State v. Walters

[Cite as State v. Walters, 2016-Ohio-5783.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ADAMS COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : Case No. 15CA1009
v. :
DECISION AND
WILLIAM M. WALTERS, : JUDGMENT ENTRY
Defendant-Appellant. : RELEASED 09/07/2016
APPEARANCES:
Timothy Young, Ohio Public Defender, and Terrence K. Scott, Assistant Ohio Public Defender,
Columbus, Ohio, for defendant-appellant William M. Walters.
David Kelley, Adams County Prosecuting Attorney, and Mark R. Weaver, Adams County
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, West Union, Ohio, for plaintiff-appellee State of Ohio.
Hoover, J.
{¶1} This is an appeal from a judgment of conviction and sentence entered by the
Adams County Court of Common Pleas following the entry of a guilty plea by William M.
Walters (“Walters”), appellant herein, to one count of sexual battery. On appeal, Walters first
contends that his guilty plea was not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made because the
trial court failed to explain the maximum potential sentence. Specifically, Walters argues that the
trial court failed to adequately inform him prior to his guilty plea that the entirety of any imposed
prison sentence was mandatory time, and that he would not be eligible for judicial release. We
disagree. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) only requires that the trial court address the defendant to ensure
the defendant understands the maximum possible penalty. Here, the trial court informed Walters
of the maximum prison sentence and asked Walters if he understood that any imposed prison
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 2
sentence would be mandatory, and Walters stated that he did. Because the trial court confirmed
that Walters understood the maximum penalty before accepting his guilty plea, the trial court
substantially complied with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a).
{¶2} Next, Walters contends that the trial court imposed an unlawful, “hybrid”
sentence. Because Walters did not object to the imposition of the sentence at the sentencing
hearing, he waived all but plain error. Nonetheless, we believe that Walters has established plain
error. The sentencing entry contains contradictory language suggesting the imposition of a prison
term containing mandatory and discretionary sub-terms. Such a sentence is not authorized by
law, is contrary to law, and constitutes plain error.
{¶3} Accordingly, we affirm the judgment in part, reverse the judgment in part, and
remand for resentencing.
I. Facts and Procedural History
{¶4} Walters was charged with one count of sexual battery in violation of R.C.
2907.03(A)(5) pursuant to a bill of information filed on September 25, 2014. The bill of
information also contained a specification alleging that the victim was less than 13 years old at
the time of the offense making the offense a felony of the second degree and subjecting Walters
to a mandatory prison term. A supplemental indictment was filed on October 23, 2014, charging
Walters with one count of rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b), a felony of the first degree.
Although Walters initially pled not guilty to the charges, he later agreed to plead guilty to the
sexual battery offense. The rape charged was dismissed as a result of the plea agreement.
{¶5} At the March 16, 2015 change of plea hearing, the trial court endeavored to
ascertain if Walters understood his rights. The trial court then accepted Walters’ guilty plea,
found him guilty of the sexual battery offense and specification, and ordered that sentencing be
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 3
held at a later date. On March 27, 2015, Walters filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea
arguing that he only pled guilty out of fear and panic that he could receive a life term if he
proceeded to jury trial and was found guilty of both counts, and that he and the alleged victim
did not reside in Adams County during the time of the alleged offenses. The trial court denied the
motion to withdraw guilty plea after a hearing on the matter. Ultimately, the sentencing hearing
was held on July 2, 2015, and Walters was ordered to serve “a stated prison term of seven years
in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitations and Corrections * * *again, there’s- uh, the seven year
sentence is mandatory, uh, the two years is minimum mandatory”. Likewise, the sentencing entry
states that Walters must “serve a mandatory stated prison term of Seven (7) years, in the Ohio
Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, with minimum mandatory Two (2) years.”
Walters was also classified as a Tier III sex offender, and ordered to pay fines and costs. This
appeal followed.
II. Assignments of Error
{¶6} Walters assigns the following errors for our review:
Assignment of Error I:
William M. Walters was deprived of his right to due process under the Fourteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the
Ohio Constitution when the trial court accepted an unknowing, unintelligent, and
involuntary guilty plea. (March 17, 2015 Plea of Guilty; July 2, 2015 Sentencing
Entry; August 12, 2015 Sentencing Tr. p. 6, 12, and 33).
Assignment of Error II:
William M. Walters was deprived of his right to due process under the Fourteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the
Ohio Constitution when the trial court exceeded its authority and imposed an
illegal, hybrid sentence for an offense that was subject to a mandatory sentence.
(July 2, 2015 Sentencing Entry).
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 4
III. Law and Analysis
A. Validity of Guilty Plea
{¶7} In his first assignment of error, Walters contends that his guilty plea was not
knowing, voluntary, and intelligent because the trial court failed to inform him of the maximum
potential sentence. In particular, Walters argues that the trial court failed to explain that the entire
sentence would be mandatory, and that he would not be eligible for judicial release.
{¶8} In deciding whether to accept a guilty plea, the trial court must determine whether
the plea was made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. State v. McDaniel, 4th Dist. Vinton
No. 09CA677, 2010–Ohio–5215, ¶ 8. The failure to satisfy any one of these requirements
renders enforcement of the plea unconstitutional under both the United States Constitution and
the Ohio Constitution. See State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St.3d 176, 2008–Ohio–5200, 897 N.E.2d
621, ¶ 7; State v. Engle, 74 Ohio St.3d 525, 527, 660 N.E.2d 450 (1996). “ ‘An appellate court
determining whether a guilty plea was entered knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily conducts
a de novo review of the record to ensure that the trial court complied with the constitutional and
procedural safeguards.’ ” State v. Leonhart, 4th Dist. Washington No. 13CA38, 2014–Ohio–
5601, ¶ 36, quoting State v. Moore, 4th Dist. Adams No. 13CA965, 2014–Ohio–3024, ¶ 13. “In
other words, appellate courts will conduct their own, independent review of the record without
any deference to the trial court.” State v. Johnson, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 14CA3612, 2016-Ohio-
1070, ¶ 5.
{¶9} “Before accepting a guilty plea, the trial court should engage in a dialogue with
the defendant as described in Crim.R. 11(C).” McDaniel at ¶ 8, citing State v. Morrison, 4th Dist.
Adams No. 07CA854, 2008–Ohio–4913, ¶ 9. The trial court must address the defendant
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 5
personally and determine that “the defendant is making the plea voluntarily, with understanding
of the nature of the charges and of the maximum penalty involved, and if applicable, that the
defendant is not eligible for probation or for the imposition of community control sanctions at
the sentencing hearing.” Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a). The trial court must also inform the defendant of
other matters under Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(b) and (c).
{¶10} When this rule concerns the waiver of constitutional rights, strict compliance is
mandatory. Johnson at ¶ 10. However, “ ‘[s]ubstantial compliance with the provisions of
Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) and (b) is sufficient to establish a valid plea.’ ” McDaniel at ¶ 13, quoting
State v. Vinson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 08AP–903, 2009–Ohio–3240, ¶ 6. “ ‘Substantial
compliance means that, under the totality of the circumstances, appellant subjectively understood
the implications of his plea and the rights he waived.’ ” Id.{¶11} As the Ohio Supreme Court explained in State v. Clark, 119 Ohio St.3d 239,
2008–Ohio–3748, 893 N.E.2d 462, ¶ 32:
When the trial judge does not substantially comply with Crim.R. 11 in regard to a
nonconstitutional right, reviewing courts must determine whether the trial court
partially complied or failed to comply with the rule. If the trial judge partially
complied, e.g., by mentioning mandatory postrelease control without explaining
it, the plea may be vacated only if the defendant demonstrates a prejudicial effect.
The test for prejudice is “whether the plea would have otherwise been made.” If
the trial judge completely failed to comply with the rule, e.g., by not informing
the defendant of a mandatory period of postrelease control, the plea must be
vacated. “A complete failure to comply with the rule does not implicate an
analysis of prejudice.”
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 6
(Emphasis sic.) (Citations omitted.)
{¶12} Walters contends that his plea was invalid because the trial court failed to
substantially comply with the requirement that the trial court inform the accused of the maximum
potential penalty for his offenses under Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a). Specifically, Walters argues that the
trial court failed to inform him that any prison sentence he would receive would be a mandatory
sentence under R.C. 2907.03(B)1 and that he would be ineligible for judicial release.
{¶13} “ ‘When a defendant on whom a mandatory prison sentence must be imposed
enters a plea of guilty or no contest, the court must, before accepting the plea, determine the
defendant's understanding that the defendant is subject to a mandatory sentence and that the
mandatory sentence renders the defendant ineligible for probation or community control
sanctions.’ ” State v. Brigner, 4th Dist. Athens No. 14CA19, 2015-Ohio-2526, ¶ 14, quoting
State v. Balidbid, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24511, 2012–Ohio–1406, ¶ 10; see also State v.
Givens, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2014–02–047, 2015–Ohio–361, ¶¶ 15–16 (trial court's failure to
advise defendant that guilty plea to robbery charge carried a mandatory prison term that rendered
him ineligible for community control rendered the plea invalid so as to require reversal of the
conviction and sentence); State v. Smith, 5th Dist. Licking No. 13–CA–44, 2014–Ohio–2990, ¶¶
11–12 (trial court's failure to notify defendant that guilty plea to rape charges of the amount of
mandatory prison time and the time during which he would be ineligible for community control
resulted in invalid plea that required reversal); State v. Rand, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 03AP–745,
2004–Ohio–5838, ¶ 23 (trial court committed reversible error when it accepted defendant's guilty
plea because it misinformed him that his sentence was not mandatory); State v. Ruby, 4th Dist.
1
R.C. 2907.03(B) provides that: “If the other person is less than thirteen years of age, sexual battery is a felony of
the second degree, and the court shall impose upon the offender a mandatory prison term equal to one of the prison
terms prescribed in section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the second degree.”
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 7
Adams No. 03CA780, 2004–Ohio–3708, ¶ 10, quoting State v. Floyd, 4th Dist. Scioto No.
92CA2102, 1993 WL 415287, *6 (Oct. 13, 1993) (“ ‘The prejudice to a defendant is apparent
when the court informs him/her that he/she is eligible for probation although it is actually
unavailable. In such case, a defendant might be coerced into pleading guilty because of the
possibility of probation.’ ”).
{¶14} At the change of plea hearing in this case, the trial court addressed Walters as
follows:
COURT: Alright.
Mr. Walters, did you understand the stated results of the plea negotiations, you
would plead to Count I, Count II would be dismissed? And you understood, uh,
the maximum and mandatory penalties, is that correct?
MR. WALTERS: Yes, sir.
(Emphasis added.) Later in the change of plea hearing, this exchange took place:
COURT: Now Mr. Walters, if you do enter a plea of guilty to this offense, you
should understand that at the time of sentencing you’re facing a maximum penalty
of eight years in prison, and Fifteen Thousand Dollars in fines. Do you understand
that?
MR. WALTERS: Yes, sir.
COURT: There are mandatory penalties, Mr. Walters, that are associated with
conviction for this particular offense. When I use the term mandatory, do you
understand what I mean by that?
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 8
MR. WALTERS: Yes, sir.
COURT: What do you believe mandatory to mean?
MR. WALTERS: You got to complete that (inaudible). I mean, mandatory means
you have to do that time day for day.
COURT: Correct.
You understand that there is a mandatory prison sentence, and the minimum
mandatory prison sentence is two years?
MR. WALTERS: Yes, sir.
The trial court also declined to address the issue of community control, given the mandatory
prison sentence, noting as follows:
COURT: Now counselors, because community control is not an option to the
Court at the time of sentencing, due to a mandatory prison sentence, the Court
does not intend to review community control. Uh, does the State have any
objection?
PROS ATTY KELLEY: No, Your Honor.
COURT: Uh-
ATTY DRINNON: No objection, Your Honor.
The trial court then again addressed the maximum sentence noting as follows:
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 9
COURT: Now Mr. Walters, uh, this is a free to argue plea agreement. Meaning
that uh, the minimum sentence will be two years, the maximum sentence will be
eight years, and Fifteen Thousand Dollars in fines, the mandatory and automatic it
would be a Tier III Registered Sex Offender.
The trial court went on to discuss the plea of guilty entry form signed by Walters. In particular,
the following exchange occurred:
COURT: * * * Mr. Walters, Mr. Kelley, on behalf of the Court, is going to
provide to you and your counsel a copy of the—the original of the plea of guilty.
You’re going to see on this document now uh, certain areas where the Court has
initialed in blue ink, uh circled—it should stand out to you – certain areas that are
emphasized and/or modified. I’ll need your initials by the Court’s acknowledging
your understanding of the same, and eventually your signature to the written plea
of guilty, please.
Mr. Walters, you’ve now signed your written plea of guilty to the offense of
Sexual Battery, with a specification that the victim was less than thirteen years of
age at the time of commission of the offense, a Felony of the Second Degree. * *
*
The plea of guilty entry form again enumerated that the maximum sentence was eight years
imprisonment. The trial court had circled a portion of the form indicating that a prison term was
mandatory, and had also handwritten in the words “minimum mandatory Two (2) years.”
{¶15} Here, after reviewing the transcript from the change of plea hearing, we believe
that the trial court substantially complied with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) in advising Walters of the
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 10
maximum penalty associated with the charge to which he entered his guilty plea. Walters
verbally acknowledged that he understood the mandatory nature of the penalties, even providing
a definition of the term “mandatory”. In particular, Walters acknowledged to the trial judge in
open court that he understood the maximum penalty to be eight years in prison, and that any
sentence would be mandatory. Walters also signed the guilty plea entry form acknowledging that
he understood the maximum sentence.
{¶16} Walters argues that the trial judge’s handwritten note on the guilty plea entry
form, indicating “minimum mandatory Two (2) years”, misled him as to the maximum sentence
for the offense. Specifically, he argues that he was led to believe that only two years of his
sentence would be mandatory, when in reality, the entire sentence is mandatory. However, there
is no evidence that Walters actually relied upon the guilty plea entry form when he entered his
guilty plea. If Walters did not rely upon the guilty plea entry form, then he cannot claim that the
language in that entry caused his plea to be less than knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. The
guilty plea entry form was not acknowledged by Walters until near the end of the change of plea
hearing. By that point in time the trial court had already concluded its colloquy with Walters, and
Walters had acknowledged his understanding of the maximum and mandatory nature of the
sentence. We further note that in addition to the contested language, the guilty plea entry form
also clearly sets out the sentencing range for the offense of sexual battery as charged, and
indicates that a prison term is mandatory.
{¶17} Finally, we have previously held that failure of the trial court to explain
defendant’s eligibility for judicial release does not violate a defendant’s Crim.R. 11 rights. See
State v. Bryant, 4th Dist. Meigs No. 11CA19, 2012-Ohio-3189, ¶ 7.
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 11
{¶18} In sum, knowledge of the maximum penalties is a non-constitutional right and the
trial court substantially complied with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) by advising Walters as to the
maximum penalties and mandatory nature of the penalties. Accordingly, we overrule Walters’
first assignment of error.
B. Validity of Sentence
{¶19} In his second assignment of error, Walters contends that the trial court erred by
imposing a “hybrid” sentence, which consists of both mandatory and discretionary prison time.
{¶20} When reviewing felony sentences we apply the standard of review set forth in
R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). See State v. Brewer, 2014–Ohio–1903, 11 N.E.3d 317, ¶ 33 (4th Dist.) (“we
join the growing number of appellate districts that have abandoned the Kalish plurality’s second-
step abuse-of-discretion standard of review; when the General Assembly reenacted R.C.
2953.08(G)(2), it expressly stated that ‘[t]he appellate court’s standard of review is not whether
the sentencing court abused its discretion’ ”). R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) specifies that an appellate
court may increase, reduce, modify, or vacate and remand a challenged felony sentence if the
court clearly and convincingly finds that “the record does not support the sentencing court’s
findings” under the specified statutory provisions or “the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.”
{¶21} Walters pled guilty to sexual battery in violation of R.C. 2907.03(A)(5) with the
specification that the victim was less than thirteen years of age, a second-degree felony. R.C.
2907.03(B) provides the sentence for this offense and states that “the court shall impose upon the
offender a mandatory prison term equal to one of the prison terms prescribed in section 2929.14
of the Revised Code for a felony of the second degree.” R.C. 2929.14, which governs basic
prison terms, provides that “[f]or a felony of the second degree, the prison term shall be two,
three, four, five, six, seven, or eight years.” Therefore, whatever prison term the court imposes
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 12
pursuant to R.C. 2929.14 for second-degree felony sexual battery offenses in violation of R.C.
2907.03(A)(5)/(B) is a mandatory term.
{¶22} Walters failed to object to the imposition of the sentence at the sentencing hearing
and forfeited this issue, absent plain error. Crim.R. 52(B). For a reviewing court to find plain
error: (1) there must be an error, i.e., “a deviation from a legal rule”; (2) the error must be plain,
i.e., “an ‘obvious' defect in the trial proceedings”; and (3) the error must have affected
“substantial rights,” i.e., it must have affected the outcome of the proceedings. State v. Barnes,
94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). “[T]he burden of demonstrating plain error is on
the party asserting it.” State v. Davis, 116 Ohio St.3d 404, 2008–Ohio–2, 880 N.E.2d 21, ¶ 378.
“We take notice of plain error with the utmost of caution, under exceptional circumstances, and
only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.” State v. Merryman, 4th Dist. Athens No.
12CA28, 2013–Ohio–4810, ¶ 49.
{¶23} In State v. Ware, 141 Ohio St.3d 160, 2014–Ohio–5201, 22 N.E.3d 1082, ¶ 10,
the Ohio Supreme Court was faced with the certified question: “When the imposition of a
mandatory prison term is statutorily-mandated for a specific felony offense, is the trial court
permitted to impose a total prison term within the maximum allowed, only a portion of which is
mandatory under the statute?” The Court held that trial courts have no authority to divide a
singular “mandatory prison term” into “a hybrid of mandatory and discretionary sub-terms.”
Ware at ¶ 17 (“No sentencing statute allows a court to divide a singular ‘mandatory prison term’
into a hybrid of mandatory and discretionary sub-terms.”).
{¶24} Reading R.C. 2907.03 and Ware together, the entire prison term was required to
be mandatory. The only discretion the trial court had when sentencing Walters was how many
years that mandatory prison term would be. The sentencing entry imposed “a mandatory stated
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 13
prison term of seven (7) years, in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, with
minimum mandatory Two (2) years.” While the trial court’s intent is not entirely clear, the
imposed sentence suggests a hybrid of mandatory and discretionary sub-terms. Thus, based on
R.C. 2907.03 and Ware, we find the trial court’s imposition of a hybrid sentence was not
authorized by law and was contrary to law. Additionally, we find that Walters’ sentence clearly
deviates from a legal rule; and the error is obvious from reviewing the record.
{¶25} As far as whether the error affected Walters’ substantial rights, “[t]he Supreme
Court of Ohio has declared, ‘[j]udges have no inherent power to create sentences * * * [and lack]
the authority to impose a sentence that is contrary to law.’ ” State v. Clay, 4th Dist. Lawrence
No. 11CA23, 2013-Ohio-4649, ¶ 76, quoting State v. Fischer, 128 Ohio St.3d 92, 2010-Ohio-
6238, 942 N.E.2d 332, ¶¶ 22–23. “[J]udges are duty-bound to apply sentencing laws as they are
written.” Fischer at ¶ 22. We find that since the trial court imposed a sentence that is contrary to
law and not authorized by law, the sentencing error did affect Walters’ substantial rights. Accord
State v. Wharton, 2015-Ohio-5026, 53 N.E.3d 758, ¶ 34 (4th Dist.).
{¶26} Based on the foregoing, we find that the trial court committed plain error by
sentencing Walters to a hybrid prison sentence. Accordingly, we sustain Walters’ second
assignment of error and remand the matter for resentencing in accordance with this opinion.2
IV. Conclusion
2
Walters cites our decision in State v. Whitfield, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 14CA3615, 2015-Ohio-4139, ¶ 14, and argues
that the correct remedy is to vacate his guilty plea. However, Whitfield is distinguishable from the case sub judice.
Whitfield involved an appeal from a denial of a post-sentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea. Id. at ¶ 7. In that
case we were not provided a transcript of the plea hearing, but concluded that imposition of an agreed hybrid
sentence was such an egregious error that the appellant must not have been properly instructed on the maximum
penalties involved. Id. at ¶¶ 9, 12-13. In contrast, in the case sub judice, we have had the benefit of reviewing the
plea hearing transcript and have concluded that the trial court substantially complied with Crim.R. 11. We believe
this case to be more analogous to State v. Clark, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-697, 2015-Ohio-1239, which
involved an appeal of a hybrid sentence. Like here, the court in Clark determined the hybrid sentence to be improper
and that the proper remedy was to remand for resentencing. Id. at ¶¶ 5-8.
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 14
{¶27} Having overruled Walters’ first assignment of error, we affirm his conviction;
however, having sustained his second assignment of error, we reverse his sentence and remand
for resentencing.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED IN PART,
REVERSED IN PART,
AND CAUSE REMANDED.
Harsha, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part.
{¶28} I respectfully dissent from that part of the judgment and opinion sustaining
Walters’s second assignment of error, which asserts that the trial court erred by imposing a
hybrid sentence, i.e., both mandatory and discretionary prison time. By not raising this objection
below, Walters forfeited all but plain error. State v. Black, 4th Dist. Ross No. 12CA3327, 2013–
Ohio–2105, ¶ 20–21 appeal not allowed, 136 Ohio St.3d 1558, 2013–Ohio–4861, 996 N.E.2d
985, ¶ 20–21 (2013); State v. Garvin, 197 Ohio App.3d 453, 2011–Ohio–6617, 967 N.E.2d 1277,
¶ 51 (4th Dist.).
{¶29} Under Crim.R. 52(B) we may notice plain errors or defects affecting substantial
rights. “Inherent in the rule are three limits placed on reviewing courts for correcting plain
error.” State v. Payne, 114 Ohio St.3d 502, 2007–Ohio–4642, 873 N.E.2d 306, ¶ 15. “ ‘First,
there must be an error, i.e., a deviation from the legal rule. * * * Second, the error must be plain.
To be ‘plain’ within the meaning of Crim.R. 52(B), an error must be an ‘obvious' defect in the
trial proceedings. * * * Third, the error must have affected ‘substantial rights.’ We have
interpreted this aspect of the rule to mean that the trial court's error must have affected the
outcome of the trial.' ” Id. at ¶ 16, 873 N.E.2d 306, quoting State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27,
759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). We will notice plain error “only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 15
justice.” State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus.
“Reversal is warranted only if the outcome of the trial clearly would have been different absent
the error.” State v. Hill, 92 Ohio St.3d 191, 203, 749 N.E.2d 274 (2001). In our context the word
“trial” should be construed to mean the outcome of the “proceeding”.
{¶30} I would not exercise our discretion to invoke the plain-error doctrine for three
reasons.
{¶31} First, I am not persuaded that a manifest miscarriage of justice has occurred. The
trial court expressly indicated that it was sentencing Walters to a “mandatory stated prison term
of seven (7) years.”
{¶32} Second, Walters does not invoke the plain-error doctrine in his appellate briefs.
See State v. Gavin, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 13CA3592, 2015-Ohio-2996, ¶ 25, citing State v.
Quarterman, 140 Ohio St.3d 464, 2014–Ohio–4034, 19 N.E.3d 900, ¶ 17–20 (appellate court
need not consider plain error where appellant fails to timely raise plain-error claim).
{¶33} Third, it is questionable whether the trial court imposed a hybrid sentence. The
court pronounced that all potential sentences were mandatory and it was imposing a mandatory
prison term of seven years from the statutory range of 8 to 12 years. The additional language
referencing a “minimum mandatory” of two years was mere surplusage; it addressed the
statutory minimum sentence, which was also a mandatory sentence. It did not modify the
mandatory nature of the entire term. Although this surplusage was indeed “inartful” as the state
concedes, at no point at the hearing or in its sentencing entry did the trial court indicate that any
part of its sentence was discretionary. Like the trial court’s sentencing entry in Ware, 141 Ohio
St.3d 160, 2014-Ohio-5201, 22 N.E.3d 1082, at ¶ 14, the trial court did not impose a
discretionary component in its sentence nor could it. And although Walters cites our decision in
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 16
Whitfield, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 14CA3615, 2015-Ohio-4139, in support of his second assignment
of error, that case is distinguishable because the sentencing entry in that case expressly mandated
that the sentence was for “nine (9) years, in which six (6) years is mandatory.” Id. at ¶ 9. There
was no manifest imposition of a discretionary component to Walters’s sentence here.
{¶34} Consequently, I dissent from the judgment sustaining the second assignment of
error and reversing the judgment of the trial court.3 I concur in the remainder of the judgment
and opinion overruling Walters’s first assignment of error.
3
As my colleague Judge Abele has often correctly noted, felony sentencing has become an exercise akin to solving
Rubik’s cube. One website proclaims to solve that puzzle “you only have to learn six algorithms.” Our sentencing
puzzle should be so simple.
Adams App. No. 15CA1009 17
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN
PART and that the CAUSE IS REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion. Appellant and appellee shall split the costs.
The Court finds that reasonable grounds existed for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Adams County
Court of Common Pleas to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS
BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is
temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The
purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an
application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued by
this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of
the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day
appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of sixty days,
the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Abele, J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion.
Harsha, J.: Concurs in Part and Dissents in Part with Opinion.
For the Court
BY: ____________________________
Marie Hoover, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and
the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.