Court Opinion

ID: 2700533
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 19:22:17.102097+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:35:12.535376
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Dixon, 2014-Ohio-1474.]

                           STATE OF OHIO, MAHONING COUNTY

                                  IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                                        SEVENTH DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO,                                )
                                              )    CASE NO.    13 MA 87
        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,                   )
                                              )
VS.                                           )    OPINION
                                              )
THOMAS DIXON, JR.,                            )
                                              )
        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.                  )

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS:                          Criminal Appeal from Common Pleas
                                                   Court, Case No. 13CR53.

JUDGMENT:                                          Affirmed.

APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee:                            Attorney Paul Gains
                                                   Prosecuting Attorney
                                                   Attorney Ralph Rivera
                                                   Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
                                                   21 West Boardman Street, 6th Floor
                                                   Youngstown, Ohio 44503

For Defendant-Appellant:                           Attorney Ronald Yarwood
                                                   42 North Phelps Street
                                                   Youngstown, Ohio 44503

JUDGES:
Hon. Joseph J. Vukovich
Hon. Gene Donofrio
Hon. Cheryl L. Waite

                                                   Dated: March 31, 2014
[Cite as State v. Dixon, 2014-Ohio-1474.]
VUKOVICH, J.

        {¶1}     Defendant-appellant Thomas Dixon, Jr. appeals from his conviction and
sentence entered in the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for aggravated
robbery. Appointed counsel filed a no merit brief and requested leave to withdraw. A
review of the case file and brief reveals that there are no appealable issues.
Accordingly, appointed counsel's motion to withdraw is granted and the conviction
and sentence are hereby affirmed in all respects.
                                       Statement of the Case
        {¶2}     On January 31, 2013, Dixon was indicted for aggravated robbery in
violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1)(C), a first-degree felony. Dixon initially pled not guilty
to the offense, but later, in conjunction with a plea agreement with the state, withdrew
that plea and entered a guilty plea to the indicted offense.        As part of the plea
agreement, the state agreed to recommend community control with alcohol abuse
counseling. After a plea colloquy, the trial court accepted the guilty plea and the
matter was set for sentencing. 03/22/13 Plea Tr. 10.
        {¶3}     At the sentencing hearing, the state recommended community control
with alcohol abuse counseling and provided reason for such recommendation.
05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 2-5. Counsel for Dixon then provided his own reasoning for
why the trial court should follow the recommended sentence. 05/10/13 Sentencing
Tr. 7-10.
        {¶4}     After considering the arguments, the trial court did not follow the
recommendation.          Rather, it imposed a four-year sentence for the conviction.
05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 13; 05/14/13 J.E.
        {¶5}     Dixon timely appealed. After reviewing the record, appointed counsel
filed a no merit brief asking to withdraw because there are allegedly no appealable
issues.
                                             Analysis
        {¶6}     When appellate counsel seeks to withdraw and discloses that there are
no meritorious arguments for appeal, the filing is known as a no merit brief or an
Anders brief. Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396 (1967). In this
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district, it has also been called a Toney brief. State v. Toney, 23 Ohio App. 2d 203,
262 N.E.2d 419 (7th Dist.1970).
       {¶7}     In Toney, this court set forth the procedure to be used when counsel of
record determines that an indigent's appeal is frivolous:
                3. Where court-appointed counsel, with long and extensive
       experience in criminal practice, concludes that the indigent's appeal is
       frivolous and that there is no assignment of error which could be
       arguably supported on appeal, he should so advise the appointing court
       by brief and request that he be permitted to withdraw as counsel of
       record.
                4. Court-appointed counsel's conclusions and motion to withdraw
       as counsel of record should be transmitted forthwith to the indigent, and
       the indigent should be granted time to raise any points that he chooses,
       pro se.
                5. It is the duty of the Court of Appeals to fully examine the
       proceedings in the trial court, the brief of appointed counsel, the
       arguments pro se of the indigent, and then determine whether or not
       the appeal is wholly frivolous.
                ***
                7. Where the Court of Appeals determines that an indigent's
       appeal is wholly frivolous, the motion of court-appointed counsel to
       withdraw as counsel of record should be allowed, and the judgment of
       the trial court should be affirmed.
Id. at syllabus.
       {¶8}     The no merit brief was filed by counsel on September 23, 2013. On
October 9, 2013, this court informed Dixon of counsel's no merit brief and granted
him 30 days to file his own written brief. Dixon did not file a brief. Thus, our analysis
will proceed with an independent examination of the record to determine if the appeal
is frivolous.      Our review will address whether the plea was entered knowingly,
intelligently and voluntarily and whether the sentence complies with the law.
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                                         1. Plea
       {¶9}   Crim.R. 11(C) provides that a trial court must make certain advisements
prior to accepting a defendant's guilty plea to ensure that the plea is entered into
knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. These advisements are typically divided into
constitutional rights and nonconstitutional rights. The constitutional rights are: 1) a
jury trial; 2) confrontation of witnesses against him; 3) the compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor; 4) that the state must prove the defendant's guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt at trial, and 5) that the defendant cannot be compelled to
testify against himself. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c); State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St. 3d 176,
2008–Ohio–5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, ¶ 19–21. The trial court must strictly comply with
these requirements; if it fails to strictly comply, the defendant's plea is invalid. Veney
at ¶ 31; State v. Ballard, 66 Ohio St. 2d 473, 477, 423 N.E.2d 115 (1981).
       {¶10} The nonconstitutional rights that the defendant must be informed of are:
1) the nature of the charges; 2) the maximum penalty involved, which includes, if
applicable, an advisement on postrelease control; 3) if applicable, that the defendant
is not eligible for probation or the imposition of community control sanctions, and 4)
that after entering a guilty plea or a no contest plea, the court may proceed directly to
judgment and sentencing.       Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a)(b); Veney at ¶ 10–13; State v.
Sarkozy, 117 Ohio St. 3d 86, 2008–Ohio–509, 423 N.E.2d 1224, ¶ 19–26,
(postrelease control is a nonconstitutional advisement). For the nonconstitutional
rights, the trial court must substantially comply with Crim.R. 11's mandates. State v.
Nero, 56 Ohio St. 3d 106, 108, 564 N.E.2d 474 (1990).            “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.” Veney at ¶ 15,
quoting Nero at 108. Furthermore, a defendant who challenges his guilty plea on the
basis that the advisement for the nonconstitutional rights did not substantially comply
with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a)(b) must also show a prejudicial effect, meaning the plea
would not have been otherwise entered. Veney at ¶ 15, citing Nero at 108.
       {¶11} The trial court's advisement on the constitutional rights strictly complied
with Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c). Dixon was informed and indicated that he understood that
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by pleading guilty he was waiving his right to a jury trial, his right to confront
witnesses against him, his right to subpoena witnesses in his favor and his right to
have the state prove beyond a reasonable doubt every element of the indicted
offenses. 03/22/13 Plea Tr. 4-5. He was also informed and stated he understood
that if he went to trial he could not be compelled to testify against himself. 03/22/13
Plea Tr. 5.
       {¶12} Likewise, this trial court’s advisement as to the nonconstitutional rights
substantially complied with Crim.R. 11(C). Dixon was advised that he was charged
with aggravated robbery and was informed of the elements of that charge. 03/22/13
Plea Tr. 3-4. He was informed of the maximum penalty involved for the offense; a
first-degree felony carries a maximum prison term of 11 years, a maximum fine of
$20,000.00 and a mandatory five-year term of postrelease control following
completion of the sentence. 03/22/13 Plea Tr. 6–8. See also R.C. 2929.14(A)(1)
(maximum term for a first-degree felony); R.C. 2929.18(A)(3)(a) (maximum fine for a
first-degree felony); R.C. 2967.28(B)(1) (postrelease control). The trial court further
advised Dixon that upon accepting the guilty plea it could proceed immediately to
sentencing. 03/22/13 Plea Tr. 6.
       {¶13} Therefore, since the trial court made all the required advisements there
are no errors in the Crim.R. 11(C) colloquy and thus, there are no appealable issues
concerning the plea. The record confirms that the plea was intelligently, voluntarily,
and knowingly entered.
                                    2. Sentencing
       {¶14} We review felony sentences using both the clearly and convincingly
contrary to law and abuse of discretion standards of review. State v. Hill, 7th Dist.
No. 13MA1, 2014-Ohio-____, ¶ __; State v. Gratz, 7th Dist. No. 08MA101, 2009–
Ohio–695, ¶ 8. We first determine whether the sentencing court complied with all
applicable rules and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine whether the
sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law. Gratz at ¶ 8, citing State v.
Kalish, 120 Ohio St .3d 23, 2008–Ohio–4912, 896 N.E.2d 124, ¶ 13–14. Then, if it is
not clearly and convincingly contrary to law, we must determine whether the
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sentencing court abused its discretion in applying the factors in R.C. 2929.11, R.C.
2929.12 and any other applicable statute. Gratz at ¶ 8, citing Kalish at ¶ 17.
       {¶15} Dixon pled guilty to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony.       The
court sentenced him to a four-year sentence. 05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 13. He was
also informed that following his release from prison he would be subject to an
additional five-year term of postrelease control. 05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 14-15. This
sentence is within the sentencing range of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 years that is
permitted by R.C. 2929.14(A)(1) for a first-degree felony. Likewise, the postrelease
control advisement is correct; R.C. 2967.28(B)(1) indicates that he is subject to a
five-year term of postrelease control.
       {¶16} At the sentencing hearing and in the judgment entry, the trial court
indicated that it considered all applicable statutes when determining the appropriate
sentence. In the Judgment Entry it stated:
                The Court has reviewed ORC §§2929.11, 2929.13 and 2929.14
       as it applies to Defendant.
                The Court considered the record, presentence investigation
       report, oral statements and the principles and purposes of sentencing
       under Ohio Revised Code § 2929.11, and has balanced the
       seriousness and recidivism factors under Ohio Revised Code §
       2929.12.     The Court finds that Defendant is not amenable to a
       community control sanction.
05/14/13 J.E.
       {¶17} Likewise, statements made during the sentencing hearing also indicate
that the trial court considered R.C. 2929.11, 2929.12, and 2929.13 when imposing
the four-year sentence. 05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 11-13.
       {¶18} Thus, the record discloses that the trial court did consider and comply
with all applicable statutes in issuing the sentence. The sentence is not clearly and
convincingly contrary to law.
       {¶19} Our analysis next turns to whether the trial court erred in determining
that a four-year sentence was appropriate. At this point it is noted that the state
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recommended community control and provided reasons for such recommendation.
Some of the reasons were that the victim was not hurt, the victim does not think he
should spend any more time in jail, the victim does not perceive Dixon as a threat,
Dixon was drunk at the time of crime, and Dixon does not have a violent or extensive
criminal record. 05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 2-5. Dixon’s attorney, likewise, argued for a
community control sanction. He indicated that Dixon has been attending drug and
alcohol counseling, just obtained a job, and that Dixon moved so that he could live in
a sober environment.      05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 7-10.       When Dixon spoke he
indicated that he was sorry and that he wished he could take it back. 05/10/13
Sentencing Tr. 11.
      {¶20} Despite both parties’ arguments and requests for community control
sanctions, the trial court did not follow the recommendation. Instead, it ordered a
four-year sentence.    The act of not following the state’s recommendation and
ordering a stiffer penalty does not, in and of itself, render the sentence clearly and
convincingly contrary to law or show that the trial court abused its discretion. Trial
courts generally are not a party to the plea negotiations and the contract itself. State
v. Vari, 7th Dist. No. 07MA142, 2010–Ohio–1300, ¶ 24. Thus, “the court is free to
impose a sentence greater than that forming the inducement for the defendant to
plead guilty so long as the court forewarns the defendant of the applicable penalties,
including the possibility of imposing a greater sentence than that recommended by
the prosecutor.” Id., citing State v. Martinez, 7th Dist. No. 03MA196, 2004–Ohio-
6806, ¶ 8. That said, we have explained that once the trial court enters into the plea
agreement by making a promise, it becomes a party to the agreement and is bound
by the agreement. Vari at ¶ 24.
      {¶21} Here, Dixon was advised of the maximum penalty involved and was
advised multiple times that the trial court was not required to follow the
recommendation. 03/22/13 Plea Tr. 6–7 (sentencing up to the court and maximum
penalty); 05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 6-7 (“sentencing is always up to the court”).
Furthermore, the record does not indicate that the trial court was a party to the plea
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agreement. Thus, there is nothing in the record to suggest that the trial court was
bound, for any reason, by the recommendation.
       {¶22} The record also indicates that the trial court’s decision to deviate from
the recommendation and order a four-year sentence was not an abuse of discretion
or contrary to law. The trial court considered and weighed all factors when it was
determining the appropriate sentence. The court considered the fact that the crime is
a first-degree felony and that the victim was wheelchair bound and taking oxygen.
05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 11-12. It also took into account that Dixon had previously
been in and out of drug programs, including substance abuse training in a veteran’s
center. 05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 12. The trial court also contemplated the facts as
they were set forth in the police report.
       {¶23} That report indicated that this incident occurred over a $10 loan that
Dixon had made to the victim, who allegedly was his ex-girlfriend. He threatened her
with a box cutter and said something to the effect of “Bitch, give me the
motherfucking money.” When she told him she could not and reached for her phone,
he allegedly said, “I don’t care who you call; I’ll kill your motherfucking ass.” 05/10/13
Sentencing Tr. 12; police report attached to PSI.        When the police went to his
apartment and asked him about the incident, the box cutter was found on his person.
He told the police that he was “having kinky sex” with the victim and “somehow the
knife was involved.” Dixon claimed that the victim owed him even more money for
sexual favors. He further advised the officers that he was just angry because he had
recently been laid off from work and that he knew the victim had spent his money on
“crack.” Police report attached to PSI.
       {¶24} In light of all the above, including the recommended sentence, the trial
court concluded:
              So taking everything into consideration, and the risk factor
       involved which has been determined to be moderate [by the PSI], and
       also the chances of recidivism, this court understands in some respects
       how a recommendation was made without knowing the factual
       circumstances. But taking what did transpire into account, it is going to
                                                                                -8-

      be the order of the court in following the principles and purposes of
      sentencing, it’s going to be the order of the court, and to protect the
      public, I might add, that the defendant is going to be sentenced to a
      four-year stay in the Lorain Correctional Facility.
05/10/13 Sentencing Tr. 13.
      {¶25} This reasoning taken in conjunction with the record indicates that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion or order a sentence that was clearly and
convincingly contrary to law.
      {¶26} Consequently, for all the above reasons there are no appealable
sentencing issues.
                                      Conclusion
      {¶27} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial court is hereby
affirmed. Likewise, counsel's motion to withdraw is granted.

Donofrio, J., concurs.
Waite, J., concurs.