State v. Gaines

[Cite as State v. Gaines, 2016-Ohio-4863.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 103476
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
JAMELL M. GAINES
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-15-592611-A
BEFORE: Celebrezze, J., Blackmon, P.J., and Laster Mays, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: July 7, 2016
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Michael H. Murphy
20325 Center Ridge Road
Suite 512
Rocky River, Ohio 44116
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
BY: Kerry A. Sowul
Gregory J. Ochocki
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys
The Justice Center
1200 Ontario Street, 9th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Jamell Gaines (“appellant”), brings this appeal
challenging the trial court’s sentence for aggravated menacing, domestic violence, having
weapons while under disability, and drug possession. Specifically, appellant argues that
the trial court’s sentence was not commensurate with his offenses. After a thorough
review of the record and law, this court affirms.
I. Factual and Procedural History
{¶2} The instant matter arose from an incident that occurred at appellant’s cousin’s
house where appellant was living at the time. On January 12, 2015, appellant got into an
argument with his relatives over an Xbox video game system. During the argument,
appellant picked up a loaded handgun and pointed it at his 12-year-old cousin. Police
responded to the house and found appellant’s gun and cocaine under a mattress.
{¶3} In CR-15-592611-A, the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury returned a four-count
indictment charging appellant with (1) felonious assault, in violation of R.C.
2903.11(A)(2), with one- and three-year firearm specifications and a forfeiture
specification, (2) domestic violence, in violation of R.C. 2919.25(A), with one- and
three-year firearm specifications and a furthermore specification, (3) having weapons
while under disability, in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(3), with a forfeiture specification,
and (4) drug possession, in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), with a one-year firearm
specification and a forfeiture specification. Appellant pled not guilty to the indictment.
{¶4} After exchanging discovery, the parties reached a plea agreement.
Appellant pled guilty to an amended Count 1, aggravated menacing, in violation of R.C.
2903.21(A), an amended Count 2, domestic violence, without the furthermore
specification, the having weapons while under disability count, and the drug possession
count. The state nolled the firearm specifications charged in Counts 1, 2, and 4. The
trial court accepted appellant’s guilty plea and set the matter for sentencing.
Furthermore, the trial court ordered a presentence investigation report (“PSI”) and
referred appellant to Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (“TASC”) for a
drug and alcohol assessment.
{¶5} The trial court held a sentencing hearing on August 10, 2015. At the
sentencing hearing, the trial court heard from the prosecutor, appellant’s probation
officer, defense counsel, and appellant. The trial court sentenced appellant to a prison
term of 180 days on Count 1, 180 days on Count 2, 30 months on Count 3, and 12 months
on Count 4. The trial court ordered appellant to serve the counts concurrently, for a total
prison term of 30 months. The trial court advised appellant that postrelease control is
part of his sentence.
{¶6} Appellant filed the instant appeal assigning one error for review:
I. The sentence handed down by the trial court was not commensurate with
the crime committed.
II. Law and Analysis
{¶7} In his sole assignment of error, appellant challenges the trial court’s sentence.
Appellant argues that the trial court’s sentence is “arbitrary, capricious, and
disproportionate to the offenses that he pled guilty to.” Furthermore, appellant contends
that the trial court’s sentence is “clearly excessive in nature” and “more punitive in nature
than fair.” Appellant suggests that either community control sanctions or a
community-based correctional facility (“CBCF”) program would have been more
appropriate than a prison sentence. In support of his arguments, appellant focuses
exclusively on the trial court’s consideration, or lack thereof, of R.C. 2929.11 and
2929.12, which govern felony sentencing.1
{¶8} When reviewing felony sentences, this court may increase, reduce, or modify
a sentence, or it may vacate and remand the matter for resentencing, only if we clearly
and convincingly find that either the record does not support the sentencing court’s
statutory findings or the sentence is contrary to law. R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). A sentence
is contrary to law if the sentence falls outside the statutory range for the particular degree
of offense or the trial court failed to consider the purposes and principles of felony
sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11 and the sentencing factors in R.C. 2929.12. State v.
Hinton, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102710, 2015-Ohio-4907, ¶ 10, citing State v. Smith, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100206, 2014-Ohio-1520, ¶ 13. In State v. Marcum, Slip Opinion
No. 2016-Ohio-1002, the Ohio Supreme Court held that when a sentence is imposed
solely after consideration of the factors in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, appellate courts
“may vacate or modify any sentence that is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law
1 Although the trial court sentenced appellant on two first-degree misdemeanors, appellant
does not argue that the trial court failed to consider R.C. 2929.21 and 2929.22, which govern
misdemeanor sentencing.
only if the appellate court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not
support the sentence.” Id. at ¶ 23.
{¶9} When sentencing a defendant, the court must consider the purposes and
principles of felony sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11 and the sentencing factors set
forth in R.C. 2929.12. State v. Hodges, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99511,
2013-Ohio-5025, ¶ 7. R.C. 2929.11(A) provides that a sentence imposed for a felony
shall be reasonably calculated to achieve the two overriding purposes of felony
sentencing: (1) to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others; and (2)
to punish the offender using the minimum sanctions that the court determines will
accomplish those purposes. The sentence imposed shall be “commensurate with and not
demeaning to the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and its impact on the victim, and
consistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes by similar offenders.” R.C.
2929.11(B).
{¶10} The sentencing court must consider the seriousness and recidivism factors
set forth in R.C. 2929.12 in determining the most effective way to comply with the
purposes and principles of sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11. Hodges at ¶ 9. R.C.
2929.12 provides a non-exhaustive list of factors a trial court must consider when
determining the seriousness of the offense and the likelihood that the offender will
commit future offenses.
{¶11} R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 are not fact-finding statutes. Accordingly,
although the trial court must consider the principles and purposes of sentencing as well as
the mitigating factors as outlined above, the court is not required to use particular
language or make specific findings on the record regarding its consideration of those
factors. State v. Wilson, 129 Ohio St.3d 214, 2011-Ohio-2669, 951 N.E.2d 381, ¶ 31;
State v. Jones, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99759, 2014-Ohio-29, ¶ 13. Consideration of the
appropriate factors can be presumed unless the defendant affirmatively shows otherwise.
Id., citing State v. Stevens, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-130278, 2013-Ohio-5218, ¶ 12.
Moreover, a trial court’s statement in its sentencing journal entry that it considered the
required statutory factors is sufficient to fulfill a trial court’s obligations under R.C.
2929.11 and 2929.12. State v. Sutton, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 102300 and 102302,
2015-Ohio-4074, ¶ 72, citing State v. Clayton, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99700,
2014-Ohio-112, ¶ 9.
{¶12} In the instant matter, appellant asks this court to find his sentence to be
arbitrary, capricious, and disproportionate to his offenses. Appellant argues that the trial
court’s sentence is “clearly excessive in nature” and “contrary to the principles of fair
play and substantial justice.” We disagree.
{¶13} The trial court sentenced appellant within the statutory range. Pursuant to
R.C. 2929.24(A)(1), first-degree misdemeanors carry a maximum jail sentence of 180
days. R.C. 2929.14(A)(3)(b) provides, “[f]or a felony of the third degree * * * the
prison term shall be nine, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four, thirty, or thirty-six months.”
Furthermore, R.C. 2929.14(A)(5) provides, “[f]or a felony of the fifth degree, the prison
term shall be six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve months.”
{¶14} The trial court imposed the maximum 180-day sentence for aggravated
menacing and domestic violence, misdemeanors of the first degree. The trial court
imposed 30 months for having weapons while under disability, a felony of the third
degree. The trial court imposed the maximum 12-month sentence for drug possession, a
felony of the fifth degree. There is no statutory requirement for findings in order to
impose the maximum sentences, and a trial court has the discretion to impose a prison
sentence within the statutory range. “Trial courts have full discretion to impose a prison
sentence within the statutory range and are no longer required to make findings or give
their reasons for imposing maximum * * * sentences.” State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d
1, 2006-Ohio-856, 845 N.E.2d 470, paragraph seven of the syllabus.2 Because the trial
court sentenced appellant within the statutory range, there was no error with the
imposition of a maximum sentence on Counts 1, 2, and 4. See Sutton, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga Nos. 102300 and 102302, 2015-Ohio-4074, ¶ 74.
{¶15} Appellant further suggests that the trial court failed to consider R.C. 2929.11
and 2929.12 at sentencing. Specifically, appellant contends that the trial court failed to
state that it weighed the factors regarding his conduct and failed to state the necessary
language regarding whether the sentence was necessary to protect the public and punish
him. Furthermore, appellant contends that the trial court failed to consider that he
accepted responsibility for his actions, and that the trial court neither considered his drug
2 Superseded in part by statute as discussed in State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209,
2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.3d 659, and State v. Sergent, Slip Opinion No. 2016-Ohio-2696.
and alcohol problem nor the information provided in the TASC assessment.
{¶16} The trial court’s sentencing journal entry states, in relevant part, “[t]he court
considered all required factors of the law. The court finds that prison is consistent with
the purpose of R.C. 2929.11.”
{¶17} Aside from the trial court’s notation in the sentencing entry that it
“considered all required factors of the law” including, specifically, R.C. 2929.11, the
record in this case reflects that the trial court did, in fact, consider both R.C. 2929.11 and
2929.12 when sentencing appellant. At the sentencing hearing, the trial court heard
from the prosecutor, appellant’s probation officer, defense counsel, and appellant.
{¶18} First, the prosecutor recommended that the trial court sentence appellant to
prison based on his “extensive criminal history.” Second, appellant’s probation officer
stated that appellant violated the terms of his community control sanctions in Cuyahoga
C.P. No. CR-13-572694-A on three occasions: (1) he was discharged from the CBCF
program, (2) he tested positive for marijuana, and (3) he tested positive for marijuana and
alcohol. In Cuyahoga C.P. No. CR-13-572694-A, appellant pled guilty to having
weapons while under disability in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(2).
{¶19} Third, defense counsel stated that appellant “needs a lot of work to get
himself to a place where he is a productive member of society.” Counsel stated that
appellant is “very bright.” Counsel stated that appellant’s parents had extensive criminal
records and, as a result, he essentially “was on his own[.]” Counsel stated that appellant
has an alcohol and drug problem and that the TASC assessment revealed alcohol,
cannabis, and hallucinogen dependence. Counsel stated that appellant has been
attending one Alcoholics Anonymous meeting per week. Counsel stated that appellant
had been sentenced to prison before and that prison “doesn’t seem to work” for him.
Accordingly, counsel requested that the trial court consider continuing appellant on
community control sanctions.
{¶20} Fourth, appellant acknowledged that he has a problem with alcohol and
drugs. Furthermore, he acknowledged that he has an anger management problem, and
stated that his anger problem is exacerbated when he consumes alcohol. Appellant
stated that his anger problem is entirely drug- or alcohol-related.
{¶21} The trial court acknowledged that it had previously given appellant “two
shots at CBCF.” The trial court stated that it reviewed the PSI and that appellant
appeared to be “out of control” when he committed the offenses. The trial court noted
that appellant’s conduct — drawing a loaded firearm in the presence of children and other
family members — created a “dangerous situation.” Furthermore, the trial court
emphasized that at the time that appellant committed the offenses, he was on probation
for having weapons while under disability. The trial court stated that appellant appeared
to have “a lot of anger management problems.”
{¶22} In imposing appellant’s sentence, the trial court stated that it sympathized
with appellant’s situation. The trial court stated that it “look[ed] at the sentencing
guidelines” and considered “the aspects of [the case] that make it more serious, [and] the
aspects that make it less serious[.]” The trial court stated that it considered appellant’s
criminal history. The trial court concluded that a prison sentence was appropriate.
{¶23} After reviewing the record, we cannot say that the trial court’s sentence is
clearly and convincingly not supported by the record. Before imposing appellant’s
sentence, the trial court considered the PSI report, appellant’s criminal history, and the
facts adduced at the sentencing hearing. The trial court sufficiently set forth its findings
in the record for the sentence it imposed.
{¶24} We further find no merit to appellant’s argument that the trial court failed to
consider the relevant statutory factors under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 at sentencing.
The trial court was neither required to use particular language nor make specific findings
on the record regarding its consideration of R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. Appellant
cannot affirmatively show that the trial court failed to consider R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12
at sentencing.
{¶25} Accordingly, appellant’s sole assignment of error is overruled.
III. Conclusion
{¶26} The trial court’s sentences for aggravated menacing, domestic violence,
having weapons while under disability, and drug possession were within the statutory
range. The trial court’s sentencing journal entry states, “[t]he court considered all
required factors of the law. The court finds that prison is consistent with the purpose of
R.C. 2929.11.” Furthermore, the record in this case reflects that the trial court
considered R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 when sentencing appellant. Accordingly,
appellant cannot affirmatively show that the trial court failed to consider R.C. 2929.11
and 2929.12.
{¶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 certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
_______________________________________________
FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., JUDGE
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, P.J., and
ANITA LASTER MAYS, J., CONCUR