Court Opinion

ID: 4273690
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-09 15:07:48.876247+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:06:38.306560
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM DECISION
                                                                      FILED
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this                      May 09 2018, 7:49 am
Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as
precedent or cited before any court except for the                    CLERK
                                                                  Indiana Supreme Court
purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata,                 Court of Appeals
                                                                       and Tax Court
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                   ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
P. Jeffrey Schlesinger                                   Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Crown Point, Indiana                                     Attorney General of Indiana
                                                         Henry A. Flores, Jr.
                                                         Deputy Attorney General
                                                         Indianapolis, Indiana

                                             IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

John Charles Prenderville,                               May 9, 2018

Appellant-Defendant,                                     Court of Appeals Cause No.
                                                         45A04-1712-CR-2838
        v.                                               Appeal from the Lake Superior
                                                         Court
State of Indiana,                                        The Honorable Diane Ross Boswell,
                                                         Judge
Appellee-Plaintiff.
                                                         Trial Court Cause No. 45G03-1701-
                                                         F6-16

Riley, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018        Page 1 of 10
                               STATEMENT OF THE CASE
[1]   Appellant-Defendant, John Charles Prenderville (Prenderville), appeals his one-

      year sentence after he pleaded guilty to domestic battery, a Class A

      misdemeanor, Ind. Code § 35-42-2-1.3(a).

[2]   We affirm.

                                                  ISSUES
[3]   Prenderville presents two issues on appeal, which we restate as:

      (1) Whether Prenderville was entitled to credit time for time served on pre-trial

      electronic monitoring; and

      (2) Whether Prenderville’s sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the

      offense and his character.

                      FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
[4]   On January 20, 2017, Prenderville and his ex-wife, Mary Pimental (Pimental),

      were celebrating Prenderville’s birthday at a bar in Lake County, Indiana.

      Prenderville became intoxicated and “obnoxious and began harassing

      [Pimental] and belittling her” by “calling her stupid and a dumb bitch, and

      using other profanities.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 7). At around 2:30 a.m.,

      the pair left the bar in a vehicle driven by Pimental. On the drive home,

      Prenderville became more “irate and continued to yell” at Pimental.

      (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 7). In the process, Prenderville, who had a “to go

      beer cup from the bar,” tossed the beer at Pimental. (Appellant’s App. Vol. II,

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 2 of 10
      p. 7). Pimental became scared of Prenderville’s actions, and she used her cell

      phone to “record his yelling.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 7). Prenderville

      then “punched the vehicle’s [rear-view] mirror, punched the dashboard, and

      punched . . . Pimental in the face while she was driving.” (Appellant’s App.

      Vol. II, p. 30). Pimental reacted and punched Prenderville “in the stomach and

      told him to leave her alone.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 7). She also

      indicated that she was driving to the police station to report the incident. Upon

      hearing that, Prenderville “grabbed the steering wheel” and he “tried to steer

      the vehicle, causing it to move erratically.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 7).

      Prenderville continued to threaten Pimental by claiming that he was going to

      “beat her ass” and he called her a “bitch and a whore.” (Appellant’s App. Vol.

      II, p. 7). When they arrived home, Pimental went inside her house leaving

      Prenderville inside the vehicle. Prenderville “began to blow the horn and when

      [Pimental] did not come out[,] he entered the house” and he “threatened to beat

      her up.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 7). The Lake County Police Department

      was contacted, and Prenderville was arrested.

[5]   On January 21, 2017, in Cause Number 45G03-1701-F6-00016(F6-16), the

      State charged Prenderville with Count I, intimidation, a Level 6 felony; Count

      II, domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a Level 6 felony; Count

      III, domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor; Count IV, criminal recklessness,

      a Class B misdemeanor; and Count V, criminal mischief, a Class B

      misdemeanor. Prenderville spent four days in jail and was placed on electronic

      monitoring on February 13, 2017.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 3 of 10
[6]   On September 18, 2017, pursuant to a plea agreement, Prenderville agreed to

      plead guilty to Count III, domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and the

      State agreed to dismiss all other Counts. The agreement provided that

      Prenderville would admit to violating his probations in Cause Numbers 45G03-

      1208-FB-00086 (FB-86), and 45G03-1512-F6-235(F6-235). While the parties

      agreed that sentencing for the Class A misdemeanor domestic battery offense in

      F6-16, as well as any sentences imposed pursuant to the petitions to revoke

      probation under FB-86 and F6-235, would be left open to the trial court, they

      also agreed that any of the sentences imposed shall run consecutively. Lastly,

      as part of the written plea agreement, Prenderville specifically agreed that he

      was not entitled to credit time served while on electronic monitoring.

[7]   That same day, a guilty plea hearing was conducted and the trial court

      determined that a factual basis existed for Prenderville’s charged offense and it

      accepted Prenderville’s plea. On November 6, 2017, the trial court conducted a

      sentencing hearing. The trial court sentenced Prenderville to one year for the

      Class A misdemeanor domestic battery charge in Lake County Community

      Corrections. With regard to credit time served while on pretrial electronic

      monitoring, Prenderville requested the trial court to award him all of the 255

      days spent on electronic monitoring, plus an additional one-quarter of 255 days

      as good time credit. In response, the State argued that

              I don’t recall personally any case as I sit here right now where the
              [c]ourt ordered all of the days plus one-quarter. My recollection
              was that it was one-quarter only.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 4 of 10
       (Sent. Tr. Vol. II, p. 19). At the close of the hearing, the trial court determined

       that Prenderville served four days in jail. For each of those four days he spent

       in confinement, Prenderville earned one day of credit-time, totaling eight days.

       In addition, the trial court awarded Prenderville a quarter of the 255 days spent

       on electronic monitoring, i.e., sixty-four days, as good time credit. In sum, the

       trial court awarded Prenderville a total of seventy-two days of good time credit

       toward his sentence.

[8]    Prenderville now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.

                               DISCUSSION AND DECISION
                    I. Credit Time for Time Served on Pretrial Electronic Monitoring

[9]    Prenderville argues that he is entitled to 255 days of pretrial credit time served

       while on he was on electronic monitoring. “Credit for time served” is defined

       as “the credit toward the sentence a prisoner receives for time actually served.”

       Purcell v. State, 721 N.E.2d 220, 222 (Ind. 1999). “Good time credit” is “the

       additional credit a prisoner receives for good behavior and educational

       attainment.” Id. Prenderville appeals the trial court’s decision on credit time

       served while on pre-trial electronic monitoring.

[10]   Following his release from jail, Prenderville was placed on electronic

       monitoring. At his sentencing hearing, Prenderville had been on electronic

       monitoring for a total of 255 days. However, in September of 2017, the parties

       entered into a plea agreement, and Prenderville specifically agreed that he was

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 5 of 10
       not entitled to pretrial credit time for the time served while on electronic

       monitoring.

[11]   A plea agreement is contractual in nature, and binds the defendant, the State,

       and the trial court. Valenzuela v. State, 898 N.E.2d 480, 482 (Ind. Ct. App.

       2008), trans. denied. All parties are bound to the terms of a plea agreement

       accepted by the court, but the plea agreement will only be valid if it was

       knowingly and willingly agreed to. Creech v. State, 887 N.E.2d 73, 75 (Ind.

       2008)). Absent any claim that a defendant’s guilty plea was not knowingly or

       voluntarily entered, a defendant is bound by the terms of the plea agreement.

       See State v. Holloway, 980 N.E.2d 331, 334 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). Prenderville

       makes no argument that his plea was involuntary. We also find that in

       accepting the plea agreement, Prenderville agreed that he was not entitled to

       pretrial credit time for the time served on electronic monitoring. Accordingly,

       we hold that Prenderville’s argument that the trial court abused its discretion by

       failing to award him 255 days of pretrial credit time spent on electronic

       monitoring toward his sentence is without merit.

                                          II. Inappropriate Sentence

[12]   Prenderville claims that his one-year sentence is inappropriate in light of the

       nature of the offense and his character. Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B) empowers

       us to independently review and revise sentences authorized by statute if, after

       due consideration, we find the trial court’s decision inappropriate in light of the

       nature of the offense and the character of the offender. Reid v. State, 876 N.E.2d

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 6 of 10
       1114, 1116 (Ind. 2007). The “nature of offense” compares the defendant’s

       actions with the required showing to sustain a conviction under the charged

       offense, while the “character of the offender” permits a broader consideration of

       the defendant’s character. Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1224 (Ind. 2008);

       Douglas v. State, 878 N.E.2d 873, 881 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). An appellant bears

       the burden of showing that both prongs of the inquiry favor a revision of his

       sentence. Childress v. State, 848 N.E.2d 1073, 1080 (Ind. 2006). Whether we

       regard a sentence as appropriate at the end of the day turns on our sense of the

       culpability of the defendant, the severity of the crime, the damage done to

       others, and a myriad of other considerations that come to light in a given case.

       Cardwell, 895 N.E.2d at 1224. Our court focuses on “the length of the aggregate

       sentence and how it is to be served.” Id.

[13]   The advisory sentence is the starting point the legislature has selected as an

       appropriate sentence for the crime committed. Abbott v. State, 961 N.E.2d 1016,

       1019 (Ind. 2012). For his Class A misdemeanor domestic battery, Prenderville

       faced a maximum sentence of one year. I.C. § 35-50-3-2. Here, the trial court

       imposed the maximum sentence.

[14]   The nature of the offense is found in the details and circumstances of the

       commission of the offense and the defendant’s participation. Croy v. State, 953

       N.E.2d 660, 664 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011). Prenderville and his ex-wife were at a

       bar celebrating Prenderville’s birthday. Prenderville became intoxicated and

       obnoxious and he demeaned Pimental by calling her abusive names. Although

       the parties were divorced at the time, Pimental was housing Prenderville since

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 7 of 10
       he did not have a place to stay. As the pair left the bar in a vehicle driven by

       Pimental, Prenderville sat in the passenger seat and he continued to harangue

       Pimental with insults. Eventually, Prenderville tossed his beer at Pimental,

       broke the rearview mirror, cracked the windshield, and punched Pimental in

       her face. When Pimental threatened to drive to the police station, Prenderville

       grabbed the steering wheel, which caused the vehicle to move erratically.

       When they arrived at Pimental’s residence, Pimental went inside her house

       leaving Prenderville inside the vehicle. Prenderville “began to blow the horn”

       and when Pimental did not come out, he entered the house and “threatened to

       beat her up.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 7). From the foregoing facts, we are

       not persuaded that anything about the nature of Prenderville’s offense warrants

       a reduction in the imposed sentence.

[15]   When considering the character of the offender, one relevant fact is the

       defendant’s criminal history. Rutherford v. State, 866 N.E.2d 867, 874 (Ind. Ct.

       App. 2007). The significance of a criminal history in assessing a defendant’s

       character varies based on the gravity, nature, and number of prior offenses in

       relation to the current offense. Id. While a record of arrests may not be used as

       evidence of criminal history, it can be “relevant to the trial court’s assessment of

       the defendant’s character in terms of the risk that he will commit another

       crime.” Cotto v. State, 829 N.E.2d 520, 526 (Ind. 2005). Prenderville has

       amassed multiple criminal convictions and a record of arrests in Indiana and

       Illinois. His Illinois criminal history includes battery, possession of a controlled

       substance, unlawful use of a concealed handgun, driving while suspended,

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 8 of 10
       operating a motor vehicle without insurance, and driving under the influence.

       Prenderville was arrested in Indiana for his first offense in 2004 for intimidation

       with a deadly weapon. His other Indiana arrests and convictions include

       driving while suspended (multiple), intimidation, invasion of privacy, criminal

       trespass, aggravated battery causing bodily injury, battery committed by means

       of deadly a weapon, criminal recklessness, and driving under the influence

       (multiple). We note that some of Prenderville’s past offenses are alcohol

       related. While committing the instant offense, Prenderville became intoxicated

       and punched Pimental in her face while she was driving.

[16]   Finally, Prenderville argues that he took responsibility when he pleaded guilty

       to the offense of domestic battery. However, Prenderville received a substantial

       benefit by pleading guilty. Due to Prenderville’s plea of guilty, the State

       dismissed two other felony charges and two misdemeanor charges. Moreover,

       Prenderville committed the instant offense while serving probation in two other

       Causes: under FB-86, Prenderville was serving four years of probation for his

       criminal recklessness conviction; and in F6-235, Prenderville was serving one

       year of probation for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Prenderville’s

       criminal history and prior stints in jail have not deterred him from breaking the

       law. For all of the above reasons, Prenderville has failed to meet his burden in

       persuading us that his sentence is inappropriate in light of his character.

                                             CONCLUSION
[17]   In sum, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by failing to

       award Prenderville 255 days of pretrial credit time spent on electronic
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 9 of 10
       monitoring; and that Prenderville’s sentence is not inappropriate in light of the

       nature of the offense and his character.

[18]   Affirmed.

[19]   May, J. & Mathias, J. concur

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A04-1712-CR-2838 | May 9, 2018   Page 10 of 10