Court Opinion

ID: 4420885
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-07-29 15:48:06.175194+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:52:39.779727
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Hare, 2019-Ohio-3047.]

                                       wCOURT OF APPEALS
                                    DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

 STATE OF OHIO                                  JUDGES:
                                                Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J
         Plaintiff-Appellee                     Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
                                                Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
 -vs-
                                                Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001
 MONTY SCOTT HARE

        Defendant-Appellant                     O P I N IO N

 CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS:                      Appeal from the Delaware County Court
                                                of Common Pleas, Case No. 18 CR I 08
                                                0445

 JUDGMENT:                                      Affirmed in part, and Vacated in part

 DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                        July 26, 2019

 APPEARANCES:

 For Plaintiff-Appellee                         For Defendant-Appellant

 MELISSA A. SCHIFFEL                            DOMINIC L. MANGO
 Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney           Mango Law Office
                                                43 S. Franklin Street
 R. JOSEPH VARVEL                               Delaware, Ohio 43015
 Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
 Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office
 145 North Union Street
 Delaware, Ohio 43015
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                   2

Hoffman, J.
       {¶1}      Appellant Monty Scott Hare appeals the judgment entered by the Delaware

County Common Pleas Court convicting him of menacing by stalking (R.C.

2903.211(A))(1)) and sentencing him to eighteen months incarceration. Appellee is the

state of Ohio.

                             STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

       {¶2}      In the evening hours of August 6, 2018, a female patron of Kintz’s bar in

Delaware was seated on the patio of the bar, adjacent to the parking lot. She observed

a man, later identified as Appellant, striking a female passenger in a Jeep twice. The

female victim, later identified as Miranda Linn, jumped out of the Jeep and took off

running. The bar patron saw Appellant “peel out” of the parking lot and chase Miranda.

       {¶3}      About thirty minutes later, Appellant returned to the bar. Miranda Linn also

returned to the bar. She attempted to get in the passenger side of the Jeep, but was

locked out. Appellant ran toward the Jeep and jumped in the driver’s seat. Miranda stood

outside the Jeep, with her head ducked in the passenger side. The same bar patron,

seated on the patio, heard yelling and arguing.         She advised the bartender of the

disturbance in the parking lot.

       {¶4}      The bartender went out to the parking lot, and heard Miranda repeatedly

asking for the car keys. The bartender asked Miranda if the Jeep was titled in her name,

and Miranda answered in the affirmative. The bartender told Appellant to give Miranda

her keys. He responded negatively, and he left in the Jeep.

       {¶5}      Police responded to the scene and interviewed Miranda Linn. Miranda gave

a written statement to police.
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                  3

      {¶6}   After a police officer drove her home, Miranda called Appellant and asked

him to return the Jeep. When he did so, an argument ensued. Appellant pointed a knife

at Miranda and threatened to gut her like a deer. Miranda went outside and hid under a

neighbor’s wheelchair ramp, from which she called 911. As Appellant approached, she

stopped speaking with the dispatcher, and communicated only with button presses on her

phone. She warned the dispatcher Appellant will fight the police. By the time police

arrived, Appellant had left the scene. Miranda gave another written statement to police.

      {¶7}   Appellant was indicted by the Delaware County Grand Jury with one count

of domestic violence and one count of menacing by stalking. The case proceeded to jury

trial in the Delaware County Common Pleas Court.

      {¶8}   At trial, Miranda Linn testified Appellant never hit her, and she only wrote in

the statement what the witnesses had reported because she felt pressured to do so by

police. The trial court sua sponte declared Miranda to be a hostile witness, and allowed

the prosecutor to impeach her by using her written statement to the police.

      {¶9}   She further testified nothing happened to cause her to make the 911 call.

She testified she was overwhelmed with fighting all day, she had been crying all day, it

was almost 3 a.m., and she was high. She testified she did not know if she told deputies

Appellant threatened to gut her like a deer, and did not remember making a written

statement. Again, the prosecutor questioned her regarding her prior written statement.

      {¶10} The jury found Appellant not guilty of domestic violence, but guilty of

menacing by stalking. He was sentenced to 18 months incarceration, and ordered to pay

court costs, including the costs of his court appointed counsel.
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                           4

      {¶11} It is from the December 4, 2018 judgment of conviction and sentence

Appellant prosecutes his appeal, assigning as error:

             I.   THE   TRIAL    COURT     ABUSED      ITS   DISCRETION    AND

      PREJUDICED        THE     APPELLANT’S      SUBSTANTIAL      RIGHTS      BY

      PERMITTING THE STATE TO CROSS-EXAMINE AND IMPEACH ITS

      OWN WITNESS WITH             A   PRIOR    INCONSISTENT          STATEMENT

      WITHOUT ESTABLISHING SURPRISE AND AFFIRMATIVE DAMAGE AS

      REQUIRED UNDER EVIDENCE RULE 607(A).

             II. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION

      WHEN IT ALLOWED THE ARRESTING OFFICE TO COMMENT IN THE

      PRESENCE OF THE JURY ON APPELLANT’S INVOCATION OF HIS

      FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT AND HIS REFUSAL TO

      RESPOND TO THE OFFICER’S CUSTODIAL QUESTIONS; THEREBY,

      THE COURT VIOLATED APPELLANT’S RIGHTS UNDER THE FIFTH

      AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES

      CONSTITUTION AND OHIO CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I, SECTION 10.

             III. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION AND

      PREJUDICED        APPELLANT’S      SUBSTANTIAL         RIGHTS    WHEN   IT

      ORDERED HIM TO PAY ALL OF THE COSTS OF HIS COURT-

      APPOINTED COUNSEL WITHOUT DETERMINING THAT APPELLANT,

      WHO WAS DETERMINED TO BE INDIGENT, HAD THE FINANCIAL

      WHEREWITHAL TO PAY PART OR ALL OF THE COSTS OF HIS
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                     5

       REPRESENTATION           AND     WITHOUT       ADVISING       HIM    OF    THE

       REIMBURSEMENT ORDER ON THE RECORD AT THE SENTENCING

       HEARING.

              IV. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION AND

       PREJUDICED        APPELLANT’S        SUBSTANTIAL        RIGHTS      WHEN      IT

       ORDERED HIM TO PAY UNAUTHORIZED COURT COSTS AND FEES.

                                              I.

       {¶12} In his first assignment of error, Appellant argues the court abused its

discretion in allowing the State to impeach its own witness, Miranda Linn, with her prior

written statements to police without first demonstrating affirmative damage and surprise

as required by Evid. R. 607(A).

       {¶13} At trial, Miranda denied Appellant hit her in the parking lot of the bar. When

asked on direct examination if she gave a statement to the police, she testified she kept

trying to tell police Appellant didn’t hit her, but it wasn’t what the police officer wished to

hear, so he kept “going and going and going.” Tr. 155. She finally agreed to go to the

police station upon the officer’s promise to take her home from there. When asked if she

told the officer Appellant hit her, she testified, “No, I wrote down what the ladies saw. Said

they saw – whatever. No one seemed to believe me through the whole thing.” Tr. 155-

56. She admitted she made a written statement. Appellant objected when the State

attempted to question her concerning what she wrote in her prior statement.

       {¶14} The prosecutor then asked Miranda if her recollection would be refreshed if

he showed her the written statement. When Appellant again objected, the court stated
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                    6

the witness appeared to be a hostile witness, and so the State could impeach her with

her prior statement. Miranda then testified she didn’t need to see the statement because

she remembered writing Appellant hit her, but he did not hit her.

       {¶15} Evid. R. 607(A) provides:

              (A) Who May Impeach. The credibility of a witness may be attacked

       by any party except that the credibility of a witness may be attacked by the

       party calling the witness by means of a prior inconsistent statement only

       upon a showing of surprise and affirmative damage. This exception does

       not apply to statements admitted pursuant to Evid. R. 801(D)(1)(a),

       801(D)(2), or 803.

       {¶16} Evid. R. 607 requires a showing of surprise and affirmative damage before

the court is authorized to declare a witness hostile. State v. Holmes, 30 Ohio St. 3d 20,

23, 506 N.E.2d 204, 207(1987). Surprise can be shown if the testimony is materially

inconsistent with the prior written or oral statement and counsel did not have reason to

believe that the witness would recant when called to testify. Id.

       {¶17} The State did not demonstrate surprise and affirmative damage before the

trial court declared Miranda Linn to be a hostile witness. In fact, it appears from the record

the State could not demonstrate surprise. Prior to the start of trial, counsel for Appellant

stated without correction from the State:
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                  7

              I also would point out to the Court, and I know the State’s aware that

       she’s provided in writing basically a different version or recanting some of

       the statements made to police, or that she has expressed that she was

       coerced in some ways.

       {¶18} Tr. 9.

       {¶19} The State does not argue surprise in Miranda’s trial testimony, but rather

argues it was not required to demonstrate surprise.

       {¶20} We therefore find the court erred in declaring Miranda Linn to be a hostile

witness and allowing the State to impeach her by using her prior written statement.

       {¶21} The State argues the written statement concerning the incident at the bar

was used to refresh her recollection pursuant to Evid. R. 803(5), and therefore falls within

the exception to Evid. R. 607. Evid. R. 803(5) provides:

              The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the

       declarant is available as a witness:

              (5) Recorded Recollection. A memorandum or record concerning a

       matter about which a witness once had knowledge but now has insufficient

       recollection to enable him to testify fully and accurately, shown by the

       testimony of the witness to have been made or adopted when the matter

       was fresh in his memory and to reflect that knowledge correctly. If admitted,

       the memorandum or record may be read into evidence but may not itself be

       received as an exhibit unless offered by an adverse party.
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                  8

       {¶22} The statement as to being hit by Appellant was not used to refresh Miranda

Linn’s recollection. She had not forgotten what she wrote in the statement, but rather

testified she simply wrote in the statement what the women who had reported the incident

claimed to have seen. The witness did not have insufficient recollection to testify fully

and accurately; rather, at trial she claimed the statement was untrue at the time.

Therefore, Evid. R. 803(5) does not apply.

       {¶23} The State argues the statement was not used to impeach her testimony, but

rather was used to explain the actions of police. We disagree. The witness who claimed

to have seen Appellant hit Miranda while she was sitting on the patio of Kintz’s bar

testified, as did the bartender. Their testimony was sufficient to explain the actions of

police on the night in question. The reason for the actions of the police cannot be used

to circumvent Evid. R. 607(A) under this scenario.

       {¶24} The prior inconsistent statement was clearly used by the State to impeach

Miranda’s testimony Appellant did not hit her, which falls squarely within Evid. R. 607(A).

       {¶25} We therefore find the court erred in declaring Miranda Linn a hostile witness,

as the State could make no showing of surprise by her testimony, and the court erred in

allowing the State to use her prior written statement concerning being struck by Appellant

to impeach its own witness.

       {¶26} However, we find Appellant has not demonstrated prejudice as a result of

the use of her prior written statement concerning the physical assault in the parking lot of

Kintz’s bar to impeach her testimony, as error in the admission of the evidence is

harmless. Miranda’s prior written statement which stated Appellant hit her in the parking
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                9

lot of Kintz’s bar related to the charge of domestic violence. Because Appellant was

acquitted of this charge, he cannot demonstrate prejudice.

       {¶27} Later, when questioning Miranda concerning the incident in which she

called 911 to report Appellant had threatened her with a knife, Miranda testified she did

not remember writing a statement about this incident. After reviewing the statement, and

admitting it was in her handwriting, Miranda testified:

              A. I don’t even remember this. I was drinking, dude. I don’t – I talked

       to like a hundred people. I don’t know what you want me to say.

              Q. I’m just asking you if you told the deputies that he threatened –

              A. I told you he was ranting and raving with a knife, and I ran out the

       back door.

              Q. Did he threaten to gut you like a deer?

              A. I don’t remember that.

              Q.    Now that you’ve read this that you made that night, did he

       threatened to gut you like a deer?

              A. I don’t even remember writing that. Like – I was high.

              Q. Were you high?

              A. At the time, yeah.

       {¶28} Tr. 162.

       {¶29} We find this statement falls within the Evid. R. 803(5) exception found in

Evid. R. 607(A). She testified she did not remember Appellant threatened to gut her like
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                  10

a deer, and testified she did not remember writing a statement. We therefore find no error

in the use of the written statement to refresh her recollection concerning Appellant’s

actions leading to her 911 call.

       {¶30} The first assignment of error is overruled.

                                              II.

       {¶31} In his second assignment of error, Appellant argues the court erred in

allowing the arresting officer to comment on Appellant’s invocation of his right to remain

silent, and his refusal to speak with police following his arrest.

       {¶32} Delaware police officer Dylan Griffin testified he attempted to question

Appellant.   Appellant objected, and a sidebar conversation ensued.          The trial court

overruled Appellant’s objection. The State then asked Officer Griffin if Appellant made a

statement after his arrest.    Officer Griffin responded, “No, sir, he wouldn’t make a

statement to me.” Tr. 247.

       {¶33} “[A] prosecutor can refer to a defendant's silence if doing so would be a fair

reply to a defense theory or argument, for example, when defense counsel asserts that

the government did not give his client an opportunity to tell his side of the story.” Hall v.

Vasbinder, 563 F.3d 222, 233 (6th Cir. 2009).

       {¶34} Prior to Officer Griffin taking the stand, Appellant raised a theory or

argument police failed to seek out Appellant’s side of the story.           During opening

statement, counsel for Appellant argued:

              The State of Ohio certainly knew where Scott was, and could of

       contacted him and talked to him. Didn’t. Didn’t get the other side of the
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                 11

       story. Didn’t get the other perspective. But rather talked to the individuals,

       as discussed, and went – got a warrant, and had someone arrested.

       {¶35} Tr. 91.

       {¶36} Further, prior to Officer Griffin’s testimony, Appellant cross-examined

Officer Robin Valentine concerning whether she called Appellant to get his side of the

story. Tr. 197. Likewise, Appellant cross-examined Deputy Marc Rospert concerning

whether he tried to contact Appellant. Tr. 224-225. Officer Griffin’s brief comment

Appellant would not make a statement was a fair reply to the defense argument police

did not give Appellant an opportunity to tell his side of the story.

       {¶37} The second assignment of error is overruled.

                                             III.

       {¶38} In his third assignment of error, Appellant argues the court erred in ordering

him to pay all of the cost of his court-appointed counsel without determining his ability to

pay, and without advising him on the record he would be required to pay at sentencing.

       {¶39} Pursuant to R.C. 2947.23, the trial court is required to impose the costs of

prosecution against all convicted defendants, regardless of whether the defendant is

deemed indigent. However, the court has jurisdiction at sentencing or any time thereafter

to waive, suspend, or modify payment of costs. R.C. 2947.23(C).

       {¶40} A court may order a felony offender to pay a financial sanction, such as

restitution or a fine, as a part of the sentence. R.C. 2929.18. Before imposing financial

sanctions, the court is required to consider the defendant’s present and future ability to

pay. R.C. 2929.19(B)(5).
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                              12

      {¶41} Separate and apart from court costs and financial sanctions, a court may

require a defendant to pay all or part of the costs of his or her court-appointed counsel

pursuant to R.C. 2941.51(D):

             The fees and expenses approved by the court under this section

      shall not be taxed as part of the costs and shall be paid by the county.

      However, if the person represented has, or reasonably may be expected to

      have, the means to meet some part of the cost of the services rendered to

      the person, the person shall pay the county an amount that the person

      reasonably can be expected to pay. Pursuant to section 120.04 of the

      Revised Code, the county shall pay to the state public defender a

      percentage of the payment received from the person in an amount

      proportionate to the percentage of the costs of the person's case that were

      paid to the county by the state public defender pursuant to this section. The

      money paid to the state public defender shall be credited to the client

      payment fund created pursuant to division (B)(5) of section 120.04 of the

      Revised Code.

      {¶42} Appellant relies on State v. Taylor, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 27700, 117
N.E.3d 887, 2018-Ohio-2858, which holds in pertinent part:

             It is not the defendant's burden to show that he has the means to pay

      court-appointed counsel fees. Absent a contrary determination by the court,
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                               13

     the mandate of the statute is that appointed counsel's fees are paid by the

     county. Stated simply, counsel's fees are paid by the county unless

     evidence shows that he or she is able to pay.

            To properly impose court-appointed counsel fees, the trial court must

     (1) consider the defendant's ability-to-pay and the amount thereof, and (2)

     notify the defendant of the imposition of court-appointed counsel fees at

     sentencing. Shirk at ¶ 9; Springs at ¶ 10. “[A] trial court errs when it orders

     a defendant to pay court-appointed counsel fees without notifying the

     defendant of that requirement at sentencing and determining the

     defendant's ability to pay those fees.” (Citation omitted.) State v. Mitchell,

     2d Dist. Clark No. 2014-CA-108, 2016-Ohio-1422, 2016 WL 1291704, ¶ 24.

            As stated above, R.C. 2941.51(D) specifically provides that court-

     appointed counsel fees shall be paid by the county. Accordingly, there is a

     statutory presumption that the county will pay appointed counsel's fees and

     expenses, unless there is a finding that the defendant has or reasonably

     may be expected to have the means to pay some or all of the costs of his

     or her legal representation. Given this presumption, we conclude that, prior

     to imposing court-appointed counsel fees, the trial court must make an

     explicit finding that a defendant has or reasonably may be expected to have

     the means to pay some or all of the cost of his or her legal representation.

     In addition, the trial court is required to specify the amount of appointed-

     counsel fees that a defendant can or reasonably may be expected to pay.
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                             14

        {¶43} Id. at ¶¶13-14, 21, motion to certify allowed, 154 Ohio St. 3d 1421, 2018-

Ohio-4495, 111 N.E.3d 19, ¶ 21 (2018), and appeal allowed, 154 Ohio St. 3d 1421, 2018-

Ohio-4495, 111 N.E.3d 20, ¶ 21 (2018).

        {¶44} We agree with the reasoning of the Second District in Taylor, and we find

to impose court-appointed counsel fees, the trial court must notify the defendant of such

requirement at sentencing, make an explicit finding the defendant has or reasonably may

be expected to have the means to pay, and specify the amount of appointed-counsel fees

the defendant can or reasonably may be expected to pay.

        {¶45} At the sentencing hearing, the trial court stated:

                Court has considered your present and future ability to pay financial

        sanctions, does not impose a fine in this case, but you are ordered to pay

        all of the costs of prosecution for which judgement’s [sic] granted against

        you and execution is hereby awarded.1

        {¶46} Sent. Tr. 16.

        {¶47} In the sentencing entry, the court stated:

                The Court finds the defendant is able to work and is therefore

        Ordered to pay all prosecution costs, court appointed counsel costs and any

1We presume the trial court’s reference to “all of the costs of prosecution” was made pursuant to R.C.
2947.23 and not R.C. 2941.51(D), which separately and specifically deals with appointed counsel fees.
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                                  15

        fees permitted pursuant to R.C. 2929.18(A)(4), for which all sums, judgment

        is hereby rendered. No fine is imposed.2

        {¶48} The trial court did not notify Appellant at sentencing he would or could be

required to pay court-appointed counsel fees, did not make an explicit finding Appellant

has or reasonably may be expected to have the means to pay court-appointed counsel

fees pursuant to R.C. 2941.51(D), and did not specify the amount of appointed-counsel

fees Appellant can or reasonably may be expected to pay. We therefore find the court

erred in ordering Appellant to pay court-appointed counsel fees.

        {¶49} The third assignment of error is sustained.

                                                         IV.

        {¶50} In his fourth assignment of error, Appellant argues the court erred in

requiring him to pay unauthorized costs.

        {¶51} Appellant first argues his cost bill3 improperly orders him to pay $3.00 per

page for document filing. R.C. 2303.20(F) allows the clerk of the common pleas court to

charge $2.00 per page for entering on the journal, indexing, and posting on the docket.

R.C. 2303.201(B)(1) allows the clerk of courts to charge an additional fee of up to one

dollar for the services described in R.C. 2303.20(F). The two dollars imposed pursuant

to R.C. 2303.20(F), added to the additional one dollar charged pursuant to R.C.

2303.201(B)(1), totals the $3.00 per page Appellant was legally charged on his itemized

bill.

2 We find it somewhat facially inconsistent to find Appellant had the ability to pay all prosecution costs yet
not impose a fine.
3 On March 11, 2019, this Court granted Appellant’s motion to supplement the record with the itemized cost

bill he received in the instant case pursuant to the trial court’s order to pay court costs.
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                                   16

       {¶52} Appellant next argues the bill reflects “bogus” mileage for serving

subpoenas on deputies and a mileage fee for serving Appellant with a warrant when he

was in custody at the jail and no mileage was involved. R.C. provides the sheriff may

charge “[o]n each summons, writ, order, or notice, a fee of two dollars per mile for the first

mile, and one dollar per mile for each additional mile, going and returning, actual mileage

to be charged on each additional name.” The subpoenas and the warrant reflect the

address where they are to be served, but do not reflect whether the deputy serving the

subpoenas and warrant had to travel to serve them. The State argues service required

traveling between two separate facilities, separated by 3.4 miles. There is nothing in the

record to indicate whether travel was or was not required for service. We find Appellant’s

claim the mileage was fabricated is unsupported by the record.

       {¶53} Appellant lastly argues the itemized bill improperly orders him to pay court-

appointed counsel costs of $2,000.         For the reasons stated in our discussion of

Appellant’s third assignment of error, we agree.

       {¶54} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error is overruled as to charges for

documents and mileage, but sustained as to the charge for court-appointed counsel fees.
Delaware County, Case No. 19 CAA 01 0001                                               17

      {¶55} The judgment of the Delaware County Common Pleas Court is affirmed in

all respects except for the order to pay court-appointed counsel fees. The order requiring

Appellant to pay court-appointed counsel fees in the amount of $2,000 is vacated.

By: Hoffman, J.
Gwin, P.J. and
Delaney, J. concur