Court Opinion

ID: 4160114
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-13 16:12:05.306377+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:16.060489
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Wojtowicz, 2017-Ohio-1359.]

                Court of Appeals of Ohio
                               EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                  COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

                              JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
                                      No. 104384

                                      STATE OF OHIO
                                                      PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE

                                                vs.

                             ERIC PAUL WOJTOWICZ
                                                      DEFENDANT-APPELLANT

                                            JUDGMENT:
                                             AFFIRMED

                                Criminal Appeal from the
                         Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
              Case Nos. CR-15-600564-A, CR-15-600634-A, CR-15-600857-A,
                    CR-15-601578, CR-15-601644-A, CR-15-602158-A

        BEFORE: Keough, A.J., S. Gallagher, J., and Laster Mays, J.

        RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: April 13, 2017
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT

Robert L. Tobik
Cuyahoga County Public Defender
By: Erika B. Cunliffe
Assistant Public Defender
310 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 200
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

Michael C. O’Malley
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
By: Anna Woods
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
The Justice Center, 9th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, A.J.:

      {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Eric Paul Wojtowicz, appeals his guilty pleas and

sentence. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

      {¶2} In late 2015 and early 2016, Wojtowicz was named in six different

indictments charging him with multiple counts of theft, breaking and entering, and

criminal damaging, mostly felonies of the fourth and fifth degree. In Cuyahoga C.P. No.

CR-15-600564, he was charged with breaking and entering (Counts 1, 5, 7, and 10),

grand theft (Count 2), theft (Count 3), misuse of credit cards (Count 4), petty theft

(Counts 6 and 11), theft (Count 8), failure to comply (Count 9), and receiving stolen

property (Count 12). In Cuyahoga C.P. No. CR-15-600634, Wojtowicz was charged

with breaking and entering (Count 1), vandalism (Count 2), and petty theft (Count 3). In

Cuyahoga C.P. No. CR-15-600857, he was charged with breaking and entering (Count 1),

theft (Count 2), and criminal damaging or endangering (Count 3). In Cuyahoga C.P. No.

CR-15-601578, Wojtowicz was charged with breaking and entering (Count 1), petty theft

(Count 2), and vandalism (Count 3). In Cuyahoga C.P. No. CR-15-601644, Wojtowicz

was charged with breaking and entering (Count 1) and theft (Count 2). In Cuyahoga C.P.

No. CR-15-602158, he was charged with breaking and entering (Count 1) and petty theft

(Count 2).

      {¶3} All these cases arose from a month-long crack cocaine binge where

Wojtowicz would steal cars, back them into stores to gain entrance, and steal cigarettes

and other merchandise from inside the stores. He did this approximately eight times in
seven different jurisdictions in Cuyahoga County, causing approximately $40,000 worth

of overall damage. The cases were consolidated without objection.

       {¶4} In 2016, Wojtowicz entered in a plea agreement with the state. In Case No.

CR-15-600564, he pled guilty to Counts 1, 7, 10 (breaking and entering, a fifth-degree

felony), Count 9 (failure to comply, a third-degree felony), and Count 12 (receiving stolen

property, a fourth-degree felony). In Case No. CR-15-600634, he pled guilty to Count 1

(breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony) and Count 2 (vandalism, a fifth-degree

felony). In Case No. CR-15-600857, he pled guilty to Count 1 (breaking and entering, a

fifth-degree felony). In Case No. CR-15-601578, he pled guilty to Count 1 (breaking

and entering, a fifth-degree felony). In Case No. CR-15-601644, he pled guilty to Count

1 (breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony). In Case No. CR-15-602158, Wojtowicz

pled guilty to Count 1 (breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony) and Count 2 (petty

theft, a first-degree misdemeanor). All other counts in the six indictments were nolled.

As part of the plea agreement, Wojtowicz agreed to pay restitution to the victims and

businesses.

       {¶5} At sentencing, the trial court reviewed the presentence investigative report

(“PSI”) and heard victim impact statements and mitigation arguments.              The court

imposed the following sentence: in Case No. CR-15-600564, Wojtowicz was sentenced

to the maximum of 12 months on Counts 1, 7, 10 (breaking and entering), 30 months on

Count 9 (failure to comply), and the maximum of 18 months on Count 12 (receiving

stolen property); with all counts to be served consecutively for a total prison sentence of 7
years. He was also ordered to pay restitution to Michael Beach ($8,095.94), GetGo Gas

Station ($6,030.05), and Express Deli ($1,500).

       {¶6} In Case No. CR-15-600634, Wojtowicz was sentenced to the maximum of 12

months on each of Count 1 (breaking and entering) and Count 2 (vandalism), to be served

concurrently for a total prison sentence of 12 months.

       {¶7} In Case No. CR-15-600857, he was sentenced to the maximum of 12 months

on Count 1 (breaking and entering), and ordered to pay restitution to Circle K ($500). In

Case No. CR-15-601578, Wojtowicz was sentenced to the maximum of 12 months on

Count 1 (breaking and entering). In Case No. CR-15-601644, Wojtowicz was sentenced

to the maximum of 12 months on Count 1 (breaking and entering), and ordered to pay

restitution to Game Stop ($10,968.70). In Case No. CR-15-602158, he was sentenced to

the maximum of 12 months on Count 1 (breaking and entering) and the maximum of six

months on Count 2 (petty theft), to be served concurrently for a total prison sentence of

the maximum of 12 months. All of the sentences imposed in each case were ordered to

run consecutively to each other for a total prison sentence of 12 years.

       {¶8} Wojtowicz filed a timely appeal. In September 2016, this court granted

Wojtowicz’s motion to remand the case to the trial court for the limited purpose of

allowing him to move to vacate his guilty plea. The motion to vacate challenged the

voluntariness of his plea, the competence of his counsel, counsel’s advice regarding

Wojtowicz’s sentencing exposure, and the length and proportionality of the sentence that
the court imposed. The trial court summarily denied Wojtowicz’s motion, and the case

was returned to this court’s docket to address Wojtowicz’s appeal.

                                           I. Plea

       {¶9} In his first assignment of error, Wojtowicz contends that he did not enter a

knowing, intelligent, and voluntary guilty plea because the plea colloquy was misleading.

 Specifically, he contends the plea colloquy (1) contained ambiguous information

concerning whether and the extent to which the trial court could impose the sentences

consecutively, and (2) failed to give him any realistic sense of his sentencing exposure

because the lack of information prevented him from intelligently comparing the risks and

benefits of entering the guilty plea versus going to trial.

       {¶10} Under Crim.R. 11(C)(2), in a felony case, a trial court shall not accept a

guilty plea without first addressing the defendant personally and (1) determining that the

defendant is making the plea voluntarily, with an understanding of the nature of the

charges and the maximum penalty involved, (2) informing the defendant of and

determining that the defendant understands the effect of the guilty plea and that the court,

upon accepting the plea, may proceed with judgment and sentence, and (3) informing the

defendant and determining that the defendant understands that by the plea, the defendant

is waiving the rights to a jury trial, to confront witnesses against him, to have compulsory

process for obtaining witnesses in the defendant’s favor, and to require the state to prove

the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at a trial at which the defendant cannot

be compelled to testify against himself.
      {¶11} A trial court must strictly comply with the Crim.R. 11(C)(2) requirements

regarding the waiver of constitutional rights, which means that the court must actually

inform the defendant of the constitutional rights he is waiving and make sure the

defendant understands them.    State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St.3d 176, 2008-Ohio-5200, 897

N.E.2d 621, ¶ 18. For nonconstitutional rights, such as the right to be informed of the

nature of the charges and the maximum penalty involved, we review for substantial

compliance with the rule. Id. at ¶ 14, citing State v. Stewart, 51 Ohio St.2d 86, 92, 364

N.E.2d 1163 (1977).      Substantial compliance means that under the totality of the

circumstances, the defendant understands the implications of his plea and the rights he is

waiving. State v. Carter, 60 Ohio St.2d 34, 38, 396 N.E.2d 757 (1979).

      {¶12} In this case, the trial court more than substantially complied with advising

Wojtowicz of the maximum penalty he could receive for each charge he pled guilty to,

including the mandatory-consecutive sentence that was required for the third-degree

felony offense of failure to comply. (Tr. 15.) Moreover, Crim.R. 11(C) does not require

a defendant to be told that his sentences may be imposed consecutively. State v. Vinson,

8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103329, 2016-Ohio-7604, ¶ 24, citing State v. Johnson, 40 Ohio

St.3d 130, 134, 532 N.E.2d 1295 (1988), syllabus. Nor does the trial court have to

advise a defendant of the cumulative total of all prison terms for all the offenses at the

time of the guilty plea. Vinson at ¶ 25, citing State v. Dansby-East, 2016-Ohio-202, 57

N.E.3d 450, ¶ 16-17 (8th Dist.).
       {¶13} Contrary to Wojtowicz’s assertion on appeal, the trial court did not provide

ambiguous language regarding whether it could impose consecutive sentences. After

setting forth the plea agreement, explaining the nature of the offenses, and stating the

maximum penalty for each offense degree, the trial court stated:

       Now, these counts could be run — the law favors concurrent sentences. If
       I so choose, I can run them consecutively to one another. I don't see a
       reason for doing that, but that’s a decision I’ll make at the time of
       sentencing after I get all the facts and information in front of me and review
       your PSI, look to see if certain findings are necessary. The law does carry
       a potential probation sentence for each of these counts up to 5 years.

(Tr. 16.)

       {¶14} The trial court clearly stated that it was not going to make a determination

about consecutive sentences until sentencing and after it reviewed the PSI. Wojtowicz

stated on the record that he understood the court’s advisement; any misunderstanding

could have been raised at that time. Furthermore, Wojtowicz denied that any threats or

promises were made to him to induce his plea. (Tr. 11.)

       {¶15} Wojtowicz contends that the court was required to advise him that each

sentence imposed could be “stacked,” meaning run consecutively to each other. In

support, Wojtowicz cites to this court’s decision in State v. Goodson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga

Nos. 101830 and 101831, 2016-Ohio-1535, where we concluded that based on the trial

court’s use of broad language, the defendant did not have a basis to understand the

maximum sentence that could be imposed. In Goodson, the trial court stated during the

plea colloquy that “the potential prison sentence that I can give you in this matter is as

follow: 12, 18, 24, 30, 42, 48, 54, 60 months.” Id. at ¶ 12. However, the range the trial
court stated was actually the range the court could impose on each count that the

defendant pled guilty. This court found that based on the totality of the circumstances,

the defendant did not subjectively understand at the plea hearing what the maximum

penalty would be for each offense. Id. at ¶ 13.

      {¶16} The colloquy in Goodson is drastically different from the trial court’s

colloquy with Wojtowicz. After the court explained the nature of the offenses and

delineated the degree of the offenses, the trial court explained the maximum penalty that

each offense degree carried, whether a first-degree misdemeanor, or a third-, fourth-, or

fifth-degree felony. Based on the totality of the circumstances and considering the entire

plea colloquy, Wojtowicz realistically understood the (1) maximum penalty that could be

imposed, and (2) that the court had discretion to impose the sentences consecutively.

The state said it best in its brief: Wojtowicz “pleaded guilty to numerous crimes and

received a prison sentence [that] he knew was possible but mistakenly believed was

unlikely.” A change of heart is not a sufficient ground to withdraw a plea. See, e.g.,

State v. Barrett, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100047, 2014-Ohio-1234.

      {¶17} Accordingly, the first assignment of error is overruled.

                          II. Effective Assistance of Counsel

      {¶18} In his second assignment of error, Wojtowicz contends that he was denied

effective assistance of counsel during the plea and sentencing hearing because his counsel

(1) urged him to enter the plea based on misinformation about his maximum sentencing

exposure, and (2) failed to effectively present evidence in mitigation — specifically to
highlight the level of cooperation Wojtowicz provided to law enforcement, stress the

nonviolent nature of the misconduct, and present evidence of his personal history that

diminished or explained some of the conduct in the case.

       {¶19} Where a defendant has entered a guilty plea, the defendant can prevail on an

ineffective assistance of counsel claim only by demonstrating that there is a reasonable

probability that, but for counsel’s deficient performance, he would not have pleaded

guilty and would have insisted on going to trial. State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 524,

584 N.E.2d 715 (1992); Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 106 S.Ct. 366, 88 L.Ed.2d 203

(1985).

       {¶20} Wojtowicz first contends that his counsel was ineffective for urging him to

enter the plea based on misinformation about his maximum sentencing exposure. He

maintains that had he known that he could have received more than a decade in prison for

these low-level felonies, he would not have pleaded guilty. In support, Wojtowicz relies

on his affidavit and the affidavit from his trial counsel stating it was anticipated that

Wojtowicz would not receive a prison sentence longer than five years. While this may

have been what was expected, the record indicates that no promises were made. As

previously noted, Wojtowicz denied that threats or promises were made to him to induce

his plea. (Tr. 11.)

       {¶21} “An attorney’s mere inaccurate prediction of a defendant’s sentence does

not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.”    Vinson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

103329, 2016-Ohio-7604, at ¶ 32.
      “A good faith but erroneous prediction of sentence by defense counsel does

      not render the plea involuntary. Where the representations made by defense

      counsel were hopeful, good faith estimates, not promises, the fact that

      defendant may have had expectations of leniency is not sufficient, absent

      evidence that the government induced such expectation, to justify

      withdrawal of the plea.”

Id. quoting State v. Salley, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 80AP-850, 1981 Ohio App. LEXIS

10295, *10-11 (June 11, 1981); see also State v. Longo, 4 Ohio App.3d 136, 139-140, 446

N.E.2d 1145 (8th Dist.1982) (counsel’s error in “predict[ing] a sentencing result based on

an educated judgment” that “did not pan out” did not render his assistance ineffective);

State v. Mays, 174 Ohio App.3d 681, 2008-Ohio-128, 884 N.E.2d 607, ¶ 10 (8th Dist.).

      {¶22} Any attorney who advises a defendant to plea, to some extent, leaves the

defendant at the mercy of the court. “Waiving trial entails the inherent risk that the

good-faith evaluation of a reasonably competent attorney will turn out to be mistaken[.]”

McMann v. Richardson, 397 U.S. 759, 770, 90 S.Ct. 1441, 25 L.Ed.2d 763 (1970).

Additionally, once the Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) maximum penalties were given, Wojtowicz

had the choice to proceed to trial. For this reason, this court has held, “[a] defendant

cannot succeed on a motion to withdraw a plea based on erroneous advice when

defendant states that no promises were made in exchange for the plea and when the

possibility of jail is explained.” Westlake v. Barringer, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 73774,
1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 6242, *6 (Dec. 24, 1998), citing State v. Harris, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 70462, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 300 (Jan. 30, 1997).

       {¶23} As previously discussed in addressing the first assignment of error,

Wojtowicz entered a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent plea after being advised of the

maximum penalties he faced for each offense and that those sentences could be run

consecutively. Other than a post-sentencing affidavit, nothing in the record indicates that

Wojtowicz would not have pleaded guilty instead of going to trial. The trial court

imposed a sentence that it deemed appropriate based on the PSI information, Wojtowicz’s

significant and lengthy criminal history, and his inability to be rehabilitated or deterred by

the prior sentences, including prison sentences. Wojtowicz’s counsel made a good faith,

experience-based estimate on the sentence that Wojtowicz would receive. The fact that

trial counsel misjudged the sentence does not constitute that he was ineffective.

       {¶24} Wojtowicz also contends his counsel was ineffective for failing to (1)

effectively present mitigation evidence, specifically the level of cooperation Wojtowicz

provided to law enforcement, (2) stress the nonviolent nature of the misconduct, or (3)

present evidence of his personal history that diminished or explained some of the conduct

in the case.

       {¶25} “‘The presentation of mitigating evidence is a matter of trial strategy,’ * * *

even if counsel’s chosen strategy proves unsuccessful.” State v. McKelton, 148 Ohio

St.3d 261, 2016-Ohio-5735, ¶ 304, quoting State v. Bryan, 101 Ohio St.3d 272,

2004-Ohio-971, 804 N.E.2d 433, ¶ 189.
       {¶26} At sentencing, the court heard about the facts and circumstances

surrounding the offenses. The court also heard from representatives from the stores

where Wojtowicz caused damage. The representatives told the court about the damage,

the merchandise stolen, and the amount of restitution being sought. Additionally, an

owner of one of the stolen cars testified and advised the court about the condition his car

was in when it was recovered.

       {¶27}    A review of the record demonstrates that counsel provided effective

representation during sentencing.      He successfully challenged speculative restitution

amounts. Additionally, even though counsel clarified that the police chase occurred in

the early morning hours when traffic was not heavy, the court indicated that it did not

matter because it was a busy area where people were going to church on a Sunday

morning. Finally, counsel reminded the trial court that Wojtowicz met with the arresting

officers to proffer, and offered his assistance to help with other investigations.

       {¶28} On appeal, Wojtowicz contends that these mitigation arguments were

insufficient. However, he ignores his own mitigation statements where he explained his

level of cooperation with law enforcement by fully confessing to his actions.

Additionally, he told the court that he offered to help detectives with controlled buys of

the stolen tobacco and merchandise. Finally, Wojtowicz expressed his remorse and

accepted responsibility for his actions. Based on his own mitigation statements, the court

was fully aware of Wojtowicz’s level of cooperation and his willingness to participate in

ongoing operations.
       {¶29} While Wojotwicz contends that his level of cooperation made no impression

on the trial court for sentencing, this lack of impression should not be imputed onto trial

counsel. The weight given to any mitigation is purely discretionary and rests with the

trial court State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d 160, 171, 555 N.E.2d 293 (1990) (in imposing

sentence, the assessment of and weight given to mitigating evidence are matters within

the trial court’s discretion). The record demonstrates that the trial court determined that

the nature of the offenses and Wojtowicz’s criminal history clearly outweighed any

mitigation evidence.

       {¶30} Accordingly, based on the foregoing, we cannot say that Wojtowicz was

denied effective assistance of counsel. His second assignment of error is overruled.

                                 III. Sentence Motivation

       {¶31} Wojtowicz contends in his third assignment of error that his 12-year prison

sentence violates his rights to due process and equal protection under the law because it

was imposed due to his inability to pay restitution.

       {¶32} A sentence imposed as the result of the court’s dissatisfaction that a

defendant is “unable” to make restitution is constitutionally unacceptable and violates the

Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.             State v. Cantrell, 2d Dist.

Champaign No. 2005-CA-4, 2006-Ohio-404, ¶ 47, citing Fairfield v. Schuk, 12th Dist.

Butler No. CA83-05-040, 1984 Ohio App. LEXIS 8774 (Feb. 6, 1984); Tate v. Short, 401

U.S. 395, 91 S.Ct. 668, 23 L.Ed.2d 130 (1971). However, the overall sentence imposed

in this case was not based on an inability to pay restitution.
       {¶33} Wojtowicz agreed that as part of the plea deal he would pay restitution, as

determined at sentencing.      During sentencing, the state made the following request

regarding the length of prison sentence:

       Now, with the amount of restitution and Mr. Wojtowicz’s lack of being able
       to pay it back, the State would request prison time. This is an offense that
       continued on with multiple victims with a very bad two weeks and one
       outlier two weeks before that. So in about the course of a month it was a
       long list of stores damaged.

(Tr. 36.)

       {¶34} While the state may have wanted to punish Wojtowicz for his inability to

pay restitution, there is no evidence in the record that the trial court imposed the 12-year

sentence for this reason. In fact, the trial court ordered Wojtowicz to pay over $25,000

in restitution to the various businesses and victims after he is released from prison.

Considering that Wojtowicz will be approximately 42 years of age when released, it is

quite possible that Wojtowicz will be able to pay the restitution.

       {¶35} The record demonstrates that Wojtowicz received a 12-year sentence

because of his lengthy and significant criminal history and his undeterred conduct. The

trial court spent a significant amount of time setting forth Wojtowicz’s criminal history

and the sentences previously imposed. Moreover, Wojtowicz was on postrelease control

at the time of the offenses. Finally, the court noted that Wojtowicz still had other

warrants for his arrest in other jurisdictions for breaking and entering, vandalism, and

theft. In fact, the court noted at the end of the criminal history recitation:

       You know, I didn’t realize the extent of your prior history. The fact that
       multiple judges in this building have given you probation, given you
       inpatient treatment, given you opportunities to fix yourself and eventually
       they throw up their hands and send you to prison. As soon as you get out
       of prison you continue to do the same thing. And you know, I said it
       already, the two treatment facilities you’ve been to are the best in Cuyahoga
       County and, clearly, they couldn’t help you.

       ***

       It’s reached a point with this Court that I can’t condone — obviously, I
       don’t condone this behavior and I cannot continue what the other judges
       have done with you and experiment with Community Control, because
       that’s just not worth it. And apparently the sentences that were given to
       you in the past were not adequate to eventually put in your head the fact that
       your behavior is wrong and is against society. So I today am going to give
       you a sentence that hopefully will resonate with you and teach you that you
       cannot behave like this, that no one can behave like this. And hopefully it
       will protect the public from future crime, not only from yourself, but from
       others as well when they see the sentence I’m good to give you here.

       Clearly, on this case you have an extensive criminal history, you have not
       benefited [sic] from prior attempts at rehabilitation either though probation
       or through incarceration. This was part of an organized criminal, not
       conspiracy, but this was a — you know, ongoing course of criminal conduct
       in this matter. And although you’re expressing remorse, the fact that you’ve
       been to prison, been out of prison and continue to behavior like this, your
       remorse rings hollow with this Court.

(Tr. 46-47.)

       {¶36} At no point did the trial court even mention the word restitution; it is clear

that the court was imposing a sentencing based on Wojtowicz’s undeterred conduct over

the years. Accordingly, we find that the record does not support that Wojtowicz’s ability

or inability to pay restitution at the time of sentencing was a factor the court considered.

The final assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶37} Judgment affirmed.

       It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
      The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

      It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common

pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s conviction having

been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court

for execution of sentence.

      A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of

the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE

SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., and
ANITA LASTER MAYS, J., CONCUR