Court Opinion

ID: 9896243
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-09 20:09:52.158889+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:14:29.641839
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Carpenter, 2023-Ohio-4062.]

                               IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                                  SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                        GREENE COUNTY

 STATE OF OHIO                                        :
                                                      :
       Appellee                                       :   C.A. No. 2023-CA-6
                                                      :
 v.                                                   :   Trial Court Case No. 21 CRB 01115
                                                      :
 DAVID J. CARPENTER                                   :   (Criminal Appeal from Municipal Court)
                                                      :
       Appellant                                      :
                                                      :

                                                 ...........

                                                 OPINION

                                     Rendered on November 9, 2023

                                                 ...........

THOMAS R. SCHIFF, Attorney for Appellant

SAMUEL J. KIRK, Attorney for Appellee

                                                .............

EPLEY, J.

        {¶ 1} David J. Carpenter was convicted after a bench trial in the Xenia Municipal

Court of dereliction of duty, a second-degree misdemeanor. The trial court ordered him

to pay restitution to the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District in the amount of $502 and

court costs. Carpenter appeals, claiming that his conviction was based on insufficient

evidence and was against the manifest weight of the evidence.                  For the following
                                                                                       -2-

reasons, the trial court’s judgment will be affirmed.

                            I. Facts and Procedural History

        {¶ 2} Carpenter became a member of the Board of Education for Bellbrook-

Sugarcreek Local School District in 2016. Between January and May 2019, the other

Board members included Virginia Slouffman, Kathy Kingston, Mary Frantz, and Elizabeth

Betz; Betz was the Board’s president, and Carpenter was the Board’s vice president.

Carpenter described himself as a “short-timer on the board and not particularly welcome”

by Betz, Frantz, and Kingston. Douglas Cozad was the superintendent of the school

district.

        {¶ 3} A tax levy benefiting the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Local School District was on

the Greene County special election ballot on May 7, 2019.        Citizens for Bellbrook-

Sugarcreek Schools was a political action committee (PAC) active in the months leading

up to the May 7, 2019 special election and supported the passage of the levy. During

that time, Cozad helped organize the activities of the PAC and sent emails and PAC

meeting agendas discussing PAC business to members and volunteers of the PAC,

including school employees and officials.

        {¶ 4} Carpenter received Cozad’s communications, attended a couple of PAC

meetings, made a monetary contribution to the PAC from his personal accounts, and

volunteered with the PAC by counting door hangers for distribution. Cozad’s emails

were sent to Carpenter’s Board email address. Carpenter replied to one email with

information about how school funding works. State’s Ex. 5.

        {¶ 5} An ongoing area of concern was a group of citizens opposed to the passage
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of the levy.      On February 7, 2019, Slouffman texted Cozad and the other Board

members, saying that some community members “are questioning the need for the levy,

the already high taxes, and urging others not to vote for it. Confusion from one of the

news agencies that identified the levee [sic] as a new tax rather than a replacement.”

State’s Ex. 10. On March 20, 2019, Cozad issued a media release about the school

district’s fiscal responsibility.

          {¶ 6} On April 19, 2019, Kingston texted the other Board members, saying that

Cozad and Betz thought that the Board should write a letter to the community explaining

why it decided to put the levy on the ballot. State’s Ex. 15. Carpenter provided input on

what could be included in the letter. State’s Ex. 17.

          {¶ 7} Ultimately, in late April or early May, the Board sent two postcards, both

double-sided.      One postcard, invoiced as the “Board postcard,” said, “Continue the

Excellence with the passage of Issue 4!” It included a photograph of the five Board

members and provided a web address for levy information. The back of the postcard

had a lengthy statement with information about the school district’s performance and

funding, signed by the five Board members. State’s Ex. 20.

          {¶ 8} The second postcard, invoiced as the “District postcard,” wrote in large letters

“Issue #4 Important!” along with five bullet-point statements regarding the school district’s

“A” rating and budget information, as well as the voting hours. On the back, the postcard

said, “Issue #4 is critical to maintain our excellent schools, programs, and fund day-to-

day operations!” It also provided seven supporting statements:

      •     Sustain Operating Budget                      •   Avoid Additional Cutbacks
                                                                                           -4-

      •     Fund Exceptional Curriculum                  •   Keep & Attract Quality Teachers

      •     Provide Enhanced Technology                  •   Maintain Academic Excellence

      •     Continue the Investment in our Kids

State’s Ex. 20. (Similar language was used by the PAC in its promotional materials.

See State’s Ex. 9.)      Both postcards indicated that they were paid for by Bellbrook-

Sugarcreek Schools. The costs for the postcards were $3,206.26 (District postcard) and

$2,008.11 (Board postcard), which were billed to Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools, care of

the school district’s treasurer. State’s Ex. 21. The invoice was paid by the treasurer via

a check dated May 14, 2019, per the authorization of the Board or the superintendent.

Id.

          {¶ 9} On November 4, 2021, Carpenter was charged by complaint with two

offenses: (1) illegal transaction of public funds, in violation of R.C. 9.03(D) and R.C.

3599.40, a first-degree misdemeanor, and (2) dereliction of duty, in violation of R.C.

9.03(C) and R.C. 2921.44(E), a second-degree misdemeanor. The first charge alleged

that Carpenter had knowingly used public funds to benefit a PAC by way of “payment for

a mailer containing post cards promoting an operating levy.”           The second charge

specified that Carpenter had “use[d] public funds to publish, distribute, or otherwise

communicate information that supports the passage of a levy.” Cozad and other Board

members were also charged under separate case numbers.

          {¶ 10} Slouffman and Carpenter were jointly tried at a bench trial held in December

2022. At trial, the State presented stipulated facts (State’s Ex. 29) and 28 incorporated

exhibits. Carpenter and Slouffman testified on their own behalf. During his testimony,
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Carpenter acknowledged that public money could not be used to support the PAC, but he

denied knowledge that public funds were used for that purpose. He also asserted that

the content of the postcards was factual, not advocacy, and that he did not see the

postcards before they were sent.           At the conclusion of the trial, the court granted

Carpenter’s Crim.R. 29 motion on the illegal transaction of public funds charge but found

Carpenter guilty of dereliction of duty.

       {¶ 11} The court proceeded immediately to sentencing. Defense counsel asked

that the trial court only require Carpenter to pay for a quarter of the cost of the Board

postcard.   He further asked that, upon payment, “any other sentence or any other

imposition of sentence be terminated,” which would allow Carpenter to ask for the sealing

of the record in a year. Counsel indicated that Carpenter would make payment that day.

The State responded that it was fine with defense counsel’s suggestion. After hearing

from Carpenter, the court ordered him to pay restitution of $502; no jail term or fine was

imposed. The trial court’s judgment entry imposed the stated restitution and court costs.

       {¶ 12} Carpenter appeals from his conviction. He claims that his conviction was

based on insufficient evidence and against the manifest weight of the evidence.

                                           II. Mootness

       {¶ 13} Before we address the merits of Carpenter’s arguments, we must consider

whether his appeal is moot.

       {¶ 14} “The role of courts is to decide adversarial legal cases and to issue

judgments that can be carried into effect.” Cyran v. Cyran, 152 Ohio St.3d 484, 2018-

Ohio-24, 97 N.E.3d 487, ¶ 9, citing Fortner v. Thomas, 22 Ohio St.2d 13, 14, 257 N.E.2d
                                                                                            -6-

371 (1970); State v. Smith, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27981, 2019-Ohio-3592, ¶ 8.

“Issues are moot when they lack practical significance and, instead, present academic or

hypothetical questions.” Dibert v. Carpenter, 2018-Ohio-1054, 98 N.E.3d 350, ¶ 30 (2d

Dist.), citing State ex rel. Ford v. Ruehlman, 149 Ohio St.3d 34, 2016-Ohio-3529, 73

N.E.3d 396, ¶ 55. Appellate courts lack jurisdiction to consider the merits of a moot

appeal. See State v. Berndt, 29 Ohio St.3d 3, 4, 504 N.E.2d 712 (1987); Smith at ¶ 9.

       {¶ 15} Appeals of misdemeanor convictions are considered moot if the defendant

has voluntarily satisfied his or her sentence, unless the defendant has offered evidence

from which an inference can be drawn that he or she will suffer some collateral legal

disability or loss of civil rights stemming from that conviction. State v. Wilson, 41 Ohio

St.2d 236, 325 N.E.2d 236, syllabus; Urbana v. Boystel, 2d Dist. Champaign No. 2021-

CA-5, 2021-Ohio-2529, ¶ 9. A defendant can show that he or she did not serve a

sentence voluntarily if the defendant sought a stay of the sentence to allow for the appeal.

Smith at ¶ 10, citing Cleveland Hts. v. Lewis, 129 Ohio St.3d 389, 2011-Ohio-2673, 953

N.E.2d 278, ¶ 23. A sentence is also considered involuntarily served when it is entirely

served prior to conviction. Id., citing State v. Benson, 29 Ohio App.3d 109, 110, 504

N.E.2d 77 (10th Dist.1986).

       {¶ 16} “A collateral disability is an adverse legal consequence of a conviction or

judgment that survives despite the court’s sentence having been satisfied or served.” In

re S.J.K., 114 Ohio St.3d 23, 2007-Ohio-2621, 867 N.E.2d 408, ¶ 10.                “[A] purely

hypothetical statement about what might occur in the future is not sufficient to give viability

to an otherwise moot appeal.” State v. Moore, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 20772, 2005-
                                                                                        -7-

Ohio-4518, ¶ 14, quoting State v. Johnson, 43 Ohio App.3d 1, 3, 538 N.E.2d 1082 (1st

Dist.1988); State v. Washington, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27690, 2018-Ohio-1231, ¶ 10,

quoting Moore.

      {¶ 17} “A court may consider extrinsic evidence from outside the record to

determine mootness.” Pruitt v. Pruitt, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 29331, 2022-Ohio-2058,

¶ 14, citing, e.g., State ex rel. Cincinnati Enquirer v. Dupuis, 98 Ohio St.3d 126, 2002-

Ohio-7041, 781 N.E.2d 163, ¶ 8.

      {¶ 18} In this case, defense counsel asked the trial court to sentence Carpenter to

restitution of $502 with any other imposed sanction terminating upon payment. Counsel

told the court that such a sentence would allow Carpenter to ask for the sealing of the

record a year from then.     Defense counsel indicated that Carpenter would pay the

restitution that day. The trial court imposed $502 in restitution, as requested, plus court

costs. According to the Xenia Municipal Court’s online docket, of which we take judicial

notice, Carpenter owed a total of $560 in court costs as of December 15, 2022; all court

costs have been paid. The online docket does not show, however, that restitution was

owed or whether it was paid.

      {¶ 19} Given defense counsel’s statements to the trial court at sentencing and the

fact that the clerk’s online docket showed no balance due, we issued an order requiring

Carpenter to show cause why the appeal should not be dismissed as moot. Carpenter

responded to the order, noting that he was sentenced to $502 in restitution, $0 in fines,

and no jail time. He further stated: “Upon the advice of counsel, and in order to avoid

any issue of mootness in the Court of Appeals, Appellant has paid neither the fines nor
                                                                                        -8-

costs per the Court’s sentence.” Carpenter did not assert that his conviction resulted in

a collateral disability.

       {¶ 20} We find Carpenter’s response to be somewhat confusing. Court costs are

distinguishable from financial sanctions, such as fines and restitution, which are in turn

distinguishable from each other. Court costs are imposed pursuant to R.C. 2947.23. In

misdemeanor cases, restitution and fines are governed by R.C. 2929.28(A)(1) and (2),

respectively. Carpenter acknowledged that restitution was imposed, but he stated that

he had not paid the imposed “fines” (which were not actually imposed) and “costs.” It is

not clear what he is saying he has not paid; Carpenter did not address the payment

information contained on the online docket.

       {¶ 21} We infer that Carpenter has not paid the ordered restitution, which was part

of his sentence. The online docket makes no mention of the ordered restitution, and

Carpenter appears to deny making any required payment. Even assuming that court

costs also (or instead) are outstanding, we have held that “[u]npaid court costs alone are

sufficient to prevent a judgment from being moot, even if an appellant has completed his

jail sentence.” State v. Ruley, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2017-CA-10, 2018-Ohio-3201, ¶ 10; see

also, e.g., State v. Holley, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2019-CA-44, 2020-Ohio-5104, ¶ 16. With

the information before us, we must conclude that this appeal is not moot.

                  III. Sufficiency and Manifest Weight of the Evidence

       {¶ 22} We turn to Carpenter’s arguments that his conviction was based on

insufficient evidence and was against the manifest weight of the evidence.

       {¶ 23} “A sufficiency of the evidence argument disputes whether the State has
                                                                                           -9-

presented adequate evidence on each element of the offense to allow the case to go to

the jury or sustain the verdict as a matter of law.” State v. Wilson, 2d Dist. Montgomery

No. 22581, 2009-Ohio-525, ¶ 10, citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386, 678

N.E.2d 541 (1997). The relevant inquiry is whether any rational finder of fact, viewing

the evidence in a light most favorable to the State, could have found the essential

elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Dennis, 79 Ohio

St.3d 421, 430, 683 N.E.2d 1096 (1997). A guilty verdict will not be disturbed on appeal

unless “reasonable minds could not reach the conclusion reached by the trier-of-fact.” Id.

       {¶ 24} In contrast, “[a] weight of the evidence argument challenges the believability

of the evidence and asks which of the competing inferences suggested by the evidence

is more believable or persuasive.” (Citation omitted.) Wilson at ¶ 12; see Eastley v.

Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 19. When reviewing

an argument challenging the weight of the evidence, an appellate court may not substitute

its view for that of the trier of fact. Rather, we review the entire record, weigh the

evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses, and

determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the finder of fact clearly lost its

way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be

reversed and a new trial ordered. Thompkins at 387, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio

App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983). A judgment of conviction should be

reversed as being against the manifest weight of the evidence only in exceptional

circumstances. Martin at 175.

       {¶ 25} In this case, Carpenter was convicted of dereliction of duty, in violation of
                                                                                          -10-

R.C. 9.03(C) and R.C. 2921.44(E). Under the dereliction of duty statute, public servants

are prohibited from recklessly doing any act expressly forbidden by law with respect to

the public servant’s office or, alternatively, from recklessly failing to perform a duty

expressly imposed by law with respect to that office. R.C. 2921.44(E).

       {¶ 26} “A person acts recklessly when, with heedless indifference to the

consequences, the person disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the person’s

conduct is likely to cause a certain result or is likely to be of a certain nature. A person

is reckless with respect to circumstances when, with heedless indifference to the

consequences, the person disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that such

circumstances are likely to exist.” R.C. 2901.22(C).

       {¶ 27} In general, governing bodies of political subdivisions, such as the Board of

Education of Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Local School District, may use public funds to “publish

and distribute newsletters, or to use any other means, to communicate information about

the plans, policies, and operations of the political subdivision to members of the public

within the political subdivision and to other persons who may be affected by the political

subdivision.” R.C. 9.03(B). There are, however, several exceptions to the general rule.

Of relevance here, such governing bodies may not use public funds to “[p]ublish,

distribute, or otherwise communicate information that * * * [s]upports or opposes * * * the

passage of a levy or bond issue.” R.C. 9.03(C)(1)(e).

       {¶ 28} Carpenter offers several reasons for why the evidence did not support his

conviction for dereliction of duty. First, he maintains that the content of the postcards did

not amount to “advocacy.” He focuses on the phrase “Continue the Excellence” on the
                                                                                         -11-

Board postcard and asserts that this “tagline” was merely a statement of fact. Next, he

argues that he did not design the content of the postcards and did not see them until after

they were sent.    In conjunction with this argument, he asserts that he did not act

recklessly.

       {¶ 29} Upon review of State’s Exhibit 20, the trial court reasonably concluded that

the Board postcard, which was paid for by Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Board of Education,

supported the passage of a levy, Issue #4. While much of the letter on the back of the

Board postcard could be characterized as information about “the plans, policies, and

operations” of the school district, both the front and back of the Board postcard contained

the phrase, “Continue the Excellence with the passage of Issue 4!”             This phrase

unambiguously urged recipients of the mailing to maintain the high quality of the district’s

schools (“continue the excellence”) by voting in favor of the levy (“with the passage of

Issue 4”).    Carpenter’s argument that the Board postcard was purely factual, not

advocacy, is belied by the postcard itself. The trial court’s conclusion that the Board

postcard supported the passage of the levy was neither based on insufficient evidence

nor against the manifest weight of the evidence.

       {¶ 30} Carpenter’s argument that he did not act recklessly relies substantially on

his assertion that he was not engaged in the creation of the Board postcard and did not

see it in any form until he received it through the mail. Upon review of the stipulated

exhibits and the testimony at trial, the trial court reasonably found that Carpenter’s

conduct rose to the level of recklessness.

       {¶ 31} On April 19, 2019, Kingston texted the other Board members, writing that
                                                                                        -12-

Cozad and Betz thought that the Board should write a letter to the community about “the

levy and why we decided to put it on the ballot.” State’s Ex. 15. Kingston indicated that

she would be working on a first draft and asked the other Board members for “some bullet

points of your thoughts.” Id. In Cozad’s weekly update for April 19, 2019, which was

emailed to the Board on April 20, Cozad similarly wrote: “Kathy is working on a letter from

the Board that will go out to the community. Please send her your thoughts.” State’s

Ex. 16.

       {¶ 32} On April 22, Carpenter provided a lengthy reply to Kingston. State’s Ex.

17. He included a copy of a response that he had given to a constituent on Facebook,

which stated, in part:

       * * * [A]n investment in quality schools always pays off. Communities with

       good schools are safer with lower crime rates and better home values. The

       local economies are stronger. Persons who may need to rely on their

       home value for necessary life changes (like moving to assisted or custodial

       care environments) have the financial resource to do so. Of course, for

       those with children or grandchildren in the district, you are helping them get

       the best start possible. Hope this helps. Happy to have this discussion

       with you.

Carpenter also provided Kingston a bullet-point list with several reasons for putting the

levy on the ballot or avoiding a loss of funding. Six bullet points were from the “student

perspective,” addressing the top-level education they receive, the funding needs for

extracurricular programs, the benefits of sports and marching band, the opportunity for
                                                                                       -13-

programs on emerging technologies and industries, adequate teaching staff, and class

sizes. Two bullet points were from a “parent perspective” and related to the effects of

reduced funding on school transportation and parents’ choice of residence. Three were

from a “citizen perspective,” noting the effects of loss of funding on property values,

numbers of teachers, and perception of the community.

       {¶ 33} In email responses sent later that day, other Board members were

complimentary of Carpenter’s comments. Kingston also asked in an email what the

postcard’s dimensions would be. State’s Ex. 17. Cozad responded, “6 x 9… so it can’t

be a [sic] too lengthy.” Id.

       {¶ 34} Carpenter understood that the Board would be mailing a postcard to the

community regarding the reasons the levy was put on the ballot. Considering the vocal

opposition that the levy was receiving, the trial court reasonably concluded that the

purpose behind the mailing was to support the passage of the levy. Carpenter provided

suggestions for the postcard’s content which, while perhaps factual, went beyond simply

information “about the plans, policies, and operations” of the school district. See also

R.C. 3315.07(B) (describing bulletins and other materials that may be provided by a board

of education with school funds). He acknowledged that his Facebook response to a

citizen was “somewhat of a blending” of advocacy and statements of fact, and he testified

that he forwarded that response to the Board for consideration in drafting the letter from

the Board. His bulleted list provided reasons why different community members would

want the levy on the ballot or to avoid loss of funding. Although the postcards did not

incorporate many of Carpenter’s suggestions and he did not see the postcards
                                                                                        -14-

themselves until after they were sent, we cannot conclude that the trial court lost its way

in concluding that Carpenter had acted recklessly with respect to the content of the

postcards and the use of district funds to pay for them.

       {¶ 35} Carpenter’s assignments of error are overruled.

                                      III. Conclusion

       {¶ 36} The trial court’s judgment will be affirmed.

                                     .............

TUCKER, J. and HUFFMAN, J., concur.