Court Opinion

ID: 4435993
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-09-05 14:08:35.393136+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:02:29.046609
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Hair, 2019-Ohio-3572.]

                               COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                              EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                 COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

STATE OF OHIO,                                   :

                 Plaintiff-Appellee,             :
                                                          No. 107964
                 v.                              :

LEONARD HAIR, II,                                :

                 Defendant-Appellant.            :

                                JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION

                 JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED IN PART, VACATED IN
                           PART, AND REMANDED
                 RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: September 5, 2019

          Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
                             Case No. CR-18-628933-A

                                           Appearances:

                 Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
                 Attorney, and Jillian J. Piteo, Assistant Prosecuting
                 Attorney, for appellee.

                 Brion P. Stenger, for appellant.

RAYMOND C. HEADEN, J.:

    I.       Procedural History and Factual Background

                   Appellant Leonard Hair, II (“Hair”), appeals the trial court’s

judgment, entered after guilty pleas, sentencing him to 39 years’ incarceration. Hair
contends (1) the trial court erred in imposing sentences on Count 19’s specifications;

(2) the trial court abused its discretion when it imposed consecutive sentences; (3)

the trial court erred by not giving sufficient weight to the mitigating factors under

R.C. 2929.12(C); and (4) the trial court erred by not giving sufficient weight to the

mitigating factors under R.C. 2929.12(E). For the reasons that follow, we affirm in

part, vacate in part, and remand.

              On May 31, 2018, Hair was indicted on 24 counts including charges

of aggravated robbery, in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1), and aggravated burglary,

in violation of R.C. 2911.11(A)(1) and (A)(2). On June 5, 2018, Hair pleaded not

guilty to the offenses, and the case proceeded to trial on October 10, 2018.

              Prior to trial, Hair accepted a plea agreement and withdrew his

previously entered not guilty pleas. Hair pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery on

Counts 1, 4, 15, and 20 in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1). Counts 1, 4, 15, and 20

each carried one- and three-year firearm specifications, a notice of prior conviction

specification, and a repeat violent offender (“RVO”) specification. Hair also pleaded

guilty to an amended Count 19, aggravated burglary, in violation of

R.C. 2911.11(A)(2). In the plea agreement, the parties agreed to dismiss the one- and

three-year firearm specifications and notice of prior conviction specification on

Count 19. Hair argues Count 19’s RVO specification was also dismissed in the plea

agreement but the state disagrees.
                In exchange for Hair’s guilty pleas, the state nolled Counts 2, 3, 5–14,

16–18, and 21–24. The court accepted Hair’s pleas and found him guilty. Hair was

subsequently sentenced on November 8, 2018.

                Hair now appeals, raising four assignments of error for our review.

   II.       Law and Analysis

         A. Imposing a Sentence on Count 19’s RVO Specification

                Hair argues the trial court erred when it sentenced him to three years

on a firearm specification and to ten years on a RVO specification under Count 19

because the plea agreement dismissed these specifications. Hair asks this court to

find his sentence on the Count 19 specifications void. The state concedes Count 19’s

firearm specifications should have been dismissed but argues the RVO specification

was to remain and, as a result, this matter should be remanded to the trial court.1

We find Hair’s guilty plea to Count 19 was not knowingly, intelligently, and

voluntarily entered and, therefore, was invalid because it did not comply with

Crim.R. 11.

                The purpose of Crim.R. 11(C) is to provide the defendant with relevant

information so that he can make a voluntary and intelligent decision whether to

plead guilty. State v. Ballard, 66 Ohio St. 2d 473, 480, 423 N.E.2d 115 (1981). In

determining whether a guilty plea was entered knowingly, intelligently, and

voluntarily, an appellate court analyzes the totality of the circumstances through a

         1
        The state stated during oral argument that a remand would not alter Hair’s 39-
year sentence and the trial court simply needs to clarify the record showing Count 19’s
firearm specifications were dismissed.
de novo review of the record. State v. Spock, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99950, 2014-

Ohio-606, ¶ 7. The appellate court evaluates whether the trial court fulfilled the

duties of Crim.R. 11(C)(2) to inform the defendant of the constitutional and

nonconstitutional rights he waives when he enters a guilty plea.

              A trial court must strictly comply with the Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c)

requirements that relate to the waiver of constitutional rights. State v. Veney, 120
Ohio St. 3d 176, 2008-Ohio-5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, ¶ 18. Before accepting a guilty

plea, the trial court must advise the defendant that his plea waives these

constitutional rights: (1) the right to a jury trial, (2) the right to confront one’s

accusers, (3) the right to compulsory process to obtain witnesses, (4) the right to

require the state to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and (5) the privilege

against compulsory self-incrimination. Id. at ¶ 31.

              With respect to the nonconstitutional requirements of Crim.R. 11, set

forth in Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) and (b), trial courts must show only substantial

compliance with the rule. State v. Hill, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106542, 2018-Ohio-

4327, ¶ 8.     “‘Substantial compliance means that under the totality of the

circumstances the defendant subjectively understands the implications of his plea

and the rights he is waiving.’” Id., quoting State v. Nero, 56 Ohio St. 3d 106, 108,

564 N.E.2d 474 (1990); State v. Stewart, 51 Ohio St. 2d 86, 364 N.E.2d 1163 (1977).

Even where a trial court errs in attempting to comply with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a),

substantial compliance occurs if it appears from the record, despite the trial court’s
error, that the defendant understood the effect of his plea and the waiver of his

rights. State v. Tutt, 2015-Ohio-5145, 54 N.E.3d 619, ¶ 15 (8th Dist.).

                In evaluating substantial compliance with the nonconstitutional

requirements of Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a), the reviewing court determines whether the

trial court “partially complied” or “completely failed” to comply with the

requirement. Id. at ¶ 16. Where partial compliance occurs, the plea may be vacated

if the defendant shows a prejudicial effect. Id. A defendant establishes prejudice

where he shows he would not have entered into the plea if the trial court had

substantially complied with the requirements of Crim.R. 11(C). State v. Moore, 8th

Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105240, 2017-Ohio-8483, ¶ 17. Where the trial court completely

failed to comply, no analysis of prejudice is required, and the plea will be vacated.

Tutt at ¶ 16.

                In the instant case, Hair does not bring into question the trial court’s

notification of his constitutional rights.     Hair argues the trial court failed to

substantially comply with his nonconstitutional rights when it made conflicting

statements about the nature of the charges under amended Count 19. Therefore, the

issue of whether Hair knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made his plea relates

only to his nonconstitutional rights.

                Just prior to voir dire, the parties reached a plea agreement. During

the court’s discussion with Hair regarding the plea agreement and the charged

offenses, the court initially indicated that the three-year firearm specifications

would apply to Count 19, aggravated burglary. (Tr. 40-41.) Defense counsel
corrected the court and stated that specifications did not apply to Count 19 under

the plea agreement:

       [Defense Counsel]: I apologize, Judge. The burglary does not have the
       specifications. Just the four robberies.

       Court: I’m sorry. If I mentioned Count 19 has the specs, then I
       apologize. I was wrong. Actually, it does have — wait a minute. Count
       19 does have them.

       [Defense Counsel]: Not as part of the plea.

(Tr. 41.)

               The state then clarified that the firearm specifications were to be

dismissed, but the RVO specification would remain: “Right. I’m sorry if I didn’t

outline that properly, Your Honor. We are dismissing — we’re asking the Court to

dismiss the specs on that charge and asking the RVO remain.” (Tr. 41.) The court

immediately summarized the plea agreement under Count 19 by stating: “Then I

misspoke, Mr. Hair. For Count 19, if you plead guilty, you would be admitting to

aggravated burglary, an F1 with no specs, no notice of prior conviction, and no RVO.

[Prosecutor]?” (Tr. 41.) The prosecutor acknowledged the court had correctly

described the plea agreement under Count 19 even though the trial judge’s

statement did not accurately reflect prosecutor’s comment. The prosecutor stated

the plea agreement included Count 19 with no specifications, but the RVO

specification remained; the judge stated the RVO specification was not included

under Count 19.

               During that same hearing, the court accepted Hair’s guilty plea on

Count 19:
      Court: Finally, Mr. Hair, how do you plead to Count 19 as amended,
      aggravated burglary, a Felony 1 without any specs?

      The Defendant: Guilty.

(Tr. 49.) The trial court’s journalized entry of the plea agreement states Hair entered

a plea of guilty to Counts 1, 4, 15, 19, and 20. In regards to Count 19, the journal

entry reads:

      On recommendation of prosecutor, [C]ount(s) 19 of indictment is/are
      amended by deletion of firearm specification(s) — 1 year (2941.141),
      firearm specification(s) — 3 years (2941.145), notice of prior conviction
      specification(s), repeat violent offender specification(s) 2941.149.

               Despite Hair’s guilty plea to an amended Count 19 and the journal

entry documenting a guilty plea to amended Count 19, without specifications, the

court sentenced Hair on Count 19 and its attendant specifications as follows:

      On Count 19, Mr. Hair, you’re ordered to serve 11 years on the
      aggravated robbery in the Broadway/Slavic Village neighborhood.
      You’re ordered to serve 3 years on the merged specs and you’re ordered
      to serve 10 years on the repeat violent offender spec for that count.

(Tr. 89.) The sentencing hearing’s corresponding judgment entry states Hair

pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary under R.C. 2911.11(A)(2) as charged in Count

19 of the indictment. The sentencing journal entry does not reference “amended

Count 19” but simply “Count 19.”

               The sentencing journal entry states Hair was sentenced to three years

on Count 19’s firearm specifications even though the plea agreement dismissed
these specifications. Although the inclusion of Count 19’s firearm specifications

does not result in more prison time, the journal entry is incorrect on this issue.2

                The sentencing journal entry includes a sentence on Count 19’s RVO

specification; Hair argues he did not plead to this specification. Also, at the

sentencing hearing, the court ordered ten years for Count 19’s RVO specification.

The sentencing journal entry twice references Count 19’s RVO specification sentence

and assigns two different timeframes — nine years and ten years.

                The initial inquiry is whether Hair’s guilty plea on Count 19 was

provided knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. We look to the case of State v.

Cammon, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105124, 2017-Ohio-5587, where the trial court

informed Cammon at the plea hearing that the potential maximum prison terms for

the charged offenses were (1) 36 months for having weapons while under a

disability, and (2) 6 to 12 months for a fifth-degree felony of drug possession.

Immediately after that advisement, the trial court stated that because the sentences

for the two offenses could be served consecutively, the maximum prison term could

be 30 months. Cammon acknowledged he understood the potential maximum

prison term was 30 months. One month later, the trial court sentenced Cammon to

36 months. We found the Cammon court failed to substantially comply with

       2 At the sentencing hearing, the trial court found the one- and three-year firearm
specifications on each count merged into three-year firearm specifications under each
count. Count 15’s firearm specification is to be served first, followed by Count 20’s firearm
specification, and then Counts 1, 4, and 19’s firearm specifications. Counts 1, 4, and 19’s
firearm specifications are to be served concurrently to one another and consecutive to the
other firearm specifications, resulting in a nine-year sentence on all firearm
specifications.
Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) because the advisements at the plea hearing and the subsequent

sentence of 36 months were inconsistent.

              In the case sub judice, the trial court did not substantially comply with

Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a).   The trial judge, defense counsel, and prosecutor made

inconsistent statements about which specifications on Count 19 would be dismissed

under the plea agreement. The trial judge demonstrated partial compliance —

rather than complete failure of compliance — with the nonconstitutional

requirements when, during the plea hearing, he sought to clarify the charges on

Count 19. However, Hair was prejudiced by the partial compliance. We cannot state

Hair would have pleaded guilty to Count 19 had he known he could be subjected to

a longer term than what was stated during his plea hearing.

              Hair’s first assignment of error is sustained. Hair’s plea on Count 19

is vacated; his conviction on Count 19 is reversed; and his remaining convictions are

affirmed.

      B. Consecutive Sentences

              Hair argues the trial court erred when it imposed consecutive

sentences totaling 39 years on a 32-year-old man.3 The state asserts the record

3Because we sustained Hair’s first assignment of error, vacated his guilty plea on
amended Count 19, and remanded that count to the trial court for further proceedings,
Hair’s sentence of 39 years may be reduced upon remand.
supports the trial court’s sentence that was in compliance with all relevant law. We

agree with the state.4

               Hair argues the imposition of consecutive sentences was an abuse of

discretion. Hair incorrectly relies on the abuse of discretion standard identified in

State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St. 3d 23, 2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124. This court

now follows the standard of review set forth in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). State v.

Marcum, 146 Ohio St. 3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 16, 21.

               Pursuant to R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), an appellate court may vacate or

modify the imposition of consecutive sentences if the court determines by clear and

convincing evidence that the record does not support the trial court’s findings under

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) or that the sentence is otherwise contrary to law. State v. Nelson,

8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106858, 2019-Ohio-530, ¶ 8. A sentence is “contrary to law”

if the sentence is outside the statutory range for the particular degree of offense or

the trial court does not consider the purposes and principles of felony sentencing

and the seriousness and recidivism factors set forth in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12,

respectively. State v. Thomas, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107116, 2019-Ohio-790, ¶ 22.

Moreover, “[a]ppellate courts are to afford deference to a trial court’s broad

4 Our decision regarding Hair’s second, third, and fourth assignments of error is not
impacted by our decision above sustaining the first assignment of error. Where the
sentencing on one count in a case is reversed on appeal but the remaining counts are
affirmed, “the panel hearing the direct appeal must resolve the arguments made regarding
the counts that are unaffected by any reversal, including the manner in which the
unaffected sentences are to be served.” State v. Grayson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106578,
2019-Ohio-864, ¶ 22; State v. Holdcroft, 137 Ohio St. 3d 526, 2013-Ohio-5014, 1 N.E.3d
382, ¶ 8.
discretion in making sentencing decisions.” State v. Shivers, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga

No. 105621, 2018-Ohio-99, ¶ 9, citing State v. Rahab, 150 Ohio St. 3d 152, 2017-

Ohio-1401, 80 N.E.3d 431, ¶ 10.

                 The   imposition   of   consecutive   sentences   is   governed   by

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4):

      R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) provides that in order to impose consecutive
      sentences, the trial court must find that consecutive sentences are (1)
      necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the
      offender, (2) that such sentences would not be disproportionate to the
      seriousness of the conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the
      public, and (3) that one of the following applies:

      (a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses while
      the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction
      imposed pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the
      Revised Code, or was under postrelease control for a prior offense.

      (b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one
      or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the
      multiple offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no single
      prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of any of the
      courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender’s
      conduct.

      (c) The offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates that
      consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future
      crime by the offender.

Nelson at ¶ 9.

                 To comply with the above requirements of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), the

trial court must state during the sentencing hearing that it (1) engaged in the

analysis, (2) considered the statutory criteria, and (3) identified the basis for its

decision. Nelson at ¶ 10. The trial court’s statutory findings should also be
incorporated into the sentencing entry. State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St. 3d 209, 2014-

Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.3d 659, ¶ 29. While the reviewing court must be able to discern

from the record and sentencing entry evidence that supports the imposition of

consecutive sentences, the trial court need not provide a word-for-word recitation

of the statute. Nelson at ¶ 10.

               In the instant matter, the court stated during the sentencing hearing

that the imposition of consecutive sentences was necessary to protect the public

from future crime and to punish the offender, and that the sentences were not

disproportionate to the seriousness of the conduct and the danger Hair poses to the

public.   The trial court also found all three of the factors identified in

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c) applied:

      Now, I’ve imposed consecutive sentences here because I find that they
      are necessary to protect the public from future crime and to, Mr. Hair,
      adequately punish you for these crimes. I also find that consecutive
      sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of your conduct
      and to the danger that you pose the public. That danger was well
      described here this morning and it is evidenced also by the fact that, as
      I mentioned earlier, you had essentially just gotten out of prison and
      committed these crimes.

      I also find that you committed one or more of these offenses while
      under post-release control. And I also find that these crimes were
      committed as part of one or more courses of conduct and the harm
      caused by two or more of them was so great or unusual that no single
      prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of the courses of
      conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of your conduct.

      And finally, I have no doubt that your history of criminal conduct,
      especially over this roughly four-month, maybe five-month period
      demonstrates that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the
      public from future crime.
(Tr. 90-91.)

               In addition to making the appropriate consecutive sentence findings

during the sentencing hearing, the trial court incorporated the findings in the

sentencing journal entry as required by Bonnell.

               Hair argues the trial court abused its discretion because it imposed a

consecutive sentence on a 32-year-old defendant. In other words, Hair seeks a

determination that the trial court erred when it gave greater weight to the nature of

the offenses and the impact on the victims rather than Hair’s age. The trial court

expressly considered Hair’s age and, as a result, did not impose the maximum

sentence of 120 years, which would be the equivalent of a life sentence. (Tr. 91.) The

trial judge acknowledged this was not a capital case and he felt a life sentence should

be reserved under those limited circumstances. The trial court acted within its

discretion when it weighed the competing sentencing factors and placed more

weight on Hair’s conduct, victim impact, and the threat Hair posed to society rather

than his age. State v. Warner, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100197, 2014-Ohio-1519, ¶ 11.

It is not contrary to law for the trial court to place more weight on select factors; Hair

simply did not agree with the trial court’s conclusion.

               Nothing in the record clearly and convincingly demonstrates Hair’s

sentence was against the trial court’s findings under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). For all the

foregoing reasons, Hair’s second assignment of error is overruled.
      C. Mitigating Factors under R.C. 2929.12

               Hair argues the court did not give sufficient weight to the factors

under R.C. 2929.12(C) and (E) when it determined his sentence. Specifically, Hair

argues the court did not give sufficient weight to (1) his drug addiction and the fact

that he was “feeding his drug habit” at the time the offenses were committed, and

(2) his remorsefulness. The state argues the trial court considered the relevant

mitigating factors and Hair’s third and fourth assignments of error are without

merit. For the convenience of the court, we will address Hair’s third and fourth

assignments of error together.

               In regards to Hair’s third and fourth assignments of error, the

relevant issue is whether Hair’s sentence was contrary to law or, specifically, did the

trial court fail to consider R.C. 2929.12’s sentencing factors. Thomas, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 107116, 2019-Ohio-790, at ¶ 22.

               When imposing a sentence on a felony offense, the trial court must

consider the seriousness and recidivism factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12. Because

R.C. 2929.12 is not a fact-finding statute, the trial court is not required to make any

specific findings on the record stating its consideration of the statute. Id. at ¶ 20. It

is presumed that the trial court considered R.C. 2929.12 unless the defendant

affirmatively demonstrates the court’s failure to do so. Id.

               At Hair’s sentencing hearing, defense counsel argued Hair admitted

his guilt to the probation department and was genuinely remorseful for his actions.

Defense counsel argued Hair’s longstanding drug problem contributed to his
criminal acts and he is a different person now that he is no longer under the

influence of drugs. Hair provided the following apology:

      THE DEFENDANT: I’m sorry, mom. You raised me better than this.
      I would like to apologize to my victims. I never meant to cause harm
      and the pain and suffering that I have. But like he said, it’s no excuse,
      but I had a bad drug habit that I was attempting to provide for. At the
      same time it’s — I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Your Honor. Man.

      THE COURT: Anything else, sir?

      THE DEFENDANT: I just want you to know I’m not that person at all.
      I mean, I [did] bad in the past, but since I’ve been home I done had —
      I’ve had three jobs. Lost all of them due to drug activity. Man. But —
      I’m sorry.

(Tr. 86.)

              Hair was charged with four separate incidents — three robberies and

one burglary. The state summarized the offenses that Hair committed against four

elderly victims and described how the victims’ lives were adversely impacted. One

victim’s prepared written statement was read at the hearing. One victim and the

mother of another victim testified to the offenses against them and the long-term

impact the experiences had on their lives.

              The trial court took into account all testimony and statements made

during the sentencing hearing as well as the presentence-investigation report and

sentencing memorandum. The court offered the following statement:

      The Court: * * * Mr. Shaughnessy, Mr. Hair is not being sentenced as
      the reasonable person he presents as here today. He’s being sentenced
      for the things that he did that were described simply but eloquently by
      the victims of his crimes here this morning.
      As to the notion that drugs are in some way to blame, I’m not going to
      necessarily take issue with that other than to say that I imagine that not
      only I, you, the prosecutor, and everyone else who spoke here today has
      people we know who are drug or alcohol addicted who don’t do these
      things, who don’t take a gun on repeated occasions and rob people who
      have no reason to expect that it’s going to happen.

(Tr. 87.) Additionally, the trial court stated it considered the provisions of Chapter

2929 of the Ohio Revised Code. The sentencing journal entry indicates the court

considered all required factors of the law. These statements alone are sufficient to

satisfy the trial court’s sentencing obligations regarding R.C. 2929.12. Thomas, 8th

Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107116, 2019-Ohio-790, at ¶ 25.

              Our review of the record shows the trial court considered Hair’s drug

addiction and remorsefulness, but discounted these in lieu of other sentencing

factors.

              Based upon the foregoing, we find that the trial court considered all

of the relevant statutory factors, and Hair has not demonstrated “by clear and

convincing evidence that the record did not support the sentence.” Marcum, 146
Ohio St. 3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, at ¶ 23. Hair’s sentence was not

contrary to law, and accordingly, Hair’s third and fourth assignments of error are

overruled.

              Judgment affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded to the trial

court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

      It is ordered that appellant and appellee share the 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

convictions having been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case

remanded to the trial court for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

      A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27

of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

RAYMOND C. HEADEN, JUDGE

PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, P.J., and
FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., J., CONCUR