Court Opinion

ID: 9372418
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-21 16:07:55.589592+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:35.259863
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Brill, 2023-Ohio-404.]

                        IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                            THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                 UNION COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,
                                                               CASE NO. 14-22-20
        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,

        v.

GARY LEON BRILL,                                               OPINION

        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

                   Appeal from Union County Common Pleas Court
                             Trial Court No. 22-CR-0131

                                           Judgment Affirmed

                            Date of Decision: February 13, 2023

APPEARANCES:

        Jonathan T. Tyack for Appellant

        Raymond Kelly Hamilton for Appellee
Case No. 14-22-20

WILLAMOWSKI, J.

       {¶1} Defendant-appellant Gary L. Brill (“Brill”) appeals the judgment of the

Union County Court of Common Pleas, challenging the sentence imposed by the

trial court on several grounds. For the reasons set forth below, the judgment of the

trial court is affirmed.

                           Facts and Procedural History

       {¶2} Brill was born in 1962. Doc. 1. Through his friendship with the W.

family, he came to know A.W. when she was three or four years old. PSI. Brill

hosted 4-H activities on his farm. PSI. A.W. participated in these 4-H activities as

a child. PSI. In between July 1, 2019 and October 31, 2019, Brill engaged in sexual

conduct on multiple occasions with A.W., who turned thirteen during the timeframe

in which this sexual conduct was occurring. Doc. 1. PSI. Tr. 16.

       {¶3} On June 21, 2022, Brill was charged, via a bill of information, with one

count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in violation of R.C. 2907.04(A), a

felony of the third degree. Doc. 1. Brill then pled guilty to the charge against him.

Doc. 3. On August 18, 2022, Brill appeared before the trial court for sentencing.

Doc. 14. The trial court sentenced Brill to serve the maximum prison term of sixty

months. Doc. 14, 15. The trial court then issued its judgment entry of sentencing

on August 18, 2022. Doc. 14.

       {¶4} Brill filed his notice of appeal on August 30, 2022. Doc. 20. On appeal,

he raises the following four assignments of error:

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Case No. 14-22-20

                            First Assignment of Error

       The maximum sentence imposed in this case is clearly and
       convincingly contrary to law.

                           Second Assignment of Error

       The Ohio Constitution provides jurisdiction for this Court to
       review and remand or modify criminal sentences that are
       contrary to any law. That authority cannot be vacated via statute,
       and a litigant with a right to appeal cannot be deprived of that
       right without due process of law.

                           Third Assignment of Error

       The maximum prison sentence imposed in this case is contrary to
       law because the specific sentencing findings made by the trial
       court under R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 are not supported by
       the record.

                           Fourth Assignment of Error

       Under the facts and circumstances of this case, the maximum
       prison sentence imposed upon Mr. Brill amounts to cruel and
       unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth
       Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article I,
       Section 9 of the Ohio Constitution.

                             First Assignment of Error

       {¶5} Brill raises several arguments, seeking to establish that the trial court

imposed a sentence that is clearly and convincingly contrary to law by ordering him

to serve the maximum prison term for this offense.

                                  Legal Standard

       {¶6} R.C. 2953.08 governs appeals based on the felony sentencing

guidelines. R.C. 2953.08(A) reads, in its relevant part, as follows:

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Case No. 14-22-20

       (A) In addition to any other right to appeal and except as provided
       in division (D) of this section, a defendant who * * * pleads guilty
       to a felony may appeal as a matter of right the sentence imposed
       upon the defendant on one of the following grounds:

       (1) The sentence consisted of or included the maximum definite
       prison term allowed for the offense by division (A) of section
       2929.14 or section 2929.142 of the Revised Code * * * and the
       court imposed the sentence under one of the following
       circumstances:

       (a) The sentence was imposed for only one offense.

       (b) The sentence was imposed for two or more offenses arising out
       of a single incident, and the court imposed the maximum definite
       prison term or longest minimum prison term for the offense of the
       highest degree.

       ***

       (4) The sentence is contrary to law.

R.C. 2953.08(A)(1). See State v. Moore, 142 Ohio App.3d 593, 596, 2001-Ohio-

2376, 756 N.E.2d 686, 688 (4th Dist. 2001).

       {¶7} “[T]he proper scope of felony sentence review by Ohio appellate courts

is set forth in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2).” State v. Redmond, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-18-

1066, 2019-Ohio-309, ¶ 15. This section reads, in its relevant part, as follows:

       (2) The court hearing an appeal under division (A), (B), or (C) of
       this section shall review the record, including the findings
       underlying the sentence or modification given by the sentencing
       court.

       The appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a
       sentence that is appealed under this section or may vacate the
       sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court for
       resentencing. The appellate court’s standard for review is not

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Case No. 14-22-20

       whether the sentencing court abused its discretion. The appellate
       court may take any action authorized by this division if it clearly
       and convincingly finds either of the following:

       (a) That the record does not support the sentencing court’s
       findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division
       (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section
       2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;

       (b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). See State v. Taflinger 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-17-20, 2018-Ohio-

456, ¶ 14. “‘[O]therwise contrary to law’ means ‘in violation of statute or legal

regulations at a given time.’” State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729,

169 N.E.3d 649, ¶ 34, quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 328 (6th Ed.1990).

       Clear and convincing evidence is that measure or degree of proof
       which is more than a mere ‘preponderance of the evidence,’ but
       not to the extent of such certainty as is required ‘beyond a
       reasonable doubt’ in criminal cases, and which will produce in the
       mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts
       sought to be established.

State v. Sullivan, 2017-Ohio-8937, 102 N.E.3d 86 (3d Dist.), ¶ 12, quoting Cross v.

Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118, paragraph three of the syllabus (1954).

                                    Legal Analysis

       {¶8} In this assignment of error, Brill raises three main arguments to

challenge his sentence. However, no objections were raised to these issues before

the trial court. Tr. 19-30. “[W]hen the accused fails to object to the error in the trial

court, appellate courts apply the plain-error standard of review.” State v. West, ---

Ohio St.3d ---, 2022-Ohio-1556, --- N.E.3d ---, ¶ 2. Under the Ohio Rules of

                                          -5-
Case No. 14-22-20

Criminal Procedure, “[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be

noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the court.” Crim.R. 52(B).

       “In order to find plain error under Crim.R. 52(B), there must be
       an error, the error must be an ‘obvious’ defect in the trial
       proceedings, and the error must have affected ‘substantial
       rights.’” State v. Bowsher, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-07-32, 2009-
       Ohio-6524, ¶ 12, quoting State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27,
       [2002-Ohio-68,] 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). ‘The standard for plain
       error is whether, but for the error, the outcome of the proceeding
       clearly would have been otherwise.’ State v. Hornbeck, 155 Ohio
       App.3d 571, 2003-Ohio-6897, 802 N.E.2d 184, ¶ 16 (2d Dist.),
       citing State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978).
       Notice of plain error is taken “only to ‘prevent a manifest
       miscarriage of justice.’” State v. Davis, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-16-
       30, 2017-Ohio-2916, ¶ 23, quoting Long, supra, at paragraph three
       of the syllabus.

State v. Eitzman, 3d Dist. Henry No. 7-21-03, 2022-Ohio-574, ¶ 42, quoting

Taflinger, supra, at ¶ 17. Under Crim.R. 52(B), “the defendant bears the burden of

demonstrating that a plain error affected his substantial rights.” (Emphasis sic.)

State v. Perry, 101 Ohio St.3d 118, 2004-Ohio-297, 802 N.E.2d 643, ¶ 14.

       {¶9} Since Brill did not raise objections to these issues before the trial court,

we will apply the plain error standard of review to his three arguments in this

assignment of error. First, Brill argues that the trial court based his sentence on

impermissible considerations, identifying a statement that the trial judge made

regarding the charge against Brill as evidence of error. Tr. 21. In this statement,

the trial judge alluded to the fact that the illegal sexual contact with the victim

occurred several times, beginning in July of 2019 and continuing through October

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Case No. 14-22-20

of 2019. Tr. 21. Doc. 1.1 The trial court then noted that the victim turned thirteen

almost sixty days into this timeframe. Tr. 21. Doc. 1.

         {¶10} In this case, Brill was charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a

minor in violation of R.C. 2907.04(A), a felony of the third degree. Doc. 1. This

statute prohibits sexual conduct between “a person who is eighteen years of age or

older” and a person who “is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years

of age * * *.” R.C. 2907.04(A). However, sexual conduct with a “person * * * less

than thirteen years of age” constitutes the offense of rape in violation of R.C.

2907.02(A)(1)(b), a felony of the first degree. R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b). The trial

court noted that Brill was fortunate to have been charged under R.C. 2907.04(A)

because the allegations in the complaint indicated that the victim was under the age

of thirteen when the sexual conduct began and that Brill could, therefore, have been

charged with rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b).

         {¶11} Further, the father of the victim gave an impact statement that

including the following information:

         When the Prosecutor, Victim’s Advocate, and the lead detective
         came to our house that Thursday afternoon, the Prosecutor
         informed us that he was prepared to go to the Grand Jury the
         very next morning with F-1 rape and gross sexual imposition * *
         *, but that Mr. Brill wanted to talk. And although he didn’t need
         our input, he wanted to know what our thoughts and our
         daughter’s thoughts were on accepting a guilty plea but for a
         lesser charge. My wife and I both thought that the sooner our
         daughter can put this behind her, the better.

1
  At the hearing, the prosecution stated that sexual conduct occurred on eight different occasions within this
timeframe. Tr. 16.

                                                     -7-
Case No. 14-22-20

Tr. 8. Consideration of such information is permissible as

       ‘[c]ourts have consistently held that evidence of other crimes,
       including crimes that never result in criminal charges being
       pursued, or criminal charges that are dismissed as a result of a
       plea bargain, may be considered at sentencing.’

(Citations omitted.) State v. Dixon, 4th Dist. Hocking No. 21CA8, 2022-Ohio-2807,

¶ 31, quoting State v. Starkey, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 06 MA 110, 2007-Ohio-

6702, ¶ 16. See also State v. Meeks, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-19-24, 2019-Ohio-4124,

¶ 16; State v. Lanning, 6th Dist. Ottawa No. OT-19-024, 2020-Ohio-2863, ¶ 17.

       ‘[N]o caselaw * * * would prohibit a trial judge from taking into
       account charges that are reduced or dismissed as a result of a plea
       bargain, [and] in fact, the history of Ohio law indicates that the
       sentencing judge may consider such factors.’

State v. Banks, 10th Dist. Franklin Nos. 10AP-1065, 10AP-1066, and 10AP-1067,

2011-Ohio-2749, ¶ 24, quoting Starkey at ¶ 19. See also State v. Ellis, 2d Dist.

Montgomery No. 25422, 2013-Ohio-2342, ¶ 13; State v. Allen, 5th Dist. Stark No.

2021CA00051, 2022-Ohio-268, ¶ 60. Accordingly, we conclude that Brill’s first

argument under this assignment of error is without merit.

       {¶12} Second, Brill argues that the trial court relied on information from an

unauthorized source. As evidence of this alleged error, Brill points to the following

comment made by the trial court:

       He took time to groom her and develop a relationship that would
       put her in a position of vulnerability. And then stole her * * *
       childhood as well as her innocence. It’s obvious here this
       afternoon and obvious based upon the Court’s experience of cases

                                         -8-
Case No. 14-22-20

       that come before the Court that this corrupt behavior of the
       defendant will forever impact the victim’s life.

(Emphasis added.) Tr. 22. Brill argues that, in considering its “experience of

cases,” the trial court erred by relying on information from other cases that were not

before the judge. Tr. 22. He asserts that the trial court relied on unauthorized

sources of information by relying on its experience in other cases.

       {¶13} However, in this appeal, Brill makes a number of arguments based

upon the factors listed in R.C. 2929.12. This provision directs a trial court to

consider a number of factors to determine whether “the offender’s conduct is more

serious than conduct normally constituting the offense[.]” R.C. 2929.12(B). Thus,

this statute expressly directs a trial judge to determine the relative seriousness of a

particular offense in comparison to other instances of the same type of offense. In

this process,

       the individual decisionmaker has the discretion to determine the
       weight to assign a particular statutory factor. State v. Fox (1994),
       69 Ohio St.3d 183, 193, 631 N.E.2d 124, 132 * * *. A discretionary
       decision necessitates the exercise of personal judgement, and we
       have determined that when making such judgments, the
       sentencing court ‘is not required to divorce itself from all personal
       experiences and make [its] decision in a vacuum.’ State v. Cook
       (1992), 65 Ohio St.3d 516, 529, 605 N.E.2d 70, 84 * * *.

(Citations omitted.) State v. Arnett, 88 Ohio St.3d 208, 215-216, 2000-Ohio-302,

724 N.E.2d 793, (2000). In the identified statement, the trial judge was simply

relying on his experience to gauge the seriousness of the offense committed by Brill

in comparison to the “conduct normally constituting the offense[.]” R.C. 2929.12.

                                         -9-
Case No. 14-22-20

         {¶14} Further, the record indicates that the trial court considered the facts of

Brill’s case. By the time the trial judge made this statement, he had also heard

statements from the victim, the victim’s father, the prosecutor, Brill, and defense

counsel. Tr. 4-19. The trial judge had an abundance of information regarding the

facts of this particular case to consider as he determined the relative seriousness of

the offense committed by Brill. Having considered the facts of this case, we have

found no indication that the trial judge drew on an unauthorized source of

information as he considered the facts of this case and imposed a sentence. Thus,

we conclude that Brill’s second argument under this assignment of error is without

merit.

         {¶15} Third, Brill asserts that his right to allocution was violated by the two

previously alleged errors. “The right to allocution * * * guarantees the defendant

an opportunity to present information to the court for consideration when

determining what punishment fits the crime.” City of Euclid v. Winters, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 65013, 1994 WL 144518, *3 (Apr. 21, 1994) (Krupansky, J.,

dissenting).

         The right of allocution is set forth in R.C. 2929.19 and Crim.R.
         32. R.C. 2929.19(A) states: ‘At the [sentencing] hearing, the
         offender * * * may present information relevant to the imposition
         of sentence in the case. The court shall * * * ask the offender
         whether the offender has anything to say as to why sentence
         should not be imposed upon the offender.’ Further, Crim.R.
         32(A) requires the trial court, at the sentencing hearing, to ‘(1)
         [a]fford counsel an opportunity to speak on behalf of the
         defendant and address the defendant personally and ask if he or

                                           -10-
Case No. 14-22-20

       she wishes to make a statement in his or her own behalf or present
       any information in mitigation of punishment.’

State v. Gutierrez, 6th Dist. Wood No. WD-21-035, 2021-Ohio-4232, ¶ 13, quoting

R.C. 2929.19 and Crim.R. 32(A).

       ‘[T]he interest that is protected by the right to allocution is the
       opportunity for the defendant to address the court directly on his
       own behalf after all the information on which the sentencing court
       relies when pronouncing sentence has been presented.’
       (Emphasis sic.) State v. Brown, 166 Ohio App.3d 252, 2006-Ohio-
       1796, 850 N.E.2d 116, ¶ 13 (11th Dist.).

State v. Faircloth, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28715, 2021-Ohio-1514, ¶ 12. Thus,

“[a] trial court can violate a defendant’s right of allocution if it does not allow the

defendant to respond after new information is introduced and considered by the

court at the sentencing hearing.” State v. Fowler, 6th Dist. Ottawa No. OT-21-031,

2022-Ohio- 3499, ¶ 17.

       {¶16} “Although not considered a constitutional right, the right of allocution

is firmly rooted in the common-law tradition.” State v. Massey, 5th Dist. Stark No.

2006-CA-00370, 2007-Ohio-3637, ¶ 15.

       Trial courts must painstakingly adhere to Crim.R. 32,
       guaranteeing the right of allocution. A Crim.R. 32 inquiry is
       much more than an empty ritual: it represents a defendant’s last
       opportunity to plead his case or express remorse.

State v. Green, 90 Ohio St.3d 352, 360-361, 2000-Ohio-182, 738 N.E.2d 1208, 1221

(2000). “When the right of allocution is violated, the reviewing court must reverse

                                         -11-
Case No. 14-22-20

the sentence and remand the matter for resentencing, unless the error was invited or

harmless.” Gutierrez, supra, at ¶ 14.

       {¶17} In this case, both Brill and his attorney were given the opportunity “to

address the court directly * * *” on the matter of his sentence. Brown, supra, at ¶

13. See Tr. 16-19. However, Brill he alleges that the trial judge violated his right

to allocation by considering new information after the Defense addressed the court.

This allegedly new information is contained in the statements that Brill previously

identified in his first two arguments under this assignment of error. Again, we note

that no objection was raised over this matter before the trial court.

       {¶18} However, the victim’s date of birth, the charge against Brill, and the

dates during which the instances of sexual conduct occurred were all stated in the

bill of information and were properly in the record before the trial court. Doc. 1.

Tr. 21. Further, the trial judge’s statement about the effects of this crime on the

victim referred directly to the victim’s impact statement that was given before Brill

addressed the trial court. Tr. 4-13, 22. None of this was arguably new information.

Brill had this information available to him and could have addressed any of these

facts in his allocution. Thus, we cannot conclude that the trial court erred as alleged

in Brill’s third argument under this assignment of error. Since Brill has not carried

the burden of establishing plain error in any of these three arguments, his first

assignment of error is overruled.

                                         -12-
Case No. 14-22-20

                             Second Assignment of Error

       {¶19} Brill argues that the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision in State v. Jones

runs afoul of the Ohio Constitution by depriving defendants of meaningful appellate

review of the sentences imposed by trial courts. See Jones, supra.

                                   Legal Standard

       {¶20} “The general rule, of such age that it is beyond dispute, is that the

ground, principle, or reason of a decision made by a higher court is binding as

authority on the inferior court.” In re Schott, 16 Ohio App.2d 72, 75, 241 N.E.2d

773, 776 (1st Dist. 1968).

       This [rule] applies to all lower courts. The Court of Appeals is
       bound by the Supreme Court’s last decision on the question
       involved. It is immaterial whether the reasoning advanced in
       support of the decision is well or ill founded; when the Supreme
       Court of Ohio lays down the rules of law, such rules of law are
       binding upon the Courts of Appeals of Ohio.

Id., citing 14 Ohio Jurisprudence 2d 653 et seq., Courts, Section 224 et seq.

       {¶21} Further, “the highest court of a state ‘has the final word on the meaning

of state law.’” County of Westchester, N.Y. v. Commissioner of Transp. of State of

Conn., 9 F.3d 242, 245 (2d Cir. 1993), quoting Deeper Life Christian Fellowship,

Inc. v. Sobol, 948 F.2d 79, 84 (2d Cir. 1991). Accordingly, “[w]hat the statutes of

a State mean, the extent to which any provision may be limited by other Acts or by

other parts of the same Act, are questions on which the highest court of the State

has the final word.” Musser v. Utah, 333 U.S. 95, 68 S.Ct. 397, 92 L.Ed. 562 (1948).

                                        -13-
Case No. 14-22-20

       {¶22} Given these aforementioned principles, “[a] court of appeals [of this

state] is bound by and must follow decisions of the Ohio Supreme Court, which are

regarded as law unless and until reversed or overruled.” Sherman v. Millhon, 10th

Dist. Franklin No. 92AP-89, 1992 WL 142368, *1 (June 16, 1992). Appellate courts

“are without authority to ‘make a determination that conflicts with a decision of the

Supreme Court of Ohio * * *.’” State v. Buckmaster, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2007-L-

105, 2008-Ohio-1336, ¶ 15, quoting State v. Worrell, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-

706, 2007-Ohio-2216, ¶ 10.

                                   Legal Analysis

       {¶23} In this assignment of error, Brill’s arguments challenge the Ohio

Supreme Court’s decision in State v. Jones. See Jones, supra. In that case, the Ohio

Supreme Court considered the history of R.C. 2953.08(G), noting that a former

version of this provision “authorized appellate courts to ‘* * * modify or * * * vacate

the sentence * * * if the court clearly and convincingly found * * * [t]hat the record

does not support the sentence[.]’” (Emphasis sic.) Id. at ¶ 35. However, this

provision was amended and now authorizes an appellate court only to modify or

vacate a sentence

       if it clearly and convincingly finds either of the following:

       (a) That the record does not support the sentencing court’s
       findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division
       (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section
       2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;

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Case No. 14-22-20

       (b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a). The Ohio Supreme Court reasoned that

       [t]his amendment eliminated the broad stand-alone provision
       from the first paragraph of the original version of R.C.
       2953.08(G), which allowed an appellate court to modify or vacate
       the sentence when it found that ‘the record does not support the
       sentence,’ former R.C. 2953.08(G)(1) * * *. In its place, the
       General Assembly enacted a narrower provision in which an
       appellate court’s authority to modify or vacate a sentence is
       limited to situations in which it concludes that the record does not
       support the sentencing court’s findings under certain specified
       statutes, not including R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.

Jones, supra, at ¶ 37. Further, the Ohio Supreme Court held that

       an appellate court’s determination that the record does not
       support a sentence does not equate to a determination that the
       sentence is ‘otherwise contrary to law’ as that term is used in R.C.
       2953.08(G)(2)(b).

Id. at ¶ 32. Thus, the Ohio Supreme Court concluded that “nothing in R.C.

2953.08(G)(2) permits * * * an appellate court” “to substitute its judgment for that

of the trial court concerning the overall selection of a sentence that is compliant with

R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.” Id. at ¶ 30.

       Accordingly, “pursuant to Jones, an appellate court errs if it * *
       * modifies or vacates a sentence ‘based on the lack of support in
       the record for the trial court’s findings under R.C. 2929.11 and
       R.C. 2929.12.’”

State v. Slife, 3d Dist. Auglaize No. 2-20-17, 2021-Ohio-644, ¶ 13, quoting State v.

Dorsey, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28747, 2021-Ohio-76, ¶ 17, quoting Jones,

supra, at ¶ 29. Since Jones was decided, this Court has applied its reasoning on

                                         -15-
Case No. 14-22-20

numerous occasions. State v. Berry, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-20-05, 2021-Ohio-1132,

¶ 139; State v. Wilson, 2022-Ohio-504, 185 N.E.3d 176, ¶ 144 (3d Dist.); State v.

Coleman, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-21-42, 2022-Ohio-1811, ¶ 7.

         {¶24} In this assignment of error, Brill asserts that this Court should review

the trial court’s application of R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 despite the holding

in Jones.2 In support of this assertion, he argues that following Jones and/or R.C.

2953.08 is violative of his constitutional rights. In his brief, Brill forthrightly admits

that his arguments rest on several dissenting opinions in Ohio Supreme Court cases.

Appellant’s Brief, 10. See State ex rel. Hilltop Basic Resources, Inc. v. Cincinnati,

167 Ohio App.3d 798, 2006-Ohio-3348, 857 N.E.2d 612, ¶ 27 (1st Dist.) (“When a

party relies on a dissent, but the majority decision is binding on us, its argument is

looking bleak.”).

         {¶25} First, we will address Brill’s argument that this Court should

essentially disregard the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision in Jones and conduct a

review of the trial court’s application of the factors in R.C. 2929.11 and R.C.

2929.12. His brief includes various conclusory references to the equal protection

and due process clauses of the United States Constitution and the Ohio Constitution.

But aside from citing to several dissenting opinions by Ohio Supreme Court

2
  In his second assignment of error, Brill challenges the Jones decision and the statute that Jones interpreted.
See Jones, supra. In his third assignment of error, he alternatively argues that Jones does not apply to this
case. Thus, we will analyze arguments in his second assignment of error under the assumption that Jones is
applicable to this appeal before we examine his alternative argument that contests the applicability of Jones
to this case in his third assignment of error.

                                                     -16-
Case No. 14-22-20

Justices, he does not direct us to any legally binding authority that has limited or

reversed the Jones decision in a manner that would impact the outcome of this

appeal.

       {¶26} As noted above, “[i]t is well settled that an appellate court is

‘conclusively bound by the decisions of the Supreme Court of Ohio.’” State v.

Crago, 93 Ohio App.3d 621, 640, 639 N.E.2d 801, 814 (10th Dist. 1994), quoting

Thompson v. Moore, 72 Ohio App. 539, 541, 53 N.E.2d 666, 667 (1943). Since an

appellate court has no authority to set aside a decision of the Ohio Supreme Court,

an appellate court has no basis to review the constitutionality of a decision of the

Ohio Supreme Court. Because we are conclusively bound to follow the decisions

of the Ohio Supreme Court, any constitutional analysis of Jones herein would be a

meaningless exercise. Accordingly, we decline to address the arguments from Brill

that beckon us to disregard Jones.

       {¶27} Second, Brill also argues that R.C. 2953.08 “vacates via statute” the

constitutional authority of appellate courts to review prison sentences. Appellant’s

Brief, 10. He suggests that this constitutional authority of appellate courts “cannot

be abrogated by statute.” Id. The Ohio Constitution provides:

       Courts of appeals shall have such jurisdiction as may be provided
       by law to review and affirm, modify, or reverse judgments or final
       orders of the courts of record inferior to the court of appeals
       within the district * * *.

                                        -17-
Case No. 14-22-20

Article IV, Section 3(B)(2) of the Ohio Constitution. In examining this language,

the Ohio Supreme Court has held:

       This, and former analogous language, has been held to empower
       the General Assembly to alter the appellate jurisdiction of the
       Court of Appeals. Youngstown Municipal Ry. Co. v. Youngstown
       (1946), 147 Ohio St. 221, 70 N.E.2d 649. See Price v. McCoy Sales
       & Service, Inc. (1965), 2 Ohio St.2d 131, 135, 207 N.E.2d 236. Cf.
       Meyer v. Meyer (1950), 153 Ohio St. 408, 414, 91 N.E.2d 892, and
       Pilgrim Distributing Corp. v. Galsworthy, Inc. (1947), 148 Ohio St.
       567, 576, 76 N.E.2d 382.

State v. Collins, 24 Ohio St.2d 107, 107-108, 265 N.E.3d 261, 262 (1970). Thus,

       The appellate jurisdiction of the courts of appeals is determined
       by statute. Article IV, Section (B)(2), Ohio Constitution. That
       jurisdiction with respect to review of criminal sentences is set out
       in R.C. 2953.08.

State v. Lofton, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19852, 2004-Ohio-169, ¶ 9. In Jones, the

Ohio Supreme Court applied R.C. 2953.08. Jones, supra, at ¶ 42. In the case

presently before this Court, we will do the same.

       {¶28} In conclusion, since an appellate or “trial court ha[s] no authority to

effectively overrule the Ohio Supreme Court” by disregarding its decisions, we will

follow the holding of the Ohio Supreme Court in Jones as being dispositive of the

issues raised in this appeal. Young v. Durrani, 2016-Ohio-5526, 61 N.E.3d 34, ¶ 29

(1st Dist.). Accordingly, Brill’s second assignment of error is overruled.

                            Third Assignment of Error

       {¶29} Brill argues that Jones, supra, addressed a sentence that was appealed

under R.C. 2953.08(A)(4). He asserts that, because he was able to appeal his

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sentence under R.C. 2953.08(A)(1)(a), Jones does not apply to this case and does

not prohibit appellate review of the trial court’s application of R.C. 2929.11 and

R.C. 2929.12.

                                  Legal Standard

       {¶30} R.C. 2953.08 governs appeals that are based on felony sentencing

guidelines. Section (A) of this provision “specifies the particular grounds on which

a defendant may seek appellate review of his or her sentence.” State v. Kennedy, 2d

Dist. Montgomery No. 19635, 2003-Ohio-4844, ¶ 8. This provision reads, in its

relevant part, as follows:

       (A) [A] defendant who * * * pleads guilty to a felony may appeal
       as a matter of right the sentence imposed upon the defendant on
       one of the following grounds:

       (1) The sentence consisted of or included the maximum definite
       prison term allowed for the offense by division (A) of section
       2929.14 or section 2929.142 of the Revised Code * * *, the
       maximum definite prison term or longest minimum prison term
       was not required for the offense pursuant to Chapter 2925. or any
       other provision of the Revised Code, and the court imposed the
       sentence under one of the following circumstances:

       (a) The sentence was imposed for only one offense.

       ***

       (4) The sentence is contrary to law.

R.C. 2953.08(A). In turn, Section (G) of this provision “defines the standard of

review and authority of an appellate court reviewing the propriety of a given

sentence.” State v. Battiste, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 79852, 2002-Ohio-1079, 2002

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WL 451297, *4 (Mar. 14, 2002). In particular, R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) gives appellate

courts the authority to modify or vacate a sentence

       if it clearly and convincingly finds either of the following:

       (a) That the record does not support the sentencing court’s
       findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division
       (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section
       2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;

       (b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). The text of R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) expressly states that it is

applicable to appeals that are brought “under division (A), (B), or (C) of” R.C.

2953.08. R.C. 2953.08(G)(2).

       {¶31} In Jones, the Ohio Supreme Court interpreted the provisions in R.C.

2953.08(G)(2) and concluded that

       [n]othing in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) permits an appellate court to
       independently weigh the evidence in the record and substitute its
       judgment for that of the trial court concerning the sentence that
       best reflects compliance with R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.

Jones, supra, at ¶ 42. The import of this decision is

       that appellate review of a trial court’s sentencing decision under
       R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) does not permit an appellate court to modify
       or vacate a sentence based on a lack of support in the record for
       the trial court’s findings under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.

State v. Bryant, 168 Ohio St.3d 250, 2022-Ohio-1878, 198 N.E.3d 68, ¶ 19, citing

Jones, supra.

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                                   Legal Analysis

       {¶32} In this assignment of error, Brill asserts that Jones addressed an appeal

that was brought under R.C. 2953.08(A)(4) and that appellate districts—including

this Court—have erroneously applied Jones to sentences that are appealable under

R.C. 2953.08(A)(1)(a). Appellant’s Brief, 17. He then argues that appellate courts

can review a trial court’s application of R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 in imposing

a sentence that can be appealed under R.C. 2953.08(A)(1)(a). There is no dispute

that Brill’s sentence satisfies the conditions set forth in R.C. 2953.08(A)(1)(a).

       {¶33} However, the text of R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) clearly states that this

provision applies to appeals brought “under division (A), (B), or (C)” of R.C.

2953.08. R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). In Jones, the Ohio Supreme Court interpreted R.C.

2953.08(G)(2). Having examined the entirety of this statute, we conclude that the

Ohio Supreme Court’s interpretation of R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) in Jones is applicable

to appeals brought under R.C. 2953.08(A) because R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) is applicable

to appeals brought under R.C. 2953.08(A). Thus, Jones is controlling to appeals

brought under R.C. 2953.08(A)(1)(a) and is not limited to appeals brought under

R.C. 2953.08(A)(4). Accordingly, we find this argument to be without merit.

       {¶34} In conclusion, the trial court, in this case, imposed a sentence that was

within the statutorily authorized range. Further, the record indicates that the trial

court considered the purposes and principles of felony sentencing under R.C.

2929.11 and the seriousness and recidivism factors in R.C. 2929.12. Tr. 19-21.

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Case No. 14-22-20

Having examined the materials in the record, we conclude that Brill has not

demonstrated that his sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law. State v.

Reed, 3d Dist. Union No. 14-20-16, 2021-Ohio-1623, ¶ 20. For these reasons, his

third assignment of error is overruled.

                            Fourth Assignment of Error

       {¶35} Brill argues that the imposition of the maximum sentence constitutes

cruel and unusual punishment in this case.

                                  Legal Standard

       {¶36} The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that

“[e]xcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and

unusual punishments inflicted.”       Eighth Amendment to the United States

Constitution.

       Historically, the Eighth Amendment has been invoked in
       extremely rare cases, where it has been necessary to protect
       individuals from inhumane punishment such as torture or other
       barbarous acts. Robinson v. California (1962), 370 U.S. 660, 676,
       82 S.Ct. 1417, 1425, 8 L.Ed.2d 758, 768. Over the years, it has also
       been used to prohibit punishments that were found to be
       disproportionate to the crimes committed.

State v. Weitbrecht, 86 Ohio St.3d 368, 370, 1999-Ohio-113, 715 N.E.2d 167, 169-

170 (1999).

       ‘[C]ases in which cruel and unusual punishments have been found
       are limited to those involving sanctions which under the
       circumstances would be considered shocking to any reasonable
       person.’ [McDougle v. Maxwell, 1 Ohio St.2d 68,] 70, 30 O.O.2d
       [38,] at 39, 203 N.E.2d [334,] at 336 [(1964)]. Furthermore, ‘the

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       penalty must be so greatly disproportionate to the offense as to
       shock the sense of justice of the community.’ Id.

State v. Patrick, 164 Ohio St.3d 309, 2020-Ohio-6803, 172 N.E.3d 952, ¶ 80.

“[C]ases involving cruel and unusual punishments are rare * * *.”            State v.

Blankenship, 145 Ohio St.3d 221, 2015-Ohio-4624, 48 N.E.3d 516, ¶ 32. “As a

general rule, a sentence that falls within the terms of a valid statute cannot amount

to a cruel and unusual punishment.” McDougle at 69.

                                   Legal Analysis

       {¶37} In his brief, Brill cites to caselaw that correctly emphasizes the

difficultly of prevailing on an Eighth Amendment claim on appeal. Appellant’s

Brief, 20-21. However, in support of his claim, Brill merely asserts that his sentence

constitutes cruel and unusual punishment without directing our attention to any fact

or authority that would suggest his punishment is “inhumane” or “barbarous.”

Weitbrecht, supra, at 370. Brill also has not raised an argument that explains how

a sixty-month prison term is a “greatly disproportionate” sentence for an offense

that involved engaging in sexual conduct with a minor over a period of several

months while abusing his relationship with the victim in the process. Patrick, supra,

at ¶ 80, quoting McDougle, supra, at 70.

       {¶38} In this case, the trial court imposed a prison term that was within the

statutory range as authorized by an enactment of the General Assembly. In this kind

of analysis, “reviewing courts should grant substantial deference to the broad

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authority that legislatures possess in determining the types and limits of

punishments for crimes.” State v. Hairston, 118 Ohio St.3d 289, 2008-Ohio-2338,

888 N.E.2d 1073, ¶ 22, quoting Weitbrecht, supra, at 373-374. Having examined

the materials in the record, we conclude that Brill has not demonstrated that the

sentence imposed by the trial court constitutes cruel and unusual punishment within

the meaning of the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Accordingly, his fourth assignment of error is overruled.

                                    Conclusion

       {¶39} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant in the particulars

assigned and argued, the judgment of Union County Court of Common Pleas is

affirmed.

                                                              Judgment Affirmed

MILLER, P.J. and ZIMMERMAN, J., concur.

/hls

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