Court Opinion

ID: 2699362
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 18:03:39.893163+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:51:37.622107
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Hoskinson, 2012-Ohio-3138.]

                                       COURT OF APPEALS
                                     MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO
                                   FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO                                      JUDGES:
                                                   Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P. J.
        Plaintiff-Appellee                         Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
                                                   Hon. John W. Wise, J.
-vs-
                                                   Case No. 11 AP 0003
STEPHANIE J. HOSKINSON

        Defendant-Appellant                        OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                        Criminal Appeal from the Court of Common
                                                Pleas, Case No. 10 CR 0029

JUDGMENT:                                       Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                         July 10, 2012

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                          For Defendant-Appellant

MARK HOWDYSHELL                                 SUSAN J. MONTGOMERY MCDONALD
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY                            GOTTLIEB, JOHNSTON, BEAM
19 East Main Street                             & DAL PONTE
Mcconnelsville, Ohio 43756                      320 Main Street, Post Office Box 190
                                                Zanesville, Ohio 43702-0190
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                  2

Wise, J.

       {¶1}   Appellant Stephanie J. Hoskinson appeals her convictions and sentences,

in the Morgan County Court of Common Pleas, for aggravated murder, murder,

aggravated arson, and aggravated robbery. Appellee is the State of Ohio. The relevant

facts leading to this appeal are as follows.

       {¶2}   On September 24, 2008, appellant, Christopher Clark, and Christopher

Border went to the home of Clark’s acquaintance Rodney Spencer in McConnelsville,

Ohio, to purchase marijuana. Appellant, Clark, and Border had all been drinking and

using drugs that day. Tr. at 372. At some point, Spencer was physically assaulted by

the group. Some of the blows came from the use of a hammer. Spencer was knocked

unconscious, and was thereafter fatally injured by a fire that consumed his home.

According to Border, appellant started the fire with a lighter and some gasoline Clark

found in a can on the porch. Tr. at 380.

       {¶3}   On September 22, 2010, the Morgan County Grand Jury indicted

appellant on one count of aggravated burglary, one count of aggravated robbery, two

counts of aggravated arson, one count of aggravated murder during the commission of

aggravated burglary, one count of aggravated murder during the commission of

aggravated robbery, and one count of aggravated murder during the commission of

aggravated arson.

       {¶4}   On October 27, 2010, a competency evaluation was authorized by the trial

court. On March 29, 2011, appellant was found competent to stand trial.
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                       3

       {¶5}   Appellant additionally filed a motion to suppress evidence, focusing on

statements she made to law enforcement. Following a suppression hearing on June 30,

2011, the trial court denied appellant’s motion to suppress.

       {¶6}   The case proceeded to a jury trial on July 18 and 19, 2011. After hearing

the evidence and arguments, the jury convicted appellant on the following five counts:

       {¶7}   Count 2: Aggravated Robbery, in violation of R.C. 2911.01 (A)(3), a felony

of the first degree;

       {¶8}   Count 3: Aggravated Arson, in violation of R.C. 2909.02(A)(1), a felony of

the first degree;

       {¶9}   Count 4: Aggravated Arson, in violation of R.C. 2909.02(A)(2), a felony of

the second degree;

       {¶10} Count 6: Murder, in violation of R.C. 2903.02(B), a felony subject to the

penalties set forth in R.C. 2929.02; and

       {¶11} Count 7: Aggravated Murder during the Commission of Aggravated Arson,

in violation of R.C. 2903.01(B), a felony subject to the penalties set forth in R.C.

2929.03.

       {¶12} The trial court sentenced appellant on August 2, 2011 to life imprisonment

with parole eligibility after forty years. Specifically, appellant was sentenced to three

years for aggravated robbery, seven years for aggravated arson (R.C. 2909.02(A)(1)),

five years for aggravated arson (R.C. 2909.02(A)(2)), fifteen years to life for murder, and

life imprisonment with parole eligibility after thirty years for aggravated murder during

the commission of aggravated arson.
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                     4

      {¶13} Appellant filed a notice of appeal on August 24, 2011. She herein raises

the following four Assignments of Error:

      {¶14} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN SENTENCING THE APPELLANT TO

CONSECUTIVE PRISON TERMS BY NOT ‘ENGAGING IN THE ANALYSIS’

REQUIRED BY ORC §2929.14(E)(4).

      {¶15} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN SENTENCING

THE APPELLANT CONSIDERING THE FACTORS IN ORC §2929.12 BY NOT

IMPOSING A SENTENCE CONSISTENT WITH SENTENCES IMPOSED FOR

SIMILAR    CRIMES      COMMITTED       BY    SIMILAR    OFFENDERS        UNDER     ORC

§2929.11(B).

      {¶16} “III.    APPELLANT       WAS     PREJUDICED      BY   THE     INEFFECTIVE

ASSISTANCE OF TRIAL COUNSEL.

      {¶17} “IV.    THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THE NUMEROUS ERRORS

DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF A FAIR TRIAL.”

                                            I.

      {¶18} In her First Assignment of Error, appellant contends the trial court erred in

imposing consecutive sentences under R.C. 2929.14(E)(4). We disagree.

      {¶19} As an initial matter, we note appellant concedes that the statutory

amendments under H.B. 86, effective 9-30-2011, took effect after the sentencing date in

the case sub judice. See Appellant’s Brief at 5. We therefore herein rely on the Ohio

Supreme Court's Foster decision [109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006–Ohio–856], which holds that

judicial fact finding is not required before a court imposes non-minimum, maximum or

consecutive prison terms. See, e.g., State v. Williams, Muskingum App. No. CT2009–
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                      5

0006, 2009–Ohio–5296, ¶ 19, citing State v. Hanning, Licking App.No. 2007CA00004,

2007–Ohio–5547, ¶ 9. Subsequent to Foster, in a plurality opinion, the Ohio Supreme

Court established a two-step procedure for reviewing a felony sentence. State v. Kalish,

120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008–Ohio–4912, 896 N.E.2d 124. The first step is to “examine the

sentencing court's compliance with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing the

sentence to determine whether the sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law.”

Kalish at ¶ 4. If this first step is satisfied, the second step requires the trial court's

decision be reviewed under an abuse-of-discretion standard. Id.

      {¶20} In the case sub judice, the trial court stated in its written entry and on the

record that it had considered the purposes of sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11 and

the seriousness and recidivism factors found in R.C. 2929.12. See Sentencing Entry,

August 2, 2011 at 2; Sentencing Tr. at 12-17. As noted in our recitation of facts,

appellant was sentenced to three years for aggravated robbery and was sentenced to

seven years for the offense of aggravated arson in violation of R.C. 2909.02(A)(1).

These were within the range of prison terms for felonies of the first degree, which range

from three to ten years. Appellant was also sentenced to five years for the offense of

aggravated arson in violation of R.C. 2909.02(A)(2) and fined $10,000.00. This was

within the range of prison terms for a felony of the second degree, which ranges from

two to eight years and carries a maximum fine of $15,000.00. In regard to the murder

count, the prison term for murder during the commission of aggravated robbery is for an

indefinite term of fifteen years to life as mandated by R.C. 2929.02(B)(1). Appellant was

sentenced to that term. In regard to aggravated murder, the prison term for aggravated

murder during the commission of aggravated arson is either life without parole or life
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                         6

with parole eligibility after serving a range of twenty to thirty full years as mandated by

R.C. 2929.03(A)(1). Appellant was sentenced for the aggravated murder of Rodney

Spencer to life with parole eligibility after serving thirty full years of imprisonment.

        {¶21} The two aggravated arson counts were merged, as were the aggravated

murder and murder counts. The aggravated robbery, aggravated murder, and

aggravated arson sentences were ordered served consecutively. See Judgment Entry

of Sentencing at 4.1

        {¶22} Based on our review of the record, and pursuant to Foster and Kalish, we

do not find the trial court acted clearly and convincingly contrary to law or abused its

discretion in rendering consecutive sentences under the facts and circumstances of this

case.

        {¶23} Appellant's First Assignment of Error is therefore overruled.

                                                  II.

        {¶24} In her Second Assignment of Error, appellant argues that the trial court

abused its discretion in sentencing her in light of the seriousness and recidivism factors

under R.C. 2929.12(B) and (D) and the consistency considerations under R.C.

2929.11(B). We disagree.

                            Seriousness and Recidivism Factors

        {¶25} R.C. 2929.12(B) states as follows:

        {¶26} “The sentencing court shall consider all of the following that apply

regarding the offender, the offense, or the victim, and any other relevant factors, as

1
   Appellant’s brief fails to include a copy of the sentencing entry under appeal. See
Loc.App.R. 9(A). We have reviewed the original entry in the trial court’s file.
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                         7

indicating that the offender's conduct is more serious than conduct normally constituting

the offense:

       {¶27} “(1) The physical or mental injury suffered by the victim of the offense due

to the conduct of the offender was exacerbated because of the physical or mental

condition or age of the victim.

       {¶28} “(2) The victim of the offense suffered serious physical, psychological, or

economic harm as a result of the offense.

       {¶29} “(3) The offender held a public office or position of trust in the community,

and the offense related to that office or position.

       {¶30} “(4) The offender's occupation, elected office, or profession obliged the

offender to prevent the offense or bring others committing it to justice.

       {¶31} “(5) The offender's professional reputation or occupation, elected office, or

profession was used to facilitate the offense or is likely to influence the future conduct of

others.

       {¶32} “(6) The offender's relationship with the victim facilitated the offense.

       {¶33} “(7) The offender committed the offense for hire or as a part of an

organized criminal activity.

       {¶34} “(8) In committing the offense, the offender was motivated by prejudice

based on race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

       {¶35} “(9) If the offense is a violation of section 2919.25 or a violation of section

2903.11, 2903.12, or 2903.13 of the Revised Code involving a person who was a family

or household member at the time of the violation, the offender committed the offense in

the vicinity of one or more children who are not victims of the offense, and the offender
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                        8

or the victim of the offense is a parent, guardian, custodian, or person in loco parentis of

one or more of those children.”

        {¶36} In turn, R.C. 2929.12(D) states as follows:

        {¶37} “The sentencing court shall consider all of the following that apply

regarding the offender, and any other relevant factors, as factors indicating that the

offender is likely to commit future crimes:

        {¶38} “(1) At the time of committing the offense, the offender was under release

from confinement before trial or sentencing, under a sanction imposed pursuant to

section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or under post-release

control pursuant to section 2967.28 or any other provision of the Revised Code for an

earlier offense or had been unfavorably terminated from post-release control for a prior

offense pursuant to division (B) of section 2967.16 or section 2929.141 of the Revised

Code.

        {¶39} “(2) The offender previously was adjudicated a delinquent child pursuant

to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code prior to January 1, 2002, or pursuant to Chapter

2152. of the Revised Code, or the offender has a history of criminal convictions.

        {¶40} “(3) The offender has not been rehabilitated to a satisfactory degree after

previously being adjudicated a delinquent child pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the

Revised Code prior to January 1, 2002, or pursuant to Chapter 2152. of the Revised

Code, or the offender has not responded favorably to sanctions previously imposed for

criminal convictions.

        {¶41} “(4) The offender has demonstrated a pattern of drug or alcohol abuse that

is related to the offense, and the offender refuses to acknowledge that the offender has
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                      9

demonstrated that pattern, or the offender refuses treatment for the drug or alcohol

abuse.

      {¶42} “(5) The offender shows no genuine remorse for the offense.”

      {¶43} There is no requirement in R.C. 2929.12 that the trial court must state on

the record that it has considered the statutory criteria concerning seriousness and

recidivism or even discussed them. State v. Hobby, Ashland App.No. 11 COA 41, 2012-

Ohio-2420, ¶ 35, citing State v. Polick (1995), 101 Ohio App.3d 428, 431, 655 N.E.2d

820 (additional citations omitted). Nonetheless, we have recognized that “[w]here the

record lacks sufficient data to justify the sentence, the court may well abuse its

discretion by imposing that sentence without a suitable explanation.” State v.

Firouzmandi, Licking App.No. 2006-CA-41, 2006-Ohio-5823, ¶ 52.

      {¶44} In the case sub judice, although not required to explain its analysis on the

record, the trial court stated that it had considered, inter alia, that the victim, Rodney

Spencer, suffered physical, psychological, or economic harm because of appellant’s

acts, and that appellant had committed the offenses for hire or as part of an organized

criminal activity. Sentencing Entry at 2. See 2929.12(B)(2) and (7), supra. The court

also noted that appellant had prior criminal convictions, that she had not favorably

responded to previous sanctions, and that she demonstrated a pattern of drug or

alcohol abuse. Id. See R.C. 2929.12(D), supra. Although appellant takes issue with the

trial court’s emphases on these factors and the conclusions drawn from the same, and

further argues that the offenses are not likely to recur (R.C. 2929.12(E)(4)), we are

unable to conclude that the court acted unreasonably, arbitrarily, or unconscionably, or

that the court violated her right to due process in its sentencing determinations.
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                       10

                                           Consistency

        {¶45} R.C. 2929.11(B) reads in pertinent part as follows: “A sentence imposed

for a felony shall be * * * consistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes

committed by similar offenders.” As a general rule, our review on appeal is limited to

those materials in the record that were before the trial court. In re McClain, Licking App.

No. 01CA92, 2002-Ohio-2467, 2002 WL 710434, citing State v. Ishmail (1978), 54 Ohio

St.2d 402, 8 O.O.3d 405, 377 N.E.2d 500. Clearly, “[a]n obstacle to appellate review for

consistency of individual sentences under the Ohio plan is the current lack of

acceptable sentencing data and records from which to determine the mainstream

sentencing range for specific offenses.” State v. Ryan, Hamilton App. No. C-020283,

2003-Ohio-1188, 2003 WL 1094003, quoting Griffin and Katz, Sentencing Consistency:

Basic Principles Instead of Numerical Grids: The Ohio Plan (2002), 53 Case W.R.L.Rev.

14, 57. In addition, “[c]onsistency * * * does not necessarily mean uniformity.” Ryan,

supra, quoting Griffin and Katz at 12.

        {¶46} Pursuant to R.C. 2953.08(G), a reviewing court will not disturb a

defendant's sentence unless it finds, “by clear and convincing evidence, that the record

does not support the sentence or that the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.” State

v. Torres, Lake App.No. 2001-L-122, 2003-Ohio-1878. Appellant herein chiefly contrasts

her sentence to co-defendants Clark and Border, who entered pleas and purportedly

each received life sentences with the possibility of parole after eighteen years.2

Appellant, also referencing the $10,000.00 fine she received, maintains that she has

essentially suffered a “trial tax” based on her decision not to enter a plea. See

2
    Appellant does not specify if Clark’s sentence information is in the record before us.
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                        11

Appellant’s Brief at 15. However, upon review of the record, we find appellant's

contention that she has suffered prejudicial error from inconsistent sentencing to be

without merit.

       {¶47} Appellant's Second Assignment of Error is overruled.

                                                III.

       {¶48} In her Third Assignment of Error, appellant maintains she was deprived of

the effective assistance of trial counsel. We disagree.

       {¶49} Our standard of review for ineffective assistance claims is set forth in

Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. Ohio

adopted this standard in the case of State v. Bradley (1989), 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538

N.E.2d 373. These cases require a two-pronged analysis: First, we must determine

whether counsel's assistance was ineffective; whether counsel's performance fell below

an objective standard of reasonable representation and was violative of any of his

essential duties to the client. If we find ineffective assistance of counsel, we must then

determine whether or not the defense was actually prejudiced by counsel's

ineffectiveness such that the reliability of the outcome of the trial is suspect. This

requires a showing that there is a reasonable probability that but for counsel's

unprofessional error, the outcome of the trial would have been different. Id. Trial counsel

is entitled to a strong presumption that all decisions fall within the wide range of

reasonable professional assistance. State v. Sallie (1998), 81 Ohio St.3d 673, 675, 693

N.E.2d 267.

       {¶50} Appellant, noting that one of her co-defendants, Border, testified about

appellant’s partying lifestyle, (Tr. at 363), first challenges defense counsel’s decision not
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                    12

to call Tony Harris (appellant’s cousin), Dawn White (appellant’s friend since high

school), and Carrie Mayle (appellant’s best friend) as additional character witnesses.3

Appellant also notes that Valerie McKibben, one of her co-workers, could have been

utilized as an alibi witness. We note, however, that such an argument relies heavily on

speculation, as from the present record we cannot ascertain the effect of these

proposed witnesses on the jury. “ ‘[C]omplaints of uncalled witnesses are not favored,

because the presentation of testimonial evidence is a matter of trial strategy and

because allegations of what a witness would have testified are largely speculative.’ ”

State v. Phillips, Stark App.No. 2010CA00338, 2011-Ohio-6569, ¶ 26, quoting Buckelew

v. United States (5th Cir.1978), 575 F.2d 515, 521. In this instance, we find appellant

has failed to demonstrate that trial counsel's performance fell below an objective

standard of reasonable representation and violated any essential duties to the client on

the basis of uncalled witnesses.

       {¶51} Appellant secondly directs us to what she calls “nervous blunders” made

by defense counsel during voir dire, which appellant claims gave the impression to the

jury that defense counsel was inexperienced. In the first instance, trial counsel drew an

analogy to making a decision beyond a reasonable doubt to making an important

personal medical decision:

       {¶52} “[DEFENSE COUNSEL] MR. MOOREHEAD: And [the doctor] is going to

tell you that. Are you going to just take his word for it, say - -

       {¶53} “[JUROR] AMANDA D. WRIGHT: No.

3
  Defense counsel nonetheless did call no less than four witnesses who testified in part
as to appellant’s character. See Tr. at 498 et seq., 507 et seq., 524 et seq., and 532 et
seq. This group included Carrie Mayle.
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                    13

       {¶54} “MR. MOOREHEAD: What are you going to want?

       {¶55} “AMANDA D. WRIGHT: I guess I would want at least a reason why.

       {¶56} “MR. MOOREHEAD: Yeah. Would you want to research that doctor’s

background, for instance - -

       {¶57} “AMANDA D. WRIGHT: Yeah.

       {¶58} “MR. MOOREHEAD: - - to see his credentials?

       {¶59} “AMANDA D. WRIGHT: Um-huh.

       {¶60} “MR. MOOREHEAD: Maybe get a second opinion?

       {¶61} “AMANDA D. WRIGHT: Um-huh.

       {¶62} “MR. MOOREHEAD: I mean, maybe do some research on your own. In

this case, I shouldn’t have said do some research on your own. You’re all going to be

told not to do you (sic) own research. I shouldn’t have even said that.”

       {¶63} Tr. at 47-48.

       {¶64} In the second instance, trial counsel discussed the burden on the State to

prove its case:

       {¶65} “I understand that the burden is on them. I understand that they have to

prove their case, each and every element of the crimes that they’re charging her with

beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt. It’s the most - - in my mind, it’s

the most important role we, as citizens, can have. You never get that much

participation.”

       {¶66} Tr. at 61.
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                        14

      {¶67} The prosecutor thereafter pointed out that defense counsel had used the

expression “to the exclusion of” any or every reasonable doubt. See Tr. at 70. Defense

counsel subsequently corrected himself as follows:

      {¶68} “MR. MOOREHEAD: We - - we’re here on the defense. It’s not our duty

to prove our story beyond a reasonable doubt. I didn’t say beyond - - beyond and

excluding a reasonable doubt to confuse anybody.            In my mind, it’s beyond a

reasonable doubt. There is no doubt - - or reasonable doubt. There is no reasonable

doubt, and so it would exclude all reasonable doubt. I wasn’t trying to trick anybody.”

      {¶69} Tr. at 84.

      {¶70} Although appellant has not presently raised a sufficiency or manifest

weight of the evidence claim, our review of the overall trial transcript, particularly the

testimony of the various law enforcement and fire investigators and Christopher Border,

does not persuade us that appellant’s case was prejudiced by her trial counsel’s self-

corrected comments during the voir dire process.

      {¶71} Appellant's Third Assignment of Error is overruled.

                                               IV.

      {¶72} In her Fourth Assignment of Error, appellant argues she was deprived of a

fair trial based on the existence of cumulative error. We disagree.

      {¶73} The doctrine of cumulative error provides that a conviction will be reversed

where the cumulative effect of evidentiary errors in a trial deprives a defendant of the

constitutional right to a fair trial even though each of numerous instances of trial court

error does not singularly constitute cause for reversal. State v. DeMarco (1987), 31

Ohio St.3d 191, 509 N .E.2d 1256, paragraph two of the syllabus. The doctrine has
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                                         15

been expanded to include the cumulative effect of all errors, not just evidentiary errors.

See State v. Neal, Champaign App.Nos. 2000–CA–16, 2000–CA–18, 2002-Ohio-6786,

¶ 101, citing State v. Garner, 74 Ohio St.3d 49, 64, 656 N.E.2d 623, 1995–Ohio–168.

Nonetheless, the doctrine is not applicable to cases where the court has not found

multiple instances of harmless error. State v. Skerness, Coshocton App.No. 09-CA-28,

2011-Ohio-188, ¶ 77, citing Garner at 64.

         {¶74} In support of her argument, appellant redirects us to the issues referenced

earlier in her brief, i.e., those pertaining to sentencing and ineffective assistance of trial

counsel. Notwithstanding this Court's past reluctance to embrace cumulative error as

grounds for reversal (see State v. Mascarella (July 6, 1995), Tuscarawas App.No.

94AP100075), upon review we find reversible error has not been demonstrated on this

basis.

         {¶75} Appellant's Fourth Assignment of Error is overruled.

         {¶76} For the reasons stated in the foregoing, the decision of the Court of

Common Pleas, Morgan County, is hereby affirmed.

By: Wise, J.

Gwin, P. J., and

Hoffman, J., concur.

                                              ___________________________________

                                              ___________________________________

                                              ___________________________________

                                                                   JUDGES
JWW/d 0621
Morgan County, Case No. 11 AP 0003                                           16

            IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO
                         FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO                             :
                                          :
       Plaintiff-Appellee                 :
                                          :
-vs-                                      :        JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                          :
STEPHANIE J. HOSKINSON                    :
                                          :
       Defendant-Appellant                :        Case No. 11 AP 0003

       For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the

judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Morgan County, Ohio, is affirmed.

       Costs assessed to appellant.

                                          ___________________________________

                                          ___________________________________

                                          ___________________________________

                                                            JUDGES