[Cite as State v. Kish, 2017-Ohio-7551.]

COURT OF APPEALS 

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO 

FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT 

STATE OF OHIO 

 Plaintiff-Appellee 

-vsMATTHEW KISH 

 Defendant-Appellant 

JUDGES: 

: Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J. 

: Hon. William B. Hoffman, J. 

: Hon. Earle E. Wise, J. 

: 

: 

: Case No. 17-CA-22 

: 

: 

: O P I N I O N 

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Fairfield Municipal 

Court, Case No. CRB16 02532 

JUDGMENT: Affirmed 

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: September 7, 2017 

APPEARANCES: 

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant 

DANIEL E. COGLEY JAMES R. KINGSLEY 

Assistant Law Director 157 West Main Street 

136 West Main Street Circleville, OH 43113 

Lancaster, OH 43130 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 2 

Gwin, P.J. 

{¶1} Appellant Matthew W. Kish appeals the May 9, 2017 Judgment Entry of the 

Fairfield County Municipal Court that granted the state’s motion to disqualify his criminal 

defense attorney. 

Facts and Procedural History 

{¶2} Matthew W. Kish is divorced from his former wife Melissa E. Kish. The 

couple have two minor children. Appellant presently resides with co-defendant Ashley 

Cook. 

{¶3} After the weekend of Appellant’s possession time, July 10 - 13, 2016, his 

minor son, W.K. (b. 06.11.2013) was delivered by father to daycare where severe bruising 

to the child’s bottom was observed and reported to the child’s mother. 

{¶4} On October 5, 2016, Appellant was charged in Fairfield County Municipal 

Court with Count A, Domestic Violence, M1, contrary to R.C. 2919.25(A) (physical harm 

to W.K.); Count B, Endangering Children, M1, contrary to R.C. 2919.22(A) (substantial 

risk of harm to W.K. by violating parental duty); Count C, Endangering Children, M1, 

contrary to R.C. 2919.22(B)(1) (abusing W.K.); Count D, Complicity to Endangering 

Children, M1, contrary to R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) (aid and abet Ashley Cook); Count E, 

Complicity to Endangering Children, M1, contrary to R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) (identical to 

Count D). 

{¶5} Ashley N. Cook, on the same date in the same court was charged with 

Count A, Assault, M1, contrary to R.C. 2903.13(A) (physical harm to W.K.); Count B, 

Endangering Children, M1, contrary to R.C. 2919.22(A) (substantial risk of harm to W.K. 

by violating parental duty); Count C, Endangering Children, M1, contrary to R.C. 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 3 

2919.22(B)(1) (abuse W.K.); Count D, Complicity to Endangering Children, M1, contrary 

to R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) (aid and abet Matthew Kish); and Count E, Complicity to 

Endangering Children, M1, contrary to R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) (same as Count D)1. Appellant 

and Cook are represented by the same attorney2. 

{¶6} On December 8, 2016, both Cook and Appellant moved the trial court to join 

their respective cases for jury trial. The trial court granted the joinder, noting “The court 

finds that the complaints alleging excessive corporal punishment against one child by 

both defendants on one date are identical and judicial economy dictates the same facts 

not be tried twice.” Joinder Entry, Fairfield County Municipal Court, filed Dec. 15, 2016. 

{¶7} On March 20, 2017, in State v. Ashley Cook, Fairfield County 

Municipal Court, Case No. 2016 CRB 02531, the state filed a motion to establish 

a conflict of interest for defense counsel’s joint representation of Cook and 

Appellant. The ground for the motion was that the state had extended a plea offer 

“in exchange for [Appellant’s] truthful testimony against [Cook] in this case.” 

Appellant filed a response to the state’s motion to disqualify on March 24, 2017, 

noting, 

Counsel replied to [the prosecutor] that [Appellant’s] testimony would 

be truthful but not helpful to the State. [Appellant’s] response was that he 

cannot tolerate any conviction on his record, even a minor misdemeanor, 

as he is a law enforcement officer with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. 

Further, his ex-wife would use any plea as an admission in the pending 

 1 State v. Ashley Cook, Fairfield County Municipal Court, Case No. 2016 CRB 02531. 

2 The same attorney represents both Cook and Kish on appeal. 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 4 

contested custody case which is based upon the facts of this case. The 

State declined to outright dismiss the charges. 

{¶8} By Judgment Entry filed April 5, 2017, the court set the motion for an 

oral hearing. At the hearing, the record reflects that the state offered Kish a plea 

to the lesser offense of disorderly conduct with persistence, a misdemeanor of the 

fourth degree, if he would testify against Ashley Cook. T. at 5-6. Appellant 

responded on the record, reiterating the reasons set forth in his response as 

reasons for rejecting the plea offer. When asked by his attorney, the following 

exchange occurred, 

 [Attorney]: And your position is unless there’s an outright dismissal, 

then there’s no plea bargain to be entered here? 

 [Appellant]: Yeah, I’m not going to plead to false allegations. 

T. at 11. Both Appellant and Cook stated on the record that they were satisfied 

with having the same attorney represent both of them. A written disclosure of 

potential conflict was entered into evidence. 

{¶9} On May 9, 2017, Judge Fields disqualified defense counsel from 

representing both defendants at trial finding, 

 The State has asserted orally and in its post hearing brief that it has 

made an offer for one co-defendant to testify against the other for a plea 

offer. Mr. Kish indicated at the oral hearing that he would not take a plea 

deal because nothing happened. However, the offer has been made and 

seemingly discussed by defense counsel and his clients. 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 5 

 The Court finds that [defense counsel] is placed in a conflict situation 

despite his unquestionable ability as a defense attorney. The Court must 

look to the interest of each of the Defendants and their right to have effective 

assistance free of conflict3. 

Assignment of Error 

{¶10} Appellant raises one assignment of error, 

{¶11} “I. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL ERROR WHEN IT 

DISQUALIFIED THE COUNSEL CHOSEN BY BOTH DEFENDANTS TO REPRESENT 

THEM IN A JOINT TRIAL.” 

Law and Analysis 

{¶12} The Sixth Amendment provides that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the 

accused shall enjoy the right ... to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.” An 

element of this right is the right of a defendant who does not require appointed counsel 

to choose who will represent him. See Wheat v. United States, 486 U.S. 153, 159, 108 

S.Ct. 1692, 100 L.Ed.2d 140 (1988). The erroneous denial of counsel of choice 

constitutes structural error. United States v. Gonzalez–Lopez, 548 U.S. 140, 150, 126 

S.Ct. 2557, 165 L.Ed.2d 409 (2006); State v. Chambliss, 128 Ohio St.3d 507, 2011–Ohio–

1785, 947 N.E.2d 651, ¶18. Such an error requires an automatic reversal of a conviction. 

Chambliss, ¶ 18; Gonzalez–Lopez, 548 U.S. at 148. 

{¶13} The right to counsel of choice is not unqualified, but is “only a presumptive 

right to employ * * * chosen counsel.” State v. Keenan, 81 Ohio St.3d 133, 137, 689 

N.E.2d 929 (1998). “‘[T]hat presumption may be overcome not only by a demonstration 

 3 Cook has filed a separate appeal in State v. Cook, 5th Dist. Fairfield No. 2017-CA-22. 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 6 

of actual conflict but by a showing of a serious potential for conflict.’” Id., quoting Wheat 

v. United States, 486 U.S. 153, 164, 108 S.Ct. 1692, 100 L.Ed.2d 140 (1988). A criminal 

defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel includes the right to be represented by an 

attorney with undivided loyalty. See Wood v. Georgia, 450 U.S. 261, 271, 101 S.Ct. 1097, 

67 L.Ed.2d 220 (1981). 

{¶14} Dual representation is not a per se violation of due process. Holloway v. 

Arkansas, 435 U.S. 475, 482, 98 S.Ct. 1173, 1178, 55 L.Ed.2d 426(1978), citing Glasser 

v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 92, 62 S.Ct. 457, 475, 86 L.Ed. 680(1942). It is possible 

that dual representation can work to the advantage of the clients in cases when they 

mount a common defense against charges. Id. at 483. However, joint representation of 

conflicting interests is “suspect because of what it tends to prevent an attorney from 

doing.” Holloway v. Arkansas, 435 U.S. 475, 489–490, 98 S.Ct. 1173, 1181, 55 L.Ed.2d 

426, 438(1978). Thus, a possible conflict of interest is inherent in almost all instances of 

joint or multiple representation of conflicting interests. Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 

348, 100 S.Ct. 1708, 1718, 64 L.Ed.2d 333, 346(1980). 

{¶15} “A lawyer represents conflicting interests when, on behalf of one client, it is 

his duty to contend for that which duty to another client requires him to oppose.” State v. 

Manross, 40 Ohio St.3d 180, 182, 532 N.E.2d 735, 738(1988). A possibility of a conflict 

exists if the “interests of the defendants may diverge at some point so as to place the 

attorney under inconsistent duties.” Cuyler, 446 U.S. at 356, 100 S.Ct. at 1722, 64 

L.Ed.2d at 351–352, fn. 3 (Marshall, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). 

{¶16} Trial courts presented with a conflict have an affirmative duty to protect a 

defendant’s rights. Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 62 S.Ct. 457, 86 L.Ed. 680 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 7 

(1942). In every case of joint representation, if the court “knows or reasonably should 

know that a particular conflict exists” it must initiate an inquiry about that conflict. Cuyler, 

446 U.S. at 347, 100 S.Ct. 1708. Accord, State v. Dillon, 74 Ohio St.3d 166, 168, 657 

N.E.2d 273(1995). 

{¶17} “‘[T]he standard of review for determining whether the court erred in its 

pretrial disqualification of defense counsel is whether it abused its broad discretion.’” 

State v. Keenan, 81 Ohio St.3d 133, 137, 689 N.E.2d 929 (1998), quoting State ex rel. 

Keenan v. Calabrese, 69 Ohio St.3d 176, 180, 631 N.E.2d 119 (1994). “The term ‘abuse 

of discretion’ connotes more than an error of law or of judgment; it implies that the court’s 

attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.” State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 

151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144 (1980). Further, in reviewing the trial court’s action, an 

appellate court must be cognizant of the context within which the ruling is made, and that 

“‘[t]he likelihood and dimensions of nascent conflicts of interest are notoriously hard to 

predict.’” Wheat v. U.S., 486 U.S. 153, 108 S.Ct. 1692, 100 L.Ed.2d 140 (1988). 

{¶18} In Keenan, the Ohio Supreme Court held that a criminal defendant’s 

presumptive right to counsel may be overcome by a showing of an actual or serious 

potential for conflict. Keenan at 137, 689 N.E.2d 929, citing Wheat. In Keenan, a death 

penalty case, the trial court disqualified the defendant’s retained counsel of choice 

because counsel had previously represented a co-defendant. 

{¶19} The Ohio Supreme Court determined that the trial court did not abuse its 

discretion by disqualifying counsel, because regardless of “whether or not an actual 

conflict of interest existed, there clearly was a potential conflict of interest inherent in 

Keenan’s representation by the same attorneys who had represented [his co-defendant] 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 8 

in litigation stemming from the same set of facts. ‘[A] possible conflict inheres in almost 

every instance of multiple representation.’” Keenan at 137, 689 N.E.2d 929, quoting 

Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 100 S.Ct. 1708, 64 L.Ed.2d 333 (1980). 

{¶20} “The trial judge has ‘wide latitude’ in determining that an actual or potential 

conflict exists.” Keenan, 81 Ohio St.3d at 137, 689 N.E.2d 929, quoting United States v. 

Mays, 69 F.3d 116, 121 (6th Cir. 1995). A possibility of a conflict of interest exists if the 

“‘interests of the defendants may diverge at some point so as to place the attorney under 

inconsistent duties.’” State v. Dillon, 74 Ohio St.3d 166, 168, 657 N.E.2d 273 (1995), 

quoting Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 356, 100 S.Ct. 1708, 64 L.Ed.2d 333 (1980), fn. 

3 (Marshall, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). An “actual, relevant” conflict of 

interest exists if “‘during the course of the representation, the defendants’ interests do 

diverge with respect to a material factual or legal issue or to a course of action.’” Cuyler 

at 356, fn. 3 (Marshall, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). 

{¶21} Moreover, a trial court “must be allowed substantial latitude in refusing 

waivers of conflicts of interest not only * * * where an actual conflict may be demonstrated 

before trial, but in the more common cases where a potential for conflict exists which may 

or may not burgeon into an actual conflict * * *.” Keenan, 81 Ohio St.3d at 137, 689 

N.E.2d 929, quoting Wheat at 163. As the Supreme Court of the United States has 

explained: 

 The likelihood and dimensions of nascent conflicts of interest are 

notoriously hard to predict, even for those thoroughly familiar with criminal 

trials. It is a rare attorney who will be fortunate enough to learn the entire 

truth from his own client, much less be fully apprised before trial of what 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 9 

each of the Government’s witnesses will say on the stand. A few bits of 

unforeseen testimony or a single previously unknown or unnoticed 

document may significantly shift the relationship between multiple 

defendants. These imponderables are difficult enough for a lawyer to 

assess, and even more difficult to convey by way of explanation to a criminal 

defendant untutored in the niceties of legal ethics. Nor is it amiss to observe 

that the willingness of an attorney to obtain such waivers from his clients 

may bear an inverse relation to the care with which he conveys all the 

necessary information to them. 

Wheat, 486 U.S. at 162-163, 108 S.Ct. 1692, 100 L.Ed.2d 140. 

{¶22} In Keenan, the Ohio Supreme Court found the existence of a potential 

conflict was “fatal” to Keenan’s appeal, and it was “irrelevant” that both Keenan and his 

codefendant waived their right to conflict free counsel. 81 Ohio St.3d at 136-137, 689 

N.E.2d 929. 

{¶23} In Wheat, the United States Supreme Court recognized circumstances in 

which “the Government may seek to ‘manufacture’ a conflict in order to prevent a 

defendant from having a particularly able defense counsel at his side.” 486 U.S. at 163, 

108 S.Ct. 1692. The United States Supreme Court further noted, however, “trial courts 

are undoubtedly aware of this possibility, and must take it into consideration along with 

all of the other factors which inform this sort of a decision.” Id. 

{¶24} Potential conflicts that can arise where the same attorney represents codefendants can include where both of the defendants wish to testify but they have differing 

explanations as to how the relevant events transpired. Where one of the defendants 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 10 

wishes to testify while the other does not and the silence of one might suggest to the jury 

that he alone is guilty of the crime. Additionally, the evidence against one of the 

defendant’s may be stronger than the evidence against the other and comparison of the 

respective strengths of the evidence against the two during plea bargaining or 

examination of witnesses or closing argument would be helpful to the defendant faced 

with the weaker evidence but would be harmful to the defendant faced with the stronger 

evidence. 

{¶25} In the case at bar, we find that the state’s offer of a plea bargain to Appellant 

to be in and of itself, insufficient to demonstrate a conflict of interest. 

{¶26} In Missouri v. Frye, __ U.S. __, 132 S.Ct. 1399, 182 L.Ed.2d 379 (2012), 

defense counsel allowed a plea offer to expire without communicating the offer to the 

defendant resulting in the defendant accepting a later offer that was less favorable. Frye,

at 1404. The Court held that “defense counsel has the duty to communicate formal offers 

from the prosecution to accept a plea....” 132 S.Ct. at 1408. Given this duty, the Court 

emphasized that the right to effective assistance of counsel extends to the negotiation 

and consideration of plea offers that have been rejected or have lapsed. Id. at 1407–08. 

{¶27} In Lafler v. Cooper, __U.S.__, 132 S.Ct. 1376, 182 L.Ed. 398 (2012), a 

favorable plea offer was reported to the client and rejected on the advice of counsel, who 

advised the defendant that the state could not prove intent because the victim was shot 

below the waist, even though the defendant shot the victim three times and missed her 

head once. The defendant took the case to trial and was convicted, after which he 

received a sentence more than three times higher than the plea offer. Notably, in an 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 11 

earlier communication with the trial court, the defendant had admitted guilt and expressed 

a willingness to accept the plea offer. 

{¶28} In Lafler, the Court reiterated that the Sixth Amendment requires effective 

assistance not just at trial but at all critical stages of a criminal proceeding, including plea 

bargaining. 132 S.Ct. at 1384. In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of 

counsel when counsel’s ineffective advice led to the rejection of a plea offer, the Court 

held that “a defendant must show that but for the ineffective advice, there is a reasonable 

probability that [1] the plea offer would have been presented to the court ...; [2] the court 

would have accepted [the plea];” and (3) the defendant was convicted of more serious 

offense or received a less favorable sentence than he would have received under the 

terms of the offer. Id. at 1385. 

{¶29} However, defense counsel’s deficient performance was stipulated in Lafler. 

Id. at 1383, 1391. The issue of deficient performance was not before the Court and was 

specifically not addressed. Id. at 1384, 1391. In fact, the Court declared, “an erroneous 

strategic prediction about the outcome of a trial is not necessarily deficient performance.” 

Id. at 1391. 

{¶30} In the case at bar, Appellant was informed of the plea bargain and rejected 

it in open court for reasons unrelated to the fact that his attorney also represents Cook. 

Nothing in the record before this Court suggests that counsel advised Appellant to reject 

the plea bargain. 

{¶31} Further, we are mindful that in Florida v. Nixon, the United State Supreme 

Court made the following observation, 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 12 

 A defendant, this Court affirmed, has “the ultimate authority” to 

determine “whether to plead guilty, waive a jury, testify in his or her own 

behalf, or take an appeal.” Jones v. Barnes, 463 U.S. 745, 751, 103 S.Ct. 

3308, 77 L.Ed.2d 987 (1983); Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 93, n. 1, 

97 S.Ct. 2497, 53 L.Ed.2d 594 (1977) (Burger, C. J., concurring). 

Concerning those decisions, an attorney must both consult with the 

defendant and obtain consent to the recommended course of action. 

* * * 

 While a guilty plea may be tactically advantageous for the defendant, 

[Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969)], 

at 240, 89 S.Ct. 1709, the plea is not simply a strategic choice; it is “itself a 

conviction,” id., at 242, 89 S.Ct. 1709, and the high stakes for the defendant 

require “the utmost solicitude,” id., at 243, 89 S.Ct. 1709. Accordingly, 

counsel lacks authority to consent to a guilty plea on a client’s behalf, 

Brookhart v. Janis, 384 U.S. 1, 6-7, 86 S.Ct. 1245, 16 L.Ed.2d 314 (1966); 

moreover, a defendant’s tacit acquiescence in the decision to plead is 

insufficient to render the plea valid, Boykin, 395 U.S., at 242, 89 S.Ct. 1709. 

534 U.S. 175, 187-188, 125 S.Ct. 551, 160 L.Ed.2d 565(2004). 

{¶32} That being said, we find that the trial court correctly concluded that, 

regardless of whether an actual conflict exists, there is clearly a potential conflict of 

interest inherent in counsel’s simultaneous representation of Appellant and Cook in 

litigation stemming from the same of set of facts. See Keenan, 81 Ohio St.3d at 136–

137, 689 N.E.2d 929. Neither the trial court, nor this court can foresee what evidence the 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 13 

state will present at trial, or what each of the co-defendants may wish to explore prior to 

trial. For instance, it is possible that Appellant will change his position and claim Cook 

committed the charged offenses alone. The evidence at trial may more strongly 

incriminate one defendant over the other. It is also possible that the evidence could more 

strongly exculpate one defendant over the other. Counsel representing both defendants 

would be precluded from arguing those facts to the jury that tend to incriminate one 

defendant but not the other or tend to exculpate one defendant but not the other. 

Additionally, while Appellant rejected a plea bargain, Cook may desire to explore potential 

plea bargains with the state rather than go to trial. 

{¶33} While the Appellants waived any conflict, the court was free to refuse their 

waiver. As in Keenan, nothing in the record suggests that the trial court’s decision to 

refuse the waiver and remove retained counsel was unreasonable, arbitrary, or 

unconscionable. Instead, it is clear the court based its decision on the potential for conflict 

and the court’s desire to protect both of the Appellants’ constitutional rights. 

{¶34} Appellant’s sole assignment of error is overruled. 
Fairfield County, Case No. 17-CA-22 14 

{¶35} The judgment of the Fairfield County Municipal Court is affirmed. 

By Gwin, P.J., 

Hoffman, J., and 

Wise, Earle, J., concur