Court Opinion

ID: 2696763
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 15:43:32.109002+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:27:10.338238
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Grier, 2011-Ohio-902.]

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

STATE OF OHIO,                                             CASE NO. 3-10-09

   PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,

  v.

WILLIE GRIER,                                                OPINION

   DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

                Appeal from Crawford County Common Pleas Court
                           Trial Court No. 08-CR-0093

                                       Judgment Affirmed

                            Date of Decision: February 28, 2011

APPEARANCES:

        Stanlee E. Culbreath for Appellant

        Clifford J. Murphy for Appellee
Case No. 3-10-09

PRESTON, J.

       {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Willie D. Grier (hereinafter “Grier”), appeals the

judgment of conviction and sentence entered against him by the Crawford County

Court of Common Pleas, which found him guilty of possession of drugs and

sentenced him to two years imprisonment. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

       {¶2} On June 11, 2008, Grier was indicted by the Crawford County Grand

Jury on one count of possession of drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.11(C)(4)(c), a

felony of the third degree. On June 16, 2008, Grier entered a plea of not guilty to

the charge in the indictment.

       {¶3} On June 17, 2009, as part of a negotiated plea agreement, a hearing

was conducted during which time Grier withdrew his previously entered not guilty

plea and entered a plea of guilty to the charge in the indictment. According to the

terms of the plea agreement, Grier agreed to plead guilty to the charge in the

indictment, while the State agreed to recommend a mandatory one year prison

term at sentencing. The trial court found Grier guilty, continued the matter for

sentencing, ordered that a pre-sentence investigation (“PSI”) be conducted, and

ordered that Grier’s bond be continued until sentencing.

       {¶4} On August 17, 2009, a sentencing hearing was held; however, Grier

failed to appear. Consequently, a warrant was issued for Grier’s arrest.

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Case No. 3-10-09

       {¶5} On February 22, 2010, Grier was arrested in Richland County for

possession of drugs and was held on Crawford County’s detainer. On March 1,

2010, Grier was conveyed to the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas,

pursuant to the detainer, for purposes of sentencing. The State advised Grier, both

off and on the record, that it would not honor the one year negotiated prison term

based on Grier’s flight. The State agreed to allow Grier to withdraw his guilty

plea, and the trial court advised Grier of his right to withdraw his guilty plea based

on the State’s actions. Nevertheless, Grier refused to withdraw his guilty plea, and

ultimately, the trial court sentenced Grier to two years imprisonment.

       {¶6} Grier now appeals pro se raising one assignment of error.

Additionally, on September 24, 2010, we granted Grier’s appellate counsel leave

to file a supplemental appellate brief, which he filed on November 22, 2010. As a

result, Grier’s appellate counsel raises five supplemental assignments of error. For

ease of our discussion, because they are the same assignments of error, we elect to

address Grier’s pro se assignment of error and Grier’s appellate counsel’s first

assignment of error together.

                      PRO SE ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

       THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE
       APPELLANT, BY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE
       MANDATES OF RULE 11 OF THE OHIO RULES OF
       CRIMINAL PROCEDURE IN THAT THE TRIAL COURT
       DID NOT HOLD A CRIMINAL RULE 11, GUILTY PLEA

                                         -3-
Case No. 3-10-09

       HEARING.  THUS, VIOLATING APPELLANT’S 14TH
       AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS CLAUSE.

            SUPPLEMENTAL ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. I

       THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE
       APPELLANT, BY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE
       MANDATES OF RULE 11 OF THE OHIO RULES OF
       CRIMINAL PROCEDURE IN THAT THE TRIAL COURT
       DID NOT HOLD A CRIMINAL RULE 11, GUILTY PLEA
       HEARING.    THUS, VIOLATING APPELLANT’S 14TH
       AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS CLAUSE [SIC].

       {¶7} In his only pro se assignment of error, Grier argues that the trial court

failed to comply with Crim.R. 11 during his change of plea hearing on June 15,

2009. In response, the State claims that the trial court did comply with Crim.R.

11, and while Grier’s appellate counsel presents the same assignment of error in

his supplemental brief, Grier’s appellate counsel agrees with the State that the trial

court did properly comply with Crim.R. 11.

       {¶8} Before accepting a guilty plea, Crim.R. 11 requires the trial court to

personally address a defendant to determine if the plea is voluntary, and that the

defendant understands both the plea itself as well as the rights waived by pleading

guilty. Crim.R. 11(C)(2). Specifically, Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c) provides that the duty

of the court extends to:

       Informing the defendant and determining that the defendant
       understands that by the plea the defendant is waiving the rights
       to jury trial, to confront witnesses against him or her, to have
       compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in the defendant's
       favor, and to require the state to prove the defendant's guilt

                                         -4-
Case No. 3-10-09

       beyond a reasonable doubt at a trial at which the defendant
       cannot be compelled to testify against himself or herself.

“Although using the exact language of Crim.R. 11 is not required, the court must

advise the defendant that a plea of guilty waives each of these rights.” State v.

Graham, 3rd Dist. No. 14-04-28, 2005-Ohio-1431, ¶8, citing State v. Ballard

(1981), 66 Ohio St.2d 473, 423 N.E.2d 115. In reviewing the sufficiency of a

Crim.R. 11 colloquy, the Court will apply different standards depending on

whether the violation stemmed from a failure to inform a defendant of the

constitutional rights delineated in Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c) or whether the failure was

to comply with the other requirements of Crim.R. 11(C). Id. at ¶¶8-9.

       {¶9} With regard to the constitutional rights enumerated in Crim.R. 11, “a

guilty plea is constitutionally infirm when the defendant is not informed in a

reasonable manner at the time of entering his guilty plea of his rights to a trial by

jury and to confront his accusers, and his privilege against self-incrimination, and

his right of compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his behalf.” Ballard, 66

Ohio St.2d at 478. This rule does not extend to require a court to use the exact

language of Crim.R. 11, but the court must advise the defendant of each right

waived by the guilty plea. Ballard, 66 Ohio St.2d at 480.

       {¶10} With regard to the non-constitutional requirements of Crim.R. 11,

this Court looks at whether the trial court substantially complied with the

requirements of Crim.R. 11 and will not reverse unless prejudice occurred. State

                                        -5-
Case No. 3-10-09

v. Veney, 120 Ohio St.3d 176, 2008-Ohio-5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, ¶¶14-17; State v.

Sarkozy, 117 Ohio St.3d 86, 2008-Ohio-509, 881 N.E.2d 1224, ¶¶19-23; State v.

Griggs, 103 Ohio St.3d 85, 2004-Ohio-4415, 814 N.E.2d 51, ¶12. “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.”

State v. Moore, 3d Dist. Nos. 6-07-03, 6-07-04, 2007-Ohio-6018, ¶12. See, also,

Sarkozy, 2008-Ohio-509, at ¶20, quoting Griggs, 2004-Ohio-4115, at ¶12. “‘The

test for prejudice is ‘whether the plea would have otherwise been made.’”

Sarkozy, 2008-Ohio-509, at ¶20, quoting Griggs, 2004-Ohio-4415, at ¶12.

       {¶11} In particular, in his pro se appellate brief Grier argues that, since

there is no record of his change of plea hearing evidencing the trial court’s

Crim.R. 11 compliance, we must find that he was consequently “not afforded his

constitutional right to Due Process because he was never informed of his

constitutional rights by the trial court judge personally as required by Criminal

Rule 11 (C)(2)(a), (b), and (c).” (Pro Se Appellate Brief at 6). However, the

appellant is responsible for obtaining and timely delivering to the Clerk of the trial

court a complete transcript of the proceedings. App.R. 9. At the time Grier filed

his pro se brief, he had failed to file a transcript of the change of plea hearing,

thus, without that transcript, we would have to presume regularity occurred during

those proceedings. State v. Helton, 3d Dist. No. 6-08-01, 2008-Ohio-1146, ¶19,

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Case No. 3-10-09

citing App.R. 9; Loc.R. 5; State v. Moore, 3d Dist. No. 14-06-43, 2007-Ohio-

1763, ¶8, citing State v. Miyamoto, 3d Dist. No. 14-05-43, 2006-Ohio-1776, ¶11,

quoting Hartt v. Munobe (1993), 67 Ohio St.3d 3, 7, 615 N.E.2d 617.

       {¶12} Nevertheless, this Court allowed Grier’s appellate counsel to file a

supplemental brief and to supplement the record. Along with his appellate brief,

Grier’s appellate counsel filed transcripts of the change of plea and sentencing

hearing. Therefore, contrary to Grier’s claims, there is a record of the trial court’s

Crim.R. 11 colloquy to Grier at the change of plea hearing. Furthermore, after

review of the transcript, we find that the trial court fully complied with the

mandates of Crim.R. 11. Throughout the Crim.R. 11(C) inquiry, the trial court

repeatedly asked Grier if he understood what he was being told and whether he

had any questions. (June 17, 2009 Tr. at 4-14). Grier repeatedly stated that he

understood and had no questions. (Id.). The trial court also allowed Grier time to

consult with his trial counsel with any additional questions. (Id.). After being

fully informed of the rights he was forgoing by pleading guilty and the possible

penalties involved, Grier entered his plea of guilty to the sole count in the

indictment pursuant to a written plea agreement. (Id. at 12). In addition, the

written plea agreement also provided Grier with notice of his rights and the

possible penalties involved. (Doc. No. 40). As a result, we find Grier’s argument

lacks merit.

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Case No. 3-10-09

       {¶13} Grier’s pro se assignment of error and his first supplemental

assignment of error are, therefore, overruled.

            SUPPLEMENTAL ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. II

       THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE AND
       DETRIMENT OF THE APPELLANT, BY OVERRULING
       DEFENSE ATTORNEY’S ARGUMENT THAT DEFENDANT
       WAS PARTY TO A PLEA AGREEMENT THAT WAS
       ENTITLED TO SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.

           SUPPLEMENTAL ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. III

       THAT DEFENDANT’S VOLUNTARY ABSENCE AND NON-
       APPEARANCE AT THE AUGUST 17, 2009 HEARING DID
       NOT VIOLATE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF HIS
       JUNE 17, 2009 CONTRACT PLEA AGREEMENT WITH THE
       STATE OF OHIO SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THE STATE OF
       OHIO AND/OR THE TRIAL COURT TO RESCIND
       DEFENDANT-APPELLANT’S OTHERWISE VALID JUNE
       17, 2009 CONTRACT PLEA AGREEMENT, ALL TO
       DEFENDANT’S DETRIMENT.

       {¶14} In his second and third supplemental assignments of error, Grier’s

appellate counsel claims that the trial court erred by failing to accept the original

plea agreement entered into between Grier and the State on June 17, 2009, on the

basis that Grier had violated the terms and conditions of the agreement when he

failed to appear at the sentencing hearing on August 17, 2009.

       {¶15} At the March 1, 2010 sentencing hearing, the State informed the trial

court that it had entered into a plea agreement with Grier, in which it had promised

to recommend only a mandatory one year prison term in exchange for Grier’s

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Case No. 3-10-09

guilty plea. (Mar. 1, 2010 Tr. at 3). Despite this agreement, the State told the trial

court that it no longer wished to proceed with the terms of the plea agreement

since it believed that Grier had violated the agreement when he had failed to show

up for the original sentencing hearing scheduled for August 17, 2009. (Id. at 3-4).

In response, Grier’s trial counsel argued that Grier had not violated the terms of

the agreement by failing to appear for sentencing back in 2009 and requested that

the trial court enforce the terms of the agreement as it had been signed and agreed

to by the parties. (Id. at 4-5).

       {¶16} The trial court disagreed with Grier’s trial counsel and found that it

was reasonable for the State to withdraw from the original plea agreement since

Grier had failed to appear for the 2009 sentencing. (Id. at 5). In light of its ruling,

the trial court went on to state: “[a]nd that’s my ruling, the State is not bound to

the plea agreement which means if you do want to proceed to sentencing today,

you do so without the State’s recommendation of one year. Or I guess you have

the opportunity to attempt to withdraw your plea if you want to do that.” (Id.).

Then, the trial court allowed Grier time to consult with his trial counsel regarding

the options available to him, and after talking to his trial counsel, Grier said that he

still wished to go forward with the sentencing and not withdraw his previously

tendered guilty plea.      (Id. at 6).   Thereafter, with respect to its sentencing

recommendation, the State recommended a mandatory prison term of no less than

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Case No. 3-10-09

two years, and after allowing Grier and his trial counsel to make their comments,

the trial court imposed a mandatory prison term of two years. (Id. at 10-12).1

        {¶17} On appeal, Grier’s appellate counsel argues that the trial court erred

when it found that Grier had breached the plea agreement by failing to appear for

the original sentencing hearing in 2009, and, that as a result, the State was no

longer bound to the terms of the plea agreement. We disagree.

        {¶18} A plea agreement is a contract between the prosecution and a

criminal defendant, and thus, is governed by the principles of contract law. State

v. Milligan, 3d Dist. No. 16-08-04, 2008-Ohio-4509, ¶16, citing State v. Adkins,

161 Ohio App.3d 114, 2005-Ohio-2577, 829 N.E.2d 729, ¶7 (citations omitted).

Accordingly, if one side breaches the agreement, then the other side is entitled to

either rescission or specific performance of the plea agreement. State v. Walker,

6th Dist. No. L-05-1207, 2006-Ohio-2929, ¶13, citing Santobello v. New York

(1971), 404 U.S. 257, 92 S.Ct. 495, 30 L.Ed.2d 427. Moreover, “Ohio courts have

generally held that if a defendant fails to appear at the sentencing hearing, the

defendant is in breach of any plea agreement.” Adkins, 2005-Ohio-2577, at ¶8.

See, also, State v. Bonner, 3d Dist. Nos. 4-04-05, 4-04-06, 4-04-07, 2004-Ohio-

6043, ¶17. The appearance of a defendant at a scheduled hearing date is “an

1
  During the sentencing hearing, Grier’s trial counsel noted his objection to the trial court’s decision
overruling his argument that Grier had not violated the plea agreement and that the State was still bound to
the terms of the plea agreement. (Mar. 1, 2010 Tr. at 14).

                                                   -10-
Case No. 3-10-09

implied covenant in any plea agreement.” Id. at ¶9, citing State v. Hess (Dec. 24,

1991), 4th Dist. No. 515 (Harsha, J., concurring). In Milligan, with facts almost

identical to the case sub judice, this Court explicitly held that when the defendant

failed to appear for a scheduled sentencing hearing, he had violated the terms of

his plea agreement with the prosecution, and thus, the prosecution was free to

recommend a prison term, even though it had originally agreed to only

recommend community control or an OR bond in the original plea agreement.

2008-Ohio-4509, at ¶¶14-19.

       {¶19} Here, Grier did not appear at the sentencing hearing scheduled for

August 17, 2009. As a result, the trial court issued a warrant for Grier’s arrest, and

Grier remained absent for several months, until his arrest in Richland County on

February 22, 2010. Accordingly, we find that Grier violated his plea agreement

with the prosecution when he failed to appear at the original sentencing hearing.

Because Grier violated the plea agreement, the prosecution was free to rescind the

plea agreement and to no longer be bound to the terms of the original plea

agreement. Therefore, it was free to recommend a longer prison term.

       {¶20} Grier’s supplemental second and third assignments of error are,

therefore, overruled.

           SUPPLEMENTAL ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. IV

       THAT THE ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR FOR THE STATE
       OF OHIO IMPROPERLY BREADED [SIC] THE VALID

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Case No. 3-10-09

       JUNE 17, 2009 CONTRACT PLEA AGREEMENT ENTERED
       INTO WITH DEFENDANT-APPELLANT BY MAKING
       EXTRANEOUS REMARKS OF AN EGREGIOUS NATURE
       ABOUT DEFENDANT-APPELLANT’S ABSENCE FROM
       THE LOWER COURT’S JURISDICTION AT THE MARCH 1,
       2010 SENTENCING HEARING.

       {¶21} In his fourth supplemental assignment of error, Grier’s appellate

counsel argues that the prosecutor’s remarks constituted “obvious error” because

they were “tantamount to a recommendation of the more severe penalty * * *

[and] the trial court would not have imposed the more severe sentence but for the

prosecutor’s remarks.” (Supplemental Appellate Brief at 11).

       {¶22} When asked to give the State’s recommendation for Grier’s sentence,

the prosecutor stated as follows:

               Your Honor, the activity is an F3 possession of cocaine,
       6.58 grams of crack cocaine. His prior record is aggravated
       trafficking F3 in 1993; assault on a peace officer F4 in 2000;
       another assault F4 in 2001; possession of cocaine in 2001;
       falsification, 2001.
               He’s gone for the better part of six months when he knew
       that he had a sentencing obligation. He signed forms, you know,
       both for his bonding company and also was advised on the
       record of his requirements to appear at various hearings,
       including the sentencing hearing. He decided he wasn’t gonna
       do it.
               We believe the prison term is appropriate in this case.
       The statute calls for a mandatory term of incarceration. We
       believe that no less than two years is appropriate based on his
       conduct.

(Mar. 1, 2010 Tr. at 9-10).

                                      -12-
Case No. 3-10-09

       {¶23} Grier’s appellate counsel claims that the prosecutor’s remarks were

obvious error since they were “tantamount to a recommendation of the more

severe penalty.” In support of his position, appellate counsel cites the case of

State v. Kline, 2nd Dist. No. 2009-CA-02, 2010-Ohio-3913, in which the Second

District Court of Appeals found that the prosecutor had breached the terms of the

plea agreement by emphasizing the egregious nature of the crimes committed by

the defendant, which effectively had served as a recommendation for a more

severe sanction. 2010-Ohio-3913, ¶4.

       {¶24} In Kline, the defendant agreed to plead guilty to three counts of

raping a child under the age of ten in exchange for the State’s dismissal of nine

similar counts and its promise not to recommend a sentence of life without parole.

Id. at ¶3. At the sentencing hearing, while the prosecutor correctly advised the

trial court that the only sentencing options were fifteen years to life or life without

parole on each count, the prosecutor then went on to highlight the egregious nature

of the offenses and the severe effect that the defendant’s conduct had had on the

three young victims. Id. Consequently, the trial court imposed three consecutive

sentences of life without parole. Id. However, on appeal, the Second District

Court of Appeals agreed with the defendant that the prosecutor had breached the

plea agreement because by emphasizing “the egregious nature of the crimes” he

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Case No. 3-10-09

had been essentially recommending the more severe sentence of life without

parole.2 Id. at ¶4.

        {¶25} While the prosecutor in this case did recommend a longer prison

term of two years instead of one year, we disagree with Grier’s appellate counsel’s

arguments and find the Kline case not dispositive. First of all, unlike the case in

Kline where the State had still been bound to the terms of the plea agreement, here

the State was no longer bound to the plea agreement with Grier at the March 1,

2010 sentencing hearing since Grier had breached the original plea agreement by

failing to appear for sentencing back in 2009. Thus, here the prosecutor was free

to recommend a longer prison sentence than one year. Furthermore, we do not

find any error with respect to the prosecutor’s comments on March 1, 2010, and

believe that his comments supported his new recommendation of two years in

prison. The prosecutor in Kline explicitly and in great detail emphasized the

horrendous nature of the defendant’s crimes. 2010-Ohio-3913, at ¶6. Here, the

prosecutor only mentioned Grier’s past offenses, which were contained within the

PSI before the trial court for purposes of sentencing. In addition, the prosecutor

briefly highlighted the fact that Grier had failed to appear for the original

2
 While the court found that the State had breached the terms of the plea agreement, because the defendant
had failed to object to the prosecutor’s comments, the court also found that the defendant had waived all
but plain error and overall that the defendant had failed to show how he had been prejudiced by the
prosecutor’s breach. Kline, 2010-Ohio-3913, ¶¶4-10.

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Case No. 3-10-09

sentencing hearing and had been absent for the past six months, a fact that was

well within the trial court’s knowledge.

       {¶26} Therefore, Grier’s supplemental fourth assignment of error is

overruled.

             SUPPLEMENTAL ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. V

       THAT THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED A BREACH OF
       CONTRACT AND PLAIN ERROR BY SENTENCING
       DEFENDANT-APPELLANT     TO    A   TERM    OF
       INCARCERATION GREATER THAN ONE YEAR,
       SUFFICIENT  TO   SPECIFIC  PERFORMANCE    OF
       DEFENDANT-APPELLANT’S JUNE 17, 2009 CONTACT
       PLEA AGREEMENT, AND TO JUSTIFY REMAND OF THIS
       CASE TO THE TRIAL COURT FOR SPECIFIC
       PERFORMANCEMENT [SIC].

       {¶27} In the last supplemental assignment of error, Grier’s appellate

counsel argues that the trial court committed a breach of contract and plain error

by sentencing Grier to an enhanced sentence of two years imprisonment rather

than the one year imprisonment sentence agreed to in the plea agreement. In

support of his argument, Grier’s appellate counsel cites to State v. Vari, 7th Dist.

No. 07-MA-142, 2010-Ohio-1300.

       {¶28} In Vari, the defendant and the prosecution entered into a plea

agreement in which the defendant agreed to plead guilty to each of the counts in

the indictment in exchange for the prosecution agreeing to recommend a four-year

prison term at sentencing. 2010-Ohio-1300, at ¶3. During the change of plea

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Case No. 3-10-09

hearing, the trial court explicitly agreed to adopt the sentencing recommendation

based on the assurances that the police officers involved had agreed to and did not

object to the terms.    Id.   When it came time to the sentencing hearing, the

defendant expressed his desire to withdraw his guilty plea. Id. at ¶4. At that point,

the trial court cautioned the defendant and informed him that if the defendant went

ahead with his motion to withdraw his guilty plea and if the trial court ultimately

denied his motion, then the trial court would no longer be bound by the plea

agreement and would be free to impose whatever sentence was allowed by law

regardless of any recommendations. Id. The defendant moved to withdraw his

guilty plea and the trial court overruled his motion. Id. Thereafter, the trial court

imposed an aggregate eight-year term of imprisonment. Id. at ¶5. On appeal, the

Seventh District Court of Appeals reversed and found as follows:

       In this case, the trial court promised to sentence Vari to four
       years in exchange for his guilty plea. Admittedly, Vari attempted
       first to breach the agreement by moving to withdraw his guilty
       plea. However, the trial court made it impossible for him to
       breach by denying the motion to withdraw. Consequently,
       because Vari’s performance under the agreement remained, the
       trial court should have sentenced him in accordance with the
       plea agreement. Since the trial court determined that sentencing
       Vari in accordance with the plea agreement was no longer
       appropriate, Vari was entitled to either rescission or specific
       performance. Under the unique facts and circumstances of this
       case and given Vari’s assigned error, we find that the trial court
       erred in overruling the motion to withdraw.

Id. at ¶30 (emphasis in original)(internal citations omitted).

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Case No. 3-10-09

        {¶29} While Grier’s appellate counsel cites to Vari in support of his

position that the trial court breached the plea agreement by failing to impose the

agreed-upon one year prison sentence, we find Vari distinguishable from the facts

of this case. First of all, in Vari the trial court had explicitly agreed to impose the

recommended sentence at the change of plea hearing. 2010-Ohio-1300, at ¶3. In

this particular case, the trial court explicitly did not agree to impose the agreed

upon recommended sentence.3 In fact, at the change of plea hearing, the trial court

informed Grier as follows:

        The Court: Okay. Do you understand that technically the Court
        is not a party to your agreement, it is strictly between you and
        your lawyer and the Prosecutor; do you understand that?
        The Defendant: Well –
        The Court: That means you don’t see my signature on it. The
        Court is not bound by the agreement, you and your lawyer are
        and the State is. That means I could change it if I wanted to.
        The Defendant: Right.

(June 17, 2009 Tr. at 5-6). Other appellate courts have held that “‘[w]hen a trial

court promises a certain sentence, that promise becomes like an inducement to

enter a plea, and unless that particular sentence is given, then the plea is not

voluntary.’” State v. Layman, 2nd Dist. No. 22307, 2008-Ohio-759, ¶15, quoting

State v. Bonnell, 12th Dist. No. CA2001-12-094, 2002-Ohio-5882, ¶18, citing

3
  We acknowledge that the written plea agreement stated that in exchange for his guilty plea “[t]he
defendant will be sentenced to one year prison with credit for time served.” (Plea Agreement, Doc. No. 40)
(emphasis added). However, we note that only Grier, his defense counsel, and the assistant prosecutor
signed the written plea agreement, and at the change of plea hearing, the trial court clearly informed Grier
that it was not bound by the plea agreement. Moreover, Grier was given the opportunity to withdraw his
guilty plea at the sentencing hearing, but elected to go forward. Thus, we find that the outcome would still
be the same, regardless of the language used in the plea agreement.

                                                   -17-
Case No. 3-10-09

State v. Triplett (Feb. 13, 1997), 12th Dist. No. 69237. Consequently, when a trial

court promises to impose a particular sentence, it commits reversible error when it

ultimately fails to impose the promised sentence. Layman, 2008-Ohio-759, at ¶15,

quoting Bonnell, 2002-Ohio-5882, at ¶18.       However, it is clear that in this

particular case the trial court did not agree to impose the recommended sentence;

therefore, it did not commit any error when it did not impose the one year prison

term agreed upon in the plea agreement.

      {¶30} Furthermore, and most importantly, unlike the case in Vari where the

defendant had only “attempted” to breach his plea agreement, here Grier actually

breached his plea agreement prior to being sentenced when he failed to appear to

the scheduled sentencing hearing on August 17, 2009. Because Grier clearly

breached the plea agreement when he failed to appear at the original sentencing

hearing, the State was entitled to rescind the plea agreement. Even when the State

chose to rescind the plea agreement, the trial court still allowed Grier the

opportunity to withdraw his guilty plea; however, Grier chose to go forward with

sentencing, even though the plea agreement was no longer on the table.

      {¶31} Therefore, based on the above, we find that the trial court did not

commit any breach when it imposed the two year prison term, rather than the one

year prison term pursuant to the plea agreement because the trial court was not

                                       -18-
Case No. 3-10-09

bound by the plea agreement, and further because the plea agreement had been

breached due to Grier’s failure to appear at the original sentencing hearing.

       {¶32} Grier’s fifth supplemental assignment of error is, therefore,

overruled.

       {¶33} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                                                Judgment Affirmed

SHAW and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.

/jnc

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