Court Opinion

ID: 4076907
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-30 19:11:05.668139+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:48.193538
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Madison, 2016-Ohio-7127.]

                             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                                  TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State of Ohio,                                 :
                                                              No. 15AP-994
                Plaintiff-Appellee,            :          (C.P.C. No. 11CR-779)
                                                              No. 15AP-995
v.                                             :          (C.P.C. No. 14CR-2118)

Jeffrey S. Madison, Jr.,                       :        (REGULAR CALENDAR)

                Defendant-Appellant.           :

                                         D E C I S I O N

                                  Rendered on September 30, 2016

                On brief: Ron O'Brien, Prosecuting Attorney, and Seth L.
                Gilbert, for appellee. Argued: Seth L. Gilbert.

                On brief: Todd W. Barstow, for appellant. Argued:
                Todd W. Barstow.

                  APPEALS from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas

BROWN, J.
        {¶ 1} In these consolidated appeals, defendant-appellant, Jeffrey S. Madison, Jr.,
appeals from judgments of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas sentencing him
following his entry of a guilty plea to one count of aggravated vehicular assault in common
pleas case No. 14CR-2118, and sentencing him in common pleas case No. 11CR-779 for the
offense of vehicular assault upon revocation of his community control.
        {¶ 2} On February 9, 2011, appellant was indicted in case No. 11CR-779 on one
count of aggravated vehicular assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.08, one count of vehicular
assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.08, and two counts of operating a vehicle while under
the influence of alcohol, in violation of R.C. 4511.19. The indictment alleged that the
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                               2

conduct occurred on December 9, 2010. Appellant subsequently entered a guilty plea to
one count of vehicular assault, a felony of the fourth degree, and one count of operating a
vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor of the first degree. The court
ordered the entry of a nolle prosequi as to the remaining two counts.
       {¶ 3} The trial court sentenced appellant in case No. 11CR-779 by judgment entry
filed February 20, 2013, imposing a period of community control of five years, and
ordering appellant to pay restitution in the amount of $60,000. The court also suspended
appellant's driver's license for a period of one year (with work privileges), effective
February 19, 2013, and ordered drug evaluation and treatment.           The entry further
indicated that, in the event appellant violated the terms of his community control, the
court would impose a prison term of 18 months for Count 2 (vehicular assault) and 6
months for Count 3 (operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol).
       {¶ 4} On April 22, 2014, while on community control in case No. 11CR-779,
appellant was indicted in case No. 14CR-2118 on one count of aggravated vehicular
assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.08, one count of vehicular assault, in violation of R.C.
2903.08, and two counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, in
violation of R.C. 4511.19. The indictment alleged that the conduct occurred on March 14,
2014, and that the alleged violations caused injury to another. On July 25, 2014, a
probation officer filed a request for revocation of community control and statement of
violations in case No. 11CR-779.
       {¶ 5} On July 28, 2015, the trial court conducted a plea hearing in case No. 14CR-
2118, at which time appellant entered a guilty plea to one count of aggravated vehicular
assault, a felony of the second degree. During that hearing, the prosecutor recited the
following facts regarding the incident:
              [T]his incident occurred on March 14, 2014, at about * * * 3
              o'clock in the morning. * * * Mr. Madison was driving a 2000
              Lexus the wrong way on I-670. He was traveling eastbound in
              the westbound lanes when he collided with another vehicle
              head-on, that vehicle being driven by Mr. Wintersteller.

              [O]fficers came in contact upon the wreck with Mr. Madison.
              They noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about his
              person. He was indicating to the officers it wasn't his fault,
              that somebody was chasing him and that's why he got on the
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                             3

              freeway the wrong way. The officers weren't able to verify any
              of that.

              Mr. Madison was providing incorrect answers to Officer
              McGaw's questions and making repetitive statements. He got
              very aggressive and combative. Medics were called and
              transported him to the hospital. The medics report that he
              was spitting on them and threatening them with physical
              violence.

              At the hospital he indicated that he had some alcohol but only
              had two shots and he wouldn't knowingly hurt anyone.

              Mr. Wintersteller was also transported to the hospital. He had
              head injuries, other bumps and bruises but also fractured ribs,
              broken bones * * *.

              When Officer Wolfangel responded to Grant Hospital, he was
              advised by medical personnel that due to Mr. Madison's
              combative behavior, the hospital had to make him
              unconscious in order to treat him.

              Since he was unconscious and unable to respond, * * * the
              officer requested and obtained a blood sample from Mr.
              Madison. The blood sample resulted in a .223 blood alcohol
              level.

(July 28, 2015 Tr. at 16-17.)
        {¶ 6} On September 29, 2015, the trial court filed a revocation entry in case No.
11CR-779, and imposed a sentence of 18 months with respect to the charge of vehicular
assault. Also on that date, the trial court filed a judgment entry in case No. 14CR-2118,
imposing a sentence of 8 years incarceration, to be served consecutive to the sentence in
case No. 11CR-779. The court further ordered that appellant's driver's license be revoked
for life.
        {¶ 7} On appeal, appellant sets forth the following two assignments of error for
this court's review:
              I. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN
              SENTENCING APPELLANT TO THE MAXIMUM PRISON
              TERM.

              II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF
              APPELLANT BY IMPROPERLY SENTENCING HIM TO
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                             4

               CONSECUTIVE TERMS OF INCARCERATION IN
               CONTRAVENTION OF OHIO'S SENTENCING STATUTES.

        {¶ 8} Under his first assignment of error, appellant contends the trial court
abused its discretion in sentencing him to maximum prison sentences in both cases.
Appellant argues the trial court's analysis of the statutory factors was virtually non-
existent, and he requests that this court conduct an "independent review" of the
sentencing transcript to determine if the court's imposition of maximum sentences
constituted an abuse of discretion.
        {¶ 9} R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) states as follows:
               The court hearing an appeal under division (A), (B), or (C) of
               this section shall review the record, including the findings
               underlying the sentence or modification given by the
               sentencing court.

               The appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify
               a sentence that is appealed under this section or may vacate
               the sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court
               for resentencing. The appellate court's standard for review is
               not whether the sentencing court abused its discretion. The
               appellate court may take any action authorized by this
               division if it clearly and convincingly finds either of the
               following:

               (a) That the record does not support the sentencing court's
               findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division
               (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section
               2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;

               (b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

        {¶ 10} As noted, appellant contends the trial court abused its discretion by
imposing maximum sentences. In so arguing, appellant relies on the plurality decision
rendered by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St. 3d 23, 2008-Ohio-
4912.
        {¶ 11} Subsequent to the time for filing briefs in this case, the Supreme Court
rendered its decision in State v. Marcum, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2016-Ohio-1002, ¶ 10,
holding that "appellate courts may not apply the abuse-of-discretion standard in
sentencing-term challenges" as set forth in Kalish. Rather, "appellate courts must adhere
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                                  5

to the plain language of R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)." Marcum at ¶ 7. Thus, "an appellate court
may vacate or modify a felony sentence on appeal only if it determines by clear and
convincing evidence that the record does not support the trial court's findings under
relevant statutes or that the sentence is otherwise contrary to law." Id. at ¶ 1.
       {¶ 12} Under Ohio law, "[a] sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to
law where [the] trial court 'considers the principles and purposes of R.C. 2929.11, as well as
the factors listed in R.C. 2929.12, properly imposes post release control, and sentences the
defendant within the permissible statutory range.' "        State v. Julious, 12th Dist. No.
CA2015-12-224, 2016-Ohio-4822, ¶ 8, quoting State v. Ahlers, 12th Dist. No. CA2015-06-
100, 2016-Ohio-2890, ¶ 8.
        {¶ 13} As noted under the facts, in case No. 11CR-779, the trial court originally
placed appellant on five years of community control after he entered a guilty plea to one
count of vehicular assault and one count of operating a vehicle while under the influence
of alcohol. According to the pre-sentence investigation report, the underlying facts in that
case indicated that appellant, while operating a vehicle on December 9, 2010, struck a
pedestrian on North High Street. The police officer at the scene noted that appellant had
glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol.
        {¶ 14} In 2014, while on community control in case No. 11CR-779, appellant was
indicted in case No. 14CR-2118 for aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault, and
operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The facts of that case indicated
that appellant drove the wrong way on an interstate highway and struck another vehicle
head-on, causing injury to the driver of the other vehicle, including broken ribs.
Appellant's blood was tested and the blood alcohol level was determined to be .223.
        {¶ 15} Following the filing of the indictment in case No. 14CR-2118, appellant's
probation officer requested the court revoke his community control in case No. 11CR-779,
alleging that appellant: (1) had been charged in case No. 14CR-2118 with aggravated
vehicular assault and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, (2) "tested
positive for cocaine on 1/23/14," (3) missed a drug test on March 17, 2014, (4) failed to
complete a cognitive behavior program, (5) "failed to complete AOD treatment with
House of Hope," and (6) failed to pay restitution and court costs.
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                                 6

       {¶ 16} As noted, appellant contends the trial court erred by imposing maximum
sentences. Under Ohio law, "[a] sentencing court is not required 'to make any particular
"findings" before imposing a statutory maximum prison sentence.' " State v. Brooks, 11th
Dist. No. 2105-T-0111, 2016-Ohio-4743, ¶ 16, quoting State v. Whitt, 2d Dist. No. 2014-
CA-125, 2016-Ohio-843, ¶ 8. Rather, the trial court "has 'full discretion to impose a
prison sentence within the statutory range.' " Id., quoting State v. Mathis, 109 Ohio St. 3d
54, 2006-Ohio-855, paragraph three of the syllabus. Accordingly, "[t]he court is 'merely
*   * * required to consider the principles and purposes of sentencing as well as the
seriousness and recidivism factors.' " Id. at ¶ 16, quoting Whitt at ¶ 8.
       {¶ 17} In imposing sentences in the instant case, the trial court noted that
appellant was on probation at the time of the second offense, that he had tested positive
for cocaine while on probation, and that he had a blood alcohol level of .223 at the time of
the second offense when he drove the wrong way on a highway and struck another vehicle
head-on, injuring the driver of the other vehicle. The court further observed that "[t]his is
probably one of the worst scenarios" it had handled on the bench. (Sept. 28, 2015 Tr. at
23.)
       {¶ 18} Here, the judgment entries in both cases state that the trial court considered
the purposes and principles of sentencing under R.C. 2929.11, as well as the factors set
forth in R.C. 2929.12, and that it had weighed the factors as set forth in the applicable
provisions of R.C. 2929.13 and 2929.14. Under Ohio law, "a trial court's statement in its
sentencing journal entry that it considered the required statutory factors is sufficient to
fulfill a trial court's obligation under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12." State v. Fresenko, 8th
Dist. No. 103473, 2016-Ohio-4958, ¶ 12. See also State v. Boettner, 9th Dist. No. 23537,
2007-Ohio-3883, ¶ 10 (sentencing entry indicating that trial court considered the factors
of R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 "is sufficient to support the imposition of * * * maximum
sentence on Defendant"). Further, appellant's sentences in both cases are within the
applicable statutory range.      Based on this court's review, we cannot clearly and
convincingly conclude that the trial court's imposition of maximum sentences was
unsupported by the record or contrary to law.
       {¶ 19} To the extent appellant requests this court to conduct an independent
review of the record to determine if the trial court's imposition of a maximum sentence
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                                  7

constitutes an abuse of discretion, the Marcum decision forecloses any such review.
Further, it has been noted that "[t]he Marcum decision does not expand R.C.
2953.08(G)(2) to allow appellate courts to independently weigh the sentencing factors in
appellate review." State v. Ongert, 8th Dist. No. 103208, 2016-Ohi0-1543, ¶ 14. See also
State v. D.S., 10th Dist. No. 15AP-790, 2016-Ohio-2856, ¶ 15 ("Although appellant
appears to disagree with the trial court's analysis and application of the purposes and
principles of sentencing set forth by R.C. 2929.11 and the statutory factors set forth by
R.C. 2929.12, such disagreement does not make a sentence that falls within the applicable
statutory range contrary to law.").
       {¶ 20} Based on the foregoing, appellant's first assignment of error is overruled.
       {¶ 21} Under his second assignment of error, appellant contends the trial court
erred by imposing consecutive terms of incarceration. Appellant argues that the court
failed to make complete findings as required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) and the standard set
forth by the Supreme Court in State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St. 3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177.
According to appellant, the court elevated the need to protect the public above any other
factor. Appellant further argues that the trial court's sentencing entry fails to comply with
the holding in Bonnell.
       {¶ 22} R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) states as follows:

              If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for
              convictions of multiple offenses, the court may require the
              offender to serve the prison terms consecutively if the court
              finds that the consecutive service is necessary to protect the
              public from future crime or to punish the offender and that
              consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the
              seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the
              offender poses to the public, and if the court also finds any of
              the following:

              (a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple
              offenses while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing,
              was under a sanction imposed pursuant to section 2929.16,
              2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-
              release control for a prior offense.

              (b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as
              part of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused
              by two or more of the multiple offenses so committed was so
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                                  8

              great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the
              offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct
              adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender's conduct.

              (c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates
              that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public
              from future crime by the offender.

       {¶ 23} Accordingly, in order to impose consecutive sentences, R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)
requires a trial court to find that: "(1) consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the
public from future crime or to punish the offender; (2) consecutive sentences are not
disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the
offender poses to the public; and (3) at least one of the factors enumerated in R.C.
2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c) applies." State v. Smith, 8th Dist. No. 101105, 2014-Ohio-5547, ¶ 7.
       {¶ 24} In Bonnell, the Supreme Court recently held: "In order to impose
consecutive terms of imprisonment, a trial court is required to make the findings
mandated by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing hearing and incorporate its findings
into its sentencing entry, but it has no obligation to state reasons to support its findings."
Id. at syllabus. The court in Bonnell at ¶ 29-30, elaborated as follows:
              When imposing consecutive sentences, a trial court must state
              the required findings as part of the sentencing hearing, and by
              doing so it affords notice to the offender and to defense
              counsel. See Crim.R. 32(A)(4). And because a court speaks
              through its journal, * * * the court should also incorporate its
              statutory findings into the sentencing entry. However, a word-
              for-word recitation of the language of the statute is not
              required, and as long as the reviewing court can discern that
              the trial court engaged in the correct analysis and can
              determine that the record contains evidence to support the
              findings, consecutive sentences should be upheld.

              A trial court's inadvertent failure to incorporate the statutory
              findings in the sentencing entry after properly making those
              findings at the sentencing hearing does not render the
              sentence contrary to law; rather, such a clerical mistake may
              be corrected by the court through a nunc pro tunc entry to
              reflect what actually occurred in open court. * * * But a nunc
              pro tunc entry cannot cure the failure to make the required
              findings at the time of imposing sentence. See State v. Miller,
              127 Ohio St. 3d 407, 2010-Ohio-5705, * * * ¶ 16 ("a nunc pro
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                                  9

              tunc order cannot cure the failure of a judge to impose
              restitution in the first instance at sentencing").

       {¶ 25} The state maintains the trial court made the required statutory findings at
the sentencing hearing to impose consecutive sentences. We agree. A review of the
sentencing hearing transcript indicates the trial court stated on the record: "I must protect
the public above all else. That's why I'm doing the consecutive sentences." (Sept. 28,
2015 Tr. at 23.) The trial court further noted on the record: "I've got to consider the
disproportionality argument." (Sept. 28, 2015 Tr. at 22.) In addressing this issue, the
court noted that "[t]he nature of the offenses are identical," and that appellant "continued
to commit violations while on probation," including testing positive for cocaine.
(Sept. 28, 2015 Tr. at 22.) The court held that "it's not disproportionate because we've
had several discussions throughout our process together about your future, and you just
threw them all away for a cocktail." (Sept. 28, 2015 Tr. at 23.) Finally, the court noted
that appellant "was on probation at the time of the offense." (Sept. 28, 2015 Tr. at 22.)
       {¶ 26} As quoted above, Bonnell does not require a "word-for-word recitation of
the language of the statute," and consecutive sentences should be upheld "as long as the
reviewing court can discern that the trial court engaged in the correct analysis and can
determine that the record contains evidence to support the findings." Id. at ¶ 29. Here,
the record indicates the trial court, in imposing consecutive sentences, made appropriate
statutory findings at the sentencing hearing, and we conclude the record supports those
findings.
       {¶ 27} While we find no merit with appellant's claim that the trial court erred in
imposing consecutive sentences, the state concedes the trial court failed to incorporate its
consecutive sentence findings into the sentencing entries. We agree, and note that, under
Bonnell, a trial court's failure to do so constitutes a clerical error requiring a remand to
the trial court to issue a nunc pro tunc entry incorporating its findings under R.C.
2929.14(C)(4). See id. at ¶ 30 ("A trial court's inadvertent failure to incorporate the
statutory findings in the sentencing entry after properly making those findings at the
sentencing hearing does not render the sentence contrary to law; rather, such a clerical
mistake may be corrected by the court through a nunc pro tunc entry to reflect what
actually occurred in open court."). See also State v. Hargrove, 10th Dist. No. 15AP-102,
Nos. 15AP-994 and 15AP-995                                                            10

2015-Ohio-3125, ¶ 25 ("Consistent with our precedent in [State v. Hillman, 10th Dist. No.
14AP-252, 2014-Ohio-5760, ¶ 71], we remand this case to the trial court for a nunc pro
tunc judgment entry incorporating findings stated on the record.").
       {¶ 28} Accordingly, appellant's second assignment of is error is sustained in part
and overruled in part.     While we affirm the trial court's imposition of consecutive
sentences, we will remand these matters to the trial court to issue nunc pro tunc entries
that incorporate the statutory findings the trial court made at sentencing.
       {¶ 29} Based on the foregoing, appellant's first assignment of error is overruled,
the second assignment of error is sustained in part and overruled in part, and the
judgments of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas are hereby affirmed. Further,
having found that the trial court's entries contain a clerical error, we remand these
matters to the trial court for the limited purpose of issuing nunc pro tunc entries that
incorporate the statutory findings for consecutive sentences.
                                                                 Judgments affirmed and
                                                       causes remanded with instructions.

                             TYACK and KLATT, JJ., concur.

                                 _________________