Court Opinion

ID: 3160164
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-12-04 20:06:59.27274+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:57:41.431208
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Gray, 2015-Ohio-5021.]

                             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                                 SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                      LUCAS COUNTY

 State of Ohio                                   Court of Appeals No. L-15-1072

        Appellee                                 Trial Court No. CR0201401513

v.

Nathan Gray                                      DECISION AND JUDGMENT

        Appellant                                Decided: December 4, 2015

                                           *****

        Julia R. Bates, Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney, and
        Brenda J. Majdalani, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.

        Ernest E. Bollinger, for appellant.

        Nathan Gray, pro se.

                                           *****

        SINGER, J.

        {¶ 1} Appellant, Nathan Gray, appeals from his conviction in the Lucas County

Court of Common Pleas on four counts of sexual battery in violation of R.C.

2907.03(A)(1) and 2907.03(B). Appellant was sentenced to 15 years as a result of his

conviction. For the following reasons, we affirm.
       {¶ 2} Appellant’s appointed counsel has filed an appellate brief and a motion to

withdraw pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493

(1967). The U.S. Supreme Court in Anders held that if counsel, after a thorough review

of the record, finds any appeal will be frivolous, he or she may file an appellate brief with

proposed assignments of error and a motion to withdraw. Id. Counsel should furnish the

brief to his or her client and give the client sufficient time to raise any other matters he or

she may choose. Id. Appellant in this case has provided his own brief. The appellate

court must then review the entire record to determine if the appeal is indeed frivolous. If

the appeal is deemed frivolous, the appellate court may grant counsel’s request to

withdraw and dismiss the appeal or may proceed to the merits of the appeal as necessary.

Id.

       {¶ 3} Appellant’s counsel and appellant each set forth the same proposed four

assignments of error for our review:

       {¶ 4} Assignment of Error No. 1: The trial court abused its discretion in

sentencing appellant to a term of fifteen years.

       {¶ 5} Assignment of Error No. 2: Appellant’s plea was not intelligently,

knowingly, and voluntarily given.

       {¶ 6} Assignment of Error No. 3: The trial court erred in imposing costs.

       {¶ 7} Assignment of Error No. 4: Appellant received ineffective assistance of

counsel.

2.
         {¶ 8} While serving a four-year term on a different charge, appellant’s then

19-year-old daughter disclosed her father sexually assaulted her. She alleged the abuse

began when she was 11 years old and resulted in the birth of a child when she was 14.

Appellant’s daughter indicated the abuse stopped when he was incarcerated for unlawful

sexual misconduct with another minor.

         {¶ 9} On March 28, 2013, an indictment was handed down which charged

appellant with one count of rape, a felony of the first degree in violation of R.C.

2907.02(A)(1)(B) and six counts of sexual battery, a felony of the third degree, in

violation of R.C. 2907.03 (A)(5) and (B).

         {¶ 10} On April 24, 2014, appellant was found indigent and appointed counsel. A

blood test was ordered and bond was set.

         {¶ 11} Pursuant to a motion by appellant’s trial counsel, appellant was referred to

the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center to evaluate appellant’s competency to stand

trial. The report from this referral found appellant uncooperative and that his claims

lacked validity. The report showed appellant was competent. Appellant was referred

again to the center for a second competency determination. He was once again found

competent. The second referral also did not find appellant’s claims of incompetency

valid.

         {¶ 12} On September 4, 2014, appellant withdrew his not guilty plea and entered a

plea according to Alford v. North Carolina to four counts of sexual battery. The plea was

made pursuant to a plea agreement between appellant and the prosecutor. Appellant

3.
signed a sentence recommendation form which recommended a sentence cap of 15 years.

Appellant was facing a maximum sentence of 40 years for all seven charges.

       {¶ 13} During his plea, the trial court asked several questions about appellant’s

state of mind. Appellant was on several medications at the time of the hearing.

However, he stated on the record he was clearheaded and even that at times the

medications helped him be clearheaded. Appellant stated he had “bad” days but stated

that the date of the plea hearing was not a “bad” day.

       {¶ 14} The trial court found appellant guilty of the four counts of sexual battery.

The trial court sentenced appellant to 15 years. The court imposed the maximum of 60

months for three of the four counts of sexual battery and imposed the sentences

consecutively. The final count’s 60-month sentence was to be served concurrently with

the other counts. Appellant was also required to register as a Tier III sexual offender and

required to serve five years postrelease control for each count.

       {¶ 15} Both appellant and appellant’s counsel argue that the trial court abused its

discretion when it sentenced appellant to consecutive sentences. Pursuant to R.C.

2929.14, a felony of the third degree can have a sentence of a maximum of 60 months

imposed. A trial court reviews the imposition of consecutive sentences under the

standard set forth in R.C. 2953.08, not under an abuse of discretion standard. State v.

Banks, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-13-1095, 2014-Ohio-1000, ¶ 10. An appellate court can

increase, reduce, modify, or vacate the sentence and remand the matter for resentencing

should the appellate court find by clear and convincing evidence the trial court’s findings

4.
were not supported by the record or were contrary to law. State v. Jude, 6th Dist. Wood

No. WD-13-055, 2014-Ohio-2437, ¶ 5.

       {¶ 16} To impose consecutive sentences the trial court must find: (1) the

consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public or punish the offender, (2) the

sentences are not disproportionate to the offense, and (3) one of three conditions exists.

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4); Jude at ¶ 10. The conditions the trial court must find are: (1) the

crime occurred while the offender awaited trial or was on community control, (2) the

crimes caused a harm so great and unusual one sentence would not be adequate, or (3) the

offender’s criminal history demonstrates consecutive sentences are necessary to protect

the public. R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c). However, a sentence is not subject to review if:

(1) the sentence was authorized by law, (2) the sentence was recommended by both the

prosecutor and the appellant, and (3) the sentence was imposed by the sentencing judge.

R.C. 2953.08(D).

       {¶ 17} We do not find the trial court’s sentence was contrary to law. First, the

sentence was imposed by law. The maximum sentence allowed for a felony of the third

degree is 60 months. R.C. 2929.14(A)(3)(a). The court was authorized to give appellant

consecutive sentences as it made the required findings under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). The

court found consecutive sentences were necessary to protect the public, the consecutive

sentences were not disproportionate to the crime, and appellant’s history demonstrated

the sentences were necessary to protect the public. These findings were supported by the

record. Second, the sentence was jointly recommended by the prosecutor and appellant.

5.
Appellant, under the advice of his attorney, signed the sentence recommendation form

which limited his sentence to 15 years. Had a plea agreement not been reached and

appellant had proceeded to trial, appellant could have been sentenced to 40 years.

Finally, the sentence was imposed by the sentencing judge. Thus, pursuant to R.C.

2953.08(D), appellant’s sentence is not reviewable. His first assignment of error is not

well-taken.

       {¶ 18} Appellant then argues his plea was not made intelligently, knowingly, and

voluntarily. An appellate court reviews whether a plea was in compliance with Crim.R.

11(C) de novo. State v. Senich, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 82581, 2003-Ohio-5082, ¶ 18. A

trial court must determine the defendant made the plea voluntarily and that the defendant

understands the nature of the charges and the maximum penalty involved. Crim.R.

11(C). A trial court must also inform the defendant of effect of the plea and inform the

defendant of the constitutional rights the defendant is relinquishing when making the

plea. Id.

       {¶ 19} Appellant argues he was not able to be clearheaded when he pled due to the

medications he was taking at the time of the hearing. The record shows the trial court

engaged in an in-depth discussion about the medications appellant was taking and their

effect on his state of mind. The trial court asked appellant if the medication interfered

with his ability to understand and comprehend what was occurring in court. Appellant

answered that the medications did not and that he was coherent. He further stated the

medications helped him remain calm and understand better what was going on around

6.
him. The trial court found appellant was alert and not in a drug haze based on appellant’s

behavior in court. Appellant stated that at times he has “bad” days, but that the day he

made his plea he was not having a “bad” day. Appellant also clarified some of his

testimony where he stated he was “pretty clear headed” to “clear headed.” Accordingly,

we find appellant’s contention that his medication made his plea unintelligently,

unknowing, or involuntary to be unfounded. His second assignment of error is not well-

taken.

         {¶ 20} Appellant also argues the trial court erred when it assessed the costs of

prosecution, supervision, assigned counsel, and confinement against him because he was

indigent. R.C. 2947.23(A)(1)(a) requires the trial court in all criminal cases to charge the

defendant with costs of the prosecution. The trial court has the discretion to assess

additional costs of confinement, supervision, and assigned counsel costs. R.C.

2929.18(b) and 2951.021.

         {¶ 21} The fact that the defendant is found indigent does not relieve the defendant

of having prosecution costs assessed against him or her. State v. White, 103 Ohio St.3d

580, 2004-Ohio-5989, 817 N.E.2d 393, ¶ 18. Rather, a court must assess these costs

against all convicted defendants. Id. To assess any other costs, including those for

confinement and supervision, the trial court must find the defendant has the ability to pay

those costs. State v. Cole, 6th Dist. Lucas Nos. L-03-1163, L-03-1162, 2005-Ohio-408,

7.
¶ 26, citing State v. Caudill, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 03-COA-031, 2004-Ohio-2803, ¶ 8.

The finding of the defendant’s ability to pay these costs must be supported by the record.

Id.

       {¶ 22} Here, the trial court was required by the Revised Code to assess the costs of

prosecution against appellant and therefore did not err in assessing them against

appellant.

       {¶ 23} The trial court did not abuse its discretion in assessing the costs of

confinement, supervision, and appointed counsel costs against appellant because the trial

court found that appellant had the ability to work and therefore the ability to pay the

costs. Upon review of the presentencing report, the trial court’s finding regarding

appellant’s ability to work was supported by appellant’s current age of 46 and the lack of

physical or mental disabilities which would limit his ability to work. Therefore,

appellant’s third assignment of error is not well-taken.

       {¶ 24} Appellant’s fourth of assignment of error asserts he was denied effective

assistance of counsel during the proceedings. To establish ineffective assistance of

counsel, the defendant must show that counsel’s performance was deficient which

requires showing that counsel made errors so serious he or she no longer were

functioning as “counsel.” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052,

80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). The defendant must also show he or she was prejudiced by the

performance of the attorney. Id. A properly licensed attorney in Ohio is presumed to be

ethical and represent clients in a competent manner. State v. Smith, 17 Ohio St.3d 98,

8.
100, 477 N.E.2d 1128 (1985), citing Vaughn v. Maxwell, 2 Ohio St.2d 299, 301, 209

N.E.2d 164 (1965). When counsel acts on reasonable tactical strategies, a defendant

cannot claim ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Clayton, 62 Ohio St.2d 45, 48,

402 N.E.2d 1189 (1980). This applies to the advice a counselor gives to his or her client

about the acceptance of a plea agreement. State v. McIntosh, 6th Dist. Erie No.

E-07-048, 2008-Ohio-4743, ¶ 33, citing State v. Burke, 7th Dist. Columbiana No.

98-CO-64, 2000 WL 288522.

       {¶ 25} Appellant was facing up to 40 years in prison had he been found guilty of

all seven charges he was indicted on. Had the case proceeded to trial, appellant’s

daughter would have testified appellant had sexual intercourse with her for eight years.

A DNA test of appellant’s daughter’s child would have proven that appellant was the

father of the child. Despite this evidence, appellant’s attorney was able to negotiate a

plea agreement where appellant would only serve 15 years for four counts of sexual

battery. We do not find this representation to be deficient with respect to the plea

agreement reached between appellant and the prosecutor.

       {¶ 26} We raise the issue of the failure of trial counsel to seek a waiver of court

costs at the time of sentencing. As stated, a trial court is required to impose the costs of

prosecution against all defendants. R.C. 2947.23 (A)(1)(a). However, a trial court has

the discretion to waive these costs based on the defendant’s indigency. White, 103 Ohio

St.3d 580, 2004-Ohio-5989, 817 N.E.2d 393, at paragraph four of the syllabus. The court

may only grant such a waiver if the defendant makes a motion for such a waiver. State v.

9.
Threatt, 108 Ohio St.3d 277, 2006-Ohio-905, 843 N.E.2d 164, paragraph two of the

syllabus. If the motion is not made, the issue of court costs is waived on appeal. Id.

       {¶ 27} The Eighth Appellate District determined trial counsel was ineffective

when it failed to file the motion to waive court costs at the time of sentencing when there

was a reasonable probability the motion would have been granted by the trial court. State

v. King, 6th Dist. Wood No. WD-09-069, 2010-Ohio-3074, ¶ 11, quoting State v. Blade,

8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 88703, 88704, 88705, 2007-Ohio-5323, ¶ 12. The court found

that due to the trial court’s previous waivers of court costs, had trial counsel made a

motion to waive the additional costs, the trial court would have waived those costs as

well. Blade at ¶ 13.

       {¶ 28} However, we do not find trial counsel ineffective for failing to make a

motion to waive court costs. There was not a “reasonable probability” that the trial court

would have granted the motion to waive the court costs. The trial court was aware of the

indigent status of appellant but still made a finding appellant had the ability to work.

Based on its finding appellant had the ability to work, the trial court found appellant

would be able to pay the court costs in the future despite his current status as indigent.

Appellant’s fourth assignment of error is found not well-taken.

       {¶ 29} Based on the record, this court agrees with appellant’s counsel that this

appeal is without merit. Based on our independent review of the record, it is appropriate

to conclude that there is no other ground upon which a meritorious appeal can be made.

10.
Thus, this appeal is without merit and wholly frivolous. Anders, 386 U.S. at 744, 87

S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493. Counsel’s motion to withdraw is granted.

       {¶ 30} Thus, the judgment of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas is

affirmed. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24.

                                                                       Judgment affirmed.

       A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.

Arlene Singer, J.                              _______________________________
                                                           JUDGE
Thomas J. Osowik, J.
                                               _______________________________
James D. Jensen, J.                                        JUDGE
CONCUR.
                                               _______________________________
                                                           JUDGE

           This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
      Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
           version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
                 http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/newpdf/?source=6.

11.