hearing. At that time, Shoulders informed the trial court that he and his counsel
discussed the indictment, the things the State would need to prove at trial to
sustain a conviction against Shoulders, Shoulders’ potential defenses, and what
was going on in his life on January 4, 2013 in relation to the charge. (Mar. 20,
2013 Tr. at 20-21). Specifically regarding potential defenses, this exchange took
place:
[Trial Court]: Have the two of you talked about potential defenses
to the charge?
[Shoulders]: Yes, Your Honor.
(Id. at 21). In addition to Shoulders’ conflicting testimony, he has not
demonstrated that his counsel’s treatment of potential defenses was deficient or
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anything less than a trial strategy prompted by reasonable professional judgment.
For those reasons, we reject Shoulders’ arguments concerning potential defenses.
{¶39} Next, we address Shoulders’ argument that his counsel was
ineffective by allegedly pressuring him into accepting the plea agreement and
changing his plea. “The decision to plead guilty in order to avoid a jury trial is
a tactical strategy to which we afford counsel deference.” State v. Smith, 3d Dist.
Hancock No. 5-06-30, 2007-Ohio-1626, ¶ 14, citing State v. Ketterer, 111 Ohio
St.3d 70, 2006-Ohio-5283, ¶ 85 and Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689.
{¶40} At the June 13, 2013 hearing, Shoulders testified that his counsel
pressured him into accepting the plea agreement and pleading guilty. (June 13,
2013 Tr. at 28-32). However, at the change-of-plea hearing, Shoulders
demonstrated an understanding that the decision to plead guilty was his alone:
[Trial Court]: Mr. Shoulders, I trust you understand that the
decision to plead guilty today is one that you and you
alone have to make. You can rely upon [your
counsel] by virtue of his education, his training, his
experience. Bottom line whether or not you plead
guilty, what you plead guilty to is entirely up to you.
Do you understand?
[Shoulders]: Yes, Your Honor.
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(Mar. 20, 2013 Tr. at 34).
{¶41} Second, at the change-of-plea hearing, Shoulders informed the trial
court that he was “very satisfied” with his counsel:
[Trial Court]: Mr. Shoulders, you satisfied with the services of
[your counsel] as your attorney of record in this
case?
[Shoulders]: Yes, Your Honor. I just have –
WHEREUPON, Defense counsel confers with the
Defendant off the record.
[Trial Counsel]: Yes. He just had a question of what I’m going to
address that court cost issue, Judge. I would just
note, I think Mr. Shoulders, we met at least ten
times, maybe fifteen times?
[Shoulders]: Yeah. I’m very satisfied with you.
***
[Trial Court]: So Mr. Shoulders, you’re satisfied with [your
counsel’s] services, is that correct?
[Shoulders]: Yes, Your Honor.
(Id. at 40-41).
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{¶42} Finally, the witness offered by Shoulders at the June 13, 2013
hearing—the social worker at the Hancock County Justice Center where Shoulders
was incarcerated on the day of his change-of-plea hearing—testified that
Shoulders told her later that day that “he felt that he made the wrong decision,”
that “he felt pressured,” and that he “regret[ted] the choice that he made.”
(Emphasis added.) (June 13, 2013 Tr. at 14).
{¶43} Therefore, the record reflects that Shoulders knew the decision to
plead guilty was his, and he has failed to demonstrate that his counsel’s actions
relative to the plea agreement were deficient. We conclude that Shoulders did not
receive ineffective assistance of counsel relative to his change of plea, and we
reject his argument that a manifest injustice occurred based on ineffective
assistance of counsel.
{¶44} We next turn to Shoulders’ arguments that a manifest injustice
occurred because he began drafting his pro se motion to withdraw his guilty plea
the same day as the change-of-plea hearing, and because he asserted at the hearing
on his motion to withdraw his guilty plea that he was not guilty. The timing of a
motion to withdraw a guilty plea and a defendant’s potential innocence are but two
of the factors appellate courts consider when reviewing a trial court’s decision
concerning a presentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea. See State v. Lane, 3d
Dist. Van Wert No. 15-12-13, 2013-Ohio-1497, ¶ 19, citing State v. Fish, 104
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Ohio App.3d 236, 240 (1st Dist.1995) and State v. Lefler, 3d Dist. Hardin No. 6-
07-22, 2008-Ohio-3057, ¶ 11. Here, Shoulders’ was a postsentence motion to
withdraw his guilty plea, which, unlike presentence motions, is subject to the more
stringent manifest-injustice standard. Moreover, even if we were to consider the
factors applied to presentence motions, no one factor is dispositive. See State v.
Fairrow, 4th Dist. Ross No. 05CA2856, 2006-Ohio-503, ¶ 18. We reject these
arguments that Shoulders bases on the presentence-motion factors.
{¶45} We conclude that Shoulders failed to demonstrate a manifest
injustice and, therefore, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
his motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
{¶46} Finally, we turn to Shoulders’ argument that he received ineffective
assistance of counsel at the hearing on his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. We
recited above the standard that applies to claims of ineffective assistance of
counsel with respect to the withdrawal of a guilty plea. The general standard
applicable to ineffective-assistance claims is essentially the same. A defendant
asserting a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel must establish: (1) the
counsel’s performance was deficient or unreasonable under the circumstances; and
(2) the deficient performance prejudiced the defendant. State v. Kole, 92 Ohio
St.3d 303, 306 (2001), citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. For the reasons below,
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Case Nos. 5-13-12, 5-13-20
Shoulders has failed to demonstrate that his counsel’s performance was deficient
or unreasonable under the circumstances.
{¶47} Shoulders argues that his counsel at the June 13, 2013 hearing was
ineffective because he failed to offer expert testimony concerning the effects of
Shoulders’ medications. “[T]he decision whether to call a witness is ‘within the
rubric of trial strategy and will not be second-guessed by a reviewing court.’”
State v. Rust, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-12-49, 2013-Ohio-2151, ¶ 26, quoting State v.
Stiles, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-08-12, 2009-Ohio-89, ¶ 58.
{¶48} Shoulders testified at the June 13, 2013 hearing that he was on three
medications—Vistaril, Celexa, and a blood pressure pill—that made him “drowsy
and sleepy and tired at times.” (June 13, 2013 Tr. at 21). The Hancock County
Justice Center’s social worker, who Shoulders’ counsel called at that hearing,
testified that while she did not have expertise concerning side effects of
medications, in her experience, most of her clients on Celexa “have minimal side
effects.” (Id. at 13). Shoulders’ counsel may very well have been satisfied with
the testimony of Shoulders and the social worker concerning side effects, and he
may have decided not to call an expert witness for any number of reasons—for
example, so as not to risk contradicting his client’s testimony. Therefore,
Shoulders’ counsel’s decision fell within the rubric of trial strategy.
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Case Nos. 5-13-12, 5-13-20
{¶49} Shoulders’ also argues that his counsel at the June 13, 2013 hearing
was ineffective because he failed to elicit testimony from Shoulders concerning
Shoulders’ alleged innocence. “The scope and nuances of how a
particular witness is questioned fall within the ambit of trial strategy, and even
debatable tactical decisions do not demonstrate ineffectiveness.” State v.
Barnhart, 6th Dist. Huron No. H-10-005, 2011-Ohio-2693, ¶ 44, citing State v.
Reeves, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 05AP-158, 2005-Ohio-5838, ¶ 26.
{¶50} We first note that Shoulders overemphasizes the significance of his
alleged innocence, which, as we stated above, is but one of the nine nondispositive
factors an appellate court considers when reviewing a trial court’s decision
concerning a presentence, not postsentence, motion to withdraw a guilty plea. See
Lane, 2013-Ohio-1497, at ¶ 19. Second, as a matter of trial strategy, Shoulders’
counsel may have wished to avoid the issue of Shoulders’ culpability to avoid
contradicting Shoulders’ statements to the trial court at the change-of-plea hearing,
in which Shoulders admitted his involvement in the events leading to the
aggravated robbery charge. (Mar. 20, 2013 Tr. at 35-39, 44-45). Once again,
Shoulders’ counsel’s decision fell within the ambit of trial strategy.
{¶51} Finally, Shoulders argues that his counsel was unprepared for the
June 13, 2013 hearing, as evidenced by his citing only one case during the
hearing—State v. Prince, 3d Dist. Auglaize No. 2-12-07, 2012-Ohio-4111—which
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Case Nos. 5-13-12, 5-13-20
Shoulders points out involved a presentence, not postsentence, motion to withdraw
a guilty plea. Shoulders also points to his counsel mentioning in closing argument
the number of days between sentencing and the April 4, 2013 motion to withdraw
his guilty plea filed by counsel, rather than Shoulders’ pro se motion filed on
March 28, 2013. Neither of these demonstrates unpreparedness.
{¶52} First, in his brief, Shoulders relies on case law concerning
presentence motions to withdraw guilty pleas, so his counsel’s reliance on a
presentence case at the hearing could not have been as unreasonable as he claims.
Second, his counsel mentioning the April 4, 2013 motion to withdraw Shoulders’
guilty plea, rather than the March 28, 2013 pro se motion, does not rise to the level
of ineffective assistance. As we established above, using either filing date—
March 28, 2013 or April 4, 2013—Shoulders’ request to withdraw his guilty plea
was postsentence, and the difference of seven days between the motions is not
legally significant.
{¶53} In short, the record reflects that Shoulders’ counsel was prepared for
the June 13, 2013 hearing. He offered the testimony of two witnesses, including
Shoulders, and a closing argument. (See June 13, 2013 Tr. at 6, 18, 47-48).
Throughout the hearing, and particularly while questioning his witnesses,
Shoulders’ counsel demonstrated an understanding of the case and of Shoulders’
bases for his motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
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Case Nos. 5-13-12, 5-13-20
{¶54} For these reasons, Shoulders was not denied effective assistance of
counsel at the June 13, 2013 hearing.
{¶55} Shoulders’ first and second assignments of error are overruled.
{¶56} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the
particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Judgments Affirmed
ROGERS and SHAW, J.J., concur.
/jlr
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