State v. Buchanan

[Cite as State v. Buchanan, 2017-Ohio-1361.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 104500
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
TOMMY J. BUCHANAN
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-14-588303-A
BEFORE: McCormack, J., E.A. Gallagher, P.J., and Celebrezze, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: April 13, 2017
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Ronald A. Skingle
6505 Rockside Road, Suite 320
Independence, OH 44131
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Michael C. O’Malley
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
By: Denise J. Salerno
Assistant County Prosecutor
Justice Center, 9th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
TIM McCORMACK, J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Tommy Buchanan appeals from a judgment of the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas that convicted him of rape following a jury
trial. Buchanan was accused of forcing a 14-year-old girl, L.F., into his vehicle while
she was on her way to school, driving her several blocks to a parking lot, and raping
her. The incident occurred in 1994 but the crime remained unsolved until 2013, when
Buchanan’s DNA was matched to the rape kit collected from the 14-year-old on the day
of the incident. After a careful review of the record and applicable law, we affirm
Buchanan’s conviction.
Substantive Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} After the DNA match, on August 14, 2014, Buchanan was indicted of rape
and kidnapping, both counts accompanied with a three-year firearm specification. At
the time of his indictment, he was serving a lengthy prison term for a prior rape
conviction. Because of his mental health conditions, a trial initially scheduled for May
4, 2015, was cancelled and he was referred to the Court Psychiatric Clinic for a
competency and sanity evaluation. After Buchanan was evaluated, a trial was
subsequently scheduled nearly one year later for May 2, 2016.
{¶3} On the very day of his trial, Buchanan’s counsel informed the court for the
first time that Buchanan wanted to proceed pro se. After a thorough, extensive colloquy
with Buchanan, the trial court denied his request for self-representation.
{¶4} Before the trial, the state moved to amend the date of the offense from
August 22, 1994, to December 23, 1994. The state explained that the rape kit was
collected on the day of the incident, December 23, 1994, but the indictment inadvertently
listed August 22, 1994, as the date of the offense. The court granted the amendment on
the ground that the defendant was claiming consensual sex instead of asserting an alibi
defense. The defense objected to the amendment but did not ask for a continuance of
trial.
{¶5} The testimony by the state’s witnesses, including L.F. herself, reflects that
in the early morning of December 23, 1994, L.F. took an RTA bus to enable her to then
catch her school bus. After she got off the RTA bus, as she was walking to the school
bus stop, a car drove by and then turned around. The driver forced her inside the car.
The driver, whom she had never seen before, locked the car door and told her he had a
gun. He drove several blocks and parked the car in the back of a parking lot of an
apartment building on Kenmore Avenue. He then punched her in the face and forced
her to engage in intercourse with him. After he finished the assault, he told her to get
out of the car and drove off. L.F. walked across the parking lot and saw a woman who
appeared to be leaving for work. L.F. approached her and asked for help. The woman,
Vanessa Hurt, also testified at trial.
{¶6} Hurt corroborated L.F.’s testimony. On that morning, as she was leaving
for work, a young girl, who was crying and appeared upset, told her she had been raped
by a man who took her from a bus stop. Hurt brought L.F. inside her apartment and
called the police. An ambulance took L.F. to the hospital. The nurse who treated her
at the hospital testified at trial as well. She recalled that L.F.’s mother and a school
board member came to the hospital and a rape kit was collected.
{¶7} The police however were unable to identify the man until 2013, when a test
of the rape kit linked Buchanan to the incident. When presented with a photo array 20
years later, L.F. was only able to identify Buchanan with a 50% certainty.
{¶8} Buchanan testified on his own behalf. His testimony was rambling and
disjointed. Initially when interviewed by the police, he denied knowing L.F. He
testified that he knew L.F. around December 1994. He implied L.F. was a prostitute at
the time; he first met her when she was “walking back and forth on the sidewalk like she
was flagging down cars.” She told him she was 20. He testified that he had sex with
her on four occasions. On the day she accused him of raping her, they had sex behind a
dumpster in a parking lot on Kenmore Avenue. He asserted that she went to the police
afterward because on that day she told him she was pregnant by him and he denied being
the father.
{¶9} The jury found Buchanan guilty of rape, but not guilty of kidnapping or the
firearm specification. The trial court sentenced him to 11 years in prison, to be served
consecutively to the prison term he was serving for his prior conviction of a sex offense.
{¶10} On appeal, Buchanan raises two assignments of error for our review. They
state:
1. The trial court violated appellant, Tommy Buchanan’s constitutional
right to self representation by denying him the ability to defend
himself at trial without the assistance of counsel.
2. The trial court erred by granting the state’s motion to amend the date
of the offense in the indictment of the date of trial.
Self-representation
{¶11} Under the first assignment of error, Buchanan claims the trial court violated
his constitutional right of self-representation. We review this claim for an abuse of
discretion. State v. Vrabel, 99 Ohio St.3d 184, 2003-Ohio-3193, 790 N.E.2d 303.
{¶12} The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees a
criminal defendant a right to self-representation. State v. Gibson, 45 Ohio St.2d 366,
345 N.E.2d 399 (1976), paragraph one of the syllabus, citing Faretta v. California, 422
U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975). However, the right of
self-representation is not absolute. Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164, 128 S.Ct. 2379,
171 L.Ed.2d 345 (2008). A defendant “may proceed to defend himself without counsel
when he voluntarily, and knowingly and intelligently elects to do so.” Gibson at
paragraph one of the syllabus, citing Faretta.
{¶13} The courts, however, are to indulge in every reasonable presumption against
the waiver of a fundamental constitutional right such as the right to be represented by
counsel. State v. Dyer, 117 Ohio App.3d 92, 95, 689 N.E.2d 1034 (2d Dist.1996). A
criminal defendant must “unequivocally and explicitly invoke” his right to
self-representation. State v. Cassano, 96 Ohio St.3d 94, 2002-Ohio-3751, 772 N.E.2d
81, ¶ 38. In addition, the right of self-representation must be timely invoked. Id. In
Cassano, the court held that the defendant’s request for self-representation three days
before the trial was untimely. Id. at ¶ 40, citing United States v. Mackovich, 209 F.3d
1227, 1237 (10th Cir.2000) (requests made six to ten days before trial was untimely), and
United States v. George, 56 F.3d 1078, 1084 (9th Cir.1995) (request made on the eve of
trial was untimely). When a request for self-representation is not unequivocally and
timely made, the trial court may, in its discretion, deny the request. State v. Halder, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 87974, 2007-Ohio-5940, ¶ 50.
{¶14} Moreover, when a defendant invokes a right to self-representation, the trial
court must ensure that the defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his right to
counsel. Gibson. The defendant need not have the skill and experience of a lawyer but
he should be “made aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation” so
that the record shows that his choice was made “with eyes open.” State v. Martin, 103
Ohio St.3d 385, 2004-Ohio-5471, 816 N.E.2d 227, ¶ 35. In addition, to be a knowing
and intelligent waiver,
such waiver must be made with an apprehension of the nature of the
charges, the statutory offenses included within them, the range of allowable
punishments thereunder, possible defenses to the charges and circumstances
in mitigation thereof, and all other facts essential to a broad understanding
of the whole matter.
Gibson at 377.
{¶15} There is no prescribed colloquy to establish an effective waiver; the
information a defendant must possess to make an intelligent election “‘depend[s] on a
range of case-specific factors, including the defendant’s education or sophistication, the
complex or easily grasped nature of the charge, and the stage of the proceeding.’” State
v. Johnson, 112 Ohio St.3d 210, 2006-Ohio-6404, 858 N.E.2d 1144, ¶ 101, quoting Iowa
v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77, 88, 124 S.Ct. 1379, 158 L.Ed.2d 209 (2004).
{¶16} Here, Buchanan made a verbal request for self-representation for the first
time on the day of trial. He was represented by the same counsel during the two years
this criminal matter was pending, yet he did not seek self-representation until the morning
of trial. Buchanan told the trial court he wanted to represent himself because he knew
the accuser and he could tell his side of the story better than anyone else. The trial court
determined that his last-minute verbal request does not reflect a timely or unequivocal
request for self-representation. We agree.
{¶17} Most significantly, the record reflects that the trial court engaged Buchanan
in an extensive and thorough inquiry to ascertain if Buchanan knew the nature of and the
dangers and risks of self-representation and was relinquishing his right to counsel
knowingly and intelligently. The trial court made comprehensive inquiries into his
understanding of the case, the nature of the charges pending against him, his defenses, the
range of punishments, in addition to his knowledge of rules of criminal procedure and
evidence. After this lengthy colloquy, the trial court was not convinced that Buchanan
was fully aware of the hazards of representing himself or that his waiver of counsel was
knowing and intelligent. Having the benefit of observing Buchanan’s demeanor and
listening to his often muddled and confused answers, the trial court was in the best
position to determine whether his waiver of counsel was knowing and intelligent. See
Halder; see also United States v. Frazier-El, 204 F.3d 553, 560 (4th Cir.2000). The trial
court was not required to surrender the courtroom to a defendant who wished to represent
himself but failed to demonstrate that he waived the right to counsel knowingly and
intelligently.
{¶18} Buchanan’s day-of-trial verbal request for self-representation was not
unequivocal or timely. The record does not reflect that his waiver of counsel was
knowing or intelligent. The trial court utilized its discretion. It did not abuse its
discretion in denying his request. The first assignment of error is without merit.
Amendment of Indictment
{¶19} Before the commencement of the trial, the state moved, pursuant to Crim.R.
7(D), to amend the date of the offense from August 22, 1994, to December 23, 1994.
The state explained that the rape kit was dated December 23, 1994, and the date on the
indictment was an inadvertent clerical error.
{¶20} Under the second assignment of error, Buchanan argues that the trial court
erred in allowing the state to amend the date of the offense shortly before the trial. He
claims on appeal that he was prejudiced by the last-minute amendment because he was
not provided with adequate time to recollect the events of his life on the new date.
{¶21} Crim.R. 7(D) provides that a trial court “may at any time before, during, or
after a trial amend the indictment, information, complaint, or bill of particulars, in respect
to * * * any variance with the evidence, provided no change is made in the name or
identity of the crime charged.” Under the rule, the state is permitted to amend an
indictment to conform to the evidence, provided that there is no change in the name or
identity of the offense charged. This court reviews the trial court’s decision to permit the
amendment of an indictment for an abuse of discretion, and, to show a reversible error
has occurred, Buchanan must show not only that the trial court abused its discretion, but
that the amendment prejudiced his defense. State v. Beach, 148 Ohio App.3d 181,
2002-Ohio-2759, 772 N.E.2d 677, ¶ 23 (1st Dist.).
{¶22} A change in the name or identity of a crime charged occurs when the
offense alleged in the indictment and the offense alleged in the amended indictment
contain different elements that require independent proof. State v. Mullins, 124 Ohio
App.3d 112, 114, 705 N.E.2d 709 (12th Dist.1997). The date and time of a rape is not
an essential element of the offense. State v. Collinsworth, 12th Dist. Brown No.
CA2003-10-012, 2004-Ohio-5902. Where the amendment does not change the name or
identity of the offense, as here, we will not disturb the trial court’s decision to permit the
amendment absent an abuse of discretion and a showing of prejudice. State v. Moore,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103123, 2016-Ohio-2836, ¶ 29.
{¶23} Buchanan claims he was prejudiced by the amendment, yet he has not
demonstrated how or why his defense was hampered by the amendment of the offense
date, because his defense at trial was not alibi. See, e.g., State v. Smith, 4th Dist. Scioto
No. 09CA3321, 2010-Ohio-5953, ¶ 18 (the defendant failed to show that he suffered
prejudice as a result of an amendment of the date of offense on the day of trial because he
did not present an alibi offense). Although on appeal Buchanan claims the last-minute
amendment of the date prevented him from recalling the events on the new date, he
testified at trial that he knew L.F. around the time of the incident and admitted that he
engaged in sexual conduct with L.F. in the parking lot on Kenmore Avenue behind a
dumpster. The only issue in this rape case was whether L.F. consented to the sexual
conduct. Although the state’s last-minute change in the offense date shows a lack of
workmanship, Buchanan fails to show he was prejudiced by the amendment.
{¶24} The trial court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the state to amend
the date of the offense to conform to the evidence and Buchanan fails to demonstrate
prejudice. The second assignment of error is without merit.
{¶25} 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.
____________________________________
TIM McCORMACK, JUDGE
FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., J., CONCURS;
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, P.J., DISSENTS (WITH SEPARATE OPINION
ATTACHED)
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, P.J., DISSENTING:
{¶26} I respectfully dissent. I would sustain Buchanan’s first assignment of error
and find that the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to allow Buchanan to
represent himself at trial.
{¶27} The Sixth Amendment right to counsel includes a corollary right “‘to
dispense with a lawyer’s help.’” State v. Martin, 103 Ohio St.3d 385, 2004-Ohio-5471,
816 N.E.2d 227, ¶ 23, quoting Adams v. United States ex rel. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 279,
63 S.Ct. 236, 87 L.Ed. 268 (1942). The Sixth Amendment “guarantees that a defendant
in a state criminal trial has an independent constitutional right of self-representation and
that he may proceed to defend himself without counsel when he voluntarily, and
knowingly and intelligently elects to do so.” State v. Gibson, 45 Ohio St.2d 366, 345
N.E.2d 399 (1976), paragraph one of the syllabus. “This right is thwarted when counsel
is forced upon an unwilling defendant, who alone bears the risks of a potential
conviction.” State v. Obermiller, 147 Ohio St.3d 175, 2016-Ohio-1594, 63 N.E.3d 93, ¶
26, citing Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 819-820, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562(1975). If a trial court denies the right to self-representation when that right is properly
invoked, the denial is, per se, reversible error. Obermiller at ¶ 28, citing State v. Reed,
74 Ohio St.3d 534, 535, 660 N.E.2d 456 (1996).
{¶28} In this case, I believe the record shows that Buchanan both “unequivocally
and explicitly invoke[d]” his right to self-representation, State v. Cassano, 96 Ohio St.3d
94, 2002-Ohio-3751, 772 N.E.2d 81, ¶ 38, and that he voluntarily, knowingly and
intelligently elected to do so, Gibson at paragraph one of the syllabus, i.e., that he knew
what he was doing and made his choice with his “‘eyes open.’” Faretta at 835, quoting
Adams at 279. The trial court, therefore, abused its discretion in denying him that right.
{¶29} The trial court denied Buchanan’s request to proceed pro se at trial as
follows:
THE COURT: Okay. Pro se question is a difficult one. The court is
required to go through an analysis set out by Faretta versus California.
The court is required to inquire as to the defendant’s understanding of the
rules of civil procedure, criminal procedure and evidence. Mr. Buchanan
indicated that he’s aware of those rules. We talked about — a lot about due
process here, but was unable to give the court an example of a criminal rule
of procedure.
Additionally, the court inquired as to Mr. Buchanan’s knowledge of
hearsay, one the most common objections, and Mr. Buchanan had no
accurate explanation as to what hearsay was.
He has also demonstrated that he’s ill-suited for the jury selection process.
He does not know what a peremptory challenge is or challenge for cause,
nor the number of peremptory challenges that he would enjoy during the
jury selection process.
He has no knowledge at all of forensic science that the court anticipates will
be introduced during this trial by the state. The case is a 21 or two year old
CODIS hit rape case. While Mr. Buchanan does remember how his DNA
was selected by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, he
did not demonstrate any understanding how his DNA would have been part
of this trial in a rape kit.
So given the — also the fact that he has unspecified bipolar disorder. And
he has demonstrated that, the rapid speech and the rambling train of
thought, as demonstrated with the court psychiatric clinic, he demonstrated
again here in court today.
This court does not feel confident that Mr. Buchanan has the ability to
represent himself in even a rudimentary fashion and is concerned that he
would severely prejudice his himself were he allowed to do so.
This is the morning of trial. * * * The court is not in a position
to give Mr. Buchanan a break to further his
education on these legal matters.
Additionally, Mr. Buchanan hasn’t made himself aware of who the state
even intends to call in the case against him. So if he doesn’t know who
they’re calling, he is obviously not in a position to be prepared to
cross-examine any of those witnesses.
So the court is going to decline the request for Mr. Buchanan to go pro se
and represent himself at this point.
{¶30} Contrary to the trial court’s assertion, Buchanan’s failure to give specific
examples criminal procedure rules, his inability to explain the concept of hearsay and his
lack of familiarity with the jury-selection process and certain forensic-science issues are
not proper grounds for denying his request for self-representation. A defendant “need
not himself have the skill and experience of a lawyer” in order to choose
self-representation. Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562. As the
United States Supreme Court stated in Faretta:
We need make no assessment of how well or poorly [the defendant] had
mastered the intricacies of the hearsay rule and the California code
provisions that govern challenges of potential jurors on voir dire. For his
technical legal knowledge, as such, was not relevant to an assessment of his
knowing exercise of the right to defend himself.
Id. at 835-836.
{¶31} In this case, Buchanan clearly and unequivocally declared to the trial court
that he wanted to represent himself. The record shows that Buchanan was deemed
competent to stand trial, that he is literate and that he understood the nature and
seriousness of the offenses with which he was charged. The record further shows that,
following a thorough colloquy by the trial court, Buchanan knew and understood the
significant risks and disadvantages of proceeding pro se and that, notwithstanding those
risks and disadvantages, nevertheless wished of his informed free will to proceed pro se at
trial.
{¶32} Although the majority describes Buchanan’s responses to the trial court’s
inquiries as “often muddled or confused,” it is not surprising that a lay person might have
some difficulty providing clear, concise answers to questions asking him to explain broad
legal concepts such as “[w]hat is hearsay” or to state “the extent of your knowledge”
regarding “DNA forensic evidence.” The record reflects that when asked specific,
nonlegal questions, Buchanan had little difficulty providing direct, reasoned responses.
The record further reflects that Buchanan had a basic understanding of many of the legal
rules and concepts relevant to his defense, including the state’s burden of proof, the use
and importance of objections, potential defenses to the charges against him and his rights
with respect to his decision whether or not to testify in the case.
{¶33} The majority also makes much of the fact that Buchanan waited until the day
of trial to request self-representation. Buchanan, however, did not request a continuance
of the trial date and there is no indication in the record that Buchanan was not prepared to
proceed to trial on that date. Appointed defense counsel indicated that Buchanan had
showed him his notes and that Buchanan “appear[ed] to have done a fair amount of
preparation” for trial, including reviewing discovery and preparing questions for
witnesses. In addition, Buchanan’s responses to the trial court’s questions reflect that he
was familiar with much of the state’s evidence against him and that he had given thought
to and had a plan for his defense:
THE DEFENDANT: All she has is making allegation and complaints. I
plan to reveal to the jury they are negative allegation[s], complaints, and
there is no evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to support nothing that she’s
saying. Because DNA hit don’t mean nobody is raped. I can prove that
was a consensual relationship and the rape never took place. * * * The only
witness I got is myself to prove that there’s no evidence beyond a
reasonable doubt, to say I committed a rape crime. * * *
{¶34} Appointed defense also indicated that he would be willing to serve as
standby counsel to serve as a resource should Buchanan require assistance with any legal
issues that might come up during trial, to which Buchanan raised no objection.
{¶35} Following a thorough review of the record, I find no indication that
Buchanan was not knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waiving his right to counsel.
In my view, this is not a case of “surrendering the courtroom to a defendant,” as the
majority suggests. This is about preserving the right of “the accused personally * * * to
make his own defense”:
The Sixth Amendment does not provide merely that a defense shall be made
for the accused; it grants to the accused personally the right to make his
defense. It is the accused, not counsel, who must be “informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation,” who must be “confronted with the
witnesses against him,” and who must be accorded “compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor.” * * * The right to defend is given
directly to the accused; for it is he who suffers the consequences if the
defense fails.
Faretta, 422 U.S. at 819-820, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562.
{¶36} Buchanan was adamant that he wanted to represent himself at trial. He
repeatedly told the trial judge that he understood the ramifications of his decision and,
notwithstanding the potential risks and disadvantages of proceeding pro se, he wanted to
represent himself because he believed that “nobody [can] tell the * * * story the way I can
tell it.”
{¶37} The right to represent oneself pro se has long been recognized in this
country and is sacrosanct. Although the right is certainly not absolute, it may not be
dispensed with easily. A defendant who chooses to proceed pro se is often making an
unwise decision. However, on the record before us, I believe that was Buchanan’s
decision to make.
{¶38} In forcing Buchanan, under these circumstances, to be defended by counsel,
I believe the trial court abused its discretion and deprived him of his constitutional right
to conduct his own defense. Accordingly, I would sustain Buchanan’s first assignment
of error, vacate his conviction and remand the case for a new trial.