Court Opinion

ID: 4101548
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-11-23 14:14:53.168155+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:18:52.825420
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State ex rel. Stith v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 2016-Ohio-7867.]

                              IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                                    TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State of Ohio ex rel. Harold Stith,                      :

                 Relator,                                :

v.                                                       :
                                                                            No. 15AP-1079
Ohio [Department] of Rehabilitation &                    :
Correction, Director Gary Mohr,                                      (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Ohio Adult Parole Authority,                             :
Ohio Adult Parole Board, Chair,
and Operation Support Center,                            :

                 Respondents.                            :

                                           D E C I S I O N

                                    Rendered on November 22, 2016

                 Harold Stith, pro se.

                 Michael DeWine, Attorney General, and B. Alexander
                 Kennedy, for respondents.

                                    IN MANDAMUS
                     ON OBJECTIONS TO THE MAGISTRATE'S DECISION
SADLER, J.
        {¶ 1} Relator, Harold Stith, brings this original action seeking a writ of
mandamus ordering respondent Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
("DRC") to grant him "another parole hearing at which he is given 'meaningful
consideration' of his positive rehabilitative conduct and programming." (Compl. at 7.)
        {¶ 2} Pursuant to Civ.R. 53 and Loc.R. 13(M) of the Tenth District Court of
Appeals, we referred this matter to a magistrate who rendered a decision, which is
appended hereto. The magistrate found that in July 1995, relator was sentenced to 22
No. 15AP-1079                                                                           2

years in prison. On November 2, 2010, appellant had his first parole hearing before
DRC's Ohio Adult Parole Authority ("Parole Board"). The Parole Board denied parole and
continued appellant's next parole hearing to March 21, 2013, 29 months later. As a result
of the March 21, 2013 hearing, the Parole Board denied parole and continued appellant's
next parole hearing for 59 months, 30 months longer than the prior continuance.
       {¶ 3} In his complaint, relator alleges that the Parole Board abused its discretion
by failing to provide meaningful consideration of his parole eligibility during the
March 21, 2013 hearing. Specifically, relator claims that the Parole Board failed to give
proper consideration to his "additional program participation/completions and positive
institutional behavior." (Compl. at 6.) The magistrate specifically addressed relator's
argument and rejected it. Accordingly, the magistrate recommended that we grant DRC's
motion to dismiss relator's petition.
       {¶ 4} Relator has filed the following objections to the magistrate's decision:
                1). Magistrate has mis-characterized Relator's claim and
                Argument.

                2). Magistrates' Decision does not apply analytical/ethical
                jurisprudence required in the evaluation and determination of
                Relator's claims and issues.

                3). Magistrates' denial of Relator's motion for joinder was
                flawed and contrary to the rules of Civil Procedure.

                4). Magistrates' assessment/determination that Relator has
                an [alternative] adequate remedy at law through the pursuit of
                an action under U.S. 1983 is flawed and not legally sound.

(Sic passim.)
       A. First and Second Objections
       {¶ 5} Because relator's first and second objections raise the same argument, we
will consider them together. In relator's first and second objections, relator claims that
the magistrate erred by failing to specifically address his contention that DRC abused its
discretion by continuing his third parole hearing for 59 months. Relator argues that
because the Parole Board indicated that relator had either participated in or completed
No. 15AP-1079                                                                               3

additional programs and had demonstrated positive institutional behavior, the Parole
Board abused its discretion by continuing his next hearing for 59 months. We disagree.
       {¶ 6} Although the magistrate did not expressly address the length of the
continuance, the magistrate did conclude that the Parole Board decision reflects adequate
consideration of relator's participation/completion of additional programs and his
positive institutional behavior even though the Parole Board decision does specifically list
the programs in which he has participated. Thus, the magistrate concluded that the
Parole Board did not abuse its discretion in denying parole. We agree with the
magistrate's conclusion.
       {¶ 7} Relator now argues that the Parole Board abused its discretion when it
continued his parole hearing for 59 months after having noted relator's participation/
completion of additional programs and his positive institutional behavior.           Relator,
however, has cited no authority requiring the Parole Board to grant him a shorter
continuance. Ohio Adm.Code 5120:1-1-10, applicable to initial and continued Parole
Board hearing dates, provides, in relevant part, as follows:
              (A) The initial hearing for each inmate serving an
              indeterminate sentence shall be held on or about the date
              when the prisoner first becomes eligible for parole pursuant to
              rule 5120:1-1-03 of the Administrative Code.

              (B) In any case in which parole is denied at a inmate's
              regularly constituted parole hearing, the parole board shall:

              ***

              (2) Set the time for a subsequent hearing, which shall not be
              more than ten years after the date of the hearing.

(Emphasis added.)
       {¶ 8} Because a 59-month continuance is well within the guidelines set forth in
the Ohio Administrative Code and because we have agreed with the magistrate's
conclusion   that   the    Parole   Board   gave     adequate   consideration   to   relator's
participation/completion of additional programs and his positive institutional behavior,
we overrule relator's first and second objections.
No. 15AP-1079                                                                             4

       B. Third Objection
       {¶ 9} In his third objection, relator argues that the magistrate erred by denying
his motion to join the "Ohio Adult Parole Authority" and the "Ohio Adult Parole
Authority, Chair" as parties to this action. The magistrate expressly considered and
rejected the joinder argument raised in relator's third objection. We agree with the
magistrate and for the reasons set forth in the magistrate's decision, we overrule relator's
third objection.
       C. Fourth Objection
       {¶ 10} In relator's fourth objection, relator takes exception to the magistrate's
determination that relator has an adequate remedy at law in the form of a civil action
against DRC pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983 and the decision of the Sixth Circuit Court of
Appeals in Dotson v. Wilkinson, 329 F.3d 463 (6th Cir.2003). In State ex rel. Watson v.
Ohio Adult Parole Auth., 10th Dist. No. 03AP-262, 2003-Ohio-6931, this court made the
following observations about the Dotson case:
               In Dotson, * * * an inmate appealed the trial court's dismissal
               of his action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and the sole issue on
               appeal was whether the trial court erred in holding that the
               inmate's challenge to the application of the parole eligibility
               guidelines was cognizable under Section 1983. The court did
               not reach the question of whether the guidelines had been
               lawfully or unlawfully applied. The court held only that the
               inmate's suit was cognizable under Section 1983, and it
               reversed and remanded for further proceedings.

Id. at ¶ 22.
       {¶ 11} Here, the magistrate found that "relator does not challenge respondents'
application of the Ohio Administrative Code provisions which pertain to parole
eligibility." (Mag.'s Decision at ¶ 32.) Relator does not dispute this finding. Given the
fact that relator's complaint does not challenge the application of the Ohio Administrative
Code which pertains to parole eligibility, relator's claim in this case differs from the 42
U.S.C. 1983 claim recognized in Dotson.         Consequently, we sustain relator's fourth
objection.
       {¶ 12} Nevertheless, because we have adopted the magistrate's conclusion that the
facts alleged in relator's complaint fail to show that he has a clear legal right to the
No. 15AP-1079                                                                             5

requested relief or that the Parole Board has a clear legal duty to either grant him a new
parole hearing or advance the date of his third parole hearing, relator cannot establish his
entitlement to a writ of mandamus as a matter of law.
       {¶ 13} Having conducted an independent review of the record in this matter, we
find that the magistrate has determined the pertinent facts and properly applied the
relevant law with the single exception noted herein. Accordingly, we adopt the
magistrate's decision as our own, including the findings of fact and conclusions of law as
modified herein.    For the reasons set forth in the magistrate's decision and those
expressed herein, relator's first, second, and third objections are overruled, and relator's
fourth objection is sustained. We hereby modify the magistrate's decision to reflect that
relator does not have an adequate remedy at law, but we adopt the remainder of the
magistrate's conclusions of law and the recommendation.
                                                 Petition for writ of mandamus dismissed.

                            BROWN and KLATT, JJ., concur.
                                  ________________
No. 15AP-1079                                                                         6

                                       APPENDIX

                           IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                              TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State of Ohio ex rel. Harold Stith,          :

               Relator,                      :

v.                                           :                  No. 15AP-1079

Ohio [Department] of                         :               (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Rehabilitation & Correction
Director Gary Mohr,                         :
Ohio Adult Parole Authority,
Ohio Adult Parole Board, Chair,              :
and Operation Support Center,
                                             :
               Respondents.
                                             :

                            MAGISTRATE'S DECISION

                                Rendered on March 16, 2016

               Harold Stith, pro se.

               Michael DeWine, Attorney General, and B. Alexander
               Kennedy, for respondents.

                                    IN MANDAMUS
                          ON RESPONDENTS' MOTION TO DISMISS

       {¶ 14} Relator, Harold Stith, has filed this original action requesting that this
court issue a writ of mandamus ordering respondents to grant him an additional parole
hearing.
Findings of Fact:
       {¶ 15} 1. Relator is an inmate currently incarcerated at Pickaway Correctional
Institution.
No. 15AP-1079                                                                         7

       {¶ 16} 2. On November 30, 2015, relator filed this complaint for a writ of
mandamus alleging that he had not been provided meaningful consideration at his
parole hearing on March 21, 2013.
       {¶ 17} 3. Relator attached to his complaint two parole board decisions, one from
November 12, 2010, and the parole board decision at issue here from March 21, 2013.
       {¶ 18} 4. Relator appears to acknowledge that he received a meaningful review
in 2010 noting that the board specifically indicated that he participated in the OASIS
program. In that 2010 decision, the board provided the following rationale for not
granting relator parole at that time:
              I/M confronted the V who was with 5 of his friends, in the
              parking lot of the V's apartment. Victim and I/M did not
              know each other. An argument ensued, then a physical fight
              and I/M went for a gun in his vehicle. The V was shot 2
              times. The witnesses (V's friends) then beat the I/M who was
              there when police arrived. I/M also had a drug abuse charge
              for possession of cocaine. I/M admits he was running the
              streets at the time and selling drugs. I/M has had a lot of
              programming and is in the OASIS program. Took
              responsibility for the crime. Release at this time would not
              be in the interest of justice.

(Emphasis added.)
       {¶ 19} 5. Relator asserts that the board's rationale for denying him parole
in 2013 lacked evidence of the meaningful consideration he received in 2010. The
board's decision denying him parole provides:
              Inmate Stith is currently serving his 2nd prison number
              which occurred while on parole. Inmate Stith is noted as
              moderate risk to re-offend. He has taken some relevant
              programs and showed some positive offender
              change and motivation. However, he has an extensive
              history of criminal offenses, including violence, and not
              being successful on supervision. Inmate Stith's case is
              aggravated by the case-specific factors of violence. The
              aggravating factors in this case lead the Central Office Board
              Review to conclude that release would demean the
              seriousness of the offenses and not further the interest of
              justice. After weighing relevant factors, the Board does not
              consider the inmate suitable for release at this time and
              assesses a five year continuance.
No. 15AP-1079                                                                           8

(Emphasis added.)
       {¶ 20} 6. In 2013, the board noted that relator had "taken some relevant
programs and showed some positive offender change and motivation," but failed to
specifically list any programs he had completed.
       {¶ 21} 7. On December 30, 2015, respondents filed a motion to dismiss arguing
that relator cannot demonstrate entitlement to a writ of mandamus because he has
other plain and adequate remedies available at law, he does not have a clear legal right
to the relief requested, and respondents do not have a clear legal duty to provide the
relief requested.
       {¶ 22} 8. On January 11, 2016, relator requested an extension of time to reply to
respondents' motion to dismiss and to file a motion for summary judgment.
       {¶ 23} 9. On January 19, 2016, the magistrate put on an order granting relator an
extension of time until February 12, 2016.
       {¶ 24} 10. On January 20, 2016, relator filed a request for joinder asking to join
the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Ohio Adult Parole Board Chair as respondents
in this action. Those parties had been listed in his original complaint; however, they had
not been formally served.
       {¶ 25} 11. On January 25, 2016, respondents filed a response to relator's motion
for joinder asserting that joinder was not necessary here where respondents had plainly
demonstrated in their motion to dismiss that relator had no right to the relief prayed
for, that there are no respondents who have a legal duty to perform the requested acts,
and that relator had a plain and adequate remedy at law.
       {¶ 26} 12. On February 4, 2016, relator filed a response to respondents' motion
to dismiss and a motion for summary judgment to which he attached a memo dated
March 31, 2010 directed to all parole eligible inmates from C. Mausser, parole board
chair, advising them that, effective April 1, 2010, the Ohio Parole Board would not be
using the Ohio Parole Board Guidelines Manual, but would instead give every inmate
meaningful consideration and exercise its discretionary release and authority by using
the Ohio Statutory and Administrative Code provisions. Relator also attached a letter
dated October 22, 2012, addressed to an unidentified inmate regarding a letter that
inmate sent concerning the implementation of new parole board guidelines and advising
No. 15AP-1079                                                                            9

that unknown inmate that the parole board would no longer be using a guidelines
system, but would instead be giving every parole eligible inmate meaningful
consideration at their hearing.
       {¶ 27} 13. On February 12, 2016, respondents filed two motions.           The first
motion was a reply to relator's memorandum contra to respondents' motion to dismiss
and the second was a motion to stay the response date to relator's motion for summary
judgment.
       {¶ 28} 14. The matter is currently before the magistrate on motions.
Conclusions of Law:
       {¶ 29} For the reasons that follow, it is this magistrate's decision that this court
should grant respondents' motion and dismiss relator's complaint.
       {¶ 30} In considering the motion to dismiss, the magistrate treats all factual
allegations of the complaint as if proven and makes all reasonable inferences in favor of
relator. See Mitchell v. Lawson Milk Co., 40 Ohio St. 3d 190 (1988). The magistrate
treats relator's documents as additional allegations of the complaint and accepts them
as such.
       {¶ 31} The Supreme Court of Ohio has set forth three requirements which must
be met in establishing a right to a writ of mandamus: (1) that relator has a clear legal
right to the relief prayed for; (2) that respondent is under a clear legal duty to perform
the act requested; and (3) that relator has no plain and adequate remedy in the ordinary
course of the law. State ex rel. Berger v. McMonagle, 6 Ohio St. 3d 28 (1983). A writ
cannot issue to control the respondents' exercise of discretion, but it can be issued to
compel a public officer to engage in the exercise of discretion when there is a clear legal
duty to do so. State ex rel. Martin v. Corrigan, 25 Ohio St. 3d 29 (1986).
       {¶ 32} In the present case, relator does not challenge respondents' application of
the Ohio Administrative Code provisions which pertain to parole eligibility. Relator's
focus is on what he perceives to be respondents' failure to consider his participation
and/or completion of certain programs which reflect on his positive change. The only
basis upon which this argument is founded is the fact that, in 2010, the board had
specifically noted that he was participating in the OASIS program, but did not list any
specific programs in 2013.
No. 15AP-1079                                                                         10

      {¶ 33} The magistrate finds that there is no significant difference between the
rationale the board provided relator in 2010, and the rationale the board provided
relator in 2013. Specifically, as noted in the findings of fact, in 2010 the board noted
that relator "has had a lot of programming and is in the OASIS program." In 2013, the
board noted relator "has taken some relevant programs and showed some positive
offender change and motivation."
      {¶ 34} It is apparent that, when the board considered relator for parole in 2010,
the board noted that relator had participated in several programs. In 2013, the board
also acknowledged that relator had participated in relevant programs and that he had
actually showed some positive change and motivation. The fact that the board did not
specifically identify any of those programs by name is not evidence that relator did not
receive meaningful review and he cannot show that he has a clear legal right to have the
programs in which he participated specifically listed in the rationale for denying him
parole or that respondents are under any duty to specifically list each and every program
in which an inmate had participated. For those reasons alone, this court should grant
respondents' motion to dismiss.
      {¶ 35} The magistrate notes further that relator does have a plain and adequate
remedy in the ordinary course of law. In Dotson v. Wilkinson, 300 F.3d 661 (2002), an
inmate had appealed the trial court's dismissal of his action under 42 U.S. 1983, and the
sole issue on appeal was whether the trial court erred in holding that the inmate's
challenge to the application of the parole eligibility guidelines was cognizable under 42
U.S. 1983. The court did not reach the question of whether the guidelines had been
lawfully or unlawfully applied. The trial court held only that the inmate's suit was
cognizable under 42 U.S. 1983, and it reversed and remanded the action for further
proceedings.
      {¶ 36} As respondents assert in their motion to dismiss, relator does have an
adequate remedy at law by pursuing an action under 42 U.S. 1983.
      {¶ 37} To the extent that relator argued that this court should permit him to join
certain respondents who were named, but not served, the magistrate denies his motion
finding that the respondents who were served adequately represented any and all of the
named respondents. As such, relator's motion for joinder is denied.
No. 15AP-1079                                                                           11

      {¶ 38} Based on the foregoing, it is this magistrate's decision that relator has not
stated a claim upon which relief in mandamus can be granted and this court should
grant respondents motion to dismiss.

                                             /S/ MAGISTRATE
                                             STEPHANIE BISCA

                             NOTICE TO THE PARTIES

             Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(iii) provides that a party shall not assign as
             error on appeal the court's adoption of any factual finding or
             legal conclusion, whether or not specifically designated as a
             finding of fact or conclusion of law under Civ.R.
             53(D)(3)(a)(ii), unless the party timely and specifically objects
             to that factual finding or legal conclusion as required by Civ.R.
             53(D)(3)(b).